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No Air Quality Sensors, 268 C&D Sites Get DPCC Notice

New Delhi: Out of the 620 construction and demolition (C&D) sites in the city, over 40%, spread over 500 square metre, have not installed air quality sensors. It is mandatory for the C&D sites to install real-time air quality sensors so that govt can monitor pollution levels. Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has issued showcause notices to 268 such sites. Commission for Air Quality Management has imposed a ban on C&D activities from Friday, exempting the projects that are less dust-generating, emergency and of national importance. Of these 268 sites violating the norm last year, Rajouri Garden has the highest number at 63, followed by GK I at 41. Other areas with a high number are Kalakaji at 38, Punjabi Bagh at 37 and Vasant Vihar at 31. "The installation of air quality sensors helps us in identifying sites that are generating high dust pollution. We have issued showcause notices to these sites. On failing to comply, they will be shut down, and an environmental compensation will be imposed," said a DPCC official. Dust is one of the main sources of pollution in Delhi. A 2018 joint study by The Energy and Resources Institute and Automotive Research Association of India stated that the contribution of dust (soil, road, and construction) was 25% and 17% in PM2.5 and PM10, respectively, during winter. Sunil Dahiya, founder and lead analyst at Envirocatalysts, said, "Construction activities are responsible for high air pollution exposure to the nearby populations, so transparent public sharing of air quality data collected by the construction sites both on physical display boards for nearby populations as well as online will not just enhance compliance but also accountability and deployment of measures to reduce pollution from those sites." According to a recent study by CSE, "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." Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director of CSE, said, "Recycling of C&D waste enables full recovery of resources and adds economic value to the waste, creating livelihood and jobs. But their utilisation and economic viability are compromised due to weak waste management systems in cities and poor market uptake of the recycled products by the construction agencies."

Explained: Why Delhi-NCR struggles with severe air pollution every winter

The air quality in India’s capital has worsened, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) rising above 400, a level the World Health Organization calls ‘hazardous’. For the millions who live in Delhi and the National Capital Region, this is not merely an environmental crisis but a public health emergency. According to a recent study, India loses more than a million lives annually due to air pollution alone. In response to this emergency situation, the Supreme Court has scheduled an urgent hearing on November 18 to review efforts made by the authorities to curb the pollution. Why is winter air more polluted? Although emissions remain similar throughout the year, pollution and hazardous air quality worsen in Delhi-NCR during winter months. This can be attributed to multiple factors including temperature inversion in which a layer of cool air forms near the ground, trapping pollutants and preventing them from dispersing. Also, low wind speeds during the winters reduce the dispersion of pollutants. Then there is the problem of burning of crop residue in neighbouring states like Punjab and Haryana that makes headlines every year as the winter approaches. The resulting smoke, combined with wind patterns, contributes significantly to Delhi’s air pollution. History of Delhi’s Air Quality Index New Delhi faced hazardous air quality for the third consecutive day on Friday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) soaring to 409, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Thick smog continued to blanket the city, severely limiting visibility and disrupting both traffic and flight operations. Top contributor to air pollution in Delhi A study by the Centre for Science and Environment reveals that during the time period of October 12- November 3, 2024, vehicular emissions are the largest contributor to Delhi’s air pollution, accounting for 51.5 per cent of the city’s pollution. Neighbouring districts add 34.97 per cent, farm fires contribute 8.19 per cent, and dust particles make up 3.7 per cent of the total air pollution in the city. The analysis is derived from data provided by the Decision Support System for Air Quality Management in Delhi, developed by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology in Pune. Another study by air quality tech company IQAir suggests that Delhi’s air quality is declining due to a combination of natural and human-made pollutants. Construction activities, landfills, and agricultural practices contribute significantly by releasing dust particles, which increase particulate matter in the air. Bare, open lands and fields also generate dust, especially during windy conditions, further deteriorating air quality. Additionally, wildfires and the burning of waste produce harmful smoke and soot, adding to the pollution with toxic particulates and gases. Industrial emissions, including sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds, lead to the formation of secondary pollutants like ozone. Vehicle emissions, particularly from heavy traffic, release carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and hydrocarbons, intensifying pollution in congested areas.

