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COP27: India’s updated NDCs insufficient for cutting emissions, shows report

Published

3 years ago

2022/11/11

India’s updated Nationally Determined Commitments (NDC) are strong on paper but not to drive down more emissions compared to the previous commitment, according to a report released at the 27th Conference of Parties (COP27) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.India has not put out details of the 2070 Net Zero target announced at COP26 last year, the report by Climate Action Tracker (CAT) mentioned.

“India will meet their NDC and overachieve it. Still, the targets need to get more ambitious to reach the 1.5°C target,” Claire Stockwell, Senior Climate Policy Analyst at Climate Analytics, told Down To Earth (DTE).

The Paris Agreement seeks to limit global warming to below 2°C, preferably to 1.5°C, compared to pre-industry levels.However, she added that considering the fairness perspective, India does not need to do this independently. The country has to be supported by international finance.

“What we are looking forward to from the Indian government is that they put forward their ambitious target and get more international finance to support that,” she explained.

At COP 26 in Glasgow, India announced five new targets, some of which were submitted in the updated NDC in 2022.These include strengthening its 2030 emissions intensity of its GDP by 45 per cent by 2030 from its 2005 levels and targeting about 50 per cent of cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030.

“We need to see a further strengthening of these targets to drive further emission reductions,” Stockwell said.

India has shown progress in its renewable energy installation, it said. But the government plans to add more coal capacity and increase fossil gas in the energy mix, the report added.India and 27 other countries updated their NDCs this year, of which CAT analysed 10.

Five countries had stronger NDC targets, while the rest, including India, did not increase ambition, the report found.The largest emitters, the United States, European Union and China, have not submitted updated targets, Mia Moisio from the NewClimate Institute said at a press briefing.

Australia, Thailand, the UAE and Norway have shown ambition in the updated commitments, but they are still not aligned with the Paris Agreement goal.The world is headed for a 2.4°C of warming under the current 2030 targets, the experts warned.

“It is the same as last year. There has been no change since Glasgow,” Stockwell said.

Some nations have, however, announced binding targets. That could take us to 2°C warming.

“This has been a year of little action on the climate: Almost no updated national climate targets for 2030 and no significant increase in participation in Glasgow initiatives on coal phase-out, clean cars and methane,” Niklas Höhne of CAT partner organisation NewClimate Institute, said in a statement. – Down to Earth

The CAT report also highlighted that climate finance from developed countries is nowhere close to what developing countries need to reduce emissions.

Funds from the United States, Russia and Australia have been rated critically insufficient, while that from European Union, Germany, Norway and Switzerland were rated as insufficient, the report said.Only Canada, New Zealand, Japan and the United Kingdom provided sufficient funding.In 2009, developed countries pledged to mobilise $100 billion in climate finance to support climate action in developing countries. This goal has not been met.

“There is a lack of leadership in climate finance,” Moisio said. They have come here [CoP27] without delivering on the $100 billion target, he added. – Down to Earth

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Heat index likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and Eastern provinces and Monaragala district

Published

11 hours ago

2026/04/12

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre at 3.30 p.m. on 11 April 2026, valid for 12 April 2026

The Heat index, the temperature felt on the human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and Eastern provinces and Monaragala district.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED

Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note: In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.

Latest News

Sun directly overhead Cheddikulam, Kebithigollewa, Gomarankadawala and Nilaveli about 12:11 noon. today [12]

Published

11 hours ago

2026/04/12

Priyan

On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from 05th to 15th of April in this year.

The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (12th) are Cheddikulam, Kebithigollewa, Gomarankadawala and Nilaveli about 12:11 noon.

News

CEB orders temporary shutdown of large rooftop solar systems

Published

11 hours ago

2026/04/12

Thilina Walpola

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has directed owners of large-scale rooftop solar systems to temporarily disconnect their installations for a 10-day period beginning from Friday (April 10), citing growing concerns over grid stability amid low electricity demand and high solar generation.

The directive applies to rooftop solar systems exceeding 300 kW capacity, which are required to remain switched off until April 20. The move coincides with the extended holiday season, during which national electricity demand typically declines, alongside prevailing sunny weather conditions that significantly increase solar output.

Senior electrical engineers told The Island that the decision, though exceptional, was necessitated by operational risks posed to the national grid.

“We are seeing a pronounced imbalance between supply and demand,” a senior CEB system control engineer said. “With industries and commercial establishments operating at reduced levels during the holidays, demand drops. At the same time, solar generation remains high, creating excess power that the grid struggles to absorb.”

He explained that such imbalances could lead to fluctuations in system frequency, potentially threatening the stability of the grid. “If generation exceeds demand, frequency rises beyond acceptable limits.

This can trigger automatic protection mechanisms or, in extreme cases, lead to partial outages.”Another senior engineer attached to the transmission division noted that managing distributed solar generation remains a technical challenge.

“Unlike conventional power plants, rooftop solar systems are not centrally dispatchable. We cannot directly control their output in real time. This limits our ability to balance the system during periods of excess generation,” he said.

He added that the country’s grid infrastructure is still adapting to the rapid growth of renewable energy. “We lack sufficient large-scale battery storage and advanced grid management systems to effectively handle these fluctuations. Until such capabilities are enhanced, temporary curtailment becomes necessary.”

Engineers also pointed out that conventional thermal plants cannot be abruptly shut down or adjusted to compensate for sudden surges in solar generation.

“These plants require minimum stable operating levels. When solar floods the grid during low demand, it creates operational constraints that are not easy to manage,” one official said.

The CEB, in its statement, expressed appreciation for the cooperation of solar system owners affected by the measure, stressing that it is a short-term intervention aimed at ensuring uninterrupted and stable electricity supply across the country.

Energy experts say the development underscores the urgent need for grid modernization, including investment in battery energy storage systems, smart grid technologies, and improved demand-side management.

“This is part of the transition challenge,” an independent analyst noted. “As solar penetration increases, the grid must evolve to become more flexible. Otherwise, curtailment will remain a recurring necessity.”

Despite the temporary shutdown, CEB engineers reaffirmed their commitment to expanding renewable energy.

“Solar power is a key pillar of Sri Lanka’s future energy mix,” a senior engineer said. “But integration must be carefully managed. Grid stability cannot be compromised.”

The temporary disconnection order, which took effect yesterday, marks a critical moment in Sri Lanka’s energy transition—highlighting both the progress made in renewable energy adoption and the technical hurdles that remain.

By Ifham Nizam