IISPPR

Category: Climate Action

Climate Action
Sayantani Ghosh

Migration Under Pressure: Climate Change and the Transformation of Rural Livelihoods in India and the Global South

Significant population migrations in the Global South in rural areas are fuelled by climate change, with severe impacts on gender dynamics and socio-economic structures. The article focuses on India and similarly situated countries, delving into how changing climate patterns coerce agricultural communities to relocate, affecting women and marginalized groups. These migrations have several consequences. They transform rural economies, expose critical gaps in existing policies, and challenge traditional systems of social interactions. The research highlights the need for gender-inclusive policies, community-driven solutions, and comprehensive solutions that simultaneously address economic, social, and environmental challenges.

Read More »
Climate Action
Bharadwaj Vangipuram Sridhar

Geoengineering as a Climate Fix – Ethical Dilemmas for Global South. By: V S Bharadwaj, Aarushi Mahajan, Sarabel Odeyo, Anil Tamsoy

Introduction Geoengineering, or climate engineering, refers to the deliberate and large-scale alteration of the Earth’s natural landscape in an effort to counter climate change. It includes the removal of carbon dioxide and solar radiation management (SRM), which reduces greenhouse gases and reflects sunlight to cool the planet. Although geoengineering might be a viable solution to global warming problems, it raises severe moral questions, especially for the Global South. Due to their lack of finances and infrastructure, the Global South, which consists of developing countries, is more prone to the effects of climate change. As for geoengineering technologies, the implementation of these technologies could worsen inequality by changing the overall weather patterns of a region and its agricultural productivity. For example, SRM might change the amount of rainfall a region receives, and this might adversely impact agriculture in the weaker regions. The moral issues do not stop there. There are questions about who has the authority to govern this decision. The Global South doesn’t have a real voice on this matter, but it will surely feel the repercussions of SRM policies. Thus, these people are asking for the matter to be discussed globally so that the outcome is suitable for all. Technological Interventions and Their Implications Geoengineering interventions have the capacity to alleviate some of the most troubling repercussions concerning global warming. These systematic and large-scale attempts make use of technology to intervene in the climate. Such intervention is classified into a multitude of categories, and each of these categories has unique complications for the Global South. Geoengineering Interventions Types Solar Radiation Modification (SRM): This approach attempts to reflect sunlight back into space to subsequently cool the Earth. Techniques encompass stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI) as well as marine cloud brightening (MCB). As noted in prior citations, SRM appears to have the ability to reduce global temperatures but places severe environmental threats because of its multi-faceted effects at various latitudes and seasons (Wikipedia, n.d.).  Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR): This approach aims to address the removal of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere through methods such as fossil fuel power plants with carbon capture and storage, soil carbon sequestration, and other methods such as afforestation/reforestation and direct air capture. (Wikipedia, n.d.) While CDR is vital towards longitudinal moderation of climate change, its affordability and scalability are major issues. Cloud Seeding: This technology entails the use of particular chemicals into the clouds to bolster precipitation. Often this is highly effective in areas suffering from drought (Jacobo, Manzo & Zee, 2023). While cloud seeding is helpful in increasing snowpack and eliminating droughts, there is a… Repercussions for the Global South The Global South will be greatly impacted by the advances regarding geoengineering, both in a good way and a bad way: Positive Implications: Alleviation: Geoengineering interventions can offer immediate alleviation to developing nations suffering from devastating weather conditions like droughts and heat waves(Jacobo, Manzo, & Zee, 2023). Economic Opportunity: Economic infrastructure as well as agricultural productivity in vulnerable regions can be protected, which, in turn, saves us from the disasters caused by climate change due to geoengineering. Negative Implications: Sustainability Issues: Large-scale geoengineering can have drastic discontinuation of precipitation conditions and depletion of the ozone layer, which can have greatly impaired environmental ramifications (Wikipedia, n.d.). Equity and Justice: Global South can unfairly bear the consequences for geoengineering without having accurate insight in the decision-making forums and not grabbing the opportunities that is provided for them. Such processes are exclusionary and unjust and undemocratic at the same time. (CIEL, 2024). Technological Reluctance: Reliance on geoengineering alone can distract us from taking the much needed actions of reducing greenhouse gas emissions for long term sustainability (CIEL, 2024). Ethical Considerations The ethical dilemmas related to geoengineering in the Global South are complex and require thorough understanding. Inclusivity and Governance: There is less reason to believe that geoengineering governance is effective in supervising the Global South without a stronger commitment to engage the affected peoples (Kakungulu, 2024)2. Risk Assessment: There has to be geoengineering counterpart initiatives that focus on the reduction of greenhouse gasses (GHGs) emissions, which is an aid to mitigate impacts of climate change (AMS, 2024). Alternatives to Geoengineering: Climate engineering is politically and practically difficult and very risky even when there are purported rules that govern its usage. As such, focus must remain on sustainable development as the primary method of attaining these goals of mitigating emissions (CIEL, 2024). To summarize, geoengineering posits exciting possibilities for alleviating climate issues in the short run. However, its consequences on the Global South are nuanced and need a lot of attention. Global South requires guided action which enables them to engage with the world on their own terms. Hence, defining basic ethical principles and participatory means of decision making framework is important where these aims of climate change mitigation are incorporated. Power Asymmetries in Climate Governance The integration of climate geoengineering into climate governance raises significant concerns regarding power asymmetries that shape both the discourses and potential outcomes of these technologies. Geoengineering, especially techniques like stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI), has been promoted as a potential solution to global warming. However, the assumptions embedded in climate modelling practices, particularly regarding justice, often obscure the deep inequalities that underlie the deployment of such technologies (Reynolds, 2019). The dominant models of climate geoengineering tend to focus on distributional justice, emphasising the aggregate benefits and harms of inventions, typically in terms of global temperature reduction or risk mitigation.    This narrow focus ignores critical issues of procedural justice, recognition justice, and corrective justice, thus failing to address how these technologies disproportionately affect marginalised populations. In particular, these geoengineering proposals often overlook the structural inequalities in global political and economic systems, wherein poorer nations in the global South, who are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, bear the brunt of environmental and social injustices, Meanwhile, wealthier nations in the global North, which have historically contributed to most greenhouse gas emissions, may continue to benefit from solutions like SAI, while delaying necessary transitions

