Assessing the Sustainability of India’s Path to Net-Zero by 2070

Sub: Env

Sec: Climate Change

Why in News

India’s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070 is a critical focus for policymakers, especially as global climate negotiations intensify. With increasing power demand and a complex web of priorities including food security, forest conservation, and biodiversity, India’s strategy for a sustainable pathway to net-zero is under scrutiny.

Net zero emissions:

‘Net zero emissions’ refers to achieving an overall balance between greenhouse gas emissions produced and greenhouse gas emissions taken out of the atmosphere.
Net zero or carbon neutrality is when more carbon is sucked out from the atmosphere or prevented from being emitted than what a country emits and is critical to ensuring that the planet does not heat up an additional half a degree by 2100.
Net-zero, which is also referred to as carbon-neutrality, does not mean that a country would bring down its emissions to zero.
Gross-zero means reaching a state where there are no emissions at all.
Therefore, net-zero is a state in which a country’s emissions are compensated by absorption and removal of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.

Need for Net-Zero:

The global scientific community agrees that limiting the average temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels is crucial to avoid severe climate impacts. Currently, temperatures have already risen by 1°C since 1880.
According to the Sixth Assessment Report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the remaining global carbon budget for a 50-67% chance of keeping temperature rise within 5°C is only 400-500 billion tonnes of CO₂ from 2020 onwards. Annual global emissions stand at around 40 billion tonnes.
India’s move to net-zero is essential in contributing to global efforts, yet it requires balancing economic growth, social development, and environmental conservation.

Challenges in India’s Path to Net-Zero:

Achieving net-zero involves significant investment in green infrastructure. The required financial assistance from developed nations has not been provided at the expected scale.
India’s energy consumption could rise tenfold by 2070 if consumption trends remain unchecked, necessitating over 5,500 GW of solar and 1,500 GW of wind capacity. Meeting these targets solely through renewables requires significant land, which can conflict with agricultural and ecological needs.
Developed countries, historically responsible for higher emissions, are expected to achieve net-zero earlier and support developing nations financially. This expectation remains unmet, causing inequity in global climate action.
Despite low per-capita emissions, there is a significant inequality within India. The richest 10% of the population contribute 20 times more emissions than the poorest 10%, exacerbating vulnerabilities for economically weaker sections.

Strategies for a Sustainable Future:

Promoting energy-efficient appliances, using better construction materials, and integrating passive cooling designs can reduce energy needs.
Encouraging public and non-motorized transportation in cities, alongside railways for intercity travel, can significantly cut emissions.
Prioritizing locally produced goods, mindful dietary choices, and reducing long-haul freight can contribute to lower carbon footprints.
Expanding rooftop solar installations and using solar pumps for agriculture can decentralize energy production and lessen dependence on fossil fuels.
Increasing nuclear power capacity provides a stable, low-carbon energy source to complement variable renewable sources like solar and wind.
India’s sustainable development hinges on balancing the goals of economic growth, climate mitigation, and environmental preservation.