Carbon-Neutrality and Panchamrit
The much-hyped UNFCCC COP26 at Glasgow witnessed India’s commitment to achieving the target of Net-Zero emissions by 2070; a step of quintessential necessity to limit the temperature rise to 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial level.
Net-Zero or Carbon Neutrality:
In recent times, this term has become a synecdoche of climate commitments, but what does it mean? Net-Zero aka carbon neutrality is often misunderstood to be a case of no emission. In reality, it is a state in which a country’s emissions are compensated by absorption and removal of GHGs from the atmosphere. In our language, that is, the language of commerce, it is basically a position of neither profit nor loss.
To ensure India’s contribution in curbing environmental mayhem, we have put forward the concept of PANCHAMRIT which is nothing but a set of 5 targets, which are:
i) Achieve the
target of net zero by 2070;
ii) Increase
non-fossil energy capacity to 500 GW by 2030;
iii) Meet 50% of
its energy requirements from renewable energy by 2030;
iv) Reduce the
total projected carbon emissions by 1 billion tonnes till 2030;
v) Reduce the
carbon intensity by 45% percent by 2030;
Impediments in achieving these targets:
Peaking Year
To achieve net-zero by 2070, our peaking year (When emissions are highest) should be 2040 which most experts consider being very difficult to achieve. For example, to achieve the 2020 peak year target, 75% of total cars on the street should be Electric, which, in present times, constitutes less than 1% of total running cars.
Lack of Funds
India, being a
developing country doesn’t have enough funds at its disposal to amass such
high-quality advanced technology to ensure environmental gains. Further,
developed countries haven’t made any commitment to ensure the transfer of funds,
though it is their moral duty to help us out.
Agricultural Sector
Agricultural sector is a major contributor to GHG emissions. It is quite difficult to manage emissions in this sector due to political and economic reasons. For example, paddy cultivation is a major contributor to methane emissions; however, limiting its production can have a significant impact on the food security of our country.
Coal Dependency
Being a major
producer of coal and nearly 67% of electricity comes from thermal power plants.
Achieving 500 GW could prove to be a herculean task.
Conclusion
Despite these impediments, India’s commitments to the global cause should be felicitated. However, there is a grave need to develop a pragmatic view to ensure that economic expansion is not marred at the expense of unrealistic targets. At the same time, developed countries should take responsibility for their actions and provide the developing world with funds, rather than blaming India & China for the climate crisis.
Finally, we need to rise above the blame game and follow Vasudhaiva kutumbakam (One World One Family) and realize that being a part of one family, we need to protect our world together.
BUT WILL THIS BE ENOUGH TO PREVENT THE CLIMATE CRISIS?????
Written by Taranjeet Singh (Guest Contributor)
References
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1768712
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