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India has achieved a key milestone in its climate commitments under the Paris Agreement by fulfilling one of its core targets five years ahead of schedule. As of June 2025, non-fossil fuel sources contribute over 50% of India’s installed electricity generation capacity — a significant achievement originally set for 2030.

According to the Ministry of Power, India’s installed capacity reached 484.82 GW, of which 242.78 GW is from non-fossil sources like solar, wind, large hydropower, and nuclear energy. This rapid growth, particularly in solar (24 GW added in 2024 alone), underlines India’s leadership in renewable energy deployment. However, it also highlights key structural challenges in decarbonizing the broader energy economy.

India’s updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Climate Agreement (2015) comprise three primary targets for 2030:

1. At least 50% of installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel sources.
2. 45% reduction in emissions intensity (GHG emissions per unit of GDP) from 2005 levels.
3. Creation of an additional 2.5–3 billion tonnes of CO?-equivalent carbon sink through increased forest and tree cover.

Substantial progress is also evident in the other two targets. By 2020, India had already reduced its emissions intensity by 36%, and given current economic and technological trajectories, the 45% target by 2030 appears achievable. On the forestry front, India added 2.29 billion tonnes of carbon sink by 2021. Given the annual increase of around 150 million tonnes CO? equivalent reported in the India State of Forest Report (ISFR), the carbon sink target may already be met by 2023, although official confirmation is pending.

Yet, these achievements warrant a closer look. Electricity comprises less than 22% of India’s total energy consumption. Most energy use — particularly in transport, industry, and residential sectors — still relies on direct combustion of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas. Furthermore, while non-fossil sources account for over 50% of capacity, they contribute only 28% to actual electricity generation due to intermittency in renewables. Consequently, clean energy forms only around 6% of India’s total energy consumption, which though modest, aligns with the global average.

The road ahead is demanding. India must now focus on decarbonizing non-power sectors through accelerated adoption of electric mobility, green hydrogen, energy-efficient technologies, and clean cooking solutions. Scaling stable power sources like nuclear and hydro is crucial to complement solar and wind. India's Small Modular Reactor (SMR) program remains in the R&D phase and is unlikely to contribute significantly by 2030.

Internationally, India’s climate leadership contrasts with the underperformance of many developed nations, especially regarding climate finance and technology transfer. While India has met and even surpassed its targets, its ability to raise ambition depends on receiving support as promised under the Paris Agreement.

In conclusion, India’s early success in achieving climate targets reflects a commitment to sustainable growth, but true climate leadership will require systemic decarbonization across all sectors, just energy transitions, and global equity in climate action.