Climate Change Performance Index 2027: Key Findings and India’s Performance

Climate Change Performance Index 2027: Key Findings and India’s Performance

General Studies Paper III: Climate Change, Environmental Pollution & Degradation

Why in News?

Recently, the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2027 was released during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) held in Antalya, Turkey.

What is Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI)?

• About: The Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) is an independent monitoring tool that evaluates and compares the climate protection efforts of 64 countries and the European Union, which together generate over 90% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. 
• Objective: Its core objective is to enhance transparency and accountability in national and international climate politics.
  • It tracks progress toward the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C.
• Publishers: First launched in 2005, the index is published annually at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP).
  • It is jointly produced by three environmental organizations: Germanwatch, the NewClimate Institute, and Climate Action Network (CAN) International, with financial backing from the Barthel Foundation.
• Parameters and Evaluation: The CCPI assesses performance across 14 standardized indicators divided into four weighted categories: GHG Emissions (40%), Renewable Energy (20%), Energy Use (20%), and Climate Policy (20%).
  • For the first three categories, data measures current levels, 5-year trends, and 1.5°C compatibility of current performance and 2030 targets. 
  • The unique Climate Policy score is compiled through an annual research study where roughly 450 to 500 national climate and energy experts from NGOs, universities, and think tanks rate their governments’ domestic policies and international diplomacy.
  • Approximately 80% of the assessment relies on quantitative information from the International Energy Agency (IEA), PRIMAP, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and national greenhouse gas inventories submitted to the UNFCCC.
• Methodology: Countries receive scores from 0 to 100 and are grouped into five color-coded tiers ranging from Very High to Very Low.
  • The index considers production-based emissions, holding countries accountable for emissions generated within their territories.

Highlights of Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2027

• Release: The Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2027 released on the sidelines of the COP31 climate summit in Antalya, Türkiye. 
• Top Performers: The top three ranks remain vacant in CCPI 2027 because no single evaluated nation performed strongly enough across all categories to align with a Paris-compliant 1.5°C pathway.
  • Denmark takes the 4th position with a score of 84.05, remaining the highest-ranked country for the sixth consecutive year. 
  • It is followed by Lithuania at 5th, Luxembourg at 6th, and the United Kingdom at 7th, which stands out as the only G20 country to earn an overall ‘High’ performance rating. Morocco (8th) and Chile (9th).
• India’s Rank: India has slipped five positions to 28th rank with a score of 60.85 points, retaining an overall ‘Medium’ rating.
  • This marks a drop of 18 positions over the last two years from its 10th place in CCPI 2025 and 23rd place in CCPI 2026. 
  • India received a ‘High’ rating for its renewable energy trend—recognizing that non-fossil sources reached 50% of its cumulative installed electricity capacity by June 2025 (achieving its 2030 target five years early).
    • Its overall standing was pulled down by structural gaps.
  • The report highlighted government initiatives such as rooftop solar schemes, EV adoption, competitive bidding, the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme, and improved appliance standards.
  • India’s decline is driven by continued coal dependence, rising absolute emissions, and a severe mismatch between renewable capacity and actual generation.
    • Weak grid infrastructure, insufficient storage, and solar curtailment prevent India from fully utilizing its clean energy potential. 
    • India curtailed approximately 2.3 terawatt-hours (TWh) of solar electricity between late May and December 2025 to maintain grid stability.
• EU & G20 Performance: 
  • The European Union improved by one spot to rank 19th with a ‘Medium’ rating, while nine individual EU member states achieved ‘High’ ratings.
    • Portugal ranked 11th, Spain 14th, Sweden 15th, France 20th and Germany 25th.
    • The Slovak Republic ranked 50th, making it the lowest-performing EU member in the index.
  • The G20, which accounts for over 75% of global emissions, performed poorly, with 10 G20 economies receiving an overall ‘Very Low’ rating.
    • The lowest-ranked G20 members and overall global laggards include Saudi Arabia (65th), Russia (66th), the United States (67th), and Iran (68th) at the very bottom. 
• Asian Countries: Pakistan ranked 26th,Vietnam 29th and Thailand 30th. Malaysia ranked 46th, Indonesia 51st and China 56th.
  • China receives a “Very Low” overall score despite leading the world in renewable energy installations.
  • Among Asian nations included in the index, the Philippines ranked highest at 16th overall, earning a “High” rating.
• Major Findings: For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, global carbon emissions from fossil fuels are projected to decline slightly in 2026, supported by rapid growth in renewables, vehicle electrification, and reduced deforestation.
  • CCPI warns that a growing gap separates climate-ambitious nations from lagging major emitters. 
  • The global energy transition is gaining momentum, political pressure on climate mitigation and delayed fossil fuel subsidy phase-outs continue to threaten sustained reductions.
  • It emphasizes that major global economies must resolve grid bottlenecks, scale energy storage, and phase out fossil fuel subsidies to turn early emission slowdowns into permanent reductions.

