A study of the long-term trend of CO 2 emission over the Indian region during 1970-2021

Abstract Carbon dioxide (CO₂) refers to a highly potent greenhouse gas (GHG) that is mainly a result of the burning of fossil fuels and subsequently contributes to global warming and climate change. The concern and addressal of such GHG emissions assume high importance in order to counter the effects on the environmental stability. This study analyzes the statistical trends of CO₂ emissions based on 52 years of Emissions Database for Global Atmospheric Research (EDGAR) data (1970-2021) in the context of a rapidly urbanizing environment in India. This study reveals that countries such as China, the United States of America, Russia, and India are the top greenhouse gas emitters. A linear trend analysis shows that Indian CO₂ emissions are augmenting at a faster rate compared to the global average. Fossil fuels are found to be the dominating sources of Indian CO₂ emissions, which are mainly concentrated in the Indo-Gangetic Plain and Northern India. Industrial production of electricity, heat, manufacturing industries, construction, road transport, residential sectors, manufacturing, and forest fires are identified as top-blue contributing sectors of fossil fuels. Biogenic CO₂ emissions are mainly contributed by residential sectors, manufacturing, and forest fires. This study highlights the need for focused strategies to counter climate change.