INDIA’S CARBON EMISSIONS FALL FOR THE
FIRST TIME IN FOUR DECADES
India’s CO 2
emissions have dropped for the first time
in forty years, according to a study conducted by the
environmental website, Carbon Brief.
Strict lockdown measures have had a big impact
on energy consumption in the country, however, a
slow down in economic growth as well as a rise in
renewable energy use have also contributed.
India is well known as one of the world’s biggest
carbon emission contributors (ranked 3rd behind the
China and the United States), with coal energy production
playing a large role.
But in March, CO 2
emissions fell by 15% and are
likely to have dropped by 30% in April.
This is reflected by the reduced demand for power
generated from coal, with a 15% reduction in March
and a 31% reduction in the first 3 weeks of April.
Oil consumption was also down by 18% in March
compared to the same time last year.
However, demand for coal energy production has
already seen a small 2% decline in the last year and
demand for oil has also fallen by a similar amount.
Environmental groups have expressed concerns
that energy production will return to ‘business as
usual’ once the pandemic restrictions have been lifted.
But there is hope that factors such as the extent
of India’s coal sector’s long-standing financial troubles,
increased competition and investment into renewable
energy and improved air quality, will boost
pressure on the government to tackle India’s carbon
emissions in the long term.
Las emisiones de carbono caen en India por
primera vez en cuatro décadas
Las emisiones de CO 2
en India han bajado por primera
vez en cuarenta años, según un estudio realizado
por la web medioambiental Carbon Brief.
14
OTWO 11 / JUNE 2020