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Delhi breathes its cleanest July air in 10 years

Anumita Roychowdhury, an air pollution expert and executive director at the Centre for Science and Environment, said, “The overall improvement in air quality is certainly a reflection of meteorological conditions. As it is, the pollution levels go down during the monsoon months due to the wash-out effect, whereby pollutants dissipate because of heavy showers. This year, we have observed frequent spells of intense rain, which have certainly played a role.” Propelled by regular rainfall on 23 of 31 days this month, the Capital has recorded its cleanest air for the month of July over the past 10 years, according to data shared by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Until July 30, the monthly average air quality index (AQI) has been 79, which is classified as “satisfactory”, according to CPCB’s categorisation. The average AQI in July 2024 was 96, and in July 2023, it was 83.67. To be sure, CPCB began calculating AQI from April 2015. CPCB classifies AQI between 0 and 50 as “good”, between 51 and 100 as “satisfactory”, between 101 and 200 as “moderate”, between 201 and 300 as “poor”, between 301 and 400 as “very poor”, and over 400 as “severe”. The highest AQI average in July was 145.64, recorded in 2016. The average AQI for July in 2022 was 87.29; 110.06 in 2021; 83.80 in 2020; 134 in 2019; 103.83 in 2018; 98.39 in 2017; and 138.13 in 2015. In July 2025, until the 30th, Delhi recorded 28 “satisfactory” air days and two “moderate” air days. The best AQI recorded this month was 51—on the brink of good air—on July 15, and the worst was 136, recorded on July 26. In July 2024, Delhi recorded 14 “moderate” air days and 17 “satisfactory” air days, with the highest AQI, at 138, recorded on July 11. The lowest AQI recorded in July last year was 56, clocked between July 8 and 9. Delhi environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, on July 23, said that Delhi was on its way to record its cleanest July in a decade. He had said, “This is not a seasonal blip — it is the result of Delhi’s multi-agency implementation model, continuous landfill action, intensified sweeping operations, and a clear commitment to outcome-based governance.” Providing data on the same, officials had also said that Delhi had been witnessing a major turnaround in its air quality, with 2025 already having clocked 118 days of “good”, “satisfactory” or “moderate” air quality — matching the total number recorded in all of 2024, as of July 23. However, experts remained sceptical. Anumita Roychowdhury, an air pollution expert and executive director at the Centre for Science and Environment, said, “The overall improvement in air quality is certainly a reflection of meteorological conditions. As it is, the pollution levels go down during the monsoon months due to the wash-out effect, whereby pollutants dissipate because of heavy showers. This year, we have observed frequent spells of intense rain, which have certainly played a role.”

Policy experts, civil society from Asia Pacific discuss country positions ahead of plastics treaty talks

Siddharth Ghanshyam Singh, Centre for Science & Environment (CSE) said, “The moment to push for ambition is now. Opportunities like this don’t come often, and countries must remember who they are negotiating for; their people and our shared planet. We cannot allow a few vocal opponents to derail and delay progress. It’s time to stand firm and take a decisive step toward ending plastic pollution.” Regional policy experts discussed country positions and negotiation dynamics of the Asia Pacific region, in a briefing by Break free from Plastic (BFFP), the global movement working to achieve a future free from plastic pollution, ahead of the INC 5.2 negotiations for the Global Plastic Treaty in Geneva, Switzerland from August 5-14, 2025. INC-5.2 refers to the second part of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC). It discussed how countries frame their priorities around economic development, environmental protection, and regional and international cooperation. Asia Pacific countries sit at the epicentre of both plastic production and pollution impacts; the region's diverse economies and environmental challenges make it a key battleground in the global treaty negotiations. The negotiations outcome will determine global standards for plastic production, waste management, and industry accountability. The briefing also identified key challenges, including procedural issues affecting civil society access, potential delaying tactics, watered-down commitments favouring waste management over production caps, and industry influence promoting circular economy narratives over substantive pollution reduction. For more nuanced coverage of the treaty, the policy experts and researchers on the panel urged journalists to consider a human rights-centric, fossil-fuel-free development model for Asia Pacific. It was felt critical threats that could significantly weaken the treaty include chemical and plastic-producing countries challenging the treaty's scope to address the full plastics lifecycle, potentially removing obligations for primary plastic polymer production reduction and chemicals of concern from the final agreement. The most significant risk is that negotiations could result in a framework convention with voluntary measures rather than legally binding obligations, which would fundamentally undermine the treaty's ability to address global plastic pollution at the required scale and speed. A critical political obstacle to a strong, effective treaty is the decision-making process, which relies on a consensual decision-making process where all countries are not equal, instead of an equal voting process. With pressure to reach a consensus, countries may compromise on stronger provisions to secure a deal, with critical decisions on production reduction measures deferred to future COP processes. As diverse as the Asia Pacific region is, we are most impacted by plastic pollution, and often bear disproportionate blame. C Semee Rhee, Global Policy Advisor, BFFP said “It's not about whether or not we will have a treaty. It's about how many countries will be courageous enough to say that we can no longer continue producing the amount of plastics we currently produce for the sake of the environment and human well-being.” Siddharth Ghanshyam Singh, Centre for Science & Environment (CSE) said, “The moment to push for ambition is now. Opportunities like this don’t come often, and countries must remember who they are negotiating for; their people and our shared planet. We cannot allow a few vocal opponents to derail and delay progress. It’s time to stand firm and take a decisive step toward ending plastic pollution.” Pinky Chandran, Asia Pacific Coordinator, BFFP said “The plastic problem often resembles a kaleidoscope, with no single perspective illuminating the complete picture; in fact, each turn reveals a new representation. We must view the plastic problem as a tapestry, where every element is interconnected, interlinked, and interdependent. A fragmented, piecemeal approach simply won't suffice. And so there must be global binding measures to reduce plastic production, in order to tackle the plastic pollution problem, through just transition lens”. Siddika Sultana, Executive Director, Environment and Social Development Organization (ESDO) said "South Asia is both a significant hotspot for plastic pollution and a center of innovation. To address this issue effectively, the region must shift from isolated national initiatives to coordinated regional action. A united approach—supported by enforcement, investment, and inclusivity—can establish South Asia as a leader in developing an effective global treaty on plastic waste." Punyathorn Jeungsmarn, Plastics Campaign Researcher, Environmental Justice Foundation said, “As a region, Southeast Asia is particularly affected by plastic pollution, and is increasingly becoming the dumping ground for plastic waste, misguided false solutions such as waste-to-energy technologies, and petrochemical expansion. It is therefore crucial for our representatives to stand up and put people and the planet over plastics and the petrochemical industry. Throughout the past rounds of negotiations, we have seen courageous stances from Southeast Asian countries. We hope to see those again in Geneva.”

10 साल बाद दिल्ली वालों ने ली सबसे साफ सांस! जुलाई में हुआ ये कारनामा, जानें इसके पीछे की असली वजह

सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट की वायु प्रदूषण विशेषज्ञ अनुमिता रॉयचौधरी ने कहा, "वायु गुणवत्ता में सुधार मौसम की वजह से है। केंद्रीय प्रदूषण नियंत्रण बोर्ड (CPCB) द्वारा साझा किए गए आंकड़ों के अनुसार, दिल्ली में इस जुलाई में लगातार 23 दिन बारिश होने के कारण पिछले 10 सालों म

