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In 2021, at Glasgow, the focus of COP was on Sustainable Development. The decisions made at the UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow can significantly impact developing nations such as India. India not only relies on coal and natural gas to fuel its economy but also to provide the majority of its electricity. According to research, by 2060, coal will continue to be a primary source of energy worldwide, but it will no longer be the fastest-growing source of power generation. Nuclear power will also rise in prominence, especially in Germany, France and Japan.
Overview of COP26
Riveted on all facets of climate change: from the impacts of climate change on the economy, how the Earth’s hydrological system is changing, and how global warming and climate change affect people worldwide. The theme for COP26 is “taking action for a better future”, which means everyone has something to contribute. With this in mind, India pledged their technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at COP26.
India’s Pledge and Mantra to the World
- At COP26, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present, Minister of Power, Coal and Renewable Energy Piyush Goyal and Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan. Prime Minister Modi used his speech to call for more investment in renewable energy sources such as solar, stating that “the world must turn to India for help in tackling climate change.” He also praised climate change deniers and developed nations that had lagged in reducing emissions. He underscored the benefits of a low carbon world, remarking, “The world owes it to future generations to make the shift to a low-carbon economy”
- Piyush Goyal stated that India will take the lead in reducing emissions by increasing the share of renewable sources in its energy mix to 40% by 2030. He announced that an investment of more than $2 trillion would be required over the next 15 years. By 2022, 70% of all new vehicles sold in India will have to be powered by internal combustion engines running on CNG, LPG or electricity. Furthermore, a solar power distribution company for the country’s unconnected villages will be set up
- This initiative is expected to accelerate India’s transition towards a low-carbon economy by increasing the share of renewable energy in its energy mix. It is also expected to bring down the cost of power for consumers. However, suppose India intends to install 100 GW of solar PV and 60 GW of wind power over the next seven years. In that case, it will have to dramatically increase generation capacity and infrastructure and tackle concerns over land acquisition and grid integration
Uses of solar energy
- Harsh Vardhan stated that India would develop its solar power capacities four times faster than any other country by 2022. A new policy for the country’s fast-growing renewable energy sector will aim to bring financial institutions on board. This will enable the financing of solar projects and stimulate the domestic market for renewable energy
- At the UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Goyal pledged to increase the share of non-fossil fuel sources in power generation to 40% by 2030
- At the UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Harsh Vardhan, the environment minister, has also announced that it plans to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions intensity by 33% per unit of GDP by 2030. To achieve this target, India has emphasised expanding its solar capacity to 100 gigawatts (GW) by 2022 and generating 40% of its energy through non-fossil fuel sources by 2030
India’s plan for renewable energy
India’s plan for renewable energy is ambitious, but the country has shown commitment to low carbon energy. In June 2017, the Union Cabinet approved a plan to spend $10 billion on solar power in five years and 20 GW by 2022. The country also added another 1,000MW in wind energy between 2014 and 2015. With this visibility in the Paris Agreement, India has a realistic chance to transition toward a low-carbon path.
The political will to act
Indian Prime Minister Modi and President Obama signed the Paris Agreement in April 2015. So, India has been a part of the climate change mitigation effort, but they are not sitting comfortably with the COP26 commitments.
Nationally Determined Contributions
- UNFCCC has set this up to provide flexibility in meeting commitments. There is no way a country can commit to achieving a solution that is not feasible. The NDCs were the foundation of the agreement at COP21
- “The Paris Agreement would only be as strong as its implementation, and in this regard, India will do its part,” said Mr Prakash Javedekar, Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (I/C), India
Conclusion
India emerged stronger at COP, UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, with new strategies to implement its plans for a low carbon future. India plans to send experts and scientists to other countries for training and research. Furthermore, the country plans to increase the presence of its officials at international forums, making use of its infrastructure and resources. For India to become a global leader in clean energy, it must shift its focus from just renewable energy. To become a global leader in any sector, one must be able to adapt and innovate to changing needs.
