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The Climate Parliament hosted a parliamentary roundtable in New Delhi on December 17, 2024. The event brought together fifteen Members of Parliament (MPs) from across India's political spectrum to discuss critical climate policy initiatives and explore avenues for collaboration in the nation’s energy transition. As a global network of legislators, the Climate Parliament serves as a platform for cross-regional, bipartisan cooperation on climate policies.
Dr. Sanjay Jaiswal, Hon'ble Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) and Convenor of the India Climate Parliament network, opened the roundtable with a review of the network’s significant achievements. He outlined the Climate Parliament’s involvement in major national initiatives, including:
Securing renewable energy funding:Â Engaging with Parliament's Estimates Committee to earmark 1% of the national budget for renewable energy projects.
Cross-border energy cooperation:Â Facilitating a 10 GW power exchange agreement between India and Nepal through the Indo-Nepal Climate Parliament network.
International advocacy:Â Supporting the launch of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) in 2015 and advancing the One Sun One World One Grid initiative at COP26 in 2021.
Dr. Jaiswal also presented a two-year work plan aimed at boosting the implementation of key government schemes that are critical for India’s climate and energy goals. These included:
PM Kusum Scheme to promote solar energy in rural areas.
Energy Efficiency in buildings and MSME sectors to cut emissions and reduce energy consumption.
PM e-DRIVE for electric transport to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles.
Green Zones to attract climate finance into sustainable manufacturing and services across India.
Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Hon’ble MP (Lok Sabha) and former Convener of the Climate Parliament, expressed his support for the two-year work plan, commending Dr. Jaiswal and the Climate Parliament India Secretariat for their structured approach. He emphasized that the network’s efforts were well-aligned with the Indian government’s broader objectives to expedite the country’s energy transition, particularly in renewable energy and sustainability.
The roundtable featured a range of contributions from MPs, highlighting regional priorities and innovative ideas for climate action:
Shri H C Meena proposed collaborating with the hospitality sector in Ranthambore to introduce a Green Zone Tourism concept, aimed at promoting eco-friendly tourism practices.
Shri Rahul Kaswan advocated for regular network meetings to maintain momentum and ensure the successful implementation of ongoing initiatives.
Smt. Malvika Devi highlighted the untapped solar energy potential in Kalahandi, urging its development to drive both energy transition and economic growth in the region.
Shri Milind Deora spoke on the increasing integration of climate considerations in development policies, stressing the importance of collective action within the Climate Parliament network.
In addition to national efforts, Dr. Jaiswal also announced the formation of an India-Brazil Legislators' Partnership aimed at deepening climate collaboration between the two countries. The partnership will be further solidified by an upcoming visit from Brazilian MPs to India in April/May 2025, and Indian Climate Parliament members’ participation in COP-30 side events in Brazil later this year.
Dr. Jaiswal concluded the roundtable by directing the Climate Parliament Secretariat to coordinate future meetings around the Indian Parliament’s session schedules to maintain continuity in their efforts. The roundtable underscored the growing role of parliamentary networks in shaping climate policy and creating a united front to address the challenges of climate change.