India, the world’s third-largest emitter but with per capita emissions only 1.9 tCO₂, has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070 at the COP26, Glasgow. Over the past decade, India has made rapid gains—renewables up 165% since 2014, RE capacity crossing 203 GW (2024) and emissions intensity reduced by 36% (2005–2020).
Achievements So Far in India’s Net-Zero Journey
- India achieved 50% of installed electricity capacity from non-fossil sources in 2024, five years ahead of the 2030 NDC deadline.
- RE installed capacity grew from 76 GW in 2014 to 203 GW by 2024.
- Solar additions hit a record 30 GW in 2024, making India the fourth largest RE market globally.
- Progress on Emission Intensity Reduction: India achieved 36% reduction in emissions intensity of GDP by 2020 relative to 2005.
- Strong Carbon Sink Enhancement:
- India has already created a 2.29 billion tonne carbon sink through forest/tree cover as against the 2.5–3 bn tonne COP21 target.
- Urban afforestation push through 1,000 Nagar Van schemes.
- Transport Reforms:
- 3-wheeler EV penetration increased by more than 50%, highest globally.
- Battery-swapping policy, FAME-II incentives, and ACC PLI reducing battery costs.
- Growth of Carbon Market Mechanisms: India operationalised Carbon Credit Trading Scheme which led to voluntary markets expanding rapidly.
But concerns persist:
· Large Capacity–Generation Gap:
- Although 50% of capacity is non-fossil, only 28% of actual electricity generated comes from non-fossil sources.
- Storage capacity is less than 9 GWh, below 170 GWh target by 2035.
· Heavy Reliance on Fossil Fuels: Coal accounts for 72% of electricity generation and 65% of fossil CO₂ emissions. Coal demand likely to peak only after 2040, slowing decarbonisation.
· Hard-To-Abate Sectors: Steel, cement, chemicals contribute to more than 40% industrial emissions. CCUS deployment is still in pilot stage, limiting deep decarbonisation.
- Carbon Sink Sustainability Concerns: Majority gains from afforestation are from plantations, not biodiverse forests. It also risks from urban expansion, mining, invasive species.
- Weak Climate Finance Flow: Current climate finance inflow is less than required USD 10 trillion.
- Institutional Weakness: No updated emissions data beyond 2016 inventory exist which affects policy calibration.
Roadmap to Achieve Net-Zero by 2070:
- Close the RE Generation Gap: Invest in grid-scale batteries, pumped hydro, green ammonia storage and build smart grids, demand-response systems.
- Diversify Clean Energy Portfolio: Fast-track offshore wind, hydro, nuclear projects and promote rooftop solar, agrivoltaics, and hybrid parks.
· Decarbonise Hard-to-Abate Sectors: Mandate green hydrogen substitution in refineries, fertilisers, steel and scale up CCUS deployment with viability-gap funding.
· Sustainable Carbon Sink Strategy: Prioritise native species forestation and use remote sensing and GIS for real-time forest monitoring.
- Scaled-Up Climate Finance: Expand sovereign green bonds, blended finance, and ESG investments.
- Institutional Strengthening: Establish a National Carbon Registry, updated GHG inventory every two years.
Conclusion:
A calibrated, multi-sectoral roadmap, combining technology deepening, financial mobilisation, and institutional reform will be indispensable for India to transform its development trajectory into a pathway consistent with climate-resilient, low-carbon growth.
‘+1’ Value Addition:
- India achieved its non-fossil fuel installed capacity target five years ahead of the 2030 deadline, reaching 242.78 GW in 2024.
- India has already created 2.5+ billion tonnes of additional carbon sink as per FAO.
- India reduced emissions intensity of GDP by 36% from 2005–2020, staying ahead of the Paris commitment of 45% reduction by 2030.
- India added a record 30 GW of renewable energy in 2024 alone, with solar contributing 24 GW.
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