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Despite contributing minimally to historical and current global emissions, India has taken proactive steps to combat climate change
India has reaffirmed its commitment to climate action by submitting its Fourth Biennial Update Report (BUR-4) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on December 30, 2024. This report underscores India’s dedication to achieving sustainable development while addressing the pressing challenges of global climate change.
Key Highlights of BUR-4
The BUR-4 updates India’s Third National Communication and provides a comprehensive account of the country’s Greenhouse Gas (GHG) inventory for 2020. It also includes an analysis of mitigation efforts, constraints, and requirements related to finance, technology, and capacity building.
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav lauded India’s achievements in a social media post, emphasizing the country’s alignment of economic progress with meaningful climate action. “India is leading by example in sustainable growth,” he stated.
Significant Reductions in Emissions
India’s GHG emissions in 2020 decreased by 7.93% compared to 2019, reflecting a remarkable achievement in reducing environmental impact. The total emissions, excluding Land Use, Land-Use Change, and Forestry (LULUCF), amounted to 2,959 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. With the inclusion of LULUCF, net emissions were recorded at 2,437 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent.
The energy sector remained the largest contributor, accounting for 75.66% of total emissions, followed by agriculture (13.72%), industrial processes and product use (8.06%), and waste (2.56%). However, the report highlights the critical role of India’s forest and tree cover, which sequestered approximately 522 million tonnes of CO2 in 2020, equivalent to reducing 22% of the country’s total carbon dioxide emissions.
Progress in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
India has made significant strides toward meeting its NDC targets under the Paris Agreement, showcasing a progressive decoupling of economic growth from GHG emissions. Key accomplishments include:
Reduction in Emission Intensity of GDP: Between 2005 and 2020, India’s emission intensity of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) declined by 36%.
Growth in Renewable Energy: As of October 2024, the share of non-fossil fuel sources in the installed electricity generation capacity stood at an impressive 46.52%. India’s total installed renewable power capacity, including large hydropower projects, reached 203.22 GW. Notably, the cumulative renewable power capacity (excluding large hydropower) surged 4.5 times, from 35 GW in March 2014 to 156.25 GW.
Enhanced Carbon Sink: Between 2005 and 2021, an additional carbon sink of 2.29 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent was created through afforestation and an increase in tree cover. Forest and tree cover now encompass 25.17% of India’s total geographical area.
Emphasis on Equity and Common Responsibilities
Despite contributing minimally to historical and current global emissions, India has taken proactive steps to combat climate change while addressing its developmental aspirations. The BUR-4 reflects India’s adherence to principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities (CBDR-RC) enshrined in the UNFCCC and its Paris Agreement.
India’s climate actions are guided by its national circumstances, ensuring a balanced approach to sustainable development.
While India has achieved commendable progress, the BUR-4 identifies several constraints and gaps that need to be addressed for enhanced climate action. These include:
Financial Needs: Adequate funding is critical to scaling up climate mitigation and adaptation initiatives, especially in vulnerable sectors such as agriculture and energy.
Key Highlights of BUR-4
The BUR-4 updates India’s Third National Communication and provides a comprehensive account of the country’s Greenhouse Gas (GHG) inventory for 2020. It also includes an analysis of mitigation efforts, constraints, and requirements related to finance, technology, and capacity building.
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav lauded India’s achievements in a social media post, emphasizing the country’s alignment of economic progress with meaningful climate action. “India is leading by example in sustainable growth,” he stated.
Significant Reductions in Emissions
India’s GHG emissions in 2020 decreased by 7.93% compared to 2019, reflecting a remarkable achievement in reducing environmental impact. The total emissions, excluding Land Use, Land-Use Change, and Forestry (LULUCF), amounted to 2,959 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. With the inclusion of LULUCF, net emissions were recorded at 2,437 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent.
The energy sector remained the largest contributor, accounting for 75.66% of total emissions, followed by agriculture (13.72%), industrial processes and product use (8.06%), and waste (2.56%). However, the report highlights the critical role of India’s forest and tree cover, which sequestered approximately 522 million tonnes of CO2 in 2020, equivalent to reducing 22% of the country’s total carbon dioxide emissions.
Progress in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
India has made significant strides toward meeting its NDC targets under the Paris Agreement, showcasing a progressive decoupling of economic growth from GHG emissions. Key accomplishments include:
Reduction in Emission Intensity of GDP: Between 2005 and 2020, India’s emission intensity of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) declined by 36%.
Growth in Renewable Energy: As of October 2024, the share of non-fossil fuel sources in the installed electricity generation capacity stood at an impressive 46.52%. India’s total installed renewable power capacity, including large hydropower projects, reached 203.22 GW. Notably, the cumulative renewable power capacity (excluding large hydropower) surged 4.5 times, from 35 GW in March 2014 to 156.25 GW.
Enhanced Carbon Sink: Between 2005 and 2021, an additional carbon sink of 2.29 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent was created through afforestation and an increase in tree cover. Forest and tree cover now encompass 25.17% of India’s total geographical area.
Emphasis on Equity and Common Responsibilities
Despite contributing minimally to historical and current global emissions, India has taken proactive steps to combat climate change while addressing its developmental aspirations. The BUR-4 reflects India’s adherence to principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities (CBDR-RC) enshrined in the UNFCCC and its Paris Agreement.
India’s climate actions are guided by its national circumstances, ensuring a balanced approach to sustainable development.
While India has achieved commendable progress, the BUR-4 identifies several constraints and gaps that need to be addressed for enhanced climate action. These include:
Financial Needs: Adequate funding is critical to scaling up climate mitigation and adaptation initiatives, especially in vulnerable sectors such as agriculture and energy.
Technological Advancements: The adoption of cutting-edge technology is essential to accelerate renewable energy deployment, improve energy efficiency, and enhance carbon capture and storage capabilities.
Capacity Building: Strengthening institutional frameworks and workforce capabilities will ensure effective implementation of climate policies and programs.
India’s BUR-4 emphasizes the importance of international support in finance, technology transfer, and capacity building to bridge these gaps and enable the country to meet its ambitious climate goals.
Global Leadership in Climate Action
India’s achievements in reducing emissions intensity, expanding renewable energy, and enhancing forest cover underscore its role as a global leader in climate action. By submitting the BUR-4, India demonstrates transparency and accountability in its climate efforts, setting a benchmark for other nations.
The report also highlights India’s contributions to global climate initiatives, such as the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI). These platforms showcase India’s commitment to fostering international cooperation for sustainable development.
India’s Fourth Biennial Update Report to the UNFCCC is a testament to its unwavering commitment to combating climate change while ensuring sustainable development. Through bold policy measures and innovative approaches, India continues to balance its developmental priorities with environmental stewardship.
As the world faces the growing challenges of climate change, India’s efforts serve as an inspiring example of how nations can align economic progress with ecological responsibility. The BUR-4 reinforces India’s position as a key player in global climate governance, paving the way for a sustainable future for generations to come.
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