India Remains Among Top 10 Climate Performers: Report

Baku: India ranked 10th on a list of over 60 countries assessed for efforts to fight climate change despite dropping two spots compared to last ago, thanks to its low per capita emissions and rapid deployment of renewables, a report said on Wednesday.

Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI 2025) report, released at annual UN climate conference, leaves first three places empty followed by Denmark (fourth place) and Nerlands while largest two emitters, China and US, remain very low at 55th and 57th place, respectively.

Published by think tanks Germanwatch, New Climate Institute, and Climate Action Network International, CCPI tracks progress of world’s largest emitters in terms of emissions, renewables, and climate policy.

63 countries, along with European Union, assessed in CCPI are responsible for 90 per cent of global emissions.

India ranks 10th in this year’s CCPI, remaining among highest performers.

However, noting that significant changes in India's climate policy are unlikely, CCPI report said growth-oriented approach to climate action is expected to continue or intensify, driven by rising energy demand from industry and growing population.

"While India is world’s most populous country, it has relatively low per capita emissions and energy use. Renewables have expanded rapidly over last dece, and India aspires to play a leing role in green energy on global stage,” international climate think tanks observed.

India's per capita emissions stand at 2.9 tons of CO2 equivalent (tCO2e), far below global average of 6.6 tCO2e. country, world’s third-largest greenhouse gas emitter and fastest growing major economy, has pledged to reach net zero emissions (balancing emissions with removals) by 2070 and aims to achieve 500 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2030, Indian official data shows.

According to CCPI experts, over past year, India has me considerable progress in renewable energy policy, particularly with large-scale solar power projects and launch of Rooftop Solar Scheme.

Energy efficiency standards have been introduced, but ir coverage remains inequate, report said, ding, India is also vancing in electric vehicle deployment, especially with two-wheelers.

experts said that despite se positive developments, India remains heavily reliant on coal.

"India is among 10 countries with largest developed coal reserves and is currently planning to increase its production," report said.

report leaves first three places empty, as no country performed well enough across all index categories to achieve an overall “very high” rating.

India and UK are only two G20 countries among high performers in CCPI.

Argentina (59th), which withdrew from COP29 and may pull out of Paris Agreement of 2015, is one of this year’s biggest losers. Its newly elected president denies human-me climate change, contrary to scientific consensus.

Denmark ranks at top (but technically fourth place), followed by Nerlands and UK. UK, this year’s big climber, benefitted from its coal phase out and government’s pledge to halt new licenses for fossil fuel projects, report said.

China, world’s biggest emitter, ranks 55th, falling to a very low level. Despite promising plans, trends, and measures, largest economy in Asia remains heavily dependent on coal and lacks sufficient climate targets.

US, second-largest emitter, remains in 57th place among very low performers.

four lowest-ranked countries in CCPI are Iran (67th), Saudi Arabia (66th), United Arab Emirates (65th), and Russia (64th), all four among world’s largest oil and gas producers.