Read More »
Climate Action
Adithyan P

Economic Instruments in Climate Policy

Abstract

Climate change poses significant risks to economies worldwide, affecting human resources, health systems, and overall economic stability. Economic instruments play a crucial role in mitigating climate change while fostering sustainable growth. This paper examines key economic tools such as carbon pricing (taxes vs. cap-and-trade), green subsidies, and climate finance, analyzing their effectiveness in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting renewable energy adoption. Case studies, including Sweden’s carbon tax, the EU Emissions Trading System, and India’s emerging carbon market, illustrate the real-world impact of these instruments. Additionally, the paper explores the broader economic implications of climate policies on growth, investment, employment, and global trade. While these policies impose short-term costs, they drive long-term economic stability, job creation, and technological innovation. The study highlights the need for periodic evaluation and global cooperation to maximize the effectiveness of economic instruments in achieving a low-carbon, sustainable future.
Keywords: Climate Change, Economic Instruments, Carbon Pricing, Cap-and-Trade, Green Subsidies, Climate Finance, Renewable Energy, Emissions Trading, Sustainable Growth, Global Cooperation

Read More »
Climate Action
Ekta .

The Climate-Conflict Nexus: Examining Environmental Change and Global Security Risks

This article examines the complex relationship between climate change and global security, highlighting how environmental degradation intensifies resource scarcity, social inequalities, and geopolitical tensions. It presents key case studies, such as the Syrian Civil War, the shrinking Lake Chad Basin, and rising sea levels affecting Pacific Island nations, demonstrating how climate impacts can drive conflicts. The article also offers policy recommendations, including investments in climate resilience, fostering international cooperation, addressing climate migration, and incorporating climate risks into security planning. It emphasizes the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to address the intertwined challenges of climate change and global instability.

