Getting to Net Zero: An Approach for India at CoP 26

The Centre for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP) held a panel discussion on our forthcoming paper Getting to Net Zero: An Approach for India at CoP 26 by Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Utkarsh Patel, on September 16, 5.30-7.00 PM IST.

Read the draft of the working paper here: https://csep.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Getting-to-Net-Zero_An-Approach-for-India-at-CoP-26-14-Sept-21.pdf

Abstract: The warning in the IPCC’s latest report that climate change is “widespread, rapid and intensifying” highlights a major challenge facing the world. It looks as if the world will exceed the Paris target of limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels as early as 2035 and if emissions are not cut drastically, global warming could reach +3°C by the end of the century. This would be disastrous for the world and India would be among the most severely affected countries.

Actions needed to cut emissions will be discussed in the upcoming G20 meeting in October and again at the CoP-26 in November. Many countries, including some of the developing countries, are now willing to commit to a reduction in emissions. India has traditionally refrained from making such an offer on the grounds that our development objectives call for GDP to expand which entails higher energy use and higher greenhouse gas emissions. However, this argument is no longer valid because changes in technology make it both technically and economically possible to meet the need for higher energy use while reducing greenhouse gases by switching to renewable energy sources.

The paper examines the scope for reducing emissions by following a strategy of increasing energy efficiency, substituting fossil fuels with electricity wherever possible, shifting to renewable sources of electricity, mainly solar and wind, and removing residual emissions through natural carbon sinks supplemented by afforestation and, if possible, carbon capture and storage. The paper also identifies the many structural changes that the energy transition will call for and the need for action by different levels of the government to manage these changes.

Several studies have attempted to quantify possible emissions reduction trajectories over the next few decades. Based on these studies the paper concludes that an emissions trajectory that peaks by 2035 and reaches net zero around 2070 is feasible. It is not necessary for all countries to reach net zero by 2050. We could argue that developed countries should reach net zero before 2050 while developing countries get there later. If India could offer a proposed trajectory to get to net zero by 2070 it would be a major step forward in building a global compact which would include other major countries also making appropriate commitments, and the international community pledging to provide adequate financial support for the transition.

View the event page: https://csep.org/event/flagship-seminar-a-strategy-for-managing-climate-change-in-india/

Authors:
Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Distinguished Fellow, CSEP
Utkarsh Patel, Associate Fellow, CSEP

Discussants:
Naushad Forbes, Co-Chairman, Forbes Marshall
Shyam Saran, former Foreign Secretary and Senior Fellow, CPR
Sunita Narain, Director General, Centre for Science and Environment
Surjit Bhalla, Executive Director for India, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Sri Lanka at the IMF

Moderator: Vikram Singh Mehta, Chairman & Distinguished Fellow, CSEP

Please contact Ayush Khare at akhare@csep.org for general inquiries and Zehra Kazmi at zkazmi@csep.org for media inquiries.

All content reflects the individual views of the speakers. The Centre for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP) does not hold an institutional view on any subject.

source

About The Author

Centre for Social and Economic Progress

See author's posts