“India Drops Two Ranks but Remains in Top 10 for Climate Performance”
The Climate Change Performance Index report leaves the first three places empty followed by Denmark and the Netherlands while the largest two emitters, China and the U.S., remain very low at 55th and 57th place, respectively
Despite falling two points from the previous year, India’s quick deployment of renewable energy sources and low per capita emissions helped it rank 10th out of 60 countries evaluated for their efforts to combat climate change, according to a report released on Wednesday, November 20, 2024.
The Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI 2025) report, presented at the annual UN climate conference in Baku, shows that the top two emitters, China and the United States, remain extremely low at 55th and 57th place, respectively. The top three spots are vacant, followed by Denmark in fourth place and the Netherlands.
The think tanks Germanwatch, New Climate Institute, and Climate Action Network International publish the CCPI, which monitors the emissions, renewable energy, and climate policy advancements of the world’s biggest polluters.
90% of world emissions are caused by the 63 nations and the European Union that are included in the CCPI.
India is still one of the top achievers, coming in at number ten in this year’s CCPI.
The CCPI research stated that the growth-oriented approach to climate action is likely to continue or accelerate, driven by rising energy demand from industry and the expanding population, and noted that major changes in India’s climate policy seem unlikely.
“India’s Progress in Renewable Energy and Emissions Targets Amid Coal Reliance”
India is the most populous country in the world, but its energy consumption and emissions per person are very low. Over the past ten years, renewable energy has grown significantly, and India hopes to take the lead in green energy globally, according to international climate think tanks.
India emits 2.9 tons of CO2 equivalent (tCO2e) per person, which is significantly less than the global average of 6.6 tCO2e. According to government data, India, the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world and the major economy with the highest rate of growth, has committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2070 (balancing emissions and removals) and 500 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2030.
India has made significant strides in renewable energy policy in the last year, according to CCPI experts, especially with the introduction of the Rooftop Solar Scheme and large-scale solar power projects.
India has made significant strides in renewable energy policy in the last year, according to CCPI experts, especially with the introduction of the Rooftop Solar Scheme and large-scale solar power projects.
The experts said that despite these positive developments, India remains heavily reliant on coal.
The research stated that India is one of the ten nations with the most developed coal deposits and that it now plans to boost its output.
Since no nation did well enough in all index categories to receive an overall “very high” rating, the study leaves the top three spots unfilled.
The only two G20 nations with strong CCPI performance are India and the United Kingdom.
“CCPI 2025: Global Climate Rankings Highlight Major Emitter Struggles and Success Stories”
One of this year’s major losers, Argentina (59th), withdrew from COP29 and may exit the 2015 Paris Agreement. Contrary to the consensus of scientists, its recently elected president rejects the idea that human activity causes climate change.
Denmark is ranked first (though technically fourth), followed by the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. According to the report, the United Kingdom, this year’s great climber, benefited from its phase-out of coal and the government’s promise to stop awarding new licenses for fossil fuel projects.
The largest emitter in the world, China, drops to a very low ranking of 55th. The largest economy in Asia is still largely dependent on coal and does not have enough climate targets, despite encouraging plans, trends, and actions.
Among the very low performances, the United States, the second-largest emitter, is still ranked 57th.
Iran (67th), Saudi Arabia (66th), the United Arab Emirates (65th), and Russia (64th) rank as the four lowest nations in the CCPI. All four are major producers of gas and oil worldwide.
