{"id":814,"date":"2026-03-30T23:13:24","date_gmt":"2026-03-30T23:13:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/814\/"},"modified":"2026-03-30T23:13:24","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T23:13:24","slug":"qa-what-does-indias-new-paris-agreement-pledge-mean-for-climate-action","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/814\/","title":{"rendered":"Q&#038;A: What does India\u2019s new Paris Agreement pledge mean for climate action?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>India has set a new target to reduce its \u201cemissions intensity\u201d \u2013 greenhouse gas emissions per unit of economic output\u00a0\u2013 to 47% below 2005 levels by 2035.<\/p>\n<p>The much-awaited announcement comes within India\u2019s delayed new <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carbonbrief.org\/explainer-what-are-intended-nationally-determined-contributions\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">nationally determined contribution<\/a> (NDC) for 2035 under the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carbonbrief.org\/interactive-the-paris-agreement-on-climate-change\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Paris Agreement<\/a>, which had been <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carbonbrief.org\/analysis-95-of-countries-miss-un-deadline-to-submit-2035-climate-pledges\/#:~:text=According%20to%20Carbon%20Brief%2C%2095%25%20of%20countries,Saint%20Lucia%20*%20Marshall%20Islands%20*%20Singapore\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">due<\/a> last year.<\/p>\n<p>The pledge, which has not yet been published by the UN, was approved by India\u2019s cabinet and issued as a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2245209&amp;reg=3&amp;lang=1\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">government press release<\/a> on 25 March.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The updated NDC from the world\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carbonbrief.org\/the-carbon-brief-profile-india\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">third-largest emitter<\/a> lands amid the global <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carbonbrief.org\/qa-what-does-the-iran-war-mean-for-the-energy-transition-and-climate-action\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">energy crisis<\/a> triggered by the Iran war, which has already led to Indians grappling with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2026\/mar\/19\/india-liquefied-petroleum-gas-lpg-supply-chain-disruption-iran-conflict\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">gas shortages<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>In its pledge, India has committed to non-fossil energy making up 60% of its installed electricity-generating capacity by 2035.<\/p>\n<p>The country has also announced an increase to its target for the amount of CO2 that will be absorbed by carbon sinks, such as forests \u2013 the first such rise since India made its first pledge to the Paris Agreement.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Some climate experts in India have welcomed the new pledge, saying the country \u201cis pulling more than its weight given its minimal <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carbonbrief.org\/analysis-worlds-biggest-historic-polluter-the-us-is-pulling-out-of-un-climate-treaty\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">historical contribution<\/a> to emissions\u201d and \u201cdespite recent geopolitical headwinds\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>However, others point out that the targets \u201cunderestimate India\u2019s potential\u201d for clean-energy growth and \u201callow for an acceleration\u201d of emissions, while \u201chiding\u201d deforestation.<\/p>\n<p>Below, Carbon Brief outlines India\u2019s new climate pledge for 2035 and its implications for the nation\u2019s energy sector, emissions and adaptation efforts.<\/p>\n<p>This article will be updated once the full NDC has been formally published by the UN.<\/p>\n<p>What is in India\u2019s updated climate pledge?<\/p>\n<p>The 1,200-word <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2245209&amp;reg=3&amp;lang=1\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">press release<\/a> announcing the approval of India\u2019s new NDC for 2035 is thin on detail. For example, it does not spell out any climate-finance needs for adaptation, mitigation or climate change-induced <a href=\"https:\/\/interactive.carbonbrief.org\/q-a-should-developed-nations-pay-for-loss-and-damage-from-climate-change\/index.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">loss and damage<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The details provided in the press release include three headline quantified targets for three areas:<\/p>\n<p>GDP emissions intensity<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNon-fossil fuel\u201d share of electricity generation<\/p>\n<p>Land and forestry<\/p>\n<p>First, India commits to cutting the \u201cemissions intensity\u201d of its GDP to 47% below 2005 levels by 2035, a small increase from the 45% target for 2030 set out in its previous <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carbonbrief.org\/qa-what-does-indias-updated-paris-agreement-pledge-mean-for-climate-change\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">pledge<\/a> in 2022.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Emissions intensity is defined as the total amount of greenhouse gas emitted for each unit of GDP, which means it applies to all sectors of the economy and covers all gases, such as methane and nitrous oxide, as well as carbon dioxide (CO2).\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>However, there is no globally agreed benchmark to measure this type of target.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>According to the Indian government\u2019s fourth \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/unfccc.int\/sites\/default\/files\/resource\/India%20BUR-4.pdf\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">biennial update report<\/a>\u201d submitted to the UN on 30 December 2024, India had already reduced its emissions intensity by 36% between 2005 and 2020.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>By setting an intensity target, India would be able to continue increasing its emissions as its economy grows, as Carbon Brief has previously <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carbonbrief.org\/qa-what-does-indias-updated-paris-agreement-pledge-mean-for-climate-change\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">explained<\/a>. This target, therefore, depends on the size of India\u2019s economy in 2035, as well as its total emissions.<\/p>\n<p>(Under the terms of the <a href=\"https:\/\/unfccc.int\/sites\/default\/files\/english_paris_agreement.pdf\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Paris Agreement<\/a> and the first \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.carbonbrief.org\/cop28-key-outcomes-agreed-at-the-un-climate-talks-in-dubai\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">global stocktake<\/a>\u201d agreed in 2023, only developed countries are expected to set \u201cabsolute\u201d targets to cut their emissions. Developing countries are \u201cencouraged\u201d to move towards such targets \u201cover time\u201d.)