India Responsible for Climate Change? Not as Much as You Think

Has India’s role in global warming been exaggerated?

In an article in the UK’s Financial Times on November 29, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated India’s long-standing position on climate change and the principle of ‘differentiated responsibilities’.

The principle of common but differentiated responsibilities should be the bedrock of our collective enterprise. Anything else would be morally wrong... Justice demands that, with what little carbon we can still safely burn, developing countries are allowed to grow. The lifestyles of a few must not crowd out opportunities for the many still on the first steps of the development ladder.

Narendra Modi in the Financial Times

So what is India’s share of the global warming burden? Where do we stand when it comes to carbon dioxide emissions?

Yes, India is the fourth highest emitter of carbon dioxide in the world. But let’s get a little perspective. China’s carbon footprint is about seven times ours, while the US, whose population is about one-third of India’s has three times the amount of emissions.

India ranks 127th in the world when it comes to per capita carbon dioxide emissions. That’s right, an average Indian contributes less towards global warming than citizens in 126 other countries. About 1/6th of humanity lives here. Hence, the principle of differentiated responsibilities. The richer, developed countries of the world, who consume more and have had a greater impact on the environment since the industrial revolution must take greater responsibility for their actions.