BLACK CARBON EMISSIONS 

2. Black carbon

Black carbon, also known as soot, is a type of fine particulate matter that consists of carbonaceous material produced through incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, biofuels, and biomass. It is a significant component of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution and has several unique characteristics and impacts on the environment and human health.

Sources of Black Carbon

• Black carbon is emitted during the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels such as diesel, gasoline, and coal in engines, power plants, and industrial processes.
• It is also generated when biomass, including wood, crop residues, and animal dung, is burned for cooking, heating, and agricultural purposes.
• Activities like open burning of waste, forests, and agricultural fields release substantial amounts of black carbon into the atmosphere.

Characteristics of Black Carbon

•  Black carbon absorbs sunlight, contributing to localized warming effects on surfaces where it settles, such as snow and ice-covered regions (albedo reduction).
• Unlike greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO2) that persist for centuries, black carbon has a shorter atmospheric lifetime (days to weeks), but its impact on climate can be significant due to its strong warming potential.
• Black carbon can travel long distances in the atmosphere before settling on surfaces, affecting both local and global air quality and climate.

3. Relevance of Black Carbon

Black carbon, a dark, sooty substance emitted during incomplete combustion of biomass and fossil fuels, holds significant relevance due to its contribution to global warming and associated health risks.

Environmental Impact and Health Risks

Black carbon is a potent contributor to global warming and poses severe health risks. Studies have established a direct correlation between exposure to black carbon and increased risks of heart disease, birth complications, and premature death. In India, a significant portion of black carbon emissions originates from the incomplete combustion of biomass, such as cow dung or straw, in traditional cookstoves.

Emission Sources in India

A 2016 study revealed the distribution of black carbon emissions in India: the residential sector contributes 47%, industries contribute 22%, diesel vehicles contribute 17%, open burning contributes 12%, and other sources contribute 2%. Efforts to decarbonize industries and transport sectors have led to reductions in black carbon emissions over the past decade. However, addressing emissions from the residential sector remains a significant challenge.

4. Impact of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)

The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), launched by the Government of India in May 2016, aimed to provide free liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) connections to households below the poverty line. The initiative's primary goal was to offer clean cooking fuel to rural and impoverished households, reducing their reliance on traditional cooking fuels and consequently mitigating black carbon emissions.

Successes and Challenges

PMUY has played a crucial role in reducing black carbon emissions by providing a cleaner alternative to traditional fuel consumption. The program includes infrastructure such as free gas stoves, deposits for LPG cylinders, and an extensive distribution network. As of January 2024, PMUY has successfully provided connections to over 10 crore households.

Challenges and Remaining Issues

Despite its successes, PMUY faces challenges in ensuring sustained use of LPG among beneficiaries. RTI data from 2022-2023 indicated that 25% of PMUY beneficiaries, accounting for 2.69 crore people, either did not refill their LPG cylinders or refilled them only once, continuing to rely entirely on traditional biomass for cooking. The average PMUY household consumes only 3.5-4 LPG cylinders per year, significantly lower than the six or seven cylinders used by non-PMUY households. This means that a significant portion of energy needs in PMUY households is still met by high black carbon-emitting traditional fuels.

Impact on Health and Disproportionate Effects

The persistent usage of traditional fuels has adverse health effects, especially on women and children, who are disproportionately affected by indoor air pollution. Higher levels of indoor air pollution can lead to various health issues and premature deaths. Additionally, shortages of LPG further exacerbate the situation, emphasizing the need for continued efforts to promote sustained usage of clean cooking fuels among PMUY beneficiaries.

5. Government's Role in Clean Cooking Fuels

The government plays a crucial role in ensuring access to clean cooking fuels, which significantly impacts the quality of life, particularly in rural areas. While renewable energy sources hold promise for the future, immediate benefits can be derived from the use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in rural communities.

Subsidies and Affordability

The government has implemented measures to make LPG more affordable, such as increasing the LPG subsidy from ₹200 to ₹300 in October 2023. Despite these efforts, the rapid increase in LPG prices over the past five years has resulted in a significant cost burden for beneficiaries. Even with additional subsidies, the cost of a 14.2-kg LPG cylinder remains relatively high at about ₹600 per cylinder. This pricing disparity makes alternatives like cow dung and firewood appear more attractive since they are perceived as "free" alternatives. While temporary price reductions, like the ₹100 reduction announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March 2024, provide short-term relief, a sustainable solution is needed to address long-term affordability challenges.

Last-Mile Connectivity and Distribution Challenges

Another major obstacle to the success of initiatives like PMUY is the lack of last-mile connectivity in the LPG distribution network, particularly in remote rural areas. This lack of connectivity forces many households to continue relying on biomass fuels. One potential solution to improve access to clean cooking fuel is the local production of coal-bed methane (CBM) gas through biomass composting. CBM is a cleaner fuel with lower black carbon emissions, and investing in local CBM production can enhance accessibility to clean cooking fuels in rural areas.

Role of Local Initiatives and Panchayats

Local initiatives, particularly at the village level led by Panchayats, can play a vital role in promoting the production and distribution of CBM gas. By encouraging and supporting CBM production locally, every rural household can gain access to clean cooking fuel, thereby reducing dependence on traditional and polluting biomass fuels. This approach aligns with broader sustainability goals while addressing immediate energy and environmental challenges in rural communities.

6. India's Global Responsibility for Black Carbon Reduction

India's role on the global stage in achieving long-term decarbonization is critical, requiring urgent action to address environmental and health challenges. Prioritizing initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) can position India as a global leader in tackling regional health issues and fulfilling its commitment to the Sustainable Development Goal of providing affordable clean energy to all, contributing significantly to global climate mitigation efforts.

Impact of Black Carbon Reduction

Recent estimates highlight that mitigating residential emissions, including those of black carbon, can prevent more than 6.1 lakh deaths annually due to indoor exposure to air pollution. This underscores the immense potential of targeted measures like PMUY in not only improving public health but also in reducing India's overall carbon footprint and contributing to global efforts aimed at combating climate change.