Shaswata Kundu Chaudhuri

Writer-Researcher

Shaswata writes about the environment at the intersection of technology, energy, finance and mobility.

What COP30 reveals about the next phase of multilateralism
The Big StoryClimate PolicyCOP 30

What COP30 reveals about the next phase of multilateralism

4 December 2025By Shaswata Kundu Chaudhuri and Anushka Mohite

Belém revealed a shifting balance of power and the challenges shaping multilateralism’s future COP30 did…

COP30 ends in chaos and compromise
Climate FinanceCOP 30

COP30 ends in chaos and compromise

23 November 2025By Shaswata Kundu Chaudhuri

A dramatic finish in Belém delivers partial wins on forests, energy and a just transition…

From fire to fallout: COP30’s uneasy compromise
Climate PolicyCOP 30

From fire to fallout: COP30’s uneasy compromise

21 November 2025By Shaswata Kundu Chaudhuri and Shaswata Kundu Chaudhuri

A new presidency cover text drops fossil fuel language, softens finance commitments and leaves the…

Lula Pitches Fossil Fuel Phase-Out at COP30, But Can a Divided World Agree?
COP 30EnergyFossil Fuels

Lula Pitches Fossil Fuel Phase-Out at COP30, But Can a Divided World Agree?

20 November 2025By Shaswata Kundu Chaudhuri

Stalled climate finance widens trust gap with developing countries With Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula…

First draft of COP30 text weak on public finance 
Climate financeCOP 30

First draft of COP30 text weak on public finance 

19 November 2025By Shaswata Kundu Chaudhuri

The COP30 Presidency released the first iteration of the draft text, based on the four…

India commits to revised NDC, shifts pressure back to rich nations to deliver on climate finance at COP30
Climate FinanceCOP 30

India commits to revised NDC, shifts pressure back to rich nations to deliver on climate finance at COP30

18 November 2025By Shaswata Kundu Chaudhuri

Environment minister Bhupender Yadav made the statement on the NDC while in Belem for the…

Tripling adaptation finance may be the only way to secure a win at COP30: Experts
Climate FinanceCOP 30

Tripling adaptation finance may be the only way to secure a win at COP30: Experts

16 November 2025By Shaswata Kundu Chaudhuri

This year hasn’t seen the mobilisation of finance from developed countries either. If there is…

India’s stance at COP30: No new commitments without real finance
Climate FinanceCOP 30

India’s stance at COP30: No new commitments without real finance

15 November 2025By Shaswata Kundu Chaudhuri and Anushka Mohite

With its NDCs still pending, ambition for India can’t move while finance obligations remain unmet,…

New report recasts Global South as climate finance investor, not recipient
Climate FinanceCOP 30

New report recasts Global South as climate finance investor, not recipient

13 November 2025By Shaswata Kundu Chaudhuri and Shaswata Kundu Chaudhuri

The report by IHLEG dilutes historical responsibility, focusing instead on domestic reforms, private capital, and…

Finance, tensions and protests: Day 2 at COP30
Climate FinanceClimate PolicyCOP 30

Finance, tensions and protests: Day 2 at COP30

12 November 2025By Shaswata Kundu Chaudhuri

India spoke on behalf of developing countries on the need of CBDR and adaptation After…

COP30 kicks off with eyes on big developing countries
Climate PolicyCOP 30

COP30 kicks off with eyes on big developing countries

11 November 2025By Shaswata Kundu Chaudhuri

With the US and EU wavering, Brazil signals that the Global South may now drive…

Baku to Belem Roadmap promises access to climate finance, not accountability
COP 30

Baku to Belem Roadmap promises access to climate finance, not accountability

6 November 2025By Shaswata Kundu Chaudhuri

The roadmap’s focus is on mobilising private finance, which can potentially contribute more than half…

Climate change, unplanned construction and a malfunctioning dam can worsen the flooding in north Bengal
Climate ChangeClimate Impact

Climate change, unplanned construction and a malfunctioning dam can worsen the flooding in north Bengal

6 October 2025By Shaswata Kundu Chaudhuri

The Tala hydropower dam on the Wangchhu river might overflow due to excessive rainfall, which…