India’s Climate Commitments and Policies 

• India is a Party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), adopted in 1992.
  • It recognises the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC), emphasising equity.
• India is a Party to the Kyoto Protocol (1997) and the Paris Agreement (2015). The Paris Agreement seeks to limit global warming to well below 2°C, while pursuing efforts to restrict it to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
• It co-founded the International Solar Alliance (ISA) with France, launched the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), and spearheaded the Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA). 
• India also co-leads the Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT) with Sweden and promotes mindful consumption worldwide through Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment).
• India anchors its long-term climate vision in achieving Net-Zero emissions by 2070 alongside its COP26 Panchamrit pledges.
  • For 2030, India committed to 500 GW of non-fossil energy capacity, fulfilling 50% of energy needs from renewables, cutting 1 billion tonnes of projected carbon emissions, and lowering GDP emissions intensity by 45% from 2005 levels. 
  • Building on early progress, the Union Cabinet approved updated 2031–2035Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in March 2026 under the Paris Agreement.
    • These revised goals raise GDP emissions intensity reduction to 47%, lift non-fossil power capacity share to 60%, and expand forest carbon sinks to 3.5–4.0 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent by 2035.
• Domestic governance centers on the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).
  • These are being operated through nine national missions alongside State Action Plans on Climate Change (SAPCCs) across 34 states and union territories. 
  • Institutional oversight flows through the Prime Minister’s Council on Climate Change (PMCCC) and the Apex Committee for Implementation of Paris Agreement (AIPA). 
• Legally, the Environment Protection Act (1986) and Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2022 empower regulators to mandate non-fossil energy use, enforce green building codes, and operate the Indian Carbon Market (ICM) via the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS).
• Major initiatives include the National Green Hydrogen Mission, PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, PM-KUSUM, Green Energy Corridors and solar parks.
  • These promote clean electricity, decentralised solar energy, agricultural sustainability and reduced fossil-fuel dependence.
• India promotes climate resilience through Heat Action Plans, mangrove restoration, disaster early-warning systems, glacier monitoring and climate-resilient agriculture.
  • India also advances Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS), expands electric mobility, transitions Indian Railways toward net-zero emissions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

1. What is India’s rank in CCPI 2027?

India ranked 28th, scoring 60.85 points with a Medium performance rating.

2. Why did India slip from 23rd to 28th position?

Continued coal dependence, rising emissions and inadequate electricity-grid infrastructure offset India’s renewable energy progress.

3. Which organisations publish the CCPI?

Germanwatch and the NewClimate Institute jointly publish the index, with support from Climate Action Network International.

4. What are the four major assessment categories?

GHG Emissions (40%), Renewable Energy (20%), Energy Use (20%) and Climate Policy (20%).

5. Which country ranked highest in CCPI 2027?

Denmark ranked fourth, the highest position, as the first three ranks remained vacant.

Disclaimer: Information in this article is based on official announcements and public records. Details may evolve over time.

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