Harjeet Singh, the climate activist facing an investigation from the Enforcement Directorate, is one of the most recognisable faces in climate circles, having been active in the field for two and a half decades. He has been associated with a number of non-governmental climate organisations in the past, including ActionAid International and Climate Action Network, but recently set up his own group called Satat Sampada along with his wife Jyoti Awasthi.
On Monday, the Enforcement Directorate carried out searches at the office of Satat Sampada and Harjeet’s residence in Ghaziabad for alleged foreign exchange violations. The agency said Harjeet’s Satat Sampada was “suspected” to be receiving funds from abroad to “run narratives to influence government policies in the energy sector”. The ED claimed to have recovered 45 litres of “unlicensed liquor” during the searches. Harjeet was arrested on Monday in an excise case and released on bail on Tuesday.
In a statement posted on social media platform LinkedIn, Harjeet and his wife said “the allegations being reported are baseless, biased and misleading”.
“As the matter is sub-judice, we are constrained from sharing further details at this stage,” the statement, issued by Satat Sampada on behalf of the couple, said.
Harjeet’s entire career has been spent in climate-related work with NGOs. His activism is not about protests, demonstrations or disruption but engagement and advocacy. He has been a regular at the UN-mandated annual climate change meetings, representing NGOs which have recognised observer status. NGO players like Harjeet have been playing an important role at climate negotiations, often serving as a bridge between different negotiating groups. They have access to many of the meetings and are often involved in informal backroom discussions on contentious issues.
An articulate speaker, Harjeet often serves as spokesperson for NGO groups on climate change. Unlike many of his colleagues, who hold extreme positions, he has had a balanced and nuanced take on the issues. That was one reason why he is frequently sought out by media organisations across the world for his views and analysis. Harjeet has generally been critical of developed countries’ inaction on climate and is known for championing the causes of developing nations and small island states.
A management graduate, Harjeet is well regarded for his work and expertise on loss and damage, an issue that he worked hard to keep alive for several years when there was little enthusiasm for it among the developed countries. Finally, after years of work, a Loss and Damage Fund, meant to offer financial help to developing countries in recovering from climate disasters, was established at COP28 meeting in Dubai in 2023. He was involved in a lot of background work in creating that framework.
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The Enforcement Directorate has said it suspected Harjeet of using foreign funds to influence the Indian government’s policies on energy. In particular, it singled out Harjeet’s association with Fossil Fuel Non Proliferation Treaty (FF-NPT) initiative that calls for an international treaty, on the lines of nuclear non-proliferation treaty, to stop the expansion of fossil fuel use, which are the main reasons for global warming. The ED said the adoption of FF-NPT could “severely compromise” India’s energy security and economic development.
The ED had also said that Singh’s recent trips to Pakistan and Bangladesh were also under scrutiny. Satat Sampada in the statement on LinkedIn said: “It is important to clarify that he (Harjeet) has travelled internationally for the past two decades to participate in climate-related conferences, summits and policy forums. These visits were undertaken strictly in a professional capacity, where he has consistently represented the concerns of developing countries and highlighted India’s progress in renewable energy and climate action.”
“During the ED search, we fully cooperated and provided all relevant information and documentary evidence. We remain willing to extend complete cooperation and furnish any further information required by competent authorities,” it said.
