Unwrapping the February 2025 Newsletter
- Admin
- Feb 28
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 3
View the complete February Newsletter
Despite substantial clean energy initiatives, India’s energy landscape will continue to rely on coal, with plans to add 30,000 MW of new coal-fired capacity by 2030. This is driven by an annual 7% growth in energy demand. India’s renewable energy sector, particularly solar, made strides in 2024, adding 28 GW of wind and solar capacity, but fossil fuels remain dominant, covering over two-thirds of new power generation. While India pushes for cleaner energy, coal remains central to meeting the growing energy demand, complicating its path to sustainability. (Reuters)
India may fall short of its climate goal to achieve 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030 due to high capital costs and financing challenges. Despite strong progress in solar and wind energy, the country faces difficulties in securing sufficient investment, with renewable energy projects struggling to compete against cheaper fossil fuels. The government is working on strategies to address these challenges, including introducing green financing mechanisms and policy support. However, unless capital costs decrease and financing becomes more accessible, meeting this ambitious target remains uncertain. (Economic Times)
India has confirmed the launch of its compliance carbon market in 2026, marking a significant step in its climate action strategy. The market will allow businesses to trade carbon credits, helping to incentivize emissions reductions and align with the country’s net-zero targets. India’s move to establish this market is part of its broader efforts to promote sustainable practices and achieve its climate goals. It is expected to enhance transparency, accountability, and help lower carbon emissions across various sectors. This carbon market is crucial to supporting India’s transition to a low-carbon economy. (Environmental Finance)
The two-day National Conference on Sustainable Cooling and Energy Efficiency, held in February 2025, highlighted India’s progress in these sectors and its future goals. Key discussions focused on the need to promote energy-efficient cooling technologies to reduce the environmental impact of high-energy-consuming devices. The conference also emphasized policy advancements and strategies for improving energy efficiency across sectors, particularly in buildings, transport, and industrial applications. As part of its climate action framework, India aims to integrate sustainable cooling practices to align with its net-zero targets, promoting cleaner technologies and more efficient energy use. (SolarQuarter)
Key Updates: Global
The European Commission has proposed revisions to corporate sustainability reporting and supply chain transparency rules, aiming to reduce reporting burdens by 25% and potentially save European companies up to 40 billion euros. The "Simplification Omnibus" proposals are designed to improve Europe’s global competitiveness by easing regulations on environmental and sustainability disclosures. However, critics argue that the move may weaken corporate accountability and hinder progress toward climate goals. The changes could also reduce the effectiveness of sustainability reporting, which many believe is crucial for holding companies accountable for their environmental impact. (Reuters)
Planet Ark and Boston Global have partnered to launch the BG Planet Ark Circular Future Fund, targeting $1 billion in investments by 2030. The fund will focus on supporting businesses that drive sustainability, reduce carbon emissions, and promote the circular economy, which aims to reduce waste by reusing resources. This initiative is designed to help accelerate the transition to a more sustainable and circular global economy. With a target of raising substantial funds, the partnership aims to create a positive impact on environmental and social outcomes through investments in companies focused on sustainability and responsible growth. (The Australian)
At the AI Action Summit held in February 2025, 58 countries, including India, signed a joint declaration promoting the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for sustainable development. The declaration outlines key principles, such as accessibility, ethical development, and international cooperation, to ensure AI is harnessed in ways that contribute positively to global sustainability goals. The signatories aim to ensure AI technologies are developed responsibly and inclusively, providing benefits in areas like climate change mitigation, resource efficiency, and equitable social development. This initiative underscores the growing importance of AI in advancing global sustainability objectives. (Wikipedia)
The European Union's recent revision of green finance policies has raised concerns among climate advocates. The changes, which relax sustainability standards for financial products, aim to boost Europe’s competitiveness by simplifying regulations. However, critics argue that these revisions could undermine efforts to attract climate-conscious investments and hinder progress in achieving net-zero targets. The decision to ease standards has sparked a debate about the balance between fostering economic growth and ensuring the financial sector remains aligned with long-term environmental goals. The revisions may challenge the EU’s broader climate commitments and its role as a global sustainability leader. (Reuters)
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