India recently made an announcement at the Conference of the Parties (COP) 26 climate summit in Glasgow, that it aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2070. This commitment is a part of a five-step action plan, which also includes a goal to reduce emissions to 50% by the year 2030. However, India has yet to submit its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDCs) with these commitments to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Understanding the Concept of Net Zero
Net Zero is defined as a state where a country’s total emissions are effectively counterbalanced by the absorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This absorption occurs naturally through trees and forests and can also be accomplished through future technological advancements that physically remove carbon dioxide. Over 70 countries have committed to achieving Net Zero by mid-century, an essential step towards the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global temperature rise to within 2 degrees Celsius from pre-industrial levels.
The Significance of India’s Net Zero Target
India’s decision to set a Net Zero target for 2070 is significant, not only because it meets global expectations but also because it is the first time the country has committed to such a target. Previously, under the Paris Agreement, India had committed to reducing its emissions intensity – the amount of emissions per unit of Gross Domestic Product – by 33 to 35% by 2030, compared to 2005 levels.
Emission Reduction Initiatives in India
Despite accounting for 17% of the world’s population, India contributes only 5% to the world’s total emissions. The World Resources Institute reported that India’s total greenhouse gas emissions in 2018 were about 3.3 billion tonnes, with projections suggesting a rise above 4 billion tonnes per year by the year 2030.
India’s Renewables Targets to Combat Climate Change
In 2019, India announced a plan to increase its installed capacity of renewable energy to 450 GW by 2030, up from an initial target of 175 GW by 2022. The country has been ramping up its renewable capacity rapidly in the past few years, with the most recent pledge being to increase non-fossil fuel energy in the energy mix to 50%.
The Role of Climate Finance in India’s Transition
India’s transition towards carbon neutrality requires significant financial support from developed countries. To ensure this transition, India is seeking USD 1 trillion of climate finance and will monitor not just climate action, but also the delivery of climate finance from developed nations.
Strategies for Achieving Net Zero
According to a study by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water, several critical steps need to be taken for India to achieve its net-zero target. These include increasing India’s total installed solar power capacity to over 5,600 gigawatts and reducing coal usage, especially for power generation, by 99% by 2060. Additionally, crude oil consumption across sectors would need to peak by 2050 and reduce substantially by 90% between 2050 and 2070. The study also suggests that green hydrogen could contribute 19% of the total energy needs of the industrial sector.
While these targets are ambitious, they represent a crucial commitment to combat climate change and transition towards a sustainable future.
Last Modified: February 13, 2024