बारिश ने बदली दिल्ली की फिजा, एक दशक बाद रही सबसे साफ हवा वाली जुलाई

सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट की कार्यकारी निदेशक अनुमिता रॉयचौधरी का कहना है कि बारिश का 'वॉश-आउट प्रभाव' हवा को साफ करने में बड़ा कारक रहा। भारी बारिश प्रदूषकों को धो देती है और इस साल बारिश की लगातार बौछारों ने इसमें अहम भूमिका निभाई। वे कहती हैं, 'सरकारी कदमों का सही आकलन सर्दियों में होगा, जब प्रदूषण का स्तर फिर बढ़ता है।' दिल्ली की हवा इस जुलाई दशक की सबसे साफ रही। CPCB के मुताबिक, औसत AQI 79 रहा जो कि संतोषजनक श्रेणी में आता है। महीने के 23 दिन बारिश ने प्रदूषण धोया। सरकार का कहना है कि उनके प्रयासों से 2025 में 118 दिन स्वच्छ हवा रही। इस जुलाई में दिल्ली ने एक नया रिकॉर्ड बनाया है। 31 में से 23 दिन बारिश की फुहारों ने राजधानी की हवा को इतना साफ कर दिया कि यह पिछले दस सालों में जुलाई का सबसे साफ हवा वाला महीना बन गया। सेंट्रल पॉल्यूशन कंट्रोल बोर्ड (CPCB) के आंकड़ों के मुताबिक, 30 जुलाई तक इस महीने का औसत वायु गुणवत्ता सूचकांक (AQI) 79 रहा, जो "संतोषजनक" श्रेणी में आता है। राजधानी में बादल-बारिश का सिलसिला जारी है। मौसम के कारकों के चलते हवा साफ-सुथरी बनी हुई है। बुधवार शाम चार बजे तक एक्यूआई 66 अंक था, जो संतोषजनक स्तर पर रहा। पिछले साल यानी जुलाई 2024 में औसत AQI 96 था, जबकि 2023 में यह 83.67 रहा। सीपीसीबी के अनुसार, एक्यूआई अगर 0 से 50 तक हो तो ‘अच्छा’, 51 से 100 तक ‘संतोषजनक’, 101 से 200 ‘मध्यम’ और उससे अधिक ‘खराब’ या उससे ऊपर की श्रेणियों में आता है। अगले दो दिनों के बीच वायु गुणवत्ता का यह साफ-सुथरा स्तर बना रहेगा। सरकारी प्रयासों का कमाल या प्रकृति का करिश्मा? दिल्ली के पर्यावरण मंत्री मंजिंदर सिंह सिरसा ने 23 जुलाई को दावा किया कि यह स्वच्छता कोई मौसमी संयोग नहीं, बल्कि दिल्ली सरकार के ठोस कदमों का नतीजा है। उन्होंने लैंडफिल प्रबंधन, सड़कों की सफाई और परिणाम-उन्मुख शासन पर जोर दिया। आंकड़े बताते हैं कि 2025 में 23 जुलाई तक दिल्ली ने 118 दिन 'अच्छी', 'संतोषजनक' या 'मध्यम' हवा वाले दर्ज किए, जो पूरे 2024 के बराबर है। लेकिन विशेषज्ञ इस दावे पर पूरी तरह सहमत नहीं। सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट की कार्यकारी निदेशक अनुमिता रॉयचौधरी का कहना है कि बारिश का 'वॉश-आउट प्रभाव' हवा को साफ करने में बड़ा कारक रहा। भारी बारिश प्रदूषकों को धो देती है और इस साल बारिश की लगातार बौछारों ने इसमें अहम भूमिका निभाई। वे कहती हैं, 'सरकारी कदमों का सही आकलन सर्दियों में होगा, जब प्रदूषण का स्तर फिर बढ़ता है।'

क्या दिल्ली अब सांस लेने लायक बन रही है, जुलाई ने रच दिया 10 साल का रिकॉर्ड

सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट की अनुमिता रॉयचौधरी का कहना है कि यह सुधार अस्थायी है और मुख्य भूमिका मानसून की है, जिसने प्रदूषकों को धोकर हटा दिया। उन्होंने चेताया कि मानसून के दौरान प्राप्त आंकड़ों से स्थायी नीतिगत सुधारों का मूल्यांकन नहीं किया जा सकता। राजधानी के निवासियों ने इस जुलाई कुछ ऐसा अनुभव किया जो आमतौर पर दुर्लभ होता है अपेक्षाकृत साफ़ हवा। केंद्रीय प्रदूषण नियंत्रण बोर्ड (CPCB) के आंकड़े बताते हैं कि जुलाई 2025 में दिल्ली की वायु गुणवत्ता पिछले दस वर्षों की तुलना में सबसे बेहतर रही। लेकिन इस सुधार के पीछे असल वजह क्या है बेहतर नीतियां या मौसम की मेहरबानी?बारिश ने साफ की दिल्ली की फिजाजुलाई में लगभग पूरे महीने हुई नियमित और जोरदार बारिश ने दिल्ली की हवा को कई स्तरों पर शुद्ध किया। 31 में से 23 दिनों में बारिश होने के चलते वायुमंडल में मौजूद प्रदूषक कण बह गए, जिससे हवा में पारदर्शिता बढ़ी और AQI यानी एयर क्वालिटी इंडेक्स गिरकर 79 तक पहुँच गया, जो "संतोषजनक" श्रेणी में आता है।यह स्तर पिछले वर्षों की तुलना में काफी नीचे है — 2024 में यही औसत AQI 96 और 2023 में 83.67 था। CPCB की निगरानी के अनुसार, 2016 के 145.64 के उच्चतम जुलाई AQI के मुकाबले यह आंकड़ा उल्लेखनीय रूप से बेहतर है।जनजीवन पर असर: सांस लेना हुआ आसानहवा की इस बेहतरी का असर आम लोगों की दिनचर्या पर भी महसूस किया गया। खासकर बुजुर्गों, बच्चों और अस्थमा के मरीजों ने राहत की सांस ली। पार्कों और खुली जगहों में टहलने वालों की संख्या बढ़ी और अस्पतालों में श्वास संबंधी बीमारियों की रिपोर्टिंग में भी कुछ गिरावट देखी गई।सरकारी दावे बनाम वैज्ञानिक नजरियादिल्ली के पर्यावरण मंत्री मनजिंदर सिंह सिरसा ने हवा में सुधार का श्रेय सरकार की बहु-स्तरीय कार्रवाई को दिया। उन्होंने इसे केवल मानसून की देन नहीं, बल्कि स्वच्छता अभियानों, लैंडफिल प्रबंधन और नीतिगत दृढ़ता का परिणाम बताया।हालांकि पर्यावरण विशेषज्ञों का नजरिया कुछ अलग है। सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट की अनुमिता रॉयचौधरी का कहना है कि यह सुधार अस्थायी है और मुख्य भूमिका मानसून की है, जिसने प्रदूषकों को धोकर हटा दिया। उन्होंने चेताया कि मानसून के दौरान प्राप्त आंकड़ों से स्थायी नीतिगत सुधारों का मूल्यांकन नहीं किया जा सकता।बारिश के आंकड़े क्या कहते हैं?सफदरजंग मौसम केंद्र ने 30 जुलाई तक 220.2 मिमी बारिश दर्ज की, जो कि जुलाई की दीर्घकालिक औसत 209.7 मिमी से ऊपर है। दिन भर में हुई और बारिशों को मिलाकर यह आँकड़ा और बढ़ा। राजधानी के अन्य क्षेत्रों — पालम, पूसा और जनकपुरी — में भी लगातार हल्की से मध्यम बारिश होती रही, जिससे पूरे शहर का पर्यावरण कुछ दिन के लिए ही सही, पर सांस लेने लायक बना।

