Glasgow Climate Meet: India doesn’t rule out ‘net zero’ Commitment

In News

• CoP 26 is soon to begin in Glasgow with focus on commitment to Net Zero.
  • India doesn’t rule out ‘net zero’ commitment but insists on earlier pledges for tech transfer funds from developed countries.

Focus of the Meeting

• To have all nations commit to a ‘net zero’, or a year by when a country’s fossil fuel emissions would peak and at some point be neutralised.
  • All countries doing this by 2050, would mean a chance of restricting average temperature rise to 1.5 Celsius.
    • Provided emissions fall to around 45% of 2010 levels by 2030.

• Deep and significant cuts to fossil fuel use.
  • This could affect the development trajectory of India and other developing countries.

India’s Stand 

• India hasn’t entirely ruled out the possibility of agreeing to a ‘net zero’ target.
  • A study by the think tank Council for Energy Environment and Water projects that for India to achieve a net-zero target by 2070, 
    • Usage of coal especially for power generation would need to peak by 2040 and drop by 99% between 2040 and 2060. 
    • The consumption of crude oil across sectors would also need to peak by 2050 and fall substantially by 90% between 2050 and 2070. 
• India will not budge on demands from developed nations on making good on previous commitments such as
  • An annual $100 billion to developing countries for mitigating the impacts of climate change
  • Facilitating technology transfer 
  • Putting in place a tangible market-based mechanism to activate the moribund carbon credit markets.

• Even if India doesn’t announce a net zero target, it may update its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC)
  • That could include higher clean-energy targets or reductions in specific categories of emissions.

• India and the United Kingdom have agreed to strengthen climate initiatives and further their green partnership.
  • India would support the UK’s COP Presidency, wishing COP26 to be the COP of action and implementation.

Objections and Apprehensions of India in achieving Net Zero

• High Hunger and Poverty:
  • India is always determined to eschew the use of fossil fuel but only gradually.
  • It cannot compromise on development, that is now primarily reliant on coal.
  • Even the recent Global Hunger Index has put India much behind as compared to its neighbours.
• Against Common but Differentiated Responsibility:
  • Also as it goes against the core principle of ‘common but differentiated responsibility’ 
    • Which requires developed countries, who are responsible for the climate crisis, to take on deeper cuts 
    • Also, to pay developing countries for the environmental damage from rising temperature and finance their transition to clean energy sources. 

India’s NDC 

• India, the world’s third largest emitter.
  • India’s average per capita emissions was 1.96 tons/person/annum, the European Union’s was 8.4 and the United States was 18.
• In 2015 NDCs India committed to 
  • Increase the share of non-fossil fuel sources to 40% 
  • Reduce its emissions intensity per unit of GDP by nearly 33-35% of 2005 levels 
  • Create a carbon sink of 2.5-3 billion tons of CO2 equivalent.

• Contribution of Corporates
  • Indian corporates are also stepping up, 
    • The Tata Group winning awards on sustainability, 
    • Mahindra committed to net-zero by 2040, and Reliance by 2035.

Source: TH

Why should India commit to the net zero target ?

• National interest:
  • It is among the most vulnerable countries to climate change and, thus, should be the most active ones against the threats.

• International Influence: 
  • India is a rising power,and thus needs to  seek stronger global influence.
  • India’s reluctance to commit to the target would be a significant drag on India’s diplomacy.

• Economic Implications:
  • A trade-off between reducing emissions and economic growth is very difficult.
  • The negative impacts of climate change in India’s economic development is now central to success, not an added luxury to consider.
  • For Instance, the U.K. has reduced emissions by over 40% and grown its economy by over 70% since 1990.
  • Solar energy costs have fallen 90% in recent years, providing the cheapest electricity India has ever seen.

Way Ahead

• International cooperation:
  • Stronger political engagement with stronger policy support in areas like 
    • Energy policy, 
    • Carbon markets, 
    • Technology Transfer,
    • Economic recovery.

• Decarbonizing investment:
  • Focus should be on zero-emissions transport
  • New technologies to decarbonise sectors like steel, cement, and chemicals, and agriculture offer significant scope to raise ambition.

Source: TH