India is urging developed nations to aim for carbon negativity by 2050, rather than just carbon neutrality, arguing that this approach would permit emerging economies more time to use fossil fuels for their development, as reported by Reuters on October 13. This proposal is set to be presented at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai. Developed countries such as the US, UK, Canada, and Japan are targeting net zero by 2050, while China has set its target for 2060 and India for 2070.

Carbon neutrality means offsetting the carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere with equivalent removals. Carbon negativity goes further, requiring a country to remove more CO2 than it emits. India, facing pressure to commit to a deadline for phasing out coal and fossil fuels, advocates focusing on overall carbon emissions reduction through abatement and mitigation technologies. At the recent G20 summit, countries agreed on the need to phase down unabated coal power, a significant step in climate negotiations. However, India insists it’s not feasible to set a timeline for ending coal use due to its current reliance on the resource for energy production. COP28, where these discussions will continue, is scheduled for November 30 to December 12.

Sources:

https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/india-push-developed-nations-become-carbon-negative-before-2050-sources-2023-10-13/

https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/india-push-developed-nations-become-carbon-negative-before-2050-sources-2023-10-13/