India's Green dream for a sustainable future: An ambitious roadmap towards carbon neutrality

Analysis

By Bhavana Sethuraman; Ruchika Sharma

Achieving carbon neutrality, also referred to as net-zero carbon emissions, involves establishing a balance between the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere and the quantity of carbon dioxide removed, either through natural processes or technological interventions. Enshrined in the 2015 Paris Agreement, this objective aims to restrict global warming to 1.5°C or 2°C above pre-industrial levels. This equilibrium is attained by reducing emission sources and compensating for unavoidable emissions through carbon offsets or sequestration.

Global Targets for Carbon Neutrality

Globally, the move towards carbon neutrality is driven by international agreements and the recognition that a global effort is necessary to combat climate change. Countries around the world have set different deadlines to achieve net-zero emissions depending on their economic and developmental status. For example. Sweden has committed to reaching carbon neutrality by 2045, Finland by 2035, while China plans to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060. The United States and the European Union have set their target to achieve net zero by 2050, while India has announced its commitment to achieve net zero by 2070.

These global targets highlight the urgency of carbon neutrality and countries worldwide have planned their strategies to include the decarbonization of industries, promotion of renewable energy, enhancement of carbon sequestration efforts, innovation of green infrastructure and transport, and the adoption of efficient resource and waste management.

These global approaches are complemented by national strategies tailored to each country's specific challenges, economic conditions, and technological capacities.

India’s Carbon Neutrality Strategies

As the world’s third-largest carbon emitter, India declared its commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2070 during the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference. India's target is designed to balance its development priorities with the need to contribute to global climate action, recognizing the country’s high energy demands due to its growing population and economic development needs.

A key issue in global climate negotiations is the conflict between developed and developing nations regarding carbon neutrality targets and their respective responsibilities. Developed countries such as the United States and members of the European Union have historically benefited from industrial growth powered by fossil fuels, contributing significantly to global carbon emissions. These nations now possess greater financial and technological resources to transition to a low-carbon economy.

In contrast, developing countries like India are still focused on economic growth, infrastructure development, and poverty alleviation, which often rely on fossil fuel-driven energy. India has long argued for climate justice, emphasizing that developed nations, responsible for a majority of historical emissions, should bear a greater share of the burden for addressing climate change. The principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities," enshrined in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), supports this position, acknowledging the varied capacities of countries to combat climate change based on their development stages.

India’s commitment to carbon neutrality highlights this key trade-off between environmental sustainability and developmental needs. As a developing nation with over 1.4 billion people, India must expand energy access, build infrastructure, and promote industrial growth—all of which are essential for economic development. Currently, coal remains the backbone of India’s energy sector due to its affordability and widespread availability, though this dependence comes at a significant environmental cost.

Transitioning away from coal and other fossil fuels is crucial for reducing emissions but poses challenges for India’s economic growth. Shutting down coal plants and curbing coal use could lead to job losses, increased energy costs, and slow industrial growth, all of which could exacerbate inequality. Therefore, India faces the challenge of managing the short-term economic impacts of moving away from fossil fuels while ensuring long-term environmental sustainability.

To navigate these challenges, India is aggressively expanding its renewable energy capacity, targeting 500 GW of non-fossil fuel energy by 2030. Renewable energy sources like solar and wind are critical to reducing emissions while addressing the country’s growing energy needs. However, the transition to renewables requires significant investment and technological innovation, particularly in grid infrastructure and storage solutions, to meet India’s expanding demand for electricity.

India’s approach to environmental protection is also influenced by its historical relationship with nature, deeply rooted in its cultural and spiritual traditions. Ancient Indian philosophies, particularly those from Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, emphasize the connection between humans and the environment. Ancient texts like the Vedas reference the sacredness of natural elements such as rivers, forests, and mountains, promoting harmony with nature as an essential aspect of life. These cultural and spiritual traditions fostered sustainable practices such as agroforestry, water conservation, and organic farming in ancient India, long before the advent of modern environmentalism. This cultural respect for nature continues to influence modern-day environmental policies. India’s emphasis on agroforestry as part of its carbon sequestration strategy is reminiscent of traditional land management practices that integrated trees with agriculture to maintain ecological balance. This historical legacy underscores India’s ongoing efforts to balance economic development with environmental stewardship, as it pursues a low-carbon future while honoring its cultural heritage.

Key Strategies for Achieving Carbon Neutrality in India

1. Renewable Energy Expansion: India has emerged as a prominent global player in the deployment of renewable energy, specifically in the field of solar power. Leveraging its abundant sunlight, India has solidified its position as a leading producer of solar energy.Agroforestry and Sustainable Land Use: Agroforestry has emerged as a key element in India’s carbon sequestration strategy. India has promoted agroforestry practices to address climate change. Agroforestry, which integrates trees into agricultural systems, helps sequester carbon while improving soil health and biodiversity. India aims to expand these practices, particularly in rural areas, where they can also improve livelihoods by providing additional sources of income through the cultivation of trees and timber.
2. Green Hydrogen Development: Green hydrogen is a critical component of India’s decarbonization strategy, as it aims to become a global hub for green hydrogen production, intending to produce 5 million tonnes annually by 2030.
3. Sustainable Agricultural Practices: The Indian Himalayan Region offers low-carbon agricultural practices that could be expanded nationwide. Organic farming, efficient water use, and climate-resilient crop varieties are examples of how India strategizes to reduce the carbon footprint of its agricultural sector.
4. Energy Efficiency and Circular Economy: India is promoting energy efficiency across industrial and commercial sectors through various initiatives to incentivise industries to reduce energy consumption by allowing the trading of energy-saving certificates. India is also encouraging the adoption of a circular economy, where waste is minimized, and resources are reused efficiently, which helps reduce emissions from production processes.

