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Sector-wise Assessment of Carbon Footprint across Major Cities in India
Ramachandra T. V 1,2,3,*, K. Sreejith1 and Bharath H. Aithal1 |
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1Energy & Wetlands Research Group, Center for Ecological Sciences [CES]
2Centre for Sustainable Technologies (astra)
3Centre for infrastructure, Sustainable Transportation and Urban Planning [CiSTUP],
Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560 012, India
*Corresponding Author: cestvr@ces.iisc.ernet.in
Tel : 91-80-23600985 / 22932506 / 22933099,
Fax : 91-80-23601428 / 23600085 / 23600683 [CES-TVR]
Citation : Ramachandra T.V., K. Sreejith, Bharath H. Aithal , 2015. GHG footprint of major cities in India, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 44 (2015) 473–495, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2014.12.036
1.1 Carbon Emissions and Economic Growth
1.2 DCarbon Footprint
1.3 Carbon Footprint Studies in Cities
1.4 Sector-Wise Assessment of GHG Emissions
in India: Review
2.1 Study Area
2.2 Quantification of Greenhouse Gases
3.1 GHG Emissions from the Energy Sector
3.2 GHG Emissions from the Domestic Sector
3.3 GHG Emissions from the Transportation Sector
3.4 GHG Emissions from the Industrial Sector
3.5 GHG Emissions from Agricultural Activities
3.6 GHG Emissions from Livestock Management
3.7 GHG Emissions from the Waste Sector
3.8 Intercity Variations of Carbon Footprint
3.9 Carbon Footprint: City and Sector
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Conclusion
India is currently second most populous country in the world and contributes about 5.3% of the total global GHG emissions. Major cities in India are witnessing rapid urbanization. The quality of air in the major Indian cities which affects the climatic conditions as well as health of the community is a major environmental concern. Higher levels of energy consumption have contributed to the degradation of the environment. Chennai emits 4.79 tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions per capita, the highest among all the cities followed by Kolkata which emits 3.29 tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions per capita. Also Chennai emits the highest CO2 equivalent emissions per GDP (2.55 tonnes CO2 eq/Lakh Rs.) followed by Greater Bangalore which emits 2.18 tonnes CO2 eq/Lakh Rs. Carbon Footprint of all the major cities in India helps in improving national level emission inventories. In the last few years, the popularity of Carbon Footprint has grown resulting in the major metropolitan global cities to estimate their greenhouse gas emissions and thereby framing regulations to reduce the emissions. The data regarding emissions from different sector helps the policy makers and city planners to devise mitigation strategies focusing on the particular sector which helps in improving the environmental conditions within the city. Implementation of emission reduction strategies in cities also helps in gaining carbon credits in the global markets, which has been an outcome of increased awareness about greenhouse gas emissions. Carbon footprint of major cities in India sector-wise would help the planners in implementing appropriate mitigation measures.
- Electricity consumption: The calculation of greenhouse gas emissions from commercial and other (public lighting, advertisement hoardings, railways, public water works and sewerage systems, irrigation and agriculture) sectors shows that energy consumption in commercial sector is one of the major contributor of emissions in cities, which accounts for 15-24% of total emissions in cities, except for Hyderabad and Ahmedabad where it contributes 7.5% and 12% of the total emissions. Delhi and Greater Mumbai are the two major cities with an emission of 7448.37 Gg and 5341.34 Gg CO2 equivalents respectively during 2009. This study also accounts for emissions from power plants located within the city. The results highlight that energy consumption in commercial sector in cities are a major source of emissions.
- Domestic sector: The study reveals that domestic sector causes majority of the emissions in all the major cities due to the use of fossil fuels like LPG, kerosene and PNG for cooking purposes. Fossil fuels used for cooking purposes in household’s cause indoor air pollution. Consumption of electricity in domestic sector for lighting, heating and household appliances also share a major portion of emissions. It is calculated that domestic sector resulted in emissions of 11690.43 Gg of CO2 equivalents (~30% of the total emissions) in Delhi which is the highest among all the cities followed by Chennai and Greater Mumbai which emits 8617.29 Gg (~39% of total emissions) and 8474.32 Gg of CO2 equivalents (~39% of total emissions) respectively. GHG emissions from domestic sector in cities show the scope for cleaner fuels for cooking through the renewable sources - solar energy for water heating and other household purposes.
- Transportation sector: Road transport is another chief sector other than domestic sector causing major portion of emissions in the cities. From the results obtained, major emitters are Delhi and Greater Bangalore which emits 12394.54 Gg and 8608 Gg of CO2 equivalents respectively. Transportation sector is a major source of emissions when city level studies are carried out. Emissions from CNG vehicles in few of the cities are calculated along with the fuel consumption for navigation in the port cities. Lesser polluting fuels like LPG and CNG can be made compulsory in major cities, phasing out older and inefficient vehicles and extensive public transport helps in reducing pollution.
- Industrial sector: Industrial sector contributes approximately 10-20% of the total emissions in all the major cities. In this study electricity consumption in industries is taken for all the cities and also emissions from major industries located within the city boundary. Chennai city is found to be the highest emitter, which emits 4472.35 Gg of CO2 equivalents. There is insufficient data for medium and small scale industries located within the cities.
- Agriculture and livestock activities: Due to the increasing urbanization, there are not much agricultural related activities and animal husbandry practiced in the major metropolitan cities. This sector accounts less than 3% of total emissions among the cities. Delhi and Greater Bangalore emits 961 Gg and 258.6 Gg of CO2 equivalents due to livestock management and agricultural activities. The results prove that the agricultural practices are decreasing in cities due to increase in the urban growth.
- Waste sector: Management and treatment of solid and liquid waste in cities results in emissions. This sector shares 3-9% of total emissions resulting from the cities. Delhi and Greater Mumbai emits the major amount of emissions, 2232 Gg and 1928 Gg of CO2 equivalents when compared with other cities. This showed that waste sector accounts for considerable amount of greenhouse gas emissions when city level studies are carried out.
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