Legal Implications of Climate Change Commitments under International Law– India's obligations under the Paris Agreement vs. domestic implementation.

India, like many countries, has made big promises on the global stage to fight climate change. Under the Paris Agreement of 2015, India committed to reduce its carbon emissions, shift towards clean energy, and increase forest cover. These are part of what’s called Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)—goals each country sets for itself to help limit global warming.

But here’s the tricky part: these international promises aren’t legally binding in the traditional sense. The Paris Agreement doesn’t penalize countries if they miss their targets. It works more on peer pressure and global accountability than on hard legal enforcement. So the real question is: What actually holds India accountable for meeting these goals?

The answer lies within our own country.

India has taken several steps in the right direction. The National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and laws like the Energy Conservation Act have been important moves. There are also programs like the Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme to make industries more energy efficient and major investments in solar and wind energy. These show India’s intention to act.

But there’s a catch: most of these efforts are driven by policies, not by binding laws. Policies can change quickly with a new government or budget cycle. Laws, on the other hand, carry more weight. They define responsibilities, set deadlines, and allow people to go to court if the government or companies don’t follow them.

Today, India does not have a dedicated climate change law. That means while we are trying to fulfill our Paris Agreement commitments, we don’t have a strong legal system in place to make sure they are actually met.

Compare this with the UK, which passed a Climate Change Act in 2008 that legally forces the government to meet certain emission reduction targets. There’s clarity, accountability, and continuity, regardless of who is in power.

In India, while the Supreme Court has said that the right to a clean environment is part of the fundamental right to life (Article 21), climate change is still mostly treated as an environmental issue. So, cases are filed in the National Green Tribunal (NGT) or in High Courts on pollution or forest loss, but there is little talk of whether India is keeping its climate promises.

Our judiciary has shown great willingness to protect the environment when the government fails to act. But judges can only do so much if there isn’t a strong climate law that defines specific obligations. Without it, climate action remains more of a moral duty than a legal one.

To move forward, India needs a comprehensive climate law—one that sets clear targets, defines roles for states, industries, and local bodies, and creates penalties for non-compliance. This will not only help India stay on track with its Paris goals but also give people the legal tools to demand action when needed.

The world is watching. Countries that don’t take their climate commitments seriously may face trade restrictions, reputational loss, or even legal challenges in international courts. For a country like India, which aims to lead the Global South and be a voice for climate justice, strengthening domestic laws is not just good policy—it’s smart diplomacy.

In short, climate change is a legal issue now, not just an environmental one. India’s global promises can only become reality if they are backed by strong, enforceable laws at home.