Parliament Question: Milestone Achieved In Global Climate Action

Key Highlights:

• India achieved a 37.38% reduction in emissions intensity of GDP by 2022 from 2005 levels, against a 2030 target of 45%.
• The share of non-fossil fuel-based energy in installed electric power capacity crossed 50% in June 2025, five years ahead of the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) goal.
• As of June 2026, non-fossil fuel sources accounted for 54.18% of India's total installed electric power capacity.
• India created an additional carbon sink of 2.44 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent between 2005 and 2022.
• New NDC targets for 2035 include a 47% reduction in emissions intensity of GDP and 60% non-fossil fuel-based electricity capacity.
• The 2035 NDC also aims to create a carbon sink of 3.5 to 4.0 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent.

Detailed Insights:

• India's progress demonstrates a decoupling of greenhouse gas emissions from economic growth, driven by policies promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency.
• The early achievement of non-fossil fuel capacity targets is due to incentives for renewable energy generation and grid integration.
• Carbon sink creation is attributed to high priority given to conservation and restoration by national and state governments.
• India's first Biennial Transparency Report was submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in April 2026.
• The 2035 NDC includes qualitative targets for sustainable lifestyles and enhanced adaptation, aligned with Viksit Bharat @2047.
• India's climate commitments have received wide recognition from international bodies like the IEA, FAO, UNFCCC, UNDP, UNEP, and World Bank.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC): Climate action targets set by countries under the Paris Agreement to reduce national emissions and adapt to climate change.
• Emissions Intensity of GDP: The ratio of greenhouse gas emissions to a country's Gross Domestic Product, indicating the carbon efficiency of economic activity.
• Carbon Sink: A natural or artificial reservoir that absorbs and stores more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than it releases.
• Biennial Transparency Report: A report submitted by countries to the UNFCCC detailing their progress in implementing climate actions and achieving NDC targets.