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India's CO2 Emissions Growth Slows to 0.7% in 2025, Lowest Since 2001; Power Sector Emissions Fall 3.8%

Target:UPSC GS-IIIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link
27 Mar 2026
~2 min
Source: The Hindu
Key Data:0.7% CO2 growth3.8% power sector emissions fall20% imported coal consumption fall47 GW solar capacity added6.3 GW wind capacity added4.0 GW hydropower added
Bodies:CREAICRA
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.India's carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions grew by only 0.7% in 2025, the slowest rate of increase since 2001 (excluding 2020), according to a CREA analysis.

2.A key driver was a 3.8% fall in power sector emissions due to record clean-energy additions (47 GW solar, 6.3 GW wind) and weak electricity demand, marking a shift from being the largest driver of growth in 2021-23.

3.The analysis highlights a potential inflection point where clean energy growth could match rising demand, but contradictions remain due to planned expansions in coal power, petrochemicals, and coal-based steel capacity.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · Medium

India's carbon emissions growth rate hit a 20-year low in 2025, a crucial indicator of progress on climate targets under its NDC. This slowdown, driven by a record surge in clean energy and falling power demand, presents a potential inflection point for India's energy transition, directly relevant for GS-III (Environment) and GS-III (Economy).

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

CO2 Growth (2025)0.7%
Power Sector Emissions Change (2025)Fell by 3.8%
Imported Coal Consumption DropFell by 20%
New Solar Capacity Added (2025)47 Gigawatts (GW)
New Wind Capacity Added (2025)6.3 GW

1-Minute Revision

  • ›CO2 Growth (2025): 0.7%
  • ›Power Sector Emissions Change (2025): Fell by 3.8%
  • ›Target this Data: CO2 emissions growth rate of 0.7% in 2025.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA).
  • ›Target this Data: 47 GW of solar capacity added in 2025.

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

The analysis on India's carbon emissions slowdown in 2025 was published by which research organization?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding India's carbon emissions as per the CREA analysis:

1. India's CO2 emissions grew by 0.7% in the year 2025 as a whole.

2. The fall in power-sector emissions in 2025 was primarily due to a decline in hydro and nuclear power generation.

3. The consumption of imported coal at power plants fell by 20% in 2025.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the CREA analysis, what was the approximate amount of new solar power capacity added in India in 2025?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary significance of the 'inflection point' mentioned in the CREA analysis regarding India's power sector?

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