India’s climate commitments have once again come under scrutiny as reports indicate that the country is set to miss its February deadline for submitting a revised and more ambitious climate action plan. This delay raises concerns about India’s commitment to fulfilling its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, where it pledged to cut emissions intensity by 45% from 2005 levels by 2030 and achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2070. While the government has made notable progress in renewable energy deployment, afforestation, and industrial decarbonization, missing critical deadlines weakens India’s standing in global climate diplomacy. Additionally, India remains one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, with a rising demand for energy, leading to a complex balancing act between economic growth and environmental sustainability. The delay in climate commitments may have long-term repercussions, especially as global financial institutions and investors increasingly prioritize sustainability metrics when making funding decisions. Failure to articulate a well-defined roadmap for climate action could limit India’s ability to attract green finance, necessary for scaling up clean energy projects, strengthening climate resilience, and transitioning industries toward sustainable practices.
The urgency of climate action is underscored by India’s increasing vulnerability to extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, cyclones, floods, and droughts, which have intensified over the past decade due to climate change. In 2024 alone, India experienced record-breaking temperatures, erratic monsoon patterns, and severe urban flooding that disrupted livelihoods, infrastructure, and food production. Despite these warning signs, policies aimed at reducing fossil fuel dependence, curbing industrial pollution, and strengthening carbon pricing mechanisms have remained slow in execution. While India has set an ambitious 500 GW renewable energy target by 2030, challenges such as land acquisition hurdles, bureaucratic delays, and lack of storage infrastructure continue to hinder large-scale adoption. Furthermore, the country has struggled to phase down coal dependence, which still accounts for nearly 55% of its energy mix, with state-owned utilities expanding rather than curbing coal-based power generation. The government must urgently bridge the gap between policy announcements and on-ground execution, ensuring that sustainability efforts align with both domestic economic priorities and global climate expectations.
India’s delay in submitting an enhanced climate action plan does not merely represent a missed diplomatic opportunity; it highlights the need for stronger political will, technological innovation, and institutional coordination in driving climate action. The government must work towards decarbonizing key sectors, such as transport, construction, and agriculture while implementing policies that attract private investments in climate-resilient infrastructure. Additionally, India should leverage its role in multilateral forums like the G20, BRICS, and COP summits to advocate for climate justice, ensuring that developed nations fulfil their financial commitments to assist emerging economies in their green transitions. India also needs to empower state governments and local bodies to implement climate policies effectively, rather than relying solely on national-level interventions. Ultimately, meeting and exceeding climate commitments is not just a matter of global reputation but a fundamental necessity for economic stability, public health, and environmental security. The road ahead demands urgent, coordinated, and sustained action, ensuring that climate commitments are not just rhetorical but integrated into the core of India’s development strategy.