COP27: India Focuses On Biofuels & Green H2 To Boost Low-Carbon Growth

For the first time, the Indian government submitted its Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LDES) and its seven-point agenda to the Conference of Parties (COP27) in Egypt.

The agenda prioritises low-carbon electricity, transportation systems, energy-efficient urban infrastructure, low-emission industrial systems, carbon mitigation technologies, increased forest cover and low-carbon development's economic and financial aspects.

On Monday, Indian Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav presented the strategy to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Yadav said on the occasion that this strategy is the result of extensive consultations with government officials and other stakeholders. Our approach emphasises the two themes of climate justice and sustainable lifestyles, as well as the UNFCCC principles of equity and shared but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities. It also embodies the spirit of LiFE (lifestyle for the environment), he added.

India is now one of 57 countries that have submitted their LT-LDES in accordance with the Paris Agreement. According to the agreement's Article 4, paragraph 19, “all parties should strive to formulate and communicate long-term low greenhouse gas emission development strategies, mindful of Article 2, taking into account their common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, in light of different national circumstances.”

The decision text from COP26 in Glasgow last year stated, “Parties that have not yet done so to communicate their LT-LEDS by COP27.”

India's LT-LDES are an important statement of intent to pursue low-carbon development strategies, as well as a good first step.

The focus for the development of low-carbon electricity systems would be on renewable energy, the rational use of national resources with regard to energy security and the planning of an energy transition away from fossil fuels through an optimal energy mix.

Increased use of biofuels, particularly ethanol blending with gasoline, electric vehicle penetration and increased use of green hydrogen would all contribute to low-carbon transportation.

Yadav emphasised India's desire to maximise non-fossil fuel-dependent growth in the transportation sector.

He said, “By 2025, ethanol blending will reach 20 per cent, and there will be a significant shift to public transportation for both passengers and freight. In addition, the government launched the National Hydrogen Mission in 2021 with the goal of making India a green hydrogen hub.”

The LT-LDES will also prioritise energy efficiency through the Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme, the National Hydrogen Mission, high-level electrification, the creation of a circular economy and the exploration of options for hard-to-abate sectors such as steel, aluminium and cement.

In its statement following the strategy, the Indian government stated that the transition to a low-carbon development pathway would entail several costs related to the development of new technologies, new infrastructure and other transaction costs.

According to the statement, “Provision of climate finance by developed countries will play a very significant role and needs to be significantly increased, in the form of grants and concessional loans, ensuring scale, scope and speed, primarily from public sources, in accordance with the UNFCCC principles.”