New Delhi: India has slipped five places to rank 28th in the annual Climate Change Performance Index 2027 (CCPI) released by the environmental think-tank Germanwatch and the NewClimate Institute, on the sidelines of UN climate conference COP31 in Antalya, Turkiye. Recording an 18 position decline over two years and highlighting the challenges facing its energy transition despite considerable progress in renewable energy, India scored 60.85 points and retained an overall medium performance rating according to the annual assessment. The index assesses the climate mitigation performance of 64 countries and the European Union, together responsible for more than 90% of global greenhouse gas emissions. It evaluates countries across four categories– greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy, energy use and climate policy using emissions and energy data alongside assessments from more than 500 climate and energy experts.India received medium ratings in greenhouse gas emissions, energy use and climate policy. While its overall renewable energy category rating remained low, it received a high rating for the renewable energy trend indicator, recognising recent progress in clean energy deployment.These findings point to a growing gap between India’s renewable energy ambitions and the pace at which these translate into actual emissions reductions.G20 performance highlights wider climate action gapThe CCPI highlights the limited progress made by major economies in meeting global climate goals.No country performed well enough across all four categories to secure an overall ‘very high rating’, leaving the first three positions empty. Denmark retained fourth place with a score of 84.05, followed by Lithuania and Luxembourg.The United Kingdom was the only G20 member to receive an overall high rating, while 10 G20 countries were classified as very low performers. Saudi Arabia, Russia and the United States ranked 65th, 66th and 67th, respectively.Also read: Five Years of Fighting Climate Change Haven’t Done Much, Report SaysRenewable energy progress, but grid constraints persistIndia’s renewable energy expansion remains one of the more positive aspects of its climate performance recognising progress in solar and wind power, rooftop installations and electric vehicles (EVs).The report acknowledges government initiatives such as competitive bidding, rooftop solar programmes and incentives for domestic manufacturing as key drivers of the expansion in renewable energy capacity.By June 2025, non-fossil sources, including nuclear, solar and wind, made up 50% of India’s installed power capacity, achieving its earlier 2030 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) target five years ahead of schedule. This refers to installed capacity, not actual electricity generation.Previously, The Wire reported that India’s latest NDC sets a target of reducing emissions intensity of gross domestic product (GDP) by 47% from 2005 levels by 2035. It also aims to raise non-fossil sources to around 60% of cumulative installed electricity capacity and create a forest and tree-cover carbon sink of 3.5-4 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent against 2005 levels.However, the assessment mentions that expanding renewable energy also requires stronger power grids, better storage facilities and a more flexible electricity system.Drawing estimates from an energy think tank Ember, the assessment notes that India curtailed 2.3 terawatt-hours (TWh) of solar electricity generation between late May and December 2025 to maintain grid security. Limited flexibility in conventional power generation and operational constraints contributed to the curtailment.Nakul Sharma, one of the experts who contributed to the India assessment and associated with climate think tank E3G, told The Telegraph that India’s energy transition was advancing, but not fast or evenly enough.“The country has made significant progress in expanding non-fossil energy capacity, but the real test is how quickly this translates into greater use of clean energy and enables India to meet its growing energy and development needs with a lower dependence on fossil fuels,” Sharma said.Sharma identified three major challenges: bridging the gap between installed renewable energy capacity and actual generation, addressing rising per-capita emissions and energy consumption, and translating announced climate policies and targets into faster action across the economy.Coal dependence and lack of a transition roadmapDespite the growth in renewable energy, coal continues to play a major role in India’s electricity supply. The country’s reliance on imported oil, natural gas and coal also leaves it vulnerable to global supply disruptions and fluctuations in fuel prices.The CCPI assessment notes that India’s net-zero target for 2070 provides long-term direction but does not establish a comprehensive, time-bound roadmap for moving away from fossil fuels.Experts called for clearer pathways to reduce dependence on coal, oil and gas, alongside tighter restrictions on new fossil fuel infrastructure. According to this report by The Telegraph, a senior Union environment ministry official, speaking on condition of anonymity, rejected the assessment.“We do not agree with the report, and feel that India has been consistently doing well on the climate action front,” the official told The Telegraph, citing the early achievement of India’s 2030 non-fossil electricity capacity target and rapid renewable energy expansion.The disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz further underline the importance of diversifying energy sources, improving efficiency and expanding domestic clean energy production.However, experts differ on the pace and form of India’s emissions reduction strategy. While some civil society representatives advocate a progressive shift towards absolute emissions reductions, others question the near-term practicality of such targets given India’s development requirements and growing electricity demand.India’s NDC currently focuses on reducing emissions intensity relative to GDP. Experts have also suggested reporting absolute emissions trends alongside these intensity targets to provide a clearer picture of the country’s emissions.Industrial emissions and just transition remain challengesThe assessment also recognises progress in industrial efficiency and cleaner transport, while pointing to gaps in implementation.India’s Carbon Credit Trading Scheme has assigned emissions-intensity targets to 490 industrial entities since January 2026. The assessment’s contributing experts stressed its effectiveness will depend on ambitious targets, credible verification and demonstrable emissions reductions.Weak enforcement of building energy codes and appliance standards, especially in informal markets, is still a concern according to the assessment’s experts. Although urban rail services had expanded to 26 cities by August 2026, experts say India needs more affordable buses, better public transport and safer options for walking and cycling.Electrification must also extend beyond passenger vehicles to industrial processes, freight and cooking to reduce direct fossil fuel consumption.The assessment mentions that India’s transition away from fossil fuels must account for workers and communities dependent on coal-related economic activity. The assessment’s contributing experts call for economic diversification, retraining, social protection and local employment opportunities in affected regions.