\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The two-point increase in India\u2019s intensity target, to 47% by 2035, \u201cwill not bring any real emission reductions, given India\u2019s fast-growing GDP\u201d, says a <a href=\"https:\/\/climateactiontracker.org\/press\/india-already-on-track-to-meet-new-2035-target-by-or-before-2030\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">statement<\/a> from climate research group <a href=\"https:\/\/climateactiontracker.org\/press\/india-already-on-track-to-meet-new-2035-target-by-or-before-2030\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Climate Action Tracker<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>It says this new goal is \u2018unlikely to drive significantly more ambitious action\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>India\u2019s GDP is expected to grow by an average 6.1% per year out to 2035, which is \u201cmore than any other major country or region\u201d, <a href=\"https:\/\/iea.blob.core.windows.net\/assets\/9753df19-0a71-422a-b725-012c555763b3\/WorldEnergyOutlook2025.pdf\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">according<\/a> to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iea.org\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">International Energy Agency<\/a> (IEA).<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/2MCXMD5.jpg\" alt=\"The 2,050MW Pavagada solar park in Karnataka is among the world\u2019s largest solar power plants. Credit: Associated Press \/ Alamy Stock Photo. Image ID: 2MCXMD5.\" class=\"wp-image-61874\"  \/>The 2,050MW Pavagada solar park in Karnataka is among the world\u2019s largest solar power plants. Credit: Associated Press \/ <a href=\"https:\/\/www.alamy.com\/a-solar-power-plant-works-in-pavagada-tumkur-district-in-the-southern-indian-state-of-karnataka-india-thursday-sept-15-2022-nationwide-fossil-fuels-particularly-coal-generate-more-than-70-of-indias-electricity-and-has-been-doing-so-for-years-renewable-energy-contributes-close-to-10-of-indias-electricity-needs-ap-photorafiq-maqbool-image507063345.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Alamy Stock Photo<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p>Second, the country has pledged to raise the share of \u201cnon-fossil fuel-based energy resources in installed electric power capacity\u201d to 60%. (India defines \u201cnon-fossil sources\u201d as including large-scale hydropower, nuclear, bioenergy, solar and wind power.)\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The target is a 10-percentage point increase from the previous goal of \u201cabout 50%\u201d by 2030.<\/p>\n<p>In July 2025, the Indian government <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2144627\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">announced<\/a> that it had achieved this target, five years ahead of schedule. As of February 2026, non-fossil sources already made up <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2245209&amp;reg=3&amp;lang=1\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">52.6%<\/a> of installed capacity.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/iea.blob.core.windows.net\/assets\/9753df19-0a71-422a-b725-012c555763b3\/WorldEnergyOutlook2025.pdf\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">IEA<\/a> estimates that India\u2019s existing policies would be sufficient to achieve the newly targeted 60% share as early as 2030, reaching 70% by 2035.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Third, the country has raised its land and forestry sector target for the first time since 2015.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>According to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2245209&amp;reg=3&amp;lang=1\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">press release<\/a> description of the new pledge:<\/p>\n<p>\u201c[India has] further enhanced the ambition of creating [a] carbon sink through forest and tree cover to 3.5-4.0bn tonnes of CO2-equivalent [GtCO2e] by 2035 from 2005 level[s].\u201d<\/p>\n<p>However, the baseline from which India calculates its emissions reductions from forests was only clarified in 2024 and its metrics for measuring forest and tree cover <a href=\"https:\/\/economictimes.indiatimes.com\/news\/politics-and-nation\/indias-natural-forests-half-of-what-ministry-claims\/articleshow\/38504925.cms?from=mdr\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">remain<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.climatechangenews.com\/2022\/02\/14\/india-falsely-claims-forestry-progress-skewed-report-experts-warn\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">controversial<\/a>. (See: What does India\u2019s pledge mean for its land sector?)<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, the target corresponds to a \u201cbusiness-as-usual scenario\u201d, according to India\u2019s own forest authorities, with no additional policies required to achieve it.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Beyond the three quantitative headline goals, the NDC pledge also contains five qualitative targets. The government release says these are \u201cintended to embed sustainability into everyday life and governance systems, promote climate-resilient development pathways and enable a just and inclusive transition for all sections of society\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>They include a target to \u201cmobilise domestic, and new and additional finance from developed countries\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Another qualitative target is a commitment to develop \u201cresilient infrastructure\u201d in order to \u201cadapt to climate change in various sectors like agriculture, water resources, health, disaster management and fragile ecosystems\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>The government release does not explicitly mention the 1.5C aspirational global warming limit agreed as part of the Paris Agreement, but it does \u201crecogni[se] that climate change impacts are already being felt\u201d. It also says the government has \u201cplaced strong emphasis on adaptation and disaster resilience across the key actors of its economy\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The release lists a range of <a href=\"https:\/\/interactive.carbonbrief.org\/climate-adaptation-papers\/index.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">adaptation actions<\/a> and initiatives that the government is engaged in, from mangrove restoration to \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.carbonbrief.org\/guest-post-the-gaps-in-indias-heat-action-plans\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">heat action plans<\/a>\u201d and monitoring <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carbonbrief.org\/catastrophic-2023-lake-outburst-in-india-driven-by-glacial-melt-and-permafrost-thaw\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">glacial lake outburst floods<\/a>. However, it does not set any new adaptation goals.