India aims to achieve Net Zero emissions by 2070, part of its 'Panchamrit' strategy. This involves increasing renewable energy to 500 GW by 2030, reducing emissions intensity, and increasing carbon sinks. It requires investments in green technologies and energy efficiency, offering economic growth, energy security, and global climate leadership.
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India to become a carbon-neutral country by 2070, backed by green hydrogen and renewable energy expansion to meet rising energy demands.
Carbon neutrality, or net zero, means achieving a balance between greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions released into the atmosphere and those removed or offset through natural sinks (e.g., forests) or technologies like carbon capture.
India, the world’s third-largest emitter, aims to reduce emissions across sectors—power, industry, transport, agriculture, and residential—while enhancing carbon sinks to ensure no net addition of GHGs by 2070.
India's goal aligns with its commitment to the Paris Agreement (2016), which aims to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
Climate Vulnerability: India ranks among the top 10 countries most affected by climate change (Germanwatch Climate Risk Index), facing heatwaves, erratic monsoons, and floods that threaten agriculture (employs 45% of the workforce) and livelihoods.
Economic Growth: As the world’s fastest-growing major economy, India’s need energy transitions to avoid carbon lock-in. According to International Energy Agency (IEA), India's electricity demand is projected to approximately triple by 2050.
Global Leadership: India’s low per capita emissions (In 2022, 1.9 tons CO2 in India vs 14.21 tons in US) and historical contribution stress its push for climate justice, demanding developed nations to provide finance and technology.
Development Goals: Carbon neutrality aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action), ensuring equitable growth for 1.4 billion people.
India’s net-zero target by 2070, announced at COP26 (2021), is part of the “Panchamrita” strategy, formalized in the 2022 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC). Key goals include:
Additional target: Create a carbon sink of 2.5–3 GtCO2e through forest cover by 2030.
Renewable Energy Expansion: India has already exceeded its 2030 target for non-fossil fuel electricity capacity.
Energy Efficiency: As of January 2025, the Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA) scheme has distributed over 36.87 crore LED bulbs, resulted in annual energy savings of 47,883 million kWh and avoided carbon dioxide emissions of 38.7 million tonnes.
Carbon Markets: The Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act 2022 introduced the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS), set to launch in 2026, covering nine compliance sectors and ten voluntary sectors.
Electric Vehicles (EVs): PM E-DRIVE Scheme introduced in 2024 with an outlay of ₹10,900 crore, this two-year scheme supports EVs and related infrastructure, including charging stations.
Green Hydrogen: India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023, showed that India's total forest and tree cover increased to 25.17% of its geographical area.
International Solar Alliance (ISA): Launched by India and France in 2015, ISA promotes solar energy globally, with India leading the One Sun, One World, One Grid (OSOWOG) initiative.
Coal Dependency: Coal powers 73% of electricity consumption (2024), with production and imports at record highs. Subsidies for fossil fuels are eight times higher than for renewables, risking carbon lock-in.
Energy Demand Growth: Electricity demand is increasing about twice as fast as overall energy use and is likely to rise by more than half between 2022 and 2040, challenging renewable energy scalability.
Carbon Market Issues: The CCTS faces challenges like double counting, inconsistent standards, and low domestic demand (only 600,000 of 61 million carbon credits sold domestically).
Forest Cover Target: Still below the National Forest Policy target of 33%.
Climate Finance: India requires $12.4 trillion by 2070 for net zero, but international climate finance falls short.
Social Impact: Transitioning from coal threatens jobs in coal-dependent regions like Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, requiring reskilling and economic diversification.
Technology Gaps: Overreliance on imported solar components and limited carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) expertise hinder progress.
Strengthen Carbon Markets: Align CCTS with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, introduce price floors/ceilings, and enhance digital Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) systems to boost investor confidence.
Phase Down Coal: Gradually reduce coal subsidies, invest in grid storage (e.g., battery systems), and scale CCUS for hard-to-abate sectors like cement and steel.
Boost Climate Finance: Advocate for $100 billion annual climate finance from developed nations (as per Paris Agreement) and issue green bonds to fund renewable projects.
Enhance Forestry: Accelerate afforestation through community-driven models and integrate urban greening to meet the 2.5–3 GtCO2e sink target.
Promote Green Jobs: Develop reskilling programs for coal workers and incentivize MSMEs to adopt low-carbon technologies through subsidies and aggregation models.
Technology Transfer: Seek concessional technology transfers from developed nations for CCUS, green hydrogen, and energy storage.
What India can learn from Other Countries
The EU’s Emissions Trading System (ETS), covering about 40% of GHG emissions, offers a model for India’s CCTS. Its clear pricing and robust MRV systems ensure market integrity. India can adopt similar transparent standards.
China achieved 1,200 GW renewable capacity by 2024 through state-led investments. India can mimic China’s focus on domestic manufacturing to reduce reliance on imported solar components.
Costa Rica achieved 99% renewable electricity through hydropower and geothermal. India can diversify its renewable mix by scaling small hydropower and nuclear energy.
India’s commitment to carbon neutrality by 2070 reflects its leadership in balancing economic growth with climate action. By strengthening carbon markets, phasing down coal, and learning from global models, India can achieve net zero before 2070, setting a developmental model for the Global South.
Source: NEWSONAIR
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PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Discuss the challenges and opportunities for India in achieving its net-zero emissions target by 2070. 150 words |
Carbon neutrality means balancing the carbon dioxide emissions produced with the carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere. This is achieved through a combination of reducing emissions and enhancing carbon absorption.
Carbon sinks are natural or artificial reservoirs that absorb more carbon from the atmosphere than they release. Forests, oceans, and soil are major natural sinks.
The mission aims to make India a global hub for green hydrogen production, which is a key clean fuel for hard-to-abate sectors like steel and fertilizers, vital for achieving the 2070 target.
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