Read More »
Climate Action
Bharadwaj Vangipuram Sridhar

Climate-Induced Migration from Tuvalu and Kiribati: The Future of Sinking Island Nations – Aarushi Mahajan, Bharadwaj, Anil Tamsoy, Sarabel Odero

Introduction Tuvalu and Kiribati, two low-lying island nations in the Pacific Ocean, are at the forefront of climate-induced migration discussions. With average elevations barely above sea level, these countries face existential threats from climate change, including rising sea levels, increased frequency of extreme weather events, and environmental degradation. These challenges not only jeopardize the habitability of their homelands but also compel communities to consider migration as a viable adaptation strategy. Understanding the environmental and geographic vulnerabilities of Tuvalu and Kiribati is crucial to comprehending the drivers behind this migration and formulating effective policy responses.   Environmental and Geographic Vulnerability Tuvalu and Kiribati are two low-flying islands and are majorly composed of coral atolls. Their maximum heights barely graze the 4.5 meters above the sea level mark. This geography renders them vulnerable to the effects of climate change, more so that of the rising sea level. In the coming 30 years, these countries may face at least a 15-centimetre rise in sea levels, regardless of future carbon emission scenarios (NASA,2024). This is highly alarming, bringing along with it natural dangers such as coastal erosion, seawater in freshwater bodies, and massive flooding. These problems pose a deadly threat to the very existence of these two islands.    Adding on to these worrying problems, the two islands are also geographically isolated, cementing the intensity of the risks at their horizons. Far-flung and scattered in the Pacific Ocean, these countries have little access to the outside world. Without access to external resources and technology, their options become very limited. They become dependent on local, climate-vulnerable resources for their livelihood. Which includes agriculture and fishing, both exposed to the evils of climate change.    Weather events such as tropical cyclones are increasing in their commonness and severity thanks to global warming. The Cyclone Pam in 2015 hugely crippled Tuvalu. It lost more than 25% of its national GDP (World Bank, n.d.). Such incidents not only pulverize their housing and infrastructure but also create socio-economic consequences in the long term, such as displacement of the population and loss of livelihoods.    These environmental issues lead to migration trends. In Kiribati, the migration is usually internal. People migrate from the outer islands to the capital, South Tarawa, to seek better livelihood opportunities and living conditions (UNU-EHS, 2015). While in Tuvalu, the migration is both internal as well as external. Most people seek to migrate overseas to truly escape the environmental challenges that they face (UNU-EHS, 2015).  But that is very restricted due to strict immigration laws of potential host countries leaving very few options alive for them.    Looking at the social and cultural aspects of their lives, one can see that it is also riddled with threats. The land is an important cultural hub. The reason for a culture to flourish. Migrating from it risks traditional livelihoods and social structures. It is an intense emotional and controversial turmoil for the people. It is not just a relocation of the physical form but the loss of a cultural identity. Throwing it away and reconstructing another identity is a slow and emotionally painful task.    Both the Tuvaluan and Kiribati governments have taken different approaches to fight back these issues. The government of Kiribati has been pushing forward the policy of “migration with dignity” where its citizens procure skills that will equip them in the global labor markets, opening new avenues to migrate more voluntarily and with more dignity (Migration Policy Institute, 2017). The Tuvaluan government has been directing its focus on advocating for stronger global climate action to fight the very need for relocation, wishing for its people to remain on their ancestral islands (IOM, 2012).    In short, the environmental and geographical vulnerabilities of Tuvalu and Kiribati are key drivers of climate-induced migration. Meeting these challenges is a. multifaceted task involving international cooperation to open migration channels, investment in local policies and strategies, and international efforts to reduce climate change. Identifying and responding to these vulnerabilities is the key to facilitating the resilience and sustainability of these island states. Migration Trends and Societal Impacts Migration trends in Tuvalu and Kiribati are heavily influenced by environmental degradation and resource constraints, making migration a critical adaptive strategy. Both nations, characterized by small land areas and increasing vulnerability to climate change, face growing populations that outstrip the capacity of their ecosystems and economies to support them. Kiribati, in particular, relies on weak natural resources, contributing to food insecurity while Tuvalu, although slightly better off, is also struggling with limited agricultural land and economic opportunities (“A Climate Justice Perspective on International Labour Migration and Climate Change Adaptation Among Tuvaluan Workers,” 2022).    In Kiribati, overpopulation, especially in South Tarawa, has prompted migration, which between 2005 and 2015 comprised one-third of international migration. Despite such statistics, the migration rate of this island remains relatively low compared to Tuvalu. This is largely due to the limited migration pathways available, especially for unskilled workers. Tuvalu has recorded a high international migration rate of 64%, with migration to countries like New Zealand and Australia being facilitated through programs like the Pacific Access Category (PAC) Visa (Curtain et al., 2019).  Looking ahead to 2050, migration from both countries is projected to increase due to the expected rise in pressure on resources and limited employment opportunities within the countries. While internal migration had certainly provided relief in the initial stages of battling climate change, it has today proven to be inadequate. The ability to migrate internationally is essential for both these island nations as it provides a much-needed income from remittances which in turn support families and communities within these islands, However, while migration offers substantial benefits to the migrants themselves, it has had significant societal implications (Curtain & Dornan, 2019).   The continued migration of the working-age population leaves a gap in the domestic labor market, exacerbating internal challenges for both nations, Economically, both islands also face fiscal challenges. Kiribati’s economy is projected to be heavily reliant on foreign aid and fishing revenues. With

