In News
- A recent analysis from the International Energy Agency (IEA) has stated that India used more coal power in 2021 than 2020, which could delay its climate goals.
Key Findings: India
- Rising Trend:
- India used 13 percent more coal to generate electricity in 2021 than the previous year, given the COVID-19 pandemic.
- This figure is going to increase in the future, given the current global scenario and will delay India’s efforts to reach its climate goals.
- Carbon dioxide Emissions:
- India’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in 2021 soared to 80 megatonnes (Mt) above pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
- Renewable Energy Slowed:
- Growth in the renewable energy sector slowed to a third of its average rate of the previous five years.
- High Commodity Prices:
- This has increased the cost of producing solar photovoltaic modules, wind turbines and biofuels.
Global Scenario
- Record High Carbon Dioxide Emissions:
- CO2 emissions rose six percent to 36.3 billion tonnes last year. 33 percent of these can be traced back to China.
- CO2 emissions from energy combustion and industrial processes accounted for close to 89 percent of energy sector greenhouse gas emissions in 2021.
- Gas flaring accounted for another 0.7 percent of CO2 emissions.
- Advanced countries kept their CO2 emissions under check even as their battered economies returned to the pre-pandemic state.
- Post and pre -COVID:
- CO2 emissions worldwide dropped in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic as countries announced strict lockdowns to control the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
- Emissions globally dropped to 5.4 percent in 2020, compared to the previous year.
- Rise in Renewables:
- Despite the rebound in coal use, renewable energy sources and nuclear power provided a higher share of global electricity generation than coal in 2021.
- Renewables-based generation reached an all-time high, exceeding 8 000 TWh in 2021.
- Methane levels:
- Global methane levels went up five percent in 2021, but were still lower than pre-pandemic levels.
- GHG emissions:
- The overall greenhouse gas emissions reached 40.8 gigatonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2021, above the previous all-time high in 2019.
- The world has not heeded the call for a sustainable recovery from the Covid-19 crisis.
- Emissions from the world’s power plants reached their highest ever level.
- Reason for Shift to Coal:
- The United States and many European countries switched to coal from gas, adding roughly 250 Mt of CO2 in 2021.
- The costs of operating existing coal plants were considerably cheaper than that of gas-fired power plants for most of 2021.
Coal Consumption in India
- India: 2nd largest importer, consumer and producer of coal, & has world’s 5th-largest reserves.
- Majorly imports: Indonesia, Australia and South Africa
- Highest Coal reserves: Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh
- Coal accounts for over 70% of India’s electricity output, and utilities account for about 75% of India’s coal consumption.
Recent Coal Sector Reforms
- 1973: Nationalisation of Coal mining was done.
- Pvt. Sector only use it for captive (own) purpose.
- 2014: SC cancelled Coal blocks.
- 2015: Coal Mines (Special provisions) (CMSP) Act introduced (Pvt Sector involved through auctioning)
- 2020: Mineral Laws (Amendment) Act (Removal of restriction on end-use of coal)
- Right to exploit coal bed methane (CBM) and minor minerals have been provided
- Others: Prakash Portal for coordination, Infra under AtmaNirbhar Policy.
- Online single-window clearance system.
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Coal in India
About International Energy Agency (IEA)
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Source: DTE
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About International Energy Agency (IEA)
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Source: DTE
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