India to push developed nations to become 'carbon negative' before 2050 -sources

Daqo New Energy

14/10/2023 06:30

(Repeats story that ran on Friday, with no changes)
    By Sarita Chaganti Singh
       NEW DELHI, Oct 13 (Reuters) - India wants to push
developed nations to become carbon negative rather than carbon
neutral by 2050, arguing that would allow emerging market
economies more time to use fossil fuels for development needs,
two Indian government sources said.
    India, which is resisting calls to commit to a deadline for
phasing out its own use of coal and other fossil fuels, is set
to make its proposal at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai later
this year.
    "The rich countries should become net negative emitters
before 2050 to enable the world to achieve the target of global
net-zero by that year while allowing developing nations to use
the available natural resources for growth," one of the
government officials said.
    Developed countries including the United States, Britain,
Canada and Japan are targeting net zero by 2050. China has
committed to net zero by 2060 while India has committed to
reaching that goal by 2070.  
    Net zero or carbon neutrality means the amount of carbon
dioxide released into the atmosphere through any activity is
offset by an additional activity to remove an equivalent amount.
Carbon negative is a step forward and requires a country to
remove more CO2 from the atmosphere than it emits.
    COP28 discussions are taking place at a time when extreme
weather-related events have lead to heatwaves and erratic
monsoons and scientists have called for immediate action.
    India intends to continue resisting developed economies'
push to fix a deadline for fossil fuel phase down and instead
favours shifting focus to reducing overall carbon emissions
through "abatement and mitigation technologies," the two
officials and a third government official said.
    None of the officials wished to be named as the discussions
are private and a final stance has not been firmed up.
    India's environment, external affairs and prime minister's
offices did not reply to emails seeking comment.
    India has committed to operating half of its installed power
capacity with non-fossil sources and cutting the ratio of
greenhouse emissions to gross domestic product to 45% of its
2005 level by 2030.
    At a summit in New Delhi last month G20 countries accepted
the need to phase-down unabated coal power, but stopped short of
setting a timeline or emission reduction goals. 
    The declaration was a step forward in climate negotiations,
with the 20 countries accounting for over 80% of global
emissions agreeing to phase down coal for the first time. 
    The decision was a surprise as coal-dependent economies,
including China, India and Indonesia, have in past negotiations
resisted talks of exiting the black fuel and asked developed
economies to instead end their use of gas. 
    "It's just not feasible for India to commit to a timeline to
end coal. Coal is going to be the country's mainstay in the near
future even if storage and abatement technologies become viable
in a hypothetic situation," another official said.
    Data shows that thermal power stations provide 73% of
electricity consumed in India, even though the country has
increased its non-fossil capacity to 44% of its total installed
power generation capacity. 
    COP28 is scheduled to take place between Nov. 30 and Dec.
12.

 (Reporting by Sarita Chaganti Singh; Editing by Susan Fenton)
 ((Sarita.ChagantiSingh@thomsonreuters.com;))