Decoding Urban India's Carbon Footprint: Spatial-Numerical Mapping of Thermal Energy Emissions

Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are the prime cause of climate change, to which India is a significant party. International Energy Agency, in its World Energy Outlook report estimates that 70% of the GHGs are produced within the cities. But there is limited empirical evidence to substantiate such claims in the Indian context. India being a developing country with a large rural population base, the general perception is that cities hardly have any carbon footprint. This article is an empirical study of urban contribution of carbon dioxide emissions. In the absence of any international protocol or a standard methodology to estimate urban footprint of a nation, this article deals with theoretical issues evident while allocating city emissions like methodological differences, defining 'urban' and its boundary and the need to consider downscaling of nationally reported emissions using spatial analysis based on production or location perspective of the most significantly contributing sector namely electricity generation. The information has been assessed on the urban-rural gradient, using population-based Census definition for class/hierarchy of towns and their location with respect to the urban boundary. The results present an array of emissions, across the urban hierarchy and location in space, underpinning how substantial emissions are attributable to urban and urbanizing areas. The findings bear significance to influence research, policy and action in urban energy and ensure greater climate co-benefits at the local level.