In this year’s Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI), India secured the 7th position, climbing one spot from the previous year, and reaffirming its status among the leading performers. The CCPI report, unveiled during COP28 in Dubai, evaluates the climate mitigation efforts of 63 countries plus the EU, encompassing over 90% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
India earned high rankings in Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Energy Use categories, reflecting its commendable efforts. However, it received a medium rating in Climate Policy and Renewable Energy, consistent with the previous year’s assessment. Despite being the most populous country globally, India maintains relatively low per capita emissions, positioning it well within the benchmark of well below 2 degrees Celsius.
The report highlights India’s commitment to achieving its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) through robust long-term policies, particularly focusing on promoting renewable energy and supporting domestic manufacturing of renewable energy components. Nevertheless, it acknowledges the challenge posed by India’s heavy reliance on coal, oil, and gas to meet its growing energy needs, contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and urban air pollution.
While acknowledging India’s efforts to impose carbon taxes on petrol and diesel, the report indicates ongoing debates regarding their effectiveness in reducing consumption. Notably, India, along with China, altered the wording at the last COP from “phase out” to “phase down” fossil fuels, a decision deemed a setback for the global commitment to ending the fossil fuel era.
The report emphasises the need for policies that go beyond mitigation, urging transformative adaptation and disaster risk management. It raises concerns about the impact of large-scale renewable energy projects on local communities and emphasises the importance of ecosystem-based solutions and equitable considerations.
Despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement at COP26 about India’s net-zero emissions goal by 2070, experts express reservations, deeming it lacking in ambition and political will. Advocating for more effective policy implementation, the report calls for a faster phase-out of coal, reduced reliance on gas, and an expedited transition to renewable energy. Experts emphasise a people-friendly, climate-friendly, sustainable infrastructure that considers cultural and social contexts while urging India to aim for net-zero emissions no later than 2050.
Srinivas Krishnaswamy, CEO of Vasudha Foundation, applauds India’s high ranking, citing concrete actions aligned with NDCs. However, he stresses the importance of faster progress in achieving targets, particularly in phasing out coal and expanding renewable energy.
Ireland has witnessed a decline in its global climate protection performance, falling to the 43rd position in a recent study conducted by the independent group Germanwatch.
The Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI), which has been ranking countries for nearly two decades, positioned Ireland six places lower than the previous year, reflecting concerns over the government’s “misleading” long-term strategy to phase out fossil fuels.
Tanaiste Micheal Martin announced at the COP28 Summit in Dubai that Ireland would allocate €50 million to aid countries severely impacted by climate change. Despite this commitment, the CCPI expressed reservations about Ireland’s five-year carbon budgets, casting doubt on their ability to achieve the ambitious target of reducing emissions by 100% by 2050.
Germanwatch commended Ireland for its plans to transition significantly towards wind and solar energy production. However, criticism of the perceived inadequacy of the government’s long-term strategy led to Ireland’s lowered ranking. Denmark claimed the top spot in climate protection performance with a score of 70.7, while Ireland secured a score of 51.42.
Other top-performing countries in the CCPI included India, the Netherlands, Morocco, and Sweden, while Russia, South Korea, the UAE, and Iran found themselves at the bottom of the rankings.
Tanaiste Micheal Martin’s commitment of €50 million, with €6 million specifically allocated for small island states, underscored Ireland’s dedication to addressing climate change impacts. He urged nations participating in COP28 to demonstrate bold climate mitigation actions and increase funding to support adaptation measures, particularly for countries on the frontlines of the climate crisis. As Ireland faces the challenge of improving its climate protection efforts, the global call for substantial and tangible results from COP28 resonates.
Irish Samachar English News