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>According to India\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.indiabudget.gov.in\/economicsurvey\/doc\/eschapter\/echap10.pdf\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">national economic survey<\/a> for 2025\/26, adaptation and \u201cresilience-related\u201d domestic spending \u201csurged\u201d to 5.6% of the country\u2019s GDP in 2022-23, from 3.7% in 2016-17, with 98% of adaptation finance sourced domestically.<\/p>\n<p>The Indian government says that the NDC \u201cmark[s] a significant step towards the goal of achieving net-zero by 2070\u201d, but does not offer further explanation.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, it does not mention two targets <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mea.gov.in\/Speeches-Statements.htm?dtl\/34466\/National+Statement+by+Prime+Minister+Shri+Narendra+Modi+at+COP26+Summit+in+Glasgow\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">announced<\/a> by prime minister Narendra Modi in 2021 at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carbonbrief.org\/cop26-key-outcomes-agreed-at-the-un-climate-talks-in-glasgow\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">COP26<\/a> in Glasgow. These were to install 500 gigawatts (GW) of non-fossil capacity by 2030 and to reduce cumulative emissions between 2021-30 to 1bn tonnes of CO2 (GtCO2) below expected levels.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/2H4GC7C.jpg\" alt=\"India\u2019s prime minister Narendra Modi holds hands with thenformer UK prime minister Boris Johnson at COP26 in Glasgow, where Modi announced India\u2019s net-zero target. Credit: Colin Fisher \/ Alamy Stock Photo. Image ID: 2H4GC7C.\" class=\"wp-image-61875\"  \/>India\u2019s prime minister Narendra Modi holds hands with then UK prime minister Boris Johnson at COP26 in Glasgow, where Modi announced India\u2019s net-zero target. Credit: Colin Fisher \/ <a href=\"https:\/\/www.alamy.com\/glasgow-scotland-uk-2nd-nov-2021-pictured-left-narendra-modi-prime-minister-of-india-right-boris-johnson-prime-minister-of-the-united-kingdom-uk-world-leaders-come-together-at-the-cop26-climate-change-conference-in-glasgow-this-afternoon-credit-colin-fisheralamy-live-news-image450289040.html?imageid=83831223-8DF0-4A0A-9F02-30A2D58C5E1B&amp;pn=1&amp;searchId=76b53d65caa8a7afca50ba348b90b26e&amp;searchtype=0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Alamy Stock Photo<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>However, the release does reiterate that the \u201cachievement of our targets ahead of time\u2026provides strong confidence in the country\u2019s ability to deliver on future commitments\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The release also says that India has \u201cconsidered\u201d the outcomes of the first \u201d<a href=\"https:\/\/www.carbonbrief.org\/qa-what-is-the-global-stocktake-and-could-it-accelerate-climate-action\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">global stocktake<\/a>\u201d and the \u201cneed for greater ambition\u201d in line with the Paris Agreement\u2019s long-term temperature goal in \u201cshaping\u201d India\u2019s 2035 NDC.<\/p>\n<p>It adds that, when formulating the pledge, the government took into account the principles of equity and common, but differentiated responsibility, as well as development and energy security priorities.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>What does India\u2019s pledge mean for its energy sector?<\/p>\n<p>India\u2019s new target for non-fossil sources to make up 60% of installed electricity generating capacity builds on its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carbonbrief.org\/qa-what-does-indias-updated-paris-agreement-pledge-mean-for-climate-change\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">2022 NDC<\/a> target to reach \u201cabout 50%\u201d by 2030.<\/p>\n<p>Although not specified in the latest release, the previous goal was said to have been conditional on the availability of low-cost international finance. In July 2025, India <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2144627\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">announced<\/a> that it had already achieved this 50% target, five years ahead of schedule.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>When this announcement was made in June last year, India\u2019s installed non-fossil capacity <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2144627\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">comprised<\/a> 38.1% renewables, 10.2% of large hydropower and 1.8% nuclear energy.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>In <a href=\"https:\/\/cea.nic.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/installed\/2026\/01\/Website.pdf\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">January 2026<\/a>, India\u2019s non-fossil installed capacity reached 50.6% and, per the announcement, had already reached 52.6% in February.<\/p>\n<p>Meeting the new 2035 target would, therefore, require only another 8 percentage-point increase in the non-fossil share of installed capacity over the next nine years.<\/p>\n<p>This is much less ambitious than India\u2019s own <a href=\"https:\/\/cea.nic.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/notification\/2026\/03\/Generation_Adequacy_Plan_2035_36.pdf\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">national generation adequacy plan<\/a>, published in March 2026, which says that non-fossil fuel-based installed capacity would reach \u201c70% of the total installed capacity by 2035-36\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>According to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.downtoearth.org.in\/climate-change\/india-unveils-new-un-climate-target-47-emissions-intensity-cut-by-2035-60-non-fossil-power-capacity\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">estimates<\/a> from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cseindia.org\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Centre for Science and Environment<\/a> (CSE), India could hit the 60% target as early as 2028.<\/p>\n<p>Beyond the overall non-fossil capacity target, the NDC release does not include specific goals for domestic renewable generation or capacity installation.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>According to the <a href=\"https:\/\/cea.nic.in\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Central Electricity Authority<\/a>, renewable energy, including large hydropower, only accounted for <a href=\"https:\/\/cea.nic.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/annual_reports\/2024\/CEA_Approved_Annual_Report_2024_25English_Final.pdf\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">22.4%<\/a> of total electricity generation \u2013 a far lower share than the installed capacity percentage.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>As of <a href=\"https:\/\/npp.gov.in\/public-reports\/cea\/monthly\/generation\/18_col_act\/\/2026\/JAN\/18_col_act-1_2026-JAN.pdf\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">January 2026<\/a>, coal-fired power still accounted for 69% of total generation.