India reduced its GHG emissions by 7.93% in 2020, demonstrating its climate commitment. The report to the UNFCCC highlights reduced emission intensity of GDP and calls for international cooperation and equity in climate action. Minister Yadav advocates for adaptation finance and sets a vision for net-zero emissions by 2070.
In 2020, India achieved a notable reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 7.93%, demonstrating its commitment to climate action. This significant achievement was announced by Bhupender Yadav, Union Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, during the inaugural address at the World Sustainable Development Summit 2025. Present at the event were notable officials, including Brigadier Mark Phillip, Prime Minister of Guyana, and Marina Silva, Brazil’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change.
India’s fourth biennial report to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) revealed that GHG emissions decreased by 7.93% compared to 2019, while showing a 98.34% increase since 1994. The report highlighted India’s successful efforts to decouple economic growth from emissions, achieving a 36% reduction in the emission intensity of GDP between 2005 and 2020.
Experts suggest that the reduction in GHG emissions may partially stem from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, which severely affected India’s economy and population. The Indian economy contracted by 7.7% during 2020-21 as the government implemented various measures to mitigate the pandemic’s adverse effects and promote economic recovery.
Minister Yadav asserted India’s role as a global climate leader, emphasizing that climate action should be inclusive, ambitious, and collaborative. He pointed out the essential role of the Global South in climate discourse, as these nations are both significantly impacted by climate change and have potential solutions rooted in sustainable development practices. Yadav urged developed nations to fulfill their financial and technological commitments, particularly under the Paris Agreement, to bolster international cooperation in enhancing Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
He called for increased climate adaptation finance to support vulnerable regions in implementing solutions that enhance resilience and safeguard livelihoods. Furthermore, Yadav outlined India’s long-term vision for becoming a developed nation by 2047, targeting net-zero emissions by 2070. He stressed the need for equitable and just reform in global governance to address climate change effectively, asserting that the fight against climate change must be cohesive and unified for maximum impact.
In conclusion, India’s reduction of GHG emissions by 7.93% in 2020 underscores its commitment to climate action amidst global challenges. The recent report to the UNFCCC illustrates India’s ability to decouple economic growth from emissions. The Minister’s call for increased international cooperation, equitable governance, and enhanced adaptation finance emphasizes the need for collective global efforts in the fight against climate change.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
