The report also said India's GDP grew at a cumulative annual growth rate of 7 percent, but its emissions rose by only 4 per cent per year during this period
India has successfully reduced its GDP emission intensity by 33 percent between 2005 and 2019, surpassing the target by 11 years, as reported by the government. The findings, presented in 'The Third National Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change,' showcase India's commendable progress in decoupling economic growth from greenhouse gas emissions.
The report reveals that India's GDP exhibited a cumulative annual growth rate of 7 percent, while emissions only increased by 4 percent annually during the same period. This achievement signifies a notable success in balancing economic development with efforts to combat climate change.
Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav highlighted that India achieved a 33 percent reduction in GDP emission intensity 11 years ahead of schedule, creating an additional carbon sink of 1.97 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent. However, the total emissions, including the land use, land-use change, and forestry sectors, saw a 4.56 percent increase compared to 2016.
Emission intensity refers to the amount of greenhouse gases emitted for each unit increase in gross domestic product (GDP), a crucial metric in assessing environmental sustainability.
Minister Yadav expressed confidence in India's commitment to further reduce GDP emission intensity by 45 percent by 2030, compared to 2005 levels, and to create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3.0 billion tonnes through tree and forest cover by 2030.
The report emphasised that India's National Determined Contributions (NDCs) align with global efforts to limit temperature rise, aiming to keep it well below two degrees Celsius and preferably at 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels.
In terms of sector-wise contributions to emissions, the energy sector accounted for 75.81 percent, followed by agriculture (13.44 percent), industrial processes and product use (8.41 percent), and waste (2.34 percent). The land use, land-use change, and forestry sectors demonstrated the removal of 4,85,472 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.
India's net national emissions in 2019, considering total emissions and removals, amounted to 26,46,556 gigatonnes of CO2 equivalent (2.6 billion tonnes of CO2e).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, positioning India as a global climate leader, proposed hosting the annual UN climate talks in the country in 2028. India has already achieved its earlier NDC targets well ahead of schedule, including emissions intensity-related goals and non-fossil fuel targets.
The prime minister underscored India's commitment to further reduce GDP emission intensity, achieve a significant share of electric power capacity from non-fossil fuel sources, and become a net-zero economy by 2070. He also called attention to the disproportionate impacts borne by developing nations, despite their minimal contributions to the climate crisis.