On May 12, 2020 According to analysis by the environmental website, Carbon Brief, India’s Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions fell by 30metric tonnes(1.4%) in the fiscal year ending March, which is the first annual decline in four decades. Furthermore emission fell by 15% during the month of March and is likely to fall by 30% in April.
Fall of contribution- By an economic slowdown, the growth of the country’s use of renewable energy and the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
The analysis is done by Lauri Myllyvirta and Sunil Dahiya of Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air(CREA).
Major Highlights
As per the Indian national grid, Coal-fired power generation was down 15% in March and 31% in the first three weeks of April. The renewable energy (RE) generation increased by 6.4% in March and saw a slight decrease of 1.4% in the first three weeks of April.
Coal
In the fiscal year ending March 2020, coal deliveries by the main coal producer Coal India Ltd fell by 4.3% & coal imports increased 3.2%, which implies that total coal deliveries fell by 2%. It is the 1st year-on-year fall in consumption in two decades.
Oil Consumption
i.Oil consumption decreased 18% in March compared to the previous year. Consumption grew 0.2% during the fiscal year, it is the slowest growth in at least 22 years & is mostly due to lockdown measures.
ii.Natural gas consumption increased 5.5% in the first 11 months of the fiscal year but is expected to fall by 15-20% during the lockdown. Crude oil production also fell 5.9% & 5.2% drop in natural gas production compared to last financial year. Refinery production fell 1.1% over the last financial year, compared to 2018-19.
3 possible consequences are already emerging:
i.The post-crisis economic stimulus could be directed towards revitalizing the country’s renewable energy program.
ii.Fall in electricity demand has brought the power industry’s long-brewing financial problems to a head,demanding bailouts with the potential for structural changes.
iii.Experience of exceptional air quality may add momentum to efforts against air pollution, resulting in strengthened targets and standards.
For Further Reference:
Analysis: India’s CO2 emissions fall for first time in four decades amid coronavirus
About Carbon Brief:
It is a United Kingdom based website covering the latest developments in climate science, climate policy and energy policy.
Headquarters– London, UK
Director & editor– Leo Hickman
