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COP29: India asks rich countries to remove tech transfer restrictions, unilateral trade measures

India on Monday (November 18, 2024) called on developed countries to remove barriers to technology transfer, increase public climate finance, and avoid unfair trade measures disguised as climate action. The appeal came during a high-level ministerial roundtable on pre-2030 ambition at the United Nations climate talks in Baku, Azerbaijan. India’s environment secretary Leena Nandan also urged rich countries to take the lead in cutting emissions and achieving net-zero by 2030. “This is essential to build a stronger, sustainable future,” she said. The official said that innovative technologies are critical for a low-carbon future but said they must be made accessible to developing countries. Developing countries need solutions like clean energy and carbon removal, but barriers like intellectual property rights (IPR) make it hard for them to access these technologies, Ms. Nandan said. “COP29 should come up with practical solutions to make technology affordable, adaptable, and relevant for developing countries,” she added. India asked developed countries to close the massive climate finance gap delaying climate action in developing countries. “Trillions of dollars are needed for clean energy projects, disaster-resilient infrastructure, and climate adaptation... It should be ensured that that deviation from least-cost development pathways committed by developing countries are fully met through public finance by developed countries.” If the developed nations do not pursue such an approach, it would put additional costs on people in developing countries bearing a disproportionate burden of climate change without having caused the problem, the government official added. India also raised strong objections to unilateral trade measures like the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which it said unfairly shifts the costs of climate action to poorer nations. These measures hurt international cooperation and add financial burdens to developing countries, she warned. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman last month termed CBAM "unilateral and arbitrary" and said such measures could potentially harm India's industries and disrupt the balance in international trade. According to Delhi-based think-tank Centre for Science and Environment, CBAM will impose an additional 25% tax on carbon-intensive goods exported from India to the EU. This tax burden would represent 0.05% of the country's GDP. India also highlighted that global emissions could peak by 2030, as the 2024 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) synthesis report projects that emissions will be 2.6% lower in 2030 compared to 2019 levels. This is achievable if all countries work together. But for this to happen, developing nations need access to finance, technology, and capacity-building support, it said.

AQI blues: What India can learn from China to curb air pollution

Delhi is experiencing severe air pollution due to crop residue burning, vehicle emissions, and industrial activities. The Supreme Court has criticized the Delhi government for its delayed response in implementing pollution control measures. The article compares Delhi's situation to Beijing's successful efforts in combating air pollution over the past decade, highlighting China's strict regulations, massive investments, and coordinated approach.

