Photo: Express
New Delhi: After nearly a decade of work under the Paris Agreement on climate change, India has rolled out more than 650 climate-related policies since 2015 and already met its 2030 goal for electricity generation from non-fossil fuel sources.
But a new study warns that to sustain economic growth while reaching future climate targets, the country will need investments of around $4.5 trillion by 2040.
The findings come from the Deep Decarbonization Pathways (DDP) Initiative at the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI). According to the report, India has not only achieved its electricity production targets but is also on course to meet commitments such as reducing emissions intensity from 2005 levels and creating additional carbon sinks.
Researchers noted that in the past decade, India has advanced energy transitions in sectors like coal power and steelmaking through hundreds of new policies, TNIE reported.
However, they cautioned that gaps in coordination, inclusivity, and alignment between long-term ambitions and immediate policy measures continue to slow progress. The report observed that long-term strategies often fail to translate into concrete decisions, while inter-ministerial coordination remains a major hurdle.
Henri Waisman, who heads the DDP Initiative, said the achievements of the past 10 years are noteworthy, but added that the coming decade must be about scaling up action. He stressed that India and other countries will need to better connect ambition with effective implementation while tackling social and industrial challenges.
The research, authored by experts from 21 nations, including India, emphasises the need for approximately $4.5 trillion in investments by 2040 to create infrastructure, boost economic growth, and increase community well-being.