Western Climate Models Won’t Help India to Achieve Net Zero

Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (SLCPs) are wreaking havoc across the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP). They distort climate patterns, disrupt rainfall cycles, and upset the delicate heat balance. Their damage runs deeper—undermining human health, eroding mental well-being, crippling agriculture, and endangering biodiversity.

The IGP’s vulnerabilities are magnified by its dense population, fertile farmlands, and rapidly changing lifestyles. Pollution is stripping the region’s soil of vitality, fouling its air and water, and contaminating its food. In doing so, it strikes at the very heart of the economy—its agricultural backbone.

A revival of Bharatiya Paramparik Jnana—traditional Indian wisdom—offers a holistic pathway forward. But it must be woven into policy through a balanced blend of bottom-up community action and top-down governance. Without this cultural and ethical grounding, India’s ambition to achieve carbon neutrality by 2070 will remain a distant dream. Blindly following Western frameworks will not suffice. Instead, the shift demands ethical living, mass public education, and indigenous models that move in harmony with nature.

Against this backdrop, The Interview World engaged in an exclusive dialogue with Prof. Debi Prasad Mishra, Professor at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, during the International Mini Conference Series 2025, themed “Integrating Air Quality and Policy Dialogues on SLCPs in the IGP Region”, organised by the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. In this conversation, Prof. Mishra lays bare the destructive impact of SLCPs on the IGP, examines their economic toll, and outlines the policy interventions essential for change. He also charts a pragmatic course for the government to meet its net-zero commitment by 2070.

Here are the most compelling insights from that exchange.     

Q: Could you elaborate on how short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) are affecting the climate, air quality, and livelihoods in the Indo-Gangetic Plain region?

A: The impact of Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (SLCPs) on the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) is both profound and destructive. These pollutants are not only degrading the environment but also destabilising the region’s ecology. They disrupt climate cycles, distort precipitation patterns, and upset the natural heat balance. Fine particulates, in particular, exert severe and far-reaching effects.

The human cost is equally alarming. Millions are suffering—not just physically, but psychologically. Rising temperatures push daily discomfort to new extremes, while erratic rainfall patterns amplify distress. Prolonged exposure to these conditions fuels health problems, exacerbates mental strain, and diminishes overall quality of life.

The economic toll is significant. Agriculture, the backbone of the IGP economy, bears the brunt. High population density compounds the challenge, a consequence of the region’s fertile lands. Yet, shifting lifestyles under a market-driven economy are pulling communities away from India’s timeless ethos of simple living and high thinking. Instead, life has grown increasingly complex, disconnected from nature, and entangled in the artificial “web world.” This cultural drift is straining relationships, eroding social cohesion, and weakening resilience.

These issues are deeply interconnected. Environmental degradation, social disruption, and economic instability feed into one another, creating a cycle that is hard to break. Addressing them demands an integrated, systems-level approach. Only by diagnosing the problem holistically can we design tangible, lasting solutions for the future.

Q: Over the next one to two decades, what scale and nature of economic impacts do you anticipate on our economy?

A: When people talk about the economy, they often overlook its true foundation. At its core, the economy is about wealth—and the most fundamental wealth of any civilisation is food. Agriculture sustains life, and food is its ultimate product. Yet today, the quantity, quality, and even the way we consume food stand gravely distorted. Air, water, and soil pollution are poisoning this wealth. The soil is in deep distress—the mother earth is crying.

This crisis extends far beyond human consumption. Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (SLCPs) are damaging trees, plants, insects, and the myriad microorganisms that keep ecosystems alive. Once these life forms are harmed, the food chain is disrupted. Without safe food, life itself collapses. Without clean air to breathe, existence becomes unbearable. The truth is stark—the entire ecosystem is already under siege.

The question is no longer whether we are affected. We are. The real question—the million-dollar question—is how to reverse the damage. As human beings, we bear the moral duty to attempt this course correction. But we must recognise that humans are only a fraction of all living beings. India’s climate and soil have long supported a rich diversity of life. That balance is now under threat.

The deeper tragedy lies in our cultural drift. By blindly imitating the West, we have neglected Bharatiya Paramparik Jnana—our traditional Indian wisdom. This timeless knowledge, which once guided our harmony with nature, has been pushed aside. Without it, we risk not only environmental collapse but also the erosion of our minds and intellect.

The solution, in my view, is clear: revive and rejuvenate Bharatiya Paramparik Jnana. Make it central to both life and livelihood. Only then can we shield the nation from the looming catastrophe of pollution. This is not just environmental restoration; it is civilizational survival.

To this end, we have formed a national-level professional body—Bharatiya Paramparik Gyan Vigyan Samaj. Our mission is to promote this wisdom, return to our roots, and reclaim the life our ancestors lived. India remains one of the few ancient civilisations still breathing, while most others in the West have long vanished. Yet, our civilisation now lies on its deathbed. Reviving our ethos is no longer an option—it is our last chance.

Q: What specific policies should be implemented to effectively address and mitigate this challenge within the required timeframe?

A: Most current policies in India merely replicate Western models, heavily influenced by global organizations with market-driven agendas targeting India’s vast population. Unfortunately, this approach ignores the rich legacy of Bharatiya Paramparik Jnana—our indigenous wisdom.

India already possesses a wealth of governance principles embedded in ancient scriptures. Foundational texts like the Arthashastra and various Nitis contain well-established policies that have guided society for centuries. Our group is actively exploring how to harness this traditional knowledge to shape modern policy.

However, this requires a paradigm shift. Policymakers must view Bharatiya Paramparik Jnana not as relics but as living frameworks. If the government and stakeholders seek guidance, our organization—Bharatiya Paramparik Gyan Vigyan Samaj—stands ready to collaborate and integrate these principles into contemporary policy.

Yet, policy-making cannot remain a purely top-down exercise. Bureaucrats sitting in air-conditioned offices often lack an authentic understanding of India’s cultural ethos. Such detached decision-making fails to address ground realities and is bound to falter.

The solution lies in a balanced fusion of approaches—a hybrid model combining bottom-up insights from communities with top-down governance frameworks. This synergy will revive and rejuvenate our traditions effectively.

In my view, this integrated approach is the true panacea for India’s policy challenges. It reconnects us with our roots while addressing present-day complexities, ensuring sustainable and culturally resonant governance.

Q: To achieve India’s net-zero target by 2070, what key measures should the government prioritize?

A: The idea of achieving net zero by 2070 is, frankly, a myth. The damage we have inflicted on the environment is immense. This is not like flipping a switch to turn on a light when electricity is available. It’s far more complex. India’s population stands at 1.45 billion, and we live in a vibrant democracy. This reality makes such claims of reaching net zero by 2070 unrealistic, in my personal view.

Yet, there is a path forward—albeit a longer one. Success demands committed policies, robust programs, and mass education. Above all, society must return to living by ethical principles. Today, we are trapped in survival mode, losing sight of these core values.

Those who dismiss net zero targets as mere rhetoric overlook this deeper truth. Achieving carbon neutrality is possible—but not in a rushed timeline. It may take 30, 40, or even 50 years. The key lies in embracing our own heritage.

Western models will not work here. Instead, we must craft a unique approach rooted in Indian ethos—one that harmonizes human life with Mother Nature. Only then can true, sustainable progress be realized.