changeadminIn a significant step towards strengthening climate action, the Cabinet, under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved India’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for the period 2031 to 2035.
The NDC is enhancing the country’s ambition under the UNFCCC and its Paris Agreement while reinforcing its commitment to sustainable development and climate justice.
India’s Nationally Determined Contribution for 2031-35 is guided by the vision of Viksit Bharat (a developed country), which is not just a goal for 2047 but a commitment to act today to build a prosperous and climate-resilient future.
India’s successive climate targets build on the country’s earlier commitments, many of which have already been achieved ahead of schedule, reflecting its consistent track record of delivering on climate action.
The five qualitative targets are intended to embed sustainability into everyday life and governance systems, promote climate-resilient development pathways, and enable a just and inclusive transition for all sections of society.
From Early Achievement to Higher Ambition:
In line with its commitments to positive climate action, India has periodically raised its ambition to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, and, following the 2022 update, it has now announced its targets for 2031-35, marking a significant step towards the goal of achieving net-zero by 2070.
India’s original climate commitments, i.e., NDC submitted in 2015, laid a strong foundation, with targets by 2030 of a 33–35% reduction in the emissions intensity of GDP and 40% share of non-fossil resources-based electric power installed capacity.
Both NDC targets were met 11 years and 9 years ahead of the committed timelines, demonstrating a credible and action-oriented approach to climate governance. Emissions intensity has since reduced by 36% from 2005 to 2020, and the target has been enhanced to 47% to be achieved by 2035.
Towards the updated India’s Nationally Determined Contribution goal on enhancing share of non-fossil fuel energy resources in installed electric power capacity, the country has achieved 52.57 % non-fossil capacity (February 2026), successfully meeting the target five years ahead of the timeline and now the ambition has been further raised to 60% share of non-fossil fuel-based energy resources in installed electric power capacity to be achieved by 2035.
Further on the NDC goal of creating additional carbon sink through forest and tree cover, India has already created 2.29 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent by 2021.
Afforestation and ecosystem restoration efforts continue to contribute towards India’s carbon sink targets while supporting rural livelihoods.
The afforestation efforts have been duly acknowledged by independent agencies such as the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), which has ranked India as third in terms of net gain in forest area and ninth in terms of area under forest.
This progress is a testament to India’s ability to balance the economy and ecology even as it maintains a high GDP growth rate. Now, we have further enhanced the ambition to create a carbon sink through forest and tree cover to 3.5-4.0 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent by 2035, up from the 2005 level.
India’s climate action has been sustained and ambitious, and its track record clearly shows that we have achieved our targets ahead of time, providing strong confidence in our ability to deliver on future commitments and demonstrating India’s commitment to ambitious climate action.
Accelerating Clean Energy and Green Growth
India’s climate strategy is implemented through a series of measures, including those on large-scale renewable energy expansion, battery storage systems, green energy corridors, cleaner manufacturing, and ensuring reliable and sustainable infrastructure across the country.
It also lays emphasis on strengthening institutional capacity, innovation ecosystems, and local-level adaptation measures, ensuring that climate considerations are integrated across key sectors of the economy through various schemes, including
- Green Hydrogen Mission. Read more
- PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana. Read more
- Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes
- PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan). Read more
- Push for Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS). Read more
- Nuclear energy. Read more
Further, India is pursuing a positive climate action agenda by forging partnerships at the international level through initiatives such as the
- International Solar Alliance (ISA)
- Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)
- Global Bio-fuel Alliance (GBA)
- Leadership Group for Industry Transition (Lead-IT)
Enhancing Climate Adaptation
India’s climate approach extends beyond mitigation to focus on scaling up adaptation. Recognising that climate change impacts are already being felt, India has placed strong emphasis on adaptation and disaster resilience across the key actors of its economy.
Some of the key measures towards the achievement of goals on adaptation are protection of vulnerable coastlines through mangrove restoration, coastal regulation, and climate-resilient infrastructure; early warning systems for cyclones and storm surges; targeted programmes for glacier monitoring, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable livelihoods in Himalayan states; climate-resilient infrastructure to address risks from landslides and glacial lake outburst floods; and implementation of Heat Action Plans across the States; community-based disaster preparedness and resilience programmes, etc.
Under its Climate Action framework, India’s Nationally Determined Contribution is operationalised through the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and its nine national missions, as well as the State Action Plans on Climate Change (SAPCC).
The framework is implemented in convergence with various schemes and programs of the central and State Governments, ensuring a coordinated, whole of government approach for climate-resilient and low-carbon development.”
India’s climate action is being implemented at the local level through various schemes and programmes such as
- Jal Jeevan Mission
- National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture. Read more
- Sustainable Habitat
- MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes). Read more
- National Disaster Management Plan
- Soil Health Card.
- Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)
People-Centric Approach
India’s climate efforts are centred on the principle of “Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE),” which is transforming sustainable living into a mass movement, and initiatives like ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Nam’ to make tree plantation a people-driven climate action.
Approach to NDC (2031-35)
In shaping India’s Nationally Determined Contribution for 2031–2035, the Government has considered the outcomes of the first Global Stocktake (GST), principle of Common but differentiated responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC), and equity with a view to harmonize national realities, developmental priorities, energy security and the need for greater ambition in climate action, in line with the purpose and long-term goals of the Paris Agreement.
India’s successive climate commitments are the outcome of wide-ranging stakeholder consultations and studies by the ten working groups in NITI Aayog. These ten groups comprise Central Ministries, domain experts, industry bodies, and civil society organisations.
Sector-specific inputs were carefully assessed across energy, industry, transport, agriculture, water, and urban development, ensuring that the revised targets are ambitious, achievable, and grounded in domestic capabilities.
The process ensured a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, aligning national development priorities with climate objectives.
The consultative approach reflects India’s commitment to inclusive and participatory climate policymaking, while safeguarding growth, livelihoods, and energy and food security.
India’s successive climate commitments are likely to generate new opportunities for youth and women, making them key partners in the green transition.
With strong policy direction, technological innovation, and people’s participation, India continues to demonstrate that economic growth and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.
The Cabinet’s approval of India’s Nationally Determined Contribution for the period 2031 to 2035 marks a major milestone in India’s journey towards a low-carbon, climate-resilient future, further strengthening its role as a global leader in climate action.
Add comment