India achieves remarkable growth in renewable energy capacity, surpasses 209 GW in 2024

In 2020, India made remarkable progress towards climate resilience by successfully reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 7.93% compared to the previous year, 2019. As part of its commitment to combating climate change, the country submitted its 4th Biennial Update Report (BUR-4) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), showcasing its strides toward achieving its sustainability goals. India's total emissions, excluding Land Use, Land-Use Change, and Forestry (LULUCF), were documented at 2,959 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Including LULUCF, net emissions were reported at 2,437 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, which reflects significant mitigation efforts undertaken by the government and other stakeholders. The energy sector emerged as the largest contributor to the country's emissions, accounting for over 75% of the total. However, India’s forest lands played an essential role in sequestering around 522 million tonnes of CO2, contributing to a 22% reduction of overall emissions. India’s commitment to sustainable development aligns with its pledge made during the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP26) in 2021, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured the world of India’s action plan to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070. He emphasized that this initiative is inspired by the principles of Mahatma Gandhi, advocating for a Green Future as part of India’s broader global climate action strategy. Meanwhile, the growth in renewable energy capacity has also been a significant aspect of India's environmental efforts. As of December 2024, India's renewable energy sector has reached a total installed capacity of 209.44 gigawatts (GW), demonstrating a robust 15.84% increase from the previous year and a resolute endeavor to transition to cleaner energy sources. This expansion is indicative of the government's long-term commitment to clean energy transition and addressing climate challenges while enhancing energy security. Solar energy has become a pivotal element in this transition, now comprising a substantial percentage of the renewable energy mix.