India’s greenhouse gas emissions jump
India’s annual greenhouse gas emissions increased by 58 percent from
1994-2007, driven by higher industrial activity, energy production and
transport, government figures showed Tuesday.
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Greenhouse gas emissions. Source: google |
“Between 1994 and 2007, some of the sectors indicate significant
growth in greenhouse gas emissions, such as cement production,
electricity generation and transport,” said a report released by
Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh.
Total annual greenhouse gas emissions grew from 1.25 billion tonnes
in 1994 to 1.90 billion tonnes in 2007, confirming India among the
world’s biggest emitters.
Despite the increase, “the emissions of the United States and China
are almost four times that of India in 2007”, Ramesh told reporters.
China and the United States are the world’s top emitters of
greenhouse gases and disagreement between the two on slashing their
carbon dioxide output was a major cause of the failure of UN-sponsored
climate change talks last year. Ahead of a UN climate conference in
Copenhagen in December last year, India offered to reduce its carbon
intensity — the amount of energy used per unit of gross domestic product
— by 20 to 25 percent by 2020 compared to 2005 levels.
India’s energy-intensive economy expanded rapidly between 1994-2007,
lifting millions out of poverty and also boosting industrial and energy
generation activities.
Most of India’s electricity comes from coal-fired power stations that
contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Developing nations have resisted
a legally binding international treaty to cut greenhouse gases, arguing
that wealthy nations bear primary responsibility for climate change.
Top climate change negotiators are to meet again in the Mexican
resort of Cancun towards the end of the year to try to build on a vague
accord hammered out at the talks in Copenhagen.
AFP |
