India’s Challenges Over Carbon Footprint

India, with the world’s second-highest population, faces challenges in many sectors and has one of the biggest challenges in the form of managing its carbon footprint. In 2016, most nations saw a decline in the global carbon footprint or their carbon footprint remained static, except India. CO2 and other industrial and non-industrial emissions continue to be a big challenge for India on the road to reducing its carbon footprint. One of the primary contributors to the carbon footprint in India is its coal-based energy production. Over 50% of energy production in India is dependent upon coal-based power plants. These power plants are one of the main sources of CO2 emissions. 

Factors Involved In The Increasing Carbon Footprint

Several factors contribute to emissions of CO2 and other harmful gases that add to the carbon footprint.  

Some of the factors are as follows:

• Transportation
• Food Consumption
• Energy Consumption
• Household Energy
• Livestock and Meat

Transportation

The main mode of transportation for people is using IC (internal combustion) engine vehicles. These IC (internal combustion) engines run on fuel which causes maximum CO2 emissions and is a major contributor to air pollution—walking or using bicycles whenever possible helps in reducing carbon footprint.

Food Consumption

Food consumption is not directly responsible for the increasing carbon footprint and emissions. But while cultivating and farming vegetables and grains, enormous amounts of water and transportation are required. This water consumption and transportation add to the carbon footprint.

Energy Consumption 

Electricity is something without which survival has become impossible. But this basic necessity of survival comes at a cost for us humans. Electricity is made available to us majorly via the usage of coal. Power plants are the primary contributors to CO2 emissions and other carbon emissions. 

Household Energy

Similar to industrial energy consumption, even in houses, the dependence on electricity is enormous, and irresponsible electricity usage adds to the carbon footprint.

Livestock And Meat

Like vegetables, consuming livestock and meat doesn’t directly add to the carbon footprint and emissions. But the consumables required for rearing livestock and meat require a lot of water and transportation, which leads to an increase in the carbon footprint. 

Ways To Reduce Carbon Footprint

There are many big and small changes that we, on an individual level, can adapt to reduce the carbon footprint. 

Here is the list of some of the things which we can do that will reduce emissions and eventually help us in reducing our carbon footprint:

• Choosing sustainable transport
• Recycling and composting bio-waste produce
• Being conservative with water usage
• Being careful about electricity usage
• Reducing meat consumption
• Choosing and sourcing local food and produce

Choosing Sustainable Transport

Fossil fuel runs internal combustion engines that the majority of vehicles are equipped with; these cause major carbon and CO2 emissions in the urban region. Some of the ways to reduce it are opting for eco-friendly modes of transportation like walking whenever possible or using public transport.

Being Conservative With Water Usage

The cost required to process and transport water to houses and make it potable is a major factor in contributing to the carbon footprint. Using water sustainably and reducing the wastage and spillage to a bare minimum will help in reducing carbon footprint.

Being Careful About Electricity Usage

Keeping lights/equipment switched on even when no one is around, or its usage is not required leads to wastage of electricity and resources of a nation. Moreover, this waste contributes indirectly to the increasing carbon footprint around the globe.

Reducing Meat Consumption

Meat consumption doesn’t directly cause emissions or increased carbon footprint, but the cost of processing meat leads to it. Hence, many believe that if meat consumption is reduced by 1%, it will greatly contribute to reducing the carbon footprint of a nation.

Choosing And Sourcing Local Food And Produce

Recently, it’s become a fashion to opt for fancy and exotic food grains and vegetables. Local produce is considered cheap and not fancy. By opting for exotic vegetable and fruit consumption, we are adding up to our carbon footprint. Moreover, it has been proven that local produce is much more beneficial for health.

Conclusion

Managing and reducing carbon footprint has become important for India. Controlling and reducing emissions of CO2 is fundamental to achieving a reduced carbon footprint. Many factors cause emissions, but if collective efforts are made to reduce them, then, as a nation, India can reduce its carbon emissions and, eventually, carbon footprint. Corporates, as well as government organisations, are becoming increasingly efficient about managing and reducing the carbon footprint in India.