The energy sectors account for the highest amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the State with emissions touching 82.79 million tons of CO2 equivalent (eq) in 2013-14. Of this, 37.026 million tons of CO2 eq were emitted from electricity generation. In fact, the GHG emissions were mere 43.31 million tons of CO2 in 2005-06.
The per capita GHG emissions were a mere 1.16 MT CO2 in 2005. In less than a decade, they touched 2.06 MT. Also, the CO2 eq emissions surpassed the national per capita of 2.28 MT in 2014. In comparison, the per capita GHG emissions at all India were 1.07 tones in 2005 and 1.73 tonnes in 2014. Also, the emissions’ intensity has increased to 10% in the State, while it has been decreasing at the national level.
These facts came to light in an inventory of greenhouse gas emissions for Andhra Pradesh prepared by the Vision Management Unit, the AP State Development Planning Society (APSDPS) of the Planning Department in association with the The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). When contacted, APSDPS CEO and Secretary Planning Sanjay Gutpa said, “Andhra Pradesh was the first State to prepare the inventory of the GHG emissions. The study was important to estimate them from any source in order to develop strategies for mitigation.”
The way forward
The highest contribution to the emissions were from electricity generation 31.25%, while the cement production accounted for 11.45%. The manufacturing industries’ share was 10.35%. Replacing coal-based generation with natural gas, promoting renewable energy up to maximum potential were some of the strategies being planned to bring down the emissions, he said.
In fact, the State witnessed a significant reduction in dependence/supply on thermal power supply. It has come down to 72% of the supply in 2017 compared to 84% in 2016. Likewise, the renewable and hydel power supply increased. Also, 12% increase in renewable energy has helped in the reduction of 8.5 million tons of GHG emissions. The other sectors like agriculture, industrial processes and product use, waste, transport etc were analysed. The GHG emissions for agriculture sector have come down to 15.17% in 2013-14 from 24.93% in 2005-06, he said.
Mr. Gupta said there was no common date to compare and analyse the data of different departments, agencies, industries etc from 2014. So, the analysis was done for a period between 2005 and 2014.
