India already exceeding key climate goals: UN climate chief
What's the story
UN climate chief, Simon Stiell, has praised India for not just meeting but exceeding important climate goals.
In an interview with PTI, Stiell pointed out the country's accomplishments like the rapid installation of 100GW of solar power and universal electrification.
He also noted a major opportunity for India to accelerate its growth through further adoption of clean energy and industry.
Economic prospects
Stiell highlights India's potential for economic prosperity
Stiell claimed that a greater emphasis on clean energy and industry could greatly enhance India's economic prosperity.
He predicted that this transition could lead to millions of new jobs, better health outcomes, more affordable and secure energy for all, and rapidly improving living standards.
"This will be a huge benefit to India's economic prosperity," he said.
Climate strategy
Stiell urges India to develop comprehensive climate plan
Stiell, who recently visited India, urged the country to come up with a detailed climate plan that covers its whole economy.
He proposed that a stronger embrace of the global clean energy boom could propel India's economic rise significantly.
The UN official commended India's proactive stance on climate change mitigation, saying "India delivers" while some governments only talk about it.
Emission goals
India's climate plans aim for significant emission reduction
India's climate plans, or Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), were submitted to the UNFCCC in 2022.
The country aims to cut GDP emission intensity by 45% from 2005 levels by 2030, and reach a cumulative electric power installed capacity of 50% from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by the same year.
India has also pledged to create an additional carbon sink of between 2.5 billion and three billion tons through increased forest and tree cover by 2030.
Emission reduction
Progress in reducing GDP emission intensity
Notably, government data indicates that India has already cut its GDP emission intensity by 36% between 2005 and 2020.
By December 2024, more than 47% of the country's power generation capacity is derived from non-fossil fuel sources.
Additionally, an extra carbon sink of around 2.29 billion tons of CO2 equivalent was generated from enhanced forest and tree cover between 2005 and 2021.