Indian nation is the home to nine of the ten most polluted cities in the world. It means exceeding the emission targets under the 2015 Paris Agreement and USD 401 billion worth capital expenditure towards a green future between 2015 and 2030 period, says a report. The push to cut diesel intake, increase natural gas and renewable energy, stricter emission norms, cleaning up Ganga river and better energy efficiency are few of the seven major changes said by the Bank of America.
The Paris climate change agreement signed in 2015, necessitates India to cut GHG (Green House Gas) emissions intensity of its GDP by 33-35%, increase non-fossil fuel power capacity to 40% from 28% in 2015, add carbon sink of 2.5-3 billion tonne CO2 per annum by increasing the forest cover, all by 2030. Right from signing the agreement, the country has introduced some pollution control norms similar to the inflection seen in Britain, the US and China in the 1950s, 1970s and early 2000s, respectively. India is also the first/ fastest in curbing pollution, the pace of pollution control is now better than global average.
The renewables energy side, the country is adding the largest solar capacity in the world, has one of the most stringent pollution norms for gensets and energy efficiency for air conditioners. "All this along with the present policy of meeting most pollution norms without waivers/ extensions, will help India meet most of the Paris targets before 2030," the report said. The report added seven themes of India to fight against pollution war includes cut in diesel use for cars/ pumps/ rail locos; natural gas intake at 15 per cent energy mix by 2030 from 6 per cent now; 450 GW renewable capacity by 2030 up from 90 GW now; stringent pollution norms for autos, coal power/ back-up power; the clean Ganga initiative". Other themes includes "energy efficiency step-up for lights, fans, pumps, consumer durables, power plants, mobility, packaging, waste management; and as many as over 110 companies driving towards net zero emission," it added.
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