India’s per capita greenhouse gas emissions are well below the world average

At 2.4 tCO2e (tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent), India’s greenhouse gas emissions per capita were well below the global average of 6.3 tCO2e in 2020.

This was published in a new report by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).

The report “Emissions Gap Report 2022: The Closing Window”, published on the eve of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) to be held in Egypt next month, also states that the international community remains a long way from of the Paris goals, with no credible way to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C.

To tackle climate change, countries adopted the Paris Agreement in 2015 to limit global temperature rise this century to well below 2°C, preferably 1.5°C, compared to pre-industrial levels.

“Global average GHG emissions per capita (including land use, land-use change and forestry – LULUCF) was 6.3 tCO2e in 2020. The United States remains well above this level , with 14 tCO2e, followed by 13 tCO2e from the Russian Federation, 9.7 tCO2e from China, 7.5 tCO2e from Brazil and Indonesia, and 7.2 tCO2e from the European Union.”

“India is still well below the world average, with 2.4 tCO2e. On average, the least developed countries emit 2.3 tCO2e per capita per year,” the report says.

Per capita emissions vary widely among G20 members: India’s emissions are about half the G20 average, while Saudi Arabia’s are more than double those of the G20, according to the report.

India’s contribution to historical cumulative CO2 emissions (excluding LULUCF) is 3%, while the US and EU have contributed 25% and 17%, respectively, to total fossil emissions of CO2 from 1850 to 2019.

China has contributed 13%, the Russian Federation 7%, and Indonesia and Brazil 1% each. The least developed countries only contributed 0.5% of historical CO2 emissions from fossil fuels and industry between 1850 and 2019.

The report notes that, despite the decision by all countries at the 2021 climate summit in Glasgow, UK, to strengthen Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and some updates by nations, progress has been slow. “woefully inadequate”

To tackle climate change, countries adopted the Paris Agreement in 2015 to limit global temperature rise this century to well below 2°C

NDCs are national plans and commitments made by countries to limit global temperature rise to well below 2º C, preferably 1.5º C. The NDCs presented this year assume only 0.5 gigatons of CO2 equivalent, less 1% of global emissions forecast for 2030.

Unconditional NDCs are estimated to offer a 66% chance of limiting global warming to about 2.6°C over the century. In the case of conditional NDCs, those that rely on external support, this figure drops to 2.4°C, he said.

Current policies alone would lead to a 2.8°C rise, highlighting the temperature implications of the gap between promises and action, according to the report.

In the best case, full implementation of the unconditional NDCs and additional net-zero emissions commitments point to an increase of only 1.8°C. However, this scenario is not currently credible due to the discrepancy between emissions the short-term goals of NDCs and the long-term goals of net-zero emissions.

“This report tells us in cold scientific terms what nature has been telling us, all year long, through deadly floods, storms and raging fires: We have to stop filling our atmosphere with greenhouse gases, and stop do it quickly,” said Inger Andersen, UNEP’s executive director.

“We had our chance to make incremental changes, but that time is up. Only a root-and-branch transformation of our economies and societies can save us from accelerating climate disaster,” Andersen said.

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To meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, the world must reduce greenhouse gases by unprecedented levels over the next eight years.

Unconditional and conditional NDCs are estimated to reduce global emissions in 2030 by 5% and 10% respectively, compared to emissions based on policies currently in place.

this scenario is not currently credible due to the discrepancy between current emissions

To enter the path of least cost to keep global warming to 1.5º C, emissions must be reduced by 45% compared to those foreseen in current policies by 2030. To reach the 2° C objective, a 30% cut, according to the report.

Article republished from The Wire as part of an agreement between both parties to share content. Link to original article:https://thewire.in/environment/india-per-capita-greenhouse-gas-emissions-unep