Introduction

India’s climate pledges evolved from the 2015 Paris INDC to enhanced 2021 Glasgow vows. It  shows a shift from intensity reductions to economy-wide transformation with LiFE and net-zero framing, while retaining equity and climate justice as anchors.

Body

Review of India’s Climate Commitments under the Paris Agreement (2015)

• Emission-Intensity Reduction

• • • India pledged to reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 33–35% from 2005 levels by 2030.
    • Achievement: As of 2019, India had already achieved a 33% reduction in emissions intensity, ahead of schedule.

• Non-Fossil Energy Capacity Target 

• • • Achieve about 40% cumulative installed electric power capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030.
    • Achievement: By October 2023, India had reached 43.8% non-fossil power capacity, exceeding the Paris target well before the deadline. However, coal still contributes ~55% of India’s installed capacity (CEA, 2023).

• Forest Carbon Sink Expansion

• • • Create an additional carbon sink of 2.5–3 billion tonnes CO₂ equivalent by 2030.
    • Achievement: By 2021, an additional carbon sink of 2.29 billion tonnes CO₂ equivalent had already been created.
• Equity and Climate Justice: India highlighted Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR), stressing low per-capita emissions and demanding climate finance and technology transfer from developed countries.

India’s NDC was among the most ambitious compared to similarly placed developing nations, but implementation gaps persisted in forestry and adaptation sectors.

Strengthening at COP26 (Glasgow, 2021)

• Panchamrit vision: 
  • 500 GW non‑fossil capacity by 2030 
  • 50% energy requirements from renewables by 2030
  • 1 billion tonnes cumulative emissions reduction by 2030 
  • 45% emissions‑intensity reduction by 2030 
  • Net‑zero by 2070.
• Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE): Promote sustainable consumption and behavioral change as a systemic mitigation method. 
• Early progress signal: India had already crossed 40% non‑fossil installed capacity ahead of 2030, enabling upward revision. 
• Global partnerships: Launch of initiatives for resilience and clean energy collaboration, complementing domestic targets.

Following is the updated NDC which aligns domestic policy (RE expansion, EV, hydrogen mission) with global commitments, showing credibility and progression.

Update of India’s First NDC in 2022

Conclusion

As countries prepare for 2025 NDCs and upcoming United Nations climate conferences, India should set a clear 2035 path, with an expanded LiFE vision. Also, India should execute its long-term low‑carbon strategy and secure fair climate finance for delivery.

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