Biogas generation potential and greenhouse gas emission saving potential from livestock manure: A state-level analysis for India

India has a huge livestock population, and its waste is underutilized, leading to >1.4 billion tons CO 2 eq. emissions. Lack of focus on livestock waste, an overlooked yet significant resource for energy calls for timely and comprehensive analysis/updation of its resource availability and its' bio-energy generation potential which could help in planning and implementation for its utilization. Therefore, a novel study considering the utilization of different livestock category waste for bioenergy production in India at a regional level, for multiple bio-energy pathways (biogas, power, compressed biogas (CBG) and fuelwood/Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) replacement) and for the two latest censuses (2012 & 2019) has been conducted, along with estimation of its GHG emission reduction potential. The analysed annual biogas generation potential (2012 and 2019 respectively): 31,603 and 33,689 Mm 3 , power generation, CBG generation, and LPG/fuelwood replacement potential for 2019: 7122 MW, 13,475 M.kg, 15,834/1,34,756 M.kg, respectively. The estimated annual emission saving potential from biogas for power vis-à-vis coal: 23.32 metric million ton(MMT) CO 2 eq., CBG vis-à-vis petrol/diesel ∼445 MMT CO 2 eq., and for cooking vis-à-vis LPG/fuelwood: 55.42/704.53 MMT CO 2 eq. Biogas derived from livestock manure has the potential to annually replace 4% of coal in power generation, 20% of LPG in cooking, and produce CBG potential about twice that of India's Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) use. The study offers accessible insights on livestock waste availability, energy potential, and emissions savings in India using the latest census data. The methodology/findings can help academics policymakers, and industries in shaping renewable energy and net-zero strategies in India and other developing/underdeveloped countries with large livestock populations. • Biogas & GHG saving potential from livestock waste in India evaluated for 2012 & 2019 • Annual biogas generation potential: 31602 Mm 3 (2012), 33686 Mm 3 (2019) • Power potential:7120 MW;CBG potential:13.4 MMT;LPG/fuelwood replacement:15.8/134.7 MMT • GHG saving: vs coal 23 MMT; vs petrol/diesel 445 MMT; vs LPG/fuelwood 55/705 MMT