CEEW STUDY ON CARBON EMISSIONS (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: Recent analysis reveals that in the lead-up to a crucial global climate summit, developed countries, accounting for three-fourths of existing carbon emissions in the atmosphere, are on track to emit 38% more carbon in 2030 than their current commitments.

• Surprisingly, a significant 83% of this overshoot can be attributed to the United States, Russia, and the European Union, as per a study published last week by the Council for Energy Environment and Water (CEEW), a Delhi-based think tank.

Key Points of Study

• At COP­28, countries are expected to give an account of their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which are their commitments to the UN on emission cuts.
• The CEEW study noted that the NDCs of developed countries already fall short of the global average reduction of emissions to 43% below 2019 levels that is needed to keep temperatures from rising above 1.5 degrees Celsius.
• Several countries have committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
• Except for two countries — Belarus and Norway -- none of the developed countries seem to be on the path to meet their 2030 targets, though Japan and Kazakhstan are close, and are expected to miss their targets.

Carbon Dioxide Emission

• About: CO2 is a greenhouse gas that is released into the atmosphere when fossil fuels are burned, such as coal, oil, and natural gas.

oCO2 emissions are the primary cause of climate change.

• Sources of CO2 emissions: Electricity generation, Transportation, Industry, Agriculture, Forestry etc.
• CO2 emissions can be reduced by: Using renewable energy sources, Improving energy efficiency, Switching to electric vehicles, Reducing deforestation, Planting trees, carbon capture and storage.