Key Terms & Concepts — UPSC Mains
Net-Zero Emissions
"A state in which greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere are balanced by equivalent removals"
Net-zero emissions refers to achieving a balance between the amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) emitted into the atmosphere and the amount removed, through natural sinks (forests, oceans) or technological carbon capture. It does not mean zero emissions but a carbon-neutral state where remaining emissions are offset. The IPCC defines global net-zero CO₂ as requiring emissions reductions of ~45% by 2030 (vs 2010) and reaching net-zero around 2050 to limit warming to 1.5°C.
India has committed to Net-Zero by 2070 (announced by PM Modi at COP26, Glasgow, 2021, part of India's Panchamrit/Five-Point Climate Pledge). UPSC tests this in GS3 (environment) and current affairs. Distinguish from: Carbon Neutral (individual/corporate), Climate Neutral (includes all GHGs + other impacts), and Deep Decarbonisation (structural economic transformation).
- 1 India's net-zero target year is 2070, later than China (2060), USA/EU (2050)
- 2 India's Panchamrit pledge (COP26): 500 GW non-fossil fuel by 2030; 50% energy from renewables; reduce emissions intensity 45% vs 2005; net-zero by 2070
- 3 Hard-to-abate sectors (cement, steel, aviation, shipping) require CCUS technology, Budget 2026-27 allocated Rs 20,000 crore for CCUS
- 4 Carbon sinks: India's forests offset ~2.29 billion tCO₂ annually (Economic Survey 2024-25)
- 5 IPCC AR6 (2022): Current NDCs lead to ~2.5°C warming, net-zero pledges insufficient without stronger near-term action
- 6 COP29 (Baku, Nov 2024): NCQG, New Collective Quantified Goal, agreed at USD 300 billion/year from developed nations by 2035 [Source: UN / COP29 outcome]
- 7 COP30 (Belém, Brazil, Nov 2025): Belém Package approved, climate finance implementation work programme; fossil fuel transition planning pledge; India's updated NDCs discussed [Source: UNFCCC / Carbon Brief, Nov 2025]
- 8 India milestone: 50% of installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuels achieved in June 2025 — 5 years ahead of 2030 NDC target [Source: MNRE / PIB, PRID 2144627]
- 9 India non-fossil installed capacity (Mar 31, 2026): 283.46 GW, Solar 150.26 GW, Wind 56.09 GW, Large Hydro 51.41 GW, Nuclear 8.78 GW, Bio Energy 11.75 GW, Small Hydro 5.17 GW [Source: MNRE / PIB, Apr 2026]
- 10 FY 2025-26: India added 55.3 GW of non-fossil capacity, highest annual addition ever [Source: Enerdata / PIB, Apr 2026]
India crossed the 50% non-fossil electricity capacity milestone in June 2025, five years ahead of the 2030 NDC target, reaching 283.46 GW of non-fossil installed capacity by March 31, 2026, with solar (150.26 GW) as the dominant source. FY 2025-26 saw a record 55.3 GW added, demonstrating credible near-term progress toward the 2070 net-zero pathway.
