India Targets Net-zero Carbon Emissions by 2070, says Modi

India’s economy will become carbon neutral by the year 2070, prime minster has announced at the COP26 climate crisis summit in Glasgow.

The target date is two decades beyond what scientists say is needed to avert catastrophic climate impacts.

India would increased the share of renewables in it energy mix from about 38% last year to 50% by 2030, Modi added.

Modi also said India would increase its 2030 target for installed capacity of “non-fossil energy” – mostly solar – from 450 to 500 GW.

“Today India’s installed renewable capacity is fourth in the world. In the last seven years, our non-fossil fuel energy has seen 25% growth and the share of green energy in the mix reached 40%, ” Modi said, adding that India’s national transporter, Indian Railways, had declared a Net Zero target year of 2030.

“This entails 60 million tonnes of emission reduction every year. Another 40 million tonne emissions reduction will come from our LED programme,” Modi said.

“India has raised its ambition in setting its targets. They also need to raise ambitions in climate finance and tech transfer. The world cannot achieve newer targets with old goals of climate finance,” Modi stated.