Q. Consider the following statements :
I. Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in India are less than 0.5 t CO2/capita.
II. In terms of CO2 emissions from fuel combustion, India ranks second in Asia-Pacific region.
III. Electricity and heat producers are the largest sources of CO2 emissions in India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) I and III only
(b) II only
(c) II and III only
(d) I, II and III
Correct Answer : (c) II and III only
UPSC Prelims 2025 GS Paper's Solution
Explanation :
I. Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in India are less than 0.5 t CO2/capita.
This statement is incorrect. In 2023, India’s per capita emissions were around 2 tonnes, 2.05 metric tons of CO2 equivalent, or 2.9 tons of CO2 equivalent (tCO2e).
II. In terms of CO2 emissions from fuel combustion, India ranks second in Asia-Pacific region.
This statement is correct. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA) data for 2022, in the Asia-Pacific region, China ranks first in CO2 emissions from fuel combustion, followed by India in second place, and Japan in third.
III. Electricity and heat producers are the largest sources of CO2 emissions in India.
This statement is correct. The energy sector is the largest contributor to India’s overall greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 75.66% in 2020. Within the energy sector, power generation (electricity and heat producers) is consistently identified as the primary source of CO2 emissions, contributing approximately 45% of the total energy emissions in 2018. Industries are the second largest contributor, with a share of about 25%.
