In Brief:
- India's cumulative contribution to global warming reached approximately 0.05°C by 2024.
- For comparison, the United States contributed around 0.27°C and China contributed 0.19°C.
- India's warming footprint accelerated rapidly post-1990 due to increased fossil fuel usage.
- Energy consumption accounted for 61% of India's total warming contribution, followed by agriculture at 28%.
According to a new multi-gas modeling study jointly released by researchers from IIT Kharagpur and Cranfield University, India was responsible for contributing approximately 0.05°C to global temperature rise through 2024. The study highlights a sharp upward trajectory in India's emissions footprint following 1990, coinciding with rapid industrial growth and fossil fuel expansion. In contrast to historical major emitters, the United States contributed about 0.27°C and China accounted for 0.19°C of total global warming. Sectoral analysis indicates that energy production represents the largest share of India's climate impact at 61%, while agricultural activities contribute 28%.