दिल्लीवालों को 10 साल बाद मिली सबसे साफ हवा, आकंड़े हुए जारी, जाने कितना है AQI

पिछले एक दशक में जुलाई का महीना दिल्ली के लिए सबसे स्वच्छ रहा, जहां औसत वायु गुणवत्ता सूचकांक (AQI) 79 दर्ज किया गया, जो 2015 के बाद का सबसे कम आंकड़ा है. हाल ही में हुई रुक-रुक कर बारिश ने दिल्ली की वायु को साफ करने में महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका निभाई है, जिससे पूरे सप्ताह के दौरान वायु गुणवत्ता में सुधार देखने को मिला है. AQI में सुधार के पीछे बारिश का एक महत्वपूर्ण कारण है. केंद्रीय प्रदूषण नियंत्रण बोर्ड के आंकड़ों के अनुसार, दिल्ली में पिछले दस वर्षों में जुलाई का महीना सबसे अधिक स्वच्छ रहा. लगातार हो रही बारिश के कारण वायु गुणवत्ता में सुधार होता रहा, जिससे दिल्ली की हवा ने पिछले एक दशक के रिकॉर्ड को तोड़ दिया. बीते वर्षों में जुलाई के दौरान दिल्ली का वायु गुणवत्ता सूचकांक (AQI) विभिन्न स्तरों पर रहा है. 2015 में यह 138.13, 2016 में 145.64, 2017 में 98.39, 2018 में 103.83, 2019 में 134, 2020 में 83.80, 2021 में 110.06, 2022 में 87.29, 2023 में 83.67, 2024 में 96 और 2025 में 79 दर्ज किया गया है. यह 2025 का AQI पिछले वर्षों की तुलना में सबसे कम है, जो वायु गुणवत्ता में सुधार का संकेत देता है. सामान्य से अधिक हुई बारिश जुलाई महीने में बारिश की मात्रा औसत से अधिक रही है, और शहर के विभिन्न क्षेत्रों में लगातार वर्षा हो रही है. भारत मौसम विज्ञान विभाग (IMD) ने आज दिल्ली और उसके आसपास के क्षेत्रों में तेज बारिश की संभावना जताई है. इसके साथ ही, 31 जुलाई को बारिश के लिए यलो अलर्ट भी जारी किया गया है. AQI कितना बेहतर दिल्ली और एनसीआर में लगातार बारिश के कारण वायु गुणवत्ता सूचकांक में सुधार हुआ है. जुलाई महीने में औसत AQI 79 दर्ज किया गया, जो 2015 के बाद से सबसे कम है. यह AQI संतोषजनक श्रेणी में आता है. केंद्रीय प्रदूषण नियंत्रण बोर्ड (सीपीसीबी) के अनुसार, AQI को 0 से 50 के बीच अच्छा, 51 से 100 के बीच संतोषजनक, 101 से 200 के बीच मध्यम, 201 से 300 के बीच खराब, 301 से 400 के बीच बहुत खराब और 401 से 500 के बीच गंभीर माना जाता है. वायु प्रदूषण विशेषज्ञ ने क्या कहा? विशेषज्ञ इस दावे को लेकर संदेह में हैं. सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट की वायु प्रदूषण विशेषज्ञ और कार्यकारी निदेशक अनुमिता रॉयचौधरी ने बताया कि वायु गुणवत्ता में सुधार मौसम की परिस्थितियों का परिणाम है. उन्होंने कहा कि मानसून के दौरान भारी बारिश के कारण प्रदूषक पानी में मिल जाते हैं, जिससे प्रदूषण का स्तर घटता है. इस वर्ष लगातार हो रही तीव्र बारिश को इस स्थिति का मुख्य कारण माना गया है. रॉयचौधरी ने सरकार के योगदान पर टिप्पणी करते हुए कहा कि सीमित समय में सभी उत्सर्जन डेटा की तुलना करना संभव नहीं है. मानसून के मौसम में इस तरह के आकलन करना उचित नहीं होगा. सर्दियों के महीनों में प्रदूषण के स्तरों का विश्लेषण करना आवश्यक है, ताकि यह पता चल सके कि सरकार की पहल सही दिशा में प्रगति कर रही हैं या नहीं. सामान्य से अधिक हुई बारिश जुलाई में बारिश की मात्रा पहले के औसत से अधिक रही है. दिल्ली के सफदरजंग मौसम केंद्र ने बुधवार सुबह 8:30 बजे तक 220.2 मिमी बारिश रिकॉर्ड की, जबकि इसका लंबा अवधि का औसत 209.7 मिमी है. इसी दिन शाम 5:30 बजे तक इस केंद्र ने 15 मिमी और बारिश दर्ज की. शहर के विभिन्न क्षेत्रों में हल्की से मध्यम बारिश हुई. पालम मौसम केंद्र ने बुधवार सुबह 8:30 बजे तक पिछले 24 घंटों में 4.6 मिमी और सुबह 8:30 से शाम 5:30 बजे के बीच 28.3 मिमी बारिश रिकॉर्ड की. इसी समय में पूसा स्टेशन पर क्रमशः 37.5 मिमी और 12.5 मिमी बारिश हुई, जबकि जनकपुरी स्टेशन में देर दोपहर 11.5 मिमी बारिश हुई. भारत मौसम विज्ञान विभाग (IMD) के एक अधिकारी के अनुसार, गुरुवार को भी हल्की से मध्यम बारिश की संभावना बनी रहेगी, जबकि शुक्रवार से बहुत हल्की से हल्की बारिश, गरज और बिजली गिरने की घटनाएं देखी जा सकती हैं.

Kolkata beats other metros, reports more than 50% of good air days in 4 years: CSE study

The findings, part of CSE's State of India's Environment in Figures 2025, analysed air quality data from Jan 1, 2021 to March 31, 2025. KOLKATA: The city has taken the top spot with the best air quality among six key Indian metros, a study by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has revealed. Kolkata witnessed 791 days - over 50% of the total 1,550 days assessed - of 'very good' and 'satisfact-ory' air quality, highest among the metros. The findings, part of CSE's State of India's Environment in Figures 2025, analysed air quality data from Jan 1, 2021 to March 31, 2025. According to the study, Kolkata reported 368 days of 'very good' air and 423 days of 'satisfactory' air during this period. While only 231 days of 'moderate' air was recorded in the city, not a single day was reported in the 'severe' category. With fewer 'poor' and 'very poor' air quality days - 513 and 15 respectively - Kolkatans faced limited exposure to harmful pollution levels, which in turn meant better health, the analysis highlighted. Delhi remained the most polluted metro during the study period, with 396 'moderate', 265 'poor' and 62 'very poor' air quality days. Significantly, the national capital's 284 'severe' air days was in sharp contrast to Kolkata's nil, an indication of the former's prolonged hazardous pollution levels. "Kolkata's success story is a result of several key policy decisions by PCB and their effective implementation by the local bodies," said West Bengal Pollution Control Board chairman Kalyan Rudra. "Using sprinklers to prevent dust-resuspension, deploying fire tenders at landfills, biomining of garbage heaps, shifting to clean fuel, use of smokeless chullah by food vendors and urban and rural poor have all been crucial in improving the city's air quality," he added. Rudra, however, cautioned that significant challenges remained in reducing emissions further. Kolkata beats other metros, reports more than 50% of good air days in 4 years: CSE study 'Clean Air project helps Kol improve AQI management' Anumita Roychowdhury, an air quality expert with CSE, said the Centre's National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) helped track pollution levels and undertake remedial measures. Under the NCAP monitoring and compliance system, cities report their progress on the Central Pollution Control Board's PRANA portal, every quarter, defining the scope of action, setting targets to reduce pollution and indicating funding. "The performance-linked NCAP framework helped lay the foundations of national air quality management in non-attainment cities, such as Kolkata," said Roychowdhury. Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Chennai recorded a high number of 'poor' AQI days, but dodged 'very poor' or 'severe' days, owing to their locations, weather and pollution sources. Air pollution in southern metros is primarily driven by vehicular emissions, dust and industrial activities. Mumbai presented a hybrid pattern. The city saw 145 'very good', 637 'satisfactory', 118 'moderate' and 649 'poor' AQI days. It largely stayed clear of 'very poor' and 'severe' levels, recording only one 'very poor' day and zero 'severe' days.

