Kirtivardhan Singh outlines India’s roadmap to net-zero emissions by 2070

New Delhi: “India, though contributing minimally on a per capita basis to global greenhouse gas emissions, has pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070. This ambitious target was first announced during the 26th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in November 2021, with the Long-Term Low Greenhouse Gas Emission Development Strategies (LT-LEDS) submitted to the UNFCCC in November 2022.

This was stated by the Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Kirti Vardhan Singh who detailed India’s commitment to combat climate change in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha on August 08, 2024.

“India’s strategy is underpinned by four key considerations. Historically, India has contributed only 4% to cumulative global greenhouse gas emissions despite accounting for approximately 17% of the world’s population. In 2019, India’s annual primary energy consumption per capita was 28.7 gigajoules, significantly lower than that of many developed and developing countries,” Singh informed.

“Despite its considerable energy needs, India is committed to low-carbon development strategies, ensuring access to energy for households, and promoting energy security across all sectors. Additionally, India recognizes the need to build climate resilience due to its diverse geography and vulnerability to climate change impacts. Adaptation measures are crucial to sustaining development gains and growth,” Minister added.

India’s LT-LEDS outlines seven strategic transitions: developing low-carbon electricity systems, creating an integrated low-carbon transport system, promoting sustainable urbanization, decoupling economic growth from emissions, enhancing CO2 removal and related engineering solutions, increasing forest and vegetation cover, and addressing the economic and financial aspects of low-carbon development.

Implementing carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) poses challenges due to economic, technical, and political uncertainties. Currently, retrofitting thermal power units for CCUS is not viable until the technology becomes more cost-effective and energy-efficient. International collaboration and significant climate finance are necessary to scale CCUS implementation. Transitioning to renewable energy is a crucial aspect of India’s strategy. Given the intermittent nature of solar and wind power, reliable energy storage systems like Pumped Storage Projects (PSP) and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are essential.

The Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) highlights the risk of “carbon leakage,” where emissions reduction in one country or sector leads to increased emissions elsewhere. To counteract this, developed countries must reduce resource consumption and adopt environmentally friendly lifestyles. In 2022, India launched ‘Mission LiFE’ (Lifestyle for Environment), encouraging individuals and communities to drive positive behavioral change globally. This initiative aims to shift from excessive consumption to mindful resource utilization, promoting a sustainable way of living based on conservation and moderation.

India’s revised Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) emphasize fostering a sustainable lifestyle as a key strategy in combating climate change. This commitment reflects India’s dedication to multilateralism, equity, and the principles of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC), urging developed countries to lead in reducing emissions and supporting developing nations through finance, technology, and capacity-building.