US tariffs present India opportunities to develop relations with climate-aligned nations
Climate PolicyClimate Finance

US tariffs present India opportunities to develop relations with climate-aligned nations

13 August 2025By Shaswata Kundu Chaudhuri

Creating robust, green industries could help India become export hub for products like biofuels, solar…

From extraction to regeneration: How India’s coal mines are being reimagined
The Big StoryClimate ChangeFossil FuelsJust TransitionWater resources

From extraction to regeneration: How India’s coal mines are being reimagined

31 July 2025By Shaswata Kundu Chaudhuri

Pisciculture, afforestation, pumped storage, eco-tourism have emerged as the more popular forms of re-using abandoned…

Developing nations slam slow progress on loss and damage finance, call to “Fill the Fund”
Climate FinanceCOP 30Global SouthLoss and damage

Developing nations slam slow progress on loss and damage finance, call to “Fill the Fund”

12 July 2025By Shaswata Kundu Chaudhuri

At the Loss & Damage Fund board meet in Cebu, developing nations called out rich…

BRICS bloc proposes more multilateralism, sustainable development of Global South 
Climate financeGlobal SouthPolicy and FinanceRenewables

BRICS bloc proposes more multilateralism, sustainable development of Global South 

7 July 2025By Shaswata Kundu Chaudhuri

US President Donald Trump threatens countries who align with BRICS with 10% additional tariff for…

India’s coal heartland is powering down, with no safety net 
The Big StoryClimate ChangeClimate ImpactJust Transition

India’s coal heartland is powering down, with no safety net 

30 May 2025By Shaswata Kundu Chaudhuri

The energy shift is redrawing India’s economic map, but for coal belt workers in states…

India becomes 3rd-largest generator of electricity from wind and solar: Report
EnergyRenewables

India becomes 3rd-largest generator of electricity from wind and solar: Report

11 April 2025By Shaswata Kundu Chaudhuri

The country added 24 GW of solar capacity in 2024, surpassing Germany and Japan to…

Digging deep: Inside Coal India’s push to reopen abandoned, underground mines
The Big StoryEnergyFossil FuelsPolicy and Finance

Digging deep: Inside Coal India’s push to reopen abandoned, underground mines

3 April 2025By Shaswata Kundu Chaudhuri

India is keen to hand over abandoned mines to private players. While this can help…

India’s lack of long-term measures to tackle heat can lead to high casualties: Report
Climate Impact

India’s lack of long-term measures to tackle heat can lead to high casualties: Report

21 March 2025By Shaswata Kundu Chaudhuri

The study was based on nine cities that are projected to face the highest increases…

Beyond Renewables: Unlocking Private Finance for India’s Green Future
The Big StoryClimate Finance

Beyond Renewables: Unlocking Private Finance for India’s Green Future

28 February 2025By Shaswata Kundu Chaudhuri

As private capital powers India’s renewable energy growth, can the same momentum drive investments towards…

Climate and energy security to top EU-India meet agenda
Climate Policy

Climate and energy security to top EU-India meet agenda

25 February 2025By Shaswata Kundu Chaudhuri

On February 27-28, the EU College of Commissioners will visit India for the first time…

Green energy boom or bubble? Navigating the risks and rewards in India’s market
The Big StoryClimate FinanceEnergyRenewables

Green energy boom or bubble? Navigating the risks and rewards in India’s market

16 January 2025By Shaswata Kundu Chaudhuri

India’s renewable energy market is booming with opportunities, but challenges in financing, regulation and scalability…

Not just surviving: Finding breathing room for India’s cities to thrive
The Big StoryClimate ImpactPollution

Not just surviving: Finding breathing room for India’s cities to thrive

16 December 2024By Shaswata Kundu Chaudhuri

In face of the changing climate, the plight of Indian cities—marked by seasonal high pollution,…

Beyond mass planting: How science-backed mangrove restoration can shield India’s coasts
Climate ScienceClimate Change

Beyond mass planting: How science-backed mangrove restoration can shield India’s coasts

8 November 2024By Shaswata Kundu Chaudhuri

Amidst uncontrolled urbanisation and funding challenges, nurturing existing mangroves through site-specific restoration strategies has yielded…