India, with many nations, has signed the new climate agreement at the COP26 summit, agreeing to cut down carbon emissions to Net-Zero by 2070. But for India, it is far away.
For the past few years, many nations are talking about Net-Zero. It is a result of the government taking up the issue of climate change seriously. But they never take into account past emissions that have impacted the environment.
But these policies taken by the governments might be virtue signalling to garner popular support. The results can be manipulated and actions taken just for namesake. Then there is the issue of transparency in the data.
The developed nations can develop such technologies to fulfil their promises (as a publicity stunt or with true intention). But that is not the case with developing countries.
Developing countries like India are reluctant to head into such goals as it not only hampers their growth but will throw a substantial number of populations out of a decent lifestyle. India has agreed to Net-Zero by 2070.
Whatever the intention be, if a sustainable project is to be initiated, it has to go through considerable planning and investment. That is where the developing nations flatter and the point where developed nations place the blame.
This reveals the hypocrisy of the developed nations, who are reluctant to take on the responsibility they created. They distort the debate by focusing on total emission, in which India and China will be the prime polluters because of their large population.
Per capita emission might be below for them but that doesn’t absolve them of their responsibilities to the environment. With poorer budgets, they could not do it themselves. It could be if they receive payments as compensation from the rich countries.
Even though it might be fair to blame the developed nations for climate change, that doesn’t mean India has to constantly do it. Adoption of sustainable policies will help India, as it will save millions from pollution and climate change problems.
The performance of India at the summit itself is a sign that India can lead developed nations towards a sustainable world. India can do it in an effective multi-pronged way. And that would be CCUS.
If deployed and fitted at power plants running on fossil fuels, it would capture carbon and reduce emissions. With other renewable energy sources, it can help the nation transition into Net-Zero. But the total cost is a problem.
Going forward without CCUS to achieve the target is unrealistic. Because fossil fuel in primary energy production should fall by 5%, but with CCUS, fossil fuels can be used harmlessly.
More research and investment should flow into it, as necessary infrastructure and policies should be developed, with adequate testing and refining of the tech. India can either do it alone or collaborate to do so and be a leader.
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