Delhi worst, Kolkata best: CSE study ranks air quality in Indian metros

Analysis by the CSE, detailed in its annual State of India’s Environment in Figures 2025, recorded Kolkata having 791 days where air quality was described as either 'very good' or 'satisfactory.' Kolkata has emerged as the Indian metro with the cleanest air quality, overtaking its larger rivals over a four-year period, according to new research published by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). The report, highlighted by TOI, places the city well ahead of Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Chennai for the number of days with 'very good' and 'satisfactory' air quality out of 1,550 days tracked between January 2021 and March 2025. Analysis by the CSE, detailed in its annual State of India’s Environment in Figures 2025, recorded Kolkata having 791 days where air quality was described as either 'very good' or 'satisfactory.' The Bengal capital enjoyed 368 days of 'very good' and 423 days of 'satisfactory' air, with only 231 days falling under the 'moderate' category and, notably, not a single day rated as 'severe.' This stands in sharp contrast to Delhi, which endured 284 days of 'severe' air, the highest in the country. The CSE findings underline the health implications for citizens, noting that with just 513 'poor' and 15 'very poor' air quality days, Kolkata residents were largely shielded from prolonged hazardous pollution. The city’s relative success has been credited to a combination of policies and innovations steered by local authorities and the West Bengal Pollution Control Board (PCB). PCB chairman Kalyan Rudra was cited by TOI as saying that the city’s improved air quality was due to a series of strategic actions, including "using sprinklers to prevent dust-resuspension, deploying fire tenders at landfills, biomining of garbage heaps, shifting to clean fuel, use of smokeless chullah by food vendors and urban and rural poor." He added, "Kolkata’s success story is a result of several key policy decisions by PCB and their effective implementation by the local bodies." Rudra, however, emphasised that persistent efforts are needed to further reduce emissions.

Meghalaya Receives 56% Less Rainfall This Monsoon Amid Changing Climate Patterns

Meghalaya recorded the highest rainfall deficit among all the states and Union Territories (UT) of the country at 56% during the Southwest Monsoon (SWM) season of 2025. Despite being wetter historically, Meghalaya received less rainfall this monsoon than the drier state of Jharkhand, reported Down To Earth. Meghalaya, in northeastern India, is called the ‘Abode of Clouds’ due to its near-permanent presence of clouds and accompanying heavy rain. The state also houses two of the rainiest places in the world, Mawsynram and Cherrapunji where 83% of the population depends on rain-fed agriculture and 48% of the land is cultivable, according to Down To Earth.

No pollution data from Haryana as all state AQI stations offline since April

GURGAON: A large chunk of Delhi's neighbourhood has been pollution-blind since April and could remain so when toxic air over the region peaks in Oct-Nov, severely undermining mitigation strategies over India's most polluted airshed. All 29 air quality monitoring stations in Haryana operated by state pollution control board (HSPCB) have been offline since April 2 this year. The state's pollution data, meanwhile, has been coming from just two stations of the India Meteorological Department, one in Gurgaon and the other in Panchkula. HSPCB stations are offline because the board let the maintenance contract with the firm that had managed monitors for five years lapse without lining up a stopgap fix. Air monitoring stations began going offline after Oct 31 last year. By Dec 31, nearly 50% of the stations had stopped recording data, which is used by HSPCB and Central Pollution Control Board to issue daily pollution bulletins and by CAQM to formulate strategies for bad-air days. Gurgaon staring at no alerts, no enforcement in smog season The stations progressively went on the blink till the whole network went down on April 2. On days when the IMD stations don’t record air quality because of glitches or other reasons, the state has no pollution data. This happened in Gurgaon for several days this month when the IMD station in Gwalpahari wasn’t working. A tender floated in May 2025 for an operator drew only one bidder. The bid was automatically disqualified under govt’s procurement rules that require at least two bidders for competitive selection. According to officials, the second round of tenders is still being prepared and is expected to be issued this week with a late-Aug deadline for submissions. Once bids are received, a lengthy evaluation follows. The process involves technical scrutiny, financial review, clearance by a high-powered committee and finally approval from the chief minister’s office. That, according to officials, could take 60 to 90 days. That means Haryana could enter peak smog season without real-time AQI data, without which there can be no alerts, no enforcement and no public warnings. These are all critical to Grap (graded response action plan), which usually comes into force from Oct 15. “There should have been a contingency plan. Even if you want to bring in a new vendor, you don’t shut off surveillance entirely. That’s like switching off CCTV in a high-crime zone because you are changing the camera vendor,” a senior HSPCB official admitted. Sunil Dahiya, founder and lead analyst at Envirocatalysts, emphasised the importance of timely administrative decisions on bids for new contracts. “Decisions on opening bids for new contracts for govt services are usually planned well before the existing one ends, especially for maintaining such critical infrastructure as air quality monitoring in a state like Haryana, which lies in one of the most polluted areas. It’s unfortunate that this happened, but it should serve as a reminder to plan better for the future and for other states,” he said. Asked about it, HSPCB chairman Vineet Garg said the board has changed certain conditions in the tender and will be floating it by the end of July. While Grap’s implementation is based on Delhi’s AQI data, anti-pollution measures are enforced in all NCR cities after analysing indices recorded by local air monitors. “This blackout is likely to have serious consequences. Winter is the most polluted time of year in Haryana, with air quality often slipping into ‘very poor’ or ‘severe’ category due to stagnant weather, crop residue burning and fossil fuel emissions. Without functioning monitors, district authorities can’t track local AQI levels, identify pollution spikes, decide when to implement pollution curbs,” said Shubhansh Tiwari, research associate at Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), adding that the state would essentially be forced to rely on Delhi data. The implication goes beyond Grap. Under National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) and its state-specific pollution control action plans, govt must track, report and demonstrate year-on-year improvements in air quality, all of which are data-dependent. Manoj Kumar, an analyst at Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), said with the entire network rendered non-functional, there is growing concern about the progress, or lack thereof, made over the past six months. “In the absence of real-time data, it is tough to assess if efforts are underway to restore the monitoring system ahead of the upcoming peak pollution season. This gap in information affects both public awareness and the ability to evaluate policy response,” Kumar added. The two monitors in Gurgaon and Panchkula cover just a fraction of the state’s urban and industrial landscape. “You can’t extrapolate Delhi’s air to Karnal or Hisar,” said a senior officer who is part of the clean air programme. “The pollution sources, local weather patterns, and emissions vary. A single reading from Gurgaon tells you nothing about what’s happening in Yamunanagar or Panipat,” he said. For that matter, a station in one part of a large city won't even capture the picture in another part of it. A study of the air quality data by CREA found that Jan 19, 2025, was Gurgaon’s “overshoot day”. By then, PM 2.5 concentration was already so high that even if levels were to drastically reduce to zero for the rest of the year, the city would still fail to meet the acceptable limit specified by World Health Organisation (WHO). The analysis ranked Gurgaon as the fifth most polluted Indian city in the first half of 2025.

Waste-to-Energy Plants, Once Regarded As Panacea For India’s Garbage Crisis, Are Worsening Toxic Air In Cities

