Government of India
Net-Zero 2070 Target
Government of India’s Global Commitments
India is undergoing a rapid green transformation, leapfrogging low/no emissions industrial technologies while driving equitable economic growth for 1.4 billion citizens under Paris Agreement and UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Government of India’s Global Commitments Overview
India is at the cusp of two significant transformations. The first is its demographic transformation. India will soon be the most populous country in the world – and will be home to one of the youngest populations in the world. The country is also home to a large population that lives below the poverty line. A rapid and equitable economic growth is critical to meet the growth and lifestyle aspirations of 1.4 billion people. The manufacturing sector will need to grow to supplement the impressive services sector economy and cater to the large population living off the agrarian economy.
The second is its green transformation. India’s per capita energy use today is lower than most nations, its use of materials such as iron is still modest, and its manufacturing sector is still relatively underdeveloped. However, as India grows, so will its GHG footprint. While India’s growth will need to factor in higher consumption levels across its population, it has a unique opportunity to leapfrog this journey through low/no emissions technologies.
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)
The 17 Goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which was adopted by 193 nations in September 2015 at the UN Summit, officially came into force on the 1st of January 2016. While these goals are ambitious in nature, they have charted out a path for nations to achieve development that is fair, equitable, environment friendly and above all, inclusive in nature. Human and environmental rights underpin the foundation of the SDGs that demand robust and integrated actions, recognizing the role of different actors in the process. India has played an important role in shaping the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This means India is committed to achieving the SDGs even before they were fully crystallized.
India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC)
India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) identifies the actions a national government intends to take under the UNFCCC climate deal that was agreed in Paris in December 2015. NDCs are, therefore, the basis of global emissions reduction commitments that will be included in the future climate agreement. INDCs refers both to developed and developing countries’ plans. In their INDCs, UNFCCC Parties are requested to outline the steps they are taking/will take to reduce emissions at national level. This reflects the commitments of countries who are responsible for around 96.4% of global emissions. The 2015 NDC comprised of eight goals, three of these have quantitative targets to be achieved by 2030:
- To reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 33 to 35 percent by 2030 from 2005 level;
- To achieve about 40 percent cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel based energy resources by 2030 with the help of transfer of technology and low cost international finance including from Green Climate Fund (GCF).
- To create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through additional forest and tree cover by 2030.
Updated India’s NDCs (Panchamrit & COP26 Glasgow)
Panchamrit 5 ElixirsIndia has continued to demonstrate climate leadership and a firm commitment for achieving the clean energy transition. At COP26 in Glasgow, the Prime Minister of India announced the five nectar elements or Panchamrit—The Gift of Five Elixirs. The targets to be achieved by the year 2030 included the following:
1. 500 GW Non-Fossil Capacity
India will have non-fossil energy capacity of 500 GW by 2030.
2. 50% Renewable Energy
India will meet 50% of its energy requirements from renewable energy by 2030.
3. 1 Billion Ton Carbon Cut
India will reduce projected total carbon emissions by 1 billion tonnes by 2030.
4. 45% Economy Intensity Cut
By 2030, India will reduce carbon intensity of its economy by 45%.
5. Net-Zero 2070 & LiFE Movement
Target to become Net-Zero by 2070 and propagate "LiFE" (Lifestyle for Environment) mass movement.
The decision on enhanced NDCs demonstrates India’s commitment at the highest level for decoupling economic growth from greenhouse gas emissions.
Submission of Long Term Low Emission Development Strategy to UNFCCC (COP27)
India submitted its Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), during COP27 held at Sharm-el-Sheikh, Egypt in November 2022. Salient features include:
- Rational utilization of national resources with due regard to energy security and just fossil fuel transition.
- National Green Hydrogen Mission launched in 2021 to make India a green hydrogen hub, with 3-fold nuclear capacity growth by 2032.
- Increased biofuels, 20% ethanol blending by 2025, EV penetration, and modal shift to public transport.
- Sustainable, climate-resilient urban development, smart cities, green building codes, and waste management.
- Industrial growth under 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' & 'Make in India', PAT Scheme expansion, electrification, circular economy, and low carbon hard-to-abate steel, cement, aluminium transitions.
- Enhancing forest carbon sinks to fulfill 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes additional CO2 sequestration by 2030.
- Provision of climate finance by developed countries in the form of public grants and concessional loans.
Industrial Deep Decarbonisation Initiatives (IDDI)
The Clean Energy Ministerial Industrial Deep Decarbonisation Initiative (IDDI) is a global coalition of public and private organisations who are working to stimulate demand for low carbon industrial materials. In collaboration with national governments, IDDI works to standardise carbon assessments, establish ambitious public and private sector procurement targets, incentivise investment into low-carbon product development and design industry guidelines.
Coordinated by UNIDO, the IDDI is co-led by the UK and India and current members include Canada, Germany and United Arab Emirates (UAE). The initiative brings together a strong coalition of related initiatives and organizations including Mission Possible Platform, LeadIT, IRENA, and World Bank to tackle carbon intensive construction materials such as steel and cement.
Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT)
The Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT) brings together countries and companies that are committed to action to achieve the Paris Agreement. It was launched by the Governments of Sweden and India at the UN Climate Action Summit in September 2019 and is supported by the World Economic Forum. Key focus areas include:
- Convening high-level dialogues to set the international agenda for net-zero.
- Holding regular meetings between private and public decarbonization experts.
- Supporting roadmapping processes with science-based tools and workshops.
- Tracking plans and investments to decarbonize heavy industrial sectors.
- Carrying out analysis that informs evidence-based policymaking.