India Ranks 10th in Climate Change Performance Index 2025, Highlighting Progress and Challenges
India has secured the 10th position in the prestigious Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2025, which evaluates the climate action efforts of over 60 countries. While this marks a slight decline of two positions from last year, India’s performance continues to stand out, with particular praise for its low per capita emissions and notable advancements in renewable energy adoption.
Key Insights from the 2025 Report
The CCPI 2025 underscores both India’s progress and ongoing challenges in addressing climate change. While India holds a commendable position in the rankings, the report highlights areas where further action is needed to solidify its standing in the global climate community.
Vacant Top Spots:
The report also revealed that the top three positions were left vacant, as no country achieved a “very high” rating across all categories. This emphasizes the difficulty countries face in meeting ambitious climate goals. Denmark, which ranked fourth, emerged as a global leader, followed by the Netherlands and the UK in subsequent spots.
Challenges for Major Emitters:
The world’s largest emitters, China and the US, continue to struggle with coal dependency and insufficient climate policies. China, ranked 55th, and the US, ranked 57th, are far behind in implementing aggressive strategies for renewable energy adoption and reducing their carbon footprints. Their performance highlights the stark contrast in global climate action efforts, with nations like India, despite its heavy reliance on coal, moving forward with promising initiatives in clean energy.
India’s Strengths: A Model for Low Emissions and Renewable Energy
India’s performance in the CCPI has been lauded for its low per capita emissions, which are considerably lower than the global average. At just 2.9 tons of CO2 equivalent per capita, India’s emissions are significantly below the global average of 6.6 tCO2e. This reflects the country’s ongoing efforts to mitigate climate change while fostering socio-economic growth.
Renewable Energy Achievements:
One of India’s major strengths, according to the CCPI report, is its impressive strides in renewable energy development. The country has made significant investments in solar power, with large-scale solar parks and initiatives like the Rooftop Solar Scheme. India has set an ambitious target of achieving 500 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2030. This shift towards renewable sources is expected to help reduce the country’s carbon intensity and provide a cleaner energy future.
Despite being the most populous country globally, India’s energy consumption and overall emissions remain relatively low compared to other major economies. This helps explain its high ranking in the CCPI, where it is seen as a positive example of balancing development with environmental stewardship.
Areas for Improvement: Coal Dependency and Policy Gaps
While India is making significant progress in renewable energy, it faces considerable challenges due to its heavy reliance on coal. As one of the world’s largest coal producers, India continues to ramp up its coal production to meet the growing energy needs of its burgeoning population and industrial sectors. This dependence on coal remains a significant hurdle in achieving its climate goals, as coal is one of the most carbon-intensive energy sources.
Experts have pointed out that while India’s renewable energy sector is expanding rapidly, its climate policies may not undergo significant shifts in the near future due to the country’s economic priorities. Industrial growth, poverty alleviation, and energy access for all are crucial issues that demand attention, which could potentially delay the aggressive adoption of climate policies that could undermine coal dependence in the short term.
Global Overview and India’s Role in the G20
The CCPI 2025 assessed 63 countries, along with the European Union, which together account for 90% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Notably, India and the UK were the only two G20 nations to achieve “high performer” status in the rankings, showcasing their leadership in climate change mitigation among major economies.
Countries like Denmark, the Netherlands, and the UK earned top spots due to their proactive efforts in phasing out coal and advancing renewable energy infrastructure. These nations have implemented comprehensive policies to transition towards a clean energy future, including incentives for clean technology, investment in renewables, and robust emissions reduction targets.
In contrast, major oil and gas-dependent nations such as Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Russia performed poorly in the rankings, languishing at the bottom due to their lack of substantial efforts to reduce fossil fuel reliance.
Looking Ahead: India’s Future Climate Policy Path
The CCPI 2025 reinforces the need for countries worldwide to intensify their climate action efforts. India’s position in the rankings highlights the progress the country has made, but also underscores the need for continued policy advancements. As the country’s climate action journey unfolds, it will be crucial to balance rapid industrial growth with deeper commitments to sustainability.
India’s future climate policies will need to address its coal dependency while continuing to scale up renewable energy infrastructure. The country’s global standing in the CCPI suggests that while it has made commendable progress, further action is needed to ensure it remains on track to meet its long-term climate goals.
The future implications for India’s role in global climate leadership are significant. As the country grows economically and strengthens its international alliances, its climate policies will play a crucial role in shaping the global response to climate change. How India navigates its energy transition, and whether it can push beyond coal reliance, will be pivotal in determining its position as a climate leader in the decades ahead.