A 2018 report by the Centre for Science and Environment also found that most waste-to-energy plants received mixed waste, comprising a high percentage of biodegradable and inert materials (wastes that do not burn easily, such as construction waste, glass, drywall material, bricks, metal, etc). Rajpal Saini, founder of Khatta Hatao Dehat Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, a grassroots organisation opposing waste dumping yards —khatta is Hindi for landfill sites—and incineration plants has been mobilising protests since 2017. It was the establishment of the Narela-Bawana waste-to-energy plant on the northern fringe of the capital city, 5 km from the Haryana border, that prompted him to start a citizens’ movement to protect the environment. “I will never stop raising my voice against waste-to-energy plants,” said Saini, 68, who retired as a sanitary worker from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) a few years back. The Narela-Bawana plant owned by the municipality has a daily capacity of 2,000 tonnes of solid waste, and the power it generates is sold to the Delhi power grid. “The local environment in Narela Bawana is not suitable to practise pranayama (breathing exercises), yoga or meditation,” he told Article 14. “The AQI here ranges between poor and severe throughout the year.” Similar concerns over the air quality around waste-to-energy plants emerge in other Indian cities too. In Chinnamathur in Manali, North Chennai, where a waste incinerator has raised health concerns among local residents already burdened by industrial pollution, Ezhilarasi, 52, said, “If burning waste during Bhogi (a Tamil festival before Pongal) is banned due to the smoke that is produced, is it fair that we have to live near such a toxic site and breathe its air throughout the year?” Ezhilarasi, who uses only one name, is a resident of the area and said it was plainly apparent that air pollution levels were severe in the region until the Chinnamathur incineration plant was shut down in April 2025 following sustained protests by locals. The Chinnamathur incinerator burnt only 10 tonnes of waste everyday, but it posed serious health risks, she said, including a growing incidence of respiratory illnesses and also an apparent rise in incidence of cancer cases nearby. Waste-to-energy plants convert non-recyclable waste into usable forms of energy, by burning such waste at high temperatures, producing high pressure steam in a boiler. The steam drives the blades of a turbine generator to generate electricity. The process reduces a significant volume of waste, thus freeing up landfill space. A Problematic Solution Across India, there are at least 20 major waste-to-energy plants, though only 12 have been operational, according to a November 2022 report by the union ministry of new and renewable energy. The union and state governments continue to promote waste-to-energy projects, and as many as 44 plants were under construction in December 2021. ​ In Chennai, an upcoming waste-to-energy facility is expected to burn 2,100 tonnes of garbage daily, about 35% of the city's 6,000 tonnes of waste generated everyday. Generation of municipal solid waste (MSW) in the country is estimated to be 150,000 tonnes per day (TPD) while the total waste that may be currently incinerated in existing plants totals 19,990 tonnes per day—about an eighth of the country’s total waste generation. Waste-to-energy plants are positioned as one of a handful of solutions to the planet’s mounting waste crisis—they divert garbage away from landfills while also generating electricity that does not rely on fossil fuels. Municipal solid waste in urban India, however, is poorly segregated, has high moisture content and low calorific value, making for lower electricity generation per tonne of MSW. Incineration, however, generates toxic residues such as fly ash, which contains harmful heavy metals and carcinogens. This ash has uses in farming (as a fertiliser) or construction (in cement, reducing reliance on virgin materials), but poses serious health risks for poor communities living near incineration plants. These risks include respiratory issues and long-term toxicity that is frequently overlooked. “The number of people affected with tuberculosis, eye diseases, lung infection, infant mortality and other reproductive issues has seen a rise in Delhi’s Narela-Bawana,” Rajpal told Article 14. “Respiratory issues used to be seasonal, but now I see such cases almost daily—year-round,” said Neeta Mishra, MD, a gynaecologist living near Okhla’s waste-to-energy plant. Eye irritation, heaviness of the chest and throat discomfort have become constant, worsening in winter, she said. “People here live on anti-allergic medicines, and have begun accepting these symptoms as normal. Even pregnant women report severe discomfort,” Mishra said. A report by Toxic Tours, a community-led storytelling group that focuses on the impacts of plastic production, identified residents near the Okhla plant who suffered from chronic cough, lung disorders, eye and skin ailments, and also cancer. A resident who is also a general physician with a clinic near Delhi’s Okhla incineration plant was quoted in the report saying several residents living near the waste-to-energy plant report respiratory ailments such as asthma and lung infections. He said he often refers serious cases to government hospitals for advanced care. A November 2024 investigation by The New York Times uncovered environmental violations at the waste-to-energy plant in Okhla- Delhi, also found debilitating chronic illnesses among local residents. Burning plastic material emits highly toxic chemicals called ‘dioxins’ that can accumulate in the food chain causing severe problems with reproduction and the immune system. Burning of plastics is also a major cause of reduced visibility in Delhi during the winters. An Environmental Hazard Apart from health concerns, municipal solid waste may contain many materials with the potential to cause serious environmental degradation. A 2021 report by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) found that Delhi’s waste-to-energy plants failed to comply with air quality standards. The plant in Bawana exceeded permissible levels of PM 2.5 and PM 10 (the numerals refer to the diameter of particulate matter, in micrometers), which are tiny inhalable particles that can cause respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Similarly, a 2025 fact-finding report from Hyderabad’s Jawahar Nagar waste-to-energy plant highlighted severe environmental degradation in the surrounding area. Stones and small rock particles had eroded to the point of crumbling at the slightest touch, and roads leading from the plant were coated in ash. Leachate from the landfill, more toxic due to ash from the incinerator, was flowing directly into a nearby pond, said the report, compiled by representatives of various environmental groups in Hyderabad. “Water sources within a 10-km radius are completely polluted due to leachate,” said Ruchith Asha Kamal from the Climate Front Hyderabad. “We also conducted a chemical analysis and found that 16 substances in the borewell water exceeded permissible limits.” Kamal said short-term consumption of such water could cause gastrointestinal discomfort, taste issues or dehydration, while long-term use could lead to kidney stones, cardiovascular strain, bone disorders, and liver/kidney damage. A recent report titled ‘Waste-to-Energy Incineration and Urban Heat in Delhi: Burning Waste, Warming Cities?’ by the People’s Alliance for Waste Accountability (PAWA), a collective of organisations and concerned individuals, contended that Delhi’s waste-to-energy plants were not only polluting the air but also warming the city. The report was the first to link waste incineration with the urban heat island effect, highlighting that Delhi’s four plants release over 398 million cubic meters of hot flue gas besides 12,325 tonnes of carbon dioxide every day, equivalent to emissions from more than 3 million passenger cars (which are estimated to produce 4 kg of carbon dioxide per day). Garbage Mismanagement According to a 2020-21 Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) report, the overall quantity of solid waste generated in India stands at 160,038.9 tonnes per day (TPD), or 58.3 million tonnes of MSW per year. This figure is projected to increase to 165 million tonnes by 2031 and could reach 436 million tonnes by 2050, according to a NITI Aayog report. The Solid Waste Management Rules 2016, notified by the government of India to regulate the collection, segregation, handling, storage and processing of solid waste, stipulates that only non-recyclable and non-biodegradable waste with a calorific value of 1,500 kcal/kg or more should be directed to waste-to-energy plants. However, unsegregated waste collected from across the city, including waste from slaughterhouses and wholesale markets which have a high moisture content, makes its way to these plants. Saini said such waste releases a foul smell. A 2018 report by the Centre for Science and Environment also found that most waste-to-energy plants received mixed waste, comprising a high percentage of biodegradable and inert materials (wastes that do not burn easily, such as construction waste, glass, drywall material, bricks, metal, etc). The calorific value of these wastes ranges between 1,41 kcal/kg to 2,150 kcal/kg, the study found, whereas efficient combustion requires waste with a calorific value of at least 1,900 kcal/kg to 3,800 kcal/kg.

Delhi sees sharp jump in PUC challans this year

Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director of research and advocacy at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), said there is a need for stricter emission monitoring of vehicles. “Strict monitoring of emissions from vehicles on the road is necessary because the vehicles are among the key contributors to Delhi’s poor air quality. The transport department has issued nearly 163,000 Pollution Under Control (PUC) challans in 2025 so far — indicating a more than 300%jump in the monthly average from the past year, data showed. While the data for the corresponding period in 2024 was not available, a total of 68,000 challans were issued in the entire year. Prior to that too, the number of challans issued remained low -- in 2023, 36,000 challans were issued, 43,500 challans in 2022, and 29500 in 2023. The sharp rise in the number of challans issued so far this year is due to installation of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras, renewed enforcement push and the government’s growing reliance on digital tools such as online issuance of PUC challans using API technology linked with the Centre’s Vahan database to track and penalise violators, officials said. ANPR cameras have been installed at around 300 fuel stations across the city. “High-resolution ANPR cameras capture the licence plate details of vehicles when they come for refilling. These details are cross-referenced in real time with the central vehicle database via the mParivahan API to check for valid PUC certification. If a vehicle is found to have an expired or missing PUC certificate, and it is not renewed within one hour of detection, the system automatically triggers the generation of an e-challan. The entire process is managed through a centralised server infrastructure housed at the transport department headquarters, ensuring seamless and automated enforcement,” said an official of the transport department. The vehicle owner is intimated about the PUC challan through a text message on the registered mobile number. Delhi has 966 PUC checking centres, where the tailpipe emission standards of the vehicles can be checked by paying a nominal fee. According to transport department officials, as of January 2025, out of the around 8.2 million active vehicles in the city, nearly 2.6 million do not have a valid PUC certificate, meaning their certificates had either expired or were never issued. Section 190(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act makes it mandatory for vehicles to have PUC certificates. The owner of a vehicle plying without a valid PUC certificate is liable to be prosecuted and may be imprisoned for up to three months or fined up to ₹10,000, or both. “Besides digital intervention, around eight to ten enforcement teams of the transport department are also deployed every day at various locations in the city for carrying out random checks for PUC certificate checks,” said a second department official. A breakdown of online challans and manual challans was not immediately available. According to a recent report by the Delhi government, under the updated PUC certificate regime, emission readings are automatically captured and assessed, removing human discretion and ensuring objectivity. This system ensures only compliant vehicles remain in operation, regardless of age and based on actual emissions being emitted from the vehicle. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director of research and advocacy at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), said there is a need for stricter emission monitoring of vehicles. “Strict monitoring of emissions from vehicles on the road is necessary because the vehicles are among the key contributors to Delhi’s poor air quality. The government should also ensure that 100% compliance with basic PUC norms also requires credible and properly conducted PUC tests.”