Read More »
Climate Action
Ekta .

Climate Crisis and Mental Health: Impacts on Vulnerable Communities

This article explores the often-overlooked psychological consequences of the climate crisis, particularly among vulnerable populations. It examines how climate-related disasters, displacement, and socio-economic challenges exacerbate mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, and eco-anxiety. Focusing on low-income groups, Indigenous communities, and children, the article highlights the disproportionate mental health burden these groups face. It emphasizes the need for equitable mental health care, community resilience programs, and climate education to mitigate the crisis’s psychological impacts and promote a just and sustainable future.

Read More »
Climate Action
Ekta .

Climate Migration and Gender: Displacement and Its Consequences

This article explores the intersection of climate change, forced migration, and gender, highlighting the unique vulnerabilities faced by displaced women and girls. It examines the impacts of climate-induced displacement, including heightened risks of gender-based violence, health challenges, economic insecurity, and barriers to education. Emphasizing the urgent need for gender-sensitive humanitarian aid, the article calls for targeted interventions to address these challenges and foster resilience among displaced populations.

Read More »
Climate Action
Adithyan P

Technological Innovations in Climate Policy

Abstract

Technological advancements play a crucial role in shaping climate policies and enhancing global resilience. This paper explores innovations in renewable energy, smart cities, climate informatics, and sectoral adaptation in agriculture, water management, and disaster risk reduction. Renewable energy technologies, including solar, wind, and green hydrogen, are accelerating the shift from fossil fuels. Smart cities leverage IoT for efficient energy use, water conservation, and disaster preparedness. Climate informatics, powered by AI and big data, enhances climate monitoring and policy-making. In agriculture and water management, precision farming and AI-driven weather predictions improve adaptation strategies. Additionally, geospatial technologies and AI-based disaster response systems strengthen early warning and risk management. Despite these advancements, challenges such as policy gaps and equitable access persist. This paper underscores the transformative role of technology in climate policy and the need for collaboration between governments, industries, and communities to foster a sustainable and resilient future.

Read More »
Climate Action
Mansi Mansi

How Diplomacy is Undermining Good Governance in Anarchy: A Case of Climate Change

In an anarchic international system, diplomacy often prioritizes national interests over global challenges like climate change. Powerful nations exploit diplomatic influence to advance self-serving agendas, while underdeveloped countries suffer the consequences of environmental degradation.

Despite agreements like the Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement, weak enforcement and political self-interest hinder real progress. However, examples of successful cooperation show that ethical diplomacy and stronger global partnerships can transform governance. This article explores how diplomacy can shift from a tool of self-preservation to one of collective climate action and sustainability.

Read More »