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Gurgaon AQI becomes ‘poor’, but is set to worsen in 3 days

Higher wind speeds on Thursday led to better dispersion of pollutants, slightly improving the air quality index (AQI), recorded at 282 (poor), from the previous day's ‘very poor' reading of 318. The wind speeds climbed to 10kmph on Thursday, up from 5kmph the previous day. The System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (Safar), however, predicted a deterioration in the air quality over the next three days as the wind speeds are likely to drop below 10kmph. "Meteorological conditions led to the improvement, which is temporary as pollutants will stagnate in the atmosphere again when the wind speed reduces. The sources of emissions must be addressed properly," said Shubhansh Tiwari, a research associate at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). Teri Gram was the worst affected among the four monitoring stations in the city, as it recorded an AQI of 338 (very poor). While Sector 51 recorded a ‘poor' reading of 230, AQI was unavailable at Gwalpahari and Vikas Sadan due to insufficient data. The level of PM2.5 — a toxic particulate matter that reaches the blood via the lungs — was the worst at Sector-51 (350 µg/m³), followed by Gwalpahari (303 µg/m³), Teri Gram (253 µg/m³), and Vikas Sadan (213 µg/m³). Teri Gram recorded the highest levels of PM10 in the city at 323 µg/m³. It was followed by Sector 51 (315 µg/m³) and Gwalpahari (211 µg/m³). This data was not recorded at Vikas Sadan. Central Pollution Control Board's (CPCB) annual permissible limits are 60µg/m³ for PM2.5 and 100 µg/m³ for PM10. "Smog or mist is likely in the evening and night with mainly clear sky on Feb 3," Safar stated. A ventilation index lower than 6000 m2/s and an average wind speed less than 10kmph is unfavourable for dispersion of pollutants. An AQI between zero and 50 is considered ‘good', 51 and 100 ‘satisfactory', 101 and 200 ‘moderate', 201 and 300 ‘poor', 301 and 400 ‘very poor', and 401 and 500 ‘severe'.

Climate change fuels rise of Japanese Encephalitis in Madhya Pradesh

In the past six years, Madhya Pradesh has reported 295 cases of Japanese encephalitis and 10 deaths. The most recent victim is a 15-year-old girl from Gwalior, who is battling for her life in a private hospital. The girl is hospitalised in critical condition with symptoms of vomiting, severe headaches, and high fever. Japanese encephalitis also abbreviated as JE has become a growing health concern in Madhya Pradesh. Experts attribute the rise in cases to extreme weather events such as erratic rainfall and heatwaves. The state’s vulnerability to these climatic shifts has prompted the government to include JE in its climate action plan. Traditionally, cases of this mosquito-borne disease were limited, but recent years have seen a significant increase, with cases reported across 29 districts. The viral infection, which causes severe brain inflammation, can be fatal. The disease caused by the Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV), transmitted primarily by Culex mosquitoes, has become a public health concern, exacerbated by extreme weather events like erratic rainfall and heatwaves. Reportedly 25.4% of pediatric Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) cases in the state tested positive for JE, with outbreaks peaking during monsoon seasons. In response, the state government has launched vaccination campaigns, integrated JE prevention into its climate action plan, and implemented mosquito control and public awareness measures to address the rising threat. A study conducted in northeastern Madhya Pradesh revealed that 25.4% of pediatric patients with Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) tested positive for the Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV). The disease was more prevalent among male children, with the highest number of cases reported in Rewa, Satna, Sidhi, and Shahdol districts. The study highlighted that most Japanese Encephalitis (JE) cases occurred during the monsoon and post-monsoon seasons, as these periods provide ideal conditions for mosquito breeding, a critical factor in virus transmission. It noted, “Climate change can influence the spread of diseases like Japanese Encephalitis by altering temperatures. Warmer conditions may extend or shorten the mosquito breeding season, increasing the likelihood of virus transmission.” Extreme weather increases Japanese encephalitis Similar research done around the world has shown that extreme weather events, erratic rainfall, and extreme heat influence the risk of JE infections. A 2013 study in China revealed, “Global warming can change temperature and rainfall patterns, which may impact how mosquitoes and the JE virus develop and spread. Humidity is also crucial, as mosquitoes can live longer and travel further in areas with the right moisture levels, increasing the risk of transmission”. Other research from Taiwan also highlights that both climate change and agricultural practices, such as rice farming and pig rearing, are major factors in JE outbreaks. Since pigs are key carriers of the virus, changes in farming create more breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Closer home, a study conducted in Assam and Manipur found a surge in JE cases during the monsoon season. As per the study, warmer weather is extending the rice-growing season, leading to prolonged mosquito breeding. The Culex mosquito, which spreads JE, thrives in stagnant water, commonly found in paddy fields. Madhya Pradesh is experiencing more frequent extreme weather events than any other state in India, including heatwaves, heavy rainfall, and droughts. According to the State of Extreme Weather 2024 report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), the states faced 176 days of extreme weather in 2024, almost double the national average of 90 days. Reports suggest warmer temperatures accelerate mosquito life cycles and enhance the replication of pathogens within them, leading to higher transmission rates of diseases such as dengue and malaria. Similarly, changing rainfall patterns, including heavy precipitation and flooding, create ideal mosquito breeding conditions, raising the risk of disease outbreaks. Madhya Pradesh’s rainfall data reflects these fluctuations, with 2,174.5 mm recorded in 2021 and 2,614.7 mm in 2022. Rainfall statistics show that Madhya Pradesh recorded 2174.5 mm of rainfall in 2021 and 2614.7 mm in 2022, reflecting significant weather fluctuations. Knowing the virus The mosquitoes that cause JE breed in stagnant water, often in agricultural lands and areas with high humidity. While the virus typically affects animals like pigs and water birds, humans can also be infected when bitten by an infected mosquito. However, humans are considered "dead-end" hosts, meaning they cannot transmit the virus to other humans. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the disease has acute symptoms like high fever, headache, vomiting, and neck stiffness, progressing to confusion, seizures, and coma. Children are particularly vulnerable, with a high risk of long-term neurological disabilities in survivors. According to experts, JE can cause permanent nervous system damage, with a high mortality rate of 30% to 50% among survivors. Given the absence of antiviral treatment, prevention through vaccination and mosquito control remains the best strategy to mitigate the disease's impact. Rise in Japanese Encephalitis cases According to the National Centre for Vector Borne Diseases Control data, in 2018, the state reported no cases. However, in 2019, there were 42 cases and one death. In 2020, cases dropped to 11, but three deaths occurred. In 2021, cases increased again, with 29 cases and four deaths. In 2022, there were 70 cases but no fatalities. In 2023, there were 34 cases but no deaths. In 2024, JE cases surged again with 109 cases and two deaths, underscoring the virus’s unpredictability. In Madhya Pradesh, particularly around Rewa, cases of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) among children surged between August 2020 and October 2021. A study at Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital in Rewa revealed nearly 25% of acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) cases tested positive for JE, mostly during the monsoon and post-monsoon seasons, the peak period for vector mosquitoes. The research, which included 110 pediatric patients, highlighted the severe impact of JE, with 11 deaths. This marked an alarming trend, suggesting a rising prevalence of JE in Madhya Pradesh, an area historically not known for such large-scale outbreaks. According to various studies, JE cases in Madhya Pradesh are reported in both rural and urban areas, with Bhopal and Rewa experiencing significant outbreaks. The state's health department is grappling with controlling the disease alongside other mosquito-borne diseases like malaria, dengue, and chikungunya. The rise in JE cases has raised concerns about public health preparedness and the ability to address the virus's spread. Why in State’s climate action plan? Madhya Pradesh has integrated the control of JE and other vector-borne diseases into its climate action plan. The state is experiencing changing weather patterns, including extreme temperatures, varying rainfall, and fluctuating humidity, creating an ideal environment for mosquito breeding. These shifts have made vector-borne diseases like JE more prevalent, necessitating a multifaceted approach to disease control and climate adaptation. Madhya Pradesh launched a statewide vaccination campaign to combat Japanese Encephalitis (JE), targeting children aged 1 to 15 in high-risk areas like Bhopal and Rewa. The campaign aims to inoculate over nine lakh children, with plans to integrate the JE vaccine into routine immunization—administering the first dose at nine months and a second at 16 months.

