India’s renewable energy ambitions are among the most aggressive in the world, but the country must move faster to align with global climate targets, according to Helen Clarkson, CEO of the international non-profit Climate Group.
Speaking to PTI, Clarkson praised India’s National Solar Mission and its goal of 500 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy capacity by 2030 as “highly ambitious.” However, she emphasized the need for greater urgency, urging India to move its net-zero target forward from 2070 to align with global commitments.
India’s Progress in Renewable Energy
India, the world’s third-largest greenhouse gas emitter, has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070, a timeline that has drawn criticism for being too slow. Clarkson noted that India’s economic growth no longer depends on fossil fuels, with solar energy emerging as a game-changer.
“What has changed in India in the last few years is a better understanding that economic growth does not have to be high carbon. The solar mission has been very successful, and this demonstrates that economic and climate goals can be pursued together,” Clarkson said.
She pointed out that while solar energy is the cheapest form of energy in history, its cost benefits have not yet fully reached consumers and businesses.
The Need for More Ambitious Targets
While praising India’s progress, Clarkson argued that more ambition is required. She called on India to advance its net-zero target from 2070 and align with countries that have set earlier deadlines.
“We would like to see more ambition from India. It has its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), but net zero by 2070 is too distant. We would like to see that come forward and align with other countries,” she said.
Countries are expected to submit their next round of NDCs for 2031-2035 this year as part of the Paris Agreement’s collective goal to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Climate Finance and Fossil Fuel Misinformation
The Climate Group CEO strongly criticized the lack of financial support for developing nations in their transition to clean energy. The UN climate summit in Baku last year was expected to deliver a robust climate finance package, but developed nations offered only $300 billion by 2035, far short of the $1.3 trillion required annually from 2025.
India had rejected the outcome, calling it “too little, too distant” and an “optical illusion.”
“We have got to get that money moving, and it has to be much, much more. Finance, finance, finance—that is a really, really big issue,” Clarkson stressed.
She also blamed fossil fuel companies for funding misinformation campaigns to delay climate action.
“There is a lot of money still to be made from fossil fuels, and some of it has been used for high-financed misinformation campaigns,” she said.
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India’s Leadership in the Global Clean Energy Transition
Despite these challenges, Clarkson acknowledged that India is playing an increasingly influential role in the global clean energy shift.
With the government targeting $500 billion in electronics manufacturing, India is also ramping up green technology investments. The rise of solar and wind energy, paired with strong policy backing, positions India as a key player in climate action.
However, the Climate Group CEO emphasized that while India has made significant strides, more must be done. Moving faster towards net-zero, ensuring climate finance accessibility, and countering fossil fuel misinformation will be crucial in shaping India’s clean energy future.
(This news was first reported by PTI)
