At this year's UN climate summit (COP30), under way in Brazil's Belem city, all eyes are on India - the world's third largest carbon emitter. India has not yet submitted a key climate plan that countries are required to do every five years, even as international assessments have deemed India's climate action as being worryingly inadequate. Delhi has argued otherwise.
Known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the updated plan from each member country to the UN Framework Climate Convention (UNFCC) is expected to have more ambitious carbon reduction targets as the world has failed to make the required level of cuts to avoid dangerous global warming.
So far, around 120 of the 196 member countries of the UNFCCC have submitted their updated plans and India is among the remaining ones. The Paris climate agreement signed in 2015 has the goal of limiting average global temperature rise to well below 2C and to strive for 1.5C to avert drastic climate change.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) warns that annual emissions will have to be reduced by 35% to 55% by 2035 compared to 2019 levels to meet these climate objectives, yet current policies suggest only a 12% reduction by the same year. All eyes were on top emitters like China, India, and the European Union, especially after former US President Donald Trump announced the nation's exit from the Paris agreement.
However, as COP30 has progressed, it has become evident that India would submit its climate plan only by the end of December 2025. Critics are left wondering why India has chosen to delay its commitments, especially when its emissions continue to rise yearly. Indian officials argue that more ambitious plans mean little without financial and technological support from developed countries.
Delhi aims to highlight a shared sentiment among developing nations, pointing out that richer countries have a historical responsibility for emissions and must provide more substantial aid. Despite this, India has been criticized for its reliance on coal, which continues to dominate its energy production.
As discussions unfold at COP30 regarding a collective roadmap for reducing fossil fuel dependency, the spotlight remains on India’s forthcoming plan and whether it will address the global climate goals adequately.
Known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the updated plan from each member country to the UN Framework Climate Convention (UNFCC) is expected to have more ambitious carbon reduction targets as the world has failed to make the required level of cuts to avoid dangerous global warming.
So far, around 120 of the 196 member countries of the UNFCCC have submitted their updated plans and India is among the remaining ones. The Paris climate agreement signed in 2015 has the goal of limiting average global temperature rise to well below 2C and to strive for 1.5C to avert drastic climate change.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) warns that annual emissions will have to be reduced by 35% to 55% by 2035 compared to 2019 levels to meet these climate objectives, yet current policies suggest only a 12% reduction by the same year. All eyes were on top emitters like China, India, and the European Union, especially after former US President Donald Trump announced the nation's exit from the Paris agreement.
However, as COP30 has progressed, it has become evident that India would submit its climate plan only by the end of December 2025. Critics are left wondering why India has chosen to delay its commitments, especially when its emissions continue to rise yearly. Indian officials argue that more ambitious plans mean little without financial and technological support from developed countries.
Delhi aims to highlight a shared sentiment among developing nations, pointing out that richer countries have a historical responsibility for emissions and must provide more substantial aid. Despite this, India has been criticized for its reliance on coal, which continues to dominate its energy production.
As discussions unfold at COP30 regarding a collective roadmap for reducing fossil fuel dependency, the spotlight remains on India’s forthcoming plan and whether it will address the global climate goals adequately.
