Shaping India’s Climate Ambition: A Conversation with Mr. Rajani Ranjan Rashmi Ahead of COP 30

Mr Rajani Ranjan Rashmi is engaged with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) as Distinguished Fellow & Programme Director. At TERI, Mr Rashmi leads work on climate policy, strategy, carbon markets, and environmental sustainability. A retired officer of the Indian Administrative Service, Mr Rashmi is a noted expert on climate change related policies, strategies, actions, and international negotiations. With over 35 years of experience, he has contributed extensively to the formulation and implementation of public policies at both the central and state levels in the fields of environment, commerce, and finance.

This interview was conducted by Vani Pandey, Research Associate at TERI.

What can we expect from India's 2035 NDC?

The year marks the cycle for the revision and updating of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), as mandated under the Paris Agreement. Hopefully, all countries will revisit their NDCs to assess existing gaps and identify potential areas for further improvement. The Government of India will also undertake this exercise. As you may know, TERI recently published a paper in collaboration with We Mean Business Coalition, examining the potential for private sector participation in enhancing India’s climate efforts. India is already performing well in achieving its current targets. However, there remains significant potential for improvement across sectors, particularly through greater private sector involvement. That is the key message we are emphasizing. Therefore, the 2035 NDCs, which will be announced by most countries including possibly India will likely reflect this potential for enhanced ambition. The trends so far are positive, and I believe the future trajectory will also remain encouraging.

What key outcome would you like to see from Belem?

There are two major deliverables expected at COP 30 in Belém, as mandated under previous COP decisions. The first is the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA). The indicator framework for this goal is currently under preparation, and it is hoped that it will be finalized at Belém. This framework will establish indicators and outcomes for tracking adaptation progress. However, one crucial issue is determining the extent to which the means of implementation such as finance, technology, and capacity building will be integrated into this set of indicators. This aspect requires greater attention and consensus. The second key deliverable is the roadmap for mobilizing USD 1.3 trillion under the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) for climate finance. However, achieving the USD 1.3 trillion goal will require contributions not only from governments but also from the private sector, corporate entities, and other stakeholders essentially, all actors as outlined in the decision. Therefore, the central question at Belém will be: To what extent can all possible actors be effectively engaged in mobilizing this level of finance?

The roadmap must clearly outline:

• The contributions expected from each stakeholder group.
• The potential financial instruments and policy interventions required; and
• The types of fiscal, financial, or other forms of support needed to enable this mobilization.

India has achieved its energy NDC by reaching 50% total power capacity from non fossil based sources five years ahead of schedule. It now aims for an ambitious 500GW if non fossil powered capacity by 2030. What role do you see for the international community to support India in its renewable energy ambitions for the coming decade?

India has demonstrated remarkable ambition and performance in expanding its renewable energy capacity. In fact, India’s progress in this area has been outstanding. The country is now recognized as one of the fastest growing in terms of renewable energy capacity addition. In just 10 to 15 years, India’s renewable energy capacity has increased nearly 45 to 50 times from less than 7 GW about 15 years ago to over 200 GW today. This is an impressive and positive achievement.

However, two major challenges are emerging where international support will be essential. Firstly, the scale of investment required is enormous. Currently, India is investing about USD 20–25 billion per year in renewable energy. To achieve the 500 GW target by 2030, this needs to rise to around USD 40–50 billion annually. Therefore, in addition to domestic mobilization by investors and renewable energy developers, India will require significant international capital. Secondly, we need advanced technologies for energy storage and for integrating renewable energy into the grid. This also calls for large scale investments in transmission infrastructure and storage systems. Thus, India’s renewable energy transition will depend greatly on international finance, advanced technologies, and enhanced collaboration between domestic and global investors.

At COP29 in Baku, countries agreed on a new collective climate finance goal of at least USD 300 billion per year by 2035, while developing countries, including India, called for at least USD 1.3 trillion. In your view, how can USD 1.3 trillion in climate finance be achieved?