What India Expects From The Developed World’s Climate Plans

Three of the 196 countries signatory to the Paris Agreement have submitted their 2035 vision to curb climate change ahead of the February 2025 deadline. While there is no word on India’s revised climate plan yet, the world’s eyes are on what the developed world, which historically contributed the most to climate change, plans to do to help mitigate the problem The global climate conference, called the 29th Conference of Parties or COP29 is underway in Azerbaijan, and countries have already engaged in argument on agenda items -- most significantly, a new finance goal that determines how much developing countries like India should receive to combat and adapt to climate change. The money is important for these countries to implement their existing climate plans and set ambitious new goals. So far, last year’s COP host UAE and next year’s host Brazil have submitted the third iterations of their climate plans, known as Nationally Determined Contributions or NDCs 3.0. While the UK has not submitted an official plan, it has announced the headline item: to reduce all greenhouse gas emissions by at least 81 percent of 1990 levels by 2035. As for the USA, attendees belong to the current Biden administration, but Donald Trump winning the Presidential election and being slated to take office on January 20, 2025 has made climate observers nervous. The US has also hinted that China can do more apropos a more ambitious climate plan and disbursing funds to developing countries, whereas the G77+China bloc have categorically rejected the idea of widening the donor pool. Currently, “developed countries” are defined as the 24 countries that were members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in 1992, when the Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was signed. Developed countries, which had promised $100 billion to developing countries every year to deal with climate change, delivered on that promise very late, and their not taking the lead in submitting revised climate plans, let alone ambitious ones, might lead to subdued climate action from the rest of the world as well, experts fear. “India would continue to engage in discussions around the strengthening of collective global climate action and call upon the developed countries to ramp up their climate ambitions,” sources in the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) told the media on November 12. Warmest year, coldest response While the world hasn’t breached the 1.5 degrees Celsius mark yet, the global average temperature was 1.54 (±0.13)°C above pre-industrial levels in the period January-September 2024. The last 10 years have been the warmest on record and, as ocean heat rises, the ice level in the Antarctic is at its second lowest level in history. Heat-related mortality in people older than 65 years increased by a record-breaking 167% compared with the 1990s, 102 percentage points higher than what would have been expected without temperature rise, the 2024 Lancet Countdown showed. The average annual economic losses from weather-related extreme events increased by 23 percent from 2010–14 to 2019–23, to $227 billion. Each year from 2014 to 2023, an average of 42.7 percent of India’s land mass experienced at least one month of extreme drought, nearly double what was seen from 1950 to 1960. In 2023, people were exposed to moderate or higher risk of heat stress during light outdoor activities for an average of 2,400 hours per year, or the equivalent of 100 days per year, as per the Countdown. The global report’s findings were reflected in Indian research as well. In 2024, India faced extreme weather events on 93 percent of days in the year’s first nine months, claiming around 3,238 lives, affecting 3.2 million hectares of crops, destroyed 235,862 structures, and killed approximately 9,457 livestock, as per the findings of the Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment’s State of Extreme Weather 2024 report. Despite such clear and present danger signals, the world is not on track to reduce emissions, phase down fossil fuels and increase renewable energy to prevent the worst of global warming. In fact, host Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev branded oil and gas as a ‘gift from god’ during his remarks at the opening of COP29. NDCs 3.0: More shine than substance? An analysis of countries’ existing climate action plans as of October 2024 show that total greenhouse gas emissions in 2025 are [going to be] approximately the same as in 2019. In 2030, however, emissions are projected to be 2.6 percent lower than in 2019, as well as 2.8 percent lower than the estimated level for 2025, indicating the possibility of global emissions peaking before 2030. This is in context of the second round of NDCs having had 2030 climate targets. “However, in order to achieve that peaking, the conditional elements of the NDCs need to be implemented, which depends mostly on access to enhanced financial resources, technology transfer and technical cooperation, and capacity-building support; availability of market-based mechanisms; and absorptive capacity of forests and other ecosystems,” the NDC Synthesis report prepared by the UNFCCC warns. As per the Paris Agreement, NDCs 3.0 are supposed to be submitted by February 2025. Setting the bar at COP29 are UAE and Brazil, which have already submitted theirs. Azerbaijan is expected to submit its revised NDC during this COP. “Brazil is setting an economy-wide target of reducing its net greenhouse gas emissions by 59 to 67 percent below 2005 levels by 2035,” its NDC, announced on November 13, projected. “Brazil has announced a range of climate targets that goes from reasonable to insufficient,” said Karen Silverwood-Cope, Climate Director, World Resources Institute Brasil. “On the one hand, reducing emissions by 67 percent by 2035 could put Brazil on the path to climate neutrality by 2050. On the other hand, reducing emissions by only 59 percent by 2035 is a contribution that falls short of what is necessary to achieve the same goal. The announcement of a range with such width of impact on the country's contribution raises uncertainty about the real path that the government will pursue.” UAE has a net zero target or, in simple words, a target to become carbon neutral, by the year 2050. Ahead of COP29, it submitted its NDC 3.0 which sets a target of reducing emissions by 47 percent by 2035 compared to the 2019 baseline. Mohamed Kamal, Director of Greenish Foundation and member of Climate Action Network (Arab World) however criticised the plan as it ‘does not include any commitment to phase out fossil fuels or to stop the expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure.’ “With a rather limited target of 30 percent of “clean energy” for 2030 including nuclear (and no target for 2035), it is unclear how the domestic objective of reducing energy emissions by 50 percent by 2035 will be reached,” Kamal pointed out. “Promises of achieving negative emissions through mangrove afforestation, and false solutions like carbon capture, cannot compensate for the lack of ambition to achieve deep, rapid and sustained emissions reductions in the energy sector and beyond.” The UK also announced its vision for 2035. On November 12, Prime Minister M Keir Starmer announced that the UK’s 2035 NDC target is to reduce all greenhouse gas emissions by at least 81 percent on 1990 levels. “While the headline figure is impressive, to unleash business-led investment in clean energy, the UK must deliver comprehensive plans for how the NDC will transform priority sectors like heating and buildings,” said Maria Mendiluce, CEO of We Mean Business Coalition. Developed countries should lead the way Developed nations have to account for developing countries’ growth needs while setting their NDCs, believes Manish Kumar Shrivastava, Associate Director, Earth Science and Climate Change, The Energy and Resources Institute. “Given the historical responsibility of developed countries, early peaking of global emissions has to be driven by their collective ambition even if emissions from developing countries rise to meet their immediate development needs,” Shrivastava said. “Hence, the NDCs of developed countries must be ambitious enough that they can compensate for the global emission gap as estimated by the UNEP Gap reports.” What Shrivastava was referring to is findings from this year’s UNEP Emissions Gap report. One finding showed that greenhouse gas emissions across the G20 member countries actually increased in 2023 and accounted for 77 percent of global emissions. If all African Union countries are added to the G20 total, more than doubling the number of countries from 44 to 99, total emissions increased by just 5 percent. Madhura Joshi, India Lead at E3G, an independent climate change think tank, believes that global leaders need to reaffirm their commitment to the energy package that was agreed at COP28 last year. She was referring to the outcomes of last year’s conference wherein countries agreed to triple renewable energy, double energy efficiency and transition away from fossil fuels. “Wealthy countries must lead the way and reflect sectoral energy transition targets in their NDCs,” Joshi said. “These must include plans for full power sector decarbonisation by 2035, with commitments to immediately end new coal approvals and phase out coal by 2030 as critical interim steps. Power sector goals must be complemented with explicit targets for phasing out all fossil fuels by mid-century, starting with a commitment to end new oil and gas licensing.” “NDCs 3.0 are our chance to do something,” UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen recently said. “They are in fact our last chance to avoid overshooting 1.5°C.”

