World Earth Day 2026: 'Our Power, Our Planet' and India's clean-energy push

World Earth Day was observed on 22 April 2026 with the global theme 'Our Power, Our Planet', which calls for a sharp shift to renewable energy and community-led climate action. Earth Day was first observed in 1970 in the United States and is now marked in more than 190 countries. In India, the day was used by ministries, schools and civic bodies to highlight progress and challenges in the country's energy transition.

India's climate action sits on its updated Nationally Determined Contributions and the Panchamrit pledge made at COP-26: reaching 500 GW of non-fossil power capacity by 2030, meeting 50% of energy needs from renewables by 2030, cutting projected carbon emissions by 1 billion tonnes by 2030, lowering the carbon intensity of GDP by 45% from 2005 levels by 2030, and achieving net-zero by 2070. As of early 2026, installed renewable energy capacity in the country is around 220 GW, including large solar parks, rooftop solar under PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, and wind capacity, with about 80 GW of solar added in the last five years.

On the lifestyle side, the LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) movement launched by India in 2022 has been folded into the Mission LiFE programme, which encourages mindful consumption, energy-saving and reduced single-use plastics by households. Earth Day events at the National Science Centre in Delhi and across state forest departments featured tree plantation, e-waste collection drives and student film and poster contests on the 'Our Power, Our Planet' theme.

Exam angle: Important to memorise the Panchamrit numbers (500 GW non-fossil, 50% RE share, 45% intensity cut, net-zero by 2070), the year the LiFE movement was announced (2022, COP-26 Glasgow), and the date and origin of Earth Day (22 April, since 1970). UPSC Mains GS-3 questions on energy transition and climate diplomacy frequently use these data points.