India may update green target before COP26

NEW DELHI: India may update its voluntary emissions-control commitments ahead of or at the UN climate summit to be held in Glasgow in November.

“There are talks of announcing a slightly updated target taking into account our commitments on renewable energy,” said an official at the environment ministry . “This may happen at COP26.”

A joint statement issued last week by Quad countries — Australia, India, Japan, and the United States — stated that all member states intend to update or communicate ambitious nationally determined contributions (NDCS) under the Paris Agreement before the climate meet, also known as the 26th Conference of Parties, or COP26.

It could mean India will announce an updated NDC ahead of or at COP 26. “The statement states what quad countries intend to do,” another environment ministry official said. “We cannot confirm or deny it because the decision on NDC is taken at the highest level because it involves many sectors.” Both officials declined to be named.

India will install 450 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy by 2030, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had reiterated on September 25 at the 76th session of the UN General Assembly .

Quad countries last week said they will pursue efforts to limit global warming to 1.5 degree C above pre-industrial levels, the ambitious target agreed upon in the 2015 Paris climate pact.

To this end, Quad countries intend to update or communicate ambitious NDCS by COP26 and welcome those who have already done so. “Quad countries will also coordinate their diplomacy to raise global ambition, including reaching out to key stakeholders in the Indo-pacific region,” the statement said.

Experts, however, clarified that the Quad statement doesn’t imply that all four countries will announce net zero emissions by 2050. Net zero is a global goal that has to be achieved collaboratively, factoring in national and economic circumstances of each country, they said.

“...In the case of India, this should not be seen as commitment to a national 2050 net- zero goal,” said Chandrashekhar Dasgupta, former ambassador to the EU and China, and a climate negotiator. “Each country should contribute to the global goal in accordance with the principles of ‘common but differentiated responsibilities’ and its national circumstances...”

QUAD COUNTRIES LAST WEEK SAID THEY WILL PURSUE EFFORTS TO LIMIT TO 1.5°C ABOVE PRE-INDUSTRIAL LEVELS