India has reduced the emissions intensity of its gross domestic product by 36 percent between 2005 and 2020, moving toward its updated target of a 45 percent reduction by 2030, the government said on Thursday.

Kirti Vardhan Singh, minister of state for environment, forest and climate change, informed the Rajya Sabha that the country remains committed to tackling climate change while ensuring economic growth, guided by the principles of equity and Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities, as outlined in the Paris Agreement.

National Climate Strategy

Singh said India’s climate strategy is anchored in the National Action Plan on Climate Change, which covers multiple sectors, including water, agriculture, forestry, energy and waste management. The government has adopted various programs to align development with climate adaptation and mitigation objectives.

According to the minister, India has created an additional carbon sink of 2.29 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent between 2005 and 2021. The target is to achieve 2.5-3 billion tonnes through afforestation and forest conservation by 2030.

Meanwhile, as of February 2025, non-fossil fuel sources accounted for 47.37 percent of installed electricity generation capacity, approaching the 50 percent target set for 2030.

Climate-Resilient Agriculture

In agriculture, climate-resilient practices have been integrated into various government programs, such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act and the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana. At the village level, climate risk management committees, seed banks and fodder banks are helping to spread resilient technologies.

Recognizing the necessity of adaptation, the government has mainstreamed climate resilience into disaster risk management policies. The Disaster Management Act of 2005 provides a framework for reducing vulnerabilities, improving early warning systems, and strengthening national, state, and local disaster response.

Urban Climate Resilience

Additionally, the National Mission for Sustainable Habitat is driving urban climate resilience by promoting low-carbon growth and strengthening cities’ capacities to cope with extreme weather events.

India has consistently advocated for global climate action while emphasizing the need for fairness in burden-sharing. It has not committed to sector-specific mitigation obligations but continues implementing policies to achieve sustainable development alongside climate goals.

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