Meeting India’s ‘Carbon Sink’ target

• India is committed to increasing its carbon sink by 2.5-3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent by 2030, but it has not formally submitted to the UNFCCC the clarification that the baseline year for this would be 2005. Despite this seeming ambiguity, the target is within reach.

What is a carbon sink?

• A carbon sink is a natural or artificial reservoir that absorbs and stores carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere.
• It can be a natural ecosystem such as forests, oceans, or soil, or it can be an artificial system like carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology.
• Carbon sinks help to reduce the amount of CO₂ in the atmosphere and mitigate the negative effects of climate change.

Methods of Carbon Sinks

• There are two types of carbon sinks:
• Natural Carbon Sinks: These are ecosystems that naturally absorb and store carbon from the atmosphere. The most common natural carbon sinks are:
  • Forests: Trees absorb CO₂ through photosynthesis and store it in their trunks, branches, and roots.
  • Oceans: The Ocean absorbs CO₂ from the atmosphere, where it dissolves and forms carbonic acid.
  • Soil: Carbon can be stored in soil in the form of organic matter, such as dead plant and animal material, which is broken down by microorganisms.
• Artificial Carbon Sinks: These are human-made technologies that capture and store carbon from the atmosphere. The most common artificial carbon sinks are:
  • Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS): CCS technology captures CO₂ emissions from industrial processes, such as power plants, and stores it underground.
  • Direct Air Capture (DAC): DAC technology captures CO₂ directly from the air and stores it underground or repurposes it for other uses.

India’s carbon sink target

• India has pledged to create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent by 2030.
• This will be achieved through afforestation, reforestation, and other land-use changes.

India’s progress towards its carbon sink target

• India has already achieved 24.6% of its carbon sink target as of 2017.
• This was primarily due to afforestation and tree plantation programs, such as the Green India Mission and the National Afforestation Programme.

Challenges in meeting India’s carbon sink target

• Unavailability of accurate data: Lack of accurate data on the extent and health of India’s forests, makes it difficult to measure the effectiveness of afforestation and reforestation programs.
• Conversion of natural forests: The conversion of natural forests to monoculture plantations that have lower carbon sequestration potential can reduce the effectiveness of carbon sinks.
• Pressure on land: The pressure on land for agriculture and other forms of development can lead to deforestation and the loss of carbon sinks.
• Lack of funding: Afforestation and reforestation programs require significant funding, which can be a challenge for India.
• Lack of awareness: Lack of awareness among the public and policymakers about the importance of carbon sinks and the need for their conservation and restoration can hinder efforts to meet India’s carbon sink targets.

Conclusion

• India’s commitment to increasing its carbon sink is crucial in mitigating the impacts of climate change.
• More efforts are needed to ensure the success of afforestation and reforestation programs and to address the challenges facing India’s forests.