An environmental expert emphasized that although India is recognized as a global leader in climate action, it must focus on reducing methane and nitrous oxide emissions to combat rising temperatures (1^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Environmental Defense Fund, India (EDF)

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India, especially the northern states, has been witnessing a severe heatwave in recent days. Methane is about 80 percent more potent in trapping heat and carbon dioxide, making it a major contributor to the current heatwave.

Nitrous oxide also absorbs radiation and traps heat in the atmosphere, raising temperatures.

Calls for Emission Cuts to Curb Warming

“We’ve all seen the recent heatwaves. We have to reduce those chemicals that are increasing temperatures, greenhouse gases, methane, for instance, or nitrous oxide,” Hisham Mundol, Chief Advisor, Environmental Defense Fund, India (EDF), a global nonprofit environmental advocacy group, told IANS.

He added that the “science is clear, and the solutions exist”.Lauding India for being a “global leader on climate action”, Hisham said “What the country represents for the planet is a steady hand on climate change. It’s made important commitments and it’s staying the course.”

He praised steps taken by India such as committing to a renewable energy target of 50 percent of all capacity for energy by 2030, equivalent to 500 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy capacity; , and also for reaching 190 gigawatts of renewable energy.

The expert called for sustaining the momentum, and “to increase our renewable energy availability and use”.

Further, Hisham also called for accelerating action towards improving forest cover and biodiversity, as it is the single biggest carbon sink that’s available on the planet.

Reference:

1. Environmental Defense Fund, India (EDF)
   – (https://www.edf.org/place/india)