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Punjab has once again set a benchmark in environmental sustainability by securing the prestigious “Best State” and “Best District” awards under the Green Schools Programme. These accolades, facilitated by the Punjab State Council for Science and Technology (PSCST) and the Department of Science, Technology and Environment, Government of Punjab, will be conferred during the “Green Schools Awards Ceremony” organised by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) on February 4 at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi. Twin honours for state under Green Schools Programme Punjab has once again set a benchmark in environmental sustainability by securing the prestigious “Best State” and “Best District” awards under the Green Schools Programme. These accolades, facilitated by the Punjab State Council for Science and Technology (PSCST) and the... article_Author Tribune News Service Chandigarh, Updated At : 02:00 AM Feb 01, 2025 IST fb twitter whatsapp Follow us Follow us Connect with us Connect with us featured-imgfeatured-img Advertisement Punjab has once again set a benchmark in environmental sustainability by securing the prestigious “Best State” and “Best District” awards under the Green Schools Programme. These accolades, facilitated by the Punjab State Council for Science and Technology (PSCST) and the Department of Science, Technology and Environment, Government of Punjab, will be conferred during the “Green Schools Awards Ceremony” organised by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) on February 4 at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi. PlayUnmute Fullscreen The awards celebrate Punjab’s exemplary efforts in fostering environmental awareness and sustainability among school communities, reinforcing its leadership in the nationwide initiative. The Green Schools Programme, spearheaded by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), is a nationwide initiative aimed at transforming schools into models of sustainability. The programme empowers schools to adopt eco-friendly practices, optimise resource management and reduce their environmental footprint.
Chandigarh: Punjab has once again set a benchmark in environmental sustainability by securing the prestigious ‘Best State’ and ‘Best District’ awards under the Green Schools Programme. These accolades, facilitated by the Punjab State Council for Science & Technology (PSCST) and the state’s Department of Science, Technology & Environment, will be conferred during the ‘Green Schools Awards Ceremony’ organised by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) on February 4 at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.
The rising cost of vegetables has become a major economic concern for Indian households, with food inflation remaining stubbornly high over the past year. According to the Economic Survey 2024-25, climate change-induced weather extremities— ranging from prolonged heatwaves to erratic rainfall— have significantly disrupted agricultural production, leading to sharp spikes in vegetable prices. Heatwaves, unseasonal rains, and floods: A recipe for inflation The Economic Survey highlights how extreme weather conditions have disproportionately affected perishable food items, especially vegetables. Unlike staple cereals, vegetables have shorter production cycles and are more vulnerable to sudden weather fluctuations. The report reveals that: - Heatwaves increased significantly in 2024, impacting key vegetable-producing states. High temperatures led to water stress in crops, reducing yields. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that heatwaves were recorded on 18 per cent of the days between 2022 and 2024, a stark increase from just 5 per cent in 2020-21. - Unseasonal rainfall and floods damaged standing crops and disrupted supply chains, leading to severe post-harvest losses. Data from the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and Down to Earth (DTE) indicate that the total crop area damaged in 2024 was higher than in the previous two years.
Sanitation and waste management is a humongous issue in India where cleanliness is a major problem. The ambitious Swachh Bharat campaign is mostly limited...
