India has reaffirmed its position as a global leader in climate action by submitting its 4th Biennial Update Report (BUR-4) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on December 30, 2024.
The report, an update to the Third National Communication (TNC), provides a detailed account of India’s National Greenhouse Gas (GHG) inventory for 2020 while showcasing the nation’s achievements in balancing economic growth with sustainability.
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, commended India’s dedication to sustainable development. In a statement shared on social media, he emphasized how the numbers reflect Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to meaningful climate action, aligning national progress with global environmental responsibilities.
The report reveals that India’s GHG emissions in 2020 decreased by 7.93% compared to 2019. The total emissions, excluding the Land Use, Land-Use Change, and Forestry (LULUCF) sector, stood at 2,959 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent (CO2e).
When accounting for the contributions of LULUCF, which includes forest and tree cover, net emissions were significantly reduced to 2,437 million tonnes of CO2e. Remarkably, India’s forest and tree cover sequestered approximately 522 million tonnes of CO2 in 2020, offsetting 22% of the country’s total carbon dioxide emissions for the year.
The energy sector was identified as the primary source of emissions, contributing 75.66% of the total, followed by agriculture at 13.72%, industrial processes and product use at 8.06%, and waste at 2.56%. These figures underscore the critical need for continued efforts to transition to cleaner energy sources and more sustainable practices across sectors.
India has made significant strides in reducing its emission intensity, a measure of GHG emissions relative to economic output. Between 2005 and 2020, the country achieved a 36% reduction in emission intensity, signaling a clear decoupling of economic growth from environmental impact. This progress aligns with India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.
Another milestone highlighted in the report is the country’s growing reliance on non-fossil fuel sources for electricity generation. By October 2024, 46.52% of India’s installed electricity generation capacity came from non-fossil sources, reflecting a significant shift toward renewable energy.
The total installed capacity of renewable energy, including large hydropower, reached 203.22 GW, with non-hydro renewable capacity increasing more than fourfold between 2014 and 2024.
India’s achievements in expanding its forest and tree cover were also spotlighted. Currently, this cover accounts for 25.17% of the nation’s geographical area. From 2005 to 2021, an additional carbon sink of 2.29 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent was created through these efforts, further demonstrating India’s commitment to combating climate change.
Despite contributing minimally to historical and current global emissions, India has shown unwavering resolve in addressing climate challenges. The nation’s actions reflect the principles of equity and “Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities” (CBDR-RC) enshrined in the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement.