The USD 1.3 trillion climate finance goal includes contributions from all actors not just governments and their agencies, but also the private sector, financial institutions, multilateral banks, and other stakeholders. To achieve this, we must determine how the private and corporate sectors can be effectively engaged. This includes private investors, equity funds, lenders, financial operators, sovereign wealth funds, and global pension funds that manage large pools of capital. Developing a viable pathway requires careful consideration, which is why the roadmap for this target has been mandated to be finalized at Belém. It is not only about expanding the pool of available capital, but also about reducing the cost of capital. While global liquidity exists, it is generally available at market rates. Investors will not channel such funds into green projects unless there are adequate incentives and returns, which currently remain uncertain due to policy and market risks.

Hence, the challenge in mobilizing USD 1.3 trillion lies not only in government commitments but also in ensuring that international capital from financial markets becomes accessible at lower costs, supported by mechanisms to reduce investment risks. Various suggestions have already been proposed, including by the UNFCCC’s Standing Committee on Finance, which has identified potential instruments. However, further discussions are needed on mechanisms or instruments such as sovereign wealth funds , debt  swaps, blended finance, and other arrangements that can help de-risk green investments.

From 2026, countries exporting to the EU will have to start paying for emissions certificates under the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), while India is also rolling out its own carbon market. How can India and the EU best collaborate on carbon pricing?

Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is an extremely complex and somewhat divisive issue, primarily because the levels of industrial development, decarbonization strategies , and goals vary significantly across countries. For instance, India’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) currently focuses on reducing emissions intensity, not absolute emissions. In contrast, the European Union, which is attempting to apply uniform carbon standards on its trading partners, is committed to absolute emission reductions.I Its industries are at a relatively advanced stage of decarbonization and they have a mandate under the PA to do so. Therefore, this issue requires careful handling through bilateral discussions and multilateral consultations. Ideally, disputes should not be allowed to escalate ; rather, the aim should be to resolve differences bilaterally , based on mutual respect for each other’s development priorities and industrial challenges. The first step should be to create a carve out for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which are likely to be disproportionately affected due to their limited capacity. A complete exemption for MSMEs involved in export activities should be considered. Secondly, carbon standards cannot be uniform across countries. India will develop its own emissions intensity norms under its carbon market scheme and there should be mutual recognition of the efforts made by India under its national, sectoral or product level norms that help decarbonisation. The focus should shift from product level standards to sectoral or national level standards, enabling comparisons and assessments at a broader, jurisdictional scale rather than on individual products. This approach would be more equitable and reflective of each country’s developmental context.

One of the central themes of COP30 is adaptation, with a strong emphasis on local community leadership. Given the scale of India’s local climate action, how could the outcomes of COP30 help strengthen and support India’s community-led efforts?

One of the key challenges before COP 30 in Belém is to finalize the adaptation indicators under the framework of the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA). If these indicators are clearly defined, there will be a higher likelihood of greater financial flows for adaptation activities linked to measurable outcomes. This would directly enhance the availability of resources for adaptation initiatives in India as well. India is already investing significantly in adaptation. According to the Economic Survey of India, about 2.5–3.5% of GDP is being spent on various development programmes that yield adaptation co-benefits. The challenge now lies in establishing a framework to measure these efforts, linking them with specific outcomes at the community and state levels. A key task will be to involve state governments and local communities more effectively, ensuring that they are compensated or incentivized for their contributions toward ecological sustainability and climate resilience. Fundamentally, what is required is a greater quantum of financial resources, and a well-defined indicator framework at COP 30 could help facilitate this by enabling better access to adaptation finance.

What effect does the United States’ climate policy and its withdrawal from the Paris Agreement have on India’s climate policy?

I would like to preface this by saying that this is an issue on which only the Government of India can offer an official position. However, my view is that the United States’ withdrawal is their national or domestic choice. Despite the absence of the U.S. from global climate negotiations, I believe that the international community is united in its commitment to climate goals. However, the US absence does create uncertainty in climate finance mobilization. The U.S. is the world’s largest economy and a major source of technology, finance, and private investment signals. Without clear engagement of the U.S. government, the private sector may become cautious, affecting flows of investment in clean energy and adaptation initiatives. Nonetheless, I view this as a temporary setback. The broader international community remains firmly committed to the Paris Agreement, and global cooperation on climate action will continue to advance.

COP30 has introduced a new initiative called “Activation Groups” to accelerate climate action by bringing together governments, industry, and civil society. Could you share if India is participating or taking a leading role in any of these Activation Groups? Specifically, what are the ways in which India is contributing to these groups, and which Indian actors or institutions are involved?

