Climate Change Performance Index

CLIMATE CHANGE PERFORMANCE INDEX

Overview

• India has ranked 10th in the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI 2025), released at the annual UN climate conference in Baku on November 20, 2024.
• Despite dropping 2 places from the previous year, India remains among the top 10 climate performers due to its low per capita emissions and rapid expansion of renewable energy.
• The report highlights India’s efforts to balance economic growth with climate action, emphasizing its progress in renewable energy and energy efficiency.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CCPI REPORT

• CCPI Rankings Overview:
  • The CCPI assesses the climate performance of over 60 countries, accounting for 90% of global emissions.
  • India ranked 10th, maintaining its position as a high performer in climate action.
  • Denmark topped the rankings, but the first three positions were left empty, as no country performed well enough across all categories to achieve a “very high” rating.
  • The Netherlands and the United Kingdom (U.K.) followed Denmark in the top five, with the U.K. making significant strides due to its coal phase-out and renewable energy expansion.
  • China, the world’s largest emitter, ranked 55th, and the United States, the second-largest emitter, was placed 57th, both scoring poorly due to their heavy reliance on coal and lack of ambitious climate targets.
• India’s Performance:
  • India’s rank dropped by two positions compared to the previous year, but the country still remains a strong performer due to its low per capita emissions and focus on renewable energy
  • Per capita emissions in India stand at 2.9 tons of CO2 equivalent (tCO2 e), well below the global average of 6.6 tCO2 e.
  • India, being the world’s third-largest greenhouse gas emitter, has set an ambitious goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070 and to install 500 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2030.
• Progress in Renewable Energy and Climate Policy:
  • India has made substantial progress in its renewable energy sector, with large-scale solar projects and initiatives like the Rooftop Solar Scheme gaining momentum.
  • Energy efficiency standards have been introduced, although the report notes that the coverage of these standards is still insufficient.
  • India has also made strides in the electric vehicle (EV) sector, particularly with two-wheelers, which are gaining popularity as a cleaner transportation option.
• Challenges Faced by India:
  • Despite progress in renewables and energy efficiency, India remains heavily dependent on coal for its energy needs.
  • The country is one of the largest coal producers in the world and continues to expand its coal production.
  • The report notes that India’s growth-oriented climate approach is likely to continue due to the rising energy demand driven by industrial growth and a growing population.
• Global Climate Performance:
  • Denmark (ranked 4th) emerged as the leading performer, with a robust climate policy focused on sustainable energy, carbon reduction, and green technologies.
  • The Netherlands ranked 5th, benefiting from its comprehensive approach to climate policy, energy transition, and climate targets.
  • The U.K. made significant improvements, moving up in the rankings due to its coal phase-out and the government’s pledge to stop new fossil fuel licenses.
• Worst Performers:
  • The four lowest-ranked countries in the CCPI are Iran (67th), Saudi Arabia (66th), United Arab Emirates (65th), and Russia (64th).
  • These countries, major oil and gas producers, have made little progress in transitioning to cleaner energy and have failed to set ambitious climate goals.
• Global Trends and Regional Observations:
  • China and the U.S., despite making some progress in climate policy, remain among the lowest performers due to their dependence on fossil fuels, particularly coal.
  • Both countries have ambitious plans but are struggling to implement significant climate actions at the required scale.
  • The global average for emissions per capita is much higher than India’s, with the country continuing to lead in terms of low carbon emissions relative to its population size.
• Future Outlook for India’s Climate Efforts:
  • India’s commitment to tackling climate change will continue to evolve, with an emphasis on sustainable development, renewable energy expansion, and energy efficiency.
  • However, given its economic growth trajectory and energy demand, India’s climate policies will need to balance development and environmental sustainability in the coming years.
  • India’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2070 and 500 GW renewable capacity by 2030 signals a long-term vision, though challenges such as coal reliance and rising emissions from energy use remain pressing issues.

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