Context: The UK is set to host the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (CoP26) in Glasgow from October 31 to November 12 with a view to accelerate action towards the Paris Agreement’s goals. 

• India said that the focus should be on climate finance and transfer of green technologies at low cost.
• But the fact that 22 of the 30 most polluted cities in the world are in India is a major cause of concern. Delhi is the world’s most polluted capital as per the World Air Quality Report, 2020. 

India’s status with respect to emissions

• As per the World Air Quality Report 2020, 22 of the 30 most polluted cities in the world are in India and Delhi is the world’s most polluted capital.
• According to the Global Carbon Atlas, India ranks third in total greenhouse gas emissions by emitting annually around 2.6 billion tonnes (Bt) CO2eq.
• India’s per capita emission is just 1.8 tonnes, significantly lower than the world average of 4.4 tonnes per capita.
• India ranked seventh on the list of countries most affected due to extreme weather events, incurring losses of $69 billion (in PPP) in 2019 (Germanwatch, 2021).
• Agricultural emissions in India are primarily from livestock sector (54.6 %), use of nitrogenous fertilisers (19 %), rice cultivation (17.5 %), livestock management (6.9 %) and burning of crop residues (2.1 %).
• In India, energy sector contributes highest emission (44 %), followed by manufacturing and construction sector (18 %), agriculture, forestry and land use sectors (14 %), with remaining being shared by transport, industrial processes and waste sectors.
• Share of agriculture in total emissions has gradually declined from 28% (1994) to 14% (2016).
• But in absolute terms, emissions from agriculture have increased to about 650 Mt CO2 in 2018, which is similar to China’s emissions from agriculture.

Need for a carbon policy for agriculture

• A carbon policy for agriculture is needed not only to reduce its emissions but also to reward farmers through globally tradable carbon credits.
• With the world’s largest livestock population (537 million), India needs better feeding practices with smaller numbers of cattle by raising their productivity.
• Direct seeded rice and alternative wet and dry practices can reduce the carbon footprint in rice fields
• Switching areas from rice to maize or other less water-guzzling crops can reduce the emissions from agriculture.
• Opening up corn for ethanol can help not only reduce our huge dependence on crude oil imports but also reduce the carbon footprint.
• Agricultural soils are the largest single source of N2O emissions in India where fertigation and soluble fertilisers can promote fertiliser use efficiency.