Proper implementation of policies can reduce carbon emission: Panel

The interim report says that just a proper implementation of the existing policies by the government would enable India to reduce its emission intensity the amount of greenhouse gas emissions released per unit of GDP by about 25 per cent by the year 2020 as compared to 2005 levels.

With a little extra effort,through new policy interventions and vigilant implementation,India can bring down its emissions intensity by 32-35 per cent. The report projects two scenarios one with existing policies and another with new interventions,and lists possibilities for growth both at 8 per cent and 9 per cent. The group has based its findings on the study of five sectors power,transport,industry,buildings and forestry.

The report says there is enormous possibility of energy savings,and therefore emissions avoided,in each of these sectors. For example,the power sector itself can contribute to between 180-340 million tonnes of avoided emissions by the year 2020. The report gives similar breakdown for each of the five sectors.

In the run-up to the Copenhagen climate conference,India had announced that it will reduce its emission intensity by 20-25 per cent by the year 2020 on 2005 levels. The expert group has concluded that by 2020,Indias total GHG emissions is expected to be more than double of the 2005 level.

It is however,to be noted that while these reductions may look large, the cost effectiveness of these measures have not yet been assessed. Some of these measures may not be cost effective and others may face institutional barriers,limiting the ability implement them. This will be spelt out in greater detail in the final report, the interim report said.

However,while it has listed the possibilities,the report is short on clear suggestions on policy prescriptions. There is little mention of research and development initiatives and virtually no discussion on options available in the renewable energy sector. It was also not clear whether the groups report would be used as an input for the 12th plan as was envisaged when the group was constituted.

Green Initiatives

In its interim report an expert group constituted to plan a low-carbon growth for the country concluded that India can comfortably reach its target of 20-25 reductions in its emission intensity by the year 2020 compared to 2005 levels,even while pursuing 9 growth.

However,the report is short on clear suggestions on policy prescriptions. There is little mention of research and development initiatives and virtually no discussion on options available in the renewable energy sector