India Says External Climate Rankings Don’t Guide Policy
The Union government has said that it does not rely on external global rankings related to climate change, pollution or environmental risk while framing domestic policies. The clarification was given by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, amid questions over India’s position in international climate and air quality rankings.
Internal Metrics Drive Climate Decisions
The ministry stated that India follows its own scientific assessments, monitoring systems and national frameworks to evaluate climate impact and pollution levels. It said international indices such as global climate risk or pollution rankings are not officially adopted for policymaking, as they often rely on varied methodologies and data assumptions that may not fully reflect national conditions.
Air Quality Standards Set Domestically
On air pollution, the government said India has its own air quality standards tailored to local realities. While global guidelines, including those issued by international health bodies, are studied, they are treated as advisory rather than binding. National programmes and surveys are used to track air quality trends and guide corrective measures in cities and industrial regions.
Ongoing Climate and Disaster Measures
The government highlighted that its climate response is guided by established frameworks such as the National Action Plan on Climate Change and national disaster management policies. These focus on emission reduction, climate adaptation and strengthening resilience against extreme weather events. Officials reiterated that policy decisions are based on domestic data, expert inputs and ground level assessments rather than external rankings.
