India reduces emissions intensity by 36% of GDP; Reaffirms global climate commitment at COP30

Belém, Brazil: At the 30th UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Brazil, coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement, India reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to climate action, announcing that it has successfully reduced the emission intensity of its GDP by 36% between 2005 and 2020, surpassing its targets ahead of schedule.

Speaking at the Leaders’ Summit of COP30 in Belém, Brazil, Ambassador of India to Brazil, Mr. Dinesh Bhatia, highlighted India’s climate achievements and reaffirmed the country’s dedication to multilateralism and equitable global climate action.

“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has steadily met its climate targets ahead of schedule,” Ambassador Bhatia said. “Between 2005 and 2020, we reduced the emission intensity of GDP by 36%, and this trend continues.”

He noted that non-fossil fuel sources now account for more than 50% of India’s total installed power capacity, enabling the nation to achieve its revised Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) target five years ahead of schedule.

India, he said, is now the world’s third-largest producer of renewable energy, with approximately 200 GW of installed renewable capacity spanning solar, wind, green hydrogen, and biofuels.

Ambassador Bhatia also drew attention to India’s expanding forest cover. “India has not only conserved but also expanded its forest and tree cover, which now stands at 25.17% of the total geographical area,” he said, citing the FAO’s Global Forest Resources Assessment 2025. “This has created an additional carbon sink of 2.29 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent from 2005 to 2021.”

Highlighting international cooperation, he praised the success of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), jointly launched by India and France in 2015 — which now unites over 120 countries to promote affordable solar energy and South-South collaboration.

However, the Ambassador expressed concern over insufficient global ambition in tackling climate change. “Ten years after the Paris Agreement, global ambition remains inadequate,” he said. “While developing countries continue to take decisive climate action, developed countries that have disproportionately appropriated the global carbon budget must accelerate emission reductions and deliver on their promises of adequate and predictable support.”

He called on developed nations to reach net zero much sooner than declared and invest in net-negative emissions, warning that the remaining global carbon budget is rapidly depleting. Ambassador Bhatia also emphasized the importance of adaptation in climate policy, particularly for vulnerable developing nations.

“For developing countries like India, access to affordable finance, technology, and capacity building is vital to implementing ambitious NDCs,” he stressed. “Equitable, predictable, and concessional climate finance remains the cornerstone for achieving global climate goals.”

Reaffirming India’s commitment to multilateralism and the architecture of the Paris Agreement, Ambassador Bhatia said India remains “a firm believer in climate action that is ambitious, inclusive, fair, and equitable, based on the principles of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities.”

He also welcomed Brazil’s initiative to establish the Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF), calling it “a significant step toward collective and sustained global action for the preservation of tropical forests,” and announced that India is pleased to join the Facility as an Observer.

At the event, India also spotlighted the success of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), launched jointly with France in 2015, which now unites over 120 countries in promoting affordable solar energy and South-South cooperation.

However, the Indian delegation expressed concern that global ambition remains inadequate. While developing nations continue to take strong climate action, many developed countries have not met their emission targets or fulfilled climate finance commitments.

India urged wealthier nations to accelerate emission reductions, reach net-zero much earlier, and deliver predictable, concessional climate finance to support developing countries’ transitions.