India has strengthened its commitment to addressing climate change by submitting its Fourth Biennial Update Report (BUR-4) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on December 30, 2024.
The report updates the Third National Communication and presents the National Greenhouse Gas (GHG) inventory for 2020.
It also outlines India’s national circumstances, mitigation efforts, and challenges in finance, technology, and capacity building.
Significant Drop in GHG Emissions in 2020
The data in BUR-4 indicates a remarkable reduction in India’s GHG emissions.
Total emissions in 2020 decreased by 7.93% compared to 2019. Excluding contributions from land use and forestry, emissions stood at 2,959 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent.
However, net emissions dropped to 2,437 million tonnes when land use, land-use change, and forestry (LULUCF) were factored in.
India’s forests and tree cover played a pivotal role, sequestering approximately 522 million tonnes of CO2 in 2020. This sequestration offset 22% of the country’s total emissions for the year.
Sector-Wise Emission Contributions
The energy sector emerged as the largest contributor to emissions, accounting for 75.66% of the total.
Agriculture followed at 13.72%, while industrial processes and product use contributed 8.06%, and waste accounted for 2.56%.
Progress in Reducing Emission Intensity
India has made significant strides in decoupling economic growth from emissions. Between 2005 and 2020, the emission intensity of GDP declined by 36%.
By October 2024, non-fossil sources constituted 46.52% of India’s installed electricity generation capacity.
Since 2014, renewable power installations have grown 4.5 times, underscoring India’s dedication to clean energy.
Forests and Tree Cover: A Growing Asset
Forest and tree cover has steadily increased, now spanning 25.17% of India’s geographical area. These natural assets are instrumental in combating emissions and enhancing biodiversity.
Global Responsibility and Proactive Measures
Despite contributing minimally to global emissions historically, India continues to lead by example in addressing climate change.
Its efforts align with the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities under the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement.
As reported by krishijagran.com, by emphasizing sustainability and innovation, India is demonstrating its resolve to balance development and environmental stewardship in the fight against climate change.
