UNEP Production Gap Report

Recently, the 2021 Production Gap Report was released by the leading research institutes and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Context

Recently, the 2021 Production Gap Report was released by the leading research institutes and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Key-findings

• Production Gap Expansion: The production gap to achieve the climate goal is the widest for coal.
• Production plans and forecasting by the Government will lead to 240% more coal, 57% more oil, and 71% more gas by 2030 than global levels associated with a limit warming of 1.5 ° C.
• The most worrying factor is that almost all major coal, oil and gas producers are planning to increase their production till at least 2030 or beyond.
• Effects of Covid-19: the production gap was influenced by the increased cash flow towards fossil fuels compared to clean energy in the coronavirus (Covid-19) post recovery phase.
• The Group of 20 countries (G20) has channelized $ 300 billion in fossil fuel since the beginning of the pandemic, and the sector is still enjoying huge fiscal incentives.

Indian position

• India's first NDC (Nationally Determined Contribution), released in 2016, promised a 33% -35% reduction in its “emissions intensity” by 2030, compared to 2005.
• The report quotes a 2020 Government of India press release, to shine a light on India’s plans to raise coal production.
• The government wants to “unleash the power of coal” and become self-sufficient in 2023-24.
• It also seeks to bring about “a shift from the slope to the highest incomes from coal to high-quality coal available on the market very quickly.”
• India plans to increase coal production from 730 million tons by 2019 to 1,149 million by 2024.
• India also aims to increase oil and gas production by 40% at the same time through measures such as speeding up the exploration license, monetization of the discoveries, and the transformation of gas marketing.