Despite Low Numbers, India Targets to Reduce Emission Intensity to 35% by 2030: RK Singh

India, despite having one of the lowest per capita emission numbers, has set a target to reduce its emission intensity to 33-35 percent by 2030

India has one of the lowest per capita emissions and per capita energy consumptions in the world. Despite this, the country has made ambitious commitments to meet the global challenge posed by climate change. One such target is to reduce the emission intensity to 33-35 percent by 2030 compared to the 2005 level, according to Union Power Minister RK Singh.

Speaking at the 30th National Energy Conservation Awards ceremony, the Power Minister said that the “industry bravely handled the tough times during the pandemic. The power sector continued to function through-out the lockdown period.” Reiterating that “Energy Efficiency is not only good for the world but also for companies and industries themselves.”

The minister confirmed that as part of its made during COP 21, the country is working towards reducing its emission intensity to 33-35 percent by 2030 compared to the 2005 level. This, despite India being one of the lowest per capita emission and per capita energy consumption nations in the world.

The minister said that to achieve these targets, the government has increased the renewable energy capacity target to 450 GW by 2030.

While emphasising the importance of energy efficiency Singh highlighted the Perform, Achieve, and Trade (PAT) scheme being implemented by BEE, as a flag bearer, “as the scheme has not only demonstrated its promise in the country but also has found interest among many other countries.” 

He further mentioned the impact of PAT Cycle II achieved emission reduction of 61 million tons of CO2. 

The Minister, Chief Guest at the event, concluded by saying that “we should be alert and prepared for such pandemics in future. The situation brought a huge challenge for our economy.” The Minister desired that a system of ranking of states can be developed on the basis of Energy Efficiency and resource conservation. He also added that the states can prepare broad commitments to meet climate goals in line with the NDCs.

At the event, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) launched SAATHEE (State-wise Actions on Annual Targets and Headways on Energy Efficiency) – a portal designed for State Designated Agency (SDA) for monitoring state-level activities in the energy conservation sphere. India Emission Intensity

The main objective of the portal is for capturing the physical and financial status/ progress of Energy Efficiency activities being implemented by States/ UTs across the country. And to help in decision making, coordination, control, analysis, and implementation and enforcement of the compliance process for various energy consumers at the pan India level.