Unilateral Trade Measures In Name Of Climate Action 'Discriminatory, Harm Global Cooperation': India

India on Friday said unilateral trade measures in the name of climate action are "discriminatory, harm multilateral cooperation" and go against the principles of the UN climate change convention. Making an intervention in the presidential consultations on 'unilateral measures' at COP29 in Baku, India said this is a matter of global concern that needs urgent consideration to ensure the development pathways of developing countries are not constricted. Other groups of developing countries, including the G77, the largest bloc representing over 130 nations at the UN climate talks, and Like-Minded Developing Countries also registered their strong opposition on the issue. However, developed countries, particularly the European Union, argued that the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is not the right platform to discuss this issue, as it is already being addressed by the World Trade Organization. India said restrictive unilateral measures force developing and low-income nations to bear the costs of transitioning to low-carbon economies, undermining climate finance commitments from developed nations, which have historically benefitted from industrialisation and contributed the most to greenhouse gas emissions. "They effectively will result in the reversal of climate finance mobilised by the developed countries. It is like asking the victim to pay for the remedy," it said. "Any unilateral measures in the name of climate change responses are discriminatory towards developing countries and detrimental to multilateral cooperation. They violate principles of equity and CBDR-RC and the UNFCCC provisions," it said. India further said unilateral trade measures discriminate against countries seeking to industrialise through export-led growth by raising the cost of exports. If the goal is to reduce global carbon emissions, climate policies must focus on offering concessional finance and building the capacity of countries to address both mitigation and adaptation, it said. Trade measures related to climate change need to be assessed for their potential impact on equitable and just transitions, in the context of sustainable development and efforts to eradicate poverty, the country said. Any trade-related climate policy should consider its effect on equitable and just transitions, sustainable development, and poverty eradication, it added. The COP29 opening plenary was significantly delayed on Monday as developed and developing countries debated whether to make "unilateral trade measures", such as the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), an agenda item. China, on behalf of the BASIC group of countries, submitted a proposal to the UN climate body last month requesting that this year's COP address the issue of unilateral trade measures. The CBAM is the EU's proposed tax on energy-intensive products, such as iron, steel, cement, fertilisers, and aluminium, imported from countries like India and China. The tax is based on carbon emissions generated during the production of these goods. Both the United Kingdom and the United States are at different stages of imposing their versions of this mechanism in due course. The EU has earlier argued that this mechanism creates a level playing field for domestically manufactured goods, which must adhere to stricter environmental standards, and help curb emissions from imports. 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 the Delhi-based think tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), CBAM will impose an additional 25 per cent tax on carbon-intensive goods exported from India to the EU. This tax burden would represent 0.05 per cent of India's GDP.

The Guardian view on UN climate talks: rich and poor nations can strike a win-win deal

