India’s Upcoming Greenhouse Gas Inventory Submission to the UN

India’s Upcoming Greenhouse Gas Inventory Submission to the UN

Sub: Env

Sec: Int Conventions

Why in News

• India is in the final stages of preparing its first-ever Biennial Transparency Report (BTR) as part of its commitment under the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change.

What is the Biennial Transparency Report (BTR)?

• The BTR is a formal report detailing a country’s GHG emissions inventory, sector-wise emissions sources, and mitigation actions.
• It enhances transparency and accountability in climate action.
• The report follows a standard format prescribed by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
• India has previously submitted climate-related data through National Communications and Biennial Update Reports (BURs).
• The BTR differs from BURs as it is subject to an external review process by independent, non-Indian UNFCCC experts.
• Developed nations were historically required to submit BTRs, but the 2015 Paris Agreement extended this requirement to all countries.
• According to the UNFCCC’s 21st Conference of Parties (COP 21) in 2015, countries were required to submit their first BTR by December 2024. However, many countries, including India, missed this deadline.
• The process gained momentum at the 2024 COP held in Baku, Azerbaijan, where nations began adhering to the prescribed format.
• The BTR will provide emissions data up to 2022.
• India’s last BUR (2020) reported a 7.93% decline in GHG emissions from 2019, largely due to the COVID-19-induced economic slowdown.
• The upcoming BTR is expected to show an increase in emissions due to economic recovery, consistent with global trends.
• Despite an expected rise in emissions, India’s share in global emissions remains between 4% and 5%.
• In per capita terms, India’s emissions remain less than one-third of the global average.

Biennial Update Reports (BURs):

• BURs are reports submitted by developing countries to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) as part of their commitment under the Paris Agreement and Cancún Agreements.
• Purpose:
  • Provide updates on greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories.
  • Detail mitigation actions and their effects.
  • Outline financial, technical, and capacity-building needs.
• Developing countries must submit BURs every two years.
• Subject to International Consultation and Analysis (ICA) for transparency.