India’s climate journey under the global framework began in 2015 with the signing of the Paris Agreement, where countries committed to collectively limit global warming while pursuing sustainable development. As part of this, India submitted its first Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), outlining how it would balance economic growth with climate responsibility.
In its initial commitment, India outlined three key targets for 2030: reducing the emissions intensity of its GDP by 33-35% from 2005 levels, increasing the share of non-fossil fuel-based electricity capacity to 40%, and creating an additional carbon sink of 2.5-3 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent through forests and tree cover. These targets were carefully designed to align with India’s developmental priorities while gradually transitioning towards a low-carbon pathway.
Delivering Ahead of Targets: Progress Over the Years
Over the years, India made significant progress, particularly in the energy sector. The rapid expansion of solar and wind energy, supported by policy, measures and investments, enabled the country to achieve its 40% non-fossil fuel capacity target well ahead of schedule. Similarly, improvements in energy efficiency and a gradual shift towards cleaner technologies have helped India meet its emissions intensity reduction target earlier than expected. While progress in enhancing forest and tree cover continues, the carbon sink target remains a longer-term effort and is still underway.
Building on this progress, India strengthened its commitments in 2022 by enhancing its 2030 targets. The emissions intensity reduction target was increased to 45%, and the non-fossil fuel capacity target was raised to 50. Additionally, India announced its long-term goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. This marked a clear transition from moderate commitments to a more ambitious climate strategy.
| Target Parameter | First NDC (2015) | Updated NDC (2022) | Updated NDC (2031-2035) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-Fossil Energy Capacity | Achieve 40% of installed power capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030 | Increase to 50% of cumulative installed power capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030 | Target ~60% of cumulative installed electricity capacity from non-fossil sources by 2035 |
| Emissions Intensity (of GDP) | Reduce emissions intensity of GDP by 33-35% from 2005 levels | Reduce emissions intensity of GDP by 45% from 2005 levels by 2030 | Target 47% reduction in emissions intensity of GDP by 2035 (from 2005 levels) |
| Carbon Sink (Forests & Trees) | Create an additional carbon sink of 2.5-3 billion tonnes CO₂e by 2030 through enhanced forest and tree cover | Target 3.5-4 billion tonnes of CO₂e carbon sink | |
| Long Term Target | Announced net-zero emissions by 2070 |
The Next Phase: 2035 Climate Targets
The latest development in this journey is the approval by the Union Cabinet of India’s updated climate targets for 2035. This step is part of the Paris Agreement requirement for countries to periodically revise and enhance their commitments.
The newly approved targets reflect India’s increased ambition and confidence, driven by its earlier achievements.
Under the 2035 NDCs, India aims to:
- Increase non-fossil fuel-based electricity capacity to around 60%,
- Reduce emissions intensity to 47% from 2005 levels, and
- Expand its carbon sink to 3.5-4 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent.
In addition to these measurable targets, there is a strong emphasis on a climate-friendly development pathway, including initiatives such as green hydrogen, electrification of infrastructure, and low-carbon industrial processes.
Conclusion: From Commitment to Acceleration
The progression from the 2015 targets to the 2035 commitments highlights a clear pattern – India has not only met its earlier goals but is now moving towards more aggressive and forward-looking climate action. The Cabinet’s approval signals the beginning of the next phase, where policies, industries, and businesses will increasingly align with these enhanced targets.
In essence, India’s climate strategy has evolved from commitment to implementation, and now to acceleration. Having demonstrated the ability to achieve its targets ahead of time, the country is now positioning itself as a key player in global climate action, while continuing to balance sustainability with economic growth.
