India Ranks 28th in 2026 Climate Change Performance Index

India ranked 28th in the 2026 Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI), five places lower than in 2025. Released on 11 November during COP31 in Antalya, held from 9 to 20 November, the index covers 64 countries and the European Union, which together account for over 90% of global greenhouse-gas emissions. The top three places were left vacant; Denmark ranked fourth.

India’s category performance

India retained an overall “medium” rating. It ranked 13th in climate policy, 31st in greenhouse-gas emissions, 33rd in energy use and 40th in renewable energy. The report said renewable expansion was ahead of targets, but curtailment, limited storage and gaps in transmission and distribution infrastructure constrained integration. Ember estimated that India curtailed 2.3 terawatt-hours of solar generation between late May and December 2025 to maintain grid security.

Progress and climate targets

The report cited progress in electric vehicles, industrial efficiency programmes and appliance standards. Since January 2026, the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme has assigned emissions-intensity targets to 490 industrial entities. By June 2025, non-fossil sources—including nuclear power—made up 50% of cumulative installed electricity capacity, meeting the previous 2030 Nationally Determined Contribution target five years early. This capacity share is distinct from electricity generation. India’s 2031–35 targets include reducing emissions intensity of GDP by 47% from 2005 levels, reaching about 60% non-fossil installed capacity and creating a 3.5–4-billion-tonne CO₂-equivalent forest and tree-cover carbon sink, relative to 2005.

Important Facts for Exams

• Category weighting: The Climate Change Performance Index assigns greenhouse-gas emissions 40% of its weighting; renewable energy, energy use and climate policy each receive 20%.
• Indicator design: In the Climate Change Performance Index, emissions, renewable energy and energy use each use four indicators, including five-year trends and compatibility with 2030 targets.
• Vacant top positions: The Climate Change Performance Index leaves its first three ranking positions vacant because no country has achieved a “very high” performance across all indicators.