गहरे मतभेद के बीच बॉन से बेलेम तक आगे बढ़ती वैश्विक जलवायु वार्ता

हर साल दो हफ्ते तक होने वाला बॉन जलवायु परिवर्तन सम्मेलन 26 जून को कुछ प्रगति के साथ संपन्न तो हो गया, लेकिन इसने ऐसे समय में पार्टियों के बीच गहरे मतभेद भी उजागर किए, जब वैश्विक तापमान में बढ़ोतरी के दुष्प्रभाव तेजी से महसूस किए जा रहे हैं। जलवायु परिवर्तन पर संयुक्त राष्ट्र फ्रेमवर्क कन्वेंशन (यूएनएफसीसीसी) के तहत साल के बीच में आयोजित होने वाली बैठक का उद्देश्य जलवायु वार्ता के तकनीकी और वैज्ञानिक पहलुओं पर विचार करना और संगठन के आगामी कॉन्फ्रेंस ऑफ पार्टीज (कॉप) के एजेंडे को तय करना था। एजेंडे पर असहमति की वजह से बैठक लगभग दो दिन आगे खिसक गई, क्योंकि विकासशील देशों ने विकसित देशों के जलवायु वित्त से जुड़ी जिम्मेदारियों और यूरोपीय संघ के कार्बन सीमा समायोजन तंत्र (सीबीएएम) जैसे एकतरफा व्यापार उपायों के प्रभावों पर औपचारिक चर्चा की मांग की थी। पक्षों के बीच खास तौर पर वित्त और उत्सर्जन में कमी को लेकर पहले के मतभेद जारी रहे और इससे कई अन्य एजेंडों पर प्रगति प्रभावित हुई। इसके बावजूद, बॉन ने अनुकूलन पर वैश्विक लक्ष्य और जस्ट ट्रांजिशन वर्क प्रोग्राम जैसे मुद्दों पर पर्याप्त प्रगति देखी। दरअसल, इस साल की यह बैठक पिछले साल बाकू में अजरबैजान की अध्यक्षता में हुए कॉप-29 में आखिरी वक्त में पारित कराए गए जलवायु वित्त समझौते के बाद आयोजित की गई थी। इस समझौते पर कई पक्षों ने निराशा जताई थी और यही भावना बॉन सम्मेलन में भी दिखी। 24 जून को छोटे द्वीपीय राज्यों के गठबंधन (AOSIS) ने निराशा जताते हुए कहा, “जलवायु परिवर्तन और उसके विनाशकारी दुष्प्रभाव तेज हो रहे हैं, इसके बावजूद हम उसी गति से कार्रवाई क्यों नहीं हो रही है?” सत्र के आखिर में, अल्प विकसित देशों (एलडीसी) के समूह ने विज्ञान पर हमलों पर इसी तरह की निराशा व्यक्त करते हुए कहा, “यह चिंताजनक है कि वैज्ञानिक तथ्यों को चुनौती दी जा रही है। 1.5° सेल्सियस के जिक्र को महज खतरे की आहट मानना बेहद चिंताजनक है।” समूह ने कहा कि मौजूदा कोशिशें बेपटरी हो रही हैं और संगठन ने और ज्यादा महत्वाकांक्षी लक्ष्यों पर जोर दिया। समापन सत्र के दौरान पूरे माहौल का सार तब सामने आया जब संयुक्त राष्ट्र जलवायु परिवर्तन के कार्यकारी सचिव साइमन स्टील ने कहा, “बेलेम (कॉप-30) में दोबारा मिलने से पहले हमें बहुत कुछ करना होगा। विज्ञान की मांग के अनुसार, 1.5 को बनाए रखने के लिए अभी बहुत कुछ किया जाना जरूरी है।” जस्ट ट्रांजिशन और अनुकूलन पर प्रगति बॉन जलवायु परिवर्तन सम्मेलन, एसबी62 (जून में होने वाली जलवायु वार्ताएं) में बातचीत के दो प्रमुख बिंदुओं पर प्रगति देखी गई: जस्ट ट्रांजिशन वर्क प्रोग्राम (जेटीडब्ल्यूपी) और अनुकूलन पर वैश्विक लक्ष्य (जीजीए)। पहली बार वार्ताकारों ने जेटीडब्ल्यूपी पर मसौदा निर्णय और अनौपचारिक नोट तैयार किया, जिस पर कॉप-30 में आगे चर्चा की जाएगी। यह नोट विकासशील देशों को जस्ट ट्रांजिशन से जुड़ी रणनीतियों को लागू करने में सहायता के लिए वित्तपोषण, क्षमता निर्माण और प्रौद्योगिकी हस्तांतरण के संभावित तरीकों की रूपरेखा प्रस्तुत करता है। यह देशों को अपनी राष्ट्रीय जलवायु योजनाओं में जस्ट ट्रांजिशन संबंधी विचारों को शामिल करने के लिए भी प्रोत्साहित करता है। इनमें राष्ट्रीय स्तर पर तय योगदान (NDC\एनसीडी), राष्ट्रीय अनुकूलन योजनाएं (NAP) और लंबी अवधि में कम उत्सर्जन के लिए विकास रणनीतियां (LT-LEDS) शामिल हैं। स्वतंत्र थिंक टैंक इंटरनेशनल इंस्टीट्यूट फॉर सस्टेनेबल डेवलपमेंट (आईआईएसडी) के नीति सलाहकार जोनास कुएहल का कहना है कि यह पेरिस समझौते के मुख्य ढांचे में सामाजिक बराबरी और श्रम मुद्दों को शामिल करने की दिशा में शुरुआती कदम है। जेटीडब्ल्यूपी का मसौदा जलवायु वित्त को जस्ट ट्रांजिशन के व्यापक सामाजिक और आर्थिक पहलुओं से जोड़ता है। इसमें मानवाधिकारों, लैंगिक समानता और मूल निवासियों व अन्य कमजोर समूहों के अधिकारों का उल्लेख है। कुएहल कहते हैं कि ये संदर्भ जलवायु वित्त के दायरे को व्यापक बनाते हैं और संकेत देते हैं कि संसाधनों को ना सिर्फ बुनियादी ढांचे, उत्सर्जन में कमी और एडेप्टेशन के लिए, बल्कि सामाजिक सुरक्षा, कौशल विकास को नया आयाम देने और समावेशी योजना के लिए भी मददगार होना चाहिए। नए जेटीडब्ल्यूपी दस्तावेज में एकतरफा व्यापार उपायों पर भी बात है। विकासशील देशों ने ऐसे उपायों पर चर्चा के लिए दबाव डाला है, जिनके बारे में उनका कहना है कि ये जलवायु कार्रवाई के नाम पर थोपे गए हैं। उनकी दलील है कि ये नीतियां जलवायु परिवर्तन से प्रभावी ढंग से निपटने की उनकी क्षमता को सीमित करती हैं। हालांकि, विकसित देशों की दलील है कि ऐसे मुद्दों का हल विश्व व्यापार संगठन (डब्ल्यूटीओ) जैसे व्यापार मंचों पर किया जाना चाहिए। जानकार जेटीडब्ल्यूपी में व्यापार उपायों को शामिल करने को सकारात्मक पहल मानते हैं, लेकिन आगाह करते हैं कि इसे जस्ट ट्रांजिशन के अन्य अहम पहलुओं पर हावी नहीं होना चाहिए। नई दिल्ली स्थित गैर-लाभकारी संस्था सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट (सीएसई) में जलवायु परिवर्तन कार्यक्रम की कार्यक्रम प्रबंधक अवंतिका गोस्वामी कहती हैं, “ऐसी आशंकाएं थी कि जेटीडब्ल्यूपी चर्चा में व्यापार उपायों को शामिल करने से जस्ट ट्रांजिशन पर अन्य सभी चर्चाएं पीछे छूट जाएंगी। सौभाग्य से, नागरिक समाज के समर्थन से अन्य तत्वों को शामिल करते हुए मसौदा तैयार किया गया और इस पर बेलेम में बातचीत की जाएगी।”

