Solving for Climate Rahul Tongia: Is India on track to meet climate goals?
Dec 16, 2025
Rahul Tongia, a Senior Fellow at CSEP, dives into India's complex climate landscape. He discusses the tension between development and emissions, noting India's low per-capita emissions amidst its status as a major emitter. Rahul explores the continued reliance on coal, solar energy's economic challenges, and India's ambitious net-zero goals by 2070. He emphasizes the need for targeted finance and local empowerment to enhance climate resilience, while advocating for gradual tech adoption and smart grids as keys to future progress.
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India's Low Per‑Person Emissions
- India is the world's third-largest emitter but its per‑person emissions are only ~2 tonnes annually.
- That is less than half the global average and comparable to the UK's emissions in the 1820s.
Development First Explains Coal Reliance
- India prioritizes development and expanding energy access over immediate emissions cuts.
- That development focus makes coal the domestic backstop despite aggressive renewable targets.
Cheap Solar Needs Backup Or Storage
- Solar (VRE) is extremely cheap in India but is only available ~20–25% of the time without storage.
- Storage remains costly, so coal continues as the reliable backstop for electricity supply.