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Air turns ‘severe plus’; schools to go online except for Standard 10, 12

The toxic haze hanging over NCR for past few days intensified on Sunday and Delhi’s average Air Quality Index deteriorated to the season’s worst of 441 at 4pm, well into the ‘severe’ zone, compared to 419 a day earlier. By 6pm, it had surpassed 450, reaching the ‘severe plus’ category, prompting Commission for Air Quality Management to impose the fourth and most extreme stage of Graded Response Action Plan in NCR from 8am on Monday. CM Atishi posted: “Physical classes shall be discontinued for all students, apart from Class 10 & 12. All schools will hold online classes till further orders.” Grap-4 also gives an option to central and NCR govts to shift to work-from-home for employees. Air turns ‘severe plus’; schools to go online except for Standard 10, 12 TNN | Nov 18, 2024, 07.58 AM IST Air turns ‘severe plus’; schools to go online except for Standard 10, 12 NEW DELHI: The toxic haze hanging over NCR for past few days intensified on Sunday and Delhi’s average Air Quality Index deteriorated to the season’s worst of 441 at 4pm, well into the ‘severe’ zone, compared to 419 a day earlier. By 6pm, it had surpassed 450, reaching the ‘severe plus’ category, prompting Commission for Air Quality Management to impose the fourth and most extreme stage of Graded Response Action Plan in NCR from 8am on Monday. CM Atishi posted: “Physical classes shall be discontinued for all students, apart from Class 10 & 12. All schools will hold online classes till further orders.” Grap-4 also gives an option to central and NCR govts to shift to work-from-home for employees. Also read: Air quality in 'severe plus': GRAP-4 imposed in Delhi-NCR; what's allowed and what's not Sign of four: GRAP to squeeze Delhi further GRAP-IV is clamped when the poison in the air reaches "emergency' levels with AQI surpassing 450 (on a scale of 500). It primarily focuses on vehicular restrictions to reduce pollution. Under stage 4, entry of non-emergency trucks into Delhi has been barred for non-BS 6 compliant light commercial vehicles (LCVs) registered outside Delhi, and BS-4 and below diesel-operated medium and heavy goods vehicles in Delhi. The exemption earlier granted to construction and demolition (C&D) activities in linear public projects such as highways, roads, flyovers, over bridges, power transmission, and pipelines has now been removed. Central Pollution Control Board's data shows that the AQI rapidly surged through the day, as visibility remained poor. Delhi's AQI was 421 at 9am, which spiked to 452 at 6pm and further increased to 468 at 10pm. This was the fourth 'severe' day of the month. Before this, the AQI briefly remained in the 'severe plus' band on Nov 13 when it went up to 454 at 9pm. However, as CPCB considers the day's AQI at 4pm, Delhi on Sunday recorded an AQI of 441, the second highest this year after 447 on January 14. 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."