Delhi-NCR air pollution: GRAP-IV enforced; what’s allowed, what’s not

NEW DELHI: The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has imposed GRAP Stage 4 in Delhi NCR from 8 am today, after the Air Quality Index (AQI) reached to ‘severe plus’ category. Check Delhi AQI here This decision was made after an urgent meeting of the GRAP sub-committee on November 17, where they analysed current air quality measurements, meteorological conditions, and forecasts from the IMD and IITM. The sub-committee had previously activated Stage-I, Stage-II, and Stage-III protocols on October 14, October 21, and November 14, respectively. — CAQM_Official (@CAQM_Official) The air pollution crisis in NCR worsened on Sunday, with Delhi's average Air Quality Index reaching a critical level of 441 at 4pm, falling in the 'severe' category, compared to 419 the previous day. AQI on Sunday CPCB data indicates a steady deterioration in air quality throughout the day. Delhi's AQI rose from 421 at 9am to 468 by 10pm, marking the fourth 'severe' day this month. The previous 'severe plus' reading occurred on November 13 at 454. The 4pm reading of 441 represents the second-highest measurement this year after January 14's 447. What are you smoking In a statement shared on X, Delhi chief minister Atishi announced the suspension of in-person classes for all students except those in Class 10 and 12, effective Monday. Schools will continue instruction through virtual platforms until further notice. — AtishiAAP (@AtishiAAP) Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai, has scheduled a meeting at the Delhi Secretariat today at 12 noon. The session will involve Heads of Departments from all relevant departments to ensure proper execution of GRAP-IV measures in the capital city. Delhi GRAP-IV measures supplement existing restrictions from stages 1-3. The commission has now withdrawn exemptions for construction activities in public infrastructure projects. The restrictions include prohibiting non-emergency trucks and non-BS 6 compliant light commercial vehicles from entering Delhi, alongside BS-4 and older diesel-operated medium and heavy goods vehicles. When are GRAP-1, 2, 3, and 4 activated? Graded Response Action Plan- I (GRAP-I) is initiated when AQI ranges between 201-300, requiring basic measures including public advisories, dust control, and restrictions on open burning. GRAP-II is enforced when AQI reaches 301-400, involving restrictions on diesel generators, enhanced mechanised cleaning, and road water sprinkling. GRAP-III is imposed when AQI crosses 400, bans on non-essential construction, limiting heavy vehicle entry, and stopping brick kiln operations. GRAP-IV is activated when AQI exceeds 450, requiring complete construction stoppage, school closures, and strict vehicle restrictions including odd-even schemes. Key restrictions under GRAP-4 in Delhi NCR Restrict truck movement into Delhi, permitting only vehicles transporting essential items, providing essential services, and those operating on LNG/CNG/electricity. Prohibit non-Delhi registered light commercial vehicles from entering the city, except those running on EV/CNG/BS-VI diesel and carrying essential goods. Ban on plying of Delhi registered BS-IV and below diesel operated medium goods vehicles (MGV) and heavy goods vehicles (HGV) in Delhi, except those carrying essential commodities or providing essential services. Impose restrictions on Delhi-registered diesel vehicles (BS-IV and below) in both medium and heavy goods categories within city limits, allowing only those involved in essential services or goods transportation. Suspend construction and demolition work for infrastructure projects including roads, highways, flyovers, bridges, power lines and pipeline installations. Ban Construction and Destruction activities, as in the GRAP Stage-III, also for linear public projects such as highways, roads, flyovers, overbridges, power transmission, pipelines, tele-communication etc. Measures for public health and school safety The NCR State Government and GNCTD may take a decision on discontinuing physical classes even for classes VI - IX, class XI and conduct lessons in an online mode. NCR State Governments / GNCTD to take a decision on allowing public, municipal and private offices to work on 50% strength and the rest to work from home. Central Government may take appropriate decision on permitting work from home for employees in central government offices. State Governments may consider additional emergency measures like closure of colleges/ educational institutions and closure of non-emergency commercial activities, permitting running of vehicles on odd-even basis of registration numbers etc. Children, elderly and those with respiratory, cardiovascular, cerebrovascular or other chronic diseases to avoid outdoor activities and stay indoors, as much as possible. Authorities predict continued poor air quality due to heavy fog and unfavourable weather conditions. CAQM indicates the likelihood of AQI remaining in the severe/severe+ category. CAQM has advised governments to consider 50% office attendance and implement work-from-home policies. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, Research and Advocacy, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), said, “This is happening because of the combined impact of the deepening of winter inversion and trapping of high local and regional pollution. We need urgent measures to slow down further loading of pollution from the key sources.” The Decision Support System indicated that stubble burning activities contributed to 25.2% of Delhi's PM2.5 levels on that particular day.

