Editorji Explains | India Energised: How the country is leading the fight against climate change

The renewable mission Energising India as a leader of clean and green energy globally as we strive not just meet but beat the aggressive targets.

PM Modi, who has been honoured with the United Nations `Champions of the Earth” title made Green Energy the single biggest focus for the nation as he pitched the need for “environmental security,” to the entire nation from the Red Fort.

From the introduction of the National Hydrogen Mission” to develop green hydrogen and fuel cells, to electrification of India’s massive rail system, it is clear that India is ready to fire from all cylinders.

India spends around ₹12 lakh crore annually for its energy needs. The Nation Hydrogen Mission is set to be a game-changer for India, which imports 85% of its oil and 53% of gas demand. Green Hydrogen will bat for green hydrogen exports and geographical production zones.

Given India’s major dependence on energy imports, the aim is to leverage the country’s large landmass and low solar and wind tariffs to produce low-cost green hydrogen and ammonia for even exports.

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India is set to meet its Paris agreement commitments ahead of 2030. India has maintained that it is not a polluter and cause of climate change and has voluntarily committed to reducing greenhouse gas emission intensity of its GDP by 33-35 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030.

Citizen focused initiatives run by the central govt have helped this target tremendously with people embracing LED bulbs, voluntarily giving up LPG subsidy, increased cooking gas coverage and affordable transportation initiatives. Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana has provided smoke-free kitchens to over 7 crore beneficiaries, most of whom are women. Industry wide focus also continues as PM-KUSUM, solar rooftop phase-2, development of Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Power Parks (UMREPPs) etc have also been introduced to promote renewable energy sector in India.

India’s climate commitment credentials are very strong ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, its emissions have been reduced by 28% over 2005 levels. The Modi Govt has also taken a strong stance on the net-zero emission urging the G20 having per capita greenhouse gas emissions above the global average to bring it down to the world average, so they leave ‘some' carbon space for developing nations such as India.