India has made a big promise to the planet: to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2070. That means by then, we’ll balance the amount of greenhouse gases we release with the amount we remove from the atmosphere. It’s like trying to eat as many samosas as you burn off at the gym—tricky, but not impossible!
Why 2070?
Some countries like the U.S. and the U.K. have set net-zero targets for 2050. India, being a developing country with over 1.4 billion people and a growing economy, needs more time. We’re still building roads, homes, and industries—and we need energy to do that. So, 2070 gives us a fair shot to grow and go green at the same time.
The Five Big Promises
At the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid out five key climate goals, also called “Panchamrit.” These include:
- Reaching 500 GW of non-fossil energy capacity by 2030.
- Meeting 50% of energy needs from renewables by 2030.
- Reducing carbon emissions by 1 billion tonnes by 2030.
- Cutting emissions intensity of GDP by 45%.
- And of course, net-zero by 2070.
What’s Happening on the Ground?
India isn’t just talking the talk—we’re walking (and cycling, and solar-paneling) the walk.
- Indian Railways is going electric! It aims to be net-zero by 2030. That’s right—your next train ride might be powered by the sun instead of diesel.
- ONGC, the oil giant, has created a green subsidiary and plans to invest ₹1 lakh crore by 2030 in solar and other clean energy projects.
- The government has also doubled funding for green hydrogen, a clean fuel that could power everything from buses to factories.
But Wait, There’s More!
The 2025-26 Union Budget gave a big boost to clean energy:
- ₹26,549 crore for renewable energy.
- ₹20,000 crore for the Surya Ghar Yojana, which helps people install solar panels on rooftops.
- ₹6,000 crore for green hydrogen.
- Even small modular nuclear reactors are getting attention—tiny power plants that could light up villages without polluting the air.
Challenges? Oh Yes.
Let’s not sugarcoat it—there are hurdles. Land for solar farms is hard to find. Green hydrogen is still expensive. And shifting to green ammonia in fertilizers could raise costs for farmers. Plus, we need better waste management, smarter cities, and a lot more trees.
But hey, Rome wasn’t built in a day—and neither is a carbon-neutral India.
What Can You Do?
You don’t need to build a wind farm in your backyard (though that would be cool). Start small:
- Switch off lights when not needed.
- Use public transport or carpool.
- Plant a tree. Or ten.
- Support companies that care about the planet.
Final Thoughts
India’s net-zero journey is like a long train ride with many stops—solar, wind, hydrogen, nuclear, and maybe even electric tuk-tuks. It’s not going to be easy, but it’s definitely worth it. After all, we’re not just saving the planet—we’re saving our future chai breaks under a shady tree.
Sources:
- NetZeroIndia.org – India’s Net Zero by 2070 Plan
- ET EnergyWorld – India Net Zero Forum 2025 Highlights
- ORF – Budget 2025-26 and Climate Goals
- Economic Survey 2025 – India’s Climate Strategy