Delhi Pollution: Stay indoors, wear N95 masks when outside, ensure ventilation

Reduce outdoor activities, minimise exposure, wear N95 masks when outside, and decrease vehicular emissions — this is what Delhiites can do to minimise the impact of pollution in their day-to-day lives, according to experts. The city’s air quality has been deteriorating over the past week, inching to severe plus levels on Monday. Restrictions under the Graded Action Plan Stage-IV have kicked in which include the closure of schools, except for Classes 10 and 12, certain vehicle restrictions, and a ban on construction and demolition activities. The Indian Express spoke to a few experts — environmentalists and scientists — and here’s what they have to say: ‘Ensure ventilation’ Dr Gufran Beig, a former project director of the System of Air Quality Forecasting and Research and a retired scientist from the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, said, “The pollution levels in Delhi have reached peak levels; any small trigger will amplify the situation. People should adopt cleaner fuels to avoid triggering vehicular emissions. As far as protection is concerned, it is essential to use N95 masks. Even if they do not completely stop finer particulate matter from entering the body, they can protect the upper respiratory tract to some extent. It is important to ensure ventilation. Many people think that sitting with windows closed will keep pollution out, but this is not true. Pollution is already trapped and will continue to sustain like this. Air circulation is crucial to clear it. Therefore, minimise outdoor activities for a few days until the weather becomes favourable.” ‘Don’t add to the problem’ Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director of research and advocacy at the Centre for Science and Environment, India, said, “All that you can do is see that you do not add to the problem. However, keep in mind that when meteorological conditions are adverse, you cannot solve the issue. Pollution will persist until there is some wind and natural ventilation. We need to control the major sources of pollution to prevent further loading. Festive offer Roychowdhury further said that residents should reduce their exposure as much as possible by staying indoors and avoiding outdoor exercise. “Nobody should think that just by doing that, the air is going to clean up overnight. It does not happen. Because right now, the natural ventilation efficiency is absolutely very low… That’s the reason why tough measures become necessary. That’s what people have to keep in mind, that you don’t add more to the problem… and that’s where the whole public support will have to be built up now,” Roychowdhury added. ‘Consume electricity wisely’ Sunil Dahiya, founder and lead analyst at Envirocatalysts, said, “In the last few years, this is the worst air pollution episode we have seen in November. Urgent measures include reducing activities that put physical strain on the body, such as exercising, walking, or jogging. We should stay indoors as much as possible and wear masks when going out. For children, the elderly, and those with respiratory or heart diseases, this is an emergency. “Not everyone can afford masks and purifiers, but those at risk should adopt them. We also need to reduce our pollution contribution by avoiding private transportation and relying on public transport. Taking leave from work and school can help reduce pollution levels.” Dahiya further said that people must adopt better waste management practices to avoid burning waste, which increases pollution. Additionally, Delhi residents should consume electricity wisely, as much of the city’s electricity comes from coal-burning states like Haryana and Punjab, he said. Reducing demand can lead to less coal being burned. Residents also have a responsibility to question governments and companies about reducing pollutant emissions by installing efficient technologies, Dahiya said, adding that policymakers do not fear losing votes over pollution issues because public concern is low.

Remove barriers...' - India Urges Developed Nations At COP29

Baku: The United Nations Climate Change Conference 2024, held in Baku (Azerbaijan) from November 11-22, intends on garnering the support of developing countries to accelerate the transition to clean energy and deal with the impacts of climate change. Nandan Urges For Contribution From Developed Nations At the conference, the Indian environment secretary, Leena Nandan, on Monday urged developed countries to remove barriers in transferring technology, increasing public climate finance and avoiding unfair trade measures disguised as climate actions. She further emphasised on the need for rich nations in cutting emissions and achieving net-zero by 2030. This happened during a ministerial roundtable on pre-2030 ambition at the UN climate talks in Baku. Leena Nandan also added that innovative technologies, critical for a low carbon future must be made accessible to developing countries. Cleaner energy solutions are the need of the hour but Leena Nandan pointed out that barriers like intellectual property make access to these difficult. A need to come up with affordable, relevant and accessible technology was established for a stronger and sustainable future. India also asked developed countries to close the massive finance gap delaying climate action in developing countries. "Trillions of dollars are needed for clean energy projects, disaster-resilient infrastructure, and climate adaptation... It should be ensured that that deviation from least-cost development pathways committed by developing countries are fully met though public finance by developed countries. Not doing so puts additional cost on people in developing countries bearing a disproportionate burden of climate change without having caused the problem," Nandan said. Nandan, on behalf of India also raised strong objections to unilateral trade measure like the European Union's Carbon border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which conveniently shifts the cost of climate action to poorer nations, not accounting for the damage caused by developed nations. This further hurts international cooperation, adding financial burden to developing countries. In October, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman termed CBAM "unilateral and arbitrary" adding that such measures could potentially harm Indian industries and disrupt the balance of international trade. CBAM will impose an additional 25% tax on carbon-intensive goods exported from India to the European Union (EU), according to Centre for Science and Environment. Stiell Urges Delegates To Shed Bluffing And Brinkmanship The United Nations framework Convention on Climate Change Simon Stiell also called for swift resolution of less contentious issues and an urgent focus on major political decisions to advance global climate action. He urged delegates to shed "bluffing and brinkmanship" to focus on pragmatic solutions that can overcome critical challenges. Stiell urged the need for collaborative progress during the plenary session amongst all the attendees. "We can't lose sight of the forest because we're tussling over individual trees," he said, warning against stalling tactics where partis refuse to take initiative and act unless others take the lead. He explained that such an approach could halt the progress entirely. He also said that only parallel efforts from all parties could ensure robust income. The tussle between the developed and the developing nations on key issues such as climate finance, trade measures, and equitable responsibility for climate action is likely to end in the second week of COP29. Recently, India representing the G-77/China and BASIC blocs asked developed countries to be accountable for unmet financial commitments. The G-77/China bloc reiterated its demand for $1.3 trillion annually for climate finance and emphasised the need for grants as well as concessional funding to avoid burdening vulnerable economies that are already struggling with the repercussions of climate change. Stiell also called upon G20 nations to take bolder action and warned that without it, none of the grouping's economies would escape climate-driven economic losses.

