Approach:

Introduction: Define the Net-Zero emission strategy & also Highlight the need for this strategy in the current scenario.

Body: Mention the issues that we are witnessing with regard to the Net-Zero emission strategy and also mention the steps that different nations are taking in this regard.

Conclusion: Mention what more needs to be done.

Answer:

Net-Zero emission means cutting greenhouse gas emissions to as close to zero as possible, with any remaining emissions re-absorbed from the atmosphere, by oceans and forests for instance. It calls for a complete transformation of how we produce, consume, and move about.

A series of recent studies and reports (i.e., by the IPCC, UN & WMO etc.) have pointed out that the situation is worsening rapidly with respect to climate change and the window of opportunity for effective action is narrowing faster than ever before. In this regard, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has stated that the global atmospheric temperature would rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius before 2040 if, at a global scale, we fail to attain net zero by 2050.

But on account of certain implementational issues, we are unable to reap the benefits of this strategy.

Challenges in the implementation of the Net-Zero emission strategy:

1. Common but differentiated responsibility (CBDR): Developing countries like India have time and again pointed out that this net-zero strategy does not reflect the principle of CBDR. As historically it has been the developed nations that have majorly contributed to climate change through large-scale CO2 emissions during the industrial revolution. Even today China, USA & EU are the largest C02 emitters.

1. Climate Finance: The developed nation has not provided the developing nations with the requisite climate finance that they had pledged under the Paris Agreement i.e., $ 100 Billion a year. This is severely impacting the ability of the developing nation to move in the direction of Net-Zero emissions.

1. Different goals: Different nations have decided to turn Net-Zero at different dates. E.g., The G7 reiterated its commitment to turn net zero by 2050 and has asked all ‘major economies’ to attain net-zero status by that year but China has said it would turn Net-Zero only in 2060, while India has set 2070 as the target and other big emitters like Russia and Saudi Arabia, have set 2060 as their net-zero targets.

1. Issues with this concept: According to IPCC, cumulative emissions rather than reaching net zero is the determining factor in achieving the Paris Agreement. According to Oxfam, these net zero carbon targets may be a distraction from the priority of cutting carbon emissions.

1. Net-zero targets are vaguely defined: For e.g. The G7 countries have not come up with any deadline to end the use of fossil fuels, rather they have only stated that they are committed to accelerating the phase-out of “unabated fossil fuels”, however, “Unabated” is not clearly defined. They also said that they would eliminate “inefficient fossil fuel subsidies” by 2025 or earlier, without defining “inefficient subsidies”.

1. Issues with the methods: As it relies on virtually unproven new technologies i.e. carbon capture and storage, which is still at its nascent stage of development, or on a level of land use (mainly afforestation) that is completely impossible as the total amount of land required for planned carbon removal could potentially be five times the size of India.

 Steps that are being taken globally in this direction -

1. Race To Zero: It is a global campaign to build momentum around the shift to a decarbonized economy, where governments must strengthen their contributions to the Paris Agreement. This will send governments a resounding signal that businesses, cities, regions and investors are united in meeting the Paris goals and creating a more inclusive and resilient economy.

1. Net-Zero targets: More than 70 countries have promised to become Net Zero by the middle of the century i.e., by 2050. Other nations like China & India have committed that they will turn Net-Zero by 2060 and 2070 respectively.

1. Mission Innovation: Mission Innovation is an international initiative of 24 countries and the European Union which intends to accelerate global clean energy innovation, by developing Carbon capture & storage technologies, clean energy materials & renewable and clean hydrogen.
2. Changes to Lifestyle for the Environment (LiFE): LiFE is India’s call for citizens, communities, industry leaders, and policymakers of the world to make simple yet effective sustainable choices, industries and markets to scale these, and government policies to support them.

1. Increased transparency and accountability: The United Nations on 31 March 2022, established a High-Level Expert Group on the Net-Zero Emissions Commitments of Non-State entities to develop stronger and clearer standards for net-zero emissions pledges by non-State entities – including businesses, investors, cities, and regions – and speed up their implementation. The Secretary-General also called on non-State entities to put forward credible and transparent transition plans and to submit them before the end of this year.
2. Steps taken by India: India has declared its Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy at the 27th Conference of Parties of UNFCCC in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. Being guided by this strategy India has launched the National Hydrogen Mission, today, India is the world's third largest producer of renewable energy, with 40% of its installed electricity capacity coming from non-fossil fuel sources and has also launched various adaptation and mitigation projects etc.

So, in order to ensure an effective & timely transition towards Net-zero targets at a global level, different nations should clearly define their Net-Zero targets, should significantly strengthen their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and should improve their implementation. Also, the developed nations need to provide the developing nations with requisite climate finance and technology in order to ensure the timely transition of all the nations towards Net-Zero targets.