India’s climate commitments
India's revised NDCs define its climate commitments under the Paris Agreement, linking domestic energy, economy, and environmental policy to international obligations. UPSC frequently tests the specifics of India's NDC targets, the Paris Agreement architecture, and critiques around equity and ambition. This is also relevant for Essay and Ethics papers on intergenerational equity and climate justice.
Key facts
- India's updated NDC (submitted 2022) targets: reduce GDP emissions intensity by 45% by 2030 (from 2005 levels), up from the earlier 33–35% target.
- India aims to achieve about 50% cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based sources by 2030.
- India also committed to creating an additional carbon sink of 2.5–3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through forest and tree cover by 2030.
- India became the first G20 nation to meet its earlier Paris Agreement targets ahead of the 2020 deadline.
- Critics argue India's NDC lacks an explicit coal phase-out timeline and absolute emission reduction targets.
- India's position emphasises 'common but differentiated responsibilities' (CBDR), demanding climate finance and technology transfer from developed nations.
- green hydrogen
The article discusses India's revised Nationally Determined Contributions to the Paris Agreement, highlighting the enhancements and criticisms from various quarters.
Concepts to know
NDCs are climate action plans submitted by each country under the Paris Agreement, detailing how they intend to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate impacts. Countries are expected to update and enhance their NDCs every five years.
The 2015 international climate treaty under UNFCCC requiring signatories to submit NDCs; India's updated NDC includes the 500 GW renewable energy target and net-zero by 2070.
A foundational principle of international environmental law recognising that all states share responsibility for environmental protection but developed nations bear greater historical responsibility and capacity to act, underpinning India's demand for developed-country climate finance.
A natural or artificial reservoir that absorbs and stores more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than it releases. Forests, oceans, and soil are major natural carbon sinks; India's NDC commits to enhancing forest-based sinks.
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is the parent treaty (1992) under which global climate negotiations occur, including the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement.
The amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced per unit of GDP. India's NDC targets a 45% reduction in emissions intensity by 2030, meaning the economy becomes progressively less carbon-intensive even as it grows.
Linked previous-year questions
The UPSC questions this story connects to.
What are the possible limitations of India in mitigating the global warming at present and in the immediate future? 1. Appropriate alternate technologies are not sufficiently available. 2. India cannot invest huge funds in research and development. 3. Many developed countries have already set up their polluting industries in India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
- a.1 and 2 only ✓
- b.2 only
- c.1 and 3 only
- d.1, 2 and 3
Environment · UPSC 2010Consider the following statements: Statement I: Article 6 of the Paris Agreement on climate change is frequently discussed in global discussions on sustainable development and climate change. Statement II: Article 6 of the Paris Agreement on climate change sets out the principles of carbon markets. Statement III: Article 6 of the Paris Agreement on climate change intends to promote inter-country non-market strategies to reach their climate targets. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements? (a) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I (b) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I (c) Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I (d) Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct
- a.Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I ✓
- b.Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I
- c.Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I
- d.Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct
Environment · UPSC 2025With reference to the Agreement at the UNFCCC Meeting in Paris in 2015, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. The Agreement was signed by all the member countries of the UN and it will go into effect in 2017. 2. The Agreement aims to limit greenhouse gas emissions so that the rise in average global temperature by the end of this century does not exceed 2 degrees C or even 1.5 degrees C above pre-industrial levels. 3. Developed countries acknowledged their historical responsibility in global warming and committed to donate $1000 billion a year from 2020 to help developing countries to cope with climate change. Select the correct answer using the code given below. (a) 1 and 3 only (b) 2 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
- a.1 and 3 only
- b.2 only ✓
- c.2 and 3 only
- d.1, 2 and 3
Environment · UPSC 2016In the context of India's preparation for Climate-Smart Agriculture, consider the following statements: 1. The 'Climate-Smart Village' approach in India is a part of a project led by the Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), an international research programme. 2. The project of CCAFS is carried out under the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) headquartered in France. 3. The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in India is one of the CGIAR's research centres. Which of the statements given above are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
- a.1 and 2 only
- b.2 and 3 only
- c.1 and 3 only
- d.1, 2 and 3 ✓
Environment · UPSC 2021Consider the following statements: 1. "The Climate Group" is an international non-profit organization that drives climate action by building large networks and runs them. 2. The International Energy Agency in partnership with the Climate Group launched a global initiative "EP100". 3. EP100 brings together leading companies committed to driving innovation in energy efficiency and increasing competitiveness while delivering on emission reduction goals. 4. Some Indian companies are members of EP100. 5. The International Energy Agency is the Secretariat to the 'Under2 Coalition'. Which of the statements given above are correct? (a) 1, 2, 4 and 5 (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2, 3 and 5 only (d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
- a.1, 2, 4 and 5
- b.1, 3 and 4 only ✓
- c.2, 3 and 5 only
- d.1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Environment · UPSC 2022Consider the following statements: I. Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in India are less than 0.5 t CO2/capita. II. In terms of CO2 emissions from fuel combustion, India ranks second in Asia-Pacific region. III. Electricity and heat producers are the largest sources of CO2 emissions in India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) I and III only (b) II only (c) II and III only (d) I, II and III
- a.I and III only
- b.II only
- c.II and III only ✓
- d.I, II and III
Environment · UPSC 2025
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