Q.) What is net zero-emission? Critically analyze this approach of achieving net-zero emission by 2050 in several countries to tackle climate change. Discuss whether India should consider a net-zero emission target by 2050?

Ans– Net zero emission refers to the balancing of carbon emissions by removing greenhouse gases from the environment through various methods like a station, carbon sequestration, etc.

While it doesn’t bring emissions to zero, it makes their effect neutral which will help to keep the global temperature increase below 2 Degree Celsius by 2050.

Since the Earth as of now responds firmly to little changes in how much CO₂, methane, and other ozone harming substances are in the environment, discharges of these gases should be decreased until the entire framework is back in balance again. Net-zero outflow implies that all man-made ozone-harming substance emanations should be eliminated from the air through decreased measures. This way humanity would be carbon unbiased and worldwide temperature would balance out.

The idea of net-zero or Carbon neutrality has gained momentum in the last two years as countries are releasing that even completing targets of the historic “Paris climate agreement 2015” will not be able to stop temperature increases up to 3 degrees or 4 degrees till that turn off century.

Developments so far–

1. USA under president Biden has returned to the Paris agreement and holding a virtual climate leaders’ Summit to regain its leadership on the climate change issue. it is expected to announce targets of “net neutrality” by 2050.
2. Countries like France, Germany, and New Zealand have passed laws to ensure their commitment. Japan, European Union, and Canada have also agreed to the concept of it. China aims to gain net zero by 2060. Positive aspects of net-zero emission–
3. It assists with easing back the speed of environmental change.
4. Outrageous climate occasions will decrease.
5. Littoral Island countries will get relief from the fear of sinking into the ocean.

Negative aspects of net-zero emission–

1. Carbon sequestration technology is very expensive.
2. Developing countries do not possess the required technology or resources to achieve this target.
3. Developed countries have been neglecting their commitment to Technology and money transfer to poor countries.

Green Climate Fund which was to be working from 2020 with a Corpus of a hundred billion dollars is still a dream. while a net-zero target is a formidable step toward saving our planet, developed countries must lead the way instead of passing the buck on poor countries which are struggling to get even basic minimum facilities for their citizens.
India and net-zero–

India has so far not accepted the idea of carbon neutrality, due to following reasons–

1. India’s per capita carbon emission of 1.8 tonnes is 1/9 of the USA’s per capita emission and 1/3 Of the world’s 4.8 tons per capita emission.
2. India is an overachiever in tons of nationally determined contributions committed under the Paris agreement. no other country in G-20 has matched India’s achievement.
3. India has not received the committed technology and finances to fight climate change.

Regardless of this, we shouldn’t forget to remember that India is the world’s third-biggest emitter after China and USA. Incoming 2-3 decades India will have to admit more to take millions of populations out of poverty.

India should not commit to net zero by making any law sending any agreement that makes binding, country must follow the below the advice of “TERI- The energy and resources Institute” to progress towards net zero in future decades–

1. behavior change– public transport, Organic farming, reducing wastage.
2. adopting low-carbon Technologies– solar energy (140 GW till 2022), Wind energy, hydroelectric power, and hydrogen fuel cell technology.

India should follow the path of China which has committed to achieving net-zero 2060. India can choose 2070 as its target year while it maintains its track record of achieving targets of the Paris agreement and insisting upon “common build differentiated responsibilities” of nations to fight global warming and climate change.