Dichotomy in carbon dioxide emissions - the case of India

This article aims to unravel the reasons behind the dichotomy in carbon dioxide emissions in India; that is, a high level of aggregate emissions, on the one hand, and, on the other, lower per capita emissions that cannot simply be explained by large population size. Firstly, the article analyses in detail the various factors that lead to larger aggregate emissions. In the case of electricity use, which is a major source of emissions, the role of factors on both the demand and supply sides are analysed. Also, the factors that influence emissions related to petroleum consumption are then reviewed. In contrast to previous studies, this article examines in detail the features that allow the low per capita emission level in India. This set of features includes the rural-urban divide, the spatial divide in energy-based emissions, poverty and energy access, lifestyle, societal organization, dependence on biomass, informal recycling, etc. This article concludes that inefficiencies in energy conversion, transitions in choices on the modes of transport, and policy failures are major factors in enlarging aggregate emissions. It also appears that positive features such as efficient societal organization and simpler lifestyle as well as negative features such as inequality, poverty and unmet demands, are bringing down per capita emissions. The insights gained from the analysis are used to highlight choices for a low carbon future.