Renewable energy powers Gujarat’s CO2 cut in electricity sector\nAhmedabad: The recently launched online dashboard, Gujarat Climate Action Tracker (GCAT), indicates that the overall emission of the state at 156 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (mtCO2e) in 2023 was slightly lower compared to 158 mtCO2e recorded in 2014. In fact, it was the third year that showed a steady or negative trend for the state. Compared to emissions by captive power plants at 21.19 in 2014, the year 2023 showed 19.71 mtCO2e, whereas for public electricity generation, there was an even steeper drop from 78.35 to 42.17 mtCO2e.\n\nExperts pointed to the addition of renewable energy as the compensating factor. While the transport sector showed exponential growth in CO2 generation in the same period, the generation remained almost the same for residential energy generation and captive power plants, according to GCAT. From 7,172MW installed power capacity for renewable energy in 2015-16, it increased to 33,393MW in 2023-24, and the highest addition was in solar energy, indicated the dashboard. The resource potential, however, is even higher, claimed experts.\n\nAnalysis of the district-level data indicates that out of 33, nine Gujarat districts showed a decreasing trend in CO2 emissions compared to 2014. While Amreli recorded the highest 4.8% dip, it was followed by 4.2% in Junagadh, 3.5% in Sabarkantha, and 3.4% in Kutch and Chhota Udepur. On the other hand, the remaining 24 districts recorded an upward trend ranging from 0.3% in Surat to 23.7% in Dang. Experts said that some of the less-industrialised districts have recorded an upward trend due to land use change.\n\n\"Some of the district-level initiatives include waste-to-energy plants, climate change and environment plans, incentives for electric vehicles, particulate matter (PM) emission trading mechanisms, climate planning and implementation, and the issue of green bonds, among others,\" said a state official. \"Climate change mitigation is a multi-pronged strategy that includes reducing emissions on one hand and promoting good practices on the other.\"

Renewable energy powers Gujarat’s CO2 cut in electricity sector

The Gujarat Climate Action Tracker (GCAT) dashboard shows a reduction in the state's carbon emissions from 158 mtCO2e in 2014 to 156 mtCO2e in 2023, driven by renewable energy expansion. Renewable capacity increased from 7,172MW to 33,393MW, with solar energy leading growth. District-level data reveals mixed trends, with nine districts showing emission declines and 24 showing increases, partly due to land use changes.