India’s Carbon Dioxide Emissions Set to Rise but Growth Slows
India’s carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels are projected to increase by about 1.4 percent in 2025, up from a higher rate in previous years. The slower rise is attributed to reduced coal consumption growth, an early monsoon lowering cooling demand, and rapid growth in renewable energy deployment.
Underlying Factors and Figures
According to the latest Global Carbon Budget report, India’s fossil-fuel CO₂ emissions were around 3.19 billion tonnes in 2024 and are estimated to reach approximately 3.22 billion tonnes in 2025. While still growing, the rate is significantly lower than the 4 percent jump seen in prior years. Globally, fossil-fuel CO₂ emissions are expected to hit a record high of 38.1 billion tonnes in 2025.
Implications for Climate Goals
Despite the moderated growth rate, emissions are still increasing, meaning India remains on a rising emissions path even as it aims to reduce carbon intensity per unit of GDP. Analysts say this trend underlines the urgency of accelerating clean energy adoption, improving efficiency and shifting away from coal-centric power generation. The slowdown is promising but not sufficient for meeting long-term climate targets.
