India emission intensity of GDP to drop by 54% by 2030

Coal Insights Bureau

India’s emission intensity of GDP could drop by 54 percent by 2030 above 2005 levels, against the stated commitment of 33-35 percent reduction with its enhanced ambition of 450 GW of renewables by 2030, says a joint report by the Carbon Tracker and Council on Energy, Environment and Water.

In Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) adopted in 2005 through the Paris Agreement, India committed to reduce the emission intensity of GDP by 33–35 per cent by 2030.

In December 2020, India was able to reduce the intensity by 21 percent over 2005 levels, the Environment, Forest and Climate Change ministry had claimed then. India, the only G-20 country with policies and performance compatible with a target of 2 °C warming, gave a boost to its renewable energy sector at a much earlier stage of economic development and when the electricity system was far smaller than what happened in China.

Now with its enhanced ambition of 450 GW of renewables by 2030, it can further improve its emission intensity.

In Nationally Determined Contributions adopted in 2005 through Paris Agreement, India committed to reduce the emission intensity of GDP by 33-35% by 2030. In December, India was able to reduce the intensity by 21%. It might touch 54% by 2030 with adoption of 450 GW renewable energy target.

“Consequently, the risk of stranded assets, while substantial, is still smaller in India…other emerging markets can also avoid the trap of long-lasting fossil energy assets as well as of foreign currency-linked indebtedness,” the report said. In Nationally Determined Contributions adopted in 2005 through Paris Agreement, India committed to reduce the emission intensity of GDP by 33-35% by 2030. In December, India was able to reduce the intensity by 21%. It might touch 54% by 2030 with adoption of 450 GW renewable energy target.