The footprint of climate change can already be seen in every corner of the planet. Erratic weather patterns, rising sea levels and melting glaciers due to climate change, are reshaping societies across the globe. Through multilingual news and expert analysis, The Third Pole captures how these changes are unfolding in India, one of the world’s most climate vulnerable countries. In India, climate change is already affecting human health, wildlife, food production, clean water access and the economy at large.
Did you know…
India’s first-ever climate change assessment report carried out in 2020, has revealed that the country’s average temperature is expected to rise by 4.4 degree Celsius by the end of the year 2100.
But in the case of India, these vulnerabilities come with a unique potential for change. Home to nearly 20% of the world’s population, the country is looking to transform its fast growing infrastructure and energy systems to reduce heat trapping emissions on a massive scale.
The outcome of these efforts are globally important, as India is the third largest greenhouse gas emitter after China and the United States. Since those two nations have presented bold plans to achieve net zero emissions by 2060 and 2050 respectively, India is today facing increasing pressure to step up its ambitions too, becoming the next battleground of the global clean energy transition.
Read about climate change impacts in India
The Third Pole provides fresh, high quality journalism covering the breadth of debates on climate change in India, from whether the country should also set a net zero target, to managing the rapid changes in some of the most fragile ecosystems of the world. Whatever direction it takes, India will have to curb its emissions while also lifting millions out of poverty and enabling its economy to recover in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.
India’s nationally determined contribution (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement is 2 degree compliant.
India pledged to reduce emissions intensity of GDP by 33-35% by 2030. India is on track to meet this Paris target, having already achieved a 21% reduction in emissions.
India is halfway toward meeting its domestic goal of 175 GW renewables by 2022 goal, with renewables reaching 88 GW—23.5% of India’s total installed capacity.
Our journalists and analysts cast a critical eye over India’s renewables story, as the country’s massive potential for solar energy development puts it on track to become a world leader in the clean energy sector, creating millions of new jobs and increasingly replacing fossil fuels in its energy basket. As more people move to its burgeoning cities, we track how India strives to electrify its mobility sector, addressing the chronic air pollution crisis which compounds the climate issue.
Read about climate change adaption in India:
The Third Pole’s team of expert editors across South, Central and Southeast Asia mean it can offer unique insights to Indian readers on how the climate change challenge and its solutions play out at a regional level. Wildlife trafficking, Himalayan climate research, energy exchange, trade and environmental diplomacy are only some of the issues that The Third Pole explores with depth and expertise.
In a globalised economy, and in the face of a planetary climate crisis, cross border cooperation is key to responding to growing environmental risks. It’s also essential to boost the growth of a new clean industry through trade and knowledge exchange. The way in which these relations play out will determine whether India and South Asia’s response to climate change is a success or failure. Our mission is to ensure that none of these stories go untold.
