PIB Summaries 13 January 2025

Content :

1. 7.93% Drop in GHG Emissions
2. CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP revokes Stage-III of revised GRAP in the entire NCR with immediate effect

7.93% Drop in GHG Emissions

Context : India’s recent 4th Biennial Update Report (BUR-4) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) highlighted a significant 7.93% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2020 compared to 2019. This marks a crucial step in India’s journey toward achieving a sustainable and climate-resilient future.

Relevance : GS 2 (Governance ) , GS 3(Environment )

India’s Climate Action under the UNFCCC

Background on UNFCCC and Paris Agreement:

• The UNFCCC, effective from March 21, 1994, aims to stabilize GHG concentrations and promote global cooperation on climate change.
• At the 21st session (COP21) in Paris in 2015, 195 countries adopted the Paris Agreement, with a key objective to limit the global temperature rise to below 2°C and pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5°C.
• The Paris Agreement entered into force on November 4, 2016. It requires countries to submit Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), outlining their climate targets.

India’s Commitment:

• India pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070 at COP26 (2021).
• It submits Biennial Update Reports (BURs) to the UNFCCC every two years to update GHG inventories and detail mitigation actions.

Emission Reductions and Climate Commitments

Highlights from BUR-4:

• Total Emissions in 2020: India’s total GHG emissions, excluding Land Use, Land-Use Change, and Forestry (LULUCF), were 2,959 million tonnes of CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent).
• Net Emissions Including LULUCF: After accounting for LULUCF, net emissions stood at 2,437 million tonnes of CO2e.
• Sectoral Contribution: The energy sector was the largest contributor, accounting for 75.66% of total emissions.
• LULUCF Impact: Other land uses sequestered approximately 522 million tonnes of CO2, equivalent to reducing 22% of total emissions.

These figures reflect India’s commitment to combating climate change while addressing its national developmental needs.

India’s Path to Sustainable and Low-Carbon Growth

Despite its minimal contribution to global warming, India faces significant climate challenges due to its large population and developmental needs.

Statistics:

• Historical Share of Global Emissions: India’s cumulative share from 1850 to 2019 is just 4%, despite housing 17% of the global population.
• Energy Consumption: In 2019, India’s annual primary energy consumption per capita was 28.7 gigajoules (GJ), far below global averages.

Commitment to Low-Carbon Development:

• India has developed a Long-Term Low Greenhouse Gas Emission Development Strategies (LT-LEDS) to ensure sustainable growth while addressing climate challenges.

Seven Key Strategic Transitions in LT-LEDS:

• Low-carbon development of electricity systems
• Integrated, efficient low-carbon transport systems
• Urban adaptation and energy-efficient buildings
• Economy-wide decoupling of growth from emissions
• CO2 removal and engineering solutions
• Enhancing forest and vegetation cover
• Economic and financial aspects of low-carbon development

Climate Action Initiatives for Carbon Neutrality

India has implemented several initiatives to address environmental challenges:

A. Forest Land Diversion & Mitigation Measures:

• Forest Fragmentation Consideration: Addressed during approvals for forest land diversion.
• Compensatory Afforestation: Mandatory afforestation for non-forestry land diversion.
• Green Credit Program: Launched in 2023 to promote afforestation on degraded forest lands.

B. Urban Climate Adaptation & Low-Carbon Development:

• Urban Planning Policies: Integrates climate adaptation in policies like Smart Cities Mission, AMRUT, and PMAY.
• Energy-Efficient Urban Design: Emphasized in the LT-LEDS strategy.

C. Air Pollution Control & Clean Air Initiatives:

• National Clean Air Programme (NCAP): City-specific action plans for improving air quality in 131 cities.
• Air Quality Measures: Includes cleaner fuels, ethanol blending, and BS VI norms.

D. Coastal Ecosystem Conservation & Resilience:

• Mangrove and Coral Reef Conservation: Financial assistance provided to coastal states.
• MISHTI Program: Launched for mangrove restoration covering 540 km² across 9 coastal states.

E. Regulatory Measures for Climate Resilience:

• Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notifications (2011 & 2019) and Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 are in place to protect critical ecosystems.