SA Hosts 7th Global Forum on Circular Economy to Strengthen Sustainable Waste Management in Africa

Efforts to promote a clean and sustainable environment in South Africa and beyond took center stage at the 7th Global Forum of Cities for Circular Economy (GFCCE) Workshop, hosted by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE) in collaboration with the Centre for Science and Environment. The two-day workshop, held in Johannesburg, is focused on enhancing South-South cooperation to improve the solid waste management ecosystem in the Global South and build the capacity of officials from 18 African nations. Participating countries include Botswana, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Eswatini, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Advancing Circular Economy Initiatives South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, Bernice Swarts, inaugurated the event by highlighting the country’s strides in embedding circular economy principles into policy frameworks to drive sustainable development. “South Africa has implemented various policy instruments and initiatives, such as the National Waste Management Strategy and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Regulations, to ensure effective resource reuse and recycling. EPR shifts accountability for waste management from municipalities to producers, encouraging more sustainable practices,” Swarts stated during the workshop's opening on Tuesday. She emphasized that the country faces significant waste management challenges, particularly in urban areas like Johannesburg, where landfill airspace is rapidly diminishing. Swarts called for innovative policy solutions and monitoring mechanisms to improve resource efficiency in cities. Collaboration and Partnerships The Deputy Minister underscored the importance of partnerships between governments, private sectors, and civil society to advance the waste management hierarchy and achieve the goals of a circular economy. “Collaboration is crucial for creating green opportunities, reducing government spending, and facilitating the transition to sustainable resource management practices. South Africa remains committed to fostering these partnerships and advancing the shared objectives of the GFCCE,” Swarts remarked. GFCCE's Expansion and Focus Since its inception in 2021, the GFCCE has grown to include 22 member states, with 18 African nations actively participating. The platform is dedicated to advancing circular economy principles in line with national priorities. Recognizing that cities account for 75% of natural resource consumption and 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions, the forum aims to support urban centers in becoming resilient, resource-efficient, and environmentally sustainable. Addressing Urban Challenges Swarts highlighted the critical role of cities as more people migrate to urban areas in search of opportunities. “It is imperative that cities reduce their environmental footprint while ensuring resource resilience. This is key to tackling the twin challenges of urbanization and climate change,” she said. Additional Announcements The workshop also featured discussions on: Economic Incentives: Exploring fees, levies, and taxes to promote sustainable practices. Data Monitoring Tools: Enabling cities to track and optimize resource use. Green Opportunities: Identifying job creation and innovation prospects through waste recycling and reuse initiatives. Participants also explored strategies for integrating circular economy principles into urban planning, emphasizing the role of private-sector innovation and international cooperation in achieving shared goals. Looking Ahead The forum reaffirmed the need for coordinated actions across African cities to achieve sustainability and reduce environmental impacts. With Johannesburg as the host, the workshop serves as a platform for knowledge exchange, capacity building, and aligning regional strategies with global objectives for a circular economy. South Africa’s leadership in hosting the GFCCE workshop reflects its commitment to advancing sustainable waste management practices and fostering a cleaner, greener future for all.

Delhi ranked world's most polluted capital in 2024: How cleaner air turned out to be hot gas

