Currently, India’s greenhouse gas emissions are about 1.2 billion tons per year. This equates to approximately five percent of all global emissions. This percentage ranks them below the United States, Russia and China.
For some time now, major nations such as the United States have been trying to get India to agree to emissions cuts. However, the country has thus far refused to do so. India cites their per capita rate of emissions as their reason, which is well below such countries as the United States.
Independent institutions in India have recently compiled a report determining the expected growth of India’s greenhouse gas emissions. The report has determined that India’s yearly emissions output will grow from 1.2 billion tons to between 4 and 7 billion tons by the year 2030. This would represent at least a tripling of emissions in two decades.
Rather than seeing the drastic rise in emissions as proof they should cut emissions as other countries are urging, the government of India is asserting that this data proves their point. India insists that due to their low per capita emissions rate they are not the concern.
India refuses to agree to cutting emissions unless countries such as the United States also agree to drastic emission cuts. The government of India insists they are very serious about global warming, as indicated by their open release of the emissions report. However, many countries are concerned that talks will be difficult between India and other nations come the UN meeting in Copenhagen.
