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    Question

    How can Net zero be achieved? (i) signing the

    agreement by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. (ii) structuring a programme for sharp emissions reduction. (iii) increasing man-made national greenhouse gas emission. (iv) adopting green technologies. Read the passage and answer the questions that follow. With the announcement of a net zero emissions target for 2070 by the Prime Minister at the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Glasgow, India has joined a high-profile group of countries. Others with net zero goals include major emitters such as the United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union with a 2050 target, and China aiming for 2060. A dozen countries besides the EU have a legal enactment towards the goal. Net zero, which means balancing out man-made national greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by removing an equal amount from the atmosphere, can be achieved only through a structured programme that relies on sharp emissions reduction, wide support for clean energy innovation and adoption of green technologies. India’s well-founded argument against committing itself to strict emissions goals is that it has historically been one of the lowest emitters of GHGs, and the impetus has to come from the developed economies that had the benefit of carbon-intensive development since the Industrial Revolution. The country represents about 7% of today’s global emissions, and has committed itself to a net zero deadline 49 years away. The Prime Minister’s net zero plan, which he described as “panchamrit”, or the five nectar elements, includes raising renewables capacity to 500 gigawatt (GW) by 2030, share of power from renewables to 50%, and reducing carbon intensity of the economy by 45%. These represent a rise from the Paris Agreement pledge of 175 GW from renewables, 40% share of power, and reduction of emissions intensity of GDP by 33-35%. In terms of sectoral GHG emissions, data from 2016 show that electricity and heat account for the highest share (1.11 billion tonnes), followed by agriculture (704.16 million tonnes), manufacturing and construction (533.8 million tonnes), transport (265.3 million tonnes), industry (130.61 million tonnes), land use change and forestry (126.43 million tonnes), other fuel use (119.04 million tonnes), buildings (109.2 million tonnes), waste (80.98 million tonnes), fugitive emissions (54.95 million tonnes), and aviation and shipping (20.4 million tonnes). To align all national economic activity with emissions reduction with the aim of containing global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius or even 1.5 degrees Celsius (Paris Agreement goals), India needs to create a legal mandate for climate impact assessment of all activities. This can facilitate investment by dedicated green funds. Public sector institutions promoted by the government, co-operatives and even market mechanisms will participate. Net zero will involve industrial renewal using green innovation, green economy support and supply chains yielding new jobs. It also needs low carbon technologies, zero emission vehicles, and renewed cities promoting walking and cycling. Industry will need to make highly energy-efficient goods that last longer, and consumers should be given a legal right to repair goods they buy. Preventing the release of stored carbon in the environment, such as trees and soil, has to be a net zero priority.
    A i and ii Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    B ii, iii and iv Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    C ii and iv Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    D i, iii and iv Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    E All of these Correct Answer Incorrect Answer

    Solution

    In the passage, it is stated that “Net zero, …, can be achieved only through a structured programme that relies on sharp emissions reduction, wide support for clean energy innovation and adoption of green technologies.”

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