February 20, 2025
Introduction:
India is finalizing its inaugural Biannual Transparency Report (BTR) as part of its obligations under the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change. This report will detail India’s greenhouse gas emissions, key sectors, and measures taken to enhance energy efficiency. It will also outline the transition to renewable energy sources. The BTR is as it will undergo technical review by independent UNFCCC-accredited experts.
Context of the BTR
- The BTR is a new requirement for all countries that signed the Paris Agreement.
- Historically, only developed nations were mandated to submit such reports.
- The 2024 COP in Baku marked the first time countries began submitting BTRs in the agreed format.
- The deadline for submissions was December 2024, which many countries, including India, did not meet.
Contents of the BTR
- The upcoming BTR will include data up to 2022.
- This contrasts with the previous Biannual Update Report (BUR), which reflected emissions data from 2020.
- The BTR will provide a comprehensive overview of emissions sources and efforts to mitigate climate change, including energy consumption trends and renewable energy adoption.
Emission Trends and Factors
India’s emissions saw a decline of 7.93% in 2020, largely due to reduced energy consumption during COVID-19 lockdowns. However, the forthcoming BTR is expected to indicate an increase in emissions, consistent with global trends. Despite being one of the largest emitters, India’s share of global emissions remains between 4% to 5%, with per capita emissions lower than the global average.
Emission Inventory Process
The preparation of the emissions inventory is a complex task. It involves collaboration between various government bodies and private research organizations. As of 2020, India’s emissions, excluding land use changes, totaled 2,959 million tons of CO2 equivalent. Including land use, net emissions were recorded at 2,437 million tons.
Sectoral Contributions to Emissions
- The energy sector is the largest contributor to India’s emissions, accounting for 75.66%.
- Agriculture follows with 13.72%, while industrial processes contribute 8.06%.
- Waste management is responsible for 2.56% of emissions.
- Notably, India’s forest and tree cover sequestered approximately 522 million tons of CO2 in 2020, offsetting about 22% of the country’s total carbon dioxide emissions.