COP26: India pledges net zero emissions by 2070

India will cut its carbon emissions to net zero by 2070, Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged at the COP26 climate summit Monday.

Why it matters: This is the first time the country has committed to net zero emissions and comes amid a broader discussion among global leaders to address climate change.

• India is the fourth-largest emitter of carbon dioxide, behind China, the United States and the European Union, according to data from Climate Action Tracker.
• Modi also pledged to increase its non-fossil energy capacity to 500 gigawatts by 2030 — up from the country's initial 450 gigawatts target — and called on developed countries to direct $1 trillion to climate financing.
• It's a departure from a Wednesday statement by India's top environmental official dismissing the need for a net zero target.

What they're saying: "I am sure that the decisions taken in Glasgow will safeguard the future of generations to come and give them a safe and prosperous life," Modi said at the summit.

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