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India is the third biggest emitter of carbon dioxide (Co2) in the world, with state-owned NTPC topping the list of companies belching out the deadly gas, according to new data released by a Washington-based think tank that advocated an “energy revolution” based on solar power.

The Center for Global Development (CGD) said India figured third in the list of biggest Co2 emitters through power generation after China and the United States.

When contacted, NTPC officials in Delhi said: “We are among the most efficient producers of power using fossil fuels. NTPC is the second best in the world, emitting only 800 grams of Co2 per kwh of electricity generation.”

Out of 63,80,00,000 tonnes of Co2 emission by India every year, NTPC alone contributed 18,60,00,000 tonnes, which constituted about 30 per cent of the total gas release, the data said adding that the Talcher power plant in Orissa operated by the company emitted the biggest quantity of Co2.

“Red alert” category

As many as 16 power plants operated by NTPC were in the CGD’s “red alert” category for spewing out the deadly gas in the country.

The findings, part of a recent report by the CGD on “China surpassing the U.S. as the world’s biggest emitter of Co2 from power generation,” also name Russia, Germany, Japan, the U.K., Australia, South Africa, and South Korea among the world’s top 10 power sector emitter in absolute terms.

‘Cause of serious concern’

Describing the recent data as a “cause of serious concern,” the CGD said the climate scientists have warned that the amount of Co2 and other greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere must be quickly stabilised to avert climate a catastrophe, which would hit first and worst in developing world, with declining agricultural productivity, droughts, floods and rapid sea level rise hitting densely populated, low-lying regions.

“A number of power companies have expressed the desire for national policies to limit emissions and promote alternative energy,” Kevin Ummel, who manages the CGD’s Carbon Monitoring for Action (CARMA) database, told PTI.

“But without financial incentives for big emitters to change their behaviour, they will continue operating and building carbon-intensive plants — and the earth’s climate moves closer to the breaking point,” Mr. Ummel said.

Need to cut emissions

The data showed that emissions from power generation were racing in the wrong direction, said CGD senior fellow David Wheeler. “We urgently need to cut power-related Co2 emissions and to very rapidly bring down the price of proven, zero-carbon renewable power sources, such as wind and solar.”

The NTPC officials said coal was being used as a main fuel, so Co2 emission was natural “but our effort is that it is produced in an efficient manner to produce minimum Co2.”

Pointing out that India and other developing countries have not presented any specific emission targets or timetable in last month’s climate-themed G-8 Summit, Mr. Ummel said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had given a promise of pooling all scientific, technical and managerial talents in the country, with financial sources, to develop solar energy as a source of abundant energy to power India’s economy and to transform the lives of people there.

SOURCE