The initiative is somewhat peripheral to the main negotiation process. Implementation related discussions have come up repeatedly in the context of climate negotiations. COPs are platforms for governments to negotiate the future course of action and to resolve outstanding issues. Implementation of existing commitments, while important, should not blur the fundamental principles of responsibility, capability, and vulnerability among countries. The idea of Activation Groups is positive, and there is no problem with India or any other country participating in them, especially if they are anchored or endorsed in the principles of the Convention and are led by the COP Presidency. However, the larger concern is that these groups and similar forums should not divert attention from the core purpose of the COPs that is, negotiations based on agreed principles and deciding the way forward on key commitments and unresolved issues.

What are your expectations from India at COP30?

At COP 30 in Belém, two key outcomes are expected. First, the roadmap for additional financial mobilization beyond the agreed USD 300 billion per year should be finalized to ensure greater investments in clean energy and adaptation sectors. Second, the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) should be established in the form of a framework for adaptation indicators. These two are the most critical deliverables at Belém. However, I must add a word of caution regarding the rise of unilateral measures aimed at enforcing pre-determined carbon prices, which remain a matter of concern. I hope that discussions at Belém help countries move in a direction that reduces such differences and fosters cooperation and growth in the global carbon market, rather than creating new divides.

India’s Climate Commitments and Progress (with 2035-NDC Outlook)

India has already met two of its three 2015 NDC quant targets ahead of time (40% non-fossil power capacity; emissions-intensity path consistent with the 33–35% cut), strengthened both in its 2022 NDC update (to 50% non-fossil installed capacity and 45% emissions-intensity reduction by 2030), and crossed 50% non-fossil installed power capacity in 2025. The upcoming 2035 NDC had not been submitted as of 29 Oct 2025.

Commitments & Progress

• Copenhagen (2009): Emissions intensity reduction 20–25% (vs 2005) by 2020 → achieved 36% per BUR-4 (Government of India, 2021).
• NDC (2015):
  • 33–35% emissions intensity reduction by 2030 → on track; 33% by 2019 and 36% by 2020 already recorded (NITI Aayog, 2025).
  • ≥40% non-fossil power capacity by 2030 → achieved Nov 2021; ≥50% by Jun/Jul 2025 (Ministry of Power, 2025).
  • Additional 2.5–3.0 BtCOâ‚‚e forest/trees sink by 2030 →29 BtCOâ‚‚e achieved by 2021; forest+tree cover 25.17% (ISFR, 2023).
• Panchamrit (COP26): 500 GW non-fossil by 2030; 50% of energy from RE by 2030; −1 Bt cumulative COâ‚‚ by 2030; 45% intensity reduction by 2030; net-zero 2070 (GoI, 2021).
• Updated NDC (2022): raises ambition to 45% intensity reduction and 50% non-fossil installed capacity by 2030 (MoEFCC, 2022); ≥50% achieved by Jun/Jul 2025 (Ministry of Power, 2025).

Institutional and Planning Measures – India’s Climate Policy Framework

India’s climate governance framework has evolved over two decades, integrating economic growth with environmental sustainability. The journey began with the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC, 2008), which established eight national missions across energy, water, habitat, agriculture, and ecosystem resilience. The NAPCC built on earlier vulnerability assessments and the 2007 Expert Committee on Impact of Climate Change, which evaluated sectoral risks in water, agriculture, health, and coastal zones (Government of India, 2004; Press Information Bureau [PIB], 2008).

