ABSTRACT
The events leading to the US announcement of withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and the reactions to this from the world community, as well as from several US states and cities, reveal a larger public consciousness. The global impact can be felt in changes of ownerships of coal mines; some mines in the US are already owned by Indians and 2 million tonnes of American coal was exported in 2016–2017 to Indian power plants. Considering that India has to do a second 'global stocktake' in 2028 under the Paris Agreement to reveal new climate change initiatives, the over-ambitious policy recommendations and the heavy reliance on depleting fossil fuels are worrisome. While the US has clearly stated its withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, India continues to state publicly that it stands committed to do what it takes to meet its commitments, but keeps its escape route open.
