What is India’s role in our low carbon future?

Climate change is the biggest threat to, and concern of, the world today. Countries across the world are doing what they can to reduce their carbon footprint. COP-21 brought leaders across the globe together and gave them the opportunity to share their thoughts and strategies on the topic.

The need for a reduced carbon footprint
The carbon space available to us until the year 2100 has been estimated at 3,000 Giga tonnes. It isn’t going to be easy to stay within this limit, especially since estimates state that there will only be 250 Giga tonnes available post 2030. Renewable sources of energy, however, can play a critical role in emission reduction and make a real impact on mitigating climate change risks. Hence, the need of the hour is to transition from fossil fuel to low carbon energy systems. COP-21 gave countries a platform to outline specific plans to reduce emissions, rather than simply commit to an absolute emission reduction figure. The advantage of specific targets is that it removes ambiguity and ensures that goals are met.

The responsibility of a smaller carbon footprint
Energy conservation is a responsibility that falls on every country and individual. Hence, India recommends that developed countries should reduce its wasteful expenditure of energy and create a carbon space in favour of developing countries like India. That is why, the Indian agenda at COP-21 is to convince developed and developing countries around the world to reduce their carbon intensity to GDP ratio. The reason for this is simple. India, with 17% of the world’s population and 17% livestock, has only an approximate 2.5% share in global carbon emission. In fact, by 2030, our share in GHG emissions is projected at 4.1% with that of the U.S.A. and China being projected at approximately 17% and the E.U. at 14.6%. This agenda is crucial to reaching an agreement ensuring environment protection without compromising on economic development goals of underdeveloped and developing countries. It will also include the consideration that advanced countries give funds to developing countries to access green technology.

India’s stand against climate change: opportunities, challenges and recommendations
India has already been working on the target of producing 175GW of electricity by 2022 from clean energy solutions like solar (100GW), wind (60GW), biomass (10GW) and small hydro (5GW). Furthermore, the country plans to add more renewable energy to its grid, which is 40% of its energy generation as against 30% in the US. The renewable energy sector within India will need to be scaled up as we strive to mitigate the risks of climate change. Commitments given to INDC recognize and focus on sustainable growth in line with our development needs. The government has already set the movement on the right path with its positive policy framework and Make in India initiative. If care is taken to smoothen some problem areas, the industry can see major a boost and can add great value to the economy.

Our contribution to the country’s stand against climate change
Driven by the vision to power a greener tomorrow, Suzlon has leveraged its focus on technology to accelerate action against climate change. Aligned with the government agenda, we are striving for sustainable and affordable energy for all by focusing our R&D efforts on bringing down the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE). Our two newest products, the S97-120 m (2.1MW) turbine with hybrid tower and the S111 (2.1MW) WTG, have been designed for higher energy generation and low wind sites. With the vision to preserve as well as expand the green blanket cover, Suzlon recommends players in the wind energy sector to focus on innovations through improved aerodynamics, larger, lighter rotors and pitch control and software systems. By focusing on R&D, companies in the renewable sector can move beyond the technological limitations of today. This is what Suzlon continues to do. We are committed to contribute towards a sustainable ecosystem for the future and that is what converts our vision of a greener future into action, today.

The author is one of 79 signatories to an open letter from CEOs to world leaders urging climate action. 

Author: Tulsi Tanti, Chairman, Suzlon Group

Image: Workers clean photovoltaic panels inside a solar power plant in Gujarat, India, July 2, 2015. REUTERS/Amit Dave