Delhi's skies are not always azure. They are more likely to be grey. And the air too is almost touchable, saturated as it is with pollutants. There appeared hope when the breathable PM2.5 pollutants and the larger PM10 showed a consistent decline but the trend was bucked in 2023. The Central Pollution Control Board data shows that the annual average PM10 concentration in 2024 was 212.1 micrograms per cubic metre, the highest since 2019 when it was 217.9. Last year, the average annual PM10 level was also 3.5 times higher than the national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) for PM10 and 14 times higher than the WHO safe guideline. Average annual PM2.5 concentrations also declined from 2017 onward. But it rose from 98.3 micrograms per cubic metre in 2022 to 100.5 in 2023 and further to 104.5 in 2024. The annual average last year was 2.6 times the NAAQS norm for PM2.5 and 20.9 times the WHO safe standard. Other pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide and ground-level ozone, which are severely harmful to human health, were measured to be beyond the permissible limits in several studies. For most Delhiites, it is no surprise that the city occupied the first place as the most polluted capital in the world, as ranked by in the 6th Annual World Air Quality Report released in March last year. Another report on the Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) released in Aug last year by Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago revealed that Delhi residents were losing 7.8 years of their life to higher PM2.5 levels. The problem with the city's fight for clean air is the lack of a long-term plan to reduce emissions at the source level. Delhi govt launches summer and winter action plans to deal with pollution, focusing on enforcement of norms on construction and transport sectors, ban on firecrackers, increase of green cover and dialogues with neighbouring states and the central govt. The plans also included emergency measures restricting vehicles on the road based on their number plate. In winters, govt relies on the Graded Response Action Plan, which bans construction and demolition and vehicles using non-cleaner fuels in the city, among other measures. Asked about the frustrating air situation, AAP said in a statement, "Under Arvind Kejriwal's leadership, pollution levels have been steadily declining and Delhi's green cover has seen a remarkable transformation. From 20% in 2013, the green cover surged to 23.1% by 2021, making Delhi the national leader in per capita forest cover among cities. Fulfilling our promise to Delhiites, govt set an ambitious target of planting two crore saplings in five years — and achieved it within just four years. This is the Delhi model: action, results, and a greener future." Among other measures, AAP said the various long-term and short-term interventions it initiated were "free spraying of stubble-decomposer, implementation of a strict EV Policy, onboarding of e-buses, deployment of electric autos and running online and offline public awareness campaigns". Despite the plantation efforts, the city's forest cover reduced marginally from 195.4 sq km in 2021 to 195.3 sq km in 2023, according to India State Forest Report 2023, released in Dec 2024. Sunil Dahiya, founder and lead analyst at think tank Envirocatalysts, agreed that over the past five years, there was some momentum in addressing air pollution in Delhi. "However," he added, "most of the measures were reactionary and what is still missing is a long-term, systematic and comprehensive approach to reducing the emission load. Isolated actions without a robust action plan are simply not enough." He added that the only way to systematically reduce air pollution is by targeting emissions at source, not just in Delhi but across the airshed through effective regional coordination. With the burning of rice harvest stubble in the neighbouring states a big contributing factor to heavy pollution in the winter months, AAP, which now holds the helms in Punjab, claimed it was working "relentlessly" to tackle the crisis, noting that Punjab govt had reduced the number of farm fires from 71,000 in 2022, when it assumed power in the state, to 8,404 throughout the crop season in 2024. "Punjab's success was even acknowledged by Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in the high-level multi-state ministerial on stubble burning in Oct 2024. At the same time, stubble burning surged in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh," the party said. Professor Sachchida Nand Tripathi, dean, Kotak School of Sustainability, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, said, "Delhi has a good number of continuous air quality monitoring stations, and the data from these stations should guide dynamic policymaking. But this hasn't happened. Apart from local sources, there are some pollution sources outside Delhi in the adjacent geography. However, these NCR districts lack an adequate number of monitoring stations. To assess the impact of nearby geography on air quality in Delhi, there is a need to complement data from the capital and adjacent districts with sensors." Tripathi also pointed out that despite several studies proportioning the contribution of various sources in total pollution, the authorities were unable to take preventive and mitigating actions across the sectors. "Not much was done to plug the sources. However, we spent time, money and resources on optics like smog towers, mechanised road sweeping machines and anti-smog guns, which have very little impact on air quality," he said. To deal with air pollution, there is a need to continuously refine research and develop technologies, said Tripathi, citing China, which he said "invested heavily in capacity building with the addition of modern laboratories and a high number of air quality monitoring stations and low-cost sensors". A recent analysis of pollution in winter carried out by the Centre for Science and Environment concluded that the annual pollution trends had risen for two consecutive years despite the decline in stubble burning in the winter showed deeper systemic changes were required to cut the year-round emissions in Delhi and the surrounding region.

Delhi ranked world's most polluted capital in 2024: How cleaner air turned out to be hot gas

Delhi's skies are not always azure. They are more likely to be grey. And the air too is almost touchable, saturated as it is with pollutants. There appeared hope when the breathable PM2.5 pollutants and the larger PM10 showed a consistent decline but the trend was bucked in 2023. The Central Pollution Control Board data shows that the annual average PM10 concentration in 2024 was 212.1 micrograms per cubic metre, the highest since 2019 when it was 217.9. Last year, the average annual PM10 level was also 3.5 times higher than the national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) for PM10 and 14 times higher than the WHO safe guideline. Average annual PM2.5 concentrations also declined from 2017 onward. But it rose from 98.3 micrograms per cubic metre in 2022 to 100.5 in 2023 and further to 104.5 in 2024. The annual average last year was 2.6 times the NAAQS norm for PM2.5 and 20.9 times the WHO safe standard. Other pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide and ground-level ozone, which are severely harmful to human health, were measured to be beyond the permissible limits in several studies. For most Delhiites, it is no surprise that the city occupied the first place as the most polluted capital in the world, as ranked by in the 6th Annual World Air Quality Report released in March last year. Another report on the Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) released in Aug last year by Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago revealed that Delhi residents were losing 7.8 years of their life to higher PM2.5 levels. The problem with the city's fight for clean air is the lack of a long-term plan to reduce emissions at the source level. Delhi govt launches summer and winter action plans to deal with pollution, focusing on enforcement of norms on construction and transport sectors, ban on firecrackers, increase of green cover and dialogues with neighbouring states and the central govt. The plans also included emergency measures restricting vehicles on the road based on their number plate. In winters, govt relies on the Graded Response Action Plan, which bans construction and demolition and vehicles using non-cleaner fuels in the city, among other measures. Asked about the frustrating air situation, AAP said in a statement, "Under Arvind Kejriwal's leadership, pollution levels have been steadily declining and Delhi's green cover has seen a remarkable transformation. From 20% in 2013, the green cover surged to 23.1% by 2021, making Delhi the national leader in per capita forest cover among cities. Fulfilling our promise to Delhiites, govt set an ambitious target of planting two crore saplings in five years — and achieved it within just four years. This is the Delhi model: action, results, and a greener future." Among other measures, AAP said the various long-term and short-term interventions it initiated were "free spraying of stubble-decomposer, implementation of a strict EV Policy, onboarding of e-buses, deployment of electric autos and running online and offline public awareness campaigns". Despite the plantation efforts, the city's forest cover reduced marginally from 195.4 sq km in 2021 to 195.3 sq km in 2023, according to India State Forest Report 2023, released in Dec 2024. Sunil Dahiya, founder and lead analyst at think tank Envirocatalysts, agreed that over the past five years, there was some momentum in addressing air pollution in Delhi. "However," he added, "most of the measures were reactionary and what is still missing is a long-term, systematic and comprehensive approach to reducing the emission load. Isolated actions without a robust action plan are simply not enough." He added that the only way to systematically reduce air pollution is by targeting emissions at source, not just in Delhi but across the airshed through effective regional coordination. تخفيضات حصرية لمدة 3 أيام Oman Air تخفيضات حصرية لمدة 3 أيام Ad With the burning of rice harvest stubble in the neighbouring states a big contributing factor to heavy pollution in the winter months, AAP, which now holds the helms in Punjab, claimed it was working "relentlessly" to tackle the crisis, noting that Punjab govt had reduced the number of farm fires from 71,000 in 2022, when it assumed power in the state, to 8,404 throughout the crop season in 2024. "Punjab's success was even acknowledged by Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in the high-level multi-state ministerial on stubble burning in Oct 2024. At the same time, stubble burning surged in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh," the party said. Professor Sachchida Nand Tripathi, dean, Kotak School of Sustainability, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, said, "Delhi has a good number of continuous air quality monitoring stations, and the data from these stations should guide dynamic policymaking. But this hasn't happened. Apart from local sources, there are some pollution sources outside Delhi in the adjacent geography. However, these NCR districts lack an adequate number of monitoring stations. To assess the impact of nearby geography on air quality in Delhi, there is a need to complement data from the capital and adjacent districts with sensors." Tripathi also pointed out that despite several studies proportioning the contribution of various sources in total pollution, the authorities were unable to take preventive and mitigating actions across the sectors. "Not much was done to plug the sources. However, we spent time, money and resources on optics like smog towers, mechanised road sweeping machines and anti-smog guns, which have very little impact on air quality," he said. To deal with air pollution, there is a need to continuously refine research and develop technologies, said Tripathi, citing China, which he said "invested heavily in capacity building with the addition of modern laboratories and a high number of air quality monitoring stations and low-cost sensors". A recent analysis of pollution in winter carried out by the Centre for Science and Environment concluded that the annual pollution trends had risen for two consecutive years despite the decline in stubble burning in the winter showed deeper systemic changes were required to cut the year-round emissions in Delhi and the surrounding region.

