India's carbon emissions rise, even as global rates fall

India's energy emissions are now the highest in the world, driven by a double-digit growth in demand for coal-based power, a PwC report says

The rise in carbon emissions due to electricity generation was the highest in India even as the global economy moved away from carbon based energy sources, a study by international audit giant PwC said on Monday.  
 
The Low Carbon Economy Index 2015 by PwC shows carbon emissions from electricity generation in India rose 8.2% in 2014, whereas the corresponding global figure was only 0.5%.
 
The report said India’s energy emissions, the highest in the world, have been driven by a double-digit growth in demand for coal, as power consumption increased in line with the rapid 7.4% growth in GDP. Global GDP growth was much lower at 3.3%.

 

The report gathers significance in light of global negotiations on climate change that are scheduled for December in Paris. All countries have submitted their Intended Nationally Determined Contributions or (INDC) with the collective aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions globally to limit the potential for global warming to 2°C by 2100.
 
India being the fourth largest carbon emitter is expected to be the world’s fastest growing major economy. The report stressed that the country’s carbon intensity or measure of energy related greenhouse gas emissions per million dollars of GDP will have to be managed carefully.
 
While India’s ambitious INDC program includes stringent emission standards and a fourfold increase in carbon tax, it also targets a 33%-35% reduction in carbon density by 2030, from 2005 levels. The report pointed out India’s carbon intensity or also grew by 0.7% in 2014, as renewable energy adoption remained slow. Globally, the carbon intensity fell by 2.7%, the highest annual fall since 2000, it added.

 
For the INDC targets to be achieved, a yearly 2.1% yearly reduction in carbon intensity would be required, it said. It added, however, India’s carbon intensity was about half that of China, and is still less than the global average.
 
Over a longer period, India has reduced its carbon intensity by 1.4% per year between 2000 and 2014. Its rate of reduction in carbon intensity is slightly better than the global average of 1.3% per year during 2000-2014.
 
The global carbon reduction, which was 1.3% yearly in the 2000-2014 period also fell short of the 3% annual cut needed as per the Paris target. It added, the targeted global reductions in carbon density has been missed for the seventh successive year.

 
Moreover, the report said the global carbon intensity needs to be cut 6.3% annually, far more than the 3% Paris target, if the warming is to be limited at 2 degrees.
 
Interestingly, the world’s largest emitter China was the best performing non-EU country, with a decarbonisation rate of 6%.
 
The report also stresses the need to break the link between emissions and economic growth. While this will require incorporating renewables in the process, changing the structure of economic growth is also required, it said.