Coal’s crucial role in India’s sustainable development was emphasised, with the survey noting that 88% of US coal-fired capacity was built between 1950 and 1990, while the UK relied completely on coal in its early development days I India will prioritise climate adaptation efforts to safeguard its rapid economic expansion, even as decreasing global financial commitments for climate action may force developing nations to rework their targets, according to the Economic Survey tabled in Parliament on Friday. The survey highlighted that India’s adaptation expenditure rose to 5.6% of GDP in FY22 from 3.7% in FY16, underscoring the growing focus on building resilience against climate impacts as the country pursues its goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047. “In India’s case, most capacity additions to coal-fired power plants were made only in the 2010s. There is no valid economic rationale for shutting down coal plants, leaving huge investments underutilised and stranded and without a dependable alternative in place,” the survey stated. The document criticised developed nations’ recent actions that prioritised energy security over climate goals. It pointed to the European Union’s €10 billion investment in liquefied natural gas infrastructure and additional €1.5-2 billion for securing oil supplies under its REPowerEU plan. The survey also highlighted the US approval of its largest oil drilling project in Alaska, which would produce 628.9 million barrels of oil and generate 260.79 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions. “Actions speak louder than words, with the biggest beneficiaries of carbon-intensive growth over several centuries holding on to fossil fuels even as they would want the developing countries to take up the less efficient, costlier and riskier options,” it noted. Coal’s crucial role in India’s sustainable development was emphasized, with the survey noting that 88% of US coal-fired capacity was built between 1950 and 1990, while the UK relied completely on coal in its early development days. The survey warned that the new global climate finance target of $300 billion annually by 2035, agreed at COP29, falls far short of the estimated requirement of $5.1-6.8 trillion by 2030. This “significant misalignment” with the Paris Agreement’s goals may force countries to rework their climate targets ahead of COP30 in 2025. “It is out of sync with the needs of the critical decade when action is required to keep the temperature goals of the Paris Agreement within reach,” the survey said, adding that developed countries were falling short of their Nationally Determined Contributions by about 38%. Domestic resources have primarily funded India’s climate action, with public sector playing a central role amid “highly inadequate” international funding flows. The survey noted this could affect resources for meeting development challenges and compromise international climate partnerships. The document emphasised that accomplishing India’s net-zero emissions goal by 2070 requires addressing key challenges in renewable energy deployment, including battery storage technology limitations, grid infrastructure needs, and access to critical minerals. For medium-term energy security, the survey recommended maximizing efficiency of existing fossil fuel resources while developing low-emission technologies like Advanced Ultra Super Critical power plants, which can reduce emissions by 11% compared to super-critical plants. “To strengthen its renewable energy initiatives, India must prioritise investment in extensive grid infrastructure improvements and the secure sourcing of critical minerals necessary for this transformative shift,” the survey said. The document’s warnings come as India aims to increase its non-fossil fuel electricity capacity to 50% by 2030 from the current 46.8%. The country has already established 213,701 megawatts of installed electricity generation capacity from non-fossil fuel sources. Looking ahead to COP30 in Brazil this November, the survey indicated that the funding shortfall may lead to a reworking of climate targets. “Considering that domestic resources will be the key to action, resources for meeting development challenges may be affected, undermining progress toward sustainable development objectives and compromising the integrity of international climate partnerships,” it concluded. While experts said that the disappointing outcome of COP29 has meant that tougher targets need to be set nationally, others said the survey highlighted India’s strong overall economic position, which will help achieve the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) targets by 2030. “With COP29 delivering a disappointing outcome on climate finance, developing countries are being forced to fight climate change largely on their own, despite scant resources. This comes at a time when developed nations are abdicating responsibility in mitigation — exemplified by the US quitting the Paris Agreement and introducing policies that support fossil fuel expansion. Demands for tougher targets via NDCs this year need to consider this harsh reality,” said Trishant Dev, programme officer (climate change), Centre for Science and Environment. Dhruba Purkayastha, director, Growth and Institutional Advancement, CEEW said: “The Economic Survey presents a picture of India’s strong overall economic position. Key indicators, including continued growth, low current account deficit, a well-capitalised banking system, and steady gross fixed capital formation, point to this strength. The structural shifts underway in the Indian economy further support the nation’s trajectory toward becoming a developed country... Given this positive economic backdrop, India is well-positioned to achieve its NDC targets before 2030. The Economic Survey’s emphasis on shifting public policy focus toward climate adaptation is both timely and contextually relevant. This guidance is expected to catalyse a much-needed shift in public finance toward adaptation and resilience measures, particularly in the face of increasingly frequent and severe climate-related disasters.”
