The comprehensive initiatives in 2023 marked significant progress towards a sustainable future, encompassing green credits, circular economy, G20 collaborations, air quality enhancements, and ambitious renewable energy targets
India has made significant strides in 2023 towards a greener future and sustainable development, focusing on achieving net zero status by 2070.
Various initiatives were undertaken yearly to combat climate change, preserve biodiversity, and encourage sustainable practices. The Union Budget for 2023–24 outlined a blueprint for green growth, identifying sustainable development as one of the four critical opportunities for realising the vision of India@100 in the Amrit Kaal era.
Several programmes were initiated across sectors, including green fuel, energy, mobility, farming, equipment, and buildings. The government also formulated policies to enhance energy efficiency in various economic domains.
In the fiscal year 2023–24, India launched key programmes to reduce carbon emissions and meet clean energy targets. One notable initiative was the Green Credit Programme (GCP), introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the COP28 conference in December 2023.
As part of the Lifestyle for Environment (LIFE) movement, this programme encourages voluntary environmental actions, leading to the issuance of green credits. Initial phases involve tree plantations on degraded wasteland, administered by forest departments, and incentivizing green actions by local bodies, companies, and individuals.
To address waste management, India is establishing 500 "waste-to-wealth" plants under the GOBARdhan scheme to manage organic waste and generate biogas. The government has formed 11 committees to develop Circular Economy (CE) and Action Plans for waste categories such as Li-ion batteries, e-waste, and hazardous industrial waste.
Amendments to rules, including Plastic Waste Management, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Used Oil, and E-Waste (Management) Rules, aim to accelerate progress towards a circular economy and climate goals.
During India's presidency, G20 initiatives were launched to combat climate change. These included the formation of a global alliance on land restoration, the Resource Efficiency Circular Economy Industry Coalition, and high-level principles for a sustainable and resilient blue ocean-based economy. G20 countries adopted nine comprehensive high-level principles.
Under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), the government monitored 131 non-attainment cities for air quality. Additionally, more than 100 cities were assessed under Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan to improve air quality holistically.
The Union Budget for 203–24 outlined ambitious plans to increase renewable energy capacity to 500 GW by 2030. India, surpassing its initial targets, announced new goals, including achieving 50 percent of total electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based resources and reducing the carbon footprint of GDP by 45 percent by 2030.
In alignment with these targets, the government bolstered initiatives such as the National Green Hydrogen Mission, Sustainable Agriculture, Biodiversity Conservation, and Battery Storage.