Is India’s 2070 net-zero target too late?

One of the world’s most pollutant countries has announced plans to cut its emissions to net zero by 2070 – shockingly missing a key goal of the COP26 summit for nations to commit to reach that target by 2050

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the pledge at the Glasgow conference on Monday, stating his nation is making the commitment to cut emissions to net zero within 48 years.

This is the first time the country has made such a commitment.

Net zero, or becoming carbon neutral, means not adding to the amount of greenhouse gases currently in the atmosphere.

In contrast, China has announced plans for carbon neutrality by 2060, while the United States, Australia and EU aim to hit net zero by 2050.

India is the world’s fourth biggest emitter of carbon dioxide after China, the US and the EU

The country’s huge population means its emissions per capita are much lower than other major world economies.

India emitted 1.9 tonnes of CO2 per head of population in 2019, compared with 15.5 tonnes for the America’s and 12.5 tonnes for Russia that year.

The announcement follows a pre-recorded address made by the Queen, urging world leaders to take the matter seriously, in order to protect the planet.

The 2070 net zero target has disappointed activists and experts in Glasgow

But despite the sombre reaction to his announcement within Glasgow, Modi seems to have impressed people back home.

The Indian Prime Minister used the majority of his time in front of world leaders underlining the need for “lifestyle changes” as the greatest solution to climate change.

The net-zero target will come 20 years after the climate’s 2050 targets, which have been set out by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.