Is India’s pledge of net zero by 2070 an ambitious target – or worthless words?

Narendra Modi's Cop26 promise has proved divisive but many observers say only western help can ensure its success

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It was the headline-grabbing announcement of the first day of Cop26: India's prime minister, Narendra Modi, pledging his country would go net zero by 2070.

The declaration proved divisive. Some in the British press were scathing, describing it as a disappointment, as it was several decades behind the 2050 commitments made by the west, and 10 years behind China's 2060 target. But many observers celebrated, calling it highly ambitious for a developing country of 1.4 billion people - which is still yet to emit the majority of its emissions - to commit to net zero at all. Others were dismissive that a target 50 years in the future would have any impact on action and policy in India today, when it mattered most.