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India's Green Milestone: 50% Clean Power and Massive Carbon Sink Boost

India has hit a major climate target ahead of schedule. The country now gets half its electricity capacity from clean, non-fossil fuel sources. On top of that, forests and trees have created a massive new carbon sink. These steps are part of India's broader plan to cut emissions and work toward net-zero by 2070.

Key Points: India Hits 50% Non-Fossil Power Capacity, Expands Carbon Sink

  • India surpassed its 2030 target for non-fossil fuel power capacity five years early
  • A significant carbon sink of 2.29 billion tonnes CO2 equivalent was created from forests
  • Net greenhouse gas emissions dropped nearly 8% from 2019 to 2020
  • The nation's emission intensity of GDP has fallen by 36% since 2005
2 min read

India achieved 50 pc of electricity capacity from non-fossil fuels, boosted carbon sink: Govt

India achieves 50% non-fossil electricity capacity five years early and creates a 2.29 billion tonne carbon sink, per the government's climate report.

"India has achieved its NDC goal of the share of non-fossil fuel-based power generation capacity of more than 50 per cent five years ahead of the deadline. - Kirti Vardhan Singh"

New Delhi, Dec 8

India has achieved 50 per cent of its electricity capacity from non-fossil fuels, as well as boosted its carbon sink, the government informed the Parliament on Monday.

In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) Kirti Vardhan Singh stated the country's achievement in reducing carbon emissions.

"India has achieved its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) goal of the share of non-fossil fuel-based power generation capacity of more than 50 per cent five years ahead of the deadline (2030)," Singh said.

"India has created an additional carbon sink of 2.29 billion tonnes CO2 equivalent from forest and tree cover," he added.

Citing the Fourth Biennial Update Report (BUR-4) submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2024, Singh noted that the net national greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of India in 2020 were 2,437 million tonnes CO2 equivalent -- 7.93 per cent lower than the emissions in the year 2019.

The decrease is mainly attributed to sectors of energy, where emissions decreased by 5.7 per cent, and Industrial Process and Product use, where emissions decreased by 9.5 per cent from 2019 to 2020.

"India submitted its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement in 2015 and updated it in August 2022, setting enhanced targets i.e, reducing emissions intensity of GDP by 45 per cent by 2030 from 2005 levels, achieving 50 per cent cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030, and creating an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through increased forest and tree cover," the Minister said.

As per BUR-4, between 2005 and 2020, India's emission intensity of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reduced by 36 per cent, he added.

India's Long-Term Low-Carbon Development Strategy (LT-LEDS), submitted to the UNFCCC in November 2022, provides a framework with seven key strategic transitions in electricity, transport, urban, industry, carbon dioxide removal technologies, forest and financial resources for achieving net-zero emissions by 2070 based on the principles of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC), equity, and climate justice.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As someone living in Delhi, I really hope this translates to cleaner air soon. The numbers look good on paper, but we need to see the impact on the ground. More solar and wind power is the way forward. Let's keep this momentum going!
R
Rohit P
Great achievement, but a word of caution. We must ensure this green energy is reliable and affordable for the common man. Power cuts are still a reality in many villages. The focus should be on 24x7 green power for all, not just capacity numbers.
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Priya S
Creating an additional carbon sink of 2.29 billion tonnes is no small feat! This shows the importance of our afforestation programs. Every tree planted in school competitions and government drives counts. We need to protect our existing forests with equal zeal.
M
Michael C
Impressive progress from a developing economy of this scale. Reducing emission intensity by 36% since 2005 while growing the economy is the real story here. Other nations should take note of India's balanced approach to growth and sustainability.
K
Kavya N
The 2070 net-zero target seems far away, but these are the building blocks. The seven strategic transitions mentioned, especially in transport and industry, are key. Hope to see more electric buses and incentives for green manufacturing soon!

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