BJP govts sending BS-IV diesel buses to Delhi despite ban: Gopal Rai

If diesel buses entered Delhi, the Delhi government’s negligence is to blame, said BJP, asking Rai to clarify what steps have been implemented at Delhi’s borders to prevent entry of diesel vehicles Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai on Saturday blamed the neighbouring Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led states of propelling pollution in the Capital by deliberately sending diesel buses despite a ban in place. Rai made the allegations during a surprise inspection at Kashmere Gate Interstate Bus Terminal (ISBT) to ensure strict enforcement of Stage 3 guidelines under the Graded Response Action Plan (Grap). The BJP hit back, saying that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government was trying to shift blame rather than finding solutions to the pollution crisis. At present, BS-3 petrol and BS-4 diesel four-wheelers are banned from plying in the city under Stage 3 of Grap, which was rolled out on Thursday and came into effect from Friday, to combat deteriorating air quality. “The enforcement team of the transport department issued challans to BS-4 diesel buses coming from Haryana and Uttarakhand on Saturday. The BJP governments are deliberately sending these prohibited diesel buses to increase pollution in Delhi,” said Rai. Under Stage 3, which is implemented when the air quality index breaches the 400-mark, only electric, CNG and BS-6 diesel interstate buses are allowed to enter Delhi. Citing a report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), Rai said that only 30% of pollution in Delhi originates from within the city, while the rest comes from national capital region (NCR) districts. Rai said while the Delhi government has implemented a summer action plan and a winter action plan to tackle pollution, the neighbouring BJP-led governments are exacerbating the issue. “Diesel buses are coming to Delhi from Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, leading to increased pollution in these areas,” he claimed.

AQI slips back into ‘severe’ category, smog blankets city

The air quality index (AQI) in the Capital slipped back into the ‘severe’ category on Saturday, following a brief improvement to the ‘very poor’ category the previous day. The minimum temperature also dropped to 15°C as dense smog blanketed the city for the fourth consecutive morning. In response to the deteriorating air quality earlier this week, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) enforced stricter measures under Stage-III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai inspected the Kashmere Gate ISBT to oversee the implementation of GRAP-III guidelines alongside Transport Department officials. During the inspection, Rai noted that BS-IV diesel buses from neighbouring states were still entering the city despite the ban. He confirmed that enforcement teams issued challans to BS-IV buses from the Haryana and Uttarakhand Governments. Taking a dig at BJP-led state governments, Rai accused them of deliberately sending banned diesel buses into Delhi, worsening the city’s air pollution. Citing a report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), Minister Rai said only 30 per cent of Delhi’s pollution originates within the city, while the remaining 70 per cent is contributed by NCR districts. “The Delhi Government has implemented both summer and winter action plans to combat pollution, but BJP-led neighbouring states are aggravating the problem,” Rai stated. He pointed out that diesel buses from Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh were contributing significantly to pollution levels in Delhi and surrounding areas.

Manage C&D waste better to fight air pollution: CSE

With India’s construction industry booming, the country’s cities are all set to see a marked increase in the generation of construction and demolition (C&D) waste. This expected growth in the C&D waste stream is all the more alarming as it will add to the problem of air pollution that Indian cities have been struggling with. “The existing operational C&D waste sector is projected to more than double in the coming years. If not fully recovered and recycled, construction waste can turn into a major polluter choking our cities. Though progressive steps are underway to set up C&D processing plants in cities, these have been marred by complaints of underutilisation and unviability due to inefficient waste management and market linkages,” says a new study by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) that was released here today. Debris Dilemma: Promoting self-sufficiency – as the study is titled – presents a detailed review of 16 C&D waste recycling plants spread across India.

