Global Insights, Local Action: An Interview with Professor Gagan Deep Sharma

1. At the Global Insights, Local Action event, we will discuss how to transform the best international practices into actionable strategies. What are some key strategies that Hungary can adopt from global experiences?

Professor Sharma:

We are living in times of uncertainty, with much of the turbulence being driven by geopolitics, yet even in such circumstances there are strategies of inclusivity and interdisciplinarity that nations can adopt to bridge divides and foster cooperation. The insights, in my opinion, will always be global, but the action must be reflected at the local level, and the true measure of success will be in how much change it is able to bring about.

Education, in this sense, is one of the most powerful tools, for it shapes not only how individuals earn their livelihood, which is important, but also how they communicate with one another, how they appreciate differing viewpoints, and how they learn to live responsibly as global citizens. Today we are witnessing a world that is becoming more isolated, with people and nations working in silos, and to a significant extent conventional education has contributed to this situation. Therefore, there is an urgent need to rethink and reconstruct aspects of our education systems so that they nurture openness, cooperation, and global responsibility.

2. In your opinion, what are the most pressing challenges in aligning economic growth with sustainable energy practices?

Professor Sharma:

The most critical challenge lies in the contradiction that while enormous effort is being directed toward promoting green energy, global subsidies to fossil fuels still amount to around 2.5 trillion dollars, which illustrates the scale of imbalance we continue to face. Furthermore, the countries for whom going green is not merely a choice, but an existential necessity are often the very ones paying the highest price for this transition, which raises the unresolved question of who will fund the sustainable future.

We have spoken endlessly about sustainable development goals, with 2030 set as the deadline, yet here we are, halfway through the timeline with only five years left, and progress remains limited precisely because adequate sources of financing have not been mobilized. Resources exist in some regions, while in others they are glaringly absent, which means that unless we adopt innovative methods and frameworks for financing, the divide will continue to grow. I have worked on a framework that addresses these issues, and I believe that such models can provide a clearer pathway for how nations should move forward.

3. How can educational institutions contribute to advancing research and policy development in energy security and the green transition?

Professor Sharma:

We must recognize that this transition has two sides, the supply side and the demand side, and both need to be addressed simultaneously. On the supply side, financing the transition is paramount, and I suggest a three-phase approach: the first involves concessional finance from governments, non-governmental bodies, and companies engaged in corporate social responsibility, which would plant the initial seed; the second involves commercial funding from corporations and markets, which would expand upon the foundation created by concessional finance; and the third involves retail investment from individuals, which will only occur once awareness is sufficiently raised and trust is established.

Education plays a critical role in this process, because it enables individuals to understand at which stage they can contribute and why their participation matters. On the demand side, consumers themselves must recognize their right to breathe clean air and live in a sustainable environment, and unless they actively demand it, there will be little incentive for others to supply it. In both cases, education is the key mechanism that connects, motivates, and sustains progress, making it the hub around which the entire transition revolves.

4. Looking ahead, what emerging trends in energy research do you find most promising for enhancing energy security and supporting green transition?

Professor Sharma:

The first and foremost is energy finance, since without proper structures for mobilizing resources, the transition cannot be realized. Equally important is education, which extends across disciplines and helps build awareness and responsibility in energy use. Another emerging area is the study of consumption habits, which will determine whether we move toward excessive consumerism or embrace minimalism and more sustainable patterns of living.

Finally, there is the question of responsible research, which requires academic, scientific, and policy communities to work together in designing measurable indicators for sustainability. Today, the absence of precise metrics leaves too much room for superficial gestures and greenwashing, such as merely planting trees, which cannot by itself capture the complexity of sustainability. In response, I have developed a framework called holistic value addition, which works at four interconnected levels: the individual, the family, society, and nature. By integrating these levels, it becomes possible to create measurable indicators that governments, businesses, and institutions can use to evaluate their real contributions toward sustainability.

5. How possible is the green transition in a developing country like India?

Professor Sharma:

Every nation today is part of the race for economic growth, and India is no exception, but as Professor Diane Coyle emphasizes in her book Beyond GDP, we must learn to look beyond economic growth as the sole metric of progress. Historically, India was a source of wisdom and light, but now, like others, we are striving to make our people wealthier, while at the same time striving not to lose the essence of being Indian.

This creates a dilemma: should we pursue the path of rapid economic gain, or should we prioritize the path of green transition? In truth, the two cannot remain separate, and the task before us is to find ways to bridge them so that they complement rather than contradict each other. With innovative research and the transformative power of education, India can advance toward a green transition that does not impose unbearable costs on its economy, while still securing the well-being of its people.

6. If you had to estimate, how long might this green transition take?

Professor Sharma:

India has declared a target of achieving net zero by 2070, which is still 45 years away, but the outcome is not predetermined. It is possible that we may reach the goal by 2070, it is also possible that we may fall short even by then, and equally it is possible that with the right strategies we may achieve them much earlier.

The determining factor will be how effectively we educate and engage our population, for India is not a small chopper that can maneuver swiftly but a Boeing aircraft carrying 1.4 billion people, which means that progress must take everyone along. If we can ensure widespread understanding and participation, then the target becomes achievable. Our Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, is an excellent communicator, and his ability to rally people behind shared goals is an important asset, and if his leadership continues to inspire collective action, then I believe India can indeed make it happen.

Closing note:

Professor Sharma’s reflections underscore that the journey toward sustainability is not merely a matter of technological advancement or financial investment, but equally one of education, inclusivity, and responsible policymaking. His insistence on bridging divides between global and local, between economy and environment, between research and practice, offers an integrated vision for how countries can move forward in the era of green transition.