DELAYED, NOT DERAILED

India's delayed NDC update reflects its balance between climate goals, economic needs, and funding challenges

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India missed the 10th Feb '25 deadline for submitting its updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. These commitments, outlining India's climate action plans for the 2031-2035 period, are delayed due to unfinished studies on emission pathways and roadmaps. India is now expected to submit its revised targets closer to COP30 in Brazil later this year, although it is not alone in doing so.

While nations were required to update their NDCs every five years, major economies such as China and the European Union failed to meet the deadline. Only a handful of countries, including Brazil, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and the UAE, have submitted their updated commitments. The United Nations climate chief has urged governments to finalize their revised plans by September '25 to incorporate them into the upcoming global stocktake on climate progress.

As the world's third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, India's climate commitments are decisive for global efforts to limit temperature rise. However, the country faces significant financial and technological constraints in accelerating its green transition.

India has repeatedly emphasized that developed nations must fulfill their climate finance pledges - particularly the promised $100 billion per year in global climate funding - to support developing economies in meeting their targets. The shortfall in international climate finance is likely influencing India's cautious approach to setting new targets.

India's climate strategy is shaped by key considerations, balancing sustainability with economic realities. Resource constraints and climate finance play an important role, with India consistently calling for more substantial financial and technological support from developed nations. The lack of adequate international funding may result in more pragmatic, self-reliant targets rather than overly ambitious goals.