Whatever the climate challenges that the world is facing now is mainly because of the developed nations' irrational use of natural resources. They achieved high economic growth in the last hundred years by using all the resources at the cost of other developing and underdeveloped countries. For example, Europe is a hub of the meat industry and the fashion industry, responsible for roughly 20% and 10% of total CO2 emissions.
India is being pressured to reduce its carbon footprints because it is the 3rd largest country globally in terms of CO2 emission, following China and the USA. But in terms of per capita CO2 emission India is not even in the top 50 countries. Recently on Glasgow 26th, the Conference of Parties was held. In the summit, India, the USA, China have proposed to set a target of Net Zero CO2 emission by 2070, 2060, 2050, respectively. India has put this target considering the needs of the country in coming years mainly to alleviate the poverty. Internationally, India is facing pressure from the developed countries, especially by the USA, for coal usage negotiation because India had changed its stance from 'Phase out' to 'Phase down' deal as well as demanded $1 trillion for renewable energy infrastructure set up as a condition to achieve net-zero CO2 emission by 2070. Underdeveloped countries like African countries have also put some conditions like financial aids, technology for infrastructure, and compensation for climate calamities. With the lack of willingness of rich countries to reduce carbon emission and to help needful countries with different resources, this target looks very distant. Despite India and China having a tense relationship with each other on many issues, both of these countries worked together and acted as an ally in this particular challenge because they share a common interest. The bottleneck is that the rich countries deliberately do not want to recognize the wrong done by them for many decades. These developed nations demand all of the countries to take the same target regardless of different economic stages. There are many underdeveloped islands whose existence is on the brink and most likely which will not be there after a few decades. There are many climate activists who are not recognizing the root cause and criticize India's limited efforts to reduce carbon emission. For example, when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had remarked on carbon emission exemption to some extent for developing nations.
All these global leaders are making fools to the common people worldwide. They are setting targets with reference to the year, which is not relevant at all. What matters is the available carbon space as per the data provided by the UN that the approximately we have available carbon space to be around 550Gt at staying 1.5 deg temperature. By 2030 USA and China alone will emit 187 Gt CO2, which is 34% of the available budget. So the discussion should be on the amount allocated for every country as per its population, economic growth condition, and its reliance on nonrenewable energy resources and not on at which year a country will achieve net-zero carbon emission. With this logic, the developed nations have to reduce their CO2 emission drastically on an immediate basis. It shows that they are not willing to take concrete actions to fight against climate change, and that is why no one is negotiating in this direction. It is inevitable that within two decades, we will cross the limit of 1.5 deg temperature. In this capitalist and highly competitive world, there is a lack of trust and cooperation between countries that will lead to climate disaster in the coming years.
India has to reduce its reliance on fossil fuel resources and has to invest the maximum in renewable energy resources. Even though India has stopped emitting carbon still, we cannot alter the situation in a positive outcome. So accepting the circumstances, we have to brace ourselves for different problems. India has a very big coastline, and climate calamities are going to be inevitable, so we need to be prepared as earliest as possible for all the future challenges.
About The Writer
Jay Dudhela
Pursuing PGDM at IMT Hyderabad
A detailed observer with an interest in social and business affairs explains India's stance on climate change.
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