CCC/209 ISBN 978-92-9029-529-7

October 2012

This work has been funded by the US Department of State through

their grant to ARCADIS, number S-LMAQM-11-GR-1009

Abstract

Black carbon (BC) is a product of inefficient combustion and is involved with several detrimental

environmental issues including enhanced global warming, ground level air pollution and melting ice

in the Himalayas. Because BC has a relatively short atmospheric lifetime (days or weeks), reductions

in BC emissions could achieve reductions in associated atmospheric effects far more rapidly than

would be achieved with reductions in CO2 emissions.

Global emissions of BC have been increasing over the recent centuries, reflecting the growth in

industrial development. The majority of emissions arise from regions which are still going through

significant growth – China and India being the current greatest regional sources.

Total emissions of BC are stabilising and may actually decrease in future. However, the extent of this

decrease will be dependent on the rate of change of fuel use and the rate at which control strategies

are adopted.

Since India is a significant source of global BC emissions, and is known to suffer direct effects of BC

locally, this region would benefit greatly from immediate action to help mitigate emissions. This

report summarises BC emissions in India now and for the next few decades and highlights areas

where reduction strategies are most likely to be effective.