Carbon Neutrality can be defined by two definitions, first, we can keep a balance between emitting carbon and absorbing carbon emissions from carbon sinks (carbon sinks are system that absorb more carbon than they emit, such as forest and oceans). Or, we can switch to eco-friendky and Renewable resources to eliminate all carbon emissions altogether. That is why, a global mission to end Carbon Neutrality by the year 2050 was set under the International Paris Agreement.

It can be considered as an uphill task to meet the climate change goals by 2050, specially for a country like India where far-reaching implications regarding its economy and challenges in terms of garnering resources towards this transition must take place. Some developed countries might be ahead of the curve for this equitable goal, others however, like India, are much behind it. That is why, In order to catch up, India must take action to be one of the countries that lead this climate leadership race. India is highly vulnerable to climate change and has much to lose if an ambitious net-zero target is not set. India is already acting for the transformation to net-zero emissions. This event will require fundamental changes in how the country produces and uses energy. It has to expand and enhance electricity transmission and distributive networks, ramp up renewable investment, develop vibrant lower-carbon manufacturing industry and increase the use of hydrogen and bioenergy to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors. 

As much as it sounds like an impossible task, India has already explored carbon neutral development in many subnational regions. In the northern state of Ladakh, infrastructure development plan proposed a 7.5 GW solar park has been highlighted. Other than that, geothermal energy is also being explored. In the state of Sikkim, a fully organic farming has been developed, marking the first state in the country to achieve this goal. Another city in India called Meenangadi intends to conserbe existing trees and to plant an additional 600 thousand trees. An innovative tree banking scheme was launched in October 2020 to incentives people, for it allowed them to mortgage trees on their land in return for interest free bank loans.

India has managed exponential growth in several sectors in the past. We are better placed than we were 30 years ago. This shows a hope for a a Carbon Neutral country. Realism demands that the developed and developing countries work together to achieve our climate goals. For it is true and well said that Coimate change do not stop at man-made borders known as states. It is an international matter that requires the coordination of every country and India is one of them.