India’s Fossil Fuel CO2 Emissions Set to Rise in 2024

Source: This post on India’s Fossil Fuel CO2 Emissions Set to Rise in 2024 has been created based on the article “India’s fossil fuel CO2 emissions set to rise 4.6% in 2024, highest among major economies, shows report” published in Indian Express on 13th November 2024.

Why in news?

According to a Global Carbon Project study, India’s carbon emissions from fossil fuels are expected to rise by 4.6% in 2024, the highest increase among major economies.

Findings of the study

1. In 2023, India’s CO2 emissions had seen a larger rise of 8.2%. The rise in emissions is due to increases from coal (4.5%), oil (3.6%), natural gas (11.8%, albeit from a low base), and cement (4%).

2. Global CO2 Emissions at Record Levels: Globally, fossil-based CO2 emissions are projected to reach a record high of 37.4 billion tonnes in 2024, marking a 0.8% increase from 2023.

3. At the current rate, there is a “50% chance” of global temperatures exceeding the 1.5ºC threshold in about six years, a target set to mitigate severe climate impacts.

Key Drivers of India’s Emissions Growth

1.  India’s economic growth, coupled with extensive infrastructure development, has increased power demand and thus outpacing the growth in renewable energy.

2.  As a result, the country’s reliance on coal and other fossil fuels remains high to meet rising energy needs.

Comparison with Other Major Economies

China’s CO2 emissions are projected to grow by 0.2% in 2024, while the United States and the European Union are expected to see increases of 0.6% and 3.8%, respectively.

India contributes 8% to global CO2 emissions, compared to China’s 32%, the United States’ 13%, and the European Union’s 7%.

Global Breakdown of CO2 Emissions by Source

1. Coal remains the largest source of emissions, accounting for 41% of the global total, with slight increases projected in India, China, and other regions, while decreases are expected in the EU and the USA.

2. Role of Carbon Sinks in CO2 Absorption: Land and Ocean Absorption Rates: Combined, land and ocean ecosystems absorb roughly half of the CO2 emissions from human activities.

Over the past decade, oceans have taken up around 10.5 billion tonnes (26%) of total emissions annually, despite facing reductions in CO2 uptake due to climate-related changes.

3. Impact of Climate Variability on Carbon Sinks: Ocean absorption has decreased by approximately 5.9% in the past decade due to factors like altered ocean circulation and reduced CO2 solubility in warmer waters.

In 2023, El Niño temporarily reduced the land CO2 sink due to warmer temperatures, but this effect is expected to subside with the end of El Niño in 2024.

UPSC Syllabus: Environment