MULTI-ENERGY PATHWAYS - ENVIRONMENT
News: India,
China propose ‘multiple pathways’ on cutting use of fossil fuels, says report
What's in the news?
● India, backed by China, is
trying to build a consensus within the G20 group to let countries choose a
roadmap to cut carbon emissions instead of setting a deadline to end the use of
fossil fuels, three Indian government officials said.
Key takeaways:
● India,
the current G20 president, is keen on introducing the phrase ‘multiple energy
pathways’ in a communique to be released at a group summit in September and has
been supported by countries including China and South Africa.
Multi-Energy Pathways:
● Multiple
pathways for energy transition would enable countries to choose resources, even
coal, while working towards plans on net zero emissions.
Opposing Deadline for Phasing out Coal:
● At
a meeting of the G20 Energy Transitions Working Group (ETWG) in the western
state of Gujarat last month, India opposed a deadline proposed by rich nations
to end the use of coal, said the official who was at the meeting.
● Coal accounts for nearly
three-fourths of India’s annual electricity generation
and India has long defended its use of the fuel, citing lower emissions per
capita, compared to other countries.
Support from China:
● China
supported India during the meeting, saying it cannot put a timeline on ending
fossil fuel dependence and would want to put ‘all’ its available resources to
optimum use.
● The
two countries (China and India are the top two consumers of coal in the world.
● India
and China, the world’s two most populous countries, have often taken common
positions at international climate change negotiations, despite long-standing
border disputes.
G7 and Phasing out Coal:
● Climate
ministers from the Group of Seven wealthy nations agreed last month “to
accelerate the phase-out of unabated fossil fuels so as to achieve net zero in energy systems by 2050 at the latest”.
● In
March, the European Union agreed to
promote a global fossil fuel phase out ahead of the COP28 summit in Dubai in
November.