Bronte Wells
India is the world's third-largest greenhouse gas polluter, behind the United States and China, with its share of global greenhouse gas emissions rising to more than seven percent. India's emissions continue to rise and now make up 8% of the global total. In 2023, India's carbon dioxide emissions increased by 233 million metric tons. India's growing economy is driving CO2 emissions, which increased by more than 55% in the last decade and are expected to rise by 50% by 2040. However, India has succeeded in reducing its emissions rate by 33% over 14 years, largely attributable to the government's push toward renewables.
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What You'll Learn
- India's emissions make up 8% of the global total
- India's fossil fuel emissions rose by 233 million metric tons in 2023
- India's rate of emissions intensity fell by 33% from 2005 to 2019
- India's CO2 emissions increased by more than 55% in the last decade
- India's fossil CO2 emissions nearly tripled, reaching 2.7 GtCO2 in 2022
India's emissions make up 8% of the global total
India's emissions continue to rise and currently make up 8% of the global total. This makes India the third-largest greenhouse gas polluter in the world, behind the United States and China. In 2023, India's carbon dioxide emissions increased by 233 million metric tons, contributing to the global rise in carbon pollution.
India's emissions intensity—the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions emitted for every unit increase in gross domestic product (GDP)—has decreased. Between 2005 and 2019, India's emissions intensity fell by 33%, with an average annual reduction rate of 3% in 2016–2019, up from 1.5% in 2014–2016. This reduction is largely due to the government's push towards renewable energy sources, despite fossil fuels still dominating the energy mix.
India's growing economy and rising population have contributed to soaring emissions in recent decades. The country's CO2 emissions have increased by more than 55% in the last decade and are projected to rise by another 50% by 2040. The power sector is the largest emitter, with the increasing use of coal-fired electricity generation being a primary factor in the country's rising emissions. Coal currently accounts for three-quarters of India's power supply.
To combat this issue, India has been promoting green hydrogen and increasing forest cover. Additionally, India has been working towards implementing emission control technologies in thermal power plants, which could significantly reduce combustion-related emissions of SO2 and PM2.5. India has also set ambitious targets for reducing carbon intensity and increasing the use of non-fossil fuel-based energy sources.
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India's fossil fuel emissions rose by 233 million metric tons in 2023
This increase in India's fossil fuel emissions is attributed to several factors. Firstly, the country's rapid economic development and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in increased industrial activity and energy demand. Steel and cement output, for example, have soared, and electricity demand during the monsoon months in 2023 grew at four times the rate of the previous year.
Additionally, India's energy mix plays a role in its emissions profile. Coal power remains a significant source of energy, accounting for roughly 95% of the country's power sector emissions. The burning of fossil fuels, including coal, is a major contributor to carbon dioxide emissions.
While India's per capita emissions are relatively low, around 2 tonnes, the overall increase in emissions is notable. It is important to note that India's emissions growth is occurring in the context of international efforts to reduce emissions and mitigate climate change. Global officials are aiming to cut emissions by 43% by 2030, but the continued rise in emissions from major contributors like India poses significant challenges in achieving these targets.
To summarize, India's fossil fuel emissions rose significantly in 2023, driven by economic growth, industrial activity, and energy demands. This increase has global implications and underscores the urgency of addressing climate change through emissions reduction efforts. India's emissions trajectory will be a critical factor in the pursuit of international climate goals.
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India's rate of emissions intensity fell by 33% from 2005 to 2019
India's emissions continue to rise and currently make up 8% of global carbon dioxide emissions. However, India's rate of emissions intensity fell by 33% from 2005 to 2019. This reduction in emission intensity refers to the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions emitted for every unit increase of gross domestic product (GDP). India's average rate of reduction in emissions increased to 3% annually in the period 2016-2019, from 1.5% in the period 2014-2016. This was largely attributable to the government's push towards renewables, despite fossil fuels continuing to dominate the energy mix.
India's GDP grew at a cumulative annual growth rate of 7% from 2005 to 2019, but its emissions rose by only 4% per year during this period. This suggests that the country has been successful in decoupling its economic growth from planet-warming emissions. India's Environment Minister, Bhupender Yadav, stated that India is “well on track” to achieving its target of reducing GDP emissions intensity by 45% by 2030 compared to 2005 levels. Furthermore, India has committed to becoming a net-zero economy by 2070.