More than a century of burning coal, oil and gas has fuelled intense heatwaves, prolonged droughts, heavier rains and devastating floods. To prevent even more severe impacts, the UN global climate summit, Cop29, must deliver tangible results to keep global temperature rises below 2C – the limit defined in the 2015 Paris agreement. Achieving this goal means human societies can only emit a finite amount of additional carbon dioxide, known as the world’s “carbon budget”. Developed nations have exceeded their carbon budgets, while developing countries remain within theirs. Carbon dioxide lingers in the atmosphere for centuries, turning past unchecked fossil fuel use into a costly planetary bill. Between 1870 and 2019, the US, EU, Russia, UK, Japan, Canada and Australia – home to just 15% of the global population – accounted for over 60% of atmospheric carbon dioxide, according to the Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment. This underscores the climate debt that rich nations in the global north owe to poorer nations. This reality – rather than oil and gas lobbying – should focus minds at Cop29 in Azerbaijan, where leaders must forge a new global climate finance plan by next week. Economists estimate that developing nations need $1tn annually by 2030, a figure that reflects the scale of the climate crisis. Yet there is little sign the rich world will contribute its fair share. A stronger, more unified approach is needed. Many of Africa’s environmental NGOs argue that the continent has been sidelined in global industrial shifts, particularly in green industrialisation, due to its lack of a robust manufacturing base and its role as a raw materials supplier. While advanced economies dominate green innovation, Africa faces significant hurdles, including limited technology transfer, expensive financing and weak governance. The economist Fadhel Kaboub, who advises the Kenyan thinktank Power Shift Africa, sees Cop29 as an opportunity to strike a transformative deal – if the global south can unite and negotiate for the technology and resources it needs to reposition itself in the world economy. Prof Kaboub describes the current climate finance model as “economic entrapment”. The evidence is stark: Africa holds 40% of the world’s renewable energy resources but attracts just 2% of global investments. With 20 out of 38 low-income African nations in or near debt distress, high borrowing costs and a shrinking manufacturing base leave the continent dependent on imports for life’s essentials. These challenges span the developing world, demanding grants, technology transfers and debt cancellation. Prof Kaboub says Donald Trump’s return to the White House could be a chance for countries in the global south to cooperate and forge a bold deal: to double their industrial footprint with green growth, powered by western technology, in exchange for critical minerals essential for the rich world’s energy transition. Africa, holding 20% to 90% of global reserves for 11 such minerals, could lead this shift. The outcome? A greener, richer world, with developing nations becoming key markets for foreign goods and services. Mr Trump may find the allure of crafting the “deal of the century” impossible to resist. Others – such as the EU or China – might also be ready to take up such an offer. Cop29 must mark a turning point where developing nations, united, demand a fair and transformative global partnership for a sustainable future. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and neither could the opportunity to reshape the future.

COP29: 'जलवायु परिवर्तन के नाम पर एकतरफा कार्रवाई भेदभावपूर्ण', भारत ने विकासशील देशों के साथ ऐसे जताया विरोध

