Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at an international conference on environment and climate dynamics, stated that India's per capita carbon emissions are less than half of the global average. The claim underscores India's longstanding position in climate negotiations: that a country hosting 17% of the world's population has contributed disproportionately little to cumulative greenhouse gas emissions, and therefore deserves policy space for development while pursuing clean energy transitions.

India's argument in global climate negotiations consistently rests on the principle of 'common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities' (CBDR-RC), enshrined in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Per capita emissions are the moral cornerstone of this argument. While India is the world's third-largest absolute emitter of CO₂, its per capita emissions remain far below the global average — and far below developed nations like the United States or Australia — because of its large population and historically low industrialisation.

The global average per capita CO₂ emission is approximately 4.7 tonnes per person per year. India's figure hovers around 1.9–2.0 tonnes, confirming the 'less than half' claim. The US emits roughly 14–15 tonnes per capita, and China around 8 tonnes.

This statistical reality shapes India's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement. India's updated NDC (submitted 2022) targets: reducing emissions intensity of GDP by 45% from 2005 levels by 2030; achieving 50% of cumulative electric power from non-fossil sources by 2030; and creating an additional carbon sink of 2.5–3 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent through forest and tree cover by 2030. India also pledged net zero emissions by 2070.

For exam aspirants, the per capita framing is directly tested — examiners use it to assess whether aspirants understand the equity dimension of climate finance and the difference between absolute and per capita emissions rankings.