• Prime Minister’s Council on Climate Change (PMCCC)
  Established in 2007, the PMCCC serves as India’s apex body for climate policy coordination. It convened under Prime Ministers Manmohan Singh (2007) and Narendra Modi (2015, 2025), guiding cross-sectoral climate strategies and emphasizing transitions toward “green credit” and sustainable growth (PIB, 2015).
• National and State Action Plans (NAPCC & SAPCCs)
  The NAPCC (2008) remains the cornerstone of India’s mitigation and adaptation framework. It comprises nine missions, including those on Solar Energy, Enhanced Energy Efficiency, Sustainable Habitat, Water, Green India, Sustainable Agriculture, Himalayan Ecosystems, Strategic Knowledge, and Climate & Health. All states and union territories subsequently formulated State Action Plans on Climate Change (SAPCCs) aligned to the NAPCC, integrating local vulnerability assessments and sectoral strategies.
  • National Solar Mission (2010): Target of 100 GW grid-connected solar capacity, 2 GW off-grid, and 20 million solar lights by 2022 (PIB, 2023). The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana aims for a rapid rooftop solar scale-up in India by subsidising installations on residential roofs to provide low-cost clean electricity (PIB, 2025).
  • Enhanced Energy Efficiency (NMEEE, 2010): Implements PAT and CCTS schemes across nine sectors, aiming for an 89 Mtoe energy reduction by 2030 (PIB, 2024; Shakti Foundation, 2024).
  • Sustainable Habitat Mission (2010): Advances urban energy efficiency, e-mobility, and waste management—replacing 11.5 million LED streetlights and introducing 7,293 e-buses (NITI Aayog, 2025).
  • Green India Mission (2011): Supports India’s NDC goal of a 2.5–3 BtCOâ‚‚e sink by 2030; 2.29 Bt achieved by 2024 through 18 million ha afforestation and 141 crore trees planted (Forest Survey of India, 2023). The Indian government allocated ₹3,412.82 crore (approximately USD 356 million) in the 2025-26 Union Budget to enhance forest cover, marking a 9% year-on-year increase from the previous year (PIB,2025).
• Expert Group on Low Carbon Strategy (2010)
  Chaired by Dr. Kirit Parikh, the group modelled low-carbon growth pathways showing a potential 42% reduction in emission intensity by 2030, though requiring $834 billion (2011 prices) in transition investment (CSTEP, 2014).
• India Cooling Action Plan (2019)
  The ICAP (2019) aims to cut cooling demand by 20–25% and refrigerant use by 25–30% by 2037–38, while training 100,000 technicians under the Skill India Mission (PIB, 2019).
• Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS, 2022)
  India’s LT-LEDS reaffirms the net-zero 2070 target and identifies seven strategic transitions across power, industry, transport, urban systems, COâ‚‚ removal, and finance (UNFCCC, 2022). It emphasizes India’s low historical emissions (4% of global total) and continued need for development-linked energy access (PIB, 2024).
• Newer National Missions
  • Green Hydrogen Mission (2023): ₹19,744 crore (≈ $2.35 billion) plan to produce 5 Mt Hâ‚‚ by 2030, generate ₹8 lakh crore ((≈ $95.2 billion) investment, and create 600,000 jobs (PIB, 2023).
  • Nuclear Energy Mission (2025): Targets 100 GW by 2047, promoting Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) for cleaner baseload power (PIB, 2025).
  • Critical Minerals Mission (2025): ₹16,300 crore (≈ $1.94 billion) initiative to secure clean-energy mineral supply chains via exploration, recycling, and processing (PIB, 2025).
• Net-Zero Pathways Assessment
  NITI Aayog (2025) established ten Inter-Ministerial Working Groups (IMWGs) to operationalize India’s net-zero transition across macroeconomy, energy, industry, transport, and social inclusion. The assessment integrates economic competitiveness, jobs, and climate finance into a dynamic “living” planning framework.

Regulatory Enablement, Transparency, and Market Confidence

• Climate Finance Taxonomy
  The Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) released India’s draft Climate Finance Taxonomy framework in May 2025, following its announcement in the Union Budget 2024–25. By promoting comparability and measurable outcomes, it aims to enhance transparency, reduce greenwashing risks, and align financial flows with India’s 2070 net-zero target (Department of Economic Affairs, 2025).
• ESG Integration and Market Disclosure
  The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has strengthened corporate sustainability governance through expanded Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) requirements. The framework mandates the top 1,000 listed companies to disclose ESG metrics, now with reasonable assurance on core indicators and phased inclusion of supply chain impacts. SEBI’s ESG integration reforms thus reinforce India’s sustainable finance ecosystem and bolster market confidence (SEBI, 2025).
• Green Finance and Climate Risk Frameworks
  To accelerate green investments, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) introduced a Framework for Acceptance of Green Deposits in April 2023, to enable credit flows toward sustainable infrastructure and renewable energy. Complementing this, RBI’s Draft Climate Risk Disclosure Framework mandates banks and financial institutions to assess and report exposure to environmental risks. Together, these frameworks embed climate considerations into financial decision-making and support systemic resilience within India’s banking sector (Reserve Bank of India, 2025).
• Institutional Coordination and Enabling Ecosystem
  India’s climate finance architecture increasingly reflects coordinated institutional leadership across NITI Aayog and the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA):
  • NITI Aayog: Through its Climate Finance Working Group, NITI develops strategies for mobilizing capital toward net-zero goals, including blended finance, carbon pricing, and green bonds.
  • IFSCA (GIFT City): Serves as India’s international green finance gateway, facilitating cross-border flows via green bonds, sustainability-linked loans, and ESG-compliant funds.
    