CSE: वायु प्रदूषण से लड़ने के लिए C&D अपशिष्ट का बेहतर प्रबंधन करें

भारत के निर्माण उद्योग में तेजी के साथ, देश के शहरों में निर्माण और विध्वंस (सीएंडडी) अपशिष्ट के उत्पादन में उल्लेखनीय वृद्धि देखने को मिलेगी। सीएंडडी अपशिष्ट प्रवाह में यह अपेक्षित वृद्धि और भी अधिक चिंताजनक है क्योंकि यह वायु प्रदूषण की समस्या को और बढ़ा देगा जिससे भारतीय शहर जूझ रहे हैं। “मौजूदा चालू सीएंडडी अपशिष्ट क्षेत्र के आने वाले वर्षों में दोगुने से अधिक होने का अनुमान है। यदि पूरी तरह से पुनर्प्राप्त और पुनर्चक्रित नहीं किया गया, तो निर्माण अपशिष्ट हमारे शहरों को अवरुद्ध करने वाला एक प्रमुख प्रदूषक बन सकता है। हालांकि शहरों में सीएंडडी प्रसंस्करण संयंत्र स्थापित करने के लिए प्रगतिशील कदम उठाए जा रहे हैं, लेकिन अकुशल अपशिष्ट प्रबंधन और बाजार संबंधों के कारण इनका कम उपयोग और अव्यवहारिक होने की शिकायतों के कारण ये प्रभावित हुए हैं,” सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट (सीएसई) द्वारा आज यहां जारी किए गए एक नए अध्ययन में कहा गया है। मलबा दुविधा: आत्मनिर्भरता को बढ़ावा देना - जैसा कि अध्ययन का शीर्षक है - भारत भर में फैले 16 सीएंडडी अपशिष्ट पुनर्चक्रण संयंत्रों की विस्तृत समीक्षा प्रस्तुत करता है। नई दिल्ली में आयोजित राष्ट्रीय हितधारक सम्मेलन में रिपोर्ट जारी करते हुए, सीएसई की कार्यकारी निदेशक अनुमिता रॉयचौधरी ने कहा: "केंद्रीय पर्यावरण, वन और जलवायु परिवर्तन मंत्रालय के राष्ट्रीय स्वच्छ वायु कार्यक्रम के तहत 131 गैर-प्राप्ति शहरों (एनएसी) की सभी स्वच्छ वायु कार्य योजनाओं के लिए सीएंडडी अपशिष्ट प्रबंधन और निर्माण धूल शमन अभिन्न अंग हैं। शहरों को अपशिष्ट को संसाधित करने के लिए पुनर्चक्रण संयंत्र स्थापित करने का आदेश दिया गया है ताकि पुनर्चक्रित समुच्चय, पेवर ब्लॉक आदि जैसे मूल्यवर्धित उत्पाद तैयार किए जा सकें, जिन्हें निर्माण उद्योग में संसाधन के रूप में वापस लाया जा सकता है।" रॉयचौधरी ने कहा: "सीएंडडी अपशिष्ट का पुनर्चक्रण संसाधनों की पूरी वसूली को सक्षम बनाता है और अपशिष्ट में आर्थिक मूल्य जोड़ता है, आजीविका और रोजगार पैदा करता है। लेकिन शहरों में कमजोर अपशिष्ट प्रबंधन प्रणाली और निर्माण एजेंसियों द्वारा पुनर्चक्रित उत्पादों की खराब बाजार मांग के कारण उनका उपयोग और आर्थिक व्यवहार्यता समझौता कर रही है।" सीएसई अध्ययन

दिल्ली की हवा जहरीली होने से लागू हुई GRAP-4 की पाबंदियां, किन चीजों पर लगा प्रतिबंध?

दिल्ली में वायु प्रदूषण अब खतरनाक स्तर पर पहुंच गया है। इसके बाद दिल्ली और राष्ट्रीय राजधानी क्षेत्र (NCR) में सोमवार (18 नवंबर) से ग्रेडेड रिस्पांस एक्शन प्लान (GRAP) के चौथे चरण के प्रतिबंध लागू किए जाएंगे। वायु गुणवत्ता प्रबंधन आयोग (CAQM) ने दिल्ली में बढ़ते वायु प्रदूषण के बाद यह फैसला लिया है। बता दें कि आज शाम 7 बजे औसतन वायु गुणवत्ता सूचकांक (AQI) 457 दर्ज किया गया, जो 'बेहद गंभीर' श्रेणी में आता है। प्रतिबंध किन-किन चीजों पर रहेगा प्रतिबंध? GRAP-4 की पाबंदियों में आवश्यक सेवाओं को छोड़कर BS-III वाले पेट्रोल वाहनों और BS-IV के डीजल वाहनों के दिल्ली और NCR में प्रवेश पर पूर्ण प्रतिबंध रहेगा। इनमें बाहरी राज्यों में पंजीकृत वाहन भी शामिल हैं। इसी तरह हाईवे, सड़क, फ्लाईओवर, बिजली लाइनों, पाइपलाइनों और अन्य सार्वजनिक परियोजनाओं सहित सभी निर्माण गतिविधियों पर अस्थायी रूप से रोक रहेगी। इसके अलावा, दिल्ली के बाहर पंजीकृत हल्के वाणिज्यिक वाहनों के भी प्रवेश पर प्रतिबंध रहेगा और GRAP-3 की पाबंदियां जारी रहेंगी। स्कूल ऑनलाइन होगी कक्षा 6 से 9 तक की पढ़ाई CAQM ने GRAP-4 के तहत दिल्ली और NCR में कक्षा 6 से 9 तक की पढ़ाई ऑनलाइन कराने के आदेश दिए हैं। इसके बाद मुख्यमंत्री आतिशी ने इन कक्षाओं को ऑनलाइन मोड पर चलाने के आदेश जारी कर दिए। हालांकि, कक्षा 10 और 12 की कक्षाएं ऑफलाइन ही जारी रहेंगी। इसी बीच पर्यावरण मंत्री गोपाल राय सोमवार दोपहर 1 बजे दिल्ली सचिवालय में प्रेस कॉन्फ्रेंस कर GRAP-4 से जुड़ी पाबंदियों की विस्तार से जानकारी देंगे। आपने 50% पढ़ लिया है सिफारिश CAQM ने की कार्यालयों में 50 प्रतिशत स्टाफ करने की सिफारिश CAQM ने अभी कर्मचारियों को घर से काम करने का आदेश नहीं दिया है, लेकिन उसने दिल्ली सरकार को सुझाव दिया है कि वह सरकारी, नगर निगम और निजी कार्यालयों को 50 प्रतिशत क्षमता पर काम करने और बाकी को घर से काम करने की अनुमति दे। इसी तरह केंद्र से भी उसके कर्मचारियों को घर से काम करने की अनुमति देने को कहा है। इसके अलावा, वाहनों के संचालन में ऑड-ईवन नियम लागू करने का भी सुझाव दिया है। वजह दिल्ली में प्रदूषण की क्या है वजह? सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट (CSE) के सर्वे के मुताबिक, दिल्ली के वायु प्रदूषण में स्थानीय स्रोतों का योगदान लगभग 30 प्रतिशत है। इनमें सड़क की धूल, निर्माण गतिविधियों से प्रदूषण या दिवाली उत्सव के दौरान जलाए गए पटाखों की तुलना में वाहन से निकलने वाले उत्सर्जन की हिस्सेदारी सबसे बड़ी है। इसके अलावा, पड़ोसी राज्यों में फैलने वाले प्रदूषण की हिस्सेदारी लगभग 35 प्रतिशत है। पंजाब और हरियाणा में पराली जलाना प्रदूषण में 8.19 प्रतिशत का योगदान देता है।