Bumper-to-bumper in Delhi

Delhi, the sprawling heart of India, is a city of contrasts—modern skyscrapers stand alongside historic monuments, and bustling markets coexist with serene parks. Yet, beneath its vibrant facade lies a grim reality: a city ensnared in relentless traffic congestion. Despite an extensive network of roads, flyovers, and metro lines, Delhi’s transportation system is buckling under the weight of its own growth. Traffic jams have become a daily ordeal for millions, with clogged intersections, chaotic flyovers, and bumper-to-bumper queues defining the capital’s landscape. The roots of this crisis run deep, fueled by rapid urbanisation, an exploding vehicular population, and inadequate infrastructure planning. Major roads, from the Ring Road to the Outer Ring Road, struggle to cope with the sheer volume of vehicles. Intersections like Chirag Dilli and Mukarba Chowk have become synonymous with gridlock, while construction projects and breakdowns of vehicles, especially DTC buses, further exacerbate the chaos. During peak hours, commuters often find themselves stuck for hours, navigating a labyrinth of congestion that stretches across the city. The repercussions of this crisis are severe. Traffic snarls not only drain time and productivity but also have dire economic and environmental consequences. Studies estimate that Delhi loses Rs 60,000 crore annually due to congestion, with this figure expected to climb to nearly Rs 98,000 crore by 2030. The incessant idling of vehicles contributes significantly to air pollution, making Delhi one of the most polluted cities in the world. While authorities have proposed a range of measures—from dedicated bus lanes to intelligent traffic management systems—implementation remains sluggish, and the gap between planning and execution continues to widen. As commuters grapple with mounting frustrations and environmental degradation, the urgent need for sustainable, long-term solutions becomes undeniable. Choke Points Among the major stretches notorious for gridlocks are traffic intersections below the Chirag Dilli and Panchsheel flyovers, the NSG intersection at Airport Road, and key zones like Pusa Road and Shankar Road. Chaudhary Brahm Prakash Chowk, KS Krishnan Marg, and Dev Prakash Shastri Marg are also on the list. Meanwhile, areas like Zakhira Crossing to Karampura on Shivaji Marg and Mukarba Chowk to Peeragarhi remain perennially congested, with vehicular snarls worsening during peak hours. A significant chunk of South Delhi and Southeast Delhi, including the Yusuf Sarai Market, Andheria Mod, and Mehrauli-Badarpur Road, faces persistent traffic jams. Factors contributing to the congestion include heavy pedestrian movement, illegal parking, inadequate road width, and ongoing construction activities, such as those near the Saket metro station. The scenario worsens during festive seasons and monsoon rains, transforming already-congested roads into impassable nightmares. The Delhi Traffic Police, grappling with these challenges, has recommended several measures to ease the pressure. Proposals include installing central verges, constructing pedestrian subways, relocating bus stops, and implementing speed-calming devices. These measures, though practical, remain piecemeal solutions in the absence of overarching infrastructural upgrades. The inadequacy of the Ring roads The city’s ring roads are meant to provide a smooth flow of traffic and reduce congestion in the city centre. Instead, these have become yet another traffic hotspot. Traffic on Ring Road remains a chaotic nightmare, resembling a twisted ‘jalebi’. From Majnu Ka Tila to Hanuman Temple, bumper-to-bumper jams disrupt commutes, worsened by two-wheelers and autos cutting lanes recklessly. Tuesdays see peak congestion near Hanuman Temple, despite new traffic signals installed by Delhi Traffic Police at Hanuman Setu. The recent inauguration of the Ashram Flyover and its extension raised hopes for smoother traffic, but bottlenecks near Sarai Kale Khan continue to frustrate drivers. Construction of the rapid rail at Sarai Kale Khan has turned a half-kilometre stretch into a 30-minute ordeal. On the Outer Ring Road, narrow sections like Haiderpur Badli Mod exacerbate jams. A six-lane road narrows to four under a railway bridge, creating a bottleneck that even emergency vehicles struggle to navigate. The PWD and Railways are in talks to widen the bridge, but no consensus has been reached yet. Further, metro construction on the Outer Ring Road has turned Prashant Vihar to Rohini Jail Mod into a gridlock zone. Commuters face 30-40 minute delays on this three-kilometre stretch. Haphazardly parked vehicles near Rithala Metro Station further compound the chaos. Frequent closures of parts of the Ring Road in order to facilitate repairs exacerbate the situation. Meanwhile, a third ring road, dubbed the Urban Extension Road - II is under construction. The UER-II Project comprises five parts, with three portions located in Delhi and the remaining two in Haryana. The project, which is set to cost Rs 3,600 crores, spans a total length of 75.71 kilometres, with 54.21 kilometres located in Delhi and 21.50 kilometres in Haryana. Upon completion, the UER-II will alleviate traffic congestion on the existing inner and outer Ring Roads, significantly improve commuting in the outer, western, and southwestern parts of Delhi, and provide direct access between Sonipat and Gurugram in Haryana. The project connects NH-44 (Delhi-Chandigarh Highway) to NH-48 in South Delhi, encompassing key areas like Bawana, Narela-Kanjhawala, Mundka, and Dwarka. It features spurs (small links connecting main roads/highways with small roads) leading to Sonipat/Jind, Bahadurgarh, and connectivity to the Dwarka Expressway. However, the project has faced repeated delays in the past. Initially set to be completed in September 2023, the deadline was first extended to December 2023 before being extended once again to December 2024. Proposals in limbo Efforts to tackle the problem aren’t lacking on paper. Plans for flyovers, underpasses, and elevated roads have been floated repeatedly. One such proposal is the construction of a five-kilometre flyover along the Old Delhi-Gurgaon Road, aimed at separating airport-bound traffic from