Context
India (backed by China), made a last-minute diplomatic push at the Cop26 climate talks in Glasgow to water down the language of the final agreement from calling for a “phaseout” of unabated coal power to a “phasedown”.
Phasedown The term “phasedown” means India can decrease its share of coal in the energy mix but allow its coal use to rise in absolute terms. |
Background
Promises made by India at COP26
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Analysis
Assessing coal’s share in India’s ‘energy-mix’
India produces over 85 minerals including coal, lignite, bauxite, chromite, copper ore and concentrates, iron ore, lead and zinc concentrates, manganese ore, silver, diamond, limestone, phosphorite etc. |
Status of coal usage worldwide
Thus, not only developing countries, even advanced nations are dependent on coal power to meet their energy needs.
Why this transition would be difficult?
Why coal is becoming a huge concern?
India produces 1.8 metric tonnes of carbon emissions per capita against 15.2 metric tonnes produced by the U.S. High-income countries in general emit over 50 times as much carbon as low-income countries and over six times as much carbon as lower middle-income countries. |
What needs to be done?
Conclusion
Coal being the cheapest and most reliable way to meet energy needs, is likely to make it difficult for India to reduce its consumption. Moreover, the future of the target lies in an effective approach towards reining in carbon emissions.
While India has committed to stepping up on renewables, it needs to set up the infrastructure to maximise on clean energy requires vast investments.
Verifying, please be patient.