Parliament Question: Implication of climate commitments

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1502 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.02.2026 Implication of climate commitments 1502. SHRI AYODHYA RAMI REDDY ALLA: Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state: (a) how India's pursuit of net-zero emissions by 2070 would influence the global climate governance framework, particularly in terms of reconciling differentiated responsibilities with the need for collective action; (b) what are the potential implications of India's climate commitments on its energy mix and economic development trajectory, particularly in terms of balancing energy security with the transition to low-carbon energy sources; and (c) the manner in which India's climate commitments would impact its international trade and investment relationships, particularly in terms of navigating carbon border adjustments and green protectionism? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH) (a) to (c) India aims to become a Viksit Bharat by 2047, which requires achieving high, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable growth. Being an emerging economy, India’s greenhouse gas emissions are set to increase, albeit from a low base, in pursuit of its sustainable development and poverty eradication goals. It is to be noted that India with more than 18% of the global population has contributed less than 4% of the global cumulative greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions between 1850 and 2020. Hence, India’s responsibility for global warming thus far has been minimal and even today its annual per capita emissions are only about one-third of the global average. Despite this, India is doing more than its fair share and is committed to addressing climate change with firm adherence to multilateralism and based on the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities (CBDR-RC), as enshrined in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The UNFCCC and its Paris Agreement, state clearly that the emissions of developing countries, India included, will rise to meet their social and developmental needs. The Paris Agreement specifically notes that peaking will take longer for developing country Parties and will be on the basis of equity, and in the context of sustainable development and efforts to eradicate poverty. India has always noted that while it is committed to being part of the solution for global collective action problem of climate change, the developed countries bear the main responsibility and should also take the lead urgently for drastic emission reduction in their countries.India has submitted its Long-Term Low Greenhouse Gas Emission Development Strategies (LT- LEDS) to the UNFCCC in November 2022, which reaffirms the goal of reaching net-zero by 2070. India’s approach to its long-term low-carbon development strategy is based on four key considerations: (i) India has contributed little to global warming, (ii) India has significant energy needs for its development, (iii) India is committed to pursuing low-carbon strategies for development and is actively pursuing them, as per national circumstances, and iv) India needs to build climate resilience. India’s net-zero target is to be achieved through periodic enhancement of Nationally Determined Contribution (NDCs) and corresponding domestic climate actions towards low carbon transition, supported by climate finance and technology transfer under the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement and as per its national circumstances keeping in mind the principles of CBDR-RC. India is yet to reach its peak energy demand, and ensuring energy access, affordability, and security remains central to the country’s development pathway. India has achieved its goal of 50 percent cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030, five years ahead of its schedule. Further, India’s emission intensity of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has reduced by 36% between 2005 and 2020. India’s energy transition is closely aligned with its broader economic development goals. Rapid growth in renewable energy, improvements in energy efficiency, the expansion of nuclear power, development of green hydrogen, strengthening of carbon sinks, the operationalization of carbon markets, and collectively diversifying India’s energy mix while reducing emissions, are all part of India’s strategy and approach. This approach supports energy security by prioritizing system reliability and affordability, while also enhancing industrial competitiveness through domestic manufacturing and clean-technology deployment. This approach acknowledges the limits of one- size-fits-all transitions and enables continued economic growth, job creation, and technological upgrading, while gradually shifting toward low-carbon energy sources in a manner consistent with national development priorities. *****