In a recent meeting at the United Nations (U.N.) headquarters, India stated that it is currently meeting expectations to reach its Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) health targets by 2030. This was announced during the Voluntary National Review (VNR) at the High Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development.

Significant progress has also been made in climate commitments made by India during the Paris Agreement in 2015. The link between making sustainable decisions and reducing poverty is very apparent when looking at recent data from India.

The Progression of India’s Climate Commitments

Non-fossil fuel capacity is currently one of India’s climate commitments. By the year 2030, India hopes to ensure half of the country’s energy is derived from renewable sources. Remarkably, India met this goal in 2024. Around 50% of the country’s installed capacity is sourced from wind, solar, hydro and nuclear sources. However, only 28% of electricity used in India is derived from non-fossil fuel sources. While India has met its initial target, it is still working toward making better use of sustainable energy sources.

India has also committed to increasing carbon sinks. A carbon sink is something that releases less carbon into the atmosphere than it absorbs. India’s goal is to use forests and trees to make an extra 2.5-3 billion tonnes of carbon sink. By 2021, India had managed to create an additional 2.29 billion tonnes of carbon sink.

Each year, there has been an increase of 150 million tonnes. However, there are some worries about the sustainability of carbon sinks. There is an anxiety surrounding the imbalance of monoculture plantations compared to naturally occurring forests. The concern surrounds their impact on ecology and whether their success can be sustained during a period of urbanization and pressure of land use.

Further, India has focused on its emissions intensity as part of its climate commitments. The government hopes to have a 45% reduction in emissions from its gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030. By the year 2020, India had already reached a 36% reduction. However, there is a significant lack of data beyond 2020 on emission reduction in India. Therefore, progress cannot be successfully monitored despite being on track to meet the goals of the group five years ago.

Impacts on Poverty Reduction

Over the course of the last 10 years, more than 240 million people have escaped from poverty within India. Furthermore, from 2015, the number of people with social protection coverage has increased by twice as much. These figures were displayed at the Voluntary National Review and reflect how India’s sustainable goals are combating poverty. India’s showcase at this review was a product of conversations with marginalized groups within its country. These groups include tribal groups, ensuring their needs are also being met.

India presented a short film during its VNR, highlighting its progress on the SDGs. The video showed how the country raised its SDG index score from 60 to 71. It also detailed efforts to ensure food security for more than 800 million people and the delivery of more than 2.2 billion vaccine doses. The film concluded with India’s core vision: “A sustainable future where no one is left behind.”

Looking to the Future

Working sustainably can improve a country’s economy and create a better future for its citizens. If India hopes to continue its remarkable progress, there are a few elements it can focus on. However, recent data support how India’s sustainable goals are combating poverty. As progress continues to increase, there is the hope of a future with little to no poverty.

– Katie Gray

Katie is based in Glasgow, UK and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr