Fri. Mar 29th, 2024

Net-zero: A concept and a demand that has become World’s recent necessity. Every country is following the trend to declare a target for itself when it shall become completely Carbon neutral, even better: Carbon negative.

Though India has been under pressure to do so but it has simply refrained for the time being for several reasonable reasons. It surely doesn’t mean that we are incorrigible. We have our plans but at a pace we can sustain.

We have done our wrong to the planet with polluted and overburdened resources. But we hope to reset the relationship with our planet soon, through pacifist efforts like shifting to renewables, reducing emissions and limiting Climate change.

Voluntary and mandatory transitions to Net-zero status, is a difficult road that needs constant support, revitalization and even resetting the targets ahead, if need be.

But we shall ask here: Can’t we achieve more if the responsibilities are distributed? What if states in Indian union have their own net-zero targets, based on their capabilities, no staggering-no intimidation?

Will decentralization help cater to sustainable demands of local communities? Can a strong Centre speak for the diverse states?

So, what if the “Environment” is a subject jurisdiction of Central Government, though many states demand it to be shifted to the “Concurrent list” i.e. regulated by both Centre and states.

A professor explains: “The problem is that the whole climate change problem does not fit neatly into any sector. Like we know that electricity is a concurrent subject while the environment is a state subject. However, there is no such specific mention of carbon.”

It is still ambiguous whether Climate change is a part of energy or a part of the environment within Indian statutes.

What’s with the current scenario?

Experts seemingly agree that there is a contradiction in Indian policymaking with regards to climate change.

State Action Plans on climate change paired with several custom recommendations on integration of mitigation and adaptation into development policy, is undertaken by States respectively while Centre chalks out the mitigation targets like renewable energy usage, energy efficiency, carbon neutrality etc.

Problem lies in the fact that India’s present commitments are not in consideration with climate mitigation but by populist domestic concerns of job creation, providing adequate drinking water etc. that sometimes clash with Environmental concerns.

According to a research paper: “Net-zero gives a sense of certainty of the future. But there is a lack of credibility unless the peak year is announced. Without it, stakeholders have no sense of urgency. Therefore, it is imperative to announce peaking year or in combination with a net-zero year to give a sense of credibility.”

But can peaking be decided for India that is still thriving to grow while rest of the countries have peaked and ebbed?

Between their peaking and net-zero years, the European Union has 71 years, the United Kingdom has 77 years, Japan has 46 years. Even China (considering 2030 to peak) will have 30 years of (given 2060 finds net-zero).

Countries and disparities

Compared to this, India will just have 20 years of difficult transition. India’s case is different, it needs different methods.

Why India needs to think about reducing or negating emissions?

According to United Nations estimates, the entire world has to achieve net-zero emission by 2050 to stay under 2 degrees Celsius since pre-industrial levels.

At the end of this year, the policymakers from various countries will forward new or enhanced pledges under the Paris Agreement in upcoming COP26. 2021 can be the notable year to decide our future course.

India’s population falls vulnerable as more than half of them depend upon agriculture and other climate sensitive sectors. About 12% of India is flood prone while 16% is drought prone.

Traditionally, India derives its plans on the basis of state and district plans. However, in states like Kerala, plans trickle even down to the level of panchayat or corporation plans.

Answer to our troubling questions: Stories from Bihar and Kerala

Highlighting his efforts towards sustainability in Bihar CM Nitish kumar said: “Our policy initiatives, including climate-resilient agriculture, conservation of surface and groundwater, solar energy, clean fuel and biodiversity conservation is leading our growth approach to sustainable development.”

Target includes the installation of 3,433 Megawatt of renewable energy by 2022. But in past 4 years, barely 194 MW of renewable capacity has been added to the state, yet to achieve the remaining 99.5% in the next one year as per the target.

While Kerala shows how the participatory model at smaller levels can make a big difference in the fight. Out of 14 districts in the state, 6-8 districts have attempted to plan their individual net-zero target five to six years down the line.

Meenangadi has dared to become India’s first “carbon neutral panchayat” when the States and countries are struggling worldwide.

We did emission calculation and asked the panchayat to offset 15,000 tonnes of carbon because it was surplus. Many options were considered like waste management”, a resident explains.

This initiative involved planting 4 lakh trees, out of which around 160,000 spread their roots on private property. Thereby underlining how the role of citizens change when they are made to understand the issue and encouraged to work in a participatory model.

Every attempt counts, especially when there is no translation mechanism from national target to those of states.

Challenges may be unbound ranging from Hill states to autonomous and aspirational North-East or the left-extremism affected areas, the implementation shall vary as per the very needs.

Every state in India holds a greater diversity that needs to be addressed and involved in a process that aims to affect them and their future generations.

By Alaina Ali Beg

I am a lover of all arts and therefore can dream myself in all places where the World takes me. I am an avid animal lover and firmly believes that Nature is the true sorcerer.