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India’s Biennial Update Report (BUR-4)
Context:
India recently submitted its latest Biennial Update Report (BUR-4) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), detailing its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory and efforts to curb emissions.
What is the Biennial Update Report (BUR)?
- Purpose: Developing countries submit BURs to the UNFCCC as part of their obligations under the Paris Agreement.
- Content:
- National circumstances related to climate and socio-economic factors.
- Detailed inventory of GHG emissions, their sources, and natural sinks.
- Updates on national action plans to mitigate emissions.
- Methods to measure actions taken.
- Information on financial, technological, and capacity-building support received.
Key Highlights of India’s BUR-4:
- Emission Intensity of GDP: Between 2005 and 2020, India reduced its GDP emission intensity by 36%, showcasing improved energy efficiency. India aims for a 45% reduction by 2030 as per its nationally determined contributions (NDCs).
- GHG Emissions Inventory (2020):
- Total emissions: 2,959 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent.
- Net emissions after absv orption by forestry and land resources: 2,437 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent.
- Reduction: Total national emissions fell by 7.93% compared to 2019, though they have increased by 98.34% since 1994.
- Breakdown of Emissions by GHGs: CO2: 80.53%, Methane: 13.32%, Nitrous Oxide: 5.13%, Others: 1.02%.
- Sectoral Contributions to Emissions:
- Energy sector: 75.66%, with electricity production alone contributing 39%.
- Agriculture: 13.72%.
- Industrial Processes and Product Use (IPPU): 8.06%.
- Waste sector: 2.56%.
- Forestry Contribution: Additional carbon sink of 2.29 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent created between 2005 and 2021.
Status of India’s Climate Commitments:
- Non-Fossil Fuel-Based Power Generation: India aims to achieve 50% of its cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030. As of October 2024, 46.52% of India’s power generation capacity is from non-fossil fuel sources.
- Carbon Sink: India has committed to creating an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent by 2030. From 2005 to 2021, an additional 2.29 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent carbon sink was created.
- Net Zero Commitment: India pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070.
Energy Efficiency Schemes:
- The Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme, initiated in 2011, has led to significant energy savings and emission reductions across various industrial sectors:
- Cement industry: 3.35 Mtoe energy savings
- Iron and Steel industry: 6.14 Mtoe energy savings
- Aluminium industry: 2.13 Mtoe energy savings
- Textile industry: 0.33 Mtoe energy savings
- Paper and Pulp industry: 0.63 Mtoe energy savings
- The thermal power sector achieved energy savings of 7.72 Mtoe and prevented emissions of 28.74 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent through the PAT scheme until 2021-2022.
Challenges Identified
- Financial Needs: India requires enhanced funding to scale up its mitigation and adaptation efforts.
- Technology: The country needs advanced tools for renewable energy, carbon capture, and improving energy efficiency.
- Capacity Building: There is a need for strengthened institutional frameworks and upskilling of the workforce.
Proactive Steps India Has Taken to Combat Climate Change
- Renewable Energy Expansion: India aims to achieve 500 GW of installed renewable energy capacity by 2030, focusing on solar, wind, and other clean energy sources.
- The National Solar Mission has significantly boosted solar power generation.
- Energy Efficiency Initiatives: Key programs include the Perform, Achieve, and Trade (PAT) scheme and UJALA Program for energy savings.
- Increasing Forest and Tree Cover: Forest and tree cover now stands at 25.17% of India’s total geographical area, consistently increasing.
- Supporting Global Climate Initiatives: India participates in the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).
- Other National Schemes:
- PM-Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana
- National Bio-Energy Programme
- National E-Bus Programme
Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) Movement: Encourages sustainable living to reduce environmental impact.
