Modelling of sectoral emissions of short-lived and long-lived climate pollutants under various control technological strategies

Abstract

In India, air pollution has been acknowledged as the fifth most imperative cause of mortality due to high emissions from burning of fossil fuels in industries (brick kilns and thermal power plants), biomass burning, agricultural residue burning and transportation. The emissions of black carbon (BC) with the other air pollutants (CO2, CH4, N2O, HFC, PFC, and SF6), is taking considerable attention in the world because of its ability to effect air quality and weather. The Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) region has been considered as one of the greatest source of emissions in India. The short lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) like BC, methane, tropospheric ozone and hydrofluorocarbons have been considered as a climate forcing agent along with CO2. These pollutants have shorter lifetime in atmosphere compared to CO2 and account for the 40–45% of global warming. Among them, BC has a great global warming ability and can increase the Earth's temperature much quicker than carbon dioxide. After CO2, the second highest donors to global warming are CH4 and BC. Recognising the importance of these pollutants, daily concentrations of BC, PM2.5 and PM10 were monitored in three district of IGP during January 2015 to December 2016. The GAINS model was used for assessment of pollution effects, emissions of SLCPs, GHGs and identifying appropriate control actions. The outcomes of modelling advocate that low carbon strategies are more competent to reduce emissions as compared to other control strategies. But, application of low carbon strategies would be restricted by the accessibility of clean fuels. In some cases, finance will be needed to support monitoring of air pollution and other supportive technologies.