Sustainability That Goes Beyond Slogans: How Energy Consumption Defines Climate Legacy
India’s energy transition must be rooted in sustainability, one that aligns economic growth with environmental preservation.
June 05, 2025. By News Bureau
As one of the world’s top five economies, India stands at a crossroads where its economic progress possesses the potential to lift many people out of poverty through universal commercial progress. However, the development seems to be resulting in adverse climate events. From farmers facing unpredictable crop cycles to cities choking under worsening air quality, India is among the countries with the most vulnerable impacts of climate change.
The choices made today, particularly how we power homes, businesses and transportation, will shape not just the economy but the environment for future generations’ lifestyle. Energy consumption accounts for about 75 percent of India’s greenhouse gas emissions. The situation can only change with increased reliance on renewable energy sources, which is why the country is targeting 500 GW of non-fossil fuel based capacity addition by 2030. With over 40 percent of the country's energy needs being targeted to come from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030, we are making progress towards our goal.
Is Balancing Growth and Ecology a Dilemma?
India’s dreams include industrial expansion, urbanisation, and rising living standards. Energy sustenance is a vital component of our economic ambitions. Dependence on fossil fuels would derail climate goals and burden future generations with a degraded environment.
The real test lies in aligning energy expansion with emissions reduction—a task that will require a systemic shift in policy, investment, and innovation. The energy expansion with climate communities will require bold investments, long-term thinking, and collaborative actions – from governments, industries, and individuals alike.
Renewables as the Cornerstone of Economic Growth
Fortunately, India is no stranger to bold action in renewable energy, one that goes beyond economics to embrace ecological responsibility. We’re proving that clean growth isn’t just a possibility, it’s a scalable reality.
But the promise of renewables offers more than carbon reduction. Government schemes and initiatives in relation to solar, wind, hydro, and bioenergy solutions enhance energy security and reduce import dependency. Rooftop solar projects, in particular, will contribute to growth, by equipping households with free electricity.
However, scale and speed are of the essence, which will require robust policy continuity, financing mechanisms, and a holistic grid modernisation strategy.
Consistent Efficiency as India’s ‘First Fuel’
Often overlooked, the sustainable energy future and its efficiency are India’s most cost-effective climate lever. The IEA (International Energy Agency) calls it the “first fuel” because every unit of energy saved is a unit we do not need to generate.
Government programs like the Perform Achieve and Trade (PAT), Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC), and UJALA, which distributed over 360 million LED bulbs, have already saved India over 47 billion kWh of electricity annually. These efforts have directly eased the environmental load on our energy consumption. Expanding their scope and coverage can yield large savings at minimal cost.
Equally important is nurturing a culture of conscious consumption. Smart consumption practices, incentivised through demand-side management tools, can delay the need for expensive infrastructure upgrades and build a culture of mindful energy consumption. We not only reduce emissions but also instil environmental stewardship across generations.
Empowering the Next Generation
The decisions we make today will reverberate for decades. As such, they must centre the needs and aspirations of India’s youth, who will bear the brunt—or the benefits—of our energy trajectory. Investing in green skills, employment opportunities, STEM education, and climate entrepreneurship can ensure that young Indians are not just passive recipients of policy but active architects of a sustainable future.
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