Key Innovative Solutions

Miyawaki Tree Planting Technique:

• Adopted during the Mahakumbh 2025 in Prayagraj to enhance green cover.
• Highlights the fusion of traditional practices with modern environmental responsibility.

Conclusion

India’s efforts to achieve a sustainable future through innovative policies, regulatory frameworks, and community-based initiatives demonstrate its commitment to reducing GHG emissions. With strategic transitions outlined in the LT-LEDS and practical measures such as afforestation campaigns, India is paving the way for a climate-resilient future.

CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP revokes Stage-III of revised GRAP in the entire NCR with immediate effect

Context: Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) and Air Quality in NCR

The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is a set of emergency measures implemented to tackle rising air pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR). GRAP has different stages (I to IV) based on the Air Quality Index (AQI) levels, with Stage-III being invoked when the AQI exceeds 350 (Very Poor category).

Recently, Delhi’s AQI levels showed significant improvement, prompting the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to revoke Stage-III restrictions, effective immediately. However, Stages I and II remain in force, and agencies are directed to intensify their implementation to ensure that AQI levels do not worsen.

Relevance : GS 2 (Governance ) , GS 3(Environment )

Observations from the Sub-Committee Review

1. AQI Improvement:
   1. Delhi’s AQI recorded a downward trend on January 12, 2025, clocking 281 at 2 PM, 279 at 3 PM, and further improving to 278 at 4 PM.
   1. The AQI is 72 points below the 350 mark, which is the threshold for Stage-III restrictions.

• Favorable Meteorological Conditions:
  • A Western Disturbance (WD) between January 11-12, 2025, caused rains in Delhi-NCR, contributing to improved air quality.
  • The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasted another WD around January 14-15, 2025, indicating that the AQI is likely to remain in the ‘Poor’ or ‘Very Poor’ category in the coming days.

Decision: Revocation of Stage-III of GRAP

The CAQM Sub-Committee decided to revoke all Stage-III actions of GRAP due to:

1. Improvement in AQI levels.
2. Favorable weather forecasts.
3. Disruptive impact of Stage-III restrictions on the public and industries.

What Does Revoking Stage-III Mean?

The following Stage-III restrictions are lifted:

• Ban on construction and demolition activities (except for essential projects).
• Closure of industries using non-clean fuels.
• Ban on non-essential commercial vehicles in Delhi-NCR.

However, Stages I and II remain in place, and agencies must continue to enforce the following measures:

• Dust control measures at construction sites.
• Ban on diesel generator sets (except for emergency purposes).
• Strict monitoring of industrial emissions.

Impact on Key Sectors

1. Construction & Demolition (C&D) Sites:
   1. Projects previously shut down due to non-compliance will not be allowed to resume operations without specific orders from CAQM.

• Industries:
  • Industries using non-compliant fuels will continue to remain shut.

• Citizens:
  • Citizens are urged to follow the Citizen Charter under Stages I & II of GRAP, which includes measures such as reducing vehicular emissions and using public transport.

Significance of the Decision

1. Balancing Public Health and Economic Activity:
   1. The revocation of Stage-III ensures that economic activities in sectors like construction and industry can resume, minimizing disruptions.

• Preventive Measures to Avoid Further Restrictions:
  • By intensifying Stages I and II, the government aims to prevent a spike in AQI and avoid the need to reimpose stricter restrictions.

Challenges Ahead

1. Winter Season:
   1. The ongoing winter season brings unfavorable meteorological conditions, such as low wind speed and temperature inversions, which can trap pollutants.
2. Long-Term Air Quality Management:
   1. The revocation of Stage-III is a short-term relief measure, but sustainable, long-term solutions are needed to address air pollution in NCR comprehensively.

Way Forward: CAQM’s Strategy

1. Continuous Monitoring:
   1. The CAQM Sub-Committee will closely monitor AQI levels and review the situation periodically.

• Public Awareness:
  • Citizens’ participation in air quality management is critical. The Citizen Charter must be followed to ensure that AQI levels remain within safe limits