At COP30 in Belém, Brazil, India reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to an equitable and ambitious transition towards sustainable and low-carbon development.

About COP30

• UNFCCC COP refers to the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which is the supreme decision-making body for the treaty
• COP30: Hosted in Belém, Brazil, marks 33 years since the 1992 Rio Earth Summit that initiated the UNFCCC and a decade since the Paris Agreement 2015.
• Purpose:It serves as the annual decision-making platform under the UNFCCC, bringing together 198 countries to assess progress and set future global climate goals.
• Key Agenda:COP30 discussions focus on forest conservation, climate finance, energy transition, and resilience-building for climate-vulnerable regions.
• Significance: The conference reinforces global cooperation, assessing NDC implementation and the next phase of the Paris Agreement’s climate ambition cycle.

India’s Emission Targets

India updated its Paris Agreement targets at COP26 in Glasgow,( November 2021).

• Emission Intensity Reduction: India aims to reduce the emission intensity of its GDP by 45% from 2005 levels by 2030, fulfilling obligations under its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
• Non-Fossil Fuel Energy Target: India targets 50% of cumulative installed power capacity from non-fossil fuel-based sources by 2030, as outlined in its updated NDC.
• Net Zero Commitment: India has pledged to achieve net zero emissions by 2070, aligning with long-term climate stabilization goals under the Paris Agreement.

India’s Climate Achievements

• Emission Intensity Reduction Ahead of Schedule: Between 2005 and 2020, India reduced its emission intensity by 36%, surpassing interim milestones ahead of the 2030 timeline.
• Renewable Energy Leadership: India has installed around 200 GW of renewable energy capacity, making it the third-largest producer of renewable energy globally.
• Non-Fossil Power Share Exceeds 50%: More than half of India’s total installed capacity now comes from non-fossil sources, reaching the 2030 NDC target five years early.
• Expansion of Forest and Tree Cover: India’s forest and tree cover has expanded to 25.17% of its total geographical area, contributing to enhanced carbon sequestration.
• Diverse Green Initiatives: Major programs in solar, wind, biofuels, and green hydrogen are driving India’s transition to a clean energy economy.
• Climate Finance Advocacy: India emphasized that affordable finance, technology access, and capacity building are critical for developing nations to meet climate ambitions.

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Conclusion

India’s proactive achievements and sustained leadership at COP30 highlight its commitment to balancing development and environmental responsibility, positioning it as a key voice for climate equity and global sustainability.

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