India’s commitment to Carbon Neutrality

As stated above, India as a responsible emerging economy is pro-actively contributing its efforts to combat climate change. In this pursuit, the government is working on various factors, including the aim of achieving carbon neutrality. The government is committed to setting policies which effectively promote the path of sustainable development. To tackle the climate challenge, the government is working on national and international levels as well. India introduced the National Action Plan on Climate Change which outlines the strategies to mitigate climate change through variousNational Missions. These missions cover a slew of crucial areas such as solar energy, water management, agriculture, the Himalayan ecosystem, sustainable habitat, green India initiatives, energy efficiency enhancement and strategic climate change knowledge.

India has translated words into action by demonstrating its will to work towards this global challenge effectively. At Conference of the Parties (COP) 21, India pledged to ensure 40% of its installed electricity capacity from non-fossil energy sources to meet the 2030 target, as a part of its National Determined Contributions (NDCs). Remarkably, India achieved this target in November 2021, nine years ahead of the deadline.  By 2030, achieving the set renewable energy capacity (excluding large hydro), would eliminate 877 million tonnes of Carbon dioxide annually.^[1].

To meet the developmental requirements, India requires both renewable and non-renewable resources for its energy security. As per the India Energy Outlook 2021report by the International Energy Agency, about 80% of energy needs are met by Coal, oil and solid biomass. Coal currently holds a dominant position among the three primary fuels used for electricity generation and industrial purposes. In an effort to gradually reduce reliance on coal and mitigate carbon emissions, the government has implemented a clean coal technology initiative. This initiative involves the decommissioning of inefficient thermal units, with 241 units already decommissioned, and a strategic focus on establishing new capacity exclusively comprised of supercritical units. The report also notes a significant increase in oil imports due to an upward march in vehicle ownership and road transport use. In response, the government is shifting from Bharat Stage IV (BSIV) to Bharat Stage VI (BSVI) emission standards. These standards are set by the government to help control pollutants emitted from vehicles.  The motive is to encourage cleaner transportation and adopting electric vehicles.

At COP-26 held in November 2021, the Prime Minister of India unveiled India’s climate action plan, known as,Pachamrit or five nectar elements to fight against global warming. Drawing inspiration from its traditional ethos of living in harmony with nature, India has set progressive climate-resilient goals reflecting its determination and efforts to contribute to global phenomena. While working towards the goals India emphasizes on equity and inclusivity at the national level. Transitioning towards the cleaner energy sector, India plans to carefully phase out coal usage. It is crucial to understand the need for a delicate balancing act with clear plans, as the absence of these could disproportionately affect the marginalized groups who bear the maximum burden of economic and environmental changes.

An Indian Expressreport highlighted the challenges especially in the coal mine belt states of Jharkhand, Odisha, Chattisgarh, such as job losses, creating a dent in the local economy. A report by the National Foundation of India reveals that Transitioning away from coal could affect 13 million people and 266 districts highlighting the underlying vulnerability and equity concerns involved. Thus, it becomes important that while adopting climate-resilient measures they must be in tune with the development agenda, focusing on national priorities. In line with working toward cleaner energy goals, theNational Green Hydrogen Mission is inclined towards building a green hydrogen production capacity of at least 5 million metric tons (MMT) per year. It will also develop a renewable energy capacity of around 123 GW in India, expected to cut down nearly 50 MMT of annual greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Thismission is projected to attract substantial investment amounting 8 lakh crores and will also boost the employment sector by generating 6 lakh jobs. Additionally, it will also reduce reliance on ammonia and natural gas imports, resulting in savings of Rs 1 lakh crore, as noted by Union Minister Prahlad Joshi. India is committed to create a greener future by embedding sustainable development as a core in its solution-oriented approach. It is not only actively working on the domestic front but as a responsible emerging power, India is engaged in inclusive climate diplomacy by supporting and collaborating with not only developed but developing countries as well to ensure they can contribute effectively to global climate efforts

Climate Diplomacy

Climate challenges have become central to diplomacy and foreign policy, and India’s climate diplomacy is gaining global recognition for its commitment towards a solution-oriented approach. India is actively collaborating with the other countries on numerous projects. For instance, India, along with the UAE and France, co-founded theInternational Solar Alliance (ISA) in 2015. This coalition of 124 countries is motivated to encourage the use of solar energy and decrease fossil fuel dependence. The sixth Assembly of ISA took place in New Delhi, in 2023 setting an important stage for India to foster international cooperation and demonstrating its leadership role in advancing the climate agenda. ISA has acted as a pivotal platform for India to enhance cooperation and engagement with the Global South, including regions in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Pacific[9]. India, as a key player in the Global South, leverages its strength in emerging technologies and innovation. In this way, India can encourage sustainability through cost-effective technologies combined with partnerships between research institutes climate-smart solutions. This carries immense potential to transform various sectors, including agriculture, education, health, automobiles and other carbon-intensive sectors.

