New Delhi: India’s net national greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2024 stood at 2,437 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent in 2020, marking a 7.93% reduction from 2019, according to the Fourth Biennial Update Report (BUR-4) submitted to the UNFCCC.
The decline is primarily attributed to a 5.7% drop in energy sector emissions and a 9.5% fall in emissions from Industrial Processes and Product Use (IPPU).
This was stated by the Minister of State for Environment Forest and Climate Change Kirti Vardhan Singh in Lok Sabha on Monday during the question hour.
India’s sustained climate action places the country ahead on several Paris Agreement commitments. The nation’s emission intensity of GDP fell by 36% between 2005 and 2020, bringing it significantly closer to its 2030 NDC target of a 45% reduction.
“India also achieved the goal of 50% cumulative installed power capacity from non-fossil fuel sources five years ahead of schedule, signalling a rapid clean-energy transition” he said.
The country has further created an additional carbon sink of 2.29 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent through expanded forest and tree cover, nearly fulfilling its NDC pledge of adding 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes.
India’s Long-Term Low-Carbon Development Strategy (LT-LEDS), submitted in 2022, charts a pathway to net-zero emissions by 2070, built on seven core transitions spanning electricity, transport, urban development, industry, carbon removal technologies, forests, and finance.
The strategy is anchored in the principles of equity, climate justice, and Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC).
Meanwhile, the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) continues to accelerate renewable capacity growth through tariff-based competitive bidding guidelines, Renewable Purchase and Consumption Obligations (RPO/RCO), and 100% FDI under the automatic route, strengthening India’s position as one of the world’s fastest-growing clean energy markets.
With emissions falling and climate commitments being met ahead of time, India’s latest report underscores a decisive shift toward a low-carbon future, even as the country balances development needs with global climate responsibilities.
