Towards Achieving Net Zero Emissions in India by 2070

Problem regarding climate is one of the biggest problems which we are facing at present. In 2015, 194 parties adopted the Paris Agreement to limit the warming of Earth’s surface to not more than 1.5 °C and to achieve the net zero globe by 2050 which means cutting the emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane to zero. India has set the target to reduce the emission intensity by 45% by 2030 and to achieve the net zero emission by 2070. India ranks third in carbon emissions in the world. The total carbon dioxide emissions in India in 2021 were around 2.8 billion tonnes. In 2022, these emissions saw an increase by 6%. Net zero would be possible in India by promotion of more and more non-fossil fuel sources instead of burning fossil fuels like coal and oil for the production of electricity and also by increasing deployment and integration of renewable sources in the sector of electricity production and transportation along with increase in production of green hydrogen. 100% renewables pathway can represent the truly decarbonized energy system. Globally, solar PV is needed to provide almost 70% of all primary energy by 2050 which means the solar capacity of 57.6 TW by 2050, and in the case of India, it is estimated that India should have 5630 GW of solar PV to achieve the target of net zero by 2070. To meet the target of net zero, there is requirement of large investments and strong policy framework in the nation.