Paris Agreement

India’s progress on its climate commitments under the Paris Agreement has been commendable, with significant achievements in areas like non-fossil fuel capacity, carbon sinks, and emissions intensity reduction.

Achievements:

1. Non-Fossil Fuel Capacity:

   • India achieved its non-fossil fuel target of 50% of its total energy capacity by 2024, five years ahead of the 2030 deadline.

   • With a total installed capacity of 242.78 GW from non-fossil sources (including solar, wind, hydro, and nuclear), India is making substantial strides in the clean energy transition.

2. Carbon Sink:

   • India pledged to create an additional 2.5–3 billion tonnes of carbon sink through forest cover and afforestation.

   • By 2021, India had already achieved 2.29 billion tonnes, and by 2023, it likely crossed the 2.5 billion tonnes target.

   • The growth of forests and tree cover plays a significant role in sequestering carbon from the atmosphere.

3. Emissions Intensity Reduction:

   • India committed to reducing emissions intensity by 45% of GDP from 2005 levels by 2030.

   • By 2020, India had already reduced emissions intensity by 36%, putting it on track to meet or even exceed this target.

   • However, there is a lack of up-to-date data beyond 2020, which complicates monitoring and policy adjustments.

India’s Key Initiatives for Climate Action:

• National Adaptation Plan (NAP): Aimed at strengthening resilience to climate change.

  National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC): Outlines the eight national missions to promote sustainable development.

  Sovereign Green Bonds: A financial instrument to fund climate-resilient projects.

  Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI): Protects coastal ecosystems and promotes sustainable livelihoods.

  Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment): Encourages sustainable lifestyles to reduce environmental impact.

Concerns and Challenges:

1. Capacity vs Generation Gap:

   • While India achieved 50% non-fossil fuel capacity by 2024, only 28% of its electricity generation comes from non-fossil sources.

   • Additionally, clean energy (which includes renewables and nuclear) accounts for just 6% of India’s total energy consumption. Fossil fuels continue to dominate key sectors like industry, transport, and households.

2. Heavy Reliance on Solar:

   • Solar energy has been the dominant renewable source in India, contributing nearly 24 GW of the 30 GW installed in 2024.

   • However, other renewable sources like wind, hydropower, and nuclear are growing more slowly due to challenges such as land acquisition issues, policy delays, and financial constraints.

   • India’s nuclear capacity is projected to reach only 17 GW by 2030, far below the 100 GW target set for 2047.

3. Sustainability Concerns on Carbon Sink:

   • The focus on carbon sinks, especially through monoculture plantations, raises concerns about ecological impacts. There are questions about the long-term sustainability of these gains, particularly in the face of urbanization and land-use pressures.

   • A focus on native species over monoculture plantations could offer better carbon sequestration and ecological balance.

4. Emissions Intensity and Hard-to-Abate Sectors:

   • While India is on track to meet its emissions intensity target, the lack of reliable data post-2020 makes it difficult to track progress.

   • Hard-to-abate sectors like steel, cement, and heavy industry are still heavily reliant on fossil fuels. Without a clear roadmap for decarbonizing these sectors, India might experience rising absolute emissions in the future.

5. Climate Finance Shortfalls:

   • India has consistently highlighted the shortfall in climate finance and technology transfer from developed nations, despite their commitments under the Paris Agreement.

   • Many wealthy countries have missed their emission reduction targets and have under-delivered on the USD 100 billion annual climate finance pledge.

   • India has called for a more equitable and reliable climate finance mechanism, especially considering its development needs.

Steps India Can Take to Further Its Climate Goals:

1. Bridging Capacity-Generation Gap:

   • Energy storage technologies like lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries need to be scaled up to handle the intermittent nature of solar and wind energy.

   • Modernizing transmission networks and deploying smart grids with demand-response systems will help integrate renewable energy more effectively and balance supply and demand.

2. Diversifying Beyond Solar:

   • India should fast-track wind and hydropower projects, easing land acquisition and clearance issues to reduce delays.

   • It should also increase investment in nuclear energy, with a focus on offshore wind and green hydrogen, which can play a pivotal role in the country’s clean energy future.

3. Sustainable Carbon Sink Growth:

   • Satellite technology like Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing can be employed to monitor and manage deforestation and afforestation more effectively.

   • India should focus on mixed native species plantations over monoculture for better carbon sequestration.

   • Agroforestry and expanding urban green cover (such as Miyawaki forests) will further boost the carbon sink and ecological balance.

4. Securing Climate Finance:

   • India should advocate for the fulfillment of the USD 300 billion annual climate finance commitment from developed nations, as agreed upon at UNFCCC COP29 in Baku.

   • Private and foreign investments should be encouraged through incentives, while simultaneously boosting indigenous R&D and fostering international collaborations on clean technologies.

Conclusion:

India’s progress on its climate commitments is a testament to its determination and the effectiveness of various climate action initiatives. Achieving key milestones like non-fossil fuel capacity, carbon sinks, and emission intensity reduction ahead of schedule is impressive. However, challenges such as the capacity-generation gap, sectoral emissions, climate finance shortfalls, and concerns about the sustainability of carbon sinks need urgent attention.