India Amongst Top Five Best Performing Nations on Climate Change

Based on its climate change performance, India has been ranked among the top five countries worldwide, and the best among the G20 countries. According to the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI, 2023) published by German Watch, New Climate Institute, and Climate Action Network International in Germany, India has risen two places to 8^th place.

Denmark, Sweden, Chile, and Morocco are the only four small countries ranked above India in the most recent CCPI report, which was released at COP 27 in November 2022. No country received first, second, or third place. As a result, India's ranking is the highest among all large economies.

The Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI), published annually since 2005, is an independent monitoring tool for tracking the climate protection performance of 59 countries and the EU. Every year, the CCPI sparks heated public and political debates in the countries under consideration.

The climate protection performance of these 59 countries, which account for 92% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, is evaluated in four categories: GHG Emissions (40% of total score), Renewable Energy (20% of total score), Energy Use (20% of total score), and Climate Policy (20% of total score).

India received a high rating for GHG Emissions and Energy Use, and a medium rating for Climate Policy and Renewable Energy. India's aggressive policies for rapid renewables deployment and a robust framework for energy efficiency programmes have had a significant impact. According to the CCPI report, India is on track to meet its 2030 emissions targets (which are consistent with a well-below-2°C scenario).

According to the CCPI ranking, India is the only G-20 country in the top ten. It should be noted that India will now assume the G-20 Presidency, which will be an excellent opportunity to demonstrate to the world its climate mitigation policies, such as deploying renewable energy sources and other energy transition programs.

Union Minister for Power, New and Renewable Energy, R. K. Singh, stated that India's CCPI ranking demonstrates Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership in addressing global climate change despite pandemics and challenging economics.

The top five ranking in the world reflects that India is implementing energy transition programmes such as renewable capacity installation much faster than the rest of the world. He also cited several demand-side flagship programmes, including UJALA, the PAT Scheme, and the Standards and Labelling Programme, as having significantly contributed to this notable achievement.