India’s climate and energy goals after COP21: contradictory or complementary?

Journal article

The agreement reached at the 21st Conference of Parties (COP21) in Paris in December 2015 evoked mixed reactions in India. While its prime minister declared that the deal was a win for 'climate justice', the environment minister reportedly stated that the agreement could have been more ambitious, as the actions of developed nations were 'far below' their historical responsibilities. There was, however, a visible shift in India's stance at COP21 in comparison with previous climate summits. Arguably, this shift began in 2010 in Cancun, when India pledged its first climate target (to reduce the emissions intensity of GDP by 20–25 per cent by 2020 from 2005 levels, soon after China announced its emissions intensity target), and it was further defined at COP21.

Authors: Sen, A

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Oxford Institute for Energy Studies
• Journal: Oxford Energy Forum
• Volume: 105
• Pages: 32-36
• ISSN: 0959-7727
• Keywords: OIES; Oxford Energy Forum