India has slipped 13 places to 23rd position in the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2026, marking its sharpest decline in recent years. The ranking reflects persistent dependence on coal, rising greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and weak carbon-pricing signals, despite India’s strong progress in renewable energy capacities.
What Is the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI)?
The CCPI 2026, released at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, evaluates the climate mitigation progress of 63 countries plus the European Union, collectively responsible for over 90% of global GHG emissions.
Assessment Indicators (4 Pillars)
- GHG Emissions
- Renewable Energy
- Energy Use
- Climate Policy
As in previous years, the top three positions remain empty, as no country is on track to meet the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C target.
India’s CCPI 2026 Ranking and Score
India’s Overall Position: 23rd (Score: 61.31)
India has moved from the “high performance” to the “medium performance” category.
Category-Wise Ratings
- GHG Emissions — Medium
- Energy Use — Medium
- Climate Policy — Medium
- Renewable Energy — Low
The index also flags India as one of the largest producers of coal, oil and gas, underscoring a mismatch between development needs and climate commitments.
Renewable Energy Growth vs. Coal Dependence
India has made notable strides in clean energy:
Progress Achieved
- Over 50% of India’s installed power capacity now comes from non-fossil sources — achieved ahead of the 2030 target.
- Renewables constitute roughly 14% of the national energy mix.
- Rapid expansion of solar power, including rooftop systems.
Key Concerns
Despite the growth, coal remains central to India’s energy architecture:
- No official coal exit date.
- Continued auctioning of coal blocks.
- Plans to increase coal production to meet industrial demand and ensure energy security.
This dual-track approach explains India’s sharp fall in the 2026 index.
Exam-Oriented Facts
- India ranks 23rd in the CCPI 2026, down 13 places from last year.
- CCPI evaluates 63 countries + European Union on emissions, renewables, energy use and policy.
- Denmark (4th), UK (5th), Morocco (6th) lead the index; top 3 ranks remain unfilled.
- India achieved 50% non-fossil installed power capacity before the 2030 deadline.
Key Concerns and Recommendations for India
Experts emphasise that India must adopt clearer, time-bound climate goals. Major recommendations include:
Priority Areas
- Announce a no-new-coal commitment and define a peak coal year.
- Create a coal phase-out roadmap aligned with global 1.5°C scenarios.
- Establish sector-wise and state-level decarbonisation targets for 2035 and 2040.
- Strengthen the carbon pricing mechanism and reduce fossil-fuel subsidies.
- Improve social and environmental safeguards for renewable mega-projects.
- Ensure a just transition for workers, forest communities, women and vulnerable groups.
India’s challenge remains balancing developmental priorities with climate responsibility
FAQs
India’s fall is mainly attributed to high coal dependence, rising GHG emissions and insufficient policy signals for clean energy transition, despite commendable progress in renewable installations.
No country ranks first, second or third — these positions remain vacant because no nation is performing well enough to align with the 1.5°C climate target.
India performs best in GHG emissions trends, where it still holds a “medium” rating. Its weakest area is renewable energy, where the score remains “low.”
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