INDIA’S PROGRESS ON CLIMATE TARGETS

News: India has largely met its headline climate commitments made under the Paris Agreement especially on Emissions intensity reduction, Non-fossil power capacity, Forest carbon sinks (on paper)

However, these achievements have not yet translated into a real decline in absolute emissions or deep ecological outcomes

India’s Climate Commitments at Paris (2015)

India’s targets were framed under the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR), recognizing:

• India’s historically low per-capita emissions
• Developmental needs

Four Key Commitments

• Reduce emissions intensity of GDP by 33–35% by 2030 (from 2005 levels)
• Achieve 40% non-fossil fuel power capacity
• Install 175 GW of renewable energy
• Create 2.5–3 billion tonnes CO₂ forest carbon sink

Emissions Intensity

• Emissions per unit of GDP
• Measures how carbon-efficient growth is India’s Performance
• Emissions intensity reduced by ~36% by 2020
• Target met 10 years early

No Fall in Absolute Emissions

• India’s absolute GHG emissions remain high
• ~2,959 MtCO₂e in 2020
• India is now the 3rd largest emitter globally

International Energy Agency notes:

• India’s intensity decline is faster than many G-20 nations
• But coal dominance keeps per-unit emissions high
• For India’s 2070 Net-Zero pledge to be credible, intensity gains must become absolute emission reductions.

Overall Assessment

What India Has Achieved

• Emissions intensity reduction
• Non-fossil capacity targets
• Carbon sink targets (on paper)

What Remains Weak

• Absolute emissions still rising
• Coal remains dominant
• Storage deficit
• Forest quality compromised