Context:
• At the Munich Security Conference, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman emphasized the ‘Polluter Pays’ principle and called for greater climate responsibility and technology sharing by developed nations.
Key Highlights:
Advocacy of Differentiated Responsibilities
• India reiterated the principle that countries historically responsible for higher emissions should bear greater climate mitigation costs.
• Developed nations were urged to:
- Provide climate finance.
- Facilitate technology transfer for green transitions in developing countries.
India’s Climate Commitment
• India has increased spending on climate-related initiatives over the past six years.
• The Union Budget 2026–27 allocated:
- ₹212.5 crore for the Green India Mission.
- ₹1,091 crore for pollution control measures.
Climate Security and Global Cooperation
• Climate change poses security risks, including:
- Resource scarcity
- Displacement and migration
- Social instability
• Concerns were raised about weakening global climate cooperation, especially after U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement.
Global Debate on Climate Action
• Some international leaders highlighted the role of the fossil fuel industry in spreading misinformation on climate change.
• The discussions emphasized the need for collective international action and sustained financial commitments.
Relevant Prelims Points:
- Polluter Pays Principle
- Environmental principle stating that the entity responsible for pollution must bear the costs of managing it.
- Recognized in international environmental law and Indian environmental jurisprudence.
- Adopted by the OECD (1972) and incorporated in various environmental agreements.
- Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR)
- Principle under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
- Recognizes that developed countries have historically contributed more to greenhouse gas emissions.
- Green India Mission
- One of the eight missions under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).
- Focuses on afforestation, ecosystem restoration, and carbon sequestration.
- Paris Agreement (2015)
- Global treaty under UNFCCC aiming to limit global temperature rise to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels.
- Climate Finance
- Developed countries committed to mobilizing $100 billion annually to support climate mitigation and adaptation in developing nations.
Relevant Mains Points:
- Equity in Global Climate Governance
- Developing countries argue that climate responsibility should reflect historical emissions and developmental needs.
- Climate justice requires balancing environmental protection with economic development.
- India’s Climate Policy Approach
- Focus on renewable energy expansion, green hydrogen, afforestation, and sustainable infrastructure.
- India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) include increasing non-fossil fuel energy capacity and reducing emissions intensity.
- Challenges in Climate Finance and Technology Transfer
- Many developing nations lack adequate financial resources and technological capacity to transition to green economies.
- Limited progress in fulfilling global climate finance commitments remains a major challenge.
- Climate Change as a Security Issue
- Climate impacts can lead to conflicts over water, food, and land resources.
- Climate-induced migration could increase regional instability.
- Way Forward
- Strengthen international climate cooperation mechanisms.
- Ensure predictable climate finance flows from developed nations.
- Promote green technology sharing and innovation partnerships.
- Encourage sustainable development pathways in emerging economies.
UPSC Relevance:
• GS Paper 3 – Environment, Climate Change, Sustainable Development.
• GS Paper 2 – International Relations and Global Governance.