Context:
The recent developments at the COP26 climate talks in Glasgow, November 2021, saw India commit to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070, positioning itself as a leader in the race towards carbon neutrality. With over 180 GW of renewable energy capacity installed by 2023 and a target of 500 GW by 2030, as per the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, India is making significant strides towards its renewable energy goals. However, while long-term carbon dioxide mitigation strategies are crucial, efforts providing immediate relief are equally essential.
Relevance:
GS-3- Environmental Pollution and Degradation
Mains Question:
What is black carbon and why is it harmful for the environment? In this context discuss whether the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana has helped in reducing the use of traditional cooking fuels in India. (15 Marks, 250 Words).
Black Carbon:
- Black carbon, a potent component of particulate matter, is generated through the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, wood, and other fuels.
- While complete combustion would convert all carbon in the fuel into carbon dioxide (CO2), this process is never entirely efficient.
- Consequently, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, organic carbon, and black carbon particles are also produced during combustion. The resulting mixture of particulate matter is commonly referred to as soot.
- Black carbon (BC) is a relatively short-lived pollutant but is the second-largest contributor to global warming, following carbon dioxide (CO2). Unlike other greenhouse gas emissions, BC is swiftly removed from the atmosphere if emissions cease.
- Deposits of black carbon have two primary effects that accelerate glacier melt: firstly, by reducing the surface reflectance of sunlight, and secondly, by elevating air temperatures.
- In India, the primary sources of black carbon emissions are traditional cookstoves burning biomass like cow dung or straw.
- Studies indicate that the residential sector contributes 47% of India’s total black carbon emissions, followed by industries at 22%, diesel vehicles at 17%, open burning at 12%, and other sources at 2%.
- Exposure to black carbon has been linked to increased risks of heart disease, birth complications, and premature death.
- While efforts to decarbonize the industry and transport sectors have led to reductions in black carbon emissions over the past decade, addressing emissions from the residential sector remains a significant challenge.
Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY):
Achievements:
- In May 2016, the Indian Government introduced the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), aiming to provide free liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) connections to households below the poverty line.
- The primary goal was to offer clean cooking fuel to rural and impoverished households, thereby reducing their reliance on traditional cooking fuels.
- PMUY not only provides LPG connections but also includes infrastructure such as free gas stoves, LPG cylinder deposits, and distribution networks.
- Consequently, the program has played a significant role in reducing black carbon emissions by offering a cleaner alternative to traditional fuel consumption.
- As of January 2024, PMUY has facilitated connections to over 10 crore households.
Shortcomings:
- However, data from 2022-2023, obtained through RTI queries, revealed that 25% of PMUY beneficiaries, equating to 2.69 crore individuals, either did not refill their LPG cylinders or only did so once, indicating their continued reliance on traditional biomass for cooking.
- An investigation by The Hindu in August 2023 further revealed that the average PMUY beneficiary household consumes only 3.5-4 LPG cylinders annually, compared to the six or seven cylinders typically used by non-PMUY households.
- This indicates that up to half of the energy needs of PMUY beneficiary households are still met by traditional fuels, which emit high levels of black carbon.
- Moreover, the shortage of LPG and increased usage of traditional fuels disproportionately affect women and children, exposing them to elevated levels of indoor air pollution, leading to various health issues and premature deaths.
Way Forward:
- The primary means of improving living standards in these regions hinges on ensuring access to clean cooking fuels.
- While renewable energy sources offer long-term solutions for rural energy needs, immediate benefits for rural communities are anticipated through the use of LPG.
- In October 2023, the government raised the LPG subsidy from ₹200 to ₹300. However, despite this increase and considering the substantial rise in LPG prices over the past five years, the cost of a 14.2-kg LPG cylinder, even with the additional subsidy, remains around ₹600 per cylinder.
- Many PMUY beneficiaries find this price prohibitively high, especially when alternatives like cow dung and firewood are readily available at no cost.
- The Prime Minister announced a further ₹100 price reduction in March 2024, though this subsidy is expected to be temporary.
- The government estimates that around ₹12,000 crore will be allocated for PMUY subsidies in 2024-2025, a figure that has been consistently rising each year since the scheme’s inception.
- While it is the government’s responsibility to make clean fuel affordable through subsidies, the issue of low refill rates will persist if availability challenges are not addressed.
- Another significant obstacle to the success of PMUY is the lack of last-mile connectivity in the LPG distribution network, leading to remote rural areas relying predominantly on biomass for cooking.
- One potential solution to this challenge is the local production of coal-bed methane (CBM) gas through biomass composting.
- CBM is a cleaner fuel with lower black carbon emissions and requires investment. Panchayats can take the initiative to locally produce CBM gas at the village level, ensuring access to clean cooking fuel for every rural household.
Conclusion:
As India fulfills its commitments on the international platform toward long-term decarbonization, immediate action is imperative. Prioritizing the reduction of black carbon emissions, notably through initiatives like the PMUY scheme, can position India as a global leader in addressing regional health issues and contribute to achieving its Sustainable Development Goal of ensuring affordable clean energy for all while aiding global climate mitigation efforts. Recent estimates suggest that mitigating residential emissions could prevent over 610,000 deaths annually.
