Parliamentary Question: Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Parliamentary Question: Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions

India, being a Party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), submits National Communications and Biennial Update Reports to the UNFCCC on a periodic basis. These reports include an inventory of the National Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) based on relevant Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories. As per India’s F­­­­­­ourth Biennial Update Report (BUR-4)submitted to UNFCCC, net GHG emissions in 2020 were 2,436.7 million tonne CO₂eand as per Third National Communication submitted to UNFCCC, net GHG emissions in 2019 were2,646.6 million tonne CO₂e. The State level GHG inventories are not required to be submitted to UNFCCC and hence not prepared by the Government of India.

Government of India has undertaken several initiatives to combat GHG emissions across the country including Andhra Pradesh. The Government is implementing National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), which is the overarching framework for climate actions. The NAPCC comprises of national missions in specific areas of solar energy, enhanced energy efficiency, water, agriculture, Himalayan ecosystem, sustainable habitat, green India, human health and strategic knowledge on climate change. As climate change is a cross-cutting subject, the missions are implemented by respective line Ministries/Departments. The NAPCC provides an overarching framework for all climate actions. Thirty-four States/Union Territories (UTs) have prepared their State Action Plans on Climate Change (SAPCC) in line with NAPCC taking into account the State specific issues relating to climate change.

Climate change is a global collective action problem mainly precipitated by excessive historical and current emissions of the developed countries. India’s share of historical cumulative emissions from 1850 to 2019 amount to less than 4 percent of global cumulative carbon dioxide emissions despite being home to more than 17% of the world’s population. India is an emerging economy where GHG emissions are set to increase, albeit from a low base, in pursuit of its development and poverty eradication goals. India’s responsibility for global warming thus has been minimal; even today, its annual per capita emissions are only about one-third of the global average. Despite this, India is committed to addressing climate change with firm adherence to multilateralism and based on the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities (CBDR-RC), as enshrined in the UNFCCC. There is no legal framework mandating companies/firms to reduce GHG emissions. However, several entities and organisations have voluntary declarations to achieve net-zero emissions.

Eco clubs undertake activities that create environmental awareness among the school and college students for environmental improvement and to inculcate the culture of eco-friendliness and environmental conservation among them. Eco clubs have played active role in several campaigns undertaken by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and also by the respective State/Union Territory Governments that includes “Harit Diwali – Swasth Diwali” campaign, Swachh  Bharat Abhiyan, World Environment Day celebrations, etc. Further the programme “Green Good Deeds” initiated by the MoEFCC is also implemented through eco clubs in schools and colleges.

This information was provided by UNION MINISTER OF STATE FOR ENVIRONMENT,

FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE, SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH, in a written reply to

a question in Lok Sabha today.

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