India's carbon emission increased by 1.57 per cent: Government

NEW DELHI: India's total carbon emission rose from 15.39 million tonnes in 2012 to 15.63 million tonnes in 2013, marking an increase of 1.57 per cent, government told the Lok Sabha today but underlined that developing countries have no legal binding on reducing carbon emissions.

Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju Pusapati, who gave this information while replyin to questions, said the rise in carbon emission was attributed to introduction of new routes for airlines and and overall increase in aircraft movement.

At the same time, he said, "The total emission of 15.63 million tonnes in 2013 represent less than 1 per cent of India's anthropogenic emissions which is significantly lower than the corresponding global average of 2-3 per cent."

Though the overall aircraft movement and passenger growth have increased in 2013 in comparison with 2012, an overall decrease in carbon emission per aircraft and carbon emission per passenger have been observed, the minister said.

He said as per the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol, developing countries such as India have no legal bindings in reducing their carbon emissions.

However, DGCA has issued various aviation environment circulars on creation of aviation environment cell in airlines, aerodrome operators and air navigation service provider organisation in order to address aviation environmental issue, usage of single engine taxi-in and taxi-out procedures at airports besides others.

"Apart from this, airlines and airports are directed to submit fuel and electricity consumption data on a regular basis and develop their own carbon footprint. Four Indian airports are participating in airport carbon accreditation," he said.