Context:
India’s revised Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) sets more ambitious targets for renewable energy and emissions reduction, aligning with global climate commitments under the Paris Agreement.
Key Highlights:
- Targets & Policy Commitments
- Achieve 60% installed electricity capacity from non-fossil sources by 2035.
- Reduce emissions intensity of GDP by 47% (from 2005 levels).
- Create carbon sink of 3.5–4 billion tonnes CO₂ equivalent.
- Renewable Energy Progress (2025 Data)
- Addition of 47 GW solar, 6.3 GW wind, 4 GW hydro, 0.6 GW nuclear.
- Power sector emissions declined by 3.8% (first major drop since 1973 excluding COVID period).
- Long-Term Projections
- Non-fossil capacity expected to reach ~70% (786 GW) by 2035-36.
- Solar capacity alone projected to exceed 500 GW.
- Global Context
- Aligns with Paris Agreement commitments.
- Supports UAE Consensus (COP28) goals:
- Tripling renewable energy capacity
- Doubling energy efficiency
- Key Concepts
- NDC: Voluntary climate commitments under Paris Agreement.
- Emissions Intensity: Emissions per unit of GDP.
- Carbon Sink: Systems (forests, oceans) absorbing CO₂.
- Challenges / Concerns
- Continued plans to add 100 GW coal capacity.
- Expansion of coal-based steel production (50% increase by 2031).
- Emissions intensity approach allows absolute emissions to rise.
Relevant Prelims Points:
- Paris Agreement (2015): Global treaty to limit warming to well below 2°C (preferably 1.5°C).
- NDCs are updated every 5 years and are non-binding but mandatory to submit.
- India is among top countries in renewable energy capacity expansion.
- Carbon sinks include forests, wetlands, and soil systems.
- India’s climate policy emphasizes climate justice and equity.
Relevant Mains Points:
- Acceleration of Climate Action
- Higher renewable targets push rapid energy transition.
- Reduced emissions intensity improves carbon efficiency of growth.
- Balancing Development and Sustainability
- India adopts equity-based approach, allowing growth with gradual decarbonisation.
- Reflects principle of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR).
- Energy Transition Dynamics
- Growth in renewables vs continued reliance on coal for baseload power.
- Need for grid stability, storage technologies, and green hydrogen.
- Institutional and Policy Measures
- Role of Central Electricity Authority planning.
- Integration with international commitments (COP, UAE Consensus).
- Key Challenges
- Financing renewable infrastructure.
- Managing just transition for coal-dependent regions.
- Enhancing carbon sink through afforestation.
- Way Forward
- Accelerate renewable deployment and storage solutions.
- Gradual phase-down (not abrupt phase-out) of coal.
- Strengthen carbon sink through afforestation and ecosystem restoration.
- Enhance climate finance and technology transfer.
- Promote green hydrogen and energy efficiency measures.
UPSC Relevance:
• GS 3 – Climate change, energy transition, environment
• GS 2 – International agreements (Paris Agreement, COP processes)