Reducing the global carbon footprints

Widespread dependency on fossil fuels, rapid deforestation, activities related to the production of goods and services, energy and transport has caused an exponential increase in greenhouse gas emissions directly contributing to climate change

In India, 68.7% percent of GHG emissions come from the energy sector, followed by agriculture, industrial processes, land-use change and forestry, and waste which contribute 19.6 percent, 6.0 percent, 3.8 and 1.9 percent relatively to GHG emissions. India’s GDP increased 357% from 1990 to 2014, while GHG emissions increased 180%. Relative to GDP, India emits twice as many GHGs as the world average

While India’s renewable energy sector has received attention, waste management has been severely neglected. India is heading towards rapid urbanization which necessitates the need for assessing the impact of anthropogenic activities over their entire life cycle and developing best practices. It is the onus of every individual to recognize their carbon footprint to drive down emissions and facilitate change. This session deliberates requisite measures and policy framework for sustainable growth and informed decision making aimed at reducing global carbon emissions and climate change.