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>India is still planning to add approximately <a href=\"https:\/\/iced.niti.gov.in\/energy\/electricity\/generation\/pipeline-capacity\/coal\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">56GW<\/a> of new coal-fired power generation capacity by 2030, because of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/industry\/news\/india-to-boost-power-generation-transmission-infra-to-attain-power-for-all-124122900153_1.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">expected growth<\/a> in peak electricity demand.<\/p>\n<p>According to a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/business\/energy\/india-will-use-more-coal-over-next-25-years-report-says-2026-02-10\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">report<\/a> by government thinktank Niti Aayog, India\u2019s coal consumption for all uses \u201ccould more than double by mid-century before plunging sharply\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>On the other hand, research for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carbonbrief.org\/analysis-coal-power-drops-in-china-and-india-for-first-time-in-52-years-after-clean-energy-records\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Carbon Brief<\/a> by the <a href=\"https:\/\/energyandcleanair.org\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air<\/a> (CREA) shows that electricity generation from coal in India fell by 3% year-on-year in 2025. It suggests that power-sector emissions could peak before 2030, if clean-energy capacity and electricity demand grow as expected.<\/p>\n<p>The analysis found that the fall in coal-fired power was partly a result of accelerated clean-energy growth, which played a significant role in driving down coal generation for the first time.<\/p>\n<p>Nevertheless, a range of challenges are holding back the growth of India\u2019s grid-based solar power, according to a 2025 <a href=\"https:\/\/ieefa.org\/resources\/challenges-indias-tender-driven-renewable-energy-market\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">report<\/a> by the <a href=\"http:\/\/ieefa.org\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis <\/a>(IEEFA), which points to issues including delays in power supply agreements and transmission challenges.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Solar manufacturing has seen a \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2026-02-17\/india-s-solar-manufacturing-excesses-turn-a-boom-into-a-glut\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">13-fold jump<\/a>\u201d that has outpaced domestic demand. In September, it was reported that India had <a href=\"https:\/\/www.downtoearth.org.in\/energy\/indias-green-energy-paradox-44-gw-of-renewables-ready-but-no-takers\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">44GW<\/a> of renewable energy \u201cready for deployment\u201d, but challenges around secure long-term power contracts were holding back its deployment.<\/p>\n<p>Experts tell Carbon Brief that off-grid solar might absorb some of this glut, which could explain additional outlays for rooftop solar in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carbonbrief.org\/five-key-climate-and-energy-announcements-in-indias-budget-for-2026\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">India\u2019s February budget<\/a>. In 2025, India added 7.1GW of rooftop solar capacity, a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pv-magazine-india.com\/2026\/02\/26\/india-installs-7-1-gw-of-rooftop-solar-in-2025-up-122-yoy\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">122% increase<\/a> from the previous year.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>However, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/sustainability\/climate-energy\/modis-rooftop-solar-push-slowed-by-reluctant-lenders-states-2026-02-15\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Reuters<\/a> reports that this rooftop solar push \u201cis falling short of targets despite heavy subsidies\u201d because of poor financing and limited support from state utilities and vendors.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The country is <a href=\"https:\/\/economictimes.indiatimes.com\/news\/india\/arunachal-pradesh-oju-hydroelectric-project-environmental-clearance-one-of-indias-largest-hydropower-projects-in-china-border-region-gets-key-nod\/articleshow\/124069069.cms\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">expanding<\/a> its hydropower fleet in the high eastern Himalayan region \u2013 near a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2025-08-12\/india-approves-new-hydropower-project-near-disputed-china-border\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">disputed border<\/a> with China \u2013 despite <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hindustantimes.com\/india-news\/forest-nod-to-hydro-projects-in-arunachal-101749581577052.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">biodiversity concerns<\/a>, drought and flood impacts on dams and reservoirs.<\/p>\n<p>According to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.downtoearth.org.in\/energy\/india-leans-on-pumped-hydro-for-energy-storage-as-battery-costs-and-recycling-woes-mount\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Down To Earth<\/a>, the country is also \u201cprioritising pumped hydropower storage projects over battery systems\u201d, expecting to add around 50GW of such capacity by 2032.<\/p>\n<p>India is also looking to nuclear energy to serve as a steady source of power to complement variable renewable output.<\/p>\n<p>In December 2025, the government enacted a landmark new nuclear law, dubbed the \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/static.pib.gov.in\/WriteReadData\/specificdocs\/documents\/2025\/dec\/doc20251222741701.pdf\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Shanti<\/a>\u201d act \u2013 an acronym for \u201csustainable harnessing and advancement of nuclear energy for transforming India\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>It aims to help India increase its nuclear capacity more than tenfold, from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2037046\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">8GW<\/a> in 2024 to 100GW by 2047. (India has some 6GW of nuclear capacity <a href=\"https:\/\/world-nuclear.org\/information-library\/country-profiles\/countries-g-n\/india\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">under construction<\/a>.)<\/p>\n<p>However, given high costs, extended timescales and India\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1177\/02627280211054795\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">long history<\/a> of <a href=\"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1177\/02627280211054795\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">public protests<\/a> against nuclear energy over safety and land-acquisition concerns, it remains to be seen how quickly this capacity can be ramped up.<\/p>\n<p>What does India\u2019s pledge mean for its land sector?<\/p>\n<p>For the first time since issuing its <a href=\"https:\/\/unfccc.int\/sites\/default\/files\/NDC\/2022-06\/INDIA%20INDC%20TO%20UNFCCC.pdf\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">first target<\/a> in 2015, India has raised its land and forestry carbon-sink goal in its updated NDC.