A Study of the Long-term Trend of Methane Emission over the Indian Region during 1970-2020

Abstract

Methane, a potent greenhouse gas with a warming effect stronger than CO2, lingers in the atmosphere for 8-11 years, significantly influencing climate change. This study addresses critical data gaps in India's rapidly urbanizing landscape by employing climate change methodologies to estimate national-scale CH4 emissions from landfills. With India generating 90 million tons of solid waste annually, this research contributes to informed sustainable management. Livestock, particularly ruminants, globally emit 65-100 million tons of methane yearly. In India, where agriculture dominates methane emissions, recent reports reveal that 45% of the country's total methane output stems from this sector. Enteric fermentation and manure management processes underscore the complexity of methane emissions in livestock. As methane has been responsible for 30% of the global temperature rise since the Industrial Revolution, urgent reduction measures are imperative for climate and air quality improvement. A comprehensive 52-year analysis, utilizing EDGAR datasets from 1970-2021, reveals diverse country contributions, with China, India, the USA, and Russia leading. Temporal trends indicate a persistent rise, notably in 2021, while spatial distribution identifies concentration peaks in key regions. Agriculture emerges as the primary anthropogenic source, closely followed by the energy sector. Linear trends illuminate disparities in global and Indian methane emissions, providing insights for targeted mitigation. This study, offering evidence of monthly methane emission variations in India over 52 years, also elucidates bio and fossil source dynamics crucial for informed decision-making on global methane emissions. This holistic view enhances our understanding of CH4 emission dynamics, facilitating the formulation of effective strategies for sustainable environmental management.