Climate Contradiction

India's climate trajectory, on this Earth Day, reveals an increasingly uncomfortable truth—its twin identities as a vocal global advocate for sustainability and one of the world's largest coal consumers continue to collide.

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Even as the government reiterates its commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070 and installing 500 GW of non-fossil energy capacity by 2030, domestic coal production and usage are hitting record highs. In 2024, coal-fired power plants accounted for over 70% of India's electricity generation, and the government has approved new coal mine auctions and thermal power expansions to meet the energy demand surge. This aggressive return to coal comes at a time when India has also been hailed internationally for its leadership in climate diplomacy through initiatives like the International Solar Alliance and the LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) mission. The paradox is hard to miss—while India seeks to transition to a clean energy future, the road it continues to walk on is paved with coal. What explains this dissonance, and can it be reconciled without compromising either development goals or environmental obligations?