NET ZERO BY 2070
CONTEXT
- PM Modi, in his address at the ongoing COP26, announced a bold pledge that India will achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2070.
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- At the summit PM presented following five nectar elements, Panchamrit, to deal with climate change:
- India will reach its non-fossil energy capacity to 500 GW by 2030.
- India will meet 50% of its energy requirements from renewable energy by 2030.
- India will reduce the total projected carbon emissions by one billion tonnes from now onwards till 2030.
- India has the lowest per capita emissions of the world’s major economies –emitting 5% of the total, despite accounting for 17% of the world’s population.
- By 2030, India will reduce the carbon intensity of its economy by less than 45%.
- Carbon intensity is measured as carbon dioxide emissions per unit of gross domestic product.
- By 2070, India will achieve the target of Net Zero.
- Net zero refers to a balance where emissions of greenhouse gases that raise the planet’s temperature continue are offset by the absorption of an equivalent amount from the atmosphere.
- This is the first time India has committed to net-zero emissions.
- Climate Finance
- India’s efforts though will have to be supported by the availability of climate finance from developed countries. Without foreign capital, on concessional terms, this transition will prove to be difficult.
- India demands USD 1 trillion of climate finance as soon as possible and will monitor not just climate action, but deliver climate finance.
- Most importantly, India has called, once again, for a change in lifestyles.