Climate performance index 2026: India falls five places to 28th

India has slipped five positions to rank 28th in the 2026 Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI), released on Wednesday at the 2026 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Turkey. The latest ranking reflects gaps in renewable energy integration, energy efficiency and climate policy implementation, despite progress in expanding clean energy capacity.

The index, which has tracked the climate mitigation efforts of 64 countries and the European Union (EU) since 2005, found that none of the assessed countries performed well enough to secure a ‘very high’ overall rating. Together, these countries account for more than 90 per cent of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Denmark emerged as the highest-ranked country at fourth position with a score of 84.05, followed by Lithuania at fifth with 74.03 and Luxembourg at sixth with 72.03. The first 3 positions were left vacant. The EU secured the 19th spot with 64.18 points.

Renewable energy expansion faces challenges

India retained a medium overall rating across GHG emissions, energy use and climate policy. While its renewable energy trend received a high rating, the report flagged shortcomings in energy curtailment and storage infrastructure.

“The experts identify a mismatch between renewable energy deployment and transmission, distribution, and storage development,” the report said.

Citing estimates by energy think tank Ember, the report noted that India curtailed 2.3 terawatt-hours (TWh) of solar power generation between late May and December 2025 to maintain grid security. Limited flexibility in conventional power generation was among the operational constraints.

“Coordinated investment in grids, storage, demand flexibility, and flexible power plant operation would help translate capacity growth into greater renewable generation and fossil fuel displacement.”

India performs poorly in energy use

India ranked 13th in climate policy, 33rd in energy use, 40th in renewable energy and 31st in GHG emissions. The report acknowledged progress in electric vehicles, industrial efficiency programmes and appliance standards.

It also highlighted the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme, which has assigned emissions-intensity targets to 490 industrial entities since January 2026, while pointing to gaps in building code enforcement and appliance compliance.

India had achieved 50 per cent non-fossil installed electricity capacity in June 2025, ahead of its 2030 target. Its 2031-2035 climate commitments include reducing emissions intensity by 47 per cent from 2005 levels and raising non-fossil capacity to around 60 per cent.