Launched in 2019 at the UN Climate Action Summit, Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) has emerged as a significant initiative. This leading diplomatic initiative aims to improve resilience in infrastructure against climate risks. This is aligned to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and gaining international support.

India’s global net zero commitment is rooted in the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. It asserts that developed countries and international financial institutions should shoulder the responsibility for financing the clean transition for the developing world. This is a part of the Like-Minded Developing Countries (LMDC) group, which advocates for financial control in adoption efforts to prevent future loss and damage.

Sustainable Entrepreneurship

Interestingly, businesses promoting green growth and sustainable development can be a game changer. InIndia, sustainable entrepreneurship has emerged as a turning point in recent years to address the climate challenges. According to a report by India Climate Collaborative and Bain & Company, it reveals that since 2017, sustainable entrepreneurship in India has grown by over 50 percent annually. This growth is driven by increased awareness, supportive governmental policies and funding opportunities. By coupling environmental consciousness with the economic variable, sustainable entrepreneurship is offering myriad solutions to address this urgent climate challenge. Focusing on employment, as per the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), this sector has generated approx. 30,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Furthermore, in the sector of renewable energy, India has emerged as a prominent global leader, with an installed capacity of over 100 gigawatts by 2022. This remarkable growth has been accelerated by sustainable entrepreneurship, especially in the solar and wind energy sectors. To address the challenges in waste management, sustainable entrepreneurship has played a vital role in developing creative solutions for waste recycling, and energy generation. As per Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) India generates exceedingly 62 million tons of municipal solid waste per year. The innovation of converting waste into energy can help India to slowly move away from fossils.  Adding to thisEco-Tourism is rapidly booming in India presenting a variety of choices, including, eco-resorts, and community-based tourism.

LiFEInitiative

India took another notable step by introducing the Initiative. It encourages individuals to adopt a sustainable lifestyle to fight against the challenges posed by climate change. Launched in November 2021 at COP 26 in Glasgow, the motive is to drive individuals and communities to participate in this international movement with the goal of protecting the environment. It focuses on collective responsibilities and embraces the practice of a lifestyle which is in harmony with the planet. Individuals who practice this lifestyle are recognised as Pro Planet People under this initiative. Though, transitioning to such a lifestyle is not a one-day process, therefore, the campaign includes a 21-day challenge, encouraging Indians to take one environment-friendly step daily for 21 days to develop an environment-friendly lifestyle.

India-UN Development Partnership

 In 2017, the India-UN Development Partnership Fund was launched to collaborate with other developing nations through South-South cooperation. Projects aimed at fostering sustainable development goals are aided. To support this initiative India has pledged 100 million dollars grounded in the principles of equality, sustainability, mutual benefit and local capacity building. The fund aligns its projects with the 2030 agenda for sustainable development. This is an effort to reach out to the countries effectively by assisting them to reach their goals.

 The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), in collaboration with the India-UN Partnership Fund, the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC), and the Fiji Government, launched the'Scaling Climate and Disaster Risk Financing Framework and Parametric Insurance in Fiji' project. Against the devastating impacts of climate change and natural disasters, this initiative seeks to bolster the financial resilience of Fiji. The project includes the funding of approximately FJ$1.6 million (around US$700,000). The funds are provided by India through the India-UN Development Partnership Fund and managed by UNOSSC.

Way Forward

The optimal approach for India would be balancing its economic priorities with inclusivity and equality. As India is expected to achieve its ambition of becoming a$5 trillion economy in the next three years, itis unlikely without relying on energy generation using coal. Given its dependence, it will take time for India to retire coal plants. With abundant potential in solar, hydro and wind energy, India can leverage its technological prowess to make the best use of it. Investing in technology and innovation, India has tremendous potential to promote green initiatives. Additionally, promoting afforestation through native species, carbon capture and climate-resilient infrastructure is crucial to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change. International cooperation, especially in climate financing and tech transfers, will be fundamental. For India, climate change is not only reducing emissions but is also focused on improving the quality of lives of its citizens.

Disclaimer: The paper is the author’s individual scholastic articulation and the facts and figures quoted are duly referenced, as needed, and are believed to be correct.

Bhavana Sethuraman is doing her postgraduate diploma in interdisciplinary research International Studies from FLAME University. She is a research intern at Usanas Foundation. Her current interests include strategic studies, security and the West Asian region.

Ruchika Sharma is pursuing MA in Diplomacy Law and Business from O.P Jindal Global University.  She is interested in the evolving dynamics in the world of international politics.

^[1]PowerPoint Presentation (coal.gov.in)