Lok Sabha Question No. 5 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-03
Subject: Net Zero Emissions Target by 2070
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Dilip Saikia, Shri Jagdambika Pal, Shri Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Shri Shankar Lalwani, Shri Mahesh Kashyap, Smt. Smita Uday Wagh, Smt. Aparajita Sarangi, Shri Chandra Prakash Joshi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5

TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.02.2025

## Net-Zero Emissions Target by 2070

5.   SHRI SUKHJINDER SINGH RANDHAWA:

SMT. SMITA UDAY WAGH:

SHRI SHANKAR LALWANI:

SHRI DILIP SAIKIA:

SHRI CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI:

SHRI MAHESH KASHYAP:

SMT. APARAJITA SARANGI:

SHRI JAGDAMBIKA PAL:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) the specific steps being taken by the Government to achieve India's target of net zero emissions  by  2070  after  the  reduction  in  green  house  gas  emissions  by  7.93  %  as reported in 2020;
- (b) whether there is a framework available and system in place to monitor progress made towards achieving the target of net zero emissions by 2070; and
- (c) the details of manner in which the government is likely  to  ensure transparency and accountability in the reporting of reduction in emissions?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE

(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

- (a) to  (c)  As  a  Party  to  the United  Nations  Framework  Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC),  India  periodically  submits  its  National  Communications  (NCs)  and Biennial Update Reports (BURs) to the UNFCCC. As per the latest report submitted by India (Fourth Biennial Update Report) in December 2024, India's net Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions in 2020  were  2,437  million  tonnes  of  carbon  dioxide  equivalent. Globally,  emissions  in  the  year  2020  were  lower  than  2019  due  to  the  lockdown imposed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In-line with the global trends, India's GHG emissions in 2020 reduced by 7.93 per cent with respect to 2019.

India, at the 26 th  session of UNFCCC (COP 26) in November 2021, announced its target to achieve net zero emissions by 2070. In pursuance thereof, India submitted its Long-Term Low Greenhouse Gas Emission Development Strategies (LT-LEDS) to the UNFCCC in November 2022, which provides a framework involving seven key strategic transitions for achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. These include i) lowcarbon development of electricity systems consistent with development, ii) develop an integrated, efficient and  inclusive transport  system, iii)  promote adaptation  in  urban design, energy and material efficiency in buildings, and sustainable urbanisation, iv) promoting economy-wide decoupling of growth from emissions and development of an efficient, innovative low emission industrial system, v) development of carbon dioxide removal and related engineering solutions, vi) enhancing forest and vegetation cover consistent with socio-economic and ecological considerations and vii) economic and financial needs of low-carbon development.

India's  LT-LEDS  is  based  on  the  principles  of  common  but  differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, equity, and climate justice. India's net-zero target  is  to  be  achieved  through  periodic  enhancement  of  Nationally  Determined Contribution (NDCs) and corresponding domestic climate actions towards low carbon transition, supported by climate finance and technology transfer under the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement. Further, as per the Enhanced Transparency Framework under the  Paris  Agreement,  Parties  are  required  to  submit  Biennial  Transparency  Reports (BTR) which mandates providing information on progress made in implementing and achieving its NDCs.

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