    This synergy between domestic and international financial institutions underpins India’s leadership in shaping equitable climate finance frameworks while ensuring alignment between market instruments and developmental priorities (NITI Aayog, 2025).

India’s International Leadership on Climate Change – Summary Table

Implementation since COP29

• Power & RE integration: crossing 50% non-fossil capacity (mid-2025); policy shift from “speed to system strength,” including structuring a viability gap funding for 30 GWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and Green Energy Corridors (CEA, 2025).
• Industrial decarbonisation & markets: Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) moving to compliance with legally-binding intensity targets (first cycle 2025–27) and approved offset methodologies; interaction with EU CBAM noted (MoP, 2025).
• Forests/sinks: India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023 confirms 2.29 BtCOâ‚‚e additional sink since 2005; India ranks among top global carbon sinks (FAO, 2025).

2035 NDC – Status & Likely Contours

• Status (as of 29 Oct 2025): Not yet submitted to the UNFCCC NDC Registry; multiple trackers confirm India is pending alongside other large emitters (UNFCCC, 2025).
• Expected timing: Indian press has flagged intent to unveil at COP30 (Belém); formal text not yet public (The Hindu, 2025).
• Domestic groundwork: NITI’s net-zero pathways work, ongoing power-sector reforms, and operationalisation of CCTS provide scaffolding for a 2035 package (NITI Aayog, 2025).

Likely Focus Areas for 2035

• Power: 500 GW non-fossil before 2030 and deeper grid-integration commitments (MNRE, 2025). The Union Budget 2025-26 outlines a significant push towards nuclear energy setting an ambitious target of 100 GW nuclear power capacity by 2047(Press Information Bureau, 2025).
• Industry: Expansion of CCTS and tightening of baselines; scale-up of CCUS pilots; green hydrogen (NITI Aayog, 2025).
• Transport: EV, rail electrification, ethanol/advanced biofuels (MoRTH, 2025).
• Sinks: Quantified sink enhancement path with forest health safeguards (MoEFCC, 2025).

Key Policy Instruments

• Market: CCTS entering first compliance cycle; early alignment with CBAM interactions (MoP, 2025); SEBI’s mandatory ESG disclosure push (SEBI, 2023).
• Finance: Surge in domestic/intl. climate finance; sovereign green bonds; taxonomy draft aligning flows (DEA, 2025).
• Missions: Green Hydrogen (SIGHT), Offshore Wind VGF, Rooftop Solar, PLI for PV/ACC, and Nuclear & Critical Minerals Missions (NITI Aayog, 2025).

For the German Delegation at COP30 – Watchlist

• 2035 NDC text & metrics: Watch for economy-wide coverage, a 2035 emissions-intensity waypoint, and sectoral chapters.
• Carbon markets & CBAM interface: India–EU technical discussions on CCTS–CBAM alignment; potential German support on MRV, benchmarks.
• Grid integration & firm clean power: Cooperation on Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC), system services, Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS), Nuclear energy, offshore wind supply chains.
• Industry transitions & CCUS pilots: Cement/steel decarbonisation clusters and CCUS partnerships.
• Nature & sinks quality: Align afforestation scale-up with MRV and restoration science partnerships.

India’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP)

The Government of India – led by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) – is developing its National Adaptation Plan (NAP) as part of its international commitment under the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement to address climate change. The plan aims to provide a coordinated framework for strengthening climate resilience and integrating adaptation across key sectors and systems.

The NAP will serve as a blueprint for integrating climate adaptation into India’s broader development agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ensuring that climate resilience supports the country’s vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047. It is being formulated under the ongoing Green Climate Fund (GCF) Readiness Programme, with national and international partners supporting analytical work and stakeholder consultations.

