- According to a recent study, urbanization has increased vehicular emissions in India
- Generally, in developed countries, vehicular emissions reduce with increased urbanization as more urbanization reduces distances between the workplace and home and thereby, a preference for public transport increases.
- However, in developing countries, vehicular emissions tend to increase with urbanization. For example: In China a 1% increase in urbanization led to a 0.12% increase in CO2 emissions whereas, in India, it translated into 0.24% increase in emissions.
- India’s per capita emissions which is much lower than the world average of 4.2 tonnes, has shown a steady rise with an average growth rate of 6% over the last 10 years.
- The average annual commuting emissions in India is 20 kg per capita while commuting for work.
- Delhi NCR has the highest commuting emissions per capita owing to high socioeconomic status and heavy reliance on private travel modes.
