India is a torch-bearer for curbing greenhouse gas effects and has stringent norms in place for carbon, sulphur dioxide and particles of mercury emissions. The nation’s commitment to the world community is strengthened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement in the COP26, namely Panchamrit, that is raising India’s non-fossil fuel-based energy production to 500 Giga Watt (GW) and meeting 50% of the country’s energy requirement through renewable sources by 2030. With this, carbon intensity will be reduced by 45% and projected carbon emission will be cut by 1 billion tonnes by 2030 from 2021 levels. Hence, India is committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2070 i.e. net zero emission.
The UN emission gap report 2020 has concluded that India is well on its way of achieving nationally determined contribution (NDC) targets with its policies. Very few countries have this stellar achievement, which has been spearheaded by Modi. India plans to reduce the emission intensity of GDP by 33% to 35% by 2030 from 2005 levels and has to create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes besides achieving about 50% of cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel energy resources by 2030.
