On Net-Zero, Proceed With Care

The Indian Express     27th March 2021     Save    

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.