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>This target aims to create an additional annual carbon sink of 3.5GtCO2e through \u201cadditional tree and forest cover\u201d by 2035, compared with 2005 levels.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>This is a 1GCO2e increase from its target for 2030, which was to sequester 2.5-3GtCO2e through additional forest and tree cover by 2030. This time, India finally spells out a clear 2005 baseline from which these targets are to be measured.<\/p>\n<p>According to the Forest Survey of India\u2019s (FSI) last <a href=\"https:\/\/fsi.nic.in\/uploads\/isfr2023\/isfr_book_eng-vol-1_2023.pdf\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">India state of forest report<\/a>, the country had \u201calready reached 2.29Gt of additional carbon sink\u201d against its 2005 baseline in 2023.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Dr Sharad Lele, professor of environmental policy and governance at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.atree.org\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment<\/a>, tells Carbon Brief that the increase in India\u2019s forest NDC target is \u201cconcerning\u201d for several reasons.<\/p>\n<p>First among these, Lele says, is that the FSI\u2019s official claim of sequestration so far \u201cis based on shaky methods and non-transparent datasets\u201d. He continues:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSecond, the country continues to lose dense forests of high conservation and livelihood value to development projects while sequestration seems to be done through plantations.<\/p>\n<p>Third, and most important, carbon as well as conservation goals should not bypass the rights of Indigenous and local communities, [which] continues to result in both forest destruction and plantation happening in ways that disregard community concerns and priorities.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/3B91FD5.jpg\" alt=\"Credit: ZUMA Press, Inc. \/ Alamy Stock Photo. Image ID: 3B91FD5. ZUMA Press, Inc.\" class=\"wp-image-61876\"  \/>Sambati Darro looking for fruits and flowers near a mining area in Madpa, Chhattisgarh. Indigenous communities are economically dependent on the forest near the mining area. Credit: Elke Scholiers, ZUMA Press, Inc. \/ <a href=\"https:\/\/www.alamy.com\/april-3-2023-narayanpur-florida-india-sambati-darro-29-looks-for-fruits-and-flowers-in-their-backyard-in-madpa-chhattisgarh-she-sells-dried-leaves-of-the-tendu-tree-and-flowers-of-the-mahua-tree-in-the-market-and-are-economically-dependent-on-the-forest-near-the-mining-area-credit-image-elke-scholierszuma-press-wire-image676770337.html?imageid=615E8E1B-718F-4317-9ED1-07E22B67EDF2&amp;pn=1&amp;searchId=f1ec518f38d14bd524aff9c7950a2e51&amp;searchtype=0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Alamy Stock Photo<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>In recent years, the Modi government <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2004010&amp;reg=3&amp;lang=2\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">clarified<\/a> two key missing components of India\u2019s carbon-sink target, which had <a href=\"https:\/\/fsi.nic.in\/uploads\/documents\/technical-information-series-vol1-no3-16-06-2019.pdf\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">confused<\/a> even forest authorities.<\/p>\n<p>In 2024, the Indian government <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2004010&amp;reg=3&amp;lang=2\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">clarified the baseline year<\/a> against which its carbon sink is measured, setting it to 2005.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Second, India retrospectively <a href=\"https:\/\/fsi.nic.in\/uploads\/documents\/technical-information-series-vol1-no3-16-06-2019.pdf\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">adopted an interpretation of annual forest cover metrics that allow it to meet its carbon sequestration target \u201cwithout implementing additional measures per se for increasing forest carbon sink\u201d, according to the FSI.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The FSI\u2019s metrics have been questioned by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/current-affairs\/un-questions-india-s-forest-cover-data-over-lack-of-transparency-clarity-119010200637_1.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">UN<\/a>, scientists and the media for their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hindustantimes.com\/india-news\/recheck-forest-cover-data-un-body-tells-india-flags-concern-about-definition\/story-qrB51xpKlnAuYTXzstBAFK.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">lack of transparency<\/a> and for \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.hindustantimes.com\/india-news\/recheck-forest-cover-data-un-body-tells-india-flags-concern-about-definition\/story-qrB51xpKlnAuYTXzstBAFK.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">masking<\/a>\u201d deforestation. In addition, its definition of what constitutes forest cover is seen as controversial because it includes monocultures, commercial plantations and urban parks.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The FSI defines the term \u201cforest cover\u201d in India as follows:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAll lands, more than or equal to one hectare in area, with a tree canopy of more than or equal to 10%, irrespective of ownership and legal status; and includes orchards, bamboo and palm.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Because of this definition and how it is measured, India\u2019s forest cover has \u201cshown a gradual and steady trend of increase in the last one and a half decades\u201d, <a href=\"https:\/\/fsi.nic.in\/uploads\/documents\/technical-information-series-vol1-no3-16-06-2019.pdf\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">according to<\/a> the FSI.<\/p>\n<p>Souparna Lahiri, a climate and land-use expert with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.clara.earth\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Climate Land Ambition and Rights Alliance<\/a> (CLARA), tells Carbon Brief that this approach means deforestation is \u201chidden\u201d:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen you choose a carbon sequestration target, what you\u2019re trying to mask is the real health of India\u2019s forests.\u2026This is a self-rewarding scheme for when you have compensatory afforestation schemes for many, many years that are basically raising plantations.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The chart below shows the FSI\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/fsi.nic.in\/uploads\/isfr2023\/isfr_book_eng-vol-1_2023.pdf\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">estimates<\/a> of forest carbon stocks from 2005 to 2023 (orange) and its projections for further carbon sequestration out to 2030 (dotted line).