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India’s Black Carbon Emissions from Kerosene Lamps
Context:
India’s use of kerosene lamps as a secondary lighting source releases 12.5 gigagrammes of black carbon annually, contributing to 10% of the country’s total residential emissions, according to a study.
Key Study Findings
- Kerosene Lamps and Black Carbon Emissions: India’s reliance on kerosene-based lamps as secondary lighting during power cuts leads to the release of 12.5 gigagrammes (Gg) of black carbon annually.
- This represents 10% of total residential black carbon emissions, which also includes emissions from cooking, heating, and lighting.
- Rural Dependency on Kerosene Lighting: Roughly 30% of rural households use kerosene lighting as a secondary source during power cuts.
- In eastern regions of India, this figure increases to 70%.
- Regional Contributions: Eastern India contributes 60% (7.5 Gg) of the country’s black carbon emissions from secondary lighting sources.
- Types of Kerosene Lighting Devices
- Two common kerosene lamps used in households are:
- Wick lamps: simple and homemade.
- Hurricane lamps: more sophisticated.
- Two common kerosene lamps used in households are:
- Emissions and Burn Rates
- The burn rates (amount of fuel consumed per hour) for the different lamps:
- Flat wick lamps: 14.7 g/hr
- Hurricane lamps: 15.3 g/hr
- Wick lamps: 5.4 g/hr
- Black carbon emission factors (pollutant released per kg of kerosene burnt):
- Flat wick lamps: 190 g/kg
- Wick lamps: 61.4 g/kg
- Hurricane lamps: 17.2 g/kg
- The burn rates (amount of fuel consumed per hour) for the different lamps:
- Comparative Emissions: Kerosene’s emissions factors surpass those of biomass (kerosene: 17 g to 190 g per kg, biomass: 1-2 g per kg).
- Total black carbon emissions for 2017 were estimated at 12.5 Gg, with Bihar alone contributing over 3 Gg annually.
Emissions from Diwali Oil Lamps
- Diwali Contributions: Sesame oil lamps used during Diwali add an estimated 3 Gg of black carbon over two days.
- This is 40 times greater than the daily black carbon emissions from residential kerosene lighting.
- Top States Contributing Black Carbon from Diwali Lights
- Uttar Pradesh: 431 megagrammes (Mg)
- Maharashtra: 306 Mg
- Andhra Pradesh: 291 Mg
- Tamil Nadu: 260 Mg
- Bihar: 264 Mg
- Emissions Reduction Potential: Replacing sesame oil lamps with wax-based lamps could reduce emissions by 90% during Diwali.
Recommendations
- Improving Electricity Supply: Reducing reliance on kerosene lighting by improving electricity supply, particularly in rural areas, is crucial.
- Promoting Alternate Lighting Solutions: Encouraging the use of solar lamps and rechargeable lighting devices could significantly lower emissions.
- Raising Awareness: Public awareness campaigns about cleaner, alternative lighting sources can help reduce the environmental impact of kerosene usage.