Greenhouse gas emissions by India are the third largest in the world and the main source is coal. India emits about 3 gigatonnes CO2eq of greenhouse gases each year; about two and a half tons per person, which is half the world average. The country emits 7% of global emissions. these figures are quite uncertain, but a comprehensive greenhouse gas inventory is within reach. Cutting greenhouse gas emissions, and therefore air pollution in India, would have health benefits worth 4 to 5 times the cost, which would be the most cost-effective in the world. As of 2014, India's carbon intensity per GDP was twice the world average. The Paris Agreement commitments included a reduction of this intensity by 33-35% by 2030.
is the main source. fossil fuels were subsidized more than clean energy.
Electricity generation
three-quarters of electricity is generated by burning fossil fuels. Energy emissions increased by 1,563 megatons CO2eq from 1990 to 2014. Over 74% of energy was generated by coal in 2014.
Switching from traditional fuels to liquefied petroleum gas and electricity provides health and climate benefits.
Industry
A quarter of emissions are industrial mainly from producing cement, iron and steel. Industrial sector fuel consumption increased by 406% between 2000 and 2014. As of 2014, 42% of energy was also consumed by industry.
Agriculture
Agricultural emissions increased 25% between 2005 and 2014, in part due to significant increases in the use of artificial fertilizers.
Waste
Waste emitted 78 Mt of CO2eq in 2014.
Greenhouse gas sinks
absorbed 300 Mt of CO2eq in 2014 and in 2020 total carbon stored in forests was 7000 Mt.
The National Energy Plan is in accord with the Paris Agreement target of 2 °C global warming, but if India stopped building coal-fired power stations it would meet the 1.5 °C aspiration. India pledged to achieve electric power generation of 40% percent non-fossil fuel energy by 2030.
Economics
is forecast to grow significantly, with gross domestic product rising 7-8% annually. The government expects electricity capacity needs to nearly double to 2027. With accelerated coal plant closures, and an anticipated surge in renewables, thermal power will account for only an estimated 42.7% of installed capacity across India by 2027, down dramatically from 66.8% in 2017.
Co-benefits
Cutting greenhouse gas emissions, and therefore air pollution in India, would have health benefits worth 4 to 5 times the cost, which would be the most cost-effective in the world.
Politics
The Indian Central Government as well as various state governments have taken certain steps in accordance with India's energy policy and the Paris Agreement. Following are some of those steps: