Vision Net Zero: A review of decarbonisation strategies to minimise climate risks of developing countries

The IPCC's6th Assessment Report of Working Group I projects the view that world will exceed the Paris Goal to limit global warming to 1.5 °C over the pre-industrial levels by as early as 2035 due to the “widespread, rapid and growing” nature of climate change. To stop climate change, there is an urgent need to redefine our industrial and agricultural practices. Decarbonisation and circular material management of resources require global implementation to resolve climate change challenges. More importantly, developing nations need proper framework and strategies to enable a decarbonisation pathway. In the present study, we discuss performance of developing countries (taking the case of India and its environmental, social, economic backgrounds) in achieving ‘net zero vision’ as discussed in the Conference of Parties (COP) under UNFCCC. In this research, we have emphasised on: (a) sustainable practices countries need to follow, (b) key elements of the net-zero framework, and (c) key institutional strategies to support key elements of sustainability practices. The study includes 15 relevant scopes to work upon (called the pillars of Green India). These pillars encompass the institutional areas of policy regulations, awareness, technology and finance. Some major areas of focus in this domain include: switch to renewables (policy and politics in its adaptation), electricity usage and its transformation (policy and politics in the adaptation of the same), and market value design for carbon pricing (making strategies for its adaptation). This study helps in developing a proper framework that is essential to achieve the vision of COP 26 and COP 27 on “net zero” and the way forward for COP 28. Bibliometric mapping of countries shows that developed nations such as the USA and UK are way ahead in “decarbonisation” research as compared to developing nations like India and other South Asian countries. Graphical abstract