Green Politics in India: The Role of Political Parties in Addressing Climate Change Since 2014-2024

Author(s): Manas Ranjan Behera and Dr. Rajshree Dutta

Abstract:

Green politics in India emphasizes environmental sustainability, ecological justice, and climate action within the political framework. It advocates for policies addressing pollution, renewable energy, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development, often championed by civil society and select political parties. This article explores the role of political parties in India in addressing climate change within the framework of green politics, specifically focusing on the period from 2014 to 2024. Drawing on secondary sources including electoral manifestos, official policy documents, scholarly studies, and media analyses it evaluates how major national parties such as BJP and Congress, along with influential regional parties, have articulated and integrated climate and environmental sustainability concerns into their agendas. Findings highlight a growing rhetorical acknowledgment of climate issues in party manifestos, notably intensified after India's commitments under the Paris Agreement (2015). However, the analysis reveals a notable gap between rhetorical commitments and tangible policy actions, emphasizing inconsistencies and fragmented implementation of sustainable initiatives, particularly renewable energy expansion, climate resilience, and pollution control measures. The paper also considers electoral dynamics, assessing whether and how environmental promises influenced voter behavior across general and state elections during this decade. Ultimately, it argues for stronger political commitment and cohesive policymaking, stressing the urgency of translating party pledges into robust, actionable climate strategies to enhance India's climate resilience and sustainable development trajectory.

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Pages: 103-107     |    1 View     |    0 Download