<\/p>\n<p>The figure shows that the FSI expects India to exceed its 2030 target of boosting forest carbon stocks by 2.5-3.0GtCO2e over 2005 levels, with a projected 3.57GtCO2e increase. Indeed, this projected increase would see the new 2035 target, for a 3.5GtCO2e increase over 2005 levels, being met by 2030, five years early.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1560\" height=\"886\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Observed_and_projected_values_in_forest_and_tree_cover.png\" alt=\"Observed (blue) and projected (greydotted line) forest carbon stocks in India, GtCO2e.\" class=\"wp-image-61897\"  \/>Observed (blue) and projected (grey dotted line) forest carbon stocks in India, GtCO2e. Credit: Carbon Brief. Source:\u00a0India State of Forest Report, Forest Survey of India, page 232 (2024).<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, according to the forest data platform <a href=\"https:\/\/www.globalforestwatch.org\/dashboards\/country\/IND\/?map=eyJjYW5Cb3VuZCI6dHJ1ZX0%3D\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Global Forest Watch<\/a>, India lost 1.3m hectares (mha) of tree cover from 2015 to 2024, equivalent to 5% of the forested area in 2010. It says this area would have sequestered 830MtCO2e prior to being deforested.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The country\u2019s climate ministry has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/business\/Industry\/parliament-committee-recommends-reducing-time-for-forest-environmental-clearances-for-coal-projects\/article70380726.ece\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">prioritised<\/a> granting and fast-tracking permits for forest clearance for strategic <a href=\"https:\/\/theprint.in\/india\/new-forest-rules-permit-linear-projects-to-begin-before-final-clearance-recognise-critical-minerals\/2734453\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">infrastructure<\/a> and energy projects, with further exemptions for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hindustantimes.com\/india-news\/government-exempts-critical-mineral-projects-from-public-hearing-to-ease-clearance-101759257685986.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">critical minerals<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/india\/centre-expands-exemptions-for-mineral-exploration-drilling-on-forest-land-10230158\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">exploration<\/a> and other projects.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The Indian government has also allowed for private <a href=\"https:\/\/frontline.thehindu.com\/environment\/india-forest-policy-private-plantations\/article70528235.ece\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">monoculture plantations<\/a> on public forest land without compensating for the loss of primary forest.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/kalpavriksh.org\/ourteam\/ashish-kothari\/?srsltid=AfmBOorFaKVexI8FB5bOKMUHbrGQSj20j5slhH0Q7v2_3y1ZEcrjzWQj\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Ashish Kothari<\/a>, veteran environmentalist and founder of non-profit <a href=\"https:\/\/kalpavriksh.org\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Kalpavriksh<\/a>, tells Carbon Brief:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere are so many contradictions. We\u2019re currently fighting the <a href=\"https:\/\/frontline.thehindu.com\/environment\/ngt-great-nicobar-strategic-environmental-clearance-controversy-india\/article70655209.ece\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Great Nicobar case<\/a>, where the government wants to clearfell 130sqkm of rainforest and believes it can compensate for this with plantations 2,400km away in Haryana in north India. All of this never makes it to India\u2019s NDC.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Macaque_monkey_of_Great_Nicobar_Biosphere_Reserve.jpg\" alt=\"A long-tailed macaque endemic to the Great Nicobar islands. Credit: Wikimedia Commons\" class=\"wp-image-61883\"  \/>A long-tailed macaque endemic to the Great Nicobar islands. Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Macaque_monkey_of_Great_Nicobar_Biosphere_Reserve.jpg\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Prasun Goswami \/ CC BY-SA 4.0 \/ Wikimedia Commons<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>At the same time, new research <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s43247-025-02694-3\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">warns<\/a> that increasing \u201cecological droughts\u201d induced by climate change could weaken India\u2019s forest carbon sinks.<\/p>\n<p>Another <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S0921344925003568\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">study<\/a> estimates that carbon uptake of India\u2019s forests fell by 5-12% in the decade from 2010 to 2019, compared to the previous one.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Land availability for afforestation and restoration to meet India\u2019s carbon-sink target is another key contention.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>In a recent Carbon Brief <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carbonbrief.org\/guest-post-how-much-could-restoring-forests-reduce-indias-emissions\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">guest post<\/a>, researchers <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carbonbrief.org\/guest-post-how-much-could-restoring-forests-reduce-indias-emissions\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">estimated<\/a> that less than 0.5% of the country\u2019s area is \u201cimmediately available for forest restoration\u201d, which, if regenerated, could sequester less than 10% of India\u2019s 2030 pledge.<\/p>\n<p>Carbon markets under <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carbonbrief.org\/in-depth-q-and-a-how-article-6-carbon-markets-could-make-or-break-the-paris-agreement\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Article 6<\/a> of the Paris Agreement were a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hindustantimes.com\/india-news\/concerned-about-rights-of-global-south-says-yadav-101756840972815.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">key priority<\/a> for India in the run-up to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carbonbrief.org\/cop30-key-outcomes-agreed-at-the-un-climate-talks-in-belem\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">COP30<\/a> and the country has been <a href=\"https:\/\/beeindia.gov.in\/carbon-market.php\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">setting up<\/a> its own domestic <a href=\"https:\/\/english.icfre.gov.in\/pdf\/publication\/publication53.Domestic%20Forest%20Carbon%20Market.pdf\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">forest carbon market<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Lahiri points out that India\u2019s carbon market is \u201cstill restricted\u201d within the energy sector, but now has a \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/sanctuarynaturefoundation.org\/article\/green-credit-programme%3A-greenwashing-the-destruction-of-forests\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">green credit scheme<\/a>\u201d for the land sector \u2013 spanning afforestation, mangrove restoration and wetland conservation \u2013 where one tree can equal one \u201cgreen credit\u201d unit.