The NAP will be structured around nine thematic areas:

1) Wate; 2) Agriculture and Allied Sectors; 3) Health; 4) Forests; 5) Ecosystems and Biodiversity; 6) Disaster Management and Infrastructure Resilience; 7) Poverty Alleviation and Livelihoods; 8) Traditional Knowledge and Heritage; 9) Adaptation Resourcing

The Plan further integrates gender mainstreaming, traditional knowledge, technology, private sector engagement, and capacity building as cross-cutting themes. It is conceived as a dynamic and iterative process – driven by science and innovation and guided by grassroots realities – ensuring that adaptation planning evolves with emerging knowledge and local experience.

India’s NAP is guided by three overarching priorities: strengthening knowledge systems, reducing exposure to climate risks, and enhancing adaptive capacity. It follows core principles that are country-driven, integrated and multi-sectoral, participatory and transparent, inclusive of vulnerable groups, science- and evidence-based, iterative and adaptive, and anchored in a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach.

The NAP also aligns with national initiatives such as Mission LiFE and Ek Ped Maa ke Naam, reflecting India’s commitment to promoting climate-conscious and sustainable lifestyles. The submission of India’s first NAP to the UNFCCC is expected during COP30 in Belém, Brazil.

Climate News from India

The following section presents a selection of key climate-related developments from India in 2025, particularly those linked to the country’s NDCs. While not exhaustive, these highlights capture some of the most significant policy decisions, sectoral trends, and institutional measures shaping India’s climate action landscape in the lead-up to COP30 in Belém.

• Emissions Intensity Reduction
  • India’s power sector emissions decline year-on-year: A report by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air showed that India’s power sector COâ‚‚ emissions fell by about 1% in January–June 2025 compared with last year – only the second such drop in the last 50 years. The report attributes 65% of the decline to lower demand due to mild weather, 20% to faster renewable energy expansion, and 15% to higher hydropower output. Wider oil demand growth also stalled over the same period, while steel and cement emissions jumped amid higher government infrastructure spending.
  • India prepares launch of Carbon Credit Trading Scheme, sets sectoral emissions targets: On 28 March, the Ministry of Power approved eight methodologies for generating voluntary carbon credits under the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS), paving the way for an offset mechanism alongside the compliance market. On 8 October, MoEFCC notified the Greenhouse Gas Emission Intensity Target Rules establishing legally binding targets for 282 industrial units in sectors such as aluminium, cement, pulp & paper, and chlor-alkali to reduce COâ‚‚ emissions intensity. The first compliance cycle will run from 2025–26 to 2026–27, allowing firms that outperform benchmarks to earn tradable credits, while underperformers must buy credits. In parallel, the EU confirmed that carbon prices paid under the CCTS would be deducted under the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).
  • India’s draft Net Zero Roadmap proposes high-level commission, pegs $21 trillion investment need: A draft version of India’s net-zero 2070 roadmap prepared by NITI Aayog proposes the creation of a high-level “Net Zero Commission” to coordinate long-term decarbonisation across ministries and sectors. The draft, seen by journalists in October 2025, estimates that India will require $21 trillion in cumulative investments to achieve net zero by 2070, of which $14 trillion is currently available, leaving a $7 trillion gap to be mobilised. R.R. Rashmi, Distinguished Fellow at TERI, noted the commission could be valuable as a scientific and technical body supporting data collection and national emissions inventories, though its potential role as a regulatory body is questionable given India’s fractured and federalised climate governance structure.
    
    
• Renewable Energy Capacity
  • India crosses 50% non-fossil power capacity: In July 2025, India announced that over half of its installed electricity capacity now comes from non-fossil fuel sources, achieving this NDC target five years ahead of the 2030 deadline. The country is now targeting 500 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030 (including renewables, hydro, and nuclear), up from 285 GW of installed capacity it has as of end-June.
  • India shifts renewable focus from capacity expansion to grid integration: In an October 22 press release, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) emphasised a strategic shift from capacity expansion to capacity absorption, reflecting India’s growing focus on integrating intermittent renewables into the grid. The ministry noted that India’s renewable growth is transitioning “from speed to system strength, from quantity to quality, and from expansion to enduring integration”. As part of this evolution, in June 2025 the government approved ₹5,400 crore (~€530 million) to support 30 GWh of new standalone battery energy storage systems (BESS) under an expanded Viability Gap Funding scheme.
  • Rapid expansion of domestic solar manufacturing capacity: Amid strong policy support under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for high-efficiency solar PV modules, India’s solar manufacturing capacity has expanded dramatically. Between March 2024 and March 2025, solar module production capacity nearly doubled from 38 GW to 74 GW, while solar cell manufacturing grew from 9 GW to 25 GW, according to official figures. Government officials attribute this growth to supportive measures such as domestic content requirements under several government support schemes, which mandate the use of India-made panels and cells.
    
