Net zero emissions target

Source: The post is based on the article “Net zero emissions target”  published in PIB on 3rd August 2023.

What is the News?

Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change has informed Lok Sabha about India’s net zero emissions target and the measures it has taken to address the rapidly growing environmental problems in the country.

India’s Greenhouse emissions:

India is an emerging economy whose priority is to achieve development and poverty eradication goals. Due to this, Greenhouse emissions are bound to increase.

However, it is to be noted that India’s historical cumulative emissions from 1850 to 2019 amount to less than 4 percent of cumulative carbon dioxide emissions of the world from the pre-industrial era, despite being home to 17% of the world’s population. 

Hence, India’s responsibility for global warming thus far has been minimal and even today its annual per capita emissions are only about one-third of the global average.

India’s Net Zero Emissions Target:

At COP 26 in November 2021, India has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. 

India’s long-term low-carbon development strategy submitted to the UN is guided by principles of equity, climate justice, and the idea of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities.

The strategy rests on seven key transitions to low-carbon development pathways.These include 1) low-carbon development of electricity systems consistent with development 2) develop an integrated, efficient and inclusive transport system 3) promote adaptation in urban design, energy and material efficiency in buildings 4) promoting economy-wide decoupling of growth from emissions and development of an efficient, innovative low emission industrial system 5) development of carbon dioxide removal and related engineering solutions 6) enhancing forest and vegetation cover and 7) economic and financial needs of low-carbon development.

What are the steps taken by India to address the growing environmental problems in the country?

National Clean Air Programme(NCAP)

PRANA Portal

Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Area(CAQM) 

India has moved from BS-IV to BS-VI norms for fuel and vehicles from 1stApril, 2020.

Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation(SATAT) has been launched as an initiative to set up a Compressed Biogas (CBG) production plant and make CBG available in the market for use in automotive fuels.

India has added ten wetlands to the List of Wetlands of International Importance (also called Ramsar Sites) within the framework of the Ramsar Convention, taking the total number of Ramsar Sites in India to 75, the highest in Asia,

The government has taken a defining step to eliminate single use plastics. A ban has been imposed on identified single use plastic items from 1st July 2022.

Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas of India

Government has initiated the work of Circular Economy.Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) rules have been notified for 4 categories of waste a) Plastic waste, b) Waste tyre, c) Batteries, and E-Waste.