At the Paris Agreement in 2015, every country submitted a Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) — a climate action plan with specific targets. India's updated NDC made three headline commitments: reduce emissions intensity of GDP by 45% from 2005 levels by 2030; achieve 50% of installed electricity from non-fossil sources by 2030; and reach net zero by 2070.
Timeline
India's Climate Milestones
The 500 GW Renewable Target — Progress Check
India's Climate Targets vs. Current Status (March 2026)
- Target: 500 GW renewable capacity by 2030 | Status: 213 GW (43%)
- Target: 50% non-fossil electricity by 2030 | Status: ~44% (on track, including large hydro)
- Target: 45% emissions intensity reduction vs 2005 | Status: ~33% achieved
- Target: Net zero by 2070 | Status: No interim milestones set publicly
- Coal share of electricity generation: Still 74% of total (2025–26)
“India is not phase-out, but phase-down of coal. And even phase-down requires a just transition plan for 4 million people whose livelihoods depend on coal. We cannot sacrifice Jharkhand for Glasgow.”
— India's chief climate negotiator at COP28, Dubai, 2023
India needs to add ~50–60 GW of renewables per year to hit 500 GW by 2030. Current pace: 22–28 GW per year. Even optimistic projections suggest India will reach ~350–380 GW by 2030. The government has acknowledged the 'acceleration challenge.'
213 GW
Renewable capacity (Mar 2026)
2070
Net zero year
74%
Coal's power share
$1 Tn
Climate finance demand
India's 2030 climate target includes reaching what percentage of installed electricity from non-fossil fuel sources?
Kavitha Nair
Environment Correspondent