COP29: दिल्ली स्थित थिंक टैंक सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट (सीएसई) के अनुसार, सीबीएएम भारत से यूरोपीय संघ को निर्यात किए जाने वाले कार्बन-गहन वस्तुओं पर अतिरिक्त 25 प्रतिशत कर लगाएगा। यह कर भारत भारत के सकल घरेलू उत्पाद का 0.05 प्रतिशत होगा। भारत ने इसी के विरोध में सीओपी 29 के दौरान अपना पक्ष रखा। आइए इस बारे में विस्तार से जानें। जलवायु परिवर्तन के नाम पर एकरतफा कार्रवाई "भेदभावपूर्ण हैं, बहुपक्षीय सहयोग को नुकसान पहुंचाते हैं" और ये संयुक्त राष्ट्र जलवायु परिवर्तन सम्मेलन के सिद्धांतों के खिलाफ हैं। भारत ने शुक्रवार को यह बात कही। बाकू में आयोजित सीओपी29 में 'एकतरफा उपायों' पर अध्यक्षीय परामर्श में हस्तक्षेप करते हुए भारत ने कहा कि यह वैश्विक चिंता का विषय है, जिस पर तत्काल विचार करने की आवश्यकता है, ताकि यह सुनिश्चित किया जा सके कि विकासशील देशों के विकास के मार्ग बाधित न हों। संयुक्त राष्ट्र जलवायु वार्ता में 130 से अधिक देशों का प्रतिनिधित्व करने वाले सबसे बड़े समूह जी-77 तथा समान विचारधारा वाले विकासशील देशों सहित विकासशील देशों के अन्य समूहों ने भी इस मुद्दे पर अपना कड़ा विरोध दर्ज कराया। हालांकि, विकसित देशों, विशेष रूप से यूरोपीय संघ ने तर्क दिया कि जलवायु परिवर्तन पर संयुक्त राष्ट्र फ्रेमवर्क कन्वेंशन (यूएनएफसीसीसी) इस मुद्दे पर चर्चा करने के लिए सही मंच नहीं है, क्योंकि इस मुद्दे पर विश्व व्यापार संगठन पहले ही विचार कर रहा है। विज्ञापन भारत ने कहा कि प्रतिबंधात्मक एकतरफा उपायों से विकासशील और निम्न आय वाले देशों को निम्न कार्बन अर्थव्यवस्थाओं में परिवर्तन की लागत वहन करने के लिए मजबूर होना पड़ता है, जिससे विकसित देशों की जलवायु वित्त प्रतिबद्धताएं कमजोर होती हैं, जिन्हें ऐतिहासिक रूप से औद्योगीकरण से लाभ मिला है और जिन्होंने ग्रीनहाउस गैस उत्सर्जन में सबसे अधिक योगदान दिया है। भारत ने कहा कि जलवायु परिवर्तन से बचाव की कार्रवाई के नाम पर कोई भी एकतरफा उपाय विकासशील देशों के प्रति भेदभावपूर्ण और बहुपक्षीय सहयोग के लिए हानिकारक है। वे समानता के सिद्धांतों और सीबीडीआर-आरसी और यूएनएफसीसीसी प्रावधानों का उल्लंघन करते हैं।" भारत ने आगे कहा कि एकतरफा व्यापार उपाय निर्यात की लागत बढ़ाकर निर्यात आधारित विकास के माध्यम से औद्योगीकरण करने के इच्छुक देशों के खिलाफ भेदभाव करते हैं। इसमें