New Delhi: India's per capita emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) will increase from the present 1-1.2 tonnes to 3-3.5 tonnes of carbon per year by 2030, the country's annual Economic Survey predicts.

Quoting climate modelling studies, the survey predicted that per capita emissions would be 2-2.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2020. It will go up to 3.3.5 tonnes by 2030, still lower than 4.5 tonnes per capita that China now emits every year.

"India's total carbon emissions are about four per cent of total global emissions. Even with 8-9 per cent GDP growth every year for the next decade or two, emissions are likely to be well below developed country averages," the survey said.

To move towards a low carbon economy, India's 11th Five Year Plan includes an indicative target of increasing energy efficiency by 20 percent by 2016-17, reports IANS.

"Planning Commission estimates suggest that India's emission intensity has declined by 17.6 percent between 1990 and 2005 and that a 20 to 25 percent reduction in emission intensity between 2005 and 2020 is possible," the survey added.

It suggested that necessary actions in specific sectors are required to reduce GHG emission intensity.