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Lahiri says that this shows India is intending to \u201cbalance the energy sector emissions from carbon sequestration\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>What are the political considerations behind India\u2019s new climate pledge?<\/p>\n<p>India\u2019s climate pledges have been delayed in the past, so the late arrival of its latest NDC is not necessarily a significant sign. However, the new pledge was announced amid an energy shock triggered by the US-Israel <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carbonbrief.org\/qa-what-does-the-iran-war-mean-for-the-energy-transition-and-climate-action\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">war on Iran<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>This means that India is trying to secure energy supplies from different sources, as people around the country face widespread shortages. Additionally, key <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2026_elections_in_India\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">state elections<\/a> are being held in April.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>While the country was <a href=\"https:\/\/india.mongabay.com\/2022\/11\/many-nations-join-indias-call-to-phase-down-all-fossil-fuels\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">hailed<\/a> in 2022 for proposing language to \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/no-fuel-source-should-be-singled-out-for-action-environment-minister-bhupender-yadav\/article66144316.ece\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">phase out all fossil fuels<\/a>\u201d and not just coal, recent events indicate <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hindustantimes.com\/india-news\/more-climate-activists-under-ed-radar-after-searches-at-harjeet-singh-s-properties-101767728290174.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">less tolerance<\/a> for such a stance.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/3E2CRC9.jpg\" alt=\"Men and women wait in long queues for cooking gas refills at a depot in Noida. Credit: Alamy Stock Photo. Image ID: 3E2CRC9.\" class=\"wp-image-61878\"  \/>Men and women wait in long queues for cooking gas refills at a depot in Noida. Credit: ZUMA Press, Inc. \/ <a href=\"https:\/\/www.alamy.com\/march-16-2026-noida-india-buyers-queue-for-liquefied-petroleum-gas-lpg-at-a-depot-india-the-worlds-second-largest-lpg-importer-is-facing-an-acute-cooking-gas-shortage-as-global-oil-and-gas-prices-turn-volatile-due-to-rising-tensions-and-insecurity-in-the-middle-east-following-the-us-israeli-offensive-against-iran-disrupting-key-supply-routes-and-tightening-fuel-availability-credit-image-amarjeet-kumar-singhsopa-images-via-zuma-press-wire-editorial-usage-only!-not-for-commercial-usage!-image724346569.html?imageid=062905C7-880F-47D6-9822-17A0376A5693&amp;pn=1&amp;searchId=7861bad7f36244e61c8d6fe0acf08c4b&amp;searchtype=0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Alamy Stock Photo<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p>A key consideration for India\u2019s level of climate commitment within its latest NDC has also been the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carbonbrief.org\/analysis-why-the-300bn-climate-finance-goal-is-even-less-ambitious-than-it-seems\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">$300bn<\/a> a year climate-finance target agreed at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carbonbrief.org\/cop29-key-outcomes-agreed-at-the-un-climate-talks-in-baku\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">COP29<\/a> in Baku. Since then, many developed countries have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carbonbrief.org\/analysis-uk-is-halving-its-climate-finance-for-developing-countries\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">cut<\/a> their aid budgets.<\/p>\n<p>At COP29, India called the climate-finance outcome \u201ca joke\u201d and accused the presidency of pushing the deal through without proper consent, following chaotic last-minute negotiations.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/arunacsekhar.bsky.social\/post\/3lbnm6cq5p22o\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"862\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/bsky.app_profile_arunacsekhar.bsky_.social_post_3lbnm6cq5p22o-862x1024.png\" alt=\"Bluesky post by Aruna Chandrasekhar, handle @arunacsekhar.bsky.social. Bluesky post says: INDIA: &quot;We informed the #COP29 presidency we wanted to make a statement prior to any decision on the adoption lof the #NCQG finance goal].&quot; &quot;This has been stage-managed, and we are extremely disappointed.&quot; &quot;This document is nothing more than an optical illusion. India opposes [its] adoption.&quot; There is a photo attached of a woman speaking at COP29.\" class=\"wp-image-61868\"  \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>According to government sources quoted in the <a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/india\/the-2035-targets-disappointment-cop29-outcome-climate-finance-baku-9818200\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Indian Express<\/a> earlier in 2026, India\u2019s NDC was expected to \u201creflect the disappointment of COP29 outcome on climate finance\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>In addition, the US exit from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carbonbrief.org\/analysis-worlds-biggest-historic-polluter-the-us-is-pulling-out-of-un-climate-treaty\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Paris Agreement<\/a>, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carbonbrief.org\/qa-what-trumps-us-exit-from-unfccc-and-ipcc-could-mean-for-climate-action\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">UNFCCC, IPCC<\/a>, climate funds and even the India-led International Solar Alliance has fuelled fears around the future of multilateral environmental governance.<\/p>\n<p>War and conflict have also contributed to an increased emphasis on energy security.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, India\u2019s climate diplomacy position has historically been to \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.livemint.com\/Opinion\/x5RuA0beDULLaEZD5YCOML\/What-Indias-climate-promise-means.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">underpromise and overdeliver<\/a>\u201d. In this wider context, some experts welcomed the fact that India had announced an NDC with higher targets than the previous version, in the current geopolitical climate.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>For example, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lse.ac.uk\/granthaminstitute\/profile\/83036\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Dhruba Purkayastha<\/a>, consultant to the UNFCCC\u2019s standing committee on finance, the announcement \u201cis a clear sign of leadership\u201d on climate action at a time when \u201cit is evident that the west is not going to lead\u201d. Puryakastha said in a statement:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAt a time when the world order stands diminished and when there is little traction for climate \u2013 which seems to have lost its standing as a global public good \u2013 it is good to see that India is staying on track. And, given that India is the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carbonbrief.org\/qa-will-china-and-the-brics-fill-the-leadership-gap-on-climate-change\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">BRICS<\/a> chair, this announcement probably paves the way for a BRICS-led climate action.