India, with its large and diverse economy, has emerged as a crucial player in the global sustainability movement. India faces significant sustainability challenges with a population exceeding 1.4 billion, rapid industrialisation, and a growing middle class. However, it also holds enormous potential to drive change through innovative solutions, policy interventions, and by setting ambitious sustainability goals. This article explores India's role in sustainability, examining its contributions, challenges, and the path forward.
India's rapidly expanding population and economy have placed considerable pressure on its natural resources. The country faces several environmental challenges from urban air pollution to water scarcity. According to a report from the World Bank, India is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change, with its economy heavily dependent on agriculture and natural resources. Nearly 60% of India's population depends on agriculture, making the sector highly susceptible to shifting weather patterns.
Despite these challenges, India has taken significant strides towards achieving sustainability, acknowledging that economic growth and environmental protection are not mutually exclusive but can be achieved together through innovative solutions.
India has made ambitious commitments under the Paris Climate Agreement to reduce its carbon intensity by 33-35% by 2030, compared to 2005. Furthermore, India has pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070. This commitment places India among the key global players in the fight against climate change. The nation has also set a target to increase its renewable energy capacity to 500 GW by 2030, aiming for 50% of its energy needs to come from non-fossil fuel sources by the same year.
India's total renewable energy capacity reached 156.1 GW as of 2023, more than 10 times the capacity in 2014.
India is also the 3rd largest emitter of greenhouse gases globally, contributing approximately 7% of global emissions. However, it’s important to note that India’s per capita emissions are significantly lower compared to developed nations.
India's solar energy capacity reached 49.8 GW by 2022, with a target to achieve 100 GW by 2023.
India's renewable energy sector has grown rapidly, positioning the country among the top five globally in installed capacity, particularly in solar and wind energy. The Bhadla Solar Park in Rajasthan, the world’s largest, generates 2,245 MW of power. Through the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), India promotes renewable energy, with the National Solar Mission targeting 100 GW of solar energy by 2022. The government also supports solar rooftop installations with incentives for businesses and households.
India is facing an alarming water crisis, one that threatens not only the immediate future but also the long-term sustainability of its population and economy. 21 major cities, including key metropolitan centres like Delhi, Bengaluru, and Chennai, were at risk of exhausting their groundwater reserves by 2020.
India has launched initiatives like the National Water Mission and Jal Jeevan Mission to ensure safe drinking water for all households by 2024. Additionally, the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) aims to expand irrigation across millions of acres, promoting water-efficient agriculture and enhancing food security.
Over 60 million hectares of land in India are now irrigated through modern techniques, suchas micro-irrigation, thanks to government initiatives.
India’s waste management system has faced immense challenges due to rapid urbanisation and insufficient infrastructure. However, the country is increasingly adopting a circular economy model, where waste is minimised, and products are reused, refurbished, and recycled. The Swachh Bharat Mission, launched in 2014, is one of the most ambitious cleanliness campaigns globally, aiming to eliminate open defecation, improve waste management, and promote cleanliness across urban and rural India.
India has also made strides in improving waste management practices in the industrial sector, especially with electronic waste (e-waste). The government’s E-Waste Management Rules encourage the responsible recycling and disposal of electronic products. Additionally, companies like TerraCycle India are leading the way in promoting zero-waste solutions by recycling difficult-to-process products like packaging and electronics.
India’s waste-to-energy potential is also expected to generate 500 MW of power by 2025 from municipal solid waste.
Government policies have been central to driving India’s sustainability agenda. Through tax incentives, subsidies for green technologies, and international collaboration, India fosters an ecosystem conducive to sustainable growth. India actively participates in international environmental accords, such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Convention on Biological Diversity.
India’s leadership in sustainability is evident through initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance (ISA), which India co-founded to promote solar energy in tropical and subtropical regions. India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has highlighted sustainability as a key element of India's future growth, emphasising the importance of balancing development with environmental responsibility.
India stands at a crossroads in its sustainability journey. As the world's largest democracy and one of its fastest-growing economies, India has the potential to drive global change. Through innovative solutions in renewable energy, water management, sustainable agriculture, and waste management, the country is proving that economic growth and environmental preservation can go hand in hand.
While challenges remain, particularly in the areas of resource management and pollution control, India’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its policies, technological advancements, and community-driven initiatives.
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