कहा गया है कि यदि लक्ष्य वैश्विक कार्बन उत्सर्जन को कम करना है, तो जलवायु नीतियों को रियायती वित्त की पेशकश करने और शमन व अनुकूलन दोनों को संबोधित करने के लिए देशों की क्षमता निर्माण पर ध्यान केंद्रित करना चाहिए। भारत ने कहा कि जलवायु परिवर्तन से संबंधित व्यापार उपायों का सतत विकास और गरीबी उन्मूलन के प्रयासों के संदर्भ में समतापूर्ण और न्यायसंगत बदलावों पर उनके संभावित प्रभाव के लिए मूल्यांकन किया जाना चाहिए। इसमें कहा गया है कि किसी भी व्यापार-संबंधी जलवायु नीति को न्यायसंगत और उचित परिवर्तन, सतत विकास और गरीबी उन्मूलन पर इसके प्रभाव पर विचार करना चाहिए। सोमवार को COP29 के प्रारंभिक पूर्ण अधिवेशन में काफी देरी हुई, क्योंकि विकसित और विकासशील देश इस बात पर बहस कर रहे थे कि यूरोपीय संघ के कार्बन सीमा समायोजन तंत्र (CBAM) जैसे "एकतरफा व्यापार उपायों" को एजेंडा में शामिल किया जाए या नहीं। चीन ने BASIC समूह के देशों की ओर से पिछले महीने संयुक्त राष्ट्र जलवायु निकाय के समक्ष एक प्रस्ताव प्रस्तुत किया था, जिसमें अनुरोध किया गया था कि इस वर्ष के COP में एकतरफा व्यापार उपायों के मुद्दे पर ध्यान दिया जाए। सीबीएएम यूरोपीय संघ द्वारा भारत और चीन जैसे देशों से आयातित ऊर्जा-गहन उत्पादों, जैसे लोहा, इस्पात, सीमेंट, उर्वरक और एल्युमीनियम पर प्रस्तावित कर है। यह कर इन वस्तुओं के उत्पादन के दौरान उत्पन्न कार्बन उत्सर्जन पर आधारित है। यूनाइटेड किंगडम और संयुक्त राज्य अमेरिका दोनों ही इस तंत्र के अपने संस्करणों को लागू करने के विभिन्न चरणों में हैं। यूरोपीय संघ ने पहले तर्क दिया था कि यह तंत्र घरेलू स्तर पर निर्मित वस्तुओं के लिए समान अवसर उपलब्ध कराता है, जिन्हें कठोर पर्यावरणीय मानकों का पालन करना होगा, तथा आयात से होने वाले उत्सर्जन को रोकने में मदद मिलेगी। वित्त मंत्री निर्मला सीतारमण ने पिछले महीने सीबीएएम को "एकतरफा और मनमाना" करार दिया था और कहा था कि इस तरह के उपायों से भारत के उद्योगों को नुकसान पहुंच सकता है और अंतरराष्ट्रीय व्यापार में संतुलन बिगड़ सकता है। दिल्ली स्थित थिंक टैंक सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट (सीएसई) के अनुसार, सीबीएएम भारत से यूरोपीय संघ को निर्यात किए जाने वाले कार्बन-गहन वस्तुओं पर अतिरिक्त 25 प्रतिशत कर लगाएगा। यह कर भारत भारत के सकल घरेलू उत्पाद का 0.05 प्रतिशत होगा।

