Wednesday, 10 Dec, 2025
Image Source: IANS
With effect from March 21, 1994, the UNFCCC seeks to advance international collaboration on climate change and long-term climate finance while stabilizing greenhouse gas concentrations.
India has been able to reduce its GreenHouse Gas (GHG) emissions by 7.93 percent in 2020 as compared to 2019 as per the 4th Biennial Update Report (BUR-4) submitted by India to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on December 30, 2024. The information was shared by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) mandates that nations submit Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions because of the severe concerns that climate change and rising temperatures pose to life on Earth. In response, during the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP 26) in 2021, India promised to reach net-zero emissions by 2070. According to India's 4th Biennial Update Report (BUR-4), GHG emissions decreased by 7.93 percent in 2020 over 2019. This demonstrates India’s commitment to a sustainable, climate-resilient future.
With effect from March 21, 1994, the UNFCCC seeks to advance international collaboration on climate change and long-term climate finance while stabilizing greenhouse gas concentrations. 195 nations ratified the Paris Agreement at the 21st session of the UNFCCC's Conference of the Parties (COP21), which was held in Paris in 2015. In addition to pursuing efforts to restrict the increase to 1.5°C and peak greenhouse gas emissions as soon as feasible, the pact seeks to keep the increase in the global average temperature over pre-industrial levels to well below 2°C. On November 4, 2016, it came into effect, mandating that nations submit Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) detailing their climate goals.
Source: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
According to the data, overall GHG emissions in 2020 were 7.93 percent lower when compared to in 2019. India's emissions, excluding Land Use, Land-Use Change, and Forestry (LULUCF), came to 2,959 million tonnes of CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent, a metric used to quantify the effects of greenhouse gases). Net emissions, including LULUCF, came to 2,437 million tons of CO2e. Together with other land uses, the energy sector was the largest contributor, accounting for 75.66 percent of emissions. This helped sequester over 522 million tonnes of CO2, which is comparable to 22 percent of the nation's total emissions.
The government has taken several measures towards environmental protection and reduction of GHG emissions. As essential elements of a low-carbon development route, India's LT-LEDS places a strong emphasis on incorporating adaptation strategies and improving energy and resource efficiency within urban planning laws and standards. Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (PMAY), Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), Smart Cities Mission, Town and Country Planning Act, and Urban and Regional Development Plans Formulation and Implementation (URDPFI) guidelines are among the pertinent policies and initiatives.
The government has also taken a number of steps towards curbing the air pollution in the country and major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Noida, Gurugram, etc. But the data shows that these steps are not enough. According to general trends, transportation is the biggest source of PM2.5, accounting for 17.9 percent of total emissions (Guttikanda 2018) to 39.2% (SAFAR 2018). However, industry was determined to be the primary source of PM2.5, followed by road dust and transport, while IIT Kanpur (2016) reported that transportation was the second highest contributor after road dust. On November 18, Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) dropped to 494, classified as severe+, marking the worst air quality conditions since 2019. Low temperatures, high humidity, calm breezes, and burning stubble had all contributed to the buildup of pollution, especially PM 2.5.
India has been gradually eliminating the link between economic growth and greenhouse gas emissions. The goal of low-carbon, sustainable development has guided the mitigation efforts in important economic sectors. Consequently, between 2005 and 2016, India's GDP emission intensity decreased by 24 percent. Though the government has taken a number of steps towards reducing the GHG emissions, more needs to be done to achieve the target of net-zero emissions by 2070.
