Cement Energy Environment

19 ranks fourth in terms of iron ore production globally. Production of iron ore in FY20 stood at 205.70 MT. India has around eight per cent of the world’s iron ore deposits. India became the world’s second largest crude steel producer in 2019 with production at 111.2 MT. Production of aluminum stood at 3.65 MT in FY20. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought significant social and economic challenges on top of a series of climate disasters such as Cyclone Amphan. The economic standstill due to the pandemic is leading to sharp reductions in emissions in the short term, but they will start increasing again at the same rate unless India develops a focused green COVID-19 recovery strategy. With a large stimulus package of 10% of GDP announced, and the experience of clean air during lockdown, the crisis presents an opportunity for India to accelerate a transition away from coal to renewable energy as well as accelerate an uptake of electric mobility. There are no clear signs that India is seizing this opportunity. While no new coal power stations have been built in 2020, the government is encouraging more coal mining and increased coal production which is not consistent with a green recovery. India needs to develop a just transition strategy to phase out coal for power generation before 2040. The CAT rates India’s NDC target as “2°C compatible” indicating that India’s climate commitment in 2030 is considered to be a fair share of global effort based on its responsibility and capability. Following is India’s commitment towards various efforts on international forums for effective control on emissions. As per the CAG report on January’20, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) special report concluded that limiting the temperature increase to 1.5°C would require a reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) emission by about 45% from emissions of 2010 levels. Further - • It is recommended to reach this target of 45% reduction by 2030. • Followed by achieving net zero target around 2050. • India is the fourth largest emitter of GreenHouse Gases and a member of the G20 group. • India’s coal consumption for coal-fired power plants has more than doubled in the last 15 years (figure 1). INDIA Summary of pledges and targets PARIS AGREEMENT COPENHAGEN ACCORD LONG TERM GOAL S Rati ed 2030 unconditional target (s) 2030 conditional target (s) Yes 33% to 35% below 2005 emissions intensity of GDP by 2030 [413-445% above 1990 by 2030 excel. LULUCF] [146-161% above 2010 by 2030 excel. LULUCF] Non-fossil share of cumulative power generation capacity 40% by 2030 Transfer of technology and low cost international nance incl. from GCF Not speci ed Additional (cumulative) carbon sink of 2.5-3 GtCO2e by 2030 20-25% below 2005 emissions intensity of GDP by 2020 [216-245% above 1990 by 2020 excel. LULUCF] [52-66% above 2010 by 2020 excel. LULUCF] Excluding agriculture sector None Per capita emissions never to exceed those of the developed world [371-373% above 1990 by 2030 excel. LULUCF] [126-127% above 2010 by 2030 excel. LULUCF] Condition (s) Coverage LULUCF 2020 target (s) Condition (s) Long-term goal (s) Coal consumption for power generation in India Coal consumption (tonne) Millions 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 0 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 278 418 Year 629