United Nations climate chief Simon Stiell has praised India as a "solar superpower" and urged the country to develop an ambitious climate plan encompassing its entire economy. He emphasized that embracing the global clean energy boom more aggressively would accelerate India's economic growth.

 

Stiell, who attended the ET Global Business Summit in India, acknowledged the country's significant strides in mitigating climate change, remarking that while many governments make promises, "India delivers."

 

“India is already a solar superpower, one of only four countries to have installed more than 100 gigawatts of solar capacity. Energy access has improved remarkably, with villages across the country electrified by 2018, ahead of schedule,” he said.

 

Stiell highlighted that India now has a unique opportunity to advance further by deploying hundreds of gigawatts of renewable energy, leading a new wave of green industrialization, and exporting vital clean technologies. He underscored Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership in promoting LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), which harnesses the power of institutions, communities, and individuals for environmental sustainability and a circular economy.

 

As countries prepare to submit their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for the 2031-2035 period, Stiell urged India to finalize its targets by September, noting that many nations missed the initial February 10 deadline. An official from India's Environment Ministry stated that while the country’s new NDCs are yet to be finalized, they will reflect achievable targets based on available resources, pointing out that developed nations have not provided adequate financial and technological support for climate action.

 

Stiell warned that without decisive climate action, particularly from G20 countries, the world risks severe temperature rises. He highlighted the economic threats posed by climate change, citing a SwissRe report estimating that up to 35% of India's GDP could be eroded by 2050 if climate disruptions continue unchecked. The Reserve Bank of India has also noted that climate change is already impacting the financial system, making resilience investments essential.

 

Despite commitments made at the UN climate conference in Azerbaijan last year, developed nations pledged only USD 300 billion by 2035—far short of the USD 1.3 trillion required annually from 2025. India labeled this contribution as “too little, too distant” and a mere “optical illusion.”

 

Stiell concluded by urging India to overcome bureaucratic hurdles and fully realize its potential as a global clean energy leader. “Electric India will never look back,” he said.