The Government of India has introduced new interim climate targets, aiming to reduce economy-wide emissions intensity by 47% and achieve 60% of installed electric power capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2035.
These targets are positioned as part of India’s long-term strategy to reach net-zero emissions by 2070. However, some environmental groups have raised concerns about their level of ambition and clarity. For instance, Climate Action Tracker noted that the revised emissions target represents only a marginal increase from the current goal of a 45% reduction by 2030. It also highlighted that India is already on track to meet its non-fossil energy target under existing policies.
India remains one of the world’s largest emitters—after China and the United States—accounting for roughly 6.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to the World Resources Institute.
NDC Update and Progress So Far
The newly announced targets will form India’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement, which requires countries to revise their climate plans every five years with progressively higher ambition.
India’s initial NDC in 2015 committed to reducing emissions intensity by 33–35% and achieving 40% non-fossil fuel electricity capacity by 2030—both of which were achieved ahead of schedule. In 2022, the country enhanced its targets to a 45% emissions intensity reduction and 50% non-fossil capacity by 2030. India has already surpassed the latter, currently reaching approximately 52.6%.
In addition, India announced an updated target to expand its carbon sink through forest and tree cover to 3.5–4.0 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent by 2035 (from 2005 levels). This builds on the existing 2030 goal of 2.5–3 billion tonnes, with current progress at around 2.29 billion tonnes.
Key Measures to Achieve Targets
To support these goals, the government outlined several strategic initiatives, including:
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Large-scale expansion of renewable energy
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Deployment of battery storage systems
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Development of green energy corridors
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Promotion of cleaner manufacturing practices
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Strengthening reliable and sustainable infrastructure
The strategy also emphasizes enhancing institutional capacity, fostering innovation ecosystems, and advancing local-level climate adaptation.
Key programs supporting these efforts include India’s Green Hydrogen Mission, the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, and initiatives in Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS), along with nuclear energy development.
