India's Per Capita CO2 Emissions Among The Lowest As Green Energy Capacity Surges

India, which has emerged as the world’s fifth largest economy, also stands out as a country with one of the lowest per capita carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions globally as it balances growth with sustainability and switches to renewables at a rapid pace.

According to figures compiled in the Hinrich-IMD Sustainable Trade Index (STI), India’s per capita CO2 emissions are at a mere 1.9, compared to a corresponding figure of 15.2 for Canada, 15.1 in the case of Australia, and 14.4 for the USA. The others that follow on the list include Russia with per capita CO2 emissions at 13.3, South Korea (12.3), China (8.9), Japan (8.6), New Zealand (6.6) and the UK at five.

The Hinrich-IMD Sustainable Trade Index (STI) is a tool that assesses the capacity of 30 global trading economies to engage in trade sustainably, using 72 indicators across economic, societal, and environmental factors, providing insights for policymakers and businesses.

India is among the world leaders in energy transition as it is headed to achieve a target of adding 500 GW of renewable energy capacities by 2030, with solar expected to play a major role in achieving this goal. Its total renewable energy installed capacity recorded a robust double-digit growth of 15.84 per cent to touch 209.44 GW as of December 2024, from 180.80 GW in December 2023, according to figures compiled by the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).

The total capacity added during 2024 amounted to 28.64 GW, representing a significant year-on-year increase of 119.46 per cent compared to the 13.05 GW added in 2023.