India and China have abstained from joining a pledge taken by 118 nations on the sidelines of the annual UN climate summit (COP28) to work towards tripling the global renewable energy generation capacity by 2030. The abstention aligns with India’s position of maintaining its reliance on coal-fired power plants to meet growing electricity demand, while still increasing its non-fossil fuel energy generation capacity. India has stated that it does not want to compromise on power availability for economic growth. China, which has not given a reason for its abstention, is also a major coal consumer. Although both nations have not joined the pledge, sources indicate that India could potentially negotiate its position and join the agreement later.

At the G20 leaders’ summit in Delhi, the world’s richest nations, including India and China, agreed to pursue increased renewable energy capacity and other low-emission technologies by 2030.