city commuters. The Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) and Gurgaon Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) have championed this project, expecting it to slash travel time by up to 75%. However, the estimated cost of over Rs 4,000 crore has raised eyebrows, particularly when previous projects like the Mandi Road expansion have seen little progress. The Mandi Road expansion project, approved in March 2023, stands as a glaring example of bureaucratic delays. With an estimated cost of Rs 597 crore, the project promised to widen the 30-meter stretch between Chattarpur Metro Station and Goalpahari in Haryana, providing much-needed relief to commuters along the congested Mehrauli-Gurgaon Road. Yet, over a year later, land acquisition has not even begun. Such delays highlight a systemic issue: the gap between planning and execution. Experts argue that while financial constraints and logistical hurdles play a role, lack of inter-agency coordination remains the biggest bottleneck. Unified planning bodies, like the Unified Traffic and Transportation Infrastructure (Planning & Engineering) Centre, have been criticised for their inability to enforce deadlines or ensure accountability. Impact of vehicle breakdowns In Delhi, the smallest disruption can have a major ripple effect on traffic. A vehicle breakdown, especially during rush hour, can quickly transform the busiest roads into long stretches of standstill traffic. This phenomenon has become so common that the Delhi Traffic Police frequently use social media to warn drivers about potential delays caused by such incidents. Buses are the most common culprit. On average, about 70 buses from Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and the Cluster Scheme break down on city roads every day, adding to the already overwhelming congestion. In 2021, over 7,000 buses broke down, a figure that nearly doubled to 13,000 last year, with hotspots like Paharganj, Patel Nagar, Delhi Cantonment, and Vasant Vihar bearing the brunt. A traffic officer explained that resolving such incidents typically takes about 50 minutes, though in some cases, the process can stretch to over an hour. “Removing these buses is a complicated task,” the officer said. He added that the buses are equipped with hydraulic brake systems, and only skilled mechanics can unlock them. Since these buses operate on extensive routes, and their depots are located at considerable distances, waiting for the mechanical team to arrive further delays the process. A broken-down bus is a major inconvenience, not only for stranded passengers but also for the city’s already overburdened traffic system. Traffic officers highlight the chaos caused by breakdowns, especially during monsoons or on two-lane flyovers, where even a single immobile bus can lead to massive tailbacks and increased pollution. To address this, Delhi Traffic Police has urged the transport department to deploy emergency technical teams at various locations. Road safety experts emphasise the need for better alert systems to warn road users of breakdowns. Rather than using tree branches, proper signage should be placed at least 100 metres from the spot to allow vehicles to change lanes smoothly. Implementing quick response teams similar to those abroad could also be a possible solution. These teams could swiftly manage emergencies like fires or breakdowns. GPS technology could also play a crucial role, with buses sending automatic distress signals to response teams. Such systems could drastically reduce delays and disruptions. At the same time, the importance of identifying the root causes of breakdowns cannot be understated. Many of these CNG buses overheat during summer, leading to breakdowns or fires. Authorities need to assess factors such as maintenance schedules, bus age, and route distances. Exploring alternative transport modes might also help prevent buses from overheating. While discussions continue, the lack of immediate solutions leaves Delhi commuters grappling with frustrating delays and increasing pollution caused by immobile buses. The cost of inaction The consequences of inaction are dire. Prolonged traffic jams not only waste precious time and fuel but also contribute to rising air pollution levels—a pressing issue in a city already grappling with hazardous air quality. According to a 2024 study by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), vehicular emissions account for nearly 40 per cent of Delhi’s air pollution. Without immediate intervention, the city risks aggravating its environmental crisis. The economic cost of congestion is also staggering. A report by the Boston Consulting Group estimated that Delhi loses Rs 60,000 crore annually due to traffic congestion, including losses from wasted fuel, productivity, and health impacts. If left unchecked, this cost is projected to surge to nearly Rs 98,000 crore by 2030 as the vehicular population continues to rise. Another study by IIT Madras highlights that congestion disproportionately impacts bus commuters, accounting for 75% of the total loss. To address this, the researchers recommend introducing dedicated bus lanes, which could reduce congestion costs by nearly half. Buses, catering to 60% of the city’s transport demand, are far more efficient than private vehicles, with an average occupancy of 20 passengers compared to 2.2 in cars and 1.2 in two-wheelers. The study advocates for more frequent and comfortable buses to attract private vehicle users, coupled with advanced scheduling systems to optimise operations. Intelligent traffic management, including smart traffic lights, is also recommended to minimise fuel wastage. Citing Maharashtra’s transport department findings, the researchers noted that a single bus could replace up to 35 private cars, significantly reducing road congestion. They stress that Delhi must prioritise sustainable transport solutions to combat escalating congestion costs and improve commuter experiences. Traffic traps Traffic intersections below the Chirag Dilli and Panchsheel flyovers NSG intersection at Airport Road Pusa Road Shankar Road Chaudhary Brahm Prakash Chowk KS Krishnan Marg Dev Prakash Shastri Marg Zakhira Crossing to Karampura on Shivaji Marg Mukarba Chowk to Peeragarhi

