To Net Zero By 2070

Atul Vinayak/Unsplash

In a much awaited announcement towards deep decarbonisation and a '1.5 degree' future for the planet, India said that it would achieve a Net Zero carbon footprint by 2070. 

With this commitment, India stood out among top emitters, including the U.S. and China, that were being closely watched at the COP26 climate summit. 

What You Should Know

• Net Zero by 2070.
• 500 gigawatts (GW) of non fossil fuel (renewable) electricity capacity by 2030. 
• 50% of all energy requirement to come from renewable sources by 2030.
• The emissions intensity of the GDP to be reduced by 45% by 2030.

What's It Going To Take

• India's total installed solar capacity should reach 5,600 gigawatts by 2070.
• Use of coal to generate electricity will need to drop by 99% by 2060. 
• Consumption of crude oil has to peak by 2050 and then reduce substantially by over 90% between 2050 and 2070.
• Green hydrogen to power about 20% of all the energy needs of the industrial sector. 

Are We Getting Any Help?

Yes, with this commitment, India has practically rolled out the red carpet to global and local entities who want to invest in research, development and deployment of green technologies. 

🎙 "This was a very significant moment for the summit," said Nicholas Stern, chairman of the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at the London School of Economics. It's a chance for India to show that "it can deliver on both economic development and climate change."