India’s claim of decoupling economic growth from GHG emissions

Source: The post India’s claim of decoupling economic growth from GHG emissions has been created, based on the article “The issue of India’s economic growth versus emissions” published in “The Hindu” on 9th December 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3- Environment

Context: The article explains India’s claim of decoupling economic growth from greenhouse gas emissions. It highlights that India has achieved relative decoupling, where emissions rise slower than GDP, but absolute decoupling, where emissions decline with growth, remains a distant goal.

For detailed information on India’s Strategy for Net Zero read this article here

What is the meaning of Decoupled Economic Growth from GHG Emissions?

1. Definition: Decoupling means breaking the link between economic growth and environmental degradation. It shows a nation’s ability to grow economically without proportionally increasing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
2. Types of Decoupling:

• Absolute Decoupling: Economic growth occurs while emissions decrease. Example: GDP rises, but emissions fall.
• Relative Decoupling: Both GDP and emissions grow, but GDP grows faster. Example: India’s GDP grew six-fold since 1990, while emissions tripled.

3. Importance: Decoupling balances growth, reduces emissions, and addresses energy poverty, ensuring sustainable development in developing nations like India.

Has India Decoupled Economic Growth from GHG Emissions?

1. Economic Survey’s Claim: Between 2005 and 2019, India’s GDP grew at a CAGR of 7%, while GHG emissions rose at a slower CAGR of 4%, indicating relative decoupling but not absolute decoupling.
2. National Data: Since 1990, India’s GDP has increased six-fold, but emissions have only tripled. This highlights that the economy has grown faster than emissions.
3. Sector-Wise Analysis: Agriculture and manufacturing, major emission contributors, need further evaluation to confirm decoupling at the sectoral level.
4. Type of Decoupling: India has not achieved absolute decoupling (where emissions decline with growth). Instead, emissions continue to rise, though at a slower rate.
5. Challenges Ahead: As a developing nation yet to peak its emissions, achieving absolute decoupling remains a long-term goal requiring sustainable policies, renewable energy adoption, and emission mitigation strategies.

What More Needs to Be Done?

1. Emissions are expected to rise as India’s economy grows and emissions have not yet peaked.
2. Achieving absolute decoupling will require continued efforts in renewable energy, emission mitigation, and sustainable policies.
3. These steps are vital to meet India’s long-term climate goals and ensure sustainable development.

Question for practice:

Discuss India’s progress and challenges in decoupling economic growth from greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.