The Government of India tabled the Economic Survey 2024-25 report on Friday, January 31, in Parliament ahead of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's Union Budget presentation on February 1. The economic report card of India showed that due to the uneven monsoon, tomato, onion, and potato prices are hitting the average consumer's pockets hard. “Uneven monsoon-induced supply disruptions in certain regions caused price pressures, mainly in tomatoes and onions, contributing to higher inflation rates in vegetables and overall food inflation,” according to the survey report. The report also highlighted that tomatoes, onions, and potatoes (TOP) are considered to be the most price-sensitive vegetables, which affect food inflation and the overall consumer price index (CPI) basket. Economic data showed that the average food inflation rate in the first three quarters of the financial year 2024-25 was 6.5 per cent, which is 1.9 per cent lower than the current rate. The report also cited the average headline inflation at 4.2 per cent when excluding the TOP from the basket. However, the TOP prices have fuelled the food inflation hike. “Tomato and onion prices have been drivers of food inflation, and consequently headline inflation in recent months,” said the report. Cause of the price hike Vegetable prices are affected by weather changes and are more volatile than those of food grains. Natural weather phenomena like cyclones, heavy rains, floods, thunderstorms, hailstorms, and droughts impact vegetable prices across the nation. The report also cited India Meteorological Department (IMD) data and said that India witnessed heatwaves on 18 per cent of the days compared to 5 per cent of the days in 2020 and 2021. Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and Down to Earth (DTE) data cited in the report show that the total crop area damaged in 2024 was higher compared to the last two years because of extreme weather events in the nation. “The increasing frequency of extreme weather events—specifically uneven and unseasonal rainfall and heat waves - impacts vegetable production, thereby increasing prices,” the government said. The report also addressed the fall in onion and tomato production in the last two years, attributing it to higher extreme weather events in major producing states.
NEW DELHI: Delhiites experienced the warmest Jan in eight years with higher temperatures, as well as the best air quality since 2022. This Jan, the average minimum temperature was recorded at 8.5 degrees Celsius, the highest since Jan 2017 when the average night temperature was 8.7 degrees Celsius. The days were also warm as the mean maximum temperature stood at 20.9 degrees Celsius, the highest since Jan 2019 when it was 21.2 degrees Celsius. 397 highest AQI in January 2025 The month ended on a warm note too, with the day temperature on Friday rising to 27 degrees Celsius, five notches above normal. It was the hottest Jan day in six years, beating the previous day's record of 26.1 degrees Celsius. For the month of Jan, a higher maximum temperature than this was last recorded on Jan 21, 2019, at 28.7 degrees Celsius.Jan this year did not record a single cold-wave day or cold day as the temperatures mostly stayed above normal. In contrast, Jan 2024 recorded five cold days and cold-wave days each. According to experts, this Jan was warmer than usual due to feeble western disturbances. The mean and maximum temperatures this month were above the long-period average. "Despite several western disturbances impacting the region, they were not strong enough to cause intense snowfall and rainfall in the region. The mercury usually dips when the north-westerly winds bring cold air from snow-capped mountains to Delhi. In the absence of sufficient snowfall and rainfall, the mercury rose due to clear skies," said Mahesh Palawat, vice-president, Skymet Meteorology. India Meteorological Department's data shows that the city logged 6.6mm rainfall in Jan as against the long-period average of 19.1mm. The month ended with a rain deficit of 65%. Palawat said due to deficit rainfall in north India, there was less moisture, which led to lower fog formation. Intense fog traps pollutants, causing deterioration of air quality. Low temperatures also hamper the dispersion of pollutants. However, this Jan saw the lowest AQI in three years due to favourable meteorological conditions. The average AQI in Jan 2025 was 305, compared to 355 in 2024, 311 in 2023 and 279 in 2022, shows an analysis of Central Pollution Control Board's data. According to Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), "Meteorology has substantial impact on the short-term variations in air quality trends — as noted during Jan. More sustained round-the-year action is needed for effective reduction in emissions from the key sources of pollution to meet the clean air benchmark and also control severe peaking of pollution during winter in the region." In Jan this year, the city did not record a ‘severe' day, but Delhiites did inhale ‘very poor' AQI — between 301 and 400 — on 15 days. The highest AQI in Jan 2025 was recorded at 397.
