A Low-Carbon Future Through Sector-Led Change

Context: In India, a sector­led, action­based approach could provide the framework to drive low­-carbon transformation.

Hurdles in the adoption of a net-zero target by India:

• Compromised development: Though a large country and economy, we are still a very poor country with a significant development deficit — our per-­capita carbon emissions are less than half the world average.

Suggested alternative strategy: A near-term sectoral transformation approach through aggressive adoption of technologies that are within our reach and an earnest effort to avoid high carbon lock-ins.

• This is best accomplished by focusing on sectoral low-­carbon development pathways that combine competitiveness, job­ creation, distributional justice and low pollution in key areas.
• This approach is directionally consistent with India moving towards net­-zero, which should be our long-­term objective.

Sectoral Decarbonisation of Power Sector

• Significance: Power sector, single largest source (40%) constituting India’s greenhouse gas emissions.
  • De­carbonised electricity would also allow India to undertake transformational changes in urbanisation and industrial development.
  • E.g. By expanding the use of electricity for transport and by integrating electric systems into urban planning.
• Approach so far – Expanding renewable electricity capacity: Expanding targets from 20GW of solar to 175GW of renewable capacity by 2022, further to 450GW of renewable capacity by 2030.
• Sectoral strategies to look into:
  • Limit expansion of coal-based electricity (accounts for 75% of the electricity today) capacity: Not to grow coal-fired power capacity beyond what is already announced, and reach peak coal electricity capacity by 2030.
  • Create a multi-stakeholder Just Transition Commission: To ensure that transition costs of low-carbon future do not fall on the backs of India’s poor.
  • Address existing problems: i.e., poor finances and management of power distribution companies.
  • Towards leadership in technologies of future: Including electricity storage, smart grids, and technologies that enable electrification of other sectors such as transportation.
  • Enhancing the efficiency of electricity use: Air conditioners, fans and refrigerators together consume about 60% of electricity in households; thus, India could set aggressive targets of 80% of air conditioner sales and 50% of fan and refrigerator sales in 2030, being in the most efficient bracket.