India is expected to have more than 1.5 billion people living here by 2030 and 2 billion by 2050. According to the Malthusian catastrophe theory, population growth has the potential to be exponential while resource and food supply growth is linear.Increased demand on services and resources to feed this expanding population could result in environmental degradation and the inability of India to meet its climate goals.
India's climate change mitigation goals as of now :India has it's net zero emission target by 2070.Additionally, between 2005 and 2019, the nation produced a carbon sink equivalent to 19.7 billion tonnes of CO2, and by 2030, it intends to add a another 2.5–3.0 billion tonnes.Additionally, we also have a target to cut the emission intensity of it's GDP by 45% from 2005 levels by 2030.
how population growth may affect India’s target to meet its climate change mitigation goals ?The carrying capacity of the world is already in its limits.India makes only 2.4% of the global area yet is home to 18% of the world's people. 28% of its ecology is in danger. Thus, industrial expansion, agricultural production and employment generation for this expanding population will undoubtedly be more urbanisation, pollution, and extensive land degradation, all of which will worsen the effects of climate change.
The fact that 65% of Indians are under 35 is one of the primary highlights of the country's expanding population. India may have more opportunities for growth as a result of its growing younger population.However, increased population of working age may also contribute to an increase in unemployment.The nation must be compelled to expand its industrial sector, which could further impact its climate ambitions.
Its shift from a brown to a green economy is one way to address this problem.This may lead to a decrease in the GDP's emission intensity while also increasing job possibilities.In any case, the global era of increased fertility rate is practically coming to an end.Additionally, India has demonstrated a stronger dedication to family planning. Hopefully in future country will be able to balance its population growth and climate change mitigation goals