    
• Carbon Sink Creation
  • India among top global carbon sinks in FAO’s Global Forest Assessment 2025: India has achieved a major milestone in global forest statistics, advancing to 9th place worldwide in total forest area with approximately 72.7 million hectares, according to the FAO’s Global Forest Resources Assessment 2025 released on 22 October 2025. The report ranks India 5th among the world’s top carbon sinks, with its forests removing around 150 million tonnes of COâ‚‚ per year, and 3rd globally in net forest area gains. The government highlights measures such as a ₹3,412.82 crore (~€330 million) allocation to forest cover enhancement measures in the 2025–26 Budget (a 9 % increase year-on-year) and ongoing initiatives such as the National Mission for a Green India, the National Afforestation Programme, and Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) as contributing factors.
  • Study warns of reducing COâ‚‚ absorption efficiency of Indian forests: A new IIT Kharagpur study found that the photosynthetic efficiency of Indian forests declined by 5% between 2010–2019 compared to the previous decade, reducing their COâ‚‚ absorption capacities. The decline is mainly attributed to climate change induced reduced soil moisture and higher air temperatures, natural disasters, and economic activities such as mining in forest areas. Former Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said the findings highlight that expanding forest cover alone is insufficient — protecting old-growth and improving forest health are essential to sustain India’s carbon sink capacity.
  • MoEFCC weakens forest protection for infrastructure and critical minerals projects: MoEFCC notified the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Amendment Rules, 2025, expanding the power of state governments to divert forest land for infrastructure projects. The new rules allow states to grant initial “working permission” for linear projects (roads, railways, transmission lines) before full environmental clearance and relax compensatory afforestation requirements. In addition, the Ministry amended the Forest (Conservation and Augmentation) Rules, 2023 to simplify the approval process for mining critical minerals in forest areas.
    
    
• Adaptation to Climate Change
  • India to submit National Adaptation Plan in Belém: The Indian government has been working on its first National Adaptation Plan (NAP), a key instrument under the UNFCCC to identify medium- and long-term adaptation needs. The final NAP document was finalised in June 2025 and later approved by the National Steering Committee and Cabinet in September 2025. India plans to submit the NAP, which has 9 priority thematic areas, at COP 30 in Belém. Read more.

India at COP 30

The Government of India’s delegation to COP30 will be led by the Hon’ble Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav. The full list of delegates will be posted on the UNFCCC website after release.

Government of India’s Delegation

There will be no dedicated India Pavilion this year. Instead, an India Office will be set up within the COP premises (location TBC).

The Energy and Recourses Institute’s Delegation

Week 1 (10^th – 15^th Nov. 2025)

Week 2 (17^th – 21^st Nov. 2025)

IKI India at COP 30

As part of the 3rd CEEW Leaders’ Dialogue at COP 30, an IKI India Initiative event titled “Measuring Climate Impacts of Forestry and Single-Use Plastic Ban Policies” will take place on 14 November 2025 (09:30–11:30 BRT) in Belém, Brazil (Green Zone, Unamaz Pavilion).

The 90-minute workshop will explore methodologies to assess the climate co-benefits generated by circular-economy and urban-forestry policies, highlighting how such approaches can integrate climate action into broader development strategies. Facilitators include Nitin Bassi (CEEW) and Dr Axel Michaelowa (Perspectives Climate Group). Knowledge products on climate co-benefit methodologies will also be presented during the session.

IKI Announcements for India at COP 30

The launch of the first Ideas Competition for IKI Large Grants is currently planned for COP 30, foreseen to be presented by the MoEFCC and BMUKN Ministers on 17th November at the German pavilion. Further updates are available here.