The Economic Survey 2024-25, presented by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, has thrown down a gauntlet to India’s energy sector, demanding a radical shift in priorities. The blueprint for achieving net-zero emissions by 2070 is clear: prioritise grid infrastructure, secure critical minerals, and embrace vertical gardens. This is not just about environmental sustainability; it’s about economic growth, job creation, and energy security.
The Survey underscores that India, despite its low per capita carbon emissions, is on a development trajectory that must balance growth with sustainability. “To achieve the goal of net zero emissions by 2070, India will need to prioritise investment in extensive grid infrastructure improvements,” the Survey asserts. This is a call to action, a directive to fortify the backbone of India’s energy system. Grid infrastructure is not just about transmitting power; it’s about integrating renewable energy sources, ensuring reliability, and accommodating the surge in demand.
But grid infrastructure is only part of the puzzle. The Survey also highlights the need for securing critical minerals. This is a nod to the raw materials that power the green energy revolution—lithium for batteries, rare earth elements for wind turbines, and cobalt for electric vehicles. Without a secure supply chain for these minerals, India’s net-zero ambitions could stall.
The Survey also introduces an innovative solution to urban challenges: vertical gardens. These living walls, or vertical greenery systems (VGS), are not just about aesthetics; they are a weapon against the urban heat island effect, air pollution, and carbon emissions. “By transforming urban facades into vibrant green landscapes, vertical gardens not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of buildings and contribute to environmental sustainability but also improve the thermal performance, sequestering carbon, and fostering biodiversity in densely populated cities,” the Survey states. This is a call for cities to become green lungs, breathing life into concrete jungles.
The Survey also reveals that India is making strides towards its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) targets. As of November 30, 2024, non-fossil fuel sources account for 46.8% of the total electricity generation capacity. This is a significant step towards the updated NDC target of 50% by 2030. Additionally, India has created an additional carbon sink of 2.29 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent between 2005 and 2023, edging closer to the NDC target of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes by 2030.
However, the Survey does not stop at infrastructure and targets. It calls for a fundamental shift in mindset and behaviour, championed by the India-led global movement, Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE). LiFE is about mindful consumption and production, encouraging practices like waste management, resource conservation, and recycling. “LiFE aims to enhance the country’s sustainability efforts by encouraging environmentally friendly practices,” the Survey notes. This is a call for a circular economy, where waste is minimised, and resources are maximised.
The Survey projects that the proactive implementation of LiFE measures could yield substantial co-benefits, including reducing inequalities in energy consumption, mitigating air pollution, achieving cost savings, and enhancing overall well-being and health. These measures, which will enable reduction in consumption and lower prices, are projected to save consumers around $440 billion globally by 2030.
The Survey’s recommendations are a clarion call for India’s energy sector. They challenge the status quo, urging stakeholders to think beyond traditional energy sources and embrace innovative solutions. The road to net-zero emissions is paved with grid infrastructure, critical minerals, vertical gardens, and mindful consumption. The Survey’s recommendations are a roadmap for India’s energy future, one that is sustainable, secure, and prosperous. The challenge is clear, and the time for action is now. The question is, will India rise to the occasion?
