India Submits 4th Biennial Update Report to UNFCCC, Highlights Progress in Climate Action.
New Delhi:
India has submitted its 4th Biennial Update Report (BUR-4) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), reinforcing its commitment to combating climate change while pursuing sustainable development. The report, submitted on December 30, 2024, provides a detailed update on India’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, national circumstances, mitigation efforts, and progress toward achieving its climate goals.
The BUR-4 serves as an update to India’s Third National Communication (TNC) and includes the national GHG inventory for the year 2020, highlighting key figures and initiatives that underscore India’s role in global climate action. The report also outlines India’s challenges, gaps, and needs regarding finance, technology, and capacity-building, as it continues to address climate change while prioritizing economic growth.
Key Highlights of India’s Climate Progress:
GHG Emissions Decrease: In 2020, India’s GHG emissions decreased by 7.93% compared to 2019. The total emissions, excluding land use and forestry changes (LULUCF), stood at 2,959 million tonnes of CO2e, while net emissions, including LULUCF, were 2,437 million tonnes of CO2e. The energy sector remains the largest contributor, accounting for 75.66% of emissions.
Forest Carbon Sequestration: India’s forests and tree cover, along with other land use practices, sequestered approximately 522 million tonnes of CO2 in 2020, effectively reducing 22% of the country’s total carbon emissions for that year.
Emission Intensity Reduction: Between 2005 and 2020, India successfully reduced the emission intensity of its GDP by 36%, demonstrating the country’s ongoing effort to decouple economic growth from environmental impact.
Renewable Energy Expansion: By October 2024, India’s share of non-fossil fuel sources in the total installed electricity generation capacity reached 46.52%. The country has seen significant growth in renewable power, with a total capacity of 203.22 GW, and an increase in renewable capacity (excluding large hydro) from 35 GW in March 2014 to 156.25 GW.
Forest Cover and Carbon Sink Creation: India’s forest and tree cover, which now spans 25.17% of the country’s geographical area, has contributed to the creation of an additional 2.29 billion tonnes of CO2-equivalent carbon sink between 2005 and 2021.
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, praised India’s progress in sustainable growth, stating on social media that the figures reflect Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to aligning economic progress with meaningful climate action. He emphasized that India’s proactive approach serves as a model for other nations in balancing development with environmental stewardship.
Despite its low historical contribution to global emissions, India continues to lead with climate action, focusing on sustainable development in line with the principles of equity, common but differentiated responsibilities, and respective capabilities (CBDR-RC), as outlined in the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement. This submission reaffirms India’s determination to take proactive steps in addressing climate change, while ensuring that its developmental aspirations are met.