'चेहरे पे सारे शहर के गर्द-ए-मलाल है...', बैन-ऐलान-सख्ती... फिर कैसे गैस चैंबर बन गई दिल्ली?

दिल्ली-एनसीआर ग्रैप-4 की गिरफ्त में आ गया है, लेकिन वायु गुणवत्ता में सुधार को लेकर प्रयासों का जमीन पर असर देखने को नहीं मिल रहा है. हर साल पाबंदियां...

Ravi Group’s Jayesh Shah Transforms Mumbai’s Skyline with Eco-Towers

The concrete jungle of Mumbai is set to become a little greener, thanks to an audacious new project spearheaded by Jayesh Shah, the innovative mind behind Ravi Group. Dubbed “Eco-Towers,” this revolutionary concept aims to blend sustainable living with cutting-edge architecture, potentially reshaping the very fabric of urban existence in India’s financial capital. “We’re not just building apartments; we’re cultivating ecosystems,” Shah declared at yesterday’s press conference, his eyes gleaming with enthusiasm. The Eco-Towers project, set to break ground next month in Andheri West, promises to be a game-changer in the realm of eco-friendly urban development. Picture this: a cluster of sleek, 40-story buildings, their facades adorned with cascading greenery. But these aren’t mere decorative elements. Each tower will function as a vertical forest, with over 100 species of plants and trees integrated into the structure. These green walls won’t just look pretty; they’ll actively purify the air, reduce ambient temperature, and create micro-habitats for urban wildlife. But Shah’s vision doesn’t stop at the exterior. Inside, each apartment will be a marvel of sustainable engineering. “We’re harnessing the power of nature and technology to create homes that breathe,” Shah explained. The buildings will feature state-of-the-art greywater recycling systems, solar panels, and even small indoor hydroponic gardens for residents to grow their own produce. The Eco-Towers project has already caught the attention of environmental experts. Dr. Sunita Narain, Director General of the Centre for Science and Environment, called it “a bold step towards reimagining urban living in the face of climate change.” However, not everyone is convinced. Critics argue that the project’s high-end nature might make it inaccessible to the average Mumbaikar. Shah was quick to address these concerns: “This is just the beginning. Our goal is to refine these technologies and eventually make them standard in all our developments, across all price points.” Ravi Group, under Shah’s leadership, has been pushing the envelope of sustainable development for years. The company has already delivered over 17,000 homes across Mumbai, but Eco-Towers represents their most ambitious project to date.

What is GRAP, the National Capital Region’s plan to tackle air pollution?

