Low-Carbon Future

Why in news?

In the recently organised Leaders’ Climate Summit, there is a debate whether India should announce net-zero emissions target.

What should be India’s approach?

IPCC 1.5°C report called for global carbon emissions to reach net-zero by 2050.
India being a climate-vulnerable country, it must contribute to limit the global temperature rise ideally below 1.5°C.
While doing so, it should not lose sight of the history of global climate negotiations and its own developmental needs.
By announcing net-zero commitment, India risks taking a heavier burden of decarbonisation than many wealthier countries.
Hence focused near-term sectoral transformations through aggressive adoption of technologies can be adopted.

How can we de-carbonise the power sector?

Electricity sector is the single largest source (about 40%) of India’s greenhouse gas emissions.
De-carbonising the electricity sector would require transformational changes in urbanisation and industrial development.
For example, electricity should be used for transport and integrating electric systems into urban planning.
Till now electricity sector is focussing on expanding renewable electricity capacity-175GW of renewable capacity by 2022.
It now needs a comprehensive shift going beyond expanding the renewable energy targets.
This can be done by limiting the expansion of coal-based electricity capacity.

How can this be done?

First India can pledge that it will not grow its coal-fired power capacity beyond what is already announced and reach peak coal electricity capacity by 2030.
It should also strive to make existing coal-based generation cleaner and more efficient.
Second, multi-stakeholder Just Transition Commission can be created to represent all levels of government and affected communities to ensure decent livelihood opportunities to people in the India’s coal belt.
This is necessary because the transition costs of a brighter low-carbon future should not fall on the backs of India’s poor.
Third, existing problems of the sector such as the poor finances and management of distribution companies needs to be addressed.
Finally, India will need to work hard to become a leader in technologies of the future such as electricity storage, smart grids and technologies that enable the electrification of other sectors such as transportation.

How can we improve energy services?

Growing urbanisation and uptake of electricity services offer a good opportunity to shape energy consumption within buildings through proactive measures.
Air conditioners, fans and refrigerators together consume about 60% of the electricity in households.
India could set aggressive targets- 80% of air conditioner sales and 50% of fan and refrigerator sales in 2030- should be most efficient.
This will reduce green house gas emissions and benefit the consumer by lowering their electricity bills.
India can leverage this transition too as an opportunity to become a global leader in production of clean appliances.
Such a sector-by-sector approach can be developed for other sectors which can set a path towards net zero emissions and achieve the Paris Agreement targets.
India can also come out with timelines for achieving climate targets.

How can timelines be formed?

India can also consider committing to submit plausible pathways and timelines to achieving net-zero emissions as part of its future pledges.
It can undertake detailed assessments of its development needs and low-carbon opportunities, the possible pace of technological developments.
It can also assess the potential geo-political and geo-economic risks of over-dependence on certain countries for technologies or materials.
It can use interim period to develop a strategic road map to enhance its own technology and manufacturing competence as part of the global clean energy supply chain.

Source: The Hindu