India submitted new climate action pledges to the UN, which are a critical part of its current strategic approach to achieving a sustainable climate. India has also formally submitted its updated emissions targets for 2031–35 to the UNFCCC secretariat, setting forth ambitious objectives for expanding clean energy sources, reducing overall emissions, and creating carbon-sequestering projects. Furthermore, India’s submission identifies specific obstacles that developing nations face in achieving their climate change mitigation goals.

In particular, each of these target-setting activities emphasizes that their attainment will require significant financial support and the transfer of advanced technologies from developed to developing countries.

What Are India’s Key Climate Targets for 2035?

• Non-fossil energy expansion: India aims to increase its non-fossil electric power installation capacity to account for 60% of its total electricity installation capacity in the year 2035. It has also committed to achieving this objective under the condition that global financing and technology are available at reasonable prices.
• Decrease in emission intensity: The country also seeks to cut down the emission intensity of its economy to 47% of 2005 levels by 2035. This is because India prioritizes its emissions per unit of GDP over its total emissions.
• Creation of a new carbon sink: India also intends to increase the size of its carbon sinks, which include forests and trees, by another 3.5 to 4 billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalent.

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Why Has India Flagged Conditions in Fulfilling Its Climate Commitments?

• Dependence on international support: Many of the obligations India made were contingent on adequate support from the international community. Otherwise, meeting its objectives would prove difficult.
• Concerns over funding gaps: India warned that a lack of funding or cooperation might result in an “ambition gap,” which could reduce the impact of the Paris Agreement objectives.
• Responsibility of developed nations: India reminded developed nations of their responsibility under various international treaties and was entitled to receive support in its climate efforts.
• Emission reduction policy: It explained that its commitments did not include sector-wise emission reductions, particularly for agriculture, but rather the reduction of its carbon intensity.

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How Is India Progressing and What Challenges Lie Ahead?

As of February 2024, the last available update, India has made great strides in its commitments to mitigating climate change, but it still faces considerable challenges. For example, more than 52.5% of India’s total electricity generation capacity now comes from non-fossil fuel sources, indicating that India has made significant headway toward achieving its clean energy target by 2030. During 2005-2022, emissions intensity in India has decreased by 36%, demonstrating that the growth of the economy is becoming progressively less carbon-intensive.

India is seeking ways to balance its climate goals with its many development priorities (e.g., water, housing, sanitation, and energy for all). India submitted new climate action pledges to the UN, a blend of aspiration and reality that demonstrates the nation’s progress while further highlighting the need for enhanced global cooperation to realize the commitments made.

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