Biannual Transparency Report (BTR)

India is finalizing its first Biannual Transparency Report (BTR) as part of its commitment under the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change.

• About Biannual Transparency Report (BTR): The report will detail India’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, mitigation efforts, and transition to renewable energy.
• New Requirement: Unlike previous Biannual Update Reports (BURs) and National Communications, BTRs undergo technical review by independent, non-Indian UNFCCC-accredited experts.
• Global Mandate: Historically required only for developed nations, but after COP-21 (2015 Paris Agreement), all signatories must submit BTRs.
• COP-29 (Baku, 2024) Decision: Countries started submitting BTRs in prescribed format, though many, including India, missed the December 2024 deadline.
• Data Coverage: India’s latest BUR (submitted December 2024) covered 2020 emissions.
• India’s share:4-5% of global emissions, but per capita emissions remain below one-third of global average.

• Sectoral Emissions (2020 Data): Energy sector (75.66%) → Agriculture (13.72%) → Industry (8.06%) → Waste (2.56%)
• Carbon Sequestration: India’s forests & tree cover absorbed ~522 million tonnes CO₂ (2020), reducing 22% of net emissions.