Climate Diplomacy The New Normal in Geopolitics

Introduction - Climate change has emerged as one of the most formidable developmental and economic challenges of the contemporary world.

- By Dr. Srikanta K Panigrahi

The unsustainable pattern of global economic activities has created severe consequences, impacting life, property, and GDP loss; not only for developing economies but for the entire globe.

In recent times, climate change has evolved from being a purely existential concern into a defining force in international politics. Once confined to the margins of global summits, it now dominates diplomatic agendas. Today, climate diplomacy is not merely an extension of foreign policy; it is foreign policy itself. Nations increasingly recognise that addressing climate change is essential for economic prosperity, energy security, and global stability. Consequently, climate diplomacy has become the new normal in geopolitics, reshaping alliances, trade, and power relations worldwide.

From Environmental Challenge to Strategic Priority

India's journey from environmental policymaking to climate diplomacy illustrates its broader shift toward sustainability-oriented governance. Early initiatives such as the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and state-level climate missions have institutionalised sustainability within national planning.

Climate change is no longer seen as a constraint on development but as a catalyst for innovation. The government's push for renewable energy, aiming for 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030, demonstrates this transformation. Beyond government action, think tanks and research institutions like the IISD, the Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), and the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) contribute to policy analysis, technological innovation, and capacity building. Together, they strengthen India's evidence-based climate strategy and its engagement in multilateral negotiations.

India's Climate Diplomacy in Action