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India made significant strides in the global conversation on climate action during its participation in the CoP29 UN Climate Change Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, held from November 11-22, 2024. The country collaborated with various international organizations to host key side-events, addressing a broad spectrum of climate-related challenges and offering solutions for a sustainable, climate-resilient future.

India’s active role in these discussions underscored its commitment to combating climate change and shared the nation's progress in both domestic and international initiatives. Here’s a closer look at some of the standout side-events organized by India at CoP29:

Disaster-Resilient Infrastructure: A Pillar of Climate Adaptation

On November 13, India, in collaboration with the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), hosted a pivotal session on integrating disaster-resilient infrastructure into national adaptation strategies. The panel emphasized the urgent need for countries to prioritize disaster risk reduction (DRR) within their long-term development plans.

As climate risks intensify, it is estimated that 88% of adaptation costs will be tied to infrastructure. Experts discussed how countries can better assess infrastructure vulnerability and the role of innovative financing mechanisms in bolstering resilience. India's leadership in the Infrastructure for Resilient Island States (IRIS) initiative was highlighted as a critical tool for small island nations, providing technical support and enabling sustainable development through resilient infrastructure.

Energy Transition for the Global South: Harnessing Solar Power

India's push for renewable energy took center stage during the November 19 session on solar energy’s role in the Global South. Hosted by the International Solar Alliance (ISA), this event called for an accelerated transition to solar energy, which is seen as a cost-effective and versatile solution to the intertwined challenges of energy security and climate change.

Minister of State for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, stressed the need for rapid solar adoption, particularly in developing nations, to meet growing energy demands while reducing carbon footprints. Experts forecasted a 20-fold increase in solar energy use by 2050 to meet over 75% of the world’s energy needs. India's experience in large-scale solar deployment offers valuable lessons for the rest of the Global South in bridging developmental disparities and promoting environmental sustainability.

Industry Collaboration for Low-Carbon Transition

One of the most anticipated events was the LeadIT Summit, held on November 20, which marked the fifth year of the Leadership Group for Industry Transition. Co-chaired by India’s Shri Vardhan Singh and Sweden’s Ms. Romina Pourmokhtari, the summit showcased the progress made in aligning heavy industries with the Paris Agreement.

At this gathering, which included key industry leaders such as Tata Steel and Dalmia, the focus was on overcoming technological challenges and fostering innovation. Indian companies, like Tata Motors, highlighted the need for cross-sector collaboration to develop cleaner solutions for industries such as steel and automotive, where carbon emissions remain a significant challenge.

The LeadIT initiative aims to unite governments and industries in transforming global heavy industry through a just transition. The summit reaffirmed the role of collaboration in addressing the climate crisis while ensuring equitable growth and prosperity.

Women in Climate Action: Empowering Communities for a Sustainable Future

India also led a transformative session on women-led climate action on November 21. This event, hosted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC), the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), ISA, and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), highlighted the crucial role women play in adopting clean energy solutions at the grassroots level.

The session emphasized that empowering women in rural communities with access to clean energy not only strengthens their adaptive capacities but also delivers broader socio-economic benefits, such as improved health outcomes and job creation. India’s large-scale renewable energy projects and its efforts to mainstream women’s roles in development were showcased as models for integrating gender equality into climate action.

Strengthening International Partnerships for Resilient Development

India’s involvement in the India-Sweden Industry Transition Partnership (ITP), launched at CoP28, was another highlight of the conference. On November 16, a session reviewed the progress made under this partnership, with a special focus on the links between India-Sweden ITP and the Brazil-UK Industry Decarbonisation Hubs.

The session set the stage for CoP30 in Belém, Brazil, where both nations will present tangible outcomes of their collaboration. India’s participation in such partnerships demonstrates its proactive approach in fostering global cooperation to reduce industrial emissions and ensure a sustainable future for all.