Latest news with #CBDR-RC
The Hindu
27-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Govt. unlikely to implement 20°C to 28°C AC temp range immediately: Union Environment Minister
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Friday (June 27, 2025) said the government is unlikely to implement the air conditioner temperature range of 20°C to 28°C anytime soon, and that it will be introduced gradually over time. Asked at the India Climate Summit when the new AC temperature range would be implemented, Mr. Yadav said any such situation "may arise only after 2050". "I do not think it will happen immediately; capacities will be gradually built for it over time," he said. Mr. Yadav said that achieving climate targets must be done in line with national circumstances and the CBDR-RC (Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities) principle. India's nationally determined contributions (NDCs), or national climate plan, submitted to the UN climate body, emphasise ensuring "access to energy to its people", he said. The principle of CBDR-RC means all countries must fight climate change, but developed nations should do more because they have historically contributed more emissions and have greater resources. Earlier this month, Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said air conditioners in India will soon be required to operate within a fixed range of 20 degrees Celsius to 28 degrees Celsius, and settings below or above this limit will be prohibited. According to the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), most ACs in India are currently set between 20 and 21 degrees Celsius, though the ideal comfort range is 24 to 25 degrees Celsius. BEE recommends setting air conditioners at 24 to 25 degrees Celsius to balance comfort and energy use. It says that keeping the temperature too low, around 20 to 21 degrees Celsius, wastes electricity. The agency also says that raising the AC temperature by just 1 degree can save about 6% of electricity. Increasing it from 20 degrees Celsius to 24 degrees Celsius could lead to energy savings of up to 24%. India adds 10-15 million new ACs annually, with another 130–150 million expected over the next decade. Without policy intervention, ACs alone could drive 120 GW of peak power demand by 2030 and 180 GW by 2035, nearly 30% of the projected totals, according to a recent study by India Energy and Climate Center (IECC) at University of California (UC) Berkeley. The study says the fastest-developing major economy can avoid severe power shortages and save consumers up to ₹2.2 lakh crore ($26 billion) by doubling the energy efficiency of room ACs over the next 10 years. In the summer of 2024, room air conditioner sales surged by 40% to 50% year-on-year amid record-breaking temperatures. The share of the household sector in India's total electricity consumption increased from 22% in 2012-13 to 25% in 2022-23. Much of this rise can be attributed to economic growth and the increasing need for cooling due to rising temperatures, experts say. According to an ongoing research at the Oxford India Centre for Sustainable Development at the University of Oxford, in a world two degrees Celsius warmer than pre-industrial times, the largest cooling demand, in terms of total population, will come from India, followed by China, Nigeria, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Brazil, the Philippines, and the U.S.
Mint
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Will AC's temperature range be fixed between 20 to 28 degrees Celsius? Here's what govt says
The government is unlikely to implement the air conditioner temperature range of 20 degrees Celsius to 28 degrees Celsius anytime soon, PTI quoted Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav as saying on Friday, adding it will be introduced gradually over time. On being asked when the new AC temperature range would be implemented, the minister stated that any such situation "may arise only after 2050". "I do not think it will happen immediately; capacities will be gradually built for it over time," he said. Yadav said that achieving climate targets must be done in line with national circumstances and the CBDR-RC (Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities) principle. As per India's nationally determined contributions (NDCs), or national climate plan, submitted to the UN climate body, emphasise ensuring "access to energy to its people". This principle of CBDR-RC means all countries must fight climate change, however, all developed nations should do more because they have historically contributed more emissions and have greater resources. AC temperature setting: Earlier in June, Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had said that air conditioners in India will soon be required to operate within a fixed range of 20 degrees Celsius to 28 degrees Celsius, and settings below or above this limit will be prohibited. According to the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), most ACs in India are currently set between 20 and 21 degrees Celsius, though the ideal comfort range is 24 to 25 degrees Celsius. BEE recommends setting air conditioners at 24 to 25 degrees Celsius to balance comfort and energy use. It says that keeping the temperature too low, around 20 to 21 degrees Celsius, wastes electricity. The agency also says that raising the AC temperature by just 1 degree can save about 6 per cent of electricity. Increasing it from 20 degrees Celsius to 24 degrees Celsius could lead to energy savings of up to 24 per cent. Each year, India adds 10-15 million new ACs, with another 130–150 million expected over the next decade. Without policy intervention, ACs alone could drive 120 GW of peak power demand by 2030 and 180 GW by 2035, nearly 30 per cent of the projected totals, according to a recent study by India Energy and Climate Center (IECC) at University of California (UC) Berkeley. The study says the fastest-developing major economy can avoid severe power shortages and save consumers up to ₹2.2 lakh crore (USD 26 billion) by doubling the energy efficiency of room ACs over the next 10 years. In the summer of 2024, room air conditioner sales surged by 40 to 50 per cent year-on-year amid record-breaking temperatures. The research shows, the share of the household sector in India's total electricity consumption increased from 22 per cent in 2012-13 to 25 per cent in 2022-23. Much of this rise can be attributed to economic growth and the increasing need for cooling due to rising temperatures, experts say. With agency inputs.
