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Informist, Saturday, May 30, 2026

MUMBAI – Worsening climate change and the continued burning of fossil fuels is likely to worsen heat during summers in India, Simon Stiell, executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, said in a report Thursday. Multiple parts of the country are already facing a "punishing summer" as temperatures and electricity demand surge, the UN climate chief said.

The warning comes as parts of north and central India continue to reel under intense heatwaves, which have led to power demand climbing to record levels in recent days, the report said. "The main culprit is worsening climate change, largely driven by the world burning colossal amounts of coal, oil and gas," the report quoted Stiell as saying.

A rise in the use of fossil fuels contributes to climate change, which in turn worsens heat during summers in India. However, the rise in temperatures prompts a further increase in fossil fuel burning, and the cycle continues. India's soaring electricity demand is among the many signs of the mounting strain extreme heat places on economies and public infrastructure, the report quoted Stiell as saying.

India recorded an all-time high peak electricity demand of 256.1 gigawatts on Apr. 25, according to a release by the Ministry of Power. This surpassed the previous all-time high of 250 gigawatts recorded on May 30, 2024, and exceeded the peak of 245.4 gigawatts observed on Jan. 26, 2026, the release said.

Though solar and other renewable energy sources have helped to meet daytime peaks in electricity use with the rapid expansion of solar power in India, extreme heat is likely to intensify, the report quoted Stiell as saying. "The heat extremes over India are a reminder of the potential of homegrown clean energy and energy efficiency measures," he said in the report, adding that cleaner energy could help deliver affordable electricity, cooling, and greater energy security. The rise in global fuel prices due to the war in West Asia is a "double-reminder" of the need to accelerate the shift towards renewable energy, the UN climate chief said.

Scientists have repeatedly warned that climate change is likely to continue making severe heatwaves more frequent, more intense, and longer-lasting, the report said.

Heatwaves to severe heatwaves have persisted over several parts of India during April and May. Both day and night temperatures have also remained high across the country during the period, particularly in parts of northwest, central, west, and east India. According to the India Meteorological Department's monthly forecast, above-normal maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to continue in June, along with an above-normal number of heatwave days.  End

Reported by Shreya Shetty

Edited by Himanshi Gupta

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