Experts from ETEnergyworld Net Zero Forum call for more green technologies to achieve India’s Net Zero goals, ET EnergyWorld

New Delhi: In a bid to achieve sustainable energy, Indian policymakers at the ETEnergyworld India Net Zero Forum have outlined ambitious renewable energy targets needed to achieve the country’s net zero goals.

VK Saraswat, member (S&T) at NITI Aayog, highlighted the crucial role of coal, oil and gas, which currently account for around 75 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions in the country. He stressed the need to adopt ocean carbon sequestration and capture technologies to achieve net zero emissions targets. Saraswat detailed: “To produce 5 million metric tons of green hydrogen by 2030, India needs 211.4 GW of solar PV power.”

Addressing the challenge of rising energy demand, Vibha Dhawan, CEO, TERI, noted, “Energy consumption in India will increase, which is both a challenge and an opportunity. We have the opportunity to adopt cleaner energy sources.” Dhawan also highlighted TERI’s efforts to develop technologies needed to capture carbon dioxide.

Neha Verma, director at the Ministry of Steel, representing the industrial sector, talked about the significant emissions of the steel industry and the ministry’s initiative to develop a decarbonization action plan. She advocated for a green public procurement policy that would support the development of green steel along with providing the financial support necessary to adopt new technologies.

Mahaveer Singhvi, Joint Secretary (Division of New Emerging and Strategic Technologies), Ministry of External Affairs, emphasized the importance of international cooperation, mentioning India’s partnership with the US under the Strategic Clean Energy Partnership, which aims to accelerate the development of key energy technologies.

Complementing the efforts at the state level, Manu Srivastava, Additional Chief Secretary, Power and Renewable Energy, Government of Madhya Pradesh, unveiled initiatives to promote rooftop solar installations in collaboration with welfare associations for smaller buildings.