India Slips 13 Places in the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2026

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Overview of the CCPI 2026

The Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2026 has been released on the sidelines of the UN Climate Conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil.
The index evaluates the climate mitigation performance of 63 countries + the European Union, together responsible for over 90% of global GHG emissions.
Countries are assessed across four categories:
1. Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions
2. Renewable Energy
3. Energy Use
4. Climate Policy

The top three ranks remain unoccupied, as no country is on track to meet global climate targets.
Denmark (4th), UK (5th), Morocco (6th) are the top-performing countries.

India has dropped 13 positions, ranking 23^rd in CCPI 2026—its steepest fall in recent years.
India’s overall score is 61.31, placing the country in the “medium performance” category.
India receives a medium rating in GHG emissions, energy use, and climate policy categories.
India receives a low rating in the renewable energy category.
India is listed among the world’s largest producers of coal, oil, and gas, highlighting a conflict between its development needs and climate goals.

India has made significant progress in renewable energy expansion.
Non-fossil sources now constitute more than 50% of its installed power capacity, achieved well before the 2030 target.
Renewable energy’s share in the total energy mix has increased to around 14%.
India has rapidly expanded solar power, including large-scale and rooftop installations.

Despite progress in renewables, coal remains central to India’s energy strategy.
India has no declared coal exit date.
New coal blocks continue to be auctioned and coal production is planned to increase.
The lack of a structured coal phase-down poses a major challenge for achieving climate commitments.

Key Concerns Highlighted for India

The absence of a time-bound coal phase-out plan remains a critical weakness.
India has weak carbon price signals and continued fossil fuel subsidies, which incentivize high-emission infrastructure.
Large grid-scale renewable energy projects have caused environmental and social conflicts, particularly in ecologically sensitive regions.

Introduce a clear coal phase-out strategy, including:
- A no-new-coal date
- A defined coal peak year
Strengthen safeguards for renewable energy projects, ensuring minimal social and ecological disruption.
Set binding sector-wise and state-level decarbonisation targets for 2035 and 2040.
Ensure a just transition that protects workers, smallholders, women, and vulnerable communities affected by energy shifts.