Deputy Minister Bernice Swarts opens 7th Global Forum of Cities for Circular Economy Workshop, 28 Jan

The Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Ms. Bernice Swarts, will officially open the 7th Global Forum of Cities for Circular Economy (GFCCE) workshop at the Protea Hotel Balalaika Sandton, Johannesburg tomorrow (28 January 2025). The two-day workshop is hosted by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) in collaboration with the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and it aims to enhance South-South cooperation for improving the solid waste management ecosystem in the Global South and build the capacity of nominated officials from 18 African nations. Since its establishment in 2021, the Forum has expanded to a community of 22 member states, with 18 countries from Africa. This platform is dedicated to advancing circular economy principles in alignment with national policies and priorities. Discussions will focus on progress made towards the Forum’s shared agenda and the development of sustainable implementation models. Delegates from Botswana, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Eswatini, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe will attend. Media representatives are invited to cover the event as follows: Date: Tuesday, 28 January 2025 Time: 09:00 AM Venue: Protea Hotel Balalaika Sandton, Johannesburg

SA to host global workshop on circular economy

South Africa will host the seventh workshop of the Global Forum of Cities for Circular Economy (GFCCE) this week, aimed at promoting South-South cooperation to improve solid waste management in developing countries. The event, organised by South Africa’s department of forestry, fisheries and the environment and India’s Centre for Science and Environment, will focus on applying circular economy principles to tackle pressing environmental challenges like waste, climate change and biodiversity loss. According to a media statement, the event will be attended by representatives from Namibia, Botswana, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Eswatini, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mozambique, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. A circular economy involves sharing, leasing, reusing, redesigning, refurbishing and recycling existing material and products for as long as possible. The three principles required for transforming to a circular economy are ‘designing out’ waste and pollution, keeping products and material in use and regenerating natural systems. According to the GFCCE, more than a third of the world’s population is overwhelmed by waste and the issue is particularly acute in developing countries, across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, collectively known as the Global South. This region, the GFCCE says, is experiencing a rapid surge in waste generation driven by economic growth and urbanisation.

Global forum on circular economy kicks off in Johannesburg with focus on solid waste management

The seventh meeting of the Global Forum of Cities for Circular Economy (GFCCE) has officially begun in Johannesburg, South Africa, with delegates from 18 African nations in attendance. The gathering, taking place from January 28 to January 29, is designed to strengthen South-South cooperation to improve solid waste management across countries in the Global South. Delegates from 18 African nations, including Botswana, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Eswatini, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, are taking part in the event. Hosted by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE) and the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), an India-based think tank, the meeting brings together policymakers, experts, and practitioners to exchange knowledge and strategies for implementing circular economy practices. The goal is to create sustainable solutions for managing waste, a critical issue for many cities in the Global South, and to foster collaboration between African nations and their counterparts globally. With growing urbanisation and increased waste production, the GFCCE meeting emphasises the urgent need for innovation and partnerships to address the environmental challenges posed by waste and pollution. The discussions are expected to focus on practical steps to transition to circular economy models, which prioritise waste reduction, reuse, and recycling, ultimately benefiting both the environment and local economies. During the opening of the meeting, Bernice Swarts, Deputy Minister of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE) of South Africa, stated that the GFCCE embodies the core principle of South-South cooperation, bringing together nations with a common goal to promote and incorporate the circular economy across the African continent. “The GFCCE exemplifies the essence of South-South cooperation by uniting nations under a shared vision to mainstream and integrate circular economy throughout the African continent.” SE Director General Sunita Narain emphasised that the circular economy is not merely a trending concept, but a practical approach that turns waste into valuable resources. She urged countries in the Global South to take ownership of the circular economy idea and actively embrace its transformative potential. "It has traditionally been ours – we have always had the practice of reuse, reduce and recycle,” she said. Atin Biswas, Programme Director of the Municipal Solid Waste and Circular Economy Unit at CSE said that Indian cities have made extraordinary progress in waste management over the past decade, thanks to the political will and data-driven approach of the Government of India. He said the forum aims to share the Indian experience of Swachh Survekshan with other Global South countries. "Through this forum, we aim to share the Indian experience of Swachh Survekshan with other Global South countries," she added. The Forum will also serve as a platform for learning and knowledge sharing among countries, highlighting successful initiatives such as the carry bag bans implemented in East African nations like Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda. These examples demonstrate the effectiveness of nationwide bans on single-use plastics. The experiences of these nations are being shared with other member states, including India, to help shape a strategy for identifying and phasing out avoidable and problematic single-use plastics. Programme Manager of the Municipal Solid Waste and Circular Economy Unit at CSE, Siddharth G Singh, noted that Forum members are actively engaging in the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to help develop a legally binding treaty aimed at ending plastic pollution. “While India can learn from East African nations about implementing bans, African countries can benefit from India’s methodology for developing criteria for single-use plastics,” he said. The GFCCE has been instrumental in promoting knowledge exchange among member states. In 2023, delegates from 18 Global South countries visited Pune, Maharashtra, to gain insights into integrating the informal sector into waste management systems. Programme Manager of the Municipal Solid Waste and Circular Economy Unit at CSE, Mou Sengupta, highlighted that through GFCCE, the goal is to shape policies that include informal waste pickers in formal systems, ensuring a fair and inclusive transition for all. “This is particularly relevant for Africa, where the informal sector plays a significant role in waste management. South Africa alone has an estimated 60,000 to 90,000 informal waste pickers,” Mou said. At the event, CSE unveiled a compendium of best case studies on solid waste management from across Africa. Since its founding in 2021, the Global Forum of Cities for Circular Economy (GFCCE) has grown into a community of 22 member states, comprising 18 African countries and four Southeast Asian nations.

