JOIN USThermal projects the culprits
Excess greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has been identified as a major contributor to global warming. The total annual emissions from Karnataka is around 80 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (a GHS).
From an inventory of coal, gas and diesel-based power plants, the CSTEP study found that the total emission of carbon dioxide was 28.7 million tonnes in 2009-10. The transport sector including emissions due to road, aviation and shipping travel was 8.35 million tonnes of carbon dioxide during the same period. Cement, iron and steel are some of the most energy-intensive industries, of which the State has a large manufacturing base. The total emission from the sectors was around eight million tonnes each.
CSTEP has estimated that despite the State being a forerunner in exploiting low carbon renewable resources, coal will dominate the energy mix in the State in the present decade.
Carbon dioxide emissions in 2020 is estimated to be around 84 million tonnes in the power sector alone. By adopting mitigation option and shifting to carbon friendly sources, the emission can be reduced by around 15 per cent. Emission from the transport sector is likely to be 23 million tonnes in 2020.
However, the State can reduce emission in the sector by increasing the share of public transport in cities and by providing bicycle lanes wherever possible in all cities. CSTEP has recommended that the fuel efficiency of vehicles should be improved by periodically tightening fleet efficiency. The emission from steel and cement industries is likely to increase to 47 million tonnes in 2020. In the case of cement sector, adding flyash and slag to clinker would reduce the carbon footprint considerably, the study notes.
Greenhouse gas emission in State
A greenhouse gas absorbs and emits radiation within the thermal infrared range.
Greenhouse effect is a process that traps heat in the earth’s atmosphere. The primary gases are water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and ozone. Here’s a sector wise breakup of the percentage of emission.
