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UPSC Prelims 2025Question 38Environment

Consider the following statements:
I. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions in India are less than 0.5 t CO₂/ capita.
II. In terms of CO₂ emissions from fuel combustion, India ranks second in Asia-Pacific region.
III. Electricity and heat producers are the largest sources of CO₂ emissions in India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Options

  1. (a)I and III only
  2. (b)II only
  3. (c)II and III only
  4. (d)I, II and III
Correct answer: c
Decision rule

Separate rank claims from per-capita claims: India ranks near the top in totals while its per-capita emission figure sits in whole tonnes, not fractions.

Explanation

Correct Answer:

(c) II and III only


Explanation of the Correct Answer:

  • Statement II is correct:

    India is the second-largest emitter of CO₂ from fuel combustion in the Asia-Pacific region, following China. This is based on data from global agencies like the International Energy Agency (IEA).

  • Statement III is correct:

    The largest source of CO₂ emissions in India is from electricity and heat producers. These sectors rely heavily on fossil fuels, especially coal, which is India's dominant source for power generation.


Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

  • Statement I is incorrect:

    India’s per capita CO₂ emissions are not less than 0.5 t CO₂. As per the most recent estimates, they are around 1.9 to 2.1 t CO₂ per capita. While this is lower than global averages, it is still significantly higher than the 0.5 threshold mentioned in the statement.

  • Therefore:
    • (a) I and III only: Incorrect, because Statement I is false.
    • (b) II only: Incorrect, as Statement III is also correct.
    • (d) I, II and III: Incorrect due to the falsehood of Statement I.

Relevant Supplementary Information

Table: Evaluation of Statements

StatementContentStatusExplanation
ICO₂ emissions in India are < 0.5 t CO₂/capitaIncorrectIndia's per capita emissions are ~1.9–2.1 t CO₂
IIIndia ranks 2nd in Asia-Pacific for CO₂ emissions from fuel combustionCorrectBehind China, India is 2nd in the region
IIIElectricity and heat producers are the largest CO₂ sources in IndiaCorrectMajority of emissions from coal-based power

Related Concepts:

  • CO₂ per capita: A measure of emissions normalized by population. India's is low relative to developed nations but still over 0.5 t/capita.
  • Electricity generation in India: Dominated by coal-fired plants, making it a major source of carbon emissions.
  • Asia-Pacific emissions: China, India, and Japan are the top three emitters in the region.

Current Relevance:

  • India’s commitments under the Paris Agreement and Net Zero 2070 pledge rely heavily on reducing emissions from power generation.
  • India’s energy policy increasingly incorporates renewables (like solar and wind), but coal continues to dominate in the short term.
  • Accurate understanding of per capita and sectoral emissions is essential for informed climate policymaking and public discourse.

Table: Additional Information

TopicExplanation
CO₂ emissions in India are less than 0.5 t/capitaIncorrect. India's per capita CO₂ emissions are approximately 1.9–2.1 metric tonnes (as of 2022–23), according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). While lower than developed countries, it is well above 0.5 t/capita.
India ranks 2nd in Asia-Pacific for CO₂ from fuel combustionCorrect. China ranks first, followed by India, in the Asia-Pacific region. India’s rising energy demand, heavily coal-based, contributes significantly to this status.
Electricity and heat producers as largest sourcesCorrect. In India, the power generation sector (especially coal-based) is the single largest contributor to CO₂ emissions, accounting for over 40–50% of total emissions.

Table: Concepts Related to CO₂ Emissions in India

ConceptExplanationCurrent Data / Relevance
Per Capita CO₂ EmissionsThe average CO₂ emissions per person in a country.India’s per capita CO₂ emissions are approximately 1.9–2.1 metric tons (as of 2022).
India’s Rank in Asia-PacificIndia’s overall CO₂ emissions position relative to other countries in Asia-Pacific.India is the 2nd largest emitter in the region, after China.
Fuel Combustion EmissionsEmissions resulting from burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) for energy and transport.Contribute to a large share of India’s emissions; coal-fired power plants are a major source.
Electricity and Heat ProductionSector involving generation of power and thermal energy.This sector is the largest source of India’s CO₂ emissions due to heavy coal dependency.
Low CO₂ per capita justificationDespite high total emissions, India’s low emissions per capita are due to its large population and lower energy consumption per person.Used in international climate negotiations to argue for differentiated responsibilities.
Global ComparisonsRelative standing in world CO₂ data.India is the 3rd largest emitter globally in absolute terms (after China and the USA).

Additional Context

  • India’s total CO₂ emissions: Around 2.6 billion tonnes in 2022, 3rd highest globally after China and the USA.
  • Per capita comparison:
    • India: ~2 t/capita
    • China: ~7.5–8 t/capita
    • USA: ~14–15 t/capita
    • World average: ~4.5 t/capita
  • Sectoral emissions in India:
    SectorShare of CO₂ Emissions
    Electricity & Heat~45–50%
    Industry~20–25%
    Transport~10–15%
    Residential/Other~10%


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