WHY IN NEWS?

Leaders’ Climate Summit will be organised by the United States from April 22-23. In the light of this coming summit there has been a flurry of articles about suggestions that India should announce a ‘net-zero’ emissions target.

WHAT IS THE CONTEXT?

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 1.5°C report called for global carbon emissions to reach net-zero by 2050. Because of this report there have been calls for all countries to announce 2050 as the net-zero target year. There is another strategy which suggests that since a disproportionate share of the carbon space has been used up by developed countries, some countries should net-zero before 2050 in order for others to have some additional time.

 WHAT INDIA SHOULD DO?

Being a climate vulnerable country India must contribute to limiting global temperature rise.  India is still a very poor country with a significant development deficit. Announcing a net-zero commitment by 2050 risks taking on a much heavier burden of decarbonisation than many wealthier countries, and could seriously compromise India’s development. 

Hence India needs a pathway which focuses on concrete, near-term sectoral transformations through aggressive adoption of technologies that are within our reach. It should avoid high carbon sectors which should be our long term objective. Some of the step which India take:

• Decarbonise power sector: First step is to decarbonise the electricity sector, which is the single largest source (about 40%) of India’s greenhouse gas emissions. Decarbonised electricity would allow India to undertake transformational changes in urbanisation and industrial development. While India’s focus on expanding renewable electricity capacity is a welcome step, India now needs to shift gears to a comprehensive re-imagination of electricity and its role in our economy and society. This is to go beyond expanding renewables to limiting the expansion of coal-based electricity capacity. This will not be easy as coal provides firm, dispatchable power and accounts for roughly 75% of electricity, supports the economy of key regions; and is tied to sectors such as banking and railways.
• Ceiling for coal power: Coal is increasingly uneconomic. Phasing out coal over time will bring local gains, such as reduced air pollution, climate mitigation. It will also give full scope for development of renewable energy and storage. To reduce the transition costs of a brighter low-carbon future, there is a need  to create a multi-stakeholder Just Transition Commission representing all levels of government and the affected communities to ensure decent livelihood opportunities beyond coal in India’s coal belt. 
• Low-carbon electricity future: To achieve this, there is a need to address existing problems of the sector such as poor finances and management of distribution companies. Electricity storage, smart grids, and technologies that enable the electrification of other sectors such as transportation should also need to be focused. There is a need for partnership with the private sector, including tools such as production-linked incentives so that India can use electricity transition for job creation and global competitiveness.
• Improve energy services  Efficiency of electricity use can be used as an important complement to decarbonising electricity supply. In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, energy efficiency will benefit in lowering consumer electricity bills.

WAY FORWARD

India may consider committing to submit plausible pathways and timelines to achieve net-zero emissions as part of its future pledges. This would allow India adequate time to undertake an  integrated approach for detailed assessments of its development needs and low-carbon opportunities and develop a strategic road map to enhance its own technology and manufacturing competence as part of the global clean energy supply chain, to gain benefits of employment and export revenues. 

Reference:

1. https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/a-low-carbon-future-through-sector-led-change/article34370463.ece