In line with its pledges under the Paris Agreement, India achieved a 36% reduction in emission intensity of GDP by 2020 compared to 2005 levels. Thanks to this milestone, India is on target to reach a 45% reduction by 2030. In its fourth biennial submission to the UN climate change organization, India highlighted its accomplishments and reaffirmed its commitment to separating its economic development from greenhouse gas emissions.

India stated that non-fossil sources accounted for 46.5% of its installed energy production capacity as of October 2024. Except for large hydroelectric projects, installed renewable power capacity increased from 35 GW in 2014 to 156.25 GW in 2024, for a total installed capacity of 203.2 GW. By 2030, these initiatives show consistent progress towards obtaining 50% of total electric power capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy sources.

Emission Profiles and Carbon Sequestration

In 2020, India emitted 2,959 million tonnes of CO2, excluding emissions from forestry, land use, and land-use change (LULUCF). Emissions from the energy sector accounted for 75.6%, followed by waste (2.56%), industrial processes (8.06%), and agriculture (13.7%). Methane and nitrous oxide contributed 13.3% and 5.1% of the emissions, respectively, while CO2 comprised 80.5%.

In 2020, about 522 million tonnes of CO2 were sequestered by India’s forest and tree cover, accounting for about 22% of the nation’s total carbon dioxide emissions. According to the research, the amount of forest and tree cover in India has increased to 25.17% of the total land area. This noteworthy contribution highlights India’s efforts to reduce emissions using natural carbon sinks.

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India’s Commitment to Low-Carbon Growth

India achieved a 36% reduction in emission intensity of GDP by 2020, a significant milestone showcasing the nation’s efforts to combat climate change. The report stressed that India’s contribution to global warming is still negligible despite issues like climate change. Nonetheless, the nation is dedicated to addressing climate change by adopting a growth trajectory that is low in carbon emissions.

These accomplishments demonstrate India’s commitment to striking a balance between environmental sustainability and economic progress, thus establishing the country as a responsible global actor in the fight against climate change.

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