This opinion piece contributed by Professor Anand Patwardhan confirms beyond doubt that climate actions are sub-critical and not happening at the scale and pace demanded by science and sought by leaders. The author is of the opinion that principal factor for slow and halting climate action is the political will. He makes us understand that involvement of the primary stakeholders, the general public, is of paramount significance. The writer motivates us to ask relevant questions to ourselves how we can contribute towards developing a climate-responsive future.

In this opinion piece, Jeeya Thukral trifurcates Earth inhabitants into—planet protectors, planet destroyers, and planet ignorants. People's approach is the root cause of climate change. The author opines—people do not consider climate change as a problem until it becomes a crisis.

In this article, Karnika Palwa, expresses and explains about where the modern world stands in its endeaours towards minimizing consequences of climate change phenomenon. The text has been authenticated with the context of the nexus of the three parameters—development, justice, and conflict—that are deeply interwoven beneath the surface.

Article by Varun Grover is a significant addition to our awareness on climate leadership. The author is of the opinion that younger generations are the torch-bearers for the future. Taking the leadership path brings with it the responsibility to represent and work for ones who are less privileged and vulnerable. A shift and reduction in consumption is the parameter that needs to be added to our decision making.

Effectuating a paradigm shift of the proportions which climate change demands, requires a departure from conventional models of decision making, which places long-term gains above short-term windfalls, and calls for a holistic approach in the light of economic, social, and environmental dimensions. Via this opinion piece, Arun Awasthy, enlightens us about how effective leadership can guide us towards a sustainable future!

Climate leadership has been widely discussed in climate policy research mainly from the perspective of large actors. What has been less analysed is governments' ability to lead in solving the daunting challenge of a climate transition that also attains nature conservation and social justice. In this article, Solveig Aamodt, stresses on the responsibilities of an ideal leadership in the mankind's quest for climate leadership.

In this absorbing piece of writing, Debadityo Sinha, reveals his experiences of compensatory afforestation programmes. He opines—species and habitat loss are irreversible consequences of converting forest land for developmental activities, any compensatory afforestation initiative's success must prioritize biodiversity restoration, using local ecological history as the reference ecosystem. 

In this stimulating article, Dr Wuester, communicates about the relevance of transparency in just transition in the sphere of climate and development policies. As per him—transparency and data are the determining factors in ensuring a transition towards a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy. Transparency is crucial for engaging stakeholders, and bringing them along through the transition.

Arne Walther, via this article, makes us aware how climate security is a national interest but cannot be delivered by national governments on a unilateral basis. It is a global responsibility. The impact of climate change does not recognize national borders. Multilateral action must heed to the differentiated responsibilities of countries taking into account their national circumstances. The Global North must step up its financial and technological support to the Global South at a scale that has so far not been available. We need more energy to fuel global economic and social development. But it must be cleaner energy, used in a more efficient way, accessible and affordable for all.

Dr Dhruba Purkayastha in this interaction with Neha Khanna, explains and emphasizes the significance of skilled leadership for suitably addressing sustainable development and climate justice. He also defines how roles, domains, and responsibilities in private sector are different from those of the public counterpart. Presently Dr Dhurba is engaged with Climate Policy Initiative (CPI), as India, Director. The CPI, a global non-profit research and advisory institution, dedicates itself towards streamlining sustainable finance and energy transition.

In this colloquy, Deepali Khanna, Vice President–Asia, The Rockefeller Foundation gives her insights on the significance of the leadership while dealing with climate change and sustainable development. She is of the opinion that addressing these global issues demands a leader capable of thinking and acting beyond local or national interests. To realize this ambition, we need to identify and scale the most promising climate solutions, operating, and investing in innovative ways to augment transformations and catalyzing actions.

This conversation with Professor Ramesh Chand, Member, NITI Aayog, establishes connectivity between climate change and agriculture. He talks about relevance of strengthening adaptation to climate change in agriculture and how institutional mechanism for funding can be channelized. He also addresses relevance of localization of issues related to slow-onset events and hence indicators may be designed considering the local factors. As per him, addressing climate concerns at grassroots level, within the communities, is pivotal.