Rank	Region Name	Per Capita Carbon Emissions
1	Gujarat	4.2
2	Jharkhand	3.8
3	Chhattisgarh	3.6
4	Odisha	3.5
5	Maharashtra	3.2
6	Delhi	3.1
7	Haryana	2.9
8	Punjab	2.8
9	Andhra Pradesh	2.7
10	Karnataka	2.6
11	Tamil Nadu	2.5
12	Rajasthan	2.4
13	Telangana	2.3
14	Uttar Pradesh	2.2
15	Bihar	2.1
16	Madhya Pradesh	2.0
17	West Bengal	1.9
18	Assam	1.8
19	Uttarakhand	1.7
20	Himachal Pradesh	1.6
21	Goa	1.5
22	Chandigarh	1.4
23	Jammu and Kashmir	1.3
24	Sikkim	1.2
25	Manipur	1.1
26	Meghalaya	1.0
27	Tripura	0.9
28	Nagaland	0.8
29	Mizoram	0.7
30	Arunachal Pradesh	0.6
31	Kerala	0.5
32	Puducherry	0.4
33	DNHDD	0.3
34	Lakshadweep	0.2
35	Ladakh	0.1
36	Andaman and Nicobar Islands	0.1

In-depth Analysis

India faces a dual challenge in 2025: promoting rapid economic growth while simultaneously reducing greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.

The table above ranks all 36 states and union territories based on per capita CO₂ emissions, highlighting significant disparities.

Gujarat leads the list with 4.2 metric tons per person, propelled by its industrial strength, whereas the remote Andaman and Nicobar Islands report only 0.1 tons, attributed to their limited industrialization.

This discrepancy arises from variations in energy consumption, industrial activity, and the adoption of renewable energy sources.

National per capita emissions are approximately 2.2 tons, considerably lower than the global average of 4.7 tons, yet total emissions have reached 3.22 billion tons, reflecting an 8% increase from 2022 levels.

These statistics underscore how states like Gujarat and Maharashtra contribute to national totals through manufacturing surges, while green initiatives in Kerala and Himachal Pradesh provide models for achieving equilibrium.

Grasping these trends enables policymakers to effectively target high-emission areas, ensuring that India’s commitment to net-zero by 2070 is in harmony with global climate objectives.

Leading Industrial States have higher carbon emissions

High-ranking states are responsible for the majority of emissions due to their hosting of energy-intensive industries that heavily depend on coal.

Gujarat, with a per capita emission of 4.2 tons, serves as a prime example of this phenomenon. The state accounts for 14% of India’s manufacturing emissions, driven by refineries, chemicals, and textiles that consume significant amounts of fossil fuels.

Coal supplies 60% of its electricity, and its per capita emissions surpass the national average by 91%, attributed to a population of 70 million distributed across extensive industrial corridors.

Following closely is Jharkhand at 3.8 tons, where coal mining and steel production contribute to 9% of national emissions. This eastern state is responsible for 20% of India’s coal extraction, which releases substantial CO₂ during both extraction and transportation.

Chhattisgarh (3.6 tons) and Odisha (3.5 tons) exhibit similar trends; their power plants and aluminum smelters continuously burn coal, with Odisha alone accounting for 13% of the country’s industrial coal consumption.

These frontrunners illustrate a larger energy paradox in India. Coal is responsible for generating 75% of the country’s electricity, and states with thermal power plants emit 30-40% more per capita compared to their agrarian counterparts.

Economic growth exacerbates this issue: Gujarat’s GDP per capita reached $3,000 in 2025, which is linked to an increase in energy demand.

However, this dominance poses significant environmental challenges. In 2023, these four states were responsible for 25% of India’s CO₂ emissions, according to data from the Council on Energy, Environment and Water, with projections indicating a 5% annual increase without intervention.

Urbanization further intensifies this situation; Delhi’s emissions of 3.1 tons are primarily due to transport and construction activities, where diesel vehicles and cement production significantly elevate output.

Low carbon emitting states

In contrast to the lowest-ranked states, where emissions fall below 1 ton per capita, Kerala stands out with an impressive 0.5 tons.

This achievement is attributed to its 50% reliance on hydropower within its energy portfolio and the presence of dense forests that absorb 15% of the local CO₂.

The state’s economy, which is primarily service-oriented with a focus on tourism and IT rather than heavy industry, contributes to a reduced fossil fuel consumption.

