**Executive Summary**
This document is a response to a parliamentary question regarding the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions in India. It reports India's GHG emissions in 2020 were 7.93% lower than in 2019. India has achieved its NDC goal of the share of non-fossil fuel-based power generation capacity of more than 50% five years ahead of the deadline. The response also outlines the steps taken by the government to achieve further reductions, including initiatives related to renewable energy, green hydrogen, and electric vehicles. The question was slated to be answered on December 8, 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Emissions Reduction:**
* India's net national greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2020 were 2,437 million tonnes CO2 equivalent.
* This represents a 7.93% decrease compared to 2019.
* The decrease is mainly attributed to the energy sector (5.7% decrease) and the Industrial Process and Product Use sector (9.5% decrease).
* **Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC):**
* India submitted and updated its NDC under the Paris Agreement.
* Targets include reducing emissions intensity of GDP by 45% by 2030 (from 2005 levels).
* Targets include achieving 50% cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030.
* Targets include creating an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through increased forest and tree cover.
* India's emission intensity of GDP reduced by 36% between 2005 and 2020.
* **Long-Term Low-Carbon Development Strategy (LT-LEDS):**
* Submitted to the UNFCCC in November 2022.
* Provides a framework with seven key strategic transitions.
* Aims for net-zero emissions by 2070.
* **Renewable Energy Initiatives:**
* Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) has undertaken several steps to promote and accelerate renewable energy capacity.
* Key measures include standard tariff-based competitive bidding guidelines, Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPO) and Renewable Consumption Obligations (RCO).
* Initiatives like PM-KUSUM, PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, National Green Hydrogen Mission, and Viability Gap Funding (VGF) are being implemented.
* Transmission expansion and Green Energy Corridors are being developed.
* **National Green Hydrogen Mission:**
* Aims to make India a global hub for green hydrogen production, usage, and export.
* Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) provides financial incentives.
* Four Hydrogen Valley Innovation Clusters (HVIC) have been sanctioned.
* **Electric Vehicle (EV) Initiatives:**
* National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) 2020 provides a roadmap for faster EV adoption.
* FAME, Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme, and 'National Programme on Advanced Chemistry Cells (ACC) Battery Storage' are implemented.
* GST on EVs and chargers/charging stations has been reduced to 5%.
* Battery-operated vehicles will be given green license plates and are exempted from permit requirements.
* States are advised to waive road tax on EVs.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Government of India**
* **Impact:** Required to implement and oversee various policies, schemes, and initiatives related to emissions reduction, renewable energy, and electric vehicles.
* **Action Required:** Continue to develop and refine policies, allocate resources, and monitor progress towards achieving emission reduction targets and renewable energy goals.
**Stakeholder: Industries (Energy, Industrial Processes, Automotive)**
* **Impact:** Affected by regulations, incentives, and market shifts related to emissions reduction, renewable energy adoption, and electric vehicle manufacturing/usage.
* **Action Required:** Invest in cleaner technologies, comply with emission standards, explore renewable energy sources, and adapt to the changing market landscape driven by electric vehicles.
**Stakeholder: Citizens**
* **Impact:** Affected by the availability of cleaner energy sources, the affordability of electric vehicles, and the overall improvement in air quality due to reduced emissions.
* **Action Required:** Adopt energy-efficient practices, consider purchasing electric vehicles, and support policies that promote renewable energy and emissions reduction.
Key Entities Referenced
Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): Targets for reducing CO2 emissions, as part of international treaties/agreements.
Long-Term Low-Carbon Development Strategy (LT-LEDS): Framework for achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: The primary ministry responsible for addressing the questions on CO2 emissions.
National Green Hydrogen Mission: Initiative to make India a global hub of green hydrogen production, usage and export.
Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles in India (FAME): Scheme to encourage electric vehicles (EV) adoption and manufacturing.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1240
TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2025
Reduction in Carbon Dioxide Emissions
1240. SHRI DHAIRYASHEEL SAMBHAJIRAO MANE:
SHRI CHAVAN RAVINDRA VASANTRAO:
SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to
state:
(a) whether as per a global report published by environment scientists that India has recorded
reduction in Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) emissions during recent years;
(b) if so, the major sectors that have contributed to the reduction in CO₂ emissions during the
said period;
(c) whether the Government has set any specific targets for further reduction of CO₂ emissions in
line with Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under international treaties/agreements;
(d) whether any steps have been taken by the Government to accelerate the transition towards
low-carbon technologies, including renewable energy, electric mobility, and green hydrogen and
if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the details of further steps/measures taken/being taken by the Government to reduce Carbon
Dioxide emissions in the country
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND
CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) & (b): The net national greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of India in 2020 were 2,437
million tonnes CO equivalent according to India’s Fourth Biennial Update Report (BUR-4)
2
submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2024,
which were 7.93 per cent lower than the emissions in the year 2019. The decrease is mainly
attributed to sectors of energy, where emissions decreased by 5.7%, and Industrial Process and
Product use, where emissions decreased by 9.5% from 2019 to 2020.(c) to (e): India submitted its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris
Agreement in 2015 and updated it in August 2022, setting enhanced targets i.e, reducing emissions
intensity of GDP by 45% by 2030 from 2005 levels, achieving 50% cumulative electric power
installed capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030, and creating an additional carbon sink of
2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO equivalent through increased forest and tree cover.
2
As per BUR-4, between 2005 and 2020, India’s emission intensity of Gross Domestic
Product (GDP) reduced by 36%. India has achieved its NDC goal of the share of non-fossil fuel-
based power generation capacity of more than 50% five years ahead of the deadline. India has
created an additional carbon sink of 2.29 billion tonnes CO equivalent from forest and tree cover.
2
India’s Long-Term Low-Carbon Development Strategy (LT-LEDS), submitted to the
UNFCCC in November 2022, provides a framework with seven key strategic transitions in
electricity, transport, urban, industry, carbon dioxide removal technologies, forest and financial
resources for achieving net-zero emissions by 2070 based on the principles of Common but
Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC), equity, and climate
justice.
The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India has undertaken
several steps and initiatives to promote and accelerate renewable energy (RE) capacity in the
country. Key measures include standard tariff-based competitive bidding guidelines, Renewable
Purchase Obligations (RPO) and Renewable Consumption Obligations (RCO), 100% Foreign
Direct Investment (FDI) under the automatic route, and major national schemes such as Pradhan
Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM), PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli
Yojana, National Programme on High Efficiency Solar PV Modules, New Solar Power Scheme
under Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN), Dharti Aabha
Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DA JGUA), National Green Hydrogen Mission, Viability Gap
Funding (VGF) Scheme for Offshore Wind Energy Projects, and Solar park development.
Transmission expansion through Green Energy Corridors, Inter State Transmission System (ISTS)
charge waivers, and a long-term transmission plan up to 2030 have been implemented to support
large-scale renewable integration. Standard & Labelling (S&L) programs for Solar Photovoltaic
modules and Grid-connected Solar Inverters have also been launched. Reforms also include Green
Energy Open Access, Green Term Ahead Market (GTAM) to facilitate sale of Renewable Power
through exchanges.
The Government of India is implementing the National Green Hydrogen Mission, with an
objective to make India a global hub of production, usage and export of green hydrogen and its
derivative. Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) is a key component of
the Mission which provides financial incentives for production of green hydrogen and electrolyser
manufacturing. The Government of India has also sanctioned four Hydrogen Valley Innovation
Clusters (HVIC) and Research and Development (R&D) projects are also being supported under
the National Green Hydrogen Mission, with 23 projects sanctioned under the R&D scheme of the
Mission so far.
The National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) 2020 is a National Mission
document providing the vision and the roadmap for the faster adoption of electric vehicles andtheir manufacturing in the country. In order to encourage electric vehicles (EV) adoption and
manufacturing of EVs in the country Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric
Vehicles in India (FAME), Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Automobile and Auto
Component Industry and ‘National Programme on Advanced Chemistry Cells (ACC) Battery
Storage are implemented in the country. Further, following initiatives have been taken up by the
Government of India to increase the use of electric vehicles in the country:
i. GST on electric vehicles and chargers/ charging stations for electric vehicles has been
reduced to 5%.
ii. Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) has announced that battery-operated
vehicles will be given green license plates and be exempted from permit requirements.
iii. MoRTH has also issued notification advising States to waive road tax on EVs, which in turn
will help reduce the initial cost of EVs.
iv. Further, Ministry of Power has taken several initiatives to accelerate deployment of public
EV charging infrastructure in the country.
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