If complacency does not kill the climate cat, distractions certainly will. As the world struggles with COVID-19, commitments to counter climate change risk are slipping in priority for policymakers. To be fair, the pandemic with its impact on economic growth and energy use, has slowed emissions the world over. In India, for example, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions likely fell by 6–10 percent in 2020 from 2019, according to Climate Action Tracker (CAT). It would be wise, however, for India not to lose sight of its climate pledges. And wiser still to make a few commitments more.
As the world’s third-largest emitter, accounting for 7.1 percent of global GHG emissions, India has its own set of challenges. Economic development is crucial to alleviate poverty and usher in sustainable income growth. Yet, environmental degradation—India hosts 21 of the world’s 30 most-polluted cities—and the threat of adverse events due to climate change are major risks for public health and long-term economic growth. Climate, therefore, cannot be an afterthought; rather, it should be a pillar of India’s development strategy.
Estimates suggest that current nationally determined contributions (NDCs)—as envisioned under the Paris Agreement of 2015—are not enough to bring down the rise in average global temperature to the target of 2˚C, leave alone the stretch goal of 1.5˚C. More ambitious revisions to NDCs, as required every five years, have not been comprehensive enough. According to Climate Watch, 82 countries, accounting for 32.7 percent of world emissions, have stated their intentions of more ambitious climate targets. Among them, only 44 and the European Union’s 27 member states met the 2020 deadline of submitting updated NDCs. That is much less than what experts recommend: Levels of ambition must be roughly tripled for the 2°C pathway and amplified at least five-fold to meet the 1.5°C target, according to the Emissions Gap Report 2020.
All is not bleak, however, for the world. More than 120 nations have announced carbon neutrality goals with China—the world’s largest emitter—being the latest. Under a new administration, the United States has rejoined the Paris Agreement. US President Joe Biden’s decision to create a new cabinet-level position for climate-related issues and to appoint former Secretary of State John Kerry to fill it demonstrates Biden’s sincerity over putting climate at the heart of US foreign policy.
US President Joe Biden’s decision to create a new cabinet-level position for climate-related issues and to appoint former Secretary of State John Kerry to fill it demonstrates Biden’s sincerity over putting climate at the heart of US foreign policy
Yet, even after all these pledges, global warming may remain above target by 2100. And that’s where India can play a major role. The country’s progress has been a tad slower than potential. While analysis by CAT puts India on track to meet the 2°C target, policies so far do not go enough to achieve the 1.5°C target. Worse, the country is yet to revise its NDCs.
The government appears to recognise the importance of climate change and the need for a green economy, as is evident from policies on renewable energy and electric vehicles (EVs). Yet, it will be prudent to up the ante through comprehensive and connected goals that finally aim for carbon neutrality.
The primary focus, of course, should be on energy. While a 60 percent share of renewables by 2030 is a sound target, implementation can be speeded up given favourable market dynamics compared to a decade back. Within renewables, the focus ought to be more on solar and wind energy—hydroelectricity, given its impact on aquatic ecology, at best may be a filler. The elephant in the room is coal, critical for India’s immediate energy needs, but a major contributor to emissions. Increasing the share of renewables will, therefore, enable a move away from coal without upsetting potential energy supply.
Second, India must fast usher in a greener transportation system. While ambitious EV targets are a start, such transportation will need an ecosystem of car and battery manufacturers along with charging infrastructure. And to do so, the country will require investments—from the government and the private sector—to the tune of US$ 180 billion by 2030, according to a study by Center for Energy Finance. Scaling up public-private partnerships will also be essential to achieve the Indian Railways’ net zero emissions target by 2030.
While ambitious EV targets are a start, such transportation will need an ecosystem of car and battery manufacturers, and charging infrastructure. And to do so, the country will require investments—from the government and the private sector—to the tune of US$ 180 billion by 2030
Third, the country needs to reimagine urban living. Demand for inner-city transportation will increase given India’s urbanisation potential. Apart from EVs, cities will require carbon neutral urban transit systems. Green rules for new residential and commercial property and retrofitting of older buildings will also enhance environment-friendly urban living. These need to be coupled with an expansion of tree cover in cities.
Finally, policymakers will have to create a framework for decarbonising efforts in coal power generation and in industries such as steel, cement, and chemicals. Promoting use of carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS), for example, is one way forward. Another one is incentivising through private partnership incubation and advancement in promising clean energy sources such as hydrogen. In fact, including such sectors under NDCs can transform “drawing board” ideas into global commitments. And if such commitments go along with regulatory changes toward carbon taxation and efficient emissions trading, they will go a long way in addressing India’s environmental challenges. It will also make Indian industry future-ready and competitive should any global rules-based system put a price on GHG emissions in the long term.
Recent policy moves are encouraging. For example, to ensure that India is on track to meet its obligations under the Paris Agreement, the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change constituted a high-level inter-ministerial committee—the Apex Committee for Implementation of Paris Agreement. But it is time to get bolder—a net zero emissions target, well-enshrined in updated NDCs will be ideal. Especially, if the country aims to take the lead in the global fight to preserve the planet for future generations.
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Rupali Handa is a public policy professional. Her work focuses on clean energy and climate change mitigation policy issues. She was formerly a part of ...
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