(a) whether the emission intensity of our country has increased by 58% and energy intensity
has come down by 30%;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
(c) the action taken by the Government to reduce emission intensity by 20-25% by 2020 and
simultaneously increase energy intensity of the country?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS(SHRI JAIRAM RAMESH)
(a) & (b) As per final Mid Term Appraisal Report of the Eleventh Plan the emissions
intensity per unit of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) over the fifteen year period from 1990 to
2005, declined by 17.6% and could further fall by 20% by 2020.
India’s energy intensity has been declining though the consumption of energy increased from
95.81 mtone in 1980-81 to 434.41 mtoe in 2008-09. The GDP growth rate over this period was
around 6.3 percent yielding a commercial energy-GDP elasticity of 0.91.
(c) The Planning Commission has also set up an Expert Group on Strategy for a Low Carbon
development under the Chairmanship of Dr. Kirit Parikh to outline the scope of action for
pursuing a low carbon development strategy.
India is committed to expand the base of nuclear power generation and add 20,000 MW of solar
power over the next two decades. State electricity regulators have laid down that distributing
company must purchase 5 per cent of the electricity from renewable sources.
Further, Government has also taken a number of steps for efficient use of coal in thermal power
stations that include, inter-alia, use of super critical boiler technologies, coal washing,
coal blending and setting up of electricity regulators to enforce optimum generation and
transmission of electricity. Besides, Renovation and Modernization of old thermal power
stations is undertaken to enhance their efficiencies. Hydro power policy has also been
revised recently to encourage investment in this sector.