The reduction in emissions intensity has been facilitated by a substantial increase in forest cover and schemes promoting non-fossil generation and targeting emissions in industrial, automotive, and energy sectors. Central Electricity Authority data shows that non-fossil fuel-based power, including hydro, nuclear, and renewable energy, accounted for 25.3% of India's total power generation in the fiscal year ending in March, up from 24.6% three years earlier. Additionally, India has been trying to promote green hydrogen, manufactured by splitting water molecules using renewable energy.
Despite these efforts, India's total emissions, including the Land Use, Land-Use Change, and Forestry sector, have increased by 4.56% with respect to 2016. India's net national emissions in 2019 were 2.6 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. Furthermore, India's fossil fuel emissions increased by 233 million metric tons in 2023, contributing to the global rise in carbon dioxide emissions.
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India's CO2 emissions increased by more than 55% in the last decade
India's carbon dioxide emissions have been rising, with the country contributing 8% of global carbon dioxide emissions. India's CO2 emissions increased by 233 million metric tons in 2023, and the country is the third-largest greenhouse gas polluter in the world. This increase is largely due to the increasing use of coal-fired electricity generation, which currently accounts for three-quarters of India's power supply. India's fossil CO2 emissions have nearly tripled, reaching 2.7 GtCO2 in 2022, and its total greenhouse gas emissions have doubled since the turn of the century. India's growing economy is driving CO2 emissions, which increased by more than 55% in the last decade and are expected to rise by another 50% by 2040.
While India has made some efforts to reduce emissions, such as increasing forest cover and promoting non-fossil fuel energy sources, the country still relies heavily on fossil fuels. The captive power segment, which uses fossil fuels intensively, made up around 14% of India's power supply in 2019 and accounted for 16-18% of all power-related CO2 and air pollution emissions. India's rate of emissions intensity fell by 33% from 2005 to 2019, and its average rate of reduction in emissions increased to 3% annually in the period 2016-2019, up from 1.5% in 2014-2016. However, India is resisting higher emission reduction targets, arguing that industrialized nations' unchecked use of fossil fuels has depleted resources.
To reduce air pollutants and CO2 emissions in the long run, India must implement strong renewables deployment and adopt an integrated approach to tackling energy-related air pollutants and CO2 emissions. The installation of emissions control technologies in thermal power plants is crucial for India to reduce air pollutants in the short term. Captive power plants, which generate electricity for heavy industry and service companies, must be included in all power-sector policy decisions if India seeks to accomplish a power sector transition and industrial development.
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India's fossil CO2 emissions nearly tripled, reaching 2.7 GtCO2 in 2022
India's fossil CO2 emissions have been increasing over the years, with a record high of 2.7 GtCO2 in 2022, nearly triple the previous amount. This rise is attributed to the country's rapid economic development and the increasing use of coal-fired electricity generation, which currently accounts for three-quarters of India's power supply. India's emissions from the coal sector tripled between 2000 and 2021, while emissions from the oil sector doubled, and those from gas and cement sectors tripled. India's emissions now make up 8% of the global total.
India's fossil fuel emissions increased by 233 million metric tons in 2023, contributing to the global rise in carbon dioxide emissions. The increase in emissions is concerning as it threatens to push the planet closer to exceeding the temperature targets set by the Paris Agreement.
To address climate change, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced commitments for India to reduce the carbon intensity of its economy by at least 45% by 2030 compared to 2005 levels. India also aims to meet 50% of its energy demand through non-fossil fuel-based energy sources by 2030 and achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2070. These pledges demonstrate India's recognition of the urgency to tackle climate change and its commitment to transitioning to a more sustainable energy future.
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Frequently asked questions
India is the world's third-largest greenhouse gas polluter, behind the United States and China. India's emissions make up 8% of the global total.
The power sector is the largest emitter, followed by the agriculture and manufacturing sectors. The use of coal-fired electricity generation has been a primary factor in the country's rising emissions.
India's emissions are higher than the 27 nations of the European Union, which collectively account for 8% of global emissions. However, India has the lowest per capita emissions in the G20, at just 1.9 tCO₂ per person.
India has reduced its emissions intensity by 33% from 2005 to 2019, with an average annual reduction of 3% in the period 2016-2019. This has been attributed to a push towards renewables, increased forest cover, and schemes promoting non-fossil fuel sources.