Met factors keep Gurgaon air in ‘very poor’ zone, no relief for 6 days

Gurgaon: The city's 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) declined to 304, under ‘very poor' category, from 321 the previous day. The monitoring station at Gwalpahari recorded the highest AQI at 368, followed by 350 at Sector 51, Teri Gram (313), and Vikas Sadan (267). Low wind speed and fog trapped pollutants close to the ground, worsening air quality. According to the air quality early system warning for Delhi, meteorological conditions are likely to remain extremely unfavourable for effective dispersion of pollutants. For the next six days AQI is likely to be in the ‘very poor' category. In capital, with an average air quality index of 367 in the first fortnight, Nov is recording higher pollution than two years ago. Though the average AQI in the period was lower than last year, it was higher than in 2022. The Central Pollution Control Board's data shows average AQI during Nov 1-15 was 376 in 2023 and 345 in 2022. During the first 15 days of the month this year, Delhi recorded 13 ‘very poor' air days and two ‘severe' days, including 12 consecutive ‘very poor' days when AQI surpassed 300 before ‘severe' readings on Nov 13 and 14. No ‘good' to ‘poor' days were seen in the fortnight. In comparison, the first fortnight of Nov last year had six ‘severe' days, six ‘very poor' days and three ‘poor' days. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy, Centre for Science and Environment, said, "This year, Diwali was before November. Even though stubble burning increased in this period, its contribution to PM2.5 was highly variable. Once again, this elevation in pollution points at the high influence of local pollution. We need to step up action against key sources of pollution." TOI had earlier reported that Nov 1-15 was the most polluted stretch in the year in Delhi since it coincides with peak stubble burning, Diwali firework use and an increase in traffic intensity around festivals. At this time, meteorological conditions, including slow wind, low temperature and inversion, also adversely impact dispersion of pollutants.

Activists urge Delhi Metro to offer 'Clean Air Concession' amid severe pollution concerns

Given the life-threatening level of air pollution in Delhi-NCR, civil society organisations and environment activists urged Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to provide a “clean air concession” to riders during the severe air pollution period in Delhi-NCR. The concession will encourage daily commuters to choose affordable option of public transport during periods of severe pollution to commute to the workplace after the government imposed GRAP-III measures, which restrict outside activities, including the closure of schools and others. A civil society collective, Public Transport Forum Delhi, and non-profit Greenpeace have called on the DMRC to implement a ‘‘Clean Air Concession” because of higher public transport costs compared to personal vehicle costs. The demand for giving metro concessions is aimed at reducing dependency on private vehicles and encouraging citizens to opt for the Delhi Metro. Recently, the Delhi-based environmental think tank Centre for Science and Environment assessed comparative transportation costs in Delhi-NCR. According to the study, the personal car commuting cost comes to Rs 35/km whereas public bus costs Rs 40/km and metro costs Rs 47/km. The lifeline of India’s billion-dollar Gig economy vehicle two-wheeler costs Rs 16/km. Such a high rate of commuting hit lower-income social groups harder than others. The study says about 50% of daily commuters by public transport end up spending about 18% of their annual income. The air quality has reached alarming levels, with AQI often crossing into hazardous categories. Studies suggest that transport emissions are one of the major contributors to the air pollution crisis. Private vehicles contribute to 51.5% of Delhi’s locally generated emissions, exacerbating the PM2.5 and NO2 levels.

