India's climate actions exceed its moral and legal responsibility: Bhupender Yadav

The Minister said India's sheer size and scope for growth is an indication that its energy demand will also grow faster than any other economy.

India has adopted a leadership role in the fight against climate change with its climate actions exceeding its moral or legal responsibility, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said on September 6.

Addressing a policy dialogue organised by independent non-profit Integrated Research and Action for Development (IRADe) in New Delhi, the Minister said on the path to achieving net zero by 2070, most of the growth in the energy demand in India will have to be met with low-carbon energy sources.

Last month, India communicated an ambitious update to its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), which displays the country's commitment to achieving net-zero by 2070.

India to reach net zero emissions by 2070

NDCs means national plans and pledges made by countries to meet the goal of maintaining global temperature rise to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, while aiming for 1.5 degrees Celsius to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

Net zero means achieving a balance between the greenhouse gases put into the atmosphere and those taken out.