A Green Leap: India’s Emissions Shrink by 7.93%

In a landmark achievement, India’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions decreased by an impressive 7.93% in 2020 compared to the previous year, as reported in the Fourth Biennial Update Report (BUR-4) submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This reduction underscores the success of India’s ongoing efforts to address climate change, even amidst the challenges posed by its rapidly expanding economy and rising energy demands. The December 30, 2024 submission highlights India’s commitment to fulfilling its climate targets and advancing global sustainability goals.

The decline in emissions during the COVID-19 pandemic is particularly noteworthy. While global emissions also fell due to reduced economic activity, India’s performance stands out for its policy-driven approach. Measures promoting renewable energy adoption, energy efficiency, and afforestation were pivotal in achieving this reduction. These initiatives demonstrate India’s ability to balance economic development with environmental preservation, setting an example for other nations.

Emission Reduction Across Sectors

The energy sector, the backbone of India’s economy, emerged as the largest contributor to GHG emissions, accounting for 75.66% of the total emissions in 2020. This includes emissions from electricity generation, transportation, and industrial processes that rely heavily on fossil fuels. Excluding Land Use, Land-Use Change, and Forestry (LULUCF), India’s total emissions were 2,959 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent (CO2e). However, with LULUCF included, net emissions were reduced to 2,437 million tonnes of CO2e.

Other major contributors included agriculture (13.72%), industrial processes and product use (IPPU) (8.06%), and waste management (2.56%). Focused interventions, such as promoting organic farming, efficient irrigation methods, and solid waste management, have mitigated emissions from these sectors. For example, improved agricultural practices have reduced methane emissions, while advancements in waste segregation and processing have curtailed the release of harmful gases from landfills.

The Role of Forests in Carbon Sequestration

India’s forest and tree cover has been instrumental in offsetting carbon emissions. In 2020 alone, approximately 522 million tonnes of CO2 were sequestered through forest and land use practices, neutralising 22% of the country’s total carbon dioxide emissions. This success is attributed to afforestation and reforestation programs under schemes like the National Afforestation Programme and the Green India Mission.

Beyond carbon sequestration, increased green cover enhances biodiversity, improves soil quality, and sustains millions of livelihoods dependent on forest resources. Community involvement in these initiatives has been critical to ensuring sustainable management of natural ecosystems. A further strengthening effect has been gained with agroforestry and urban forestry projects that create additional carbon sinks within diverse landscapes.

Progress Towards Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)

India has achieved significant milestones in meeting its climate commitments under the Paris Agreement:

• Emission Intensity Reduction: Between 2005 and 2020, India reduced its emission intensity of GDP by 36%, surpassing the targeted reduction of 33-35% by 2030.

• Non-Fossil Fuel Energy Capacity: As of October 2024, non-fossil sources constituted 46.52% of India’s total installed electricity generation capacity. Renewable power capacity increased 4.5 times from 35 GW in 2014 to 156.25 GW in 2024, showcasing India’s leadership in clean energy adoption.

• Carbon Sink Enhancement: Between 2005 and 2021, India expanded its forest and tree cover, generating an extra carbon sink of 2.29 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent.

These achievements highlight India’s determination to decouple economic growth from GHG emissions while prioritising sustainable development.

Global Context and Future Outlook

Despite accounting for 18% of the global population, India’s per capita primary energy consumption in 2022 was 25.4 gigajoules (GJ), significantly below the global average of 78 GJ. This demonstrates India’s commitment to minimising its ecological footprint while addressing its population’s energy needs.

Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav highlighted that bringing down emission intensity will be part of Modi’s vision for sustainable growth. Programs related to renewable energy, energy efficiency, and the conservation of forests are key to India’s efforts to address climate change and develop a strong, self-sufficient economy.

Despite its relatively low historical emissions, India’s proactive measures in combating climate change underscore the nation’s adherence to the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities. As the world faces mounting environmental challenges, India’s progress offers valuable lessons for other countries. The submission of BUR-4 to the UNFCCC reflects India’s transparency and accountability, paving the way for a more sustainable and equitable future.

References:
https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/India%20BUR-4.pdf

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2089589

https://pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1596332

https://moef.gov.in/about-the-mission#:~:text=About%20the%20Mission&text=The%20National%20Mission%20for%20Green,decision%20making%2C%20implementation%20and%20monitoring.&text=To%20increase%20forest%20based%20livelihood%20income%20of%20about%203%20million%20households.

https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/india-s-ghg-emissions-fell-7-93-in-2020-compared-to-2019-govt-to-unfccc-125010100873_1.html

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2073038#:~:text=India’s%20total%20electricity%20generation%20capacity,India’s%20rivers%20and%20water%20systems.

https://m.economictimes.com/news/india/india-cut-gdp-emission-intensity-by-36-pc-during-2005-2020-govt-report/articleshow/116860223.cms

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