In order to retain global average temperature rises to within 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and thus avert the most catastrophic climate change impacts, the world’s net greenhouse gas emissions must reach zero no later than 2050.
Speaking at COP26, Modi has set the considerably later date of 2070 as the target for India. Modi defended the late target date as India holding to its climate pledges “in spirit and letter”.
The net zero target date was one of five pledges he made at the summit. Other pledges attracted a warmer reception, such as a promise to increase the share of renewables in India’s energy mix to half (minimum 500GW) by 2030 and to reduce the CO2 intensity of its economy by 45 per cent. He also called for a worldwide push to adopt sustainable lifestyles “instead of mindless and destructive consumption”.
Ahead of COP26, the US, UK, EU and many other major emitters announced pledges to reach net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050. Most pledges...