जलवायु कार्रवाई के नाम पर एकपक्षीय व्यापार के उपाय भेदभावपूर्ण और नुकसानदेह होते हैं: भारत

भारत ने शुक्रवार को कहा कि जलवायु कार्रवाई के नाम पर व्यापार के एकपक्षीय उपाय ‘भेदभावपूर्ण होते हैं और बहुपक्षीय सहयोग को नुकसान पहुंचाते हैं’। भारत ने कहा कि ये संयुक्त राष्ट्र जलवायु परिवर्तन समझौते के सिद्धांतों के भी खिलाफ हैं। बाकू में सीओपी29 में ‘एकपक्षीय उपायों’ पर अध्यक्षीय परामर्श में हस्तक्षेप करते हुए भारत ने कहा कि यह वैश्विक चिंता की बात है जिस पर तत्काल विचार करना जरूरी है ताकि विकासशील देशों के विकास के रास्ते संकीर्ण नहीं हों। संयुक्त राष्ट्र जलवायु वार्ता में 130 से अधिक देशों का प्रतिनिधित्व करने वाले सबसे बड़े समूह जी77 और समान विचारधारा वाले विकासशील देशों सहित विकासशील देशों के अन्य समूहों ने भी इस मुद्दे पर अपना कड़ा विरोध दर्ज कराया। हालांकि, विकसित देशों, विशेष रूप से यूरोपीय संघ ने तर्क दिया कि जलवायु परिवर्तन पर संयुक्त राष्ट्र फ्रेमवर्क कन्वेंशन (यूएनएफसीसीसी) इस मुद्दे पर चर्चा करने के लिए सही मंच नहीं है, क्योंकि इस पर पहले से ही विश्व व्यापार संगठन द्वारा विचार किया जा रहा है। भारत ने कहा कि प्रतिबंधात्मक एकतरफा उपाय विकासशील और कम आय वाले देशों को कम कार्बन अर्थव्यवस्थाओं में संक्रमण की लागत वहन करने के लिए मजबूर करते हैं, जिससे विकसित देशों की जलवायु वित्त प्रतिबद्धताओं को नुकसान पहुंचता है, जिन्हें ऐतिहासिक रूप से औद्योगीकरण से लाभ हुआ है और जिन्होंने ग्रीनहाउस गैस उत्सर्जन में सबसे अधिक योगदान दिया है। उसने कहा, ‘‘वे प्रभावी रूप से विकसित देशों द्वारा जुटाए गए जलवायु वित्त को उलट देंगे। यह पीड़ित से उपाय के लिए भुगतान करने के लिए कहने जैसा है।’’ भारत ने कहा, ‘‘जलवायु परिवर्तन प्रतिक्रियाओं के नाम पर कोई भी एकतरफा उपाय विकासशील देशों के प्रति भेदभावपूर्ण और बहुपक्षीय सहयोग के लिए हानिकारक है। वे समानता के सिद्धांतों और सीबीडीआर-आरसी तथा यूएनएफसीसीसी के प्रावधानों का उल्लंघन करते हैं।’’ भारत ने आगे कहा कि एकतरफा व्यापार उपाय निर्यात की लागत बढ़ाकर निर्यात-आधारित विकास के माध्यम से औद्योगीकरण करने की इच्छा रखने वाले देशों के साथ भेदभाव करते हैं। उसने कहा कि यदि लक्ष्य वैश्विक कार्बन उत्सर्जन को कम करना है, तो जलवायु नीतियों को रियायती वित्त की पेशकश और शमन और अनुकूलन दोनों पर ध्यान देने के लिए देशों की क्षमता का निर्माण करने पर ध्यान केंद्रित करना चाहिए। देश ने कहा कि जलवायु परिवर्तन से संबंधित व्यापार उपायों का सतत विकास और गरीबी उन्मूलन के प्रयासों के संदर्भ में न्यायसंगत और उचित बदलावों पर उनके संभावित प्रभाव के लिए मूल्यांकन किया जाना चाहिए। उसने कहा कि किसी भी व्यापार-संबंधी जलवायु नीति में न्यायसंगत और उचित बदलावों, सतत विकास और गरीबी उन्मूलन पर इसके प्रभाव पर विचार होना चाहिए। सीओपी29 के उद्घाटन सत्र में सोमवार को काफी विलंब हो गया, क्योंकि विकसित और विकासशील देश इस बात पर बहस कर रहे थे कि यूरोपीय संघ के कार्बन सीमा समायोजन तंत्र (सीबीएएम) जैसे ‘एकतरफा व्यापार उपायों’ को एजेंडा आइटम बनाया जाए या नहीं। चीन ने ‘बेसिक’ समूह की ओर से पिछले महीने संयुक्त राष्ट्र जलवायु निकाय को एक प्रस्ताव प्रस्तुत किया था, जिसमें अनुरोध किया गया था कि इस वर्ष के सीओपी में एकतरफा व्यापार उपायों के मुद्दे पर ध्यान दिया जाए। वित्त मंत्री निर्मला सीतारमण ने पिछले महीने सीबीएएम को ‘एकतरफा और मनमाना’ करार दिया था और कहा था कि इस तरह के उपायों से भारत के उद्योगों को नुकसान पहुंच सकता है और अंतरराष्ट्रीय व्यापार में संतुलन बिगड़ सकता है। दिल्ली स्थित थिंक टैंक ‘सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट’ (सीएसई) के अनुसार, सीबीएएम भारत से ईयू को निर्यात किए जाने वाले कार्बन-गहन सामानों पर अतिरिक्त 25 प्रतिशत कर लगाएगा। यह कर भार भारत के सकल घरेलू उत्पाद का 0.05 प्रतिशत होगा।

Delhi AQI Today: Smog engulfs Delhi-NCR for second day in row, AQI dips to ‘severe’ in parts of city

