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India’s Carbon Emissions Fall by 33% Across 14 Years
Officials have reported that India have slashed their carbon emissions over the past 14 years, with an overall decrease of a third, or 33%.
The decrease is considered faster than expected, due to the rise in renewable energy generation as well as forestation cover across the country. This assessment was made by two officials looking at India’s UN submission. The report shows that India is on track to reach it’s commitments as part of the United Nations Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), to reduce emissions by 45% by 2030.
The current 33% decrease was observed from 2005 – 2019, officials state, and looks at the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced for every unit of gross domestic product (GDP). India’s average rate of emission reduction increased from 1.5% annually during 2014 – 2016, to 3% annually from 2016 – 2019. This is the fastest recorded rate of reduction so far across any country.
A government official commented on these developments in an interview with Reuters, and stated, “There is continuous reduction in the emission intensity of the Indian economy, which shows the country has been able to completely decouple its economic growth from greenhouse gas emissions.”
They go on to state that India’s increase in forested areas, schemes for promotion of non-fossil fuel-based energy, as well as targeting big polluters in the country (such as industrial, automotive and energy sectors), has led to an overall decrease for the nation.
Forests and trees amount to 24.56% of India’s land coverage, roughly one quarter, which equates to 80.73 million hectares. India has also seen a large increase in the promotion of green hydrogen energy – a newer and more experimental renewable energy source.
Lesser-used renewable energy types, such as Hydrogen Energy, could be the key in reaching carbon neutrality. With India showing huge decreases in their emissions and attributing some of the success to its use of hydrogen, it may not be long before other nations and organizations look towards this energy source as a viable means. The Renewable Energy Institute offers courses on Hydrogen Energy, as well as our accredited and industry leading Hydrogen Energy Consultant Expert Certificate. Enrol today and discover how to unlock the potential for this energy course.
Recent data released by the government shows that renewable energy accounts for 25.3% of all of India’s energy generation – this includes hydro, nuclear and fully renewable such as solar.
India’s success in their emissions comes at a time where the G20 major economies (a group of the 20 largest economies across the globe) have failed twice on agreeing a bilateral phase out of fossil fuels. Developing countries, such as India, are showing resistance to a higher emission reduction target, claiming that heavier industrialised nations unrestricted use and reliance on fossil fuels have depleted natural resources.