As India’s economy and population continue to grow, so too does its demand for energy.
India is also particularly vulnerable to climate change.
Solar power could be the answer to both problems. With 300 sunny days a year, India can lead the world in solar capacity.
Doing so will require strong policy-making and foreign investment – but the rewards will be manifold
A quarter-century of growth has transformed the lives of millions of Indians and enabled the country to ascend to its rightful place on the global stage.
India, now the sixth-largest economy, is projected to climb to third place by the end of the decade. This rapid growth trajectory also positions India as a testbed of one of the most critical questions facing the environmental movement: can developing nations, which are expected to generate the bulk of global growth in the coming decade, reduce their carbon footprint while fulfilling their economic potential?
India is currently among the top-three nations in energy use, though way down the list on a per-capita basis. Its energy demand will grow the most on the planet over the next 20 years.
Interestingly, it is not just economic growth driving this demand. India’s population is anticipated to grow by 270 million over the next two decades — resulting in an increased demand for carbon-intensive industries like cement and steel to house the population.
India is also very vulnerable to climate change, notably due to the melting of the Himalayan glaciers and changes in the monsoon pattern. For a country aiming to become a $5 trillion economy, the move towards a low-carbon and regenerative economy is an imperative.
Solar Salvation
In 2019, India ranked fourth globally in installed renewable power capacity, with solar and wind power leading the way. Prime Minister has set a goal to generate 450 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2030 – five times the current capacity.
If achieved, it also means that India would generate 60% of its electricity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030, well beyond the 40% target in its Paris pledge.
Solar could be India’s salvation. With around 300 sunny days a year, India has the potential to lead the world in solar electricity, which will be less expensive than existing coal-fired power by 2030, even when paired with battery storage.
This will require the development of utility-scale renewable energy projects with innovative regulatory approaches that encourage pairing solar with other renewable technologies and storage to offer ‘round the clock’ supply. It will also require attracting foreign investment in renewables.
Prime Minister’s call for “high speed, large scale, concrete action” to combat climate change at the recent US-hosted summit and his open invitation to global partners for building sustainable solutions reaffirm India’s interest in nurturing cross-border collaboration and innovation to accelerate climate action.
n 2019, India ranked fourth globally in installed renewable power capacity, with solar and wind power leading the way. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set a goal to generate 450 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2030 – five times the current capacity. If achieved, it also means that India would generate 60% of its electricity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030, well beyond the 40% target in its Paris pledge.
Solar could be India’s salvation. With around 300 sunny days a year, India has the potential to lead the world in solar electricity, which will be less expensive than existing coal-fired power by 2030, even when paired with battery storage.
This will require the development of utility-scale renewable energy projects with innovative regulatory approaches that encourage pairing solar with other renewable technologies and storage to offer ‘round the clock’ supply. It will also require attracting foreign investment in renewables.
Prime Minister’s call for “high speed, large scale, concrete action” to combat climate change at the recent US-hosted summit and his open invitation to global partners for building sustainable solutions reaffirm India’s interest in nurturing cross-border collaboration and innovation to accelerate climate action.
Up to the challenge
The choices made now and in the coming years by the Indian government and the people will affect the entire world. But the sustainable route won’t be easy or economical.
The IEA report says transforming from today’s policy choices to a sustainable-development scenario would require a transition on a scale no country has achieved in history.
It would also require considerable innovation, strong partnerships, and vast amounts of capital. India should be up to the challenge.
The nation’s fuel import bills are likely to triple in the next two decades under current policies. At the same time, India is seen as an emerging renewables and storage powerhouse and is one of the few countries on track to meet most of its Paris targets.
If the country follows a more sustainable path of reducing emissions and increasing its share in non-fossil based fuel for electricity generation, then its bills for importing energy can be reduced substantially, offsetting the investments in renewables.
Of the world’s 2,000 largest public companies, at least one-fifth (21%) now have net-zero commitments, representing annual sales of nearly $14 trillion.
Even in India, companies have stepped up their climate initiatives. According to the Standard Chartered SDG Investment Map, India alone offers a private investment opportunity of over $700 billion in clean energy.
The private sector has a significant role in transforming the core of its business and delivery models and in building collaborative partnerships that will support them in achieving sustainability goals and ensuring inclusive growth for all. It’s becoming increasingly clear that we are in a period of transformation.
India is blessed with an extraordinary reservoir of business and public leadership talent committed to a cleaner and brighter future. The 2030 milestone is a crucial target for private sector investors looking to invest for impact and improve the lives of millions of Indians in the coming decade.
India has shown the world how to lift millions of people out of poverty and provide a better quality of life. With its transition to clean energy, India can become the model for nations around the globe by creating a pathway to sustainable growth, rising prosperity, environmental justice and a clean energy future.
