THE BATTLE FOR CLEAN POWER

India, alongside China and the US, is among the top three emitters of carbon dioxide, though India is committed to the Paris agreement to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. In the first eight months of 2019, according to government data, emissions have been cut back to a point where India is likely to record its lowest annual increase in nearly two decades. The main cause was a reduction in demand for coal-based power. For India, it’s particularly important to rely less on fossil fuels— which still account for about 75% of power generated—and move rapidly to ‘clean’ electricity because, as a recent Harvard University study shows, each gigawatt of renewable power installed in India saves nearly 10 times more lives than in North America and Europe. The low-quality coal used in plants in poorer countries, including India, has a significant impact on the health of the population. Per capita emissions in India may be lower than in advanced economies, but Indians need the country to proactively embrace cleaner energy sources.

3

India’s rank among global greenhouse gas (GHG) emitters, behind only China and the US. India has committed to 30-35% lower emissions by 2030 (base year: 2005)

147%

Increase in India’s GHG emissions between 1990 and 2015, says a 2019 Climate Transparency report

6.55%

India’s share of global total of GHG emissions in 2014, compared with 29% China, 16% US. Per capita, India ranks 20th for emissions

250

Lives can be saved in India for every 1,000 GW of additional power generated by wind turbines, compared to 25 in North America and Europe, says a new Harvard University study

74%

of India’s electricity, as of 2014, was coalbased; by 2030, India is committed to generating only 40% of its electricity needs through fossil fuels

83 GW

India’s installed capacity for renewable energy, says Central Electricity Authority (29 GW coming up). PM Modi’s target: 450 GW by 2030

70%

of India’s increase in power demands in H1 2019 generated by solar, hydro and wind sources, says UK-based Carbon Brief website. This is a record