Need of Pan India Campaign on Conservation of Fossil Fuel & its effect on Climate Change

ndia spends maximum of its foreign earnings on importing crude oil for meeting its growing energy demand. On the other hand, Global warming is the looming concern today. CO2 is the largest contributor to the phenomenon of global warming and petroleum products are the largest source of CO2 emission into the environment. CO2 cannot be stopped being emitted from burning of petroleum products, but it certainly can be reduced to a great extent by way of efficient utilization of these products and that is where the role of PCRA critically comes into fore.

Following are major concerns why India drastically needs a national movement on petroleum conservation in order to promote fuel efficiency in each sector of the economy: World 8 years away from being a living hell – IPCC report - May 2007. 450 MMT out of 1100 MMT of CO2 emissions in India from fossil fuels (POL). India 5th largest emitter of CO2 in the world after USA (5800MT), China (4732 MT), Russia (1529 MT) & Japan (1215 MT). Growth of consumption of petroleum products in the Xth Plan was 2.6% annually, when the economy is growing at 8% per annum. Projected growth rate of petroleum products for India is 2.4% per annum till 2030. Efforts mostly on supply side management (SSM) i.e. NELP, acquisition of assets abroad, JVs with leading oil majors for setting up refineries etc. Cost of demand side management is a fraction as compared to SSM DSM reduces CO2 emissions Most developed and emerging nations heavily into DSM Good DSM will ensure that India emerges as an environmentally responsible super power. China targeting for 20% reduction between 2006 and 2010!! Energy Policy for Europe(EPE)2007 :20% reduction in energy consumption by 2020. Japan - 9.2 times more energy efficient per $1000 of GDP compared to India. Energy consumption levels today in Industrial sector in Japan is same as 1973 levels!!! India consumes petroleum products worth Rs 4 lakh Crores per annum !!! A 2 - 2.5 % conservation would result into a saving of Rs. 8000 - 10000 crores per year !!! With concerted conservation efforts, India can achieve 8% GDP growth rate which could be almost POL neutral !!!