Syllabus
GS Paper 2 – Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation
GS Paper 3 – Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
Applications where to apply?
When asked about
– Indoor Pollution
– Global warming
– PM Ujjwala Yojana
Context
Black carbon emissions harms the environment and health. The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) aims to reduce such emissions from residential units.
Source
The Hindu | Editorial dated 27th March 2024
The need to curb black carbon emissions
Black carbon, a byproduct of incomplete combustion of biomass and fossil fuels, poses significant environmental and health risks. In India, it is primarily emitted from traditional cooking practices, with the residential sector being a major contributor. The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) was introduced to address this issue by providing clean cooking fuel alternatives to rural and poor households. While the PMUY has made considerable progress, challenges such as low refill rates and affordability persist, highlighting the need for continued efforts to mitigate black carbon emissions.
What is Black Carbon and Its Environmental Harm?
- Black carbon is a dark, sooty material emitted during incomplete combustion of biomass and fossil fuels.
- It contributes to global warming by absorbing sunlight and accelerating ice melt when deposited on snow and ice.
- Exposure to black carbon is linked to various health risks including heart disease, birth complications, and premature death.
Major Contributor of Black Carbon in India: Residential Sector
- A 2016 study reveals that the residential sector accounts for 47% of India’s total black carbon emissions.
- Burning biomass like cow dung or straw in traditional cookstoves is the primary source of black carbon emissions in this sector.
- Industries contribute 22%, diesel vehicles 17%, open burning 12%, and other sources 2%, highlighting the diverse sources of black carbon pollution.
- While efforts in industry and transport have reduced emissions, the residential sector remains a significant challenge.
Impact of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)
- Launched in May 2016, PMUY provides free LPG connections to households below the poverty line.
- PMUY aims to reduce dependence on traditional cooking fuels and improve indoor air quality.
- By offering cleaner alternatives, PMUY has helped in reducing black carbon emissions.
- As of January 2024, over 10 crore households have received LPG connections under PMUY.
Limitations of PMUY
Despite PMUY’s efforts, a significant portion of beneficiaries still rely on traditional fuels due to issues like low refill rates and high LPG prices.
- Approximately 25% of PMUY beneficiaries did not utilize LPG refills effectively, leading to continued use of traditional biomass for cooking.
- The average PMUY household consumes fewer LPG cylinders annually than non-PMUY households, indicating continued reliance on traditional fuels.
- Lack of last-mile connectivity in LPG distribution networks hampers access to clean cooking fuel in remote rural areas.
Low refill rates and higher usage of traditional fuels contribute to indoor air pollution, disproportionately affecting women and children.
Future Solutions
The government has increased LPG subsidies and announced price reductions to make clean fuel more affordable.
- Addressing availability issues and improving last-mile connectivity in the LPG distribution network are crucial for PMUY’s success.
- Local production of cleaner fuels like coal-bed methane (CBM) gas through biomass composting can offer sustainable solutions.
- Initiatives like CBM gas production at the village level can ensure access to clean cooking fuel for all rural households.
Conclusion
Prioritizing black carbon reduction, particularly through initiatives like PMUY, can position India as a global leader in addressing regional health concerns and climate mitigation. Mitigating residential emissions can significantly reduce indoor air pollution-related deaths and contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goals related to clean energy access.
Related Topics
Coalbed methane (CBM)
Coalbed methane (CBM), also known as coalbed gas or coal seam gas (CSG), is a natural gas resource extracted from coal beds.
- Formation:
- Methane is formed during the process of coalification, the transformation of plant material into coal.
- The methane gas gets adsorbed onto the coal’s internal surfaces (cleats) or trapped within tiny fractures.
- Extraction:
- Several methods exist for extracting CBM, including vertical wells, horizontal wells, and hydraulic fracturing (fracking).
- Wells are drilled into the coal seam, and techniques are employed to remove the adsorbed methane for collection and processing.
- Advantages:
- Cleaner burning fuel compared to traditional coal.
- Reduces dependence on imported natural gas.
- Can utilize previously unmineable coal seams.
- Disadvantages:
- Extraction process can have environmental impacts, like water contamination if not managed properly.
- Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, so leaks during extraction contribute to climate change.
References
Practice Question
Critically analyze the effectiveness of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) in mitigating black carbon emissions in India. [250 words]
How to approach this question?
Introduction:
- Start by briefly explaining what the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) is and its main objectives.
- Mention the issue of black carbon emissions in India and why it’s a significant concern.
Body:
- Discuss the role of PMUY in mitigating black carbon emissions. Highlight how the scheme has provided free LPG connections to households below the poverty line, reducing their dependence on traditional cooking fuels.
- Present data or studies that show the impact of PMUY on black carbon emissions. For instance, you can mention that the program has provided connections to over 10 crore households as of January 2024.
- However, also discuss the challenges and limitations of the scheme. For example, according to RTI data (2022-2023), 25% of all PMUY beneficiaries availed either zero LPG refill or only one LPG refill, indicating they still relied entirely on traditional biomass for cooking.
- Analyze these points critically, discussing the implications and what they mean for the effectiveness of PMUY in mitigating black carbon emissions.
Conclusion:
- Summarize the main points of your analysis.
- Discuss the potential ways to improve the effectiveness of PMUY in mitigating black carbon emissions, based on your analysis.
- Conclude by reiterating the importance of schemes like PMUY in addressing environmental issues like black carbon emissions.
Remember to provide a balanced answer, incorporating relevant facts and figures, and propose feasible solutions. Structure your answer well, with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. Also, ensure that your answer is within the word limit specified for the exam. Good luck!