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>On the other hand, <a href=\"https:\/\/climateanalytics.org\/team\/nandini-das\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Dr Nandini Das<\/a> \u2013 climate economist and India lead at <a href=\"https:\/\/climateactiontracker.org\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Climate Action Tracker<\/a> \u2013 said in a <a href=\"https:\/\/climateanalytics.org\/team\/nandini-das\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">statement<\/a> that the country \u201cmissed an opportunity to come up with a national, economy-wide 2035 target to cut greenhouse gas emissions.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>How have India\u2019s new pledges been received?<\/p>\n<p>The new pledge has received a positive response from many climate experts in India, but a more cautious reception from overseas commenters.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/aygoswami?lang=en\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Avantika Goswami<\/a>, programme manager of climate change at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cseindia.org\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">CSE<\/a>, tells Carbon Brief that the new targets stand out \u201cin the current context\u201d and \u201crepresent a commitment\u201d to climate multilateralism. She tells Carbon Brief:\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAt a time when developed countries are backtracking on ambition, deepening their fossil-fuel entrenchment and dragging the world towards military conflict, the signal from India shows that global south leadership on climate ambition is concrete and real.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cpree.princeton.edu\/people\/navroz-k-dubash\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Prof Navroz K Dubash<\/a>, professor of public and international affairs at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.princeton.edu\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Princeton University<\/a>, tells Carbon Brief that India\u2019s new pledge falls into an \u201congoing pattern\u201d of NDCs that \u201cunder-commit and will overcomply\u201d, a description he says also fits China\u2019s recent pledge.<\/p>\n<p>Dubash elaborates:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis pattern suggests that statements of ambition are no longer the driver of climate action, if indeed they ever were. Instead, indications of implementation on the ground \u2013 real domestic policy and investment trends \u2013 are the more useful benchmark of progress.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In a statement, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ceew.in\/arunabha-ghosh\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Dr Arunabha Ghosh<\/a>, director at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ceew.in\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Council on Energy, Environment and Water<\/a> (CEEW), says that the pledge balances \u201cenergy security and resilience\u201d, as the country faces \u201cmacroeconomic shocks and climate extremes\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Ghosh points out that India\u2019s power markets are evolving rapidly and, if \u201csupply chain disruptions\u201d ease, India could exceed its targets again. He says:\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA targeted 60% share of non-fossil electricity capacity in 2035 suggests that, while India has raised its ambition to decarbonise the power sector, it is also doubling down on energy security and affordability for hundreds of millions of its citizens.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.e3g.org\/people\/madhura-joshi\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Madhura Joshi<\/a>, programme lead at climate change thinktank E3G, says the NDC shows \u201cstrong intent to bet on clean energy at home as part of a strategic move to improve its energy security and prosperity\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>In a statement, she adds:\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIndia\u2019s raising of ambition on non-fossil fuel capacity, emissions intensity and on carbon sinks reflects a measured and meaningful step forward, but India\u2019s strong track record suggests that it will surpass these targets ahead of schedule.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Others have been more cautious about the NDC targets, with <a href=\"https:\/\/energyandcleanair.org\/author\/laurimyllyvirta\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Lauri Myllyvirta<\/a>, lead analyst and co-founder at CREA, saying in a statement that the targets \u201cunderestimate the country\u2019s potential for transformative clean energy growth\u201d.. He adds:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cUnder current plans, the target of 60% clean-power capacity will be achieved before 2030, rather than by 2035. Continuing the current clean-energy growth at rates already achieved in 2024-25 would enable India to peak power-sector emissions well before 2030 and significantly slow down its CO2 emission growth rates.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYet, the carbon-intensity target\u2026allows for an acceleration of emissions growth compared with past rates, if GDP growth is at target. India\u2019s booming clean-energy industry is highly likely to deliver much faster progress than policymakers were prepared to commit to today.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>        <script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"India has set a new target to reduce its \u201cemissions intensity\u201d \u2013 greenhouse gas emissions per unit of&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":815,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[745,746,747,748,749,750,751,752,753,30,754],"class_list":{"0":"post-814","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-paris","8":"tag-climate-policy","9":"tag-emissions","10":"tag-india","11":"tag-india-climate-policy","12":"tag-india-emissions","13":"tag-india-energy","14":"tag-india-policy","15":"tag-nationally-determined-contributions","16":"tag-ndcs","17":"tag-paris","18":"tag-paris-agreement"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/814","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=814"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/814\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/815"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=814"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=814"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=814"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}