Physical Address
23,24,25 & 26, 2nd Floor, Software Technology Park India, Opp: Garware Stadium,MIDC, Chikalthana, Aurangabad, Maharashtra – 431001 India
India is poised to take a significant step in its climate action journey by submitting its first-ever Biannual Transparency Report (BTR) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This report, part of India’s commitment as a signatory to the 2015 Paris Agreement, will provide a comprehensive overview of the country’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, key sectors contributing to emissions, and measures taken to transition toward renewable energy and improve energy efficiency. Environment Ministry officials confirmed that the report is in its final stages of preparation and will soon be submitted, reported The Hindu.
The BTR represents a milestone in India’s climate action journey as unlike previous submissions, such as the Biannual Update Reports (BURs) and National Communications, the BTR will undergo a rigorous technical review by independent, UNFCCC-accredited experts.
This marks a shift in the global climate accountability framework, as historically, only developed countries were required to submit BTRs subject to such reviews. The BTR process was established under the Paris Agreement to enhance transparency and ensure that all countries, regardless of their development status, are held accountable for their climate actions.
Ninety Parties to the Paris Agreement submitted their first Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs), according to the UNFCCC.
“Special recognition goes to the 57 developing countries that have submitted their BTRs, including 13 Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States. This important effort by the nations that are most vulnerable to climate impacts reflects their commitment to ensuring that the response to the climate crisis is guided by robust, evidence-based insights,” the UNFCCC said.
India’s upcoming BTR will include data up to 2022, offering a more current snapshot of the country’s emissions profile compared to the 2020 data reflected in its latest BUR. The report is expected to show an increase in total emissions, reflecting a post-COVID-19 rebound in economic activity. In 2020, India’s GHG emissions fell by 7.93% compared to 2019, largely due to reduced energy consumption during pandemic-induced lockdowns. However, as global trends indicate, emissions have since risen as economies recover.
As of 2020, India’s total emissions, excluding land use, land-use change, and forestry (LULUCF), stood at 2,959 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent (CO2e). When LULUCF is included, net emissions drop to 2,437 million tonnes of CO2e, thanks to the significant carbon sequestration by India’s forests and tree cover.
The energy sector remains the largest contributor to India’s emissions, accounting for 75.66% of the total. This is followed by agriculture (13.72%), industrial processes and product use (8.06%), and waste (2.56%). Notably, India’s forest and tree cover sequestered approximately 522 million tonnes of CO2 in 2020, offsetting 22% of the country’s total carbon dioxide emissions for that year.
As the world grapples with the escalating impacts of climate change, transparency and collaboration are more critical than ever. India’s forthcoming BTR submission is a step forward in this direction, offering a clearer picture of its emissions trajectory and the measures it is taking to combat climate change.
References:
https://unfccc.int/biennial-transparency-reports
https://unfccc.int/first-biennial-transparency-reports
https://unfccc.int/news/90-parties-submit-first-biennial-transparency-reports
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