India’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Policy Measures
Overview of India’s GHG Emissions
- Global Rank:
- 3rd largest emitter globally (after China and USA).
- However, per capita emissions are ~1.9 tonnes CO₂e, significantly below the global average (~4.5 tonnes CO₂e).
- Emission Profile (as per India’s Biennial Update Report to the UNFCCC):
- Energy Sector – ~73%
- Agriculture – ~14%
- Industrial Processes – ~8%
- Waste Sector – ~5%
- Historical Responsibility:
- India’s cumulative historical emissions (since 1850) are only ~3% of global total.
India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
India’s updated NDCs (2022) under the Paris Agreement include:
- Emission Intensity Target:
- Reduce emission intensity of GDP by 45% by 2030 compared to 2005 levels.
- Renewable Energy Goal:
- Achieve 50% cumulative electric power capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030.
- Carbon Sink Enhancement:
- Create an additional carbon sink of 2.5–3 billion tonnes of CO₂e through forests and tree cover.
- Net Zero Target:
- India aims to achieve Net Zero by 2070 (announced at COP26, Glasgow).
Key Climate Policy Measures
1. Energy Efficiency Measures
- Perform Achieve Trade (PAT) Scheme:
- Launched by Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE).
- Market-based mechanism: incentivizes industries to reduce energy intensity.
- 6 cycles completed; saved ~87 million tonnes of CO₂e.
- Standards and Labelling (S&L) Programme:
- Promotes energy-efficient appliances (star-rated products).
- Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC):
- Mandatory energy efficiency norms for new commercial buildings.
2. Carbon Pricing & Trading
- Energy Conservation Act (Amendment 2022):
- Introduces India’s first domestic Carbon Credit Trading Scheme.
- Perform, Achieve & Trade (PAT) and Renewable Energy Certificates (REC):
- Serve as market mechanisms to promote low-carbon transition.
3. Sectoral Initiatives
- National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) & FAME I & II:
- Promote adoption of Electric Vehicles (EVs).
- Ujjwala Yojana:
- Replaces traditional cooking fuels with LPG, reducing GHGs and indoor pollution.
- BS-VI Emission Standards:
- Enforced since April 2020, reducing vehicular emissions drastically.
- Ujala Scheme:
- Promotes LED adoption, helping in energy conservation and emissions reduction.
4. Renewable Energy Drive
- National Solar Mission:
- Part of NAPCC; target: 280 GW by 2030.
- Installed Renewable Energy Capacity (as of 2024):
- 180+ GW (Solar: 73 GW, Wind: 44 GW, Hydro: 47 GW, Biomass: 10 GW).
- International Solar Alliance (ISA):
- India-led initiative to promote solar energy globally.
5. Waste and Agriculture Sector Reforms
- GOBAR-Dhan Yojana and SATAT:
- Convert animal & organic waste to bio-CNG.
- Agri-decarbonization:
- Efforts to reduce emissions from enteric fermentation, stubble burning, and inefficient irrigation.
6. Institutional Framework
- National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC):
- Launched in 2008; 8 core missions including Solar, Energy Efficiency, Sustainable Habitat, and Green India.
- State Action Plans on Climate Change (SAPCCs):
- All states and UTs have submitted SAPCCs aligned with national priorities.
India’s Global Climate Leadership
- Paris Agreement: India played a key role in negotiations and ratified it in 2016.
- Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment): Promotes sustainable lifestyles globally.
- Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI): India-led initiative for climate-resilient infrastructure.
