THE GROWTH–CLIMATE PARADOX: Evaluating SDG 13 Implementation Hurdles in India.

Abstract

As the 2030 deadline for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) approaches, India faces a fundamental governance dilemma: sustaining rapid economic transition while fulfilling its commitments under SDG13 (Climate Action). This paper explores the "Growth-Climate Paradox," wherein India's developmental imperatives driven by urbanization, industrialization, and poverty alleviation-frequently collide with the structural requirements of decarbonization.Through a qualitative analysis of India's current environmental governance framework, this study identifies three critical policy hurdles. First, the Institutional Gap, where the federal structure creates friction between ambitious national climate targets and the varied implementation capacities of state governments. Second, the Economic Paradox, characterized by the continued reliance on coal for base-load energy security despite record-breaking investments in renewable capacity. Third, the Fiscal Constraint, highlighting the disconnect between the domestic cost of a "Just Transition" and the lack of predictable international climate finance. By applying a political science lens to these challenges, the research argues that the successful implementation of SDG13 in India requires a shift from a "mitigation-only" focus to an "adaptation-centric" governance model that integrates climate resilience into core developmental planning. The findings suggest that overcoming these hurdles is not merely a technical challenge but a political necessity for ensuring long-term sovereign stability and social equity.