Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asserted that developing nations are often wrongly blamed for carbon emissions, while highlighting India's achievements in meeting climate commitments. Speaking on Saturday at the inauguration of an international conference on climate dynamics in New Delhi, Modi emphasized that India has fulfilled all its pledges from the 2015 Paris climate summit ahead of schedule.
The event, organized by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) at Vigyan Bhawan, brought together experts from 17 countries, including representatives from the United Nations Environment Programme and the Asian Development Bank. The conference aims to identify gaps in environmental policymaking and strengthen institutional cooperation.
Addressing the gathering, Modi stated, "We all know that often the responsibility for carbon emissions has been wrongly placed on developing countries." He pointed out that India's per capita carbon emissions are less than half the global average, while developed nations' emissions are six times higher.
Modi highlighted India's progress in renewable energy, noting a significant increase in solar capacity from about 2 gigawatts to over 160 gigawatts in 12 years. He also mentioned that non-fossil fuel capacity has nearly quadrupled during this period. However, he expressed frustration over obstacles to advancing nuclear energy projects, suggesting that legal challenges often hinder progress.
The SHANTI Act, enacted in December 2025, aims to facilitate private sector participation in nuclear energy. This legislative move is part of India's broader strategy to diversify its energy sources and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
Independent assessments partially support Modi's claims regarding India's climate goals. The country's first Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) included three quantitative targets. India met its emissions-intensity and non-fossil capacity goals several years early, with non-fossil capacity reaching 52.57% of the total by February 2026. However, the target of creating an additional carbon sink of 2.5-3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent by 2030 through afforestation is still underway. As of April 2026, India reported an additional sink of 2.29 billion tonnes between 2005 and 2021, indicating progress towards the goal.
Globally, the UNEP estimates that even if all countries fully implement their NDCs, warming this century would be between 2.3 and 2.5 degrees Celsius, falling short of the Paris Agreement's aim to keep warming well below 2 degrees Celsius. The UNEP's recent report, released on September 2, suggests that global warming is likely to exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius in the coming years, with the best-case scenario peaking at 1.8 degrees Celsius.
Modi's remarks come in the wake of a devastating flash flood in Nepal on August 26, caused by a glacier collapse, which resulted in over 1,300 deaths. In response to the disaster, Nepal's Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal called for major emitters, including India, to take responsibility for compensating vulnerable nations, framing it as a matter of historical responsibility rather than charity. However, he clarified that Nepal had not formally requested compensation from any country, instead urging the global community to address such disasters through a climate lens.
Nepal has since approached the United Nations Loss and Damage Fund for assistance, highlighting the urgent need for international cooperation in addressing the impacts of climate change.
