Global Collaboration Paves the Way for India's Net Zero Target by 2070, Says Dr. Jitendra Singh

The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Ministry of Science and Technology, MoS PMO, and Minister of State, Ministry of Personnel and Public Grievances, Dr. Jitendra Singh, emphasized the crucial role of international cooperation in India's pursuit of its Net Zero emissions target by 2070. The target was set by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi as part of India's commitment to combating climate change.

Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasised the collective responsibility shared by nations, organisations, businesses, and individuals in addressing the challenges posed by climate change during the website and logo launch event of the Joint 8th Mission Innovation Ministerial (MI-8) and 14th Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM-14). He emphasised that no single entity can control or minimise these issues on its own.

The MI-8 and CEM-14 meetings, scheduled to be held from July 19 to 21, 2023, in Goa, India, will provide a platform for international cooperation. The events will bring together ministers, heads of delegation, and key stakeholders from MI Member Countries, the European Union, and international organizations, along with industry representatives, researchers, and innovators from around the world. This year's Ministerial will focus on advancing research and development towards pilot demonstrations of clean energy technologies.

Dr. Jitendra Singh underlined the significance of hosting the MI-8 Ministerial meeting during India's 75th year of independence, describing it as a pivotal moment to translate ambitious clean energy commitments into action while ensuring energy security and accessibility. The Panchamrit action plan outlines several targets for India, including achieving a non-fossil fuel energy capacity of 500 GW by 2030, fulfilling at least 50% of its energy requirements through renewable sources by 2030, reducing CO2 emissions by 1 billion tons by 2030, reducing carbon intensity below 45% by 2030, and working towards a net-zero emissions target by 2070.

Mission Innovation, a global initiative comprising 23 countries and the European Commission, aims to accelerate the clean energy revolution and support the goals of the Paris Agreement and the pathway to net zero. India was one of the founding members of Mission Innovation. The initiative seeks to drive a decade of action and investment in research, development, and demonstration of affordable and accessible clean energy technologies for all.

The first phase of Mission Innovation (2015-2020) was launched during COP21 in 2015, with member countries committing to doubling government funding for clean energy research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) over five years. It also aimed to enhance international and private sector engagement, cooperation, and investment in clean energy RD&D programs.

After the successful completion of the first phase, Mission Innovation launched its second phase, MI2.0, on June 2, 2021. MI2.0 focuses on a decade of action from 2021 to 2030, emphasizing the scaling up of innovative clean energy technologies and making them affordable, attractive, and accessible to all. This will expedite progress towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the pathway to net zero.

The event saw the presence of dignitaries, including Secretary, S&T, Dr. Srivari Chandrasekhar; Secretary, Power, Alok Kumar; Secretary, MNRE, Bhupinder Singh Bhalla; DG, BEE, Abhay Bakre, and senior officers. The Head of CEM and MI Secretariat addressed the function via video conference, and government delegates from 32 countries also participated virtually.