WRI Report: Main Findings Regarding GHG Emissions

WRI Report: Main Findings Regarding GHG Emissions

Question: India is the fourth largest emitter of GHG in the world, as per the WRI report. Examine the main findings of this report.

• Global community for the Paris summit has come out with the analyses of the nation wise emission of climate damaging GHG.

• India is the fourth largest carbon emitter.

• Yet it lags far behind the other three leading emitters in terms of per capita emission.

• This gives the nation a leverage in using per capita yardstick through more actions from richer nations.

• Developing countries such as Brazil, Mexico and China far exceed India in terms of per capital contribution to overall emissions.

• Section within the government in India has now got evidence to support their contentions regarding equality in climate change action across developed and developing nations,

• WRI Analysis is based on data from Climate Analysis Indicators Tool which released emission figures for 2012.

• The report states that there is unequal distribution of per capita emissions.

• US’s per capital emissions is 8 times that of India.

• Largest emitters contribute a massive percentage of international emissions as the top 10 emitters provide 72% of the global GHG emissions excluding land use change and forestry.

• Lowest 100 GHG emitters contribute less than 3% to the total.

Top 10 emitters of GHG

• China
• US
• EU
• India
• Russia
• Japan
• Brazil
• Indonesia
• Mexico
• Iran



• US
• Russia
• Japan
• Iran
• EU
• China
• Mexico
• Brazil
• Indonesia
• India

• Energy sector is the dominant source of GHG emissions.

• This contributes more than 75% of international emissions.

• Analysis also shows emissions sources vary across the nation.

• While energy sector is the dominant source, industrial emissions in China contribute to a staggering 3% go the global emissions.

• FAO has indicated agriculture contributes notable percentage of Brazil’s and Australia’s emissions.

• Mitigation policy options should be pursued in line with national circumstances, WRI added.

Facts and Stats

- 6 of the leading 10 emitters are developing nations.

- As per data, China contributes to 25% of international GHG emissions making it the top global. emitter.

- India, Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico and Iran also have contributed large shares of global emissions as economies grow.