Farmer Jitendra Singh stopped flooding his rice fields in the northern Indian state of Haryana so they produce less polluting methane and he could get paid for the greenhouse gas emissions he saves, but three years on he has not received a single rupee. Allowing companies to buy credits from projects that lock carbon away and use them to offset their emissions is seen by many environmental experts as an important way to help developing countries and custodians of the land like Singh protect the environment. Corporations globally, from airlines and fashion houses, to technology giants, have spent billions of dollars buying carbon credits to offset their emissions. In return, companies label products "carbon neutral" and consumers feel safe they are not deepening the climate crisis. But while trade in credits generated from projects including renewables, forestry and agriculture reached about $2 billion in 2021, it shrank sharply to $723 million in 2023 after reports found that most of the credits issued by certification organisations were likely to be "phantom credits" that did not represent genuine carbon reductions. That has led to organisations certifying carbon capture projects exercising greater scrutiny and has meant delays in approving them, hitting people like farmer Singh. "It will happen when it happens," he said stoically. Verification, middlemen hold up payments In a vast country like India, with 60% of its land under cultivation, mostly in small farms, carbon credits could provide much-needed help to both farmers and the environment. India generates about 20% of the world's carbon credits, said a 2023 report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a Delhi-based think-tank, and had earned more the $650 million from them. But on top of the concerns about verifying the efficacy of carbon capture projects, the CSE said most of the money earned was eaten up by middlemen and little or nothing trickled down to people on the ground. "The market only seems to work in the interest of the project developers and, of course, the paraphernalia of consultants and auditors," the report said. "This also means that it is ineffective in terms of real emission reduction. The communities get virtually nothing from the proceeds, and this means that they also have no stake in the emission reduction programme," it said. "The main question that needs attention is whether farmers are getting enough money to change their practices for adaptation or mitigation," said Trishant Dev, a carbon market expert and one of the authors of the CSE analysis. "Currently, the compensation that farmers receive is not encouraging enough," he said. PVS Suryakumar, ex-deputy managing director of India's premier agriculture bank NABARD, said there was "so much greed" in the voluntary carbon market with intermediaries - from project developers to contractors - rushing to enlist communities in the carbon market and make money off them. Carbon credit certification organisations are taking more time to review their rules and standards for projects due to the concerns over the origination, credibility and efficacy of certain credits, said an executive working with an Indian carbon asset management firm who asked not to be named. The process of enrolling farmers and selling the credits in global markets is costly and can now take up to two years, the executive said.
Punjab Receives Top Awards in Green Schools Programme Latest News : Punjab has been awarded the prestigious 'Best State' and 'Best District' accolades under the Centre for Science and Environment's (CSE) Green Schools Programme. This honor was earned by achieving the highest audit registrations and report submissions. An impressive 4,734 schools from Punjab submitted their audit reports, with 70 schools receiving the distinguished 'green' rating. The district of Sangrur was recognized with the Best District Award, having the most submissions at 503. The awards were presented in New Delhi by CSE Director General Sunita Narain. Dr. Kulbir Bath, Punjab's State Nodal Coordinator, emphasized the importance of these accomplishments, which were also acknowledged by Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann on social media. Advertisement The Green Schools Programme, a 19-year-old initiative, encourages schools to conduct comprehensive environmental audits and transform their campuses into sustainability models. Punjab's enthusiasm for the program has grown significantly, with 7,200 schools initially registering and 4,734 schools successfully completing the audit. This recognition highlights Punjab's strong commitment to promoting environmental awareness and sustainability among its school communities.
ग्रीन स्कूल प्रोग्राम के तहत पंजाब ने एक बार फिर प्रतिष्ठित ‘बेस्ट स्टेट’ और ‘बेस्ट डिस्ट्रिक्ट’ पुरस्कार प्राप्त कर पर्यावरण स्थिरता के क्षेत्र में एक नया मानक स्थापित किया है। यह पुरस्कार पंजाब स्टेट काउंसिल फॉर साइंस एंड टेक्नोलॉजी (पी.एस.सी.एस.टी.) और पंजाब के विज्ञान, प्रौद्योगिकी एवं पर्यावरण विभाग की मेहनत का परिणाम है। यह सम्मान 4 फरवरी को इंडिया हैबिटेट सेंटर, नई दिल्ली में सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट (सी.एस.ई.) द्वारा आयोजित ‘ग्रीन स्कूल अवार्ड समारोह’ के दौरान प्रदान किया जाएगा। इस पुरस्कार से राज्य की स्कूलों में पर्यावरण जागरूकता और स्थिरता को बढ़ावा देने के लिए किए गए अनुकरणीय प्रयासों की सराहना की जाती है। पंजाब ने इस कार्यक्रम के माध्यम से यह साबित कर दिया है कि जब समुदाय, विशेषकर स्कूलों, को पर्यावरण के प्रति संवेदनशील किया जाता है, तो सकारात्मक परिणाम सामने आते हैं। यह पुरस्कार पंजाब के इन प्रयासों को और मजबूत करेगा और अन्य राज्यों के लिए एक प्रेरणा का स्रोत बनेगा। ग्रीन स्कूल प्रोग्राम सी.एस.ई. के नेतृत्व में संचालित किया जाता है ग्रीन स्कूल प्रोग्राम, जिसे सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट (सी.एस.ई.) के नेतृत्व में संचालित किया जाता है, एक राष्ट्रीय पहल है जिसका उद्देश्य स्कूलों को पर्यावरण जागरूकता और स्थिरता के मॉडल के रूप में विकसित करना है। इस कार्यक्रम के तहत, स्कूलों द्वारा किए गए व्यापक पर्यावरण ऑडिट के माध्यम से छह मुख्य क्षेत्रों—वायु, ऊर्जा, भोजन, भूमि, पानी और अपशिष्ट प्रबंधन—में संसाधनों के प्रभावी उपयोग का मूल्यांकन किया जाता है। यह कार्यक्रम स्कूलों को पर्यावरण-अनुकूल प्रथाओं को अपनाने, संसाधनों के कुशल प्रबंधन और पर्यावरण पर नकारात्मक प्रभावों को कम करने के लिए अधिक सशक्त बनाता है। पंजाब ने इस पहल में अपनी सक्रिय भागीदारी से न केवल पर्यावरणीय जागरूकता को बढ़ावा दिया, बल्कि यह सुनिश्चित किया कि आने वाली पीढ़ियां एक स्वस्थ और सशक्त पर्यावरण में पले-बढ़ें।
ग्रीन स्कूल प्रोग्राम के तहत पंजाब ने एक बार फिर प्रतिष्ठित 'बेस्ट स्टेट' और 'बेस्ट डिस्ट्रिक्ट' पुरस्कार प्राप्त कर पर्यावरण स्थिरता में नया मानक स्थापित किया है। यह पुरस्कार, जिसका श्रेय पंजाब स्टेट काउंसिल फॉर साइंस एंड टेक्नोलॉजी (पी.एस.सी.एस.टी.) और पंजाब के विज्ञान, प्रौद्योगिकी एवं पर्यावरण विभाग को जाता है, 4 फरवरी को इंडिया हैबिटेट सेंटर, नई दिल्ली में सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट (सी.एस.ई.) द्वारा आयोजित 'ग्रीन स्कूल अवार्ड समारोह' के दौरान प्रदान किया जाएगा। यह पुरस्कार स्कूल समुदायों के बीच पर्यावरण जागरूकता और स्थिरता को प्रोत्साहित करने में पंजाब के अनुकरणीय प्रयासों का परिणाम है, जो इस राष्ट्रव्यापी पहल में राज्य की भूमिका को और मजबूत करेगा। सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट (सी.एस.ई.) के नेतृत्व में संचालित ग्रीन स्कूल प्रोग्राम एक राष्ट्रीय पहल है, जिसका उद्देश्य स्कूलों को पर्यावरण जागरूकता और स्थिरता के मॉडल के रूप में विकसित करना है। व्यापक पर्यावरण ऑडिट के माध्यम से स्कूलों द्वारा छह मुख्य क्षेत्रों में संसाधनों के प्रभावी उपयोग का मूल्यांकन किया जाता है, जिनमें वायु, ऊर्जा, भोजन, भूमि, पानी और अपशिष्ट प्रबंधन शामिल हैं। यह कार्यक्रम स्कूलों को पर्यावरण-अनुकूल प्रथाओं को अपनाने, संसाधनों के कुशल प्रबंधन और पर्यावरण पर नकारात्मक प्रभावों को कम करने के लिए अधिक सशक्त बनाता है।
ग्रीन स्कूल कार्यक्रम के तहत पंजाब ने एक बार फिर "बेस्ट स्टेट" और "बेस्ट डिस्ट्रिक्ट" पुरस्कार प्राप्त कर पर्यावरण स्थिरता में नया मानक स्थापित किया है। यह पुरस्कार, पंजाब स्टेट काउंसिल फॉर साइंस एंड टेक्नोलॉजी (P.S.C.S.T.) और पंजाब के विज्ञान, प्रौद्योगिकी और पर्यावरण विभाग को दिया गया है, 4 फरवरी को इंडिया हैबिटेट सेंटर, नई दिल्ली में सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट (C.S.E.) द्वारा आयोजित 'ग्रीन स्कूल अवार्ड समारोह' के दौरान दिया जाएगा। यह पुरस्कार स्कूल समुदायों के बीच पर्यावरण जागरूकता और स्थिरता को बढ़ावा देने में पंजाब के आदर्श प्रयासों का परिणाम है, जो देशव्यापी पहल में राज्य की भूमिका को और मजबूत करेगा। सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट (C.S.E.) द्वारा चलाए जा रहे ग्रीन स्कूल कार्यक्रम एक देशव्यापी पहल है, जिसका उद्देश्य स्कूलों को पर्यावरण जागरूकता और स्थिरता के मॉडल के रूप में विकसित करना है। व्यापक पर्यावरण ऑडिट के माध्यम से स्कूलों द्वारा छह मुख्य क्षेत्रों में संसाधनों के उचित उपयोग का मूल्यांकन किया जाता है, जिनमें हवा, ऊर्जा, भोजन, भूमि, पानी और रहने-खाने की स्थिति शामिल हैं। यह कार्यक्रम स्कूलों को पर्यावरण-अनुकूल प्रथाओं को अपनाने, उचित तरीके से संसाधन प्रबंधन करने और पर्यावरण पर प्रतिकूल प्रभावों को कम करने के लिए और अधिक सक्षम बनाता है।
Chandigarh, January 31, 2025: Punjab has once again set a benchmark in environmental sustainability by securing the prestigious ‘Best State’ and ‘Best District’ awards under the Green Schools Programme. These accolades, facilitated by the Punjab State Council for Science & Technology (PSCST) and the Department of Science, Technology & Environment, Government of Punjab, will be conferred during the ‘Green Schools Awards Ceremony’ organized by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) on February 4 at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. The awards celebrate Punjab’s exemplary efforts in fostering environmental awareness and sustainability among school communities, reinforcing its leadership in the nationwide initiative. The Green Schools Programme spearheaded by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) is a nationwide initiative aimed at transforming schools into models of sustainability. Through comprehensive environmental audits, schools evaluate their resource usage across six key domains: air, energy, food, land, water, and waste.The programme empowers schools to adopt eco-friendly practices, optimize resource management and reduce their environmental footprint