Residents in Kerala utilize 20% less electricity per capita compared to those in Gujarat, supported by efficient public transportation and solar incentives that are projected to add 2 GW of capacity by 2025.

Himachal Pradesh, with emissions of 1.6 tons, harnesses its rivers to generate 70% of its clean energy, while Uttarakhand, at 1.7 tons, benefits from eco-tourism regulations that limit industrial expansion.

In the northeastern region, states such as Arunachal Pradesh (0.6 tons) and Mizoram (0.7 tons) exhibit low emissions due to their rugged terrain, which restricts mining and industrial activities.

Although agriculture is prevalent in these areas, the rice paddies primarily produce methane rather than CO₂, resulting in minimal fossil fuel emissions.

Union territories like Lakshadweep (0.2 tons) and Ladakh (0.1 tons) depend on diesel imports but mitigate this through solar microgrids; notably, Ladakh’s high-altitude winds supply 30% of its energy needs through renewable sources.

These regions exemplify resilience: Kerala’s afforestation efforts sequester 10 million tons of carbon annually, according to state reports, demonstrating that nature-based solutions can reduce emissions 20% more rapidly than technological approaches alone.

This disparity highlights the significance of geography. Coastal and southern states, including Goa (1.5 tons) and Tamil Nadu (2.5 tons), manage a balance between port activities and wind energy production, resulting in moderate emissions.

In contrast, the northern plains are confronted with heatwaves that escalate cooling requirements, leading to increased emissions in Punjab (2.8 tons) due to practices such as rice stubble burning and the use of tractors.

Drivers of contrasting reality: Economy, Energy, and Policy at Play

What causes these disparities to endure? The industrial framework accounts for 60% of the variance. States such as Maharashtra (3.2 tons) are home to Mumbai’s financial center, alongside major automotive and pharmaceutical companies that utilize natural gas.

Andhra Pradesh (2.7 tons) benefits from the establishment of new ports, although this is counterbalanced by the addition of 5 GW of solar energy.

Energy accessibility is also a factor: Bihar’s 2.1 tons reflects significant advancements in electrification, increasing from 20% in 2015 to 95% in 2025, yet coal-dependent power grids inflate these statistics.

Population density is another consideration; Uttar Pradesh’s 2.2 tons dilutes its substantial total emissions (250 million tons) across a population of 240 million.

Policy measures influence these trends. Gujarat’s green hydrogen initiative for 2025 aims to reduce industrial emissions by 15% by 2030, leveraging its existing 10 GW of renewable energy capacity.

Odisha is investing in biomass co-firing to decrease its dependence on coal by 8%. In contrast, Bihar is falling behind in subsidies, with only 2 GW of renewable energy compared to Gujarat’s 20 GW.

National programs such as Perform, Achieve, and Trade have successfully reduced CO₂ emissions by 100 million tons by 2025, but inconsistent implementation exacerbates the disparities.

The effects of climate change are cyclical: Monsoon seasons are projected to reduce hydropower generation by 10% in 2024, leading to increased coal usage in Karnataka (2.6 tons).

From an economic perspective, high-emission states are experiencing faster growth.

Gujarat’s GDP is expected to rise by 8% in 2025, which correlates with its emissions, although a decoupling trend is emerging; its per capita emissions intensity has decreased by 5% due to efficiency standards.

Conversely, low-emission states focus on service sectors: Kerala’s 7% growth results in emissions that are 40% lower per unit of GDP.

Pathways Forward: Closing the Emission Gap

India’s goal to reduce emissions intensity by 45% by 2030 necessitates tailored strategies for each state. Major emitters are required to expedite the adoption of renewable energy; Jharkhand is targeting 5 GW of solar energy on previously mined lands.

Meanwhile, states with lower emissions can build on their achievements: the Northeast could potentially export hydropower, which would reduce national coal consumption by 5%.

Inter-state power grids, such as the 2025 Green Energy Corridor, are designed to redistribute clean energy, which could lead to an average reduction of 10%.

However, significant challenges remain. Severe weather events, such as the floods in 2025, have disrupted power plants in Odisha, resulting in a 3% increase in emissions.

Nevertheless, there are numerous opportunities: the introduction of electric vehicles in Haryana has the potential to decrease transport-related CO₂ emissions by 20%.

According to the IEA, investments in renewable energy have reached $15 billion, although approvals for coal projects continue to be granted.

Source

• United Nations Environment Programme. (2024). Emissions gap report 2024: No more hot air … please!. UNEP.