India's climate policies expected to reduce CO2 emissions by around 4 billion tonnes by 2030: Report

India's climate policies aim to reduce emissions by 4 billion tonnes by 2030, with a 24% cut in coal power generation.

India's current climate policies are projected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by around four billion tonnes between 2020 and 2030, and drive a 24% reduction in coal-based power generation, according to a new report.

This is significant considering the fast-developing South Asian country, now the fifth-largest economy in the world, had committed to reducing emissions by one billion tonnes by 2030 at COP26 in Glasgow.

The study by Delhi-based independent think tank Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) said policies for India's power, residential and transport sectors have already saved 440 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (MtCO2) between 2015 and 2020.

According to the report, in the power sector alone, policies promoting renewable energy are expected to drive a 24% decline in coal-based electricity generation by 2030, relative to a no-policy scenario.

“This is equivalent to avoiding 80 GW of coal-based power plants that would have otherwise been installed to meet India’s burgeoning power demand,” CEEW said.

At present, India generates around 71% of its electricity using coal.

Further, with strategic support and competitive tenders, the share of combined solar and wind power in India's energy mix is projected to rise to 26% by 2030 and 43% by 2050, up from only around 3% in 2015.