Context:
India submitted its 4th Biennial Update Report (BUR-4) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change on 30 December 2024. The report provides updated information on India’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, mitigation measures, climate actions, and progress towards its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.
According to the report, India’s total GHG emissions declined by 7.93% in 2020 compared to 2019, reflecting the impact of cleaner energy transitions and pandemic-related economic slowdown.
Key Highlights of India’s BUR-4
Decline in Greenhouse Gas Emissions
In 2020:
- Total GHG emissions excluding Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) stood at 2,959 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent (CO2e).
- Net emissions after including LULUCF were 2,437 million tonnes CO2e.
- India’s emissions declined by 7.93% compared to 2019.
Sector-wise Contribution to Emissions
The energy sector remained the largest contributor to emissions.
| Sector | Share in Total Emissions |
|---|---|
| Energy | 75.66% |
| Agriculture | 13.72% |
| Industrial Processes and Product Use (IPPU) | 8.06% |
| Waste | 2.56% |
Forests and Carbon Sink Performance
India’s forests and tree cover played a major role in carbon sequestration.
- Forests, tree cover, and other land use absorbed around 522 million tonnes of CO2 in 2020.
- This offset nearly 22% of India’s total carbon dioxide emissions.
- Between 2005 and 2021, India created an additional carbon sink of 2.29 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent.
India’s forest and tree cover currently account for 25.17% of the country’s total geographical area.
What is a Biennial Update Report (BUR)?
A Biennial Update Report is a report submitted by developing countries to the UNFCCC every two years. It contains:
- National greenhouse gas inventory
- Climate mitigation actions
- Financial and technological needs
- Capacity-building requirements
- Progress on climate commitments
BURs improve transparency and help assess progress toward global climate goals.
What is LULUCF?
LULUCF stands for Land Use, Land-Use