Choosing the lesser evil, or ignoring the bigger picture?

Earlier this month, the government eased sulphur emission rules for coal-fired power plants, effectively exempting 79 per cent of the plants – including those located more than 10 km from populated and polluted cities – from installing FGD systems. FGD stands for flue-gas desulphurisation, a system that removes sulphur from power plants’ exhaust gases. In 2015, the government had mandated that all coal-fired power plants install FGD systems to reduce sulphur dioxide emissions; the mandate now stands restricted. The government’s move, which came after concerns were raised about increased carbon dioxide emissions from the operation of existing control measures and a “detailed analysis” by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), may reduce electricity costs by 25-30 paise per unit, claim officials. But, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and environmentalists are not buying the reasons for this shift. They are, instead, asking hard-hitting questions about the need to choose the lesser of the two evils – sulphur or carbon emissions – instead of finding a middle path. Key findings and studies The government claims that extensive deliberations and multiple independent studies were undertaken to formulate the new framework that categorises mandatory FGD installation only to plants located within 10 kilometres of cities with a population exceeding one million. However, plants in critically polluted areas or non-attainment cities will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, according to the new mandate. All other plants are exempt from mandatory FGD installation. Studies by IIT Delhi, CSIR-NEERI and the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), said the government, found that ambient sulphur dioxide levels in most parts of India were well within the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The IIT Delhi study, which was conducted in 2024 with support from the Ministry of Power, examined ambient SO₂ (sulphur dioxide) concentrations in 10 cities, covering a range of geographic and developmental categories. It reported that daily mean SO₂ concentrations ranged from 2.97 to 16.17 micrograms per cubic metre, which was well below the NAAQS limit of 80 micrograms per cubic metre. More curiously, the study found no significant difference in SO₂ levels between cities with thermal power plants equipped with operational FGDs and those without them. The study by NIAS Bangalore stated that over 92 per cent of electricity generated by Indian thermal power plants comes from coal with sulphur content that is below 0.5 per cent – a level considered low by international standards. The organisation’s report suggested that a mandated installation of FGD systems in all thermal plants by 2030 could, in fact, result in a significant rise in Auxiliary Power Consumption, which could lead to an additional 69 million tonnes of carbon emissions from 2025-2030. A reduction in SO₂ emissions, on the contrary, may be only about 17 million tonnes over the same timeframe. New mandate and the reasons behind it The current mandate that eases rules of FGD installation stems from a 2015 study that was conducted by professors Mukesh Sharma and Dikshit from IIT Kanpur. Their research led to the conclusion that secondary sulphate particles accounted for 8 to 21 per cent of PM2.5 pollution in Delhi during the winter months. When they measured sulphur oxide levels across multiple cities, they found them ranging between 3 and 20 micrograms per cubic meter, which is below the NAAQS threshold of 80 micrograms per cubic meter. Officials said studies had also questioned the environmental and economic efficacy of a universal FGD mandate in the Indian context. When it comes to coal-fired power plants, Indian coal typically has a sulphur content of less than 0.5 per cent. When high stack heights and favourable meteorological conditions are taken into account, dispersion of SO₂ is efficient. The NIAS study warned that retrofitting FGDs nationwide could be counter-effective, as it would add an estimated 69 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions between the time period of 2025 and 2030 due to increased limestone mining, transportation, and power consumption. An affidavit incorporating these findings will be submitted shortly to the Supreme Court in the MC Mehta vs Union of India case, where FGD enforcement timelines have been under judicial scrutiny. Why the industry backs new norms Industry officials justified a relaxation in the norms, saying they would bring down the cost of electricity by 25-30 paise per unit, which would trickle down to consumers. In a high-demand, cost-sensitive economy, the impact may help state discoms contain tariffs and reduce subsidy burden on governments. Moreover, the financial burden of mandatory FGD retrofitting was previously estimated to be an exorbitant ₹2.5 lakh crore, or ₹1.2 crore per MW, with installation timelines of up to 45 days per unit – a figure that may even jeopardise grid stability during peak seasons. A senior executive at a leading public sector utility called it a “rational, science-based move that keeps electricity affordable”. ICP Keshari, the Director General of Power Producers Association (PPA), also hailed the decision as “good and consumer-centric”. Indian coal, he opined, “does not have any big sulphur oxide emission problems”. “It is only the particulate matter which is of concern,” he added. While acknowledging that the move will benefit power plants based on domestic coal, Keshari said the new FGD norm “identifies the problem and does not unnecessarily load cost on consumers”. Concerns and questions While government officials insist that the government remains committed to environmental protection, “under a smarter lens” and that the new mandate is "not a rollback but a recalibration based on evidence,” the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and environment activists have raised strong concerns about the shift in India’s FGD strategy. The CSE argues that the current discussions around FGD installation have ignored a hugely critical aspect – the role of SO₂ in the formation of secondary PM2.5, a pollutant closely linked to severe respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Ambient SO₂ levels, which the new mandate is largely centred on, are not significant, says the body. The CSE underscores that the 2015 IIT Kanpur study had already identified secondary sulphate aerosols as major contributors to PM2.5 concentrations in Delhi. Yet, the government seemed to have downplayed this crucial connection, especially the impact of transboundary SO₂ emissions from surrounding operational power plants. If the new recommendations are adopted, there would be increased chances of regulatory inconsistencies. The progress made so far in containing sulphur emissions could even stall over time, further disincentivising the adoption of cleaner technologies and reversing compliance momentum achieved over the past few years.

