On Net-Zero, Proceed With Care

Context: Building on its own track record may suggest a more compelling way for India to address the climate challenge than uncritically taking on a net-zero target.

Origin of the idea of “net zero” emissions

• Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report: calls for global net emissions to reach zero by mid-century. 
• Paris Climate Agreement (PCA): calls for a balance between sources and sinks of emissions by the second half of the century.

Arguments in favour of setting up “net-zero” emissions targets

• Helps to further the contribution to Paris Agreement targets: “well below 2⁰ Celsius” and aspirational “1.5⁰ Celsius” limit.
  • Though India’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) submitted under the Paris Agreement is ample, there is scope for improvement in terms of the specificity, strength and stringency.
• Grave state of the climate crisis: Thus, developing countries like India should enhance their mitigation actions.

Arguments against setting up “net-zero” emissions targets

• Not explicitly recommended by IPCC or PCA: as they do not imply that each country has to reach net-zero in a time-bound manner (by 2050).
  • Rather PCA emphasises equity, sustainable development and poverty eradication.
  • It does not advocate undifferentiated uptake of net-zero targets across developed and developing countries, as currently being advocated by many, in particular, the US and the UK
• It ignores short-term actions that are credible and accountable: and focuses on long-term targets.
  • Thus “net” zero potentially allows countries to keep emitting today while relying on yet-to-be-developed and costly technologies to absorb emissions tomorrow. 
  • The not fully thought-through net-zero target would compromise sustainable development.
• It is against India’s long-standing position: that developed nations should lead in climate action.
• Adverse implications for the future: It will affect the ability to leverage additional finance and technology to help shift to low-carbon development pathways.

Way forward

• Take stock of our actions and focus on near-term transitions: To comply with our 2030 target while also ensuring concomitant developmental benefits, such as developing a vibrant renewable industry.
• Put in place the policies and institutions: to move us in the right direction for the longer-term and to find the implications of net-zero scenarios before making a net-zero pledge.
• Link future pledge to near-term action by industrialised countries: It will enhance the feasibility of our own actions. E.g., increasing availability and reducing costs of new mitigation technologies.
• Balance the responsibility towards citizens and climate pledge.