Climate Pledge

Context: India’s made a statement declaring ambitious climate commitments at COP26 at Glasgow.

India’s commitments at UNFCCC COP26 at Glasgow

• Increase non-fossil fuel energy capacity to 500 GW by 2030. By 2030, India to meet 50% energy from renewable energy.
• Reduce projected emissions by one billion tonnes.
• Bring down the economy’s carbon intensity below 45%, all by 2030.
• To reach Net Zero emissions by 2070.

Challenges before India’s ambitious climate plans

•  India can’t readily switch to non-fossil fuel and end coal-based thermal plants unless it was made a member of Nuclear Suppliers Group, where it is being blocked by China and a number of other countries.
• Inadequate support from developed nations: Unless the developed world committed to funding India’s energy transition and enabled clean technology transfers on a much higher scale, transition plans remain handicapped.
• Feasibility question: The promise to reduce emissions by one billion tonnes would need a reduction in India’s carbon output by a massive 22% by 2030.
  • India meets about 12% of its electricity needs through renewable energy, and ramping that up to 50% by 2030 will be a tall ask too.
• Influenced by global plans: Target of 2070 is two decades after global goal at mid-century, and would require world’s other growing economies including China to peak emissions, preferably by 2030 itself.

Conclusion: If India can live up to its commitments, it will inspire other countries to keep their word, particularly the developed world that has lagged behind in fulfilling combined promises of billions of dollars to fund emerging economies.