As the World Leaders Summit kicked off at COP26 on November 1, 2021, India announced it would be net-zero by 2070. Net Zero refers to the year by which GHG emissions produced will be balanced by those that are absorbed. By 2030, India – the world’s fourth-largest greenhouse gas (GHG) emitter after China, the USA and the EU – will generate 500 GW from non-fossil fuel sources (up from the previous pledge of 450 GW), Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged. This will be 50% of the country’s installed energy capacity.

Modi said India would reduce emissions by one billion tonnes by 2030 and would reduce emissions intensity by over 45%. Emissions intensity reduction is not a reduction in total emissions but a reduction in emissions per unit of GDP. Among other South Asian countries, Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan have been ambitious in their updated NDCs, though question marks remain on implementation. Bhutan will play a key role in the negotiations, as it currently chairs the Least Developed Countries (LDC) Group. The Group outlined its priorities at a meeting in October, including a call for G20 countries to align the NDCs with the 1.5°C target and urgently deliver on promised financing. Sonam Phuntsho Wangdi, the Chair of the Group, has already made it clear that LDCs need much more in climate funds.

Source: https://www.thethirdpole.net