India's Road to Net-Zero: How Feasible is It?

1. Climate change is becoming more obvious every year, and it is clear that action is needed.
2. The global scientific community agrees that to avoid serious damage to the planet, we must limit warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
3. Right now, temperatures are already around 1.1°C higher than in the 1800s.
4. To stay within safe limits, global emissions must fall drastically.
5. India has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070, which means it will balance the amount of carbon dioxide it puts into the atmosphere with the amount it can remove.
6. This is an ambitious goal that will require major changes in how India produces and uses energy.

Is Achieving Net-Zero Fair?

1. Climate change is largely caused by developed countries that have been polluting the atmosphere for hundreds of years.
2. These countries are expected to reduce their emissions first and provide financial support to developing countries like India.
3. However, this hasn’t fully happened, and many developing nations are already experiencing the worst effects of climate change.
4. India’s per capita emissions are among the lowest in the world.
5. However, the richest 10% of people in India are responsible for 20 times more emissions than the poorest 10%, meaning the poorer sections of society are more affected by climate change.
6. Moreover, India faces the challenge of balancing economic growth with the need to reduce emissions.
7. While many countries have made net-zero commitments, India’s size and diversity make this task more difficult.
8. For example: India lacks enough resources to support the high consumption levels of developed countries, which could lead to food shortages and water stress.
9. Rising pollution and air conditioning use in cities are increasing heat stress.
10. India’s desire to adopt the lifestyles of wealthier nations could lead to unsustainable growth, which would harm access to basic needs for everyone.

How Can India Manage Its Rising Energy Needs?

1. As India grows, its energy demand is expected to rise significantly.
2. If India electrifies all sectors, its energy demand could increase by 9 to 10 times by 2070.
3. To meet this demand using only renewable energy, India would need 5,500 GW of solar energy and 1,500 GW of wind energy, far more than the 70 GW and 47 GW it has today.
4. This is possible if India focuses only on expanding renewable energy. However, if India wants to also ensure food security, protect biodiversity, and meet other environmental goals, these energy targets will become much more difficult.
5. This is because large-scale solar and wind power will require land, which is already needed for agriculture, forests, and wildlife.
6. India needs to find a balance between providing a good life for its large population while achieving climate goals.

A New Way to Think About Consumption

1. India needs to find a path to development that doesn’t try to copy the high-consumption lifestyles of developed countries.
2. Instead, India should focus on sustainable growth by limiting overconsumption and ensuring everyone’s basic needs are met.
3. This idea is called “sufficiency consumption”—setting limits on consumption that help meet both developmental and environmental goals.
4. India also needs to promote demand-side measures.
5. These are strategies to reduce consumption and energy use in everyday life. This can include:
   1. Using better materials in buildings that don’t require air conditioning.
   2. Using energy-efficient appliances.
   3. Promoting public transport and non-motorised transport (walking, cycling) to reduce car usage.
   4. Encouraging people to eat locally produced food to reduce emissions from transport.
   5. Switching to alternative fuels in industries.

Energy Supply Measures:

India also needs to focus on energy supply and how it can meet its future energy needs sustainably. Some measures include:

1. Decentralising energy production, such as using rooftop solar panels and solar-powered pumps for agriculture.
2. Expanding the use of nuclear power to provide consistent, low-carbon energy alongside renewables like solar and wind.
3. Continuing to promote renewable energy and increase the capacity for clean energy production.

Challenges and the Global Context

1. As the world works towards net-zero emissions, governments are under increasing pressure to meet their climate commitments.
2. While some factors, like the US presidential election, are out of India’s control, India can focus on what it can manage: its own policies and actions to reduce emissions.
3. India’s path to net-zero emissions by 2070 will not be easy.
4. But by focusing on sustainable development, energy efficiency, and renewable energy, it can balance the needs of its growing population with the goals of tackling climate change.

Conclusion

India’s road to net-zero emissions is a challenging one, but it is possible. By focusing on sustainable growth and taking smart actions now, India can reduce its carbon footprint while ensuring that its citizens continue to improve their quality of life. By setting a limit on consumption and investing in clean energy, India can meet its climate goals and show the world that sustainability can go hand in hand with development.

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