Daily Mains Answer Writing – 26 September 2025

Model Answer

Introduction

Net zero—formalised by the UN in 2009—means cutting emissions to a small residual that is durably removed by sinks or technologies. Many countries have pledged such targets; India aims for 2070. While net zero is part climate policy and part economic strategy (renewables lessen import dependence and local pollution), critics warn that its arithmetic can disguise environmental realities.

Body

Key criticisms

Overreliance on offsets: The “net” permits continued fossil use with promises to compensate later, inviting greenwashing. Offsets and carbon credits risk double counting and weak verification.
Delay of action (“burn now, pay later”): Long-dated targets can defer deep cuts even as warming of 1.5–2°C is projected within the next two decades, making a 2070 target irrelevant if tipping points are crossed earlier.
Environmental net-positivity: Even clean technologies require mining (iron, copper, aluminium) and later recycling, consuming energy; X–X=0 may be mathematically neat yet environmentally non-zero.
Distributional issues: Wealthier actors may externalise costs by siting offsets in poorer regions, complicating justice and consent.
Health and risk evidence: Despite treaties and innovation, new fossil projects continue; the Global Climate and Health Alliance flags health burdens, while India has faced floods, landslides, and heatwaves.

India’s 2070 pledge—adequacy and gaps

Renewable expansion: Can cut import dependence, improve air quality, and reduce climate risk for farmers.
Persistence of carbon dioxide: CO₂ lasts for centuries; every emission today adds to long-lived stock.
Lack of near-term milestones: Without front-loaded reductions, sectoral intensity targets, and verifiable accounting—credibility suffers.
The real issue: Not only “net zero when,” but “cuts now”: power decarbonisation, efficiency, electrified mobility, and circular material flows to curb extraction-driven emissions.

Conclusion

Net zero is a useful signal, but it cannot substitute immediate, verifiable reductions. India’s 2070 goal provides space, yet urgency demands 2025–2035 guardrails: strong interim targets, limits on new unabated fossil capacity, high-integrity accounting, and a just transition. Pairing it with circular and regenerative approaches shifts from accounting neutrality toward real declines that protect health, equity, and climate stability.

Model Answer

Introduction

While Net Zero pledges signal political intent, the scale of the climate crisis requires more than balancing emissions and removals. Real solutions must transform the way economies use resources, value growth, and distribute costs and benefits.

Body

Circular Resource Use: Nearly half of global greenhouse gas emissions arise from producing and consuming materials. Circular strategies—reuse, recycling, and product life extension—address this “missing 45%.” In India, circular policies could cut emissions by 23% by 2030 and 44% by 2050, while generating new jobs and saving resources.
Ecosystem Regeneration: Restoring forests, wetlands, and soils enhances natural carbon sinks, prevents floods and heatwaves, and secures rural livelihoods. Global studies estimate regenerative practices could create 65 million jobs and deliver $26 trillion in benefits by 2030.
Well-being over GDP Growth: Countries like New Zealand and Wales adopt “well-being budgets” that measure equity, health, and sustainability rather than GDP. Such models prevent endless consumption from undermining climate goals.
Just and Equitable Transitions: Policy shifts must safeguard vulnerable groups. Participatory planning, social protection for affected workers, and fair financing ensure that climate action is socially inclusive.

Conclusion

Net Zero is only a starting line. Circular economies, regenerative land use, well-being–based development, and equity-focused transitions provide pathways that tackle root causes of climate change while ensuring fairness. These approaches move beyond accounting neutrality toward systemic change that safeguards both people and the planet.

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