A thick blanket of smog continued to engulf Delhi on Thursday morning with the city’s air quality seeing a further dip than yesterday when the national capital was the most polluted city in the country. The air quality index (AQI) in certain areas dipped to the “severe” category — Anand Vihar recording an AQI of 473, Dwarka 458, RK Puram 454, Mundka 460, Chandni Chowk 407, data published by Central Pollution Control Board at 7 am showed. The 24-hour average PM10 (365 ug/m3) and PM2.5 levels (224 ug/m3) were around four times above permissible limits as of 7 am. The visibility was 300m at IGI Airport as of 7.30 am. Low visibility procedures at Delhi airport Amid the dense fog, Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) has put in place low visibility procedures. “Low visibility procedures are in progress at Delhi airport. All flight operations are presently normal,” the airport operator DIAL said in a post on X at 7 am. It also requested passengers to contact the airline concerned for updated flight information. “#6ETravelAdvisory : This morning, winter fog may impact flights to/from #Amritsar, #Varanasi & #Delhi,” IndiGo said in a post on X at 2.37 am. Owing to the bad weather conditions, at least 10 flights were diverted and scores of flights were delayed yesterday. Wednesday was the first time this winter season that the air quality had slumped into the severe category. An “unprecedentedly dense” fog was cited as the reason for the sudden dip in air quality by the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM). Due to stronger winds, the pollutant concentration is likely to decline from Thursday onwards and the AQI is expected to be in the “very poor” category, as per the forecast by the IITM. Anumita Roychowdhury, Executive Director of Research and Advocacy at the Centre for Science and Environment, said: “This time, the variability of atmospheric conditions played a role in the delayed ‘severe’ AQI being recorded. But October saw relatively higher ‘poor’ and ‘very poor’ AQI days compared to previous years. The episodic pollution of Diwali usually becomes the tipping point but this time it was in the warmer period so it did not have much significance… But, annual emissions are way above permissible limits.”

City In Greyscale: Season’s First Fog, ‘Severe’ Air Day

A thick layer of greyish haze enveloped the city on Wednesday as Delhi recorded the first ‘severe' day of the season. According to the Central Pollution Control Board's bulletin released at 4pm, the Air Quality Index (AQI) soared to 418 -- the highest AQI in the country. Delhi had last recorded a higher AQI on Jan 14, at 447. The season also saw its first very dense fog, with visibility dropping to zero at Palam from 8am to 9.30am. The lowest visibility at Safdarjung, the city's base station, was recorded at 200 metres at 7am. As visibility remained low throughout the day and the sun hardly made an appearance, the maximum temperature dipped to the season's lowest -- 27.8 degrees Celsius -- five degrees lower than the previous day. The minimum temperature was recorded at 17 degrees Celsius, three degrees above normal. The AQI rose rapidly from 334 on Tuesday at 4pm to 366 at 9am on Wednesday and further to 451 at 8pm. However, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) called it an "episodic event" and decided not to impose stringent restrictive measures under stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). According to experts, meteorological conditions, including dense fog, calm wind and low temperature, caused the trapping of pollutants. CPCB's data shows most of the city's stations reported air quality in the ‘severe' category. "Persistent fog means there is no movement of air, leading to calm wind conditions. The focus should be on reducing pollution at the source level," said Dipankar Saha, former head of CPCB's air laboratory. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy, Centre for Science and Environment, said, "Calm and cold weather conditions are deepening now. With reduced natural ventilation, pollution build-up will be intense. There has to be effective enforcement to prevent worsening of the situation. But that needs to happen at scale. The solution will come from sustained and longer-term action." According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), dense fog with visibility below 200 metres was witnessed at Palam from 6am to 10am. The visibility improved to 900 metres around 2pm, and remained at 1,100 metres till 7pm. However, at Safdarjung, the visibility was recorded up to 400 metres till 9.30am and improved further to 500 metres at 12.30pm. Fog is defined when the visibility is below 1,000 metres and there is high humidity of above 75%. However, smog is the merging of fog with smoke and other pollutants. "Delhi recorded high humidity of 85-100% till 11.30am. During the noon, smog conditions were recorded as the humidity level reduced and visibility improved," said a Met official. The contribution of stubble burning in Delhi's PM2.5 was 17.85% on Tuesday, according to the Decision Support System. In the last winter season, the first dense fog was observed on Dec 2, 2023, when the visibility reduced to 100 metres from 6.30am to 9.30am at Palam, according to IMD's data. However, the main spell of dense fog lasting for many days began on Dec 24 night in 2023. "This year, Pakistan's Punjab side has been recording dense fog since Dec 9. It was also observed in Amritsar. The formation of dense fog slowly started spreading to other parts, as it was seen in Punjab and Haryana on Nov 11. On Wednesday, it was formed in Delhi and parts of west UP," said R K Jenamani, senior scientist, IMD. The Met department has issued an ‘orange' alert for very dense to dense fog for Thursday. The minimum temperature is likely to dip to 14 degrees Celsius by Nov 19 while the maximum temperature is predicted to hover around 28-29 degrees Celsius over the next seven days. CAQM, which reviewed the air quality, said it was informed by IMD/IITM during the meeting that an unprecedented extremely dense fog was reported over Delhi and adjoining regions, resulting in the city's overall AQI moving to the ‘severe' category. "It was noted this steep rise in AQI of Delhi (was) owing to this episodic event, since morning. However, owing to stronger winds, the pollutant concentration and, thereby, the AQI, is expected to start showing a declining trend tomorrow (Thursday) onwards and the AQI is likely to move back to the ‘very poor' category the next day," CAQM wrote on X on Wednesday. The commission said it is keeping a close watch on the air quality situation before invoking the stringent or restrictive measures under stage III of GRAP. CAQM will again review the air quality on Thursday.