Indien macht bei der Energiewende Tempo

Die Erfolgsmeldung kam im Juli und wurde stolz von vielen großen indischen Medien aufgegriffen: Man habe einen weiteren Meilenstein bei der Energiewende erreicht - fünf Jahre früher als es das Pariser Klimaabkommen festlegt. Erstmals stamme mehr als die Hälfte der installierten Stromerzeugungskapazität in Indien aus nicht-fossilen Energieträgern - wenn auch nur ganz knapp. "Ein stolzer Moment für jeden Inder"Im Rahmen der sogenannten nationally determined contributions, also der nationalen Klimabeiträge, erklären die Staaten anlässlich des Pariser Klimaabkommens, wie sie vorgehen wollen, um Treibhausgasemissionen zu senken. Eines von den darin festgelegten Zielen für Indien: Man möchte bis 2030 50 Prozent der Stromerzeugungskapazität aus nicht-fossilen Energieträgern stellen können. Das habe nun, so die Modi-Regierung, deutlich früher geklappt. Pralhad Joshi, als Minister unter anderem zuständig für erneuerbare Energien, erklärte in einem Post auf der Plattform X, dies sei ein "stolzer Moment für jeden Inder".Von den aktuell installierten fast 485 Gigawatt Stromerzeugungskapazitäten des Landes entfielen im Juni 2025 gut 243 Gigawatt auf nicht-fossile Energieträger. Davon kommt der größte Anteil, nämlich etwa 185 Gigawatt, von Energiequellen wie Sonne oder Wind. Der Rest sind Wasserkraftprojekte (49 Gigawatt) und Atomenergie (8,8 Gigawatt).Indien setzt aber weiterhin auch auf KohleBinit Das vom indischen "Centre for Science and Environment" (CSE) bestätigt diese Zahlen, lenkt den Blick aber auch darauf, dass es hierbei nur um die installierte Kapazität gehe, nicht um die tatsächliche Stromerzeugung. Da sei in der Realität weiterhin Kohle am wichtigsten. Dennoch bekräftigt auch er, dass die Regierung mit vielen Förderungen und Investitionen in die Infrastruktur schon viel möglich gemacht habe, um erneuerbare Energien in Indien zu fördern.Indien, das bevölkerungsreichste Land der Erde, ist der drittgrößte Treibhausgas-Emittent der Welt, nach China und den USA. Die Wirtschaft des Landes wächst jährlich um mehr als sechs Prozent. So wird auch Indiens Energiebedarf in den kommenden Jahren stetig steigen. Beim Ausbau der erneuerbaren Energien geht es also darum, diesen Bedarf zu decken. Parallel dazu werden auch die Kohle-Kapazitäten des Landes ausgebaut. Momentan wachsen die Kapazitäten der Erneuerbaren aber deutlich schneller."Kohle wird für die Netzstabilität benötigt", erklärt Energie-Experte Binit Das. Die Probleme klingen ähnlich wie in Deutschland: Bisher ist es noch schwierig, Indien mit Sonne und Wind zuverlässig zu versorgen. Wenn die wegen schlechten Wetters nicht lieferten, so der Experte, dann springe Kohle ein, um das Netz zu stabilisieren. Das Stromnetz müsse noch ausgebaut und verbessert werden, um den Strom von erneuerbaren Energien besser aus entlegenen Gegenden weiterzuleiten, analysiert Binit Das. Ein Bericht des "Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis" verweist darüber hinaus auf das Problem, dass Indien auch bei den Speicherkapazitäten für erneuerbare Energien noch deutlich nachlegen müsse.Großer Zuwachs bei SolarenergieDennoch, der Kapazitäts-Zuwachs bei erneuerbaren Energien in Indien bleibt aufgrund seines rasanten Tempos bemerkenswert. Insbesondere die Solarenergie treibt diesen Zuwachs: Im Jahr 2024 wurden laut Regierung 24,5 Gigawatt Solarenergie-Kapazitäten neu installiert - ein Anstieg von rund 33 Prozent binnen eines Jahres.Überall im Land sprießen Solar-Paneele und Windräder aus dem Boden. Neben guten politischen Rahmenbedingungen seien es gerade auch private Unternehmen, die beim Boom der Erneuerbaren in Indien eine wesentliche Rolle spielten, so Binit Das. Im westlichsten indischen Bundesstaat Gujarat entsteht zum Beispiel gerade das größte Erneuerbare-Energien-Projekt der Welt. Auf einer Fläche, die fünfmal so groß ist wie Paris, werden Windkraftanlagen und Solar-Paneele installiert.

Is the plastic industry trying to influence green policies?

The story so far: At first glance, tobacco and plastic might seem unrelated. Both industries have historically acknowledged certain health risks, while continuing to scale production and revenue models. Environmental activists and health experts are drawing attention to how the plastic industry, backed by fossil fuel giants, mirrors the tobacco industry’s playbook: delaying regulation, deploying PR spin, and shifting blame by muddying public perception. How does plastic mirror tobacco’s playbook? Both industries have used profit-driven tactics despite evidence of harm. Shifting responsibility: in many jurisdictions, advertisements for tobacco run with a disclaimer “smoking is injurious to health” (or similar) while promoting the product, abetted by weak public policy. This places the onus on individual choice. Similarly, plastic-makers have blamed consumers for not recycling while diverting attention from corporate accountability. In both cases, the effect is for systematic harm to be recast as personal failure. Funding misleading PR and science: Tobacco companies have historically funded studies denying their effects on the body. Similarly, as NPR and PBS have reported, the plastic industry promoted recycling as a resolution from the 1980s despite privately acknowledging its economic and technical impracticality at scale. Yet even as trade groups launched public campaigns around the “recyclability” of plastic to avert bans, most plastic waste continued to be incinerated, landfilled or dumped in the open. Greenwashing: In a subsequently discredited strategy, tobacco companies once marketed “light” and “mild” cigarettes as safer. Today, the absence of clear, enforceable standards and shortcomings in the country’s waste-processing infrastructure render plastic that is, or has been labelled, ‘biodegradable’ or ‘compostable’ to not be that way at all. This in turn can give consumers a false impression of these plastics’ real-world environmental impact. In the same vein, greenwashing can also take more obvious forms. For example, Coca-Cola was recently accused of greenwashing after quietly dropping its goal of 25% reusable packaging by 2030 and scaling back key recycling targets while continuing to promote its sustainability credentials. Shifting focus towards the Global South As regulations to reduce the use of single-use plastics and rationalise the material’s use in packaging tighten across the Global North, plastic producers have been focusing on low- and middle-income countries to sustain growth. According to the OECD’s ‘Global Plastic Outlook’ report in 2022, plastic consumption is projected to more than double in Sub-Saharan Africa and triple in Asia by 2060 but grow by only 15% in Europe and 34% in North America in the same period. Further, while countries in the Global South, including India, have begun moving towards reduction, their efforts face substantial challenges in implementation and enforcement. A 2023 Centre for Science and Environment report noted that India’s ban of 19 single-use plastics covers only around 11% of its single-use plastic waste and that enforcement has been inconsistent. This shift in focus toward the Global South has coincided with weaker environmental regulations, limited public awareness, and inadequate waste management systems, making these regions especially vulnerable to rising plastic pollution. Regulation and lobbying The tobacco industry has been known to exaggerate its economic contributions and funding front groups to delay public health measures, tactics documented in WHO’s A Global Brief (2012) and a 2022 submission to the U.N. Human Rights Office by the Campaign for Tobacco‑Free Kids and the Global Health Advocacy Incubator. The plastics industry has used comparable strategies to shape public policy and delay meaningful regulation. Internal documents from major plastic and chemical firms, dating back to the 1970s and 1980s, show companies were already aware of the technical and economic limits of plastic recycling but continued to promote it as a viable solution. This tactic, documented by a 2024 report of the Center for Climate Integrity, helped deflect public and political pressure away from regulating plastic production. More recently, the plastics and fossil fuel industries have sought to influence negotiations for a global plastics treaty under the U.N. According to the Centre for International Environmental Law, industry influence was evident at the third round of treaty talks (INC-3), where there were 36% more lobbyists from the fossil fuel and chemicals sectors than in the previous round. Where does India stand on plastics? In India, the waste management system banks on the lakhs of people, from ragpickers and sorters to grassroot recyclers, in the informal sector responsible for collecting and processing 70% of the plastic that is recycled. But this work often comes at the cost of their health and dignity, exposing them to hazardous materials and toxic fumes, without protective gear, legal recognition or social security. They face long-term health risks, including respiratory illnesses and infections, and often live below the poverty line, lacking stable incomes and access to basic social protections. Recognising their role, the Indian government has taken some steps to formalise and protect them. The National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem scheme launched in 2024 aims to integrate waste pickers into formal waste systems by providing safety measures, health insurance under Ayushman Bharat, and access to social security benefits. Per the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, as of May 2025, over 80,000 sanitation and waste-picking workers have been profiled under the scheme, with more than 45,700 handed personal protective equipment and around 26,400 issued Ayushman Bharat health cards. Extended producer responsibility guidelines under the Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016 (amended in 2022) require manufacturers to take responsibility for plastic they generate, financially, and operationally. However — as with India’s ban on 19 single-use plastics — experts have criticised gaps in enforcement, with fewer than half of all producers complying with their obligations.