India's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were last measured sixteen years ago, in 1994. A long overdue government report, carried out by the Indian Network of Climate Change Assessment (INCCA), now shows that emissions have increased by a whopping 58 percent, from 1.2 billion tons to 1.7 billion tons.
Total GHG emissions excluding Land Use and Land Use Change (LULUCF) has grown from 1251.91 million tons in 1994 to 1904.3 million tons in 2007, and India is now (even officially), the fifth largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world.

While several estimates of India's emissions have projected similar figures, particularly from institutions such as the International Energy Agency (IEA), and the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD), official and updated emission estimates are now available through this report.

Energy and industry are the largest sources of emissions - 58 percent and 22 percent respectively, and cement production, electricity generation and transport have recorded the highest growth rates. The figures are telling, as they indicate that most of the electricity and transport demands, sectors which recorded high emission growth rates, were from urban and not rural areas.

As far as the UNFCCC is concerned, India needs to submit its GHG estimation for the base year 2000, as its second national communication (NATCOM). However, even policy makers now see the need for more up to date information, in order for informed decision-making. The 2007 report therefore presents estimates
for carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide emitted sector-wise across India.

Links: News - 58 pc rise in carbon emissions - 11 May 2010, HT - India's emissions up by 52% from 1994 to 2007 - 11 May 2010, IE - Greenhouse gas emissions rise in India - 11May 2010, VCS Report India: Greenhouse Gas Emissions 2007

Tags: India emissions, GHG, Jairam Ramesh, 1994 GHG emissions, NATCOM, India