India takes first steps to meet 2070 net-zero goal, Niti Aayog forms panels

Six working groups created to identify issues, develop pathways, and suggest policy action on various aspects of climate change

Three years after India declared its goal to become a net-zero economy by 2070, the policy design for achieving the target has begun, with the NITI Aayog forming dedicated multi-sectoral committees to prepare a transition plan.

In 2021, India joined a select group of nations that set a target year for becoming net-zero carbon economy. At COP26 in Glasgow, Prime Minister Narendra Modi outlined a five-pronged ‘Panchamitra’ climate action target for India and committed to a net-zero target by 2070, joining nations like the US, the UK, and China.

A memorandum by the NITI Aayog in April