India unveils low emission development strategy at COP27

During the ongoing 27th Conference of Parties (COP27), India submitted its Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This strategy aims to use national resources responsibly while taking energy security into consideration. It also states that the transition away from fossil fuels will be fair, easy, sustainable, and inclusive. Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav who is leading the Indian delegation to the COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, unveiled the plan. It also emphasizes the growing use of biofuels, particularly the blending of ethanol and gasoline. The emission strategy also includes maximizing the use of green hydrogen fuel to advance the development of the transportation industry with a low carbon footprint. India aspires to maximize the use of electric vehicles, ethanol blending to reach 20 per cent by 2025 and a strong modal shift to public transport for passenger and freight, the emission strategy underlined. While urbanization will continue as a strong trend from our current relatively low base, future sustainable and climate resilient urban development will be driven by smart city initiatives, integrated planning of cities for mainstreaming adaptation and enhancing energy and resource efficiency, effective green building codes and rapid developments in innovative solid and liquid waste management, it added. The Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme, the National Hydrogen Mission, the high level of electrification in all relevant processes and activities, the improvement of material efficiency and recycling leading to expansion of the circular economy, and exploring options for difficult-to-abate sectors like steel, cement, aluminum, and others are all part of India's low-emission strategy. See also: COP 27: 12-month plan to speed up industry emission cuts India, France to jointly develop green hydrogen energy