India’s way to Net Zero by 2070

Context :  As the effects of climate change become more evident, India's commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070 needs to be both ambitious and sustainable. The challenge is immense, but it also presents significant opportunities for India to shape a greener and more resilient future.

What is Net-Zero Carbon Emissions?

• Net-zero carbon emissions (also known as carbon neutrality) refers to the balance between the amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere and the amount removed from it. The goal is to achieve a situation where no net carbon emissions are added to the atmosphere.

• India's Target: At the COP26 Summit in Glasgow (2021), India announced its goal to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2070. This is a significant step in India's long-term climate strategy.

Significance of Carbon Neutrality

1. Climate Change Mitigation:
Achieving net-zero emissions is vital to limit the average global temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. This is critical to avoid the severe impacts of climate change, such as extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and loss of biodiversity.

• Current Situation: Global temperatures have already risen by 1°C since the 1880s due to the industrial revolution, making the need for urgent action even more pressing.

• India's Role: India is currently the 3rd largest emitter of greenhouse gases (GHG) after China and the United States. Despite this, India is committed to taking action to reduce emissions and contribute to global climate goals.

2. Biodiversity Protection:
Achieving carbon neutrality helps to reduce pollution, conserve natural habitats, and protect biodiversity by limiting the negative impacts of industrialization on ecosystems.

3. Cleaner Air and Water:
Reducing emissions also decreases air and water pollution, leading to improved health outcomes for communities and enhancing the quality of life for people living in polluted environments.

4. Quality of Life:
A transition to a net-zero economy can lead to sustainable urban development, creating cleaner, healthier, and more livable communities.

India’s Strategy for Achieving Net-Zero

India's approach to achieving net-zero carbon emissions is based on two key principles:

1. Equity and Climate Justice: Ensuring that India's climate actions are fair and consider the country’s developmental needs, particularly in light of its historical emissions and current socio-economic challenges.

2. Common But Differentiated Responsibilities: Recognizing that while all countries must act to reduce emissions, developed nations have historically contributed more to climate change and have greater financial and technological capacity to lead efforts.

Opportunities in Achieving Net-Zero

Transitioning to a net-zero economy presents several economic and social benefits:

1. Energy Security:
By diversifying energy sources and reducing dependence on fossil fuels, India can improve its energy security and reduce vulnerabilities related to global energy supply disruptions.

• India currently ranks 4th globally in terms of renewable energy capacity, with solar and wind energy playing a critical role in the country's energy mix.

2. Employment Generation:
The shift to a green economy can create new employment opportunities in emerging industries like renewable energy, green infrastructure, and carbon capture and storage (CCS).

3. Environmental Protection:
By adopting net-zero strategies, India can play a key role in protecting the environment by responsibly using natural resources and minimizing environmental degradation.

4. Attracting Investment:
Investors are increasingly considering environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors in their decisions. India’s commitment to net-zero can attract green investments and stimulate innovation in sustainable technologies.

Challenges in Achieving Net-Zero

While the benefits are clear, India faces significant challenges in achieving net-zero carbon emissions:

1. Resource Limitations:
India’s large population and limited resources pose challenges in scaling up renewable energy projects. The country will need substantial land and infrastructure for the expansion of solar and wind energy.

2. Financial Constraints:
Achieving net-zero will require massive investments in renewable energy, technology, and infrastructure development. The cost of decarbonizing sectors like agriculture, cement, and steel will be high.

3. Technological Gaps:
India’s limited access to advanced green technologies hinders its progress toward net-zero. Overcoming this gap will require innovation and international cooperation.

4. Dependence on Fossil Fuels:
India still derives around 50% of its energy needs from coal, making the transition to renewable energy a major challenge.

5. Growing Energy Demand:
India's power demand is expected to increase by nine to ten times by 2070. Meeting this demand entirely with renewable energy will require 5,500 GW of solar and 1,500 GW of wind capacity, which is a monumental task.

6. Inequality:
The impacts of climate change disproportionately affect the economically weaker sections of society. According to the World Inequality Database, the top 10% of emitters in India contribute 20 times more emissions than the poorest 10%.

Sustainable Path for Achieving Net-Zero

India’s path to net-zero must be sustainable, balancing economic development with climate action. Some key measures include:

1. Energy Efficiency:
Promoting the use of energy-efficient appliances and adopting passive design strategies in buildings can reduce energy consumption and lower carbon emissions.

• Passive design uses a building’s natural surroundings to improve indoor comfort and reduce the need for heating and cooling, thus cutting energy costs.

2. Sustainable Transport:
Encouraging the use of public transportation, electric vehicles, and railways can significantly reduce emissions, especially in urban areas.

3. Mindful Consumption:
Encouraging the use of locally produced goods and promoting mindful dietary choices can reduce the carbon footprint from transportation and agriculture.

4. Policy Measures:
Scaling up renewable energy production through supportive policies and addressing bottlenecks in policy execution will help accelerate the transition to a net-zero economy.

• The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, which promotes rooftop solar installations, is an example of decentralizing energy production and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

5. Renewable Energy Adoption:
India must focus on expanding its capacity in solar, wind, hydropower, and biomass energy through continued investments and budgetary allocations.

6. Carbon Markets:
Standardizing and expanding carbon markets can provide financial incentives for businesses and individuals to engage in climate-friendly practices.

7. Nuclear Energy:
Expanding nuclear power can provide a reliable, low-carbon energy source to complement renewable energy sources.

8. Innovative Technologies:
Investing in energy storage and smart grid technologies will increase the efficiency and reliability of renewable energy systems.

9. International Cooperation:
To tackle global challenges, international collaboration is crucial. India must continue working with other nations to address climate change and achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs).

What Lies Ahead?

To ensure a sustainable future, India must:

• Address inequity in climate action to achieve sustainable development across all sectors.
• Explore alternative funding options for green infrastructure projects.
• Balance the transition to green energy with the upliftment of poverty among the economically vulnerable.
• Ensure that economic growth and environmental responsibility go hand in hand.

By embracing these strategies, India can achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2070 and lead the way towards a more sustainable, resilient, and prosperous future.