New Indian Express
27-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Govt unlikely to implement 20 to 28 degrees AC temp range immediately: Union environment minister
NEW DELHI: Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Friday said the government is unlikely to implement the air conditioner temperature range of 20 degrees Celsius to 28 degrees Celsius anytime soon and that it will be introduced gradually over time. Asked at the India Climate Summit when the new AC temperature range would be implemented, Yadav said any such situation "may arise only after 2050". "I do not think it will happen immediately; capacities will be gradually built for it over time," he said. Yadav said that achieving climate targets must be done in line with national circumstances and the CBDR-RC (Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities) principle. India's nationally determined contributions (NDCs), or national climate plan, submitted to the UN climate body, emphasise ensuring "access to energy to its people", he said. The principle of CBDR-RC means all countries must fight climate change, but developed nations should do more because they have historically contributed more emissions and have greater resources. Earlier this month, Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said air conditioners in India will soon be required to operate within a fixed range of 20 degrees Celsius to 28 degrees Celsius, and settings below or above this limit will be prohibited.
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Govt unlikely to implement 20 to 28 deg C AC temp range immediately: Union environment minister
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Friday said the government is unlikely to implement the air conditioner temperature range of 20 degrees Celsius to 28 degrees Celsius anytime soon and that it will be introduced gradually over time. Asked at the India Climate Summit when the new AC temperature range would be implemented, Yadav said any such situation "may arise only after 2050". "I do not think it will happen immediately; capacities will be gradually built for it over time," he said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Don't Pay Full Price for 2025's Top Games! Shop Now Undo Yadav said that achieving climate targets must be done in line with national circumstances and the CBDR-RC Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities) principle. India's nationally determined contributions (NDCs), or national climate plan, submitted to the UN climate body, emphasize ensuring "access to energy to its people", he said. Live Events The principle of CBDR-RC (Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities) means all countries must fight climate change, but developed nations should do more because they have historically contributed more emissions and have greater resources. Earlier this month, Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said air conditioners in India will soon be required to operate within a fixed range of 20 degrees Celsius to 28 degrees Celsius, and settings below or above this limit will be prohibited. According to the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), most ACs in India are currently set between 20 and 21 degrees Celsius, though the ideal comfort range is 24 to 25 degrees Celsius. BEE recommends setting air conditioners at 24 to 25 degrees Celsius to balance comfort and energy use. It says that keeping the temperature too low, around 20 to 21 degrees Celsius, wastes electricity. The agency also says that raising the AC temperature by just 1 degree can save about 6 per cent of electricity. Increasing it from 20 degrees Celsius to 24 degrees Celsius could lead to energy savings of up to 24 per cent.
Indian Express
29-05-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Methane mitigation, key to slowing global warming
— Renuka Reducing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions is crucial to fighting climate change. After carbon dioxide, methane is the most potent GHG responsible for approximately a third of global warming. It is a colourless, odourless gas that has both natural as well as anthropogenic sources. Naturally, it is produced in a wetland due to the decomposition of vegetation under water. Other natural sources include termites, volcanoes, wildfires, etc. The primary sectors responsible for anthropogenic methane emissions are: Agriculture, which accounts for 40% of emissions and includes animal manure and rice cultivation. After this, the fossil fuel sector accounts for 35% of methane emissions. Waste management is responsible for roughly 20% of emissions, originating from the decomposition of organic matter in landfills, open dumps, and wastewater treatment systems. Methane is widely used as a fuel for electricity generation, heating, cooking, and in industrial processes. It also serves as a key feedstock for hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol production, and is used in transportation (CNG/LNG) and as renewable biogas. Despite its utility, methane emerged as a major climate concern. It has a shorter lifespan compared to CO₂ but is much more efficient in trapping radiation. As the climate crisis intensifies, tackling methane emissions has become an urgent and impactful strategy for reducing GHG emissions. Reducing methane emissions has long been a part of climate change mitigation efforts. The 1992 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) laid the foundation to combat climate change by adopting the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC) and placing the obligation on developed countries to reduce GHG emissions. However, being just a framework convention, the UNFCCC didn't specify the GHGs or set binding targets. To implement the convention, the Kyoto Protocol was adopted in 1997 and came into force in 2005. It listed six GHGs, and methane was one of them. The Kyoto Protocol imposed binding emission reduction targets on developed countries. The Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015, marked a shift towards a voluntary approach (nationally determined approach), while still expecting developed countries to take the lead in setting emissions targets. In recent years, abating methane emissions has been recognised as one of the most effective and affordable strategies to reduce global warming. At COP 26, the Global Methane Pledge (GMP) was launched as a voluntary international initiative with its primary goal of reducing global methane emissions by at least 30 per cent from 2020 levels by 2030. To enhance global reporting on methane