Darknet, also known as dark web or darknet market, refers to the part of the internet that is not indexed or accessible through traditional search engines. It is a network of private and encrypted websites that cannot be accessed through regular web browsers and requires special software and configuration to access.
The darknet is often associated with illegal activities such as drug trafficking, weapon sales, and hacking services, although not all sites on the darknet are illegal.
Examples:
Examples of darknet markets include Silk Road, AlphaBay, and Dream Market, which were all shut down by law enforcement agencies in recent years.
These marketplaces operate similarly to e-commerce websites, with vendors selling various illegal goods and services, such as drugs, counterfeit documents, and hacking tools, and buyers paying with cryptocurrency for their purchases.
Pros :
Anonymity: Darknet allows users to communicate and transact with each other anonymously. Users can maintain their privacy and avoid being tracked by law enforcement agencies or other entities.
Access to Information: The darknet provides access to information and resources that may be otherwise unavailable or censored on the regular internet. This can include political or sensitive information that is not allowed to be disseminated through other channels.
Freedom of Speech: The darknet can be a platform for free speech, as users are able to express their opinions and ideas without fear of censorship or retribution.
Secure Communication: Darknet sites are encrypted, which means that communication between users is secure and cannot be intercepted by third parties.
Cons:
Illegal Activities: Many darknet sites are associated with illegal activities, such as drug trafficking, weapon sales, and hacking services. Such activities can attract criminals and expose users to serious legal risks.
Scams: The darknet is a hotbed for scams, with many fake vendors and websites that aim to steal users’ personal information and cryptocurrency. The lack of regulation and oversight on the darknet means that users must be cautious when conducting transactions.
Security Risks: The use of the darknet can expose users to malware and other security risks, as many sites are not properly secured or monitored. Users may also be vulnerable to hacking or phishing attacks.
Stigma: The association of the darknet with illegal activities has created a stigma that may deter some users from using it for legitimate purposes.
Darknet, also known as dark web or darknet market, refers to the part of the internet that is not indexed or accessible through traditional search engines. It is a network of private and encrypted websites that cannot be accessed through regular web browsers and requires special software and configuration to access.
The darknet is often associated with illegal activities such as drug trafficking, weapon sales, and hacking services, although not all sites on the darknet are illegal.
Examples:
Examples of darknet markets include Silk Road, AlphaBay, and Dream Market, which were all shut down by law enforcement agencies in recent years.
These marketplaces operate similarly to e-commerce websites, with vendors selling various illegal goods and services, such as drugs, counterfeit documents, and hacking tools, and buyers paying with cryptocurrency for their purchases.
Pros :
Anonymity: Darknet allows users to communicate and transact with each other anonymously. Users can maintain their privacy and avoid being tracked by law enforcement agencies or other entities.
Access to Information: The darknet provides access to information and resources that may be otherwise unavailable or censored on the regular internet. This can include political or sensitive information that is not allowed to be disseminated through other channels.
Freedom of Speech: The darknet can be a platform for free speech, as users are able to express their opinions and ideas without fear of censorship or retribution.
Secure Communication: Darknet sites are encrypted, which means that communication between users is secure and cannot be intercepted by third parties.
Cons:
Illegal Activities: Many darknet sites are associated with illegal activities, such as drug trafficking, weapon sales, and hacking services. Such activities can attract criminals and expose users to serious legal risks.
Scams: The darknet is a hotbed for scams, with many fake vendors and websites that aim to steal users’ personal information and cryptocurrency. The lack of regulation and oversight on the darknet means that users must be cautious when conducting transactions.
Security Risks: The use of the darknet can expose users to malware and other security risks, as many sites are not properly secured or monitored. Users may also be vulnerable to hacking or phishing attacks.
Stigma: The association of the darknet with illegal activities has created a stigma that may deter some users from using it for legitimate purposes.
Artificial Intelligence
Definition:
AI, or artificial intelligence, refers to the development of computer systems that can perform tasks that would normally require human intelligence, such as recognizing speech, making decisions, and understanding natural language.
Examples:
Virtual assistants: Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant are examples of virtual assistants that use natural language processing to understand and respond to users’ queries.
Recommendation systems: Companies like Netflix and Amazon use AI to recommend movies and products to their users based on their browsing and purchase history.
Pros :
Efficiency: AI systems can work continuously without getting tired or making errors, which can save time and resources.
Personalization: AI can help provide personalized recommendations and experiences for users.
Automation: AI can automate repetitive and tedious tasks, freeing up time for humans to focus on more complex tasks.
Cons:
Job loss: AI has the potential to automate jobs previously performed by humans, leading to job loss and economic disruption.
Bias: AI systems can be biased due to the data they are trained on, leading to unfair or discriminatory outcomes.
Safety and privacy concerns: AI systems can pose safety risks if they malfunction or are used maliciously, and can also raise privacy concerns if they collect and use personal data without consent.