From 8 am on Monday, as a thick layer of smog enveloped the Delhi-National Capital Region, stage-IV of the Graded Response Action Plan was put into action. This came the day after the Air Quality Index slid into the “severe+” category, breaching the 450 mark. An AQI of more than 400 “may cause respiratory impact even on healthy people, and serious health impacts on people with lung/heart disease”, warns a release from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. “The health impacts may be experienced even during light physical activity.” An AQI below 100 is considered satisfactory, but even that may cause breathing discomfort to sensitive people. GRAP is a series of emergency measures that are put into place by the Commission for Air Quality Management as pollution levels rise to specified measures in the Delhi-NCR – which consists of Delhi and parts of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan – to prevent the air quality deteriorating even further. GRAP stages There are four stages of GRAP. Stage-IV is the highest. It is implemented when the AQI climbs to more than 450. It requires almost all school classes to be held online even as it is recommended that offices work on half strength. All construction activities even of highways and roads are banned; trucks are prohibited from entering the National Capital Region except if they are carrying essential commodities or running on clean fuels. State governments are urged to consider additional measures such as shutting down non-emergency commercial activities and enforcing odd-even schemes for vehicles. This means that private vehicles with plates ending with odd numbers can operate only on odd dates, while those with even registration numbers can operate on the others. As stage-IV of GRAP goes into effect, the measures required under previous stages remain in place. Stage-I is ordered when the AQI is poor (between 210-300). It involves measures such as the mechanical sweeping of roads and sprinkling water on them to keep the dust from rising. It also bans some kinds of construction and demolition activities. Stage-II is put into place when the AQI is in the “very poor” category (301-400). It entails ensuring uninterrupted power supply to discourage the use of alternate power arrangements such as diesel generator sets that cause pollution and increasing parking fees to discourage private transport. Advertisement Stage-III, implemented when the air quality is in the “severe” category (401-450), directs that all mining and stone crushing activities in the region be shut down, among other actions. Origins of GRAP GRAP has its roots in a list of measures to mitigate air pollution that the Central Pollution Control Board submitted to the Supreme Court in 2016. After they were approved by the Supreme Court, they were notified the next year by the Environment Ministry as the Graded Response Action Plan. The Supreme Court mandated that the Environmental Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority should implement these measures. In 2021, the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Regions was established to ensure “better co-ordination, research, identification and resolution of problems” about air quality, its website says. Advertisement The Environmental Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority was dissolved and the commission became the single agency tasked with containing air pollution in the National Capital Region. In 2022, the administration of GRAP was modified. Previous versions of GRAP were enforced based on the levels of particulate matter – fine matter in the air that contributes to air pollution. Now, the Air Quality Index, which counts other pollutants too, has become the measure for air pollution and to implement GRAP. The previous versions of GRAP were reactive. After 2022, the air quality management commission made GRAP measures preemptive based on AQI predictions. Why has it not worked? In a piece in Down to Earth, Sunita Narain, the director general of the Centre for Science and Environment, said that GRAP was supposed to be “an emergency alert system”. It laid down urgent steps to be taken when pollution levels peaked. But “it has become the only time we act, which, obviously, is too little and too late”, she noted.

Toilets increase in Bihar, yet open defecation widely prevalent

Patna: Even as the number of toilets, owing to special focus under Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), in the rural households of the state has increased considerably in recent years, the practice of open defecation (OD) is strangely prevalent. As per World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates, about 50% of malnutrition is associated with frequent diarrhoea or intestinal worm infections as a result of inadequate sanitation or insufficient hygiene. And, according to the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) 2017 report, Bihar accounts for 22% of the 64 million (6.4 crore) households in the country without toilets. At the current pace of efforts, Bihar will achieve 100% toilet coverage only by 2033, the report says. The health hazards related to infectious diseases are linked to human faeces and the exposure to these organisms can cause serious health concerns such as viral infections, diarrhoea, typhoid and cholera. However, a recent study made by a team of doctors, including A Muthukumaran, Alok Ranjan, Sanjay Pandey, Pragya Kumar and Rajath Rao from All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Patna, Vinayaka Mission Medical College and Hospital, Puducherry, and Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, has made an interesting revelation. The findings of the study suggest that OD is being practised in a majority of the families (64.2%) residing in houses with toilet facilities. Although the ownership of rural toilets increased significantly after introduction of SBM in the state, OD is still prevalent, the study says. The study further revealed that men, as compared to women, were twice likely to go for the OD. Similarly, people belonging to the SC community and people with lower gross monthly income were more accustomed to the OD despite having household toilets. Furthermore, availability of water supply promotes the use of household toilets. People are more prone to the OD when their water supplies are insufficient. In most cases, the OD was substantially connected to lack of govt supply, borewell use, and hand pumps. Dr Sanjay Pandey of AIIMS Patna, who is a member of the study team, told this newspaper that mere construction of toilets would not cut much ice, as the rural people are still accustomed to defecating in the open. The people would have to be educated about the benefits of the use of toilets as compared to the OD. The society would have to launch behavioural change activities and capacity building of the rural folks, he said. Explaining the common psychological factors behind the open defecation, Magadh Mahila College psychology teacher Nidhi Singh pointed out that negative attitude, believes and low awareness about its severe health consequences compel the people to nudge this habit. For many, it's been a preferred way of performing the morning ritual which is socially conditioned since time immemorial, she said. She said since farming activities are performed away from home set ups, farmers and labourers find it easier and time saving to defecate in the open. In some areas, social attitude and cultural practice of men and women using the same toilet is not preferred, particularly, when women are menstruating or they are bearing child, she added.

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.