Air Better Than 2023, But All Not Well

New Delhi: With an average air quality index of 367 in the first fortnight, the month of Nov is recording higher pollution than two years ago. Though the average AQI in the period was lower than last year, it was higher than in 2022. The Central Pollution Control Board's data shows average AQI during Nov 1-15 was 376 in 2023 and 345 in 2022. During the first 15 days of the month this year, Delhi recorded 13 ‘very poor' air days and two ‘severe' days, including 12 consecutive ‘very poor' days when AQI surpassed 300 before ‘severe' readings on Nov 13 and 14. No ‘good' to ‘poor' days were seen in the fortnight. In comparison, the first fortnight of Nov last year had six ‘severe' days, six ‘very poor' days and three ‘poor' days. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy, Centre for Science and Environment, said, "This year, Diwali was before November. Even though stubble burning increased in this period, its contribution to PM2.5 was highly variable. Once again, this elevation in pollution points at the high influence of local pollution. We need to step up action against key sources of pollution." TOI had earlier reported that Nov 1-15 was the most polluted stretch in the year in Delhi since it coincides with peak stubble burning, Diwali firework use and an increase in traffic intensity around festivals. At this time, meteorological conditions, including slow wind, low temperature and inversion, also adversely impact dispersion of pollutants. This year, Diwali was observed on Oct 31, while the festival was celebrated on Nov 12 last year. The average AQI during Nov 1-15 from 2018 to 2023 is 371, according to a Delhi Pollution Control Committee analysis. Oct this year too was the most polluted in the past four years. CPCB's data shows that the city's average AQI of 231 in Oct this year was the highest since 2020, when it was 265. The figure was 219 last October, 210 in 2022 and 173 in 2021. In 2019, it was 234; 269 in 2018; 285 in 2017; 271 in 2016; and 264 in 2015. The air quality is likely to remain in the ‘very poor' category in Delhi for the next seven days, according to the Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi, the forecasting body under the Union ministry of earth sciences.

First nine months of 2024: India faced 255 days of extreme weather crisis

India experienced extreme weather events on 93% of days from January to September this year. A recent report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), titled ‘State of Extreme Weather 2024’, reveals the rise in the frequency and severity of these events due to climate change, which impacted millions across the country. In the first nine months, extreme weather events occurred on 255 out of 274 days, affecting nearly every state. The events—ranging from heat and cold waves to cyclones, lightning, heavy rainfall, floods, and landslides—resulted in 3,238 fatalities, damaged 235,862 houses and buildings, affected 3.2 million hectares of crops, and killed approximately 9,457 livestock. The report compared this year’s figures to the same period in 2023, when extreme weather events were recorded on 235 days. In 2023, the events led to 2,923 deaths, impacted 1.84 million hectares of crops, damaged 80,293 houses, and led to 92,519 livestock deaths. According to the report, 2024 set multiple climate records. January was India’s ninth driest since 1901, while February registered the country’s second-highest minimum temperature in 123 years. May saw the fourth-highest mean temperature on record, and the months of July, August, and September all posted their highest minimum temperatures since 1901. In Northwest India, January was the second driest month, while July had the region’s second-highest minimum temperature. In the Southern Peninsula, February was the hottest on record, followed by an exceptionally dry and hot March and April. However, July brought a 36.5% surplus in rainfall, along with the second-highest minimum temperature recorded in August. Over the past nine months, extreme weather types varied from lightning and storms, which spanned 32 states and resulted in 1,021 deaths, to relentless monsoon rains that caused flooding across various regions. Assam was particularly affected, recording heavy rains, floods, and landslides on 122 days, which left large parts of the state submerged. Nationwide, floods claimed 1,376 lives. Madhya Pradesh experienced extreme weather on 176 days, the most in the country, while Kerala saw the highest number of fatalities at 550, followed by Madhya Pradesh with 353 deaths and Assam with 256. Andhra Pradesh reported the highest number of houses damaged, with 85,806 buildings affected. Maharashtra, which recorded extreme events on 142 days, accounted for over 60% of the affected crop area nationwide, followed by Madhya Pradesh with 25,170 hectares of crop damage. Regionally, Central India faced the highest frequency of extreme events with 218 days, followed closely by the Northwest with 213 days. In terms of deaths, the Central region was the worst affected, with 1,001 fatalities, followed by the Southern Peninsula with 762, the East and Northeast with 741, and the Northwest with 734. The report emphasised the need for climate reparations from high-emission countries, whose activities are responsible for much of the damage. Climate models project that extreme weather events will only become more frequent and severe—a trend no longer hypothetical but visible in the escalating crises today. In the first nine months of 2024, India faced extreme weather on 255 out of 274 days, surpassing the 235 days recorded in 2023 and the 241 days in 2022 during the same period. This increase has led to significant human and economic losses, with 3,238 lives lost in 2024 compared to 2,755 in 2022, marking an 18% rise over just three years. Necessary warning The report calls the findings a necessary warning, urging action to address the effects of climate change. “This report is not good news, but it is a necessary warning, a call to recognise nature’s backlash and the urgent action required to mitigate it. Without combating climate change at a meaningful scale, today’s challenges will only worsen tomorrow.”