India Faces Scrutiny Over Climate Action at COP30 Summit

Sun Nov 23 2025 11:39:00 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Amid rising international concerns, India’s delay in presenting its updated climate action plan raises significant questions as COP30 convenes in Brazil. The world watches closely as India navigates its responsibilities as the third-largest carbon emitter.

At the ongoing COP30 climate summit in Belem, Brazil, India has drawn attention for failing to submit a required climate action plan, even as international assessments label its current efforts as inadequate. Although India asserts progress in renewable energy, the country maintains a heavy reliance on coal, prompting calls for more ambitious goals and financial support from developed nations. The expectation of India submitting its plan by December raises questions about its commitment to global climate efforts.

At this year's UN climate summit (COP30), underway in Brazil's Belem city, all eyes are on India - the world's third-largest carbon emitter.

India has not yet submitted a key climate plan that countries are required to submit every five years, despite international assessments deeming its climate action as 'worryingly inadequate'. Delhi maintains that its actions are justified.

Known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the updated plan from every member country to the UN Framework Climate Convention (UNFCC) is expected to include more ambitious carbon reduction targets. Currently, around 120 out of 196 member countries have submitted their updated plans, with India among those remaining.

The Paris climate agreement aims to limit the average global temperature rise to well below 2°C, striving for a cap of 1.5°C to prevent severe climate repercussions. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) indicates that by 2035, annual emissions need to decrease by 35% to 55% compared to 2019 to meet these targets.

Yet, emissions have risen nearly every year, with a UNFCCC report suggesting a mere 12% reduction by 2035, given total policy implementation. UNEP warns that current policies could lead to a 2.8°C increase in global temperatures this century, emphasizing the critical need for bolder reductions.

The original deadline for the updated climate plan (NDC3) was February, which was extended to September due to more than 90% of member countries missing the deadline. The focus is now on major emitters, including India, China, and the European Union.

However, India's environment minister Bhupender Yadav has stated that the country will only present its updated plan by the end of December, despite the ongoing discussions at COP30.

Delhi appears to use the delay to highlight a sentiment among developing nations: wealthy countries should take on more responsibility to reduce emissions and extend significantly greater financial support.

In an opinion piece before COP30, Yadav noted, Global climate progress can't come from endless discussions alone; emphasizing the urgency for action without delay.

Indian officials argue that any increase in ambition must be supported financially and technologically by developed countries. The commitment from wealthy nations to provide substantial climate finance remains a contentious point.

While India has met its pledge to have 50% of its installed capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030, analysts categorize its overall climate initiatives as 'highly insufficient'. Reports reveal India's dependence on coal remains high, with its electricity generation composition still around 75% from coal.

As the COP30 debates continue, questions arise regarding how India's coal reliance might shape its forthcoming climate plan and whether the pressure for change will lead to meaningful adjustments.