By Abbas Nazil
India will submit its revised Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for the 2031–2035 period by December, Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav announced at the high-level segment of COP30 in Belém, Brazil.
He emphasized that climate change is “real and imminent,” driven by unsustainable growth patterns placing severe stress on the planet.
Yadav urged developed countries to reach net-zero emissions well before their current deadlines and to fulfil their obligations under Article 9.1 of the Paris Agreement by delivering new, additional and concessional climate finance estimated in trillions of dollars.
He stressed that the implementation of climate goals must be adequate, accessible and affordable, free from restrictive intellectual property barriers that hinder developing countries from advancing their climate solutions.
The minister highlighted India’s ongoing climate actions, noting significant progress such as the Nuclear Mission, Green Hydrogen Mission and achieving over 256 GW of non-fossil fuel energy capacity, which is more than half of the country’s total installed power capacity.
He stated that India’s emission intensity has already declined by more than 36 percent from 2005 levels, demonstrating that development and environmental protection can progress together.
Yadav also announced that India will release its first Biennial Transparency Report alongside the updated NDC.
Explaining the delay in submission, he said internal government processes, including Cabinet approval, were still ongoing but assured that the new NDC would be released by December.
At COP30, Yadav also held discussions with UK Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Edward Miliband, focusing on multilateral cooperation, technology transfer, climate finance and transparency.
He co-chaired the Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT) roundtable, emphasizing the shift from goal-setting to implementation as the world marks a decade since the Paris Agreement.
Yadav noted the expansion of LeadIT to 18 countries and 27 companies and welcomed SKF as the newest member while urging countries and industries to intensify collaboration for industrial decarbonization.
He highlighted progress under the India-Sweden Industry Transition Platform, with upcoming projects on carbon capture, industrial by-products, artificial intelligence for process optimization and hydrogen-based heating.
Yadav also informed delegates that two billion plants were planted in India within 16 months through a community-driven initiative, underscoring the nation’s commitment to strengthening carbon sinks.
He praised Brazil for hosting COP30 in the Amazon and called for a decade defined by resilience, responsibility and collective climate action.
