India had committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2070, falling short of a major objective of the COP26 meeting that called for nations to make that commitment by 2050.
Changing Perspective
These pronouncements signal a dramatic change in how the nation views its contribution to international climate action. India has already stated unequivocally that only those accountable for past emissions are accountable for lowering them. However, it is now demonstrating that India values robust, inclusive, and sustainable growth and that addressing climate change is the way to success. India’s participation in the International Solar Alliance is one way it helps to organize global climate action. Along with setting aggressive goals to reduce emissions, it is setting an example by making progress toward its nationally specified objectives. The announcements have, however, generated some skepticism. This debate has generally focused on two points: first, that 2070 is not a lofty enough target given that the majority of economies have committed to achieving net zero by 2050, and second, that there is insufficient detail about how such objectives would be attained and funded.
Is The 2070 Goal A Reality?
By 2070, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given his nation a much later deadline than many other nations, with the goal of having net zero emissions of greenhouse gases. India has resisted establishing overall reduction goals, arguing that industrialized countries should shoulder a far larger part of the responsibility because they have made a considerably higher cumulative contribution to global warming. As opposed to the earlier objective of a 33–35% reduction in emissions intensity from the level in 2005 by 2030, Mr. Modi claims that India would lower the ecological footprint of its economy by 45% by 2030. However, a decline in the intensity of carbon emissions does not always equate to a decrease in total emissions.
By 2030, India’s prime minister promised, it would raise its capacity for non-fossil fuel energy to 500 GW. It is now capable of about 157GW. India has earlier set a goal of obtaining 175 GW by the following year. Large hydropower and nuclear capacity were omitted from this objective, which, at little over 100GW, is likely to be missed. India pledged to supply 40% of total electric power from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030, which was also made in 2015. This number has now been raised by Mr. Modi to 50%. According to official figures from India, the generation capacity from these sources was at about 39% as of September of this year. India lacks a conditional aim that specifies where or even how much assistance it requires.
India’s total forest area as of 2021 was 713,789 Sq. km, or 21.71 percent of the country’s total land area. Over 2019, there has been an increase in forest cover of 1,540 sq. km. However, there has been a significant loss of forest cover in a number of states, which is worrying. According to India’s National Forest Policy, at least 33% of the country’s total land area should be covered by forests in order to ensure ecological stability. India needs to catch up to ensure ecological stability. India needs to catch up to do this.
Delving Our Own Cemeteries
Following a sternly worded statement from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Mr. Modi delivered his remarks. He sternly lambasted the ongoing use of fossil fuels, stating “we are building our own graves,” and demanded that people stop “treating nature like a toilet.”
While US President Joe Biden claimed that “none of us can escape the worst of what’s still to come if we fail to grab this moment,” UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that future generations “would judge us with anger” if they failed at the summit. Greta Thunberg, a young activist, criticized the summit’s lawmakers for “pretending to take our future seriously” in front of a mob of protesters. There isn’t going to be any internal change. That’s not showing leadership. This is how you lead. She added amid applause, “This is what leadership looks like.
Further Developments
India is likely to experience rapid development in industries like the construction sector that are particularly difficult to decarbonize as its population grows and living standards rise. According to the International Energy Agency, machinery and infrastructure that does not yet exist will be responsible for over 60% of emissions in the late 2030s. Clean hydrogen research is still in its early stages, and India will require financial assistance from other countries as well as international cooperation to implement this and other critical technologies at the required scale. In his address, Modi demanded that wealthy nations provide $1 trillion in climate financing at the earliest and establish a system to monitor the development of those funds in the same manner that the international community monitors global mitigation efforts. Even if India’s new pledges don’t seem to be linked explicitly to a set amount of foreign aid, its net-zero goal will be a component of its development plan and as such is dependent on international help and collaboration. Recently, several net-zero objectives have surfaced, including those for Russia, Saudi Arabia, and other countries. Sadly, India’s vow runs the risk of falling into the same category, although the other numbers that have been released are intriguing.