Prime Minister receives the highest award of Ethiopia
India’s 4th Biennial Update Report (BUR-4) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was submitted. This submission took place on 30th December, 2024. The report was submitted on 30th December, 2024. India’s BUR-4 updates the Third National Communication (TNC). It contains the National Greenhouse Gas (GHG) inventory for the year 2020. The report also includes information on India’s national circumstances and mitigation actions. It provides an analysis of the constraints and gaps. The report discusses related finance, technology, and capacity-building needs.
India is leading by example in sustainable growth
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav, shared a post on social media. He stated that India is leading by example in sustainable growth. These numbers reflect Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to aligning economic progress with meaningful climate action, he added.
In 2020, India’s total GHG emissions decreased by 7.93 per cent with respect to 2019. The emissions, excluding Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF), were 2,959 million tonnes of CO2e. Net emissions were 2,437 million tonnes of CO2e with the inclusion of LULUCF.
India’s BUR-4 : Energy sector contributed the most to overall emissions
The energy sector contributed the most to overall emissions, accounting for 75.66 percent. Subsequently, the agriculture sector followed, contributing 13.72 percent. Then, Industrial Processes and Product Use accounted for 8.06 percent. Finally, the Waste sector made up 2.56 percent.
4o mini. In 2020, India’s forest and tree cover sequestered approximately 522 million tonnes of CO2. This was equivalent to reducing 22% of the country’s total carbon dioxide emissions in 2020.
India’s achievements in respect of the NDC targets:
- India has progressively continued decoupling economic growth from GHG emissions. Between 2005 and 2020, India’s emission intensity of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reduced by 36%.
- By October 2024, the share of non-fossil sources in the installed electricity generation capacity was 46.52%. The total installed capacity of renewable power, including large hydropower, is 203.22 GW. Additionally, the cumulative renewable power installed capacity (excluding large hydro projects) has increased significantly. From 35 GW in March 2014, it has grown 4.5 times to reach 156.25 GW.
- India’s forest and tree cover has consistently increased and currently stands at 25.17% of the total geographical area of the country.From 2005 to 2021, scientists added 2.29 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent to the carbon sink.
India’s Proactive Steps in Climate Change Despite Low Historical Emissions
India has contributed very little to historical emissions, and its current contribution to global emissions remains low. However, despite this, India has taken proactive actions to combat climate change.These actions aim to promote sustainable development and its developmental aspirations.
4o mini Additionally, India considers its national circumstances and follows the principles of equity. Moreover, it emphasizes the concept that the UNFCCC and its Paris Agreement reflect these principles. Consequently, India is committed to balancing its developmental goals with the need to address climate change.
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