The Climate Action Network South Asia acknowledges India’s INDC but hopes for more: “India has a unique opportunity to lead by example and increase its ambition to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.”
The sum total of voluntary emission reduction targets or Intended Nationally Determined Contributions announced by over 150 countries so far are clearly insufficient to avert the 2 degrees tipping point. India’s current INDCs together with its renewable energy goals demonstrate its willingness to work towards a strong international climate agreement. India has a unique opportunity to lead by example and increase its ambition to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. The cost of renewable energy is declining and to be able to take advantage of it in near future requires India to invest in a smart grid and to avoid locking into a fossil fuel-based energy system. The negotiations in Paris provide a window of opportunity to enlist international support for the creation of this infrastructure.