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As part of its global climate commitments, India recently submitted its latest report detailing its greenhouse gas emission (GHG) inventory and the efforts it has taken to curb emissions.

The report highlighted that the emissions intensity of its gross domestic product (GDP), which reflects the energy efficiency of its economic activities, fell by 36% between 2005 and 2020. The report also details emission sources and the status of targets on climate action.

What is the Biennial Update Report (BUR)?

Under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), developing countries are required to submit a detailed report on their climate action efforts. This report, submitted as part of commitments under the Paris Climate Agreement, is called the Biennial Update Report, or BUR.

What are the BUR-4’s highlights and submissions on emissions inventory?

• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions: India's GDP emissions intensity has decreased by 36% between 2005 and 2020, on track to meet the target of a 45% reduction by 2030.
• Sector emissions: energy (75.66%), agriculture (13.72%), industrial processes (8.06%) and waste (2.56%).
• Greenhouse gas decomposition: CO2 (80.53%), methane (13.32%), and nitrous oxide (5.13%).
• Progress in meeting NDC targets: The emission intensity of GDP was reduced by 36% from 2005 to 2020.
  • • Non-fossil fuel capacity reached 46.52%, while renewable energy capacity rose to 203.22 GW.
    • An additional 2.29 billion tonnes of CO2 absorbed by afforestation (2005-2021).
    • India continues to strive to achieve its climate goals, including the ambitious goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2070.

Detected challenges

• Financial needs: Better financing for mitigation and adaptation.
• Technology: Advanced tools needed for renewable energy, carbon capture and efficiency improvements.
• Capacity building: Strengthening institutional frameworks and workforce skills.

What proactive steps has India taken to combat climate change?

• Renewable energy expansion: India aims to reach 500 GW of installed renewable energy capacity by 2030, focusing on solar, wind, and other clean energy sources.
  • • The National Solar Mission has significantly increased solar power generation capacity across the country.
• Energy efficiency initiatives: such as the Implement, Achieve, and Trade (PAT) scheme and the UJALA programme.
• Increasing Forest and Tree Cover: The forest and tree cover currently account for 25.17% of the total geographical area of ​​the country and is constantly increasing.
• Supporting global climate initiatives: International Solar Alliance (ISA) and Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).
• Other National Schemes: PM-Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, National Bioenergy Program National E-Bus Program, etc.
• Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) Movement: Focuses on promoting sustainable living practices to reduce environmental impact.

What does BUR-4 say about the status of India's climate commitments?

• As part of its global commitments, India updated its NDC in August 2022.
• One of the key targets is to achieve 50% cumulative installed electricity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030. Another key goal was to reduce the energy intensity of GDP.
• India has also committed to creating an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent by 2030 through additional forests and trees.
• “Between 2005 and 2021, an additional carbon sink of 2.29 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent was created. for BUR-4.
• Before the 2021 NDC update, India also committed to be net zero or carbon neutral by 2070.
• According to the Central Electricity Authority- Updating its progress on these fronts, India’s share of non-fossil fuel power generation capacity is 46.52%.

India’s tech needs for climate-conscious growth

As India is significantly affected by climate change, it needs advanced technology to grow with low carbon emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. India noted that it relies heavily on domestic resources and that barriers such as slow technology transfer and intellectual property rights hinder technology adoption. Across sectors, she highlighted the technology that the country requires.

Source:

INDIAN EXPRESS