India will achieve net zero by 2070, premier tells climate conference

By Shuriah Niazi

NEW DELHI (AA) - India will achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2070, the nation’s prime minister told the UN climate summit in Glasgow, Scotland on Monday.

Narendra Modi said by 2030 India’s non-fossil energy capacity will be 500 gigawatts, adding: “India will meet 50% of its energy requirements from renewable energy by 2030."

He also pledged to cut India’s total projected carbon emissions by one billion tons by 2030 and reduce the carbon intensity of its economy to less than 45%.

India is the world's third-biggest emitter of greenhouse gases after China and the United States.

Modi also urged developed nations to provide climate finance of $1 trillion as soon as possible.

“India has around 17% of the world's population but was responsible for only 5% of total emissions,” he said.

The COP26 climate conference will continue through Nov. 12 with numerous panels, meetings, and side events, all seeking remedies to reduce the levels of global warming by keeping it to 1.5C.

More than 25,000 delegates from nearly 200 countries are at the Glasgow conference, where the first two days will see sessions attended by world leaders.