At the recent Leaders’ Summit in Belém, Brazil, India highlighted the growing gap in global climate action. They pointed out that developed nations have taken a large share of the world’s carbon budget while failing to address the climate crisis effectively.
Dinesh Bhatia, the Indian ambassador to Brazil, called this summit a crucial moment as it marks ten years since the Paris Agreement. He emphasized that it’s a chance to reconsider our fight against global warming and celebrate past achievements, including the principles established at the 1992 Rio Summit that laid the groundwork for climate action.
India has set ambitious climate goals. Bhatia noted that the country has significantly reduced its emissions intensity, achieving a 36% cut between 2005 and 2020. Non-fossil energy sources now make up over 50% of India’s power capacity. However, despite these gains, independent assessments, like the Climate Action Tracker, have labeled India’s climate commitment as “highly insufficient.” This criticism stems from continued reliance on fossil fuels and an absence of a clear strategy for transitioning away from them.
India also recently missed the deadline to submit its updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, raising concerns about its future commitments.
On a positive note, India has seen a rise in forest cover. According to the FAO Global Forest Resources Assessment 2025, India ranks third globally for net annual forest gains between 2015 and 2025. While this is commendable, critics argue that the methods of measuring forest cover might inflate these numbers, as they sometimes include monocultures and plantations as forests.
With around 200 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity, India is one of the top three renewables producers worldwide. UN Secretary-General António Guterres recently remarked that last year, 90% of new energy capacity came from renewables, highlighting a global shift towards cleaner energy. He stated, “The fossil fuel age is ending,” urging a fair and swift transition to sustainability.
During the summit, Bhatia reinforced India’s commitment to multilateral cooperation for sustainable solutions. He stressed the need for developed nations to speed up their emission cuts and support developing nations with finance and technology to tackle climate challenges.
India also expressed its support for Brazil’s Tropical Forests Forever Facility, aimed at protecting tropical forests through a substantial funding mechanism. Over $5 billion has already been pledged to this initiative, underscoring a collective effort to combat deforestation.
As the climate clock ticks, it’s crucial for all nations to collaborate and share responsibilities. With the next decade vital for climate action, the focus should be not just on setting targets but also on taking tangible steps to achieve them.
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