India has always held nature in high regard. As the Atharva Veda says, “The Earth is our mother, and we are her children.” Over the past 11 years, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this timeless wisdom has been transformed into impactful environmental action. India has shifted from being a passive participant in global climate dialogue to becoming a proactive leader. Through well-defined policies, community involvement, and an aggressive push for clean energy, India is paving the way for a healthier and greener future.
India: A Global Climate Leader
In 2014, India entered climate discussions cautiously. Today, it champions climate justice and equity on the world stage.
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COP21 Paris: India pledged to achieve 40% of its power capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030—achieved in 2021.
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COP26 Glasgow: PM Modi introduced LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) and the Panchamrit — five targets for climate action.
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COP29 Baku (2024): India showcased progress on disaster resilience, solar energy, and women-led climate action, with global partners like Sweden, ISA, and NRDC.
Renewable Energy Revolution
India recorded its highest-ever clean energy capacity addition in FY 2024–25.
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Renewables Capacity: Added 29.52 GW in FY25, taking total capacity to 220.10 GW.
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Solar Power: Increased from 2.82 GW in 2014 to 71.78 GW in 2025—a 25.46x jump. Solar tariffs fell from ₹6.17/kWh to ₹2.15/kWh.
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Wind Energy: Capacity rose to 50.04 GW in 2025; target is 140 GW by 2030.
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Nuclear Power: Grew from 4.78 GW in 2014 to 8.78 GW in 2025. Target: 100 GW by 2047.
India now ranks 7th in the Renewable Energy Country Attractiveness Index.
Flagship Initiatives for a Green Future
1. International Solar Alliance (ISA)
Founded at COP21 by India and France, it now has 105 member countries and aims to mobilize $1 trillion in solar investments by 2030.
2. National Green Hydrogen Mission
Launched in 2023 to make India a global green hydrogen hub:
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Target: 5 MMT/year by 2030
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Investment: ₹8 lakh crore
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Jobs: 6 lakh
3. PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSGMBY)
Launched in Feb 2024, aims to bring rooftop solar to millions of homes.
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11.88 lakh homes solarized by April 2025
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Each district to get a model solar village
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₹800 crore allocated
4. PM-KUSUM Scheme
Started in 2019 to solarize agriculture:
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Targets 49 lakh pumps
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Offers 30–50% subsidy on solar pumps
5. UJALA Scheme
Launched in 2015 to promote energy efficiency:
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36.87 crore LED bulbs distributed by Jan 2025
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Huge drop in power consumption across households
Conservation and Wildlife Protection
Biodiversity
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India covers just 2.4% of global land but is home to 7–8% of species.
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Forest cover rose from 698,712 km² in 2013 to 715,343 km² in 2023.
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Tiger population doubled to 3,682 — 75% of the world’s wild tigers now live in India.
Key Wildlife Projects
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Project Cheetah: First cheetah cubs born in India in 70 years (2024), after introduction from Namibia.
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Project Lion: ₹155 crore invested for Asiatic lion conservation; population rose from 411 (2010) to 674 (2020).
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Blue Flag Beaches: 13 beaches in India certified for eco-friendly tourism.
Carbon Neutrality
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Palli, J&K became India’s first carbon-neutral panchayat in 2023.
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Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign planted 142 crore trees as of June 2025.
Ramsar Wetlands
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India now has 85 Ramsar sites, with 59 added between 2014 and 2024.
Namami Gange Mission: Restoring the Holy Ganga
Launched in 2014, the Namami Gange Mission aims to rejuvenate the Ganga River:
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Emphasis on sewage treatment, riverbank cleaning, and public involvement
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PM Modi calls it his “destiny to serve Maa Ganga”
Waste Management & Clean Villages
Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban & Rural)
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Urban: ₹1.41 lakh crore budget for SBM-U 2.0 (2021–26)
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Rural: 12 crore toilets built; ODF (Open Defecation Free) status achieved
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GOBARdhan Scheme
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Converts cattle dung/agri waste into biogas
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₹10,000 crore investment for 500 plants
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198 plants completed in FY 2023–24; 556 under construction
Disaster Resilience
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₹46,000 crore allocated for disaster readiness
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₹5,000 crore NDRF funding for modern fire services
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16 NDRF battalions active
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Dial 112 emergency response system implemented
Sustainable Infrastructure for Tourism
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Kedarnath Ropeway: Travel time reduced from 8–9 hours to 36 minutes
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Hemkund Sahib Ropeway: Provides eco-friendly access to Himalayan pilgrimage site
