‘India’s Per Capita Carbon Emissions Less Than Half Global Average’: PM Modi On Climate Responsibility

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India’s development and environmental sustainability can go hand in hand, while arguing that the responsibility for carbon emissions has often been wrongly placed on developing countries.

“While the historical truth is this… even today, India’s contribution to per capita carbon emissions is less than half of the global average,” PM Modi said while addressing an international conference on “The Future of Environment and Climate Dynamics” at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.

According to an analysis by PRS Legislative Research using 2024 data, India’s per capita CO₂ emissions were about 2.1 tonnes, compared with 13.4 tonnes in the US, 8.9 tonnes in China and 5.4 tonnes in the European Union. India accounted for about 8%

of global CO₂ emissions in 2024.

“India is showing how development and environmental sustainability can go hand in hand,” the Prime Minister said as he inaugurated the two-day conference, organised by the National Green Tribunal (NGT). The event brings together environmental experts, judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts, senior government officials and judicial representatives from 17 countries.

PM Modi said, “Over the past 12 years, India has made extraordinary progress across every sector related to the environment. We have placed a major emphasis on renewable energy, which has played a pivotal role in environmental protection. India is the only G20 nation that has fulfilled all the commitments made at the COP21 summit in Paris ahead of schedule. This speaks to the strength of India. On every parameter- be it non-fossil fuel usage, solar energy capacity, or the curbing of carbon emissions- India’s performance is being discussed positively across the globe today.”

The conference is focused on major environmental and climate challenges, including climate change and resilience, circular economy, biodiversity and ecosystem services and sustainable energy solutions. It is also aimed at examining gaps in policy formulation, implementation and enforcement and strengthening cooperation between environmental and judicial institutions.

The inaugural session was attended by Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, Attorney General R Venkataramani and NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, among other dignitaries.

The conference will continue on Sunday, with discussions aimed at developing a roadmap for addressing present and future environmental and climate challenges. President Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to attend the valedictory session.