The age of Trump

So, Donald Trump did the expected. I watched from millions of miles away in the dead of the night, Trump signing with great flourish the executive order to take his country out of the Paris Agreement on climate change. “We will save trillions,” he said to the cheering red cap-adorned crowds. What does this mean for the global fight against climate change? For many reasons, the time is different from Trump 1.0 in 2017. One, he is much more belligerent against all things green. I will explain this later. It is also a time when climate change catastrophe is showing up everywhere. On the day of his swearing in, the entire event had to be moved inside because of an intense cold wave. The cold blast has to do with the fact that because of climate change, the Polar vortex—winds that circulate over the Arctic—has become more unstable and has hit the west coast of the US. Even as Trump takes office, the homes of the rich and famous in Los Angeles have been burnt to the ground with deadly fires, driven by ferocious winds. There may have been incompetence in the handling of the fire, but it is a fact that the rain has been variable and has led to drying up of the region, turning the forests into a tinderbox. With such devastations hitting virtually every region and every class of people in the world, it is hard to be a climate denier. But he is. And he has been voted in by the majority in his country on this position. In fact, his closest adviser Elon Musk, the electric car magnate, was standing next to him when he said in his inaugural address that he intends to “end the Green New Deal and revoke the electric vehicle mandate”. Climate change is now “woke” politics in his lexicon. But there is more to this bellicosity—it is about the fossil fuel and the manufacturing that he wants his country to return to. He needs the complete rejection of the idea of climate change so that “drill, baby, drill” has no opposition. Trump wants the US gas to head to the shores across the world to counter any clean energy transition plans. He has even said that if Europe wants to avoid higher tariffs then they need to buy US gas. Similarly, the move back to the internal combustion engine vehicle is because his country has domestic advantage in the technology and manufacturing, and also because the Chinese have dominance in the electric vehicle and the supply chains that operate around it. This is about trade and the world order that he believes USA must lead. Climate change is an inconvenient footnote in this historical battle for global supremacy. So, what does this mean for climate change? A lot. And this cannot be disguised in sweet nothings. First, the US is a massive contributor to the stock of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that are forcing temperatures to rise. It has a mega historical footprint—it is responsible for a fifth already in the atmosphere—and is the world’s second largest annual GHG polluter, behind China. Under Joe Biden, the US government had pledged to reduce its emissions by 50-52 per cent below the 2005 levels by 2030, and 61-66 per cent by 2035. Now, this is off the table. This means the US will continue to emit more and more—enough to tip the world over to cascading temperature rise and risks. This is not to say that the US under Biden was on track. In fact, US emissions have only marginally reduced in the past few years; but there was a promise and commitment to do more. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) delivered investment to make the green deal possible. There were mandates to move to renewable power; to electric mobility. Now Trump (all in a matter of two days) has declared a national energy emergency; revoked restrictions on new drilling; suspended offshore wind leasing; halted disbursement under IRA and signed an order to end electric vehicle subsidies. Second, this time it is about more emissions. Till now, it was assumed that the US had passed its emission peak in 2005 and emissions would naturally reduce as populations and consumption stabilised. But now, Trump is promising a return of manufacturing jobs, this will add to emissions. Then there is the growth of Artificial Intelligence—data centres, it is estimated, will greatly add to energy consumption in the country. And this energy will be mostly from burning natural gas—a fossil fuel. Third, Trump is bad news because of the signals his actions will send to other governments, already reluctant to do more to reduce emissions. It will now be easier to be locked into the fossil fuel economies of the world. The only silver lining, if you can call it that, is that climate change impacts are not going to go away. It is in the interest of all countries to take actions so that we can avoid the worst devastations of growing extreme events. We have no other Planet to move to and there is no Plan B. We must stay on course. How will we do that in the age of Trump? This is what we must continue to discuss. DTE The writer is the Director-General of CSE and editor of DownToEarth. Views expressed are personal

SA hosts global circular economy workshop

Efforts to ensure that South Africa has a clean and healthy environment are under the spotlight at the 7th Global Forum of Cities for Circular Economy (GFCCE) workshop. The two-day workshop, which is being hosted by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) in Johannesburg -- in collaboration with the Centre for Science and Environment -- is aimed at enhancing South-South cooperation for improving the solid waste management ecosystem in the Global South, and building the capacity of nominated officials from 18 African nations. The workshop, which concludes on Wednesday, is being attended by delegates from Botswana, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Eswatini, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Addressing the opening of the workshop, South Africa's Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Bernice Swarts, highlighted some of the measures government has adopted to bolster the circular economy, focusing on reusing and recycling materials to ensure a sustainable and secure supply of resources. “South Africa has instituted various policy instruments and initiatives to advance sustainable development pathways, with circular economy principles firmly embedded in these strategies,” Swarts said on Tuesday. These policy instruments include the National Waste Management Strategy, Extended Producer Responsibility Regulations (EPR) for priority waste streams and other economic instruments that include fees, levies and taxes to incentivise or disincentivise behaviour change. “Extended Producer Responsibility became necessary to be included in South Africa’s policy mix, given the increased generation of waste. EPR shifts seek to shift the responsibility for products from municipalities and consumers, to producers. “South Africa is under immense pressure and the host city [of the workshop] - the City of Joburg - together with others - does not have sufficient landfill airspace. It is, therefore, necessary to utilise a policy mix to address resource efficiency. It is also necessary that cities are enabled to monitor resource use,” Swarts said. The Deputy Minister noted that for meaningful progress to be made across the board, strong partnerships are needed. "Collaboration between government and the private sector is paramount in realising the goals of the waste management hierarchy and facilitating our transition to a circular economy. “South Africa remains steadfast in its commitment to strengthening these partnerships and advancing the shared objectives of the GFCCE. This collaboration benefits our governments through reduced spending and creates green opportunities,” she said. Since its establishment in 2021, the GFCCE has expanded to a community of 22 Member States, with 18 countries from Africa. This platform is dedicated to advancing circular economy principles in alignment with national policies and priorities. Cities account for 75% of natural resource consumption and 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Swarts said more people will continue to migrate to cities to seek better opportunities and it is necessary that cities become resilient in resource efficiency and reduce their environmental footprint.

