Mains Marathon

Approach

• Introduce the concept of the net Zero emission and India's pledge of net zero by 2070.
• Discuss how does India’s net zero emission goal by 2070 affect its development and climate action. Also discuss the challenges and opportunities for India to achieve this goal.
• Conclude suitably.

Answer

Net zero emission is a state where the amount of greenhouse gas emissions released into the atmosphere is equal to the amount of emissions removed from it, either by natural or artificial means. This means that there is no net increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which is the main cause of global warming and climate change.

India has recently announced its goal of achieving net zero emission by 2070 at the COP26 summit in Glasgow. India is the world’s fourth largest emitter of carbon dioxide, but also has a large population and a low per capita emission level. India’s net zero goal reflects its commitment to balance its development needs with its climate responsibilities.

India’s net zero emission goal by 2070 affects its development and climate action in several ways. Some of them are:

• It requires India to accelerate its transition to a low-carbon economy, by increasing its share of renewable energy, improving its energy efficiency, reducing its dependence on fossil fuels, and adopting cleaner technologies and practices in various sectors such as industry, transport, agriculture, and waste management.
  • For this, India has initiated several schemes such as Green Hydrogen Mission, Renewable Energy Mission, E20 Fuel Policy, Carbon Credit Scheme, Vehicle Scrappage Policy, FAME India Scheme, Solar Rooftop Program, Solar Park Scheme, etc.
• It requires India to enhance its capacity to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, by expanding its forest cover, restoring its degraded lands, promoting natural carbon sinks such as wetlands and mangroves, and developing artificial carbon capture and storage technologies.
• It requires India to strengthen its resilience and adaptation to the impacts of climate change, by improving its disaster risk management, protecting its vulnerable communities and ecosystems, diversifying its livelihoods and income sources, and investing in climate-smart infrastructure and services.
• It requires India to increase its cooperation and leadership in the global climate action, by supporting other developing countries with finance, technology, and capacity building; by advocating for climate justice and equity; and by contributing to the global stocktake and ratchet mechanism under the Paris Agreement.

India faces many challenges and opportunities to achieve its net zero emission goal by 2070. Some of them are:

• Challenges:
  • Meeting the growing energy demand of a large and aspirational population.
  • Ensuring universal access to affordable and reliable electricity and clean cooking.
  • Overcoming the social, economic, and political barriers to phasing out fossil fuel subsidies.
  • Addressing the concerns of coal-dependent regions and workers and mobilizing adequate finance, technology, and innovation for low-carbon development.
• Opportunities:
  • Leveraging India’s abundant renewable energy potential, especially solar and hydro power.
  • Harnessing India’s demographic dividend and entrepreneurial spirit for green jobs and businesses.
  • Benefiting from India’s existing policies and programs that support low-carbon development, such as the National Action Plan on Climate Change, the National Electricity Plan, the National Hydrogen Mission, etc.
  • Accessing new sources of finance, technology, and innovation from domestic and international partners & enhancing India’s global reputation and influence as a responsible and proactive actor on climate change.

India’s net zero emission goal by 2070 is a bold and visionary commitment that reflects its responsibility and leadership on climate change. India needs to adopt a holistic, participatory, and adaptive approach to achieve this goal effectively and efficiently. India also needs to leverage its strengths and potential in renewable energy, green innovation, cultural diversity, and global partnerships to promote low-carbon development as a national priority and a global responsibility.