2. India’s Climate Targets 2035: Advancing the Decarbonisation Roadmap

• NDC Progression: In alignment with the 2015 Paris Agreement\'s mandate for periodic updates, India has submitted its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for 2035, marking a significant step beyond its 2030 commitments. • Enhanced Energy Transition: India has pledged to ensure that at least 60% of its total electricity installed capacity will be derived from non-fossil fuel sources by 2035, an increase from the 50% target previously set for 2030. • Emission Intensity Reduction: The new targets aim for a 47% reduction in emissions intensity per unit of GDP relative to 2005 levels by 2035; this represents a 2% enhancement over the 45% goal established for the 2030 timeline. • Carbon Sink Expansion: The government has committed to creating an additional carbon sink of 3.5 to 4 billion tonnes of CO2-equivalent through expanded forest and tree cover, surpassing the previous 2030 target of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes. • Strategic Autonomy in Energy: By reaffirming its clean energy pathway amidst global volatility—including the US shift toward fossil fuels and conflicts in West Asia affecting the Strait of Hormuz—India is positioning renewable energy as a pillar of national security. • Caution Over Climate Finance: Despite domestic projections suggesting a potential 70% non-fossil share by 2035, India has opted for a conservative 60% formal target, reflecting disappointment over the lack of adequate financial support from developed nations. Key Definitions • Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): Climate action plans to cut emissions and adapt to climate impacts, which each party to the Paris Agreement is required to establish and update every five years. • Emissions Intensity: The volume of greenhouse gas emissions emitted per unit of economic output (GDP), allowing for a comparison of environmental efficiency across different scales of economic activity. • Carbon Sink: A natural or artificial reservoir that absorbs and stores more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than it releases, such as forests, oceans, or soil. Constitutional and Legal Provisions • Article 48A (DPSP): Directs the State to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country. • Article 51A(g) (Fundamental Duties): Mandates every citizen to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife. • Environment Protection Act, 1986: The umbrella legislation providing a framework for coordination of central and state authorities for environmental protection. • Paris Agreement (Article 4.9): Requires each Party to communicate a nationally determined contribution every five years, with each successive NDC representing a progression beyond the previous one. Important Keypoints for Analysis • Global Energy Shift: While the US under the Trump administration has prioritised oil and gas, India’s commitment provides a crucial counter-signal to the global market, maintaining momentum for the green transition. • Economic Advantage: Shift to renewables reduces dependency on volatile global oil prices and vulnerable maritime trade routes, effectively shielding the Indian economy from external supply shocks. • Internal Capacity vs. International Commitment: India’s 60% target vs. the CEA’s 70% projection indicates a \'policy of realism,\' where India retains a buffer to avoid international legal friction while striving for higher domestic performance. Conclusion and UPSC Relevance India’s 2035 climate targets reflect a mature \'dual-track\' approach: maintaining high-growth economic aspirations while incrementally raising the bar for environmental sustainability. By anchoring its energy security in renewables rather than volatile fossil fuel imports, India is leveraging climate action as a tool for strategic sovereignty.