India’s Updated NDCs at COP30

Why in the News?

1. India will submit updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) at the UN Climate Change Conference COP30 in Brazil on November 10, 2025, with likely higher targets for energy efficiency.
2. This update, called NDC 3.0, will extend India’s climate action roadmap beyond 2030 to 2035 targets.
3. It comes at a time when the global climate ambition remains inadequate, with many major economies delaying or lowering their commitments.

Key Highlights

1. Background: Paris Agreement and NDCs
   1. Under the Paris Agreement (2015), all countries must submit voluntary climate action plans called NDCs.
   2. The goal is to keep global warming well below 2°C, preferably 5°C above pre-industrial levels.
   3. Countries must update their NDCs every 5 years to reflect enhanced ambition.
2. India’s Previous Commitments (NDC 2.0, 2022)
   2030. Reduce emissions intensity of GDP by 45% from 2005 levels by 2030.
   2031. Source 50% of electric power capacity from non-fossil fuels by 2030.
   2032. Create an additional carbon sink of at least 2.5–3 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent by 2030.
   2033. Progress: By 2019, emissions intensity fell 33%; by June 2024, 50% power capacity came from non-fossil sources.
3. Expected Additions in NDC 3.0 (2025 update)
   1. Likely higher targets for energy efficiency across industries.
   2. Extension of commitments to 2035, aligning with global climate roadmaps.
   3. Use of India Carbon Market (ICM) by 2026 to regulate and trade emission reductions across 13 major sectors.
4. Global Context
   1. EU: Proposed 90% emission cuts by 2040 but delayed 2035 targets due to political divisions.
   2. Australia: Announced 62–70% cuts from 2005 levels by 2035.
   3. USA: Out of Paris Agreement under domestic policy shifts; uncertain participation.
   4. China: Yet to announce ambitious updates ahead of COP30.
5. Role of Bilateral Agreements and Carbon Markets
   1. India signed a Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) with Japan for collaborative clean energy projects.
   2. Such mechanisms allow shared carbon credits between developed and developing countries.
   3. Broader adoption could accelerate emission cuts where finance and technology transfer remain bottlenecks.

Key Terms

1. Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
   1. They represent voluntary climate pledges submitted by each country under the Paris Agreement.
   2. Unlike top-down protocols (like Kyoto Protocol), NDCs adopt a “bottom-up” approach where countries set their own targets.
   3. They cover not only mitigation (emission reduction) but also adaptation, technology transfer, and finance needs.
   4. While not legally binding in enforcement, they are subject to international scrutiny through transparency frameworks.
   5. Their significance lies in building collective global ambition, even though individual targets differ widely.
2. Carbon Sink
   1. A carbon sink is any natural or artificial system that absorbs more carbon dioxide than it releases.
   2. Examples include forests, oceans, soils, and wetlands, which store carbon for decades or centuries.
   3. Artificial sinks involve technologies like Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS).
   4. They are crucial for achieving net-zero targets, since not all sectors (like aviation) can fully eliminate emissions.
   5. Expanding carbon sinks also contributes to biodiversity conservation, water regulation, and rural income through afforestation and agroforestry.
3. Carbon Market
   1. A system where emission reductions are treated as tradable units (credits), incentivising efficiency.
   2. Companies or countries that emit less than their target can sell surplus credits to others struggling to meet theirs.
   3. It helps in mobilising finance for green projects by giving emissions a monetary value.
   4. Global examples include the EU Emission Trading System (EU ETS), the largest such market in the world.
   5. For India, an effective carbon market can drive industrial decarbonisation while maintaining competitiveness.
4. Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM)
   1. A bilateral tool that enables two countries to jointly implement emission reduction projects.
   2. The reductions achieved are then shared as credits between the investing (usually developed) and host (usually developing) country.
   3. It promotes technology transfer, as advanced clean technologies are deployed in developing nations.
   4. It also allows developed countries to meet their targets cost-effectively by investing where reductions are cheaper.
   5. For the host country, JCM projects bring in finance, infrastructure, and capacity-building benefits.

Conference of Parties (COP)

1. Meaning and Origin
   1. COP is the supreme decision-making body of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
   2. It was established after the UNFCCC entered into force in 1994.
   3. All countries that are parties to the UNFCCC participate in the COP meetings.
2. Function
   1. Reviews the implementation of the UNFCCC, Kyoto Protocol, and Paris Agreement.
   2. Monitors whether countries are meeting their climate commitments.
   3. Serves as a platform for negotiations on global climate targets, finance, and technology transfer.
3. Frequency and Structure
   1. COP meets annually, hosted by a different member country each year.
   2. The host country assumes the COP Presidency, guiding negotiations.
   3. Decisions are made by consensus, which often slows progress.
4. Major Achievements
   1. COP3 (1997, Kyoto): Adoption of Kyoto Protocol with binding emission cuts for developed nations.
   2. COP15 (2009, Copenhagen): Political recognition of 2°C limit, but no binding deal.
   3. COP21 (2015, Paris): Landmark Paris Agreement—universal, voluntary, bottom-up commitments (NDCs).
   4. COP26 (2021, Glasgow): First mention of “phasing down” coal and net-zero pledges by many nations.
5. Current Relevance (COP30, Brazil, 2025)
   1. Focus on assessing gaps in past NDC achievements.
   2. Push for enhanced ambition for 2035.
   3. Importance of finance and technology transfer for developing countries.
   4. Expected to shape the global stocktake of progress under the Paris Agreement.

Implications

1. For India’s Development Pathway
   1. Aligning growth with low-carbon development.
   2. Balancing energy security with climate commitments.
2. For Global Climate Diplomacy
   1. Enhances India’s role as a responsible climate actor.
   2. Strengthens negotiating power in climate finance and technology transfer.
3. For Economy and Industry
   1. Mandatory carbon markets will bring accountability and efficiency.
   2. Push towards renewable energy, hydrogen, and green technologies.
4. For Society and Environment
   1. Improved air quality and public health.
   2. Boost in climate-resilient livelihoods through green sectors.
5. For Geopolitics
   1. NDC commitments shape strategic partnerships (e.g., with Japan, EU).
   2. Global perception of India as a bridge between developed and developing nations in climate negotiations.

Challenges and Way Forward

Conclusion

India’s updated NDCs at COP30 represent both a continuity and an enhancement of its climate commitments. While challenges remain in finance, technology, and implementation, the adoption of market mechanisms and bilateral agreements positions India as a pivotal actor in global climate governance. The real test lies in converting commitments into concrete action by 2035.