emissions, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) also launched the International Methane Emission Observatory (IMEO). To further support methane data collection, the UNEP launched the Methane Alert and Response System (MARS) at COP27 (2022). MARS is a global satellite detection and notification system that provides data on methane emissions. Building on these efforts, COP 28 established the Oil and Gas Decarbonisation Charter (ODGC), which aims at accelerating the decarbonisation of the oil and gas sector. The charter aims at achieving net-zero upstream methane emissions by 2030. At COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, over 30 countries endorsed the Declaration on Reducing Methane from Organic Waste, marking a significant advancement in global climate initiatives. This declaration targets methane emissions from organic waste, such as food scraps, agricultural residues, and sewage, which account for nearly 20% of anthropogenic methane emissions. The Global Methane Initiative (GMI), launched in 2004 as the Methane to Markets Partnership, is an initiative to foster collaborations to reduce methane emissions. It works in collaboration with other key international environmental initiatives and agencies such as the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), the Global Methane Hub, and the World Bank Group to reduce global methane emissions. Over the past two decades, GMI has helped raise global awareness about methane's climate and health impacts, fostered international cooperation, and mobilised investments in methane mitigation efforts. GMI has also been a key sponsor of various events on methane mitigation. One such event is Methane Mitigation: Technology & Innovation Summit, which will be held on June 2-4, 2025, in Austin, Texas, US. Organised by the Industrial Decarbonisation Network, the summit will bring together energy companies, NGOs and technology innovators. It will serve as a knowledge-sharing platform dedicated to reducing methane emissions from the energy sector. The discussion will largely be focused on exploring cutting-edge solutions and best practices for measuring, monitoring, and reducing methane emissions in the oil and gas sector. India has not signed the Global Methane Pledge, primarily due to concern over the shift in focus from CO2 – which has a lifespan of around 100 years – to Methane – which has a lifespan of 12 years. India's major sources of methane emissions are the livestock sector through enteric fermentation and agriculture through paddy cultivation. These sources are linked to the subsistence activities of small and marginal farmers. Implementing the GMP could negatively impact farmers' incomes, rice production, and India's significant role in global rice exports. Also, these emissions in India are considered 'survival emissions' – essential for food security – not 'luxury emissions', unlike in developed nations where agriculture is industrialised. To reduce methane emissions, no additional burden can be imposed on the small farmers who are already economically marginalised. Nonetheless, India has undertaken measures to reduce methane emissions. Under the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), the government is promoting methane-reducing practices in rice cultivation. Methane mitigation initiatives such as the system for rice intensification, direct seeded rice, and the crop diversification programme are being implemented. Also, to reduce methane production in livestock initiatives such as breed improvement and balanced rationing, have been taken by The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), through the National Livestock Mission. Programmes like GOBAR-Dhan and the National Biogas and Organic Manure Programme incentivise the use of cattle waste for biogas production and organic manure, promoting clean energy and lowering greenhouse gas emissions in rural areas. Methane is responsible for around 30% of global warming. If left unaddressed, global methane emissions caused by human activities are expected to increase by as much as 13% between 2020 and 2030. Reducing methane emissions is the most important climate step the world can take. However, it is easier said than done, especially for a developing country like India, where methane emissions are related to food security. To tackle the situation, a substantial flow of climate finance from developed to developing countries would enable ambitious climate action, including slashing methane emissions. Additionally, crop diversification schemes would aid the efforts by encouraging a shift away from monoculture towards a more varied and sustainable agricultural system. Similarly, the energy sector, which also accounts for significant methane emissions, offers some of the most immediate and cost-effective opportunities for methane reduction. Developed countries, having historically been the largest producers and consumers of fossil fuels, are well-positioned to lead reforms. They may choose to incentivise methane reduction in developing countries through climate finance, technology transfer, and capacity building. Moreover, cutting methane emissions from the fossil fuel sector is easier to detect and measure and having relatively few large companies as actors can make the enforcement a lot easier as compared to the agriculture sector, where solutions are linked to livelihoods and food security. The upcoming Methane Mitigation Summit has the potential to accelerate action in the energy sector and success here could set the stage for broader efforts across harder to abate sectors. Post Read Questions Why has reducing methane emission been recognised as one of the most effective and affordable strategies to reduce global warming? Why has India not joined the Global Methane Pledge? Analyse the socio-economic and agricultural factors behind this decision. Discuss measures India has undertaken to reduce methane emissions. How do programmes like GOBAR-Dhan and the National Biogas and Organic Manure Programme contribute to methane mitigation? Evaluate the effectiveness of sector-specific approaches (such as energy and agriculture) in addressing methane emissions. What lessons can be drawn from India's domestic efforts? Analyse the role of international platforms like COP summits in shaping methane mitigation strategies. How effective have these efforts been in addressing methane emission? (Renuka is a Doctoral researcher at Himachal Pradesh National law university, Shimla.) Share your thoughts and ideas on UPSC Special articles with Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X.
