- According to data from 1850 to 2019, India’s cumulative emissions account for less than 4% of the total global emissions, a stark contrast to its substantial share of the world’s population
- As India continues to navigate the delicate balance between development and environmental sustainability, its growing climate action efforts will play a crucial role in shaping the global response to climate change
PARIMAL NATHWANI
Climate change is one of the most pressing global challenges today, driven largely by the excessive emissions of developed nations over decades. While India, home to over 17% of the world’s population, is a key player in the fight against climate change, its contribution to historical carbon dioxide emissions remains minimal. According to data from 1850 to 2019, India’s cumulative emissions account for less than 4% of the total global emissions, a stark contrast to its substantial share of the world’s population.
India’s per capita emissions are significantly below the global average
As an emerging economy, India’s greenhouse gas emissions are on the rise, though they remain low in comparison to developed countries. Despite the growing emissions associated with its development and poverty alleviation goals, India’s responsibility for global warming is limited. In fact, India’s per capita emissions are significantly below the global average. In 2020, India’s per capita emissions stood at 1.74 tonnes of CO2 equivalent, far below that of developed countries such as the United States (15.84 tonnes) and China (8.83 tonnes). As of 2023, per capita greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for India is approximately 2 tonnes, for China it is 11.11 tonnes and for the United States, it is 17.61 tonnes.
India’s commitment to climate action is multifaceted and reflected in a wide range of government initiatives. These programs are carried out by various central ministries, departments, and states, with climate benefits ranging from energy efficiency to waste reduction. However, calculating the total financial expenditure on climate action remains challenging, as many of these programs have indirect environmental benefits that are difficult to quantify.
India sets goal to sequester an additional 2.5 to 3 bn tonnes of CO2 equivalent by 2030
In August 2022, India reaffirmed its climate goals through an updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The NDC outlines India’s emission reduction targets, which include increasing the share of non-fossil fuel power capacity to 50% by 2030, reducing emissions intensity by 45% compared to 2005 levels, and enhancing carbon sinks through the creation of additional forest and tree cover. The goal is to sequester an additional 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent by 2030.
Mission LiFE
India’s NDC also highlights a commitment to promoting sustainable lifestyles based on its rich traditions of conservation. This is embodied in the Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), a global initiative launched by India to encourage mindful consumption and environmentally friendly practices. The Mission LiFE focuses on seven key areas: water conservation, energy efficiency, waste reduction, managing e-waste, eliminating single-use plastics, promoting sustainable food systems, and adopting healthy living practices. At the 6th session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA), member states agreed to support sustainable lifestyles by endorsing India’s proposed resolution.
National Action Plan on Climate Change
The Indian government remains dedicated to combatting climate change through a range of programs, including the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). The NAPCC outlines missions in areas such as solar energy, water management, sustainable agriculture, and green India, among others. This comprehensive framework guides India’s climate actions at the national level, while 34 states and Union Territories (UTs) have developed their own State Action Plans on Climate Change (SAPCC), tailored to address local climate challenges.
As India continues to navigate the delicate balance between development and environmental sustainability, its growing climate action efforts will play a crucial role in shaping the global response to climate change.
(This article is largely based on the information tabled in the Rajya Sabha on March 20, 2025 in response to the author’s, a Rajya Sabha MP, question on India’s per capita emission level.)
