Beyond Climate Justice: Competing Narratives and Ambitious Climate Action in India – implications for Canadian policy makers

My collaborative research project with Nicolette Little will examine the role of climate justice in India’s climate change policy, discourse and action. Embedding the notion of “climate justice” at the core of climate change discourse results in a political frame around risk (Indian) and responsibility (Global North’s). The project seeks to delineate how a focus on climate justice obscures the need for more ambitious national and global action on climate change. The study examines how the needs and risks of marginalized and vulnerable communities (women, farmers, rural and coastal areas) are accounted for in the climate discourse (policy, media, and activism). It also consider the implications of India’s new climate plan and how environmental organizations focused on climate change are influencing public opinion and narratives. The study will yield significant insights on how policy, media narratives, climate education and plans can be reoriented to meet the needs of the most vulnerable.

Faculty Supervisor:

Daniel Drache

Student:

Tyrone Hall

Partner:

Discipline:

Political science

Sector:

University:

York University

Program:

Globalink Research Award