Delhi-NCR chokes under thick smog for second day as AQI hits ‘severe’ level – WATCH

A dense, suffocating blanket of smog continued to shroud Delhi on Thursday morning, with the city’s air quality declining since Wednesday when it was already recorded as the most polluted city in India. The air quality index (AQI) in various areas of Delhi dipped to alarming levels, crossing into the “severe” category. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board at 7 a.m., Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 473, Dwarka 458, RK Puram 454, Mundka 460, and Chandni Chowk 407. The crisis on Wednesday marked the first time this winter season that the AQI had dropped into the severe category, significantly reducing visibility and raising health concerns across the city. According to the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM), the severe air quality was partly attributed to an “unprecedentedly dense” fog that trapped pollutants close to the ground, worsening air quality. However, the CAQM has forecasted that stronger winds expected from Thursday onwards should help disperse some pollutants, likely easing the AQI into the “very poor” category. A Season of Poor Air Quality Anumita Roychowdhury, Executive Director of Research and Advocacy at the Centre for Science and Environment, pointed out that while November is typically the period of severe air quality, this year, atmospheric variability delayed this trend. However, Roychowdhury noted that October recorded a higher number of “poor” and “very poor” AQI days compared to previous years, suggesting that overall pollution levels are still trending dangerously high. She explained that while Diwali celebrations often tip the scales with episodic pollution, this year’s Diwali emissions were less impactful due to relatively warmer conditions. Despite the seasonal dip in temperature and meteorological factors that intensify pollution levels, experts also emphasise that Delhi’s annual emissions remain well above permissible limits. These excessive emissions come from various sources, including vehicular emissions, industrial activities, construction dust, and crop stubble burning in neighbouring states.

142 extreme weather event days in Maha this year, up from 106 in 2023

Pune: Maharashtra witnessed extreme weather events every second day in 2024, showed a study on the country's climate. The study, titled ‘Climate India 2024: An Assessment of Extreme Weather Events' and published by Centre for Science and Environment on Nov 8, showed that from 106 extreme weather event days from Jan to Sept in 2023, the number went up to 142 in the state during the same period this year. The study also linked weather to crop loss over 19.5 lakh hectares in Maharashtra, highest in the country, and also 208 human casualties in 2024. The highest number of extreme weather days in Maharashtra were with heavy rain, floods, and landslides (79 days), followed by lightning and storms (76 days) and heatwaves (15 days). Researchers associated with the study used lightning and storms, cold waves, heavy rain, floods and landslides, heatwaves, cloudbursts, and cyclones as parameters. "Climate change has made extreme weather events more frequent across the globe. In certain cases, the events have become more intense. At the core of this challenge is our consumption rate, which surged since the industrial revolution. Climate change touches every aspect of life, with the poorest and most marginalised communities bearing the brunt. In cases of severe weather events, these areas not only face immediate devastation but also suffