India’s post-2020 climate plan is set to include a target for carbon emissions intensity, adding to an outline of the country’s renewable energy strategy, the Economic Times reported Monday.

The Indian plan is expected to be submitted to the UN around September, and will set an overall future emissions target related to the carbon intensity of the economy, but no sectoral targets as previously reported, the paper said, citing unnamed government sources.

Previous government statements have indicated India would focus on renewable energy ambitions in the plan.

For 2020, India has pledged a 20-25% drop in carbon intensity compared to 2005 levels.

According to the Economic Times, recent studies have shown the nation can achieve a 40-64% cut in intensity in the energy and industry sectors by 2030, though the officials quoted in the story said a final decision has yet to made on the specific target.

India is the world’s third-biggest emitter, and its INDC is eagerly awaited despite the country’s low per-capita GHG output levels – around a third of those of neighbouring China.

Of the 47 nations that have submitted INDCs so far, China and Singapore are the only ones to have formulated targets in terms of carbon intensity.

Marshall Islands President Christopher J. Loeak last week criticised nations that didn’t set absolute targets, saying they mean people have to “look into a crystal ball to understand what it means for how much CO2 goes into the atmosphere”.

Countries have been pressuring India to set a date for when its emissions will peak, the UK’s top climate envoy David King last week told news agency RTCC, adding that its emissions should peak before 2035.

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