International experiences shed light on best practices for congestion pricing in Delhi

Road traffic congestion is a pressing issue in many of India’s metropolitan centres. Gridlock brings prolonged commute times, excessive fuel consumption, air and noise pollution, and elevated greenhouse gas emissions. The National Capital Region has been in the spotlight as traffic has worsened with urban sprawl. According to research published by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), on-road vehicles were responsible for nearly three-quarters of the transportation health burden in New Delhi in 2015. To address peak-hour congestion, Delhi’s government reportedly plans to introduce a pilot congestion tax that would charge drivers who use select roadways during busy periods. Also known as congestion pricing, this aims to ease traffic and reduce pollution by discouraging unnecessary trips and encouraging drivers to use alternative routes, travel at off-peak times, shift to public transport, or share rides (and fees) with others. A 2010 study by the ICCT found that congestion tax schemes in London, Singapore, and Stockholm reduced congestion by 13%–30% and greenhouse gas emissions by 15%–20%. This isn’t the first time Delhi has considered congestion pricing. Proposals in 2009 and 2018 failed to advance. Still, as Delhi looks ahead to its congestion tax pilot, I’ll highlight experiences from other cities that can provide valuable insights into how these schemes could be employed to effectively reduce traffic and air pollution. Dynamic pricing Delhi’s pilot would reportedly charge vehicles entering the city at 13 major entry points during morning and evening peak hours. With over 1.1 million vehicles entering and exiting daily, this makes sense, as such corridors are often heavily congested. A 2016 Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) cross-border traffic survey at nine major entry points to Delhi accounting for about 70% of traffic into the city found that the number of personal and passenger cars and two-wheelers entering daily was about the same as the number of vehicles registered in the city in a year. At the same time, with over 1,800 new vehicles added to the Capital’s roads daily, an entry-point congestion tax during peak hours could miss an opportunity to address a large portion of daily vehicle emissions. Another CSE study estimated that the traffic at surveyed border points contributed just 10% of the total pollution loads emanating from the transport sector in Delhi. Administering taxes only at peak hours can also mean overlooking emissions during off-peak times, including those from heavy-duty vehicles, which are responsible for 20%–30% of transport sector pollution in Delhi and operate predominately outside of peak hours. Other countries have sought to balance pollution and emission reduction aims against commuter access through dynamic pricing schemes that apply city-wide and have fees that rise at times of high congestion and drop during less busy times. In Singapore, an early pioneer in congestion pricing, charges are regularly reviewed and adjusted in response to changes in traffic patterns. Rates vary throughout the day and rise and fall gradually around periods of high traffic, which helps avoid surges before and after the designated peak hours. Targeting the most polluting vehicles Delhi reportedly plans to impose charges on most vehicles but exempt two-wheelers and electric vehicles. Congestion pricing programs in other countries have also provided discounts or exemptions for certain travelers, such as for residents of the designated taxation area, diplomatic vehicles, and emergency vehicles. However, in Delhi, discounts and exemptions for any personal or commercial vehicle may risk undermining the core congestion and emission reduction aims of the schemes. For instance, two-wheelers, with reportedly about 1,100 new registrations each day, are roughly one in three vehicles on the road and are the second-largest contributor to transport pollution, according to The Energy and Resources Institute. Lessons can also be drawn from Delhi’s own 2016 odd-even scheme, which aimed to reduce pollution by restricting the operation of vehicles based on license plate number and exempted two-wheelers, women-only vehicles, and taxis, among others. Observers assessed that the program had minimal impact on pollution due in part to an increase in the use of exempted vehicles. Pricing framework Policymakers in other countries have wrestled with how to set congestion charges high enough to encourage reductions in vehicle use without placing a disproportionate financial burden on low-income travelers. In the 1970s, Singapore’s congestion toll led to a larger-than-expected drop in traffic that raised commuter welfare concerns. More recently, London revised its fee upward to maintain effectiveness in response to inflation. There are other strategies. Currently, pricing in Singapore and Milan’s Area C varies by vehicle size and heavier, more polluting vehicles pay higher charges than lighter ones. This reflects their greater impact on both traffic congestion and pollution levels. Remote sensing, a method used to monitor real-world tailpipe emissions, could offer support for tailoring congestion prices to the emissions of different vehicles. This technology has been deployed in Europe, the United States, Spain, Sweden, and elsewhere to identify high- and low-emission vehicles and detect possible vehicle tampering. A recent ICCT study that took measurements via remote sensing in Delhi and Gurugram highlighted the difference between real-world tailpipe emission levels and laboratory limits and the need for advanced techniques for emissions monitoring. A review of congestion pricing pilot programs in U.S. cities identified a number of possible approaches to mitigate the impacts of these schemes on low-income groups, including discounts, exemptions, and rebates. Such measures aim to minimize the financial burden on disadvantaged communities while maintaining the program’s effectiveness. Additionally, cities like Bogotá (Colombia) have adopted approaches that consider drivers’ income level alongside vehicle emissions to establish an equitable pricing structure. The role of public transportation and supportive policies Delhi has more than 7,500 buses in operation and over 390 km of metro connectivity, including links to other major cities. Still, challenges persist, including irregular bus frequency, overcrowding during rush hours, poor conditions of the bus, and last-mile connectivity issues for metro users. Ensuring that the public transit system is reliable, well-integrated, and equipped for last-mile connectivity through feeder bus services and pedestrian and cycling infrastructure is critical to realizing the shift away from private transport envisioned under congestion tax schemes. Indeed, congestion pricing was also considered recently in Bangalore and Mumbai, but it stalled due to concerns about the capacity of the public transport system to provide sustainable alternatives to private vehicle users. Other cities have used revenues from congestion pricing to pay for upgrades to the public transit system. In London, the net revenue from congestion pricing has supported efforts to enhance bus fleets, expand bicycle and pedestrian lanes, improve road safety, and more. Cities like London, Paris, and Brussels have implemented scrappage programs that provide subsidies to retire older, higher-emitting vehicles and encourage a shift to public transit or cleaner private vehicles. Furthermore, initiatives like Delhi’s Mohalla bus scheme, a feeder bus service designed for neighbourhood-level operations, are expected to bridge the last-mile connectivity challenges by deploying 9 m zero-emission buses at scale. In considering congestion taxing to help address poor air quality, Delhi has the opportunity to draw on global insights and establish a strong precedent for tackling traffic congestion and air pollution together. Success in this would promote sustainable urban mobility that offers a safer, healthier environment for its residents.

Punjab bags top honors in green schools programme for second year in a row

Bathinda: For the second time in a row, Punjab has bagged the ‘Best State' and ‘Best District' awards under the Green Schools Programme by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). Punjab received these accolades for its leadership in fostering a culture of environmental consciousness. The Green School Programme (GSP) by the CSE aims to make school campuses environment friendly and students environmentally conscious. Across Punjab, 11,917 schools registered for the programme, with 7,406 successfully completing the audit, representing 84% of the 8,831 schools audited nationwide. Of 345 schools across India selected as Green Schools, 196 — 171 govt and 25 private schools — were from Punjab. Hoshiarpur district emerged as the top-performing district in India, with a record-breaking 1,945 schools completing green audits, the highest from any district nationwide. The number of Punjab's Green Schools have grown remarkably from 70 in 2023-24 to 196 in 2024-25, showcasing the state's unwavering commitment to sustainability. This transformation was driven by the department of science technology and environment, Punjab State Council for Science and Technology (PSCST). In 2023-24, 4,734 schools from the state submitted their audit reports. Among these, 70 were rated ‘green', while Sangrur district bagged the Best District Award with 503 submissions. The awards will be conferred during the Green Schools Awards ceremony on Feb 4 at New Delhi. This distinction highlights Punjab's initiatives in fostering environmental sustainability and awareness among school communities, claimed the PSCST. The Green Schools Programme, spearheaded by CSE, is a nationwide initiative that encourages schools to conduct rigorous environmental audits and transform their campuses into models of sustainability. These audits evaluate resource use and identify areas for improvement across six key domains: air, energy, food, land, water, and waste. By participating in these audits, schools gained actionable insights to optimise resource management and reduce their environmental footprints. PSCST's role in ushering in a new green revolution in Punjab's schools through the Green Schools Programme deserves commendation. By equipping schools with tools and knowledge, PSCST cultivated a culture of sustainability and environmental responsibility among students, teachers, and administrators, said department officials.

Drill, Baby, Drill: How Trump's MAGA Vision will Stall Global Climate Fight

"We will drill, baby, drill. America will be a manufacturing nation once again, and we have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have, the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on earth. And we are going to use it," These are not mere words; they come from one of the world's most powerful figures—Donald Trump, the 47th President of the United States. The world is warming up, thanks to the drilling that nations have been doing for years. The rising greenhouse gas emissions have made 2024 the hottest year on record and also the first year to breach the 1.5 degrees Celsius threshold. The frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as heatwaves, floods and wildfires have increased across the world. Climate change has caused severe devastation over the past year and will continue to trigger harrowing events in the future. Trump's Anti-Climate Measures On the very first day of taking office, Trump issued a series of orders that cemented his blatant disregard for global efforts aimed at transitioning to a sustainable future. He is committed to make America great again by reversing whatever little efforts the global super power has made to promote clean energy. Reversing Biden's ban on offshore oil and gas drilling, Trump has planned to declare “national energy emergency”, giving the administration more powers to approve production of fossil fuels. He has announced the withdrawal of the world’s second largest emitter from the landmark Paris accord. Trump will review the regulations that “impose undue burdens on energy production and use” and roll back incentives on electric vehicles. He has also called for an end to leases for wind energy farms. The new administration has vowed to revoke several environment-friendly orders issued by the Biden administration in 2021 including establishment of climate change support office, climate-related financial risk management and efforts to boost clean energy industries and jobs. What is at Stake? Until now, the US was doing fine in terms of solar and wind energy production which even surpassed coal production last year for the first time. The country now ranks third for the solar panel manufacturing. Wind farms accounted for 22% of the electricity generated in Texas and 59% of the power produced in Iowa in 2023, according to the New York Times. The Inflation Reduction Act, brought in effect in 2022, has been hailed for its potential for implementing climate solutions. The benefits will now cease after Trump ordered a halt to spending under the law. "Since the inflation act spending is halted, low-carbon technology development and adoption will be slowed, said Labanya Jena, sustainable finance specialist. Since the technology is used globally, the implication will be felt all over the world. All of the pro-climate efforts are set to be reversed as Donald Trump takes charge. “The chaos and uncertainty of his actions will hurt the US decarbonisation as well as the obligations of the US to the rest of the world on climate cooperation," said Avantika Goswami, Programme Manager, Climate Change, Centre for Science and Environment. Without the US participation in reducing global emissions, the objective of the Paris agreement to keep warming below a certain level cannot be achieved. Grave Consequences The wildfires in Los Angeles has claimed at least 28 lives, destroyed homes and displaced hundreds of thousands. In the Trump administration, sensitive regions of the country such as California and Alaska could now face a major risk. Manjeev Puri, distinguished fellow at The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) said, “The bigger risk is the exploitation of sensitive regions like Alaska, which poses grave ramifications to global climate stability." The biggest blow for climate actions will be due to a significant shrinkage of funds. According to various estimates, the developing countries need $5–6 trillion cumulatively at least until 2030 to achieve their stated nationally determined contributions. Trump has already ordered an immediate revocation of the US International Climate Finance Plan which promised to scale up US contribution to $11bn annually by 2024. RR Rashmi, distinguished fellow at TERI, noted that the new US administration will impact global clean energy financing more than private investments. Experts believe that Trump's measures risk the global consensus on climate action. "Other countries may scale down their ambitions. Large commercial banks and investors in the US will no longer be asked to support climate technologies,” said Jena, sustainable finance specialist. Jena also fears given the veto of the US on the World Bank, it may be forced to moved away from climate financing. Given the current state of the world, what is needed is even more ambitious targets from the US. However, Trump is determined to pull back the country to the fossil fuel era by reversing past climate actions. As a result, it is clear that the US climate pledge to reduce emissions by 61-66% from 2005 levels by 2035, will not be achieved. And without US participation, the global transition will be a lot slower, endangering lives worldwide.

किस राज्य की नदियां कितनी प्रदूषित

2023 में आई सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरमेंट की रिपोर्ट ने बताया कि देश में कुल 603 नदियां हैं. आपको यह जानकर हैरानी होगी कि करीब 46 फीसदी नदियां प्रदूषण की चपेट में हैं. रिपोर्ट में ये भी बताया गया कि प्रदूषित नदियों में सर्वाधिक प्रदूषित महाराष्ट्र में हैं, जहां 55 नदियों में प्रदूषण ज्यादा है. इसके बाद मध्य प्रदेश में 19 नदियां, बिहार केरल में 18-18 नदियां प्रदूषित हैं. उत्तर प्रदेश और कर्नाटक में 17-17 नदियां, जबकि राजस्थान में 14 और गुजरात में 13, मणिपुर में 13, पश्चिम बंगाल में 13 नदियां प्रदूषित पाई गई हैं.

2024's climate chaos: Why Budget 2025 must prioritise climate action

It was a year when the weather felt more like a roller coaster of chaos than the soft flow of seasons. In 2024, India found itself caught in nature's unrelenting crosshairs. Searing heatwaves turned cities into furnaces, while relentless monsoonal rains transformed streets into rivers. In one corner of the country, wildfires devoured forests with ferocious speed; in another, cyclonic storms slammed into coastal communities, leaving trails of destruction. 2025 has already begun with one of the worst extreme weather events seen in the United States as thousands of homes burned in what was described as one of the worst bouts of wildfires in California. It isn’t just a wake-up call for India, but a resounding alarm for the world. The climate crisis has arrived, and its fingerprints are everywhere. As the Indian government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi enters into a new financial year with Budget 2024-25, the writing on the wall couldn't be any clear - climate change must be a priority. WHAT WE SHOULD LEARN FROM 2024? With 2024 recording severe weather, including heatwaves and floods, the urgency for comprehensive climate action has never been greater. The effects of climate change are evident across the country. The rising temperatures have made heatwaves 30 times more likely, putting immense pressure on public health and economic stability. With India now surpassing China to become the most populous country, the demand for resources is escalating, further straining the environment. "Incorporating climate considerations into budgetary planning for various sectors is now crucial as India enters the latter half of this crucial decade. Climate impacts are escalating and globally, competition in the green economy is also increasing. Budgetary allocations for renewable energy penetration, industrial decarbonisation, and domestic green technology R&D must be a mandatory effort for India going forward," Avantika Goswami, Programme Manager, Climate Change, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), told IndiaToday.in.

India’s Plastic Dilemma: Closing the Loop on Packaging Waste

India’s battle with plastic waste has become a defining issue of our time, with the country striving to find an effective solution to the mounting crisis of single-use plastics. According to a report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), India is the fifth-largest producer of plastic waste globally, generating an estimated 9.46 million tons of plastic waste annually. Of this, 70% is uncollected or poorly managed, leading to significant environmental and public health challenges. In 2022, India took a bold step by enforcing a nationwide ban on single-use plastics, as part of its commitment to addressing the issue. While this initiative gained widespread attention, the battle is far from over. A key strategy that has emerged to tackle plastic waste is the circular economy—a system where resources, such as plastic, are reused, recycled, and kept in use for as long as possible. In the context of packaging waste, this shift toward sustainability presents both exciting possibilities and complex challenges. The Emergence of Circular Economy Models The circular economy is centered on designing out waste and pollution, keeping products in use, and regenerating natural systems. This model is particularly significant for managing packaging waste, where companies are increasingly being called upon to not only reduce their consumption of plastics but also to take responsibility for what happens to those plastics once consumers discard them. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), an essential component of this system, requires producers to take responsibility for the entire lifecycle of their packaging—particularly its post-consumer waste. As of 2022, India launched a major push to enforce EPR compliance among corporations, following the amendment of the Plastic Waste Management Rules (2016). According to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), EPR mandates that producers, importers, and brand owners should ensure that plastic waste generated from their products is collected, recycled, or reused. In theory, EPR incentivizes producers to design packaging that is easy to recycle and creates a more efficient waste management process. Hindustan Unilever (HUL), India’s leading FMCG company, has made strides in implementing EPR measures. HUL plans to collect 100% of the plastic waste generated by its products by 2025. Their initiatives include sourcing recycled content and developing alternative materials that have less environmental impact. With a market value of over ₹52,000 crore, HUL’s efforts serve as a beacon for other companies in the fast-moving consumer goods sector, signaling the potential benefits of sustainable business practices. Recycling and Grassroots Efforts: A Ray of Hope While corporate commitments are critical, much of India’s plastic recycling efforts remain dependent on informal waste pickers. These hardworking individuals have long been at the heart of India's waste management ecosystem. An estimated 1.5 million waste pickers work across cities and towns, collecting and sorting recyclables to sustain their livelihood, and in the process, diverting tonnes of waste from landfills. According to The Recycling Companies Association of India (RCAI), waste pickers contribute around 60-70% of the country’s total plastic recycling capacity. For the formalization of this informal sector, efforts are underway to create better conditions for waste pickers. For example, organizations such as Hasiru Dala in Bengaluru have successfully partnered with the government to create waste segregation programs, giving waste pickers legal protections and fair wages. These grassroots initiatives have proved effective in establishing local recycling infrastructures that are often more accessible than centralized waste management facilities. Innovations Driving Sustainability As India confronts its packaging waste crisis, several groundbreaking innovations are providing glimmers of hope. The trend of refill stations and zero-waste grocery stores is taking root across urban centers, furthering the movement toward reducing plastic consumption. A growing number of Indian startups, including Bare Necessities and Daily Dump, are pioneering zero-waste grocery options, offering products in reusable containers. These refill stations empower consumers to purchase necessities like shampoo, grains, and detergents without the need for plastic packaging. These initiatives resonate with the consumer base, especially among India’s urban millennials, who are more conscious of their environmental footprint. According to a 2022 report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), over 70% of Indian millennials are inclined to support brands that emphasize sustainability, setting a strong foundation for businesses that are environmentally conscious. These trends, though still in their infancy, offer hope for scalable, mainstream solutions. Government Support and Regulatory Challenges India’s evolving regulatory landscape plays a central role in shaping the future of plastic waste management. The Plastic Waste Management Rules of 2021 set clear targets to phase out single-use plastics by 2022, aiming to reduce plastic waste by enforcing extended producer responsibility and boosting plastic recycling. However, experts argue that compliance and enforcement of these rules continue to face roadblocks. While cities like Bengaluru and Delhi have made headway in plastic reduction, challenges in rural areas and smaller cities remain. According to a study by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), 30% of Indian towns lack any form of structured waste segregation, and 40% of the plastic generated is not being recycled. The lack of infrastructure and support at the local level means that even as the central government pushes ambitious policies, implementation on the ground faces hurdles. India’s battle against plastic waste and its pursuit of a circular economy is at a critical juncture. The country faces immense challenges, but there is clear momentum behind solutions that promote recycling, waste reduction, and more sustainable business practices. The efforts of corporations, grassroots movements, and policy interventions are beginning to create tangible shifts, proving that closing the loop on packaging waste is not only possible but already underway.