Debunking the narrative of India as a large greenhouse gas emitter

Abstract

India is frequently portrayed as the fourth largest greenhouse gas (GHG) emitter globally, based on the current annual emissions of sovereign nation-states. Through a comprehensive review and assess-ment, this article argues that other metrics of country-wise emissions provide a more holistic and unbiased view. The article argues that ranking per se by any metric is of minor value unless also placed along the actual quantities. India’s cumulative emissions (excluding LULUCF, 1850–2019) amount to only 4.31% of the global total, well behind the three leading emitters, the United States (22.46%), the European Union (16.06%) and China (13.45%). Therefore, in terms of annual emis-sions, the story of India as the fourth largest emitter is very mistaken, as the gap between us and the third is substantial. The article argues that national emissions must be judged by equity in mitigation and in the light of climate action being undertaken. On both grounds, India, relative to its responsi-bility and what equity demands, is doing far more than her fair share.