India Exceeds Climate Targets, Has Opportunity for Faster Growth: UN Climate Chief

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 19th Feb. India is surpassing key climate targets and has a significant opportunity to accelerate growth through clean energy and industry, according to UN climate change chief Simon Stiell.

In an email interview with PTI, Stiell highlighted India’s vulnerability to climate impacts due to its geography and population, stressing the urgent need for resilience investments. He praised India’s achievements, such as installing 100 GW of solar power rapidly and ensuring electricity access in all villages.

Stiell, who visited India last week, called the country a “solar superpower” and urged it to adopt an ambitious climate plan for all sectors, emphasizing that clean energy expansion would boost economic prosperity, job creation, and living standards.

India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) include reducing GDP emission intensity by 45% from 2005 levels by 2030 and achieving 50% of installed power capacity from non-fossil fuels. Government data shows that India reduced GDP emission intensity by 36% between 2005 and 2020, with non-fossil fuel capacity surpassing 47% as of December 2024.

Stiell lauded India’s climate commitment, stating that while some nations only talk, “India delivers.”