Hold your breath, India’s climate ranking just took a tumble! In the latest Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2026, India has slid down 13 places to the 23rd spot. This news came during the ongoing UN COP30 Climate Summit, stirring quite a buzz. The annual CCPI, by Germanwatch, NewClimate Institute, and Climate Action Network, checks how 63 countries plus the EU are fighting climate change. India, scoring 61.31, has dropped from being a 'high performer' to just 'medium'. Why? The report pointed a big finger at India’s missing deadline to quit coal usage. New coal blocks are still being auctioned, keeping coal firmly in the energy mix. This coal connection weighs heavily, marking India as a top oil, gas, and coal producer in the world. The report’s voice is clear: India must set a time-bound coal phase-down and phase-out plan. Plus, it urges shifting fossil fuel support towards community-run renewable energy projects. “India ranks 23rd and is among the medium-performing countries in this year's CCPI. The country earns a medium in GHG Emissions, Climate Policy, and Energy Use, and a low in Renewable Energy,” the report says. But don't think all is gloomy! India is also showing some spicy moves in the renewable energy arena. With formal strategies, ambitious renewable targets, and energy efficiency programs like BEE labelling since 2006 and the PAT mechanism since 2012, the country is pushing hard. It even reached 50% of installed power from non-fossil fuels by 2025 — earlier than the 2030 target — with renewables booming via auctions and big tariff drops. Yet, challenges remain. Experts worry about land conflicts and human rights issues triggered by large-scale renewables projects. Plus, coal still casts a long shadow — India plans to increase coal production and remains one of the top holders of coal reserves. Its 2070 net-zero goal doesn’t match what’s needed to keep global warming under 1.5°C. The CCPI report also points out missing milestones for 2035 and 2040, weak carbon pricing, and limited public involvement in planning. Internationally, India is a star in the International Solar Alliance, but expanding fossil fuel use at home dents its credibility. The experts have clear advice: set strict timelines to ban new coal projects, push fossil subsidies towards local, community-based clean energy, improve environmental safeguards, and create clear, binding plans to cut fossil fuels in transport, industry, and buildings. Safety nets for vulnerable groups and fair transitions for affected regions are also top priorities. While no country landed in the top three for doing enough to beat climate change, Denmark, the UK, and Morocco lead the pack. Sadly, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the USA lag far behind. India’s story in the CCPI 2026 is a thrilling drama of strong green ambitions clashing with coal realities. Can India turn this around and rise up the ranks? The world is watching, and the COP30 spotlight is brighter than ever!