According to the International Energy Agency, India is set to double its coal consumption by 2035 and become the world's largest coal importer by 2020. (File photo)
In a historic move on Monday, the Barack Obama administration in the US has ordered steeper cuts from coal-burning plants.
According to the new plan, carbon pollution from power plants will be cut by 32% by 2030 compared with 2005 levels. The previous target was 30%.
The new, ramped-up plan, may unveil series of changes in the US, but closer home, things are not that green.
India is still largely dependent on coal for its energy consumption. The country is now where America was perhaps during its developing years, with nearly 55% of its energy needs met by burning of coal.
According to the International Energy Agency, India is set to double its coal consumption by 2035 and become the world's largest coal importer by 2020.
While the Narendra Modi government may have an ambitious solar energy plan, the reality is that 455 Indian power plants are dependent on coal. The staggering number of coal-based power plants is highest in the world.
And while 300 million Indians need to be provided with electricity, will the government look at renewable energy to meet its energy needs?
According to the 2015 BP Statistical Review of World Energy, India's coal consumption is highest in the world in 2014 at 11.1%. In comparison, coal consumption growth in China was only 0.1%.
Global energy consumption grew at 0.9% last year energy consumption in India grew 7.1%. While coal is the cheapest form of fuel, yet it is the most dangerous option with huge amounts of carbon emissions, which impact climate change in a big way.