Global Greenhouse Gas Levels

GS-3 Mains : Climate Change

Question : Discuss the challenges and opportunities for India in achieving its climate targets outlined in the Updated NDCs for 2021-2030.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

Most important human-caused greenhouse gas
Levels in 2023:
- 3 parts per million (ppm) globally
- 50% higher than pre-industrial levels
- 3rd-largest increase in the past decade
- Increased by 2.8 ppm from 2022 (12th consecutive year of >2 ppm increase)
Main sources:
- Fossil fuel extraction and burning
- Wildfires
- Land-use changes (deforestation, peat emissions, agriculture)
Impacts of rising CO2 levels:
- Supercharging the greenhouse effect
- Global warming
- Potential for sea level rise of 23 meters (similar to Pliocene epoch)
- 50% chance of exceeding 1.5°C warming in 9 years at current emission rates

Methane (CH4)

More potent heat-trapping gas than CO2 (though less abundant)
Levels in 2023:
- 6 parts per billion (ppb)
- 160% higher than pre-industrial levels
- 5th-highest level since 2007
- Increased by 10.9 ppb from 2022
Main sources:
- Coal, natural gas, and oil production/transport
- Livestock and agriculture
- Landfills
Over 85% of 2006-2021 increase from microbial emissions:
- Livestock
- Agriculture
- Human and agricultural waste
- Wetlands

Nitrous Oxide (N2O)

Third-most significant human-caused greenhouse gas
Levels in 2023:
- 7 ppb
- 25% higher than pre-industrial levels
- Increased by 1 ppb from 2022
Main sources:
- Agriculture and land use
- Industrial activities
- Fossil fuel and waste combustion
- Wastewater treatment
Increase linked to:
- Use of nitrogen fertilizer and manure

India’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Third National Communication (TNC) submitted to UNFCCC (Dec. 2023):
- Net national emissions in 2019: 2.6 billion tonnes CO2 equivalent (Gt CO2e)
- Increase of 4.56% from 2016, 115% from 1994
- CO2: 79% of total emissions (2019)
India’s Updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for 2021-2030:
- Reduce emissions intensity of GDP by 45% by 2030 (compared to 2005)
- Achieve 50% non-fossil fuel electric power capacity by 2030