Climate Change not getting enough attention in Indian politics, CFC survey finds

By Aayushi Sharma

Indians are dissatisfied with the attention politicians give to Climate Change, according to the results of a survey carried out by Climate Fact Checks in the run-up to the Lok Sabha Elections, 2024. The survey was carried out among our readers and subscribers to understand the significance of Climate Change as an election issue in India.

The survey showed that a staggering 85.5% of the respondents, hailing from across the country, were dissatisfied with the attention political parties and leaders are giving to climate change. 

70.2% of the respondents stated that they believe Climate Change should be a significant issue in Indian Elections, while 69.5% are inclined to support a candidate who prioritizes it.

This time around, the manifestos of certain political parties highlight a significant emphasis on addressing the pressing challenge of climate change. Some of the survey respondents indicated awareness of the climate action plans proposed by various political parties in India.

Yet, a major section believes the issue is not being given enough importance during the campaigns and in the manifestos. 

Here are the findings of the survey

• Of 131 respondents, 58.5% said they are concerned about Climate Change.

• About 81% of the respondents say they have either rarely or never observed political parties or candidates discussing climate change during election campaigns. Harish from Maharashtra said, “Climate Change should be the primary issue in the elections. Apart from these, the controversial forest laws and other environmental policies must be discussed.”

• 69.5% of the respondents are more inclined to support a political candidate prioritising climate change policies. 

Which climate action policy do respondents prioritise?

• The survey asked about the specific climate change policies that Indian political parties should prioritise. The majority of the respondents (41.2%) believed that protecting ecosystems should be the priority of political parties related to climate change. This is followed by promoting renewable energy (14.5% respondents), Climate-resilient urban planning (13% respondents), and Stricter regulations on carbon emissions (12.2% respondents).  

Did they pay attention to the climate action proposals from different political parties?

• 66.5% said they are aware or at least somewhat aware of the climate action proposals made by different political parties in India.  

• When asked about the extent to which respondents feel personally responsible for combating climate change, the majority feel that they are somewhat responsible for it. 

• About 70.2% of respondents believe climate change should be a significant topic in Indian elections. Prabha Jishtu, one of the respondents from Himachal  Pradesh said, “Climate change is a threat to our way of life. We need solutions to adapt and become more resilient.” 

• 64.1% of the respondents said India should play a leading role in global efforts to combat climate change.

A majority of the respondents say they have been personally affected by climate change, with many of them speaking about its ill effects on public health, the difficulties faced by the agrarian community due to changing weather patterns, and the extreme weather conditions in their region that weren’t common earlier.

To address these concerns and ensure meaningful progress in combating climate change, it is essential for political parties to not only articulate ambitious climate goals in their manifestos but also provide concrete action plans to achieve them.

72% of the total survey respondents are 26-40 and 26.7% are under the age group 19-25 years. The gender distribution of respondents as males, females, and others, are 58.8%, 40.5%, and 0.8% respectively.

Elections in India: India has millions of eligible voters spread across 28 states and eight union territories. The Election Commission of India, an autonomous constitutional authority, shoulders the responsibility of organizing, administering, and overseeing these elections with meticulous precision. The electoral process in India unfolds in multiple phases, often spanning several weeks, to accommodate the diverse geographical and demographic landscape of the country.

Election manifestos serve as a reflection of a party’s political stance and are frequently the subject of discussion, debate, and comparison during electoral campaigns. Covering topics from international affairs to employment, healthcare, and education, they encompass a wide array of issues, aiding voters in making informed decisions.

Are parties focusing on Environmental Issues in India?

The manifestos of select political parties underscore a notable prioritisation of addressing the urgent challenge of climate change. One such party sets forth an ambitious target of attaining net-zero emissions by the year 2070, signalling a steadfast commitment to mitigating the adverse effects of climate change both domestically and globally. Meanwhile, another party proposes the establishment of a green transition fund, aiming to facilitate India’s shift towards a more sustainable and environmentally conscious economy. These pledges reflect a growing recognition within India’s political landscape of the imperative need for environmental stewardship and sustainable development.

Despite the commendable emphasis placed on climate action in these manifestos, concerns persist regarding the lack of detailed action plans accompanying these ambitious goals. The absence of specific strategies and policy measures raises questions about the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed initiatives. Without clear roadmaps outlining how these targets will be achieved, there is a risk that they may remain lofty aspirations rather than actionable objectives. Read more on this here. 

With inputs from CFC India Research Team.