New Delhi, 26 March (H.S.):
The Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) has described the Union government’s approval of India’s enhanced Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for the period 2031–2035—to be communicated to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change—as a significant and positive signal on climate action. The think tanks CEO Dr Arunabha Ghosh, in a statement issued on Thursday, said that in a time when conflicts and energy security concerns are pulling many countries away from their climate commitments, India’s new NDC sends a clear message of continued ambition.
Dr Ghosh highlighted that the target of reaching 60 per cent of cumulative electric power capacity from non‑fossil fuel‑based energy resources by 2035 signals that India has not only raised its ambition to decarbonise the power sector but has also kept energy security and affordability for its hundreds of millions of citizens firmly in focus. He added that the Indian power market is evolving rapidly and if this pace continues while supply‑chain barriers reduce, India is likely to outperform its current targets, as it has done several times in the past.
The updated climate pledge now includes a 47 per cent reduction in emissions intensity of GDP by 2035 relative to 2005 levels, a goal that CEEW sees as reflecting progress even amid global economic uncertainty. Emphasising innovation, Ghosh pointed out that green hydrogen, critical minerals, carbon capture and advanced battery technologies will be crucial not only for the power sector but also for securing India’s wider energy transition.
India has also set an ambitious target to create a carbon sink of 3.5 to 4.0 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent through forest and tree cover by 2035, which could open new avenues for investment in agriculture‑forestry, soil health and biodiversity conservation.
CEEW further noted that the strong emphasis on resilient infrastructure and adaptation shows that India has clearly acknowledged various climate vulnerabilities, including erratic rainfall heatwaves coastal risks, and the need to protect livelihoods and existing infrastructure.
Initiatives such as mangrove restoration and coastal protection, early warning systems for cyclones and storms, and the expansion of state‑level heat action plans indicate that adaptation and resilience are now central pillars of India’s climate strategy. At the same time, Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) is helping unlock opportunities in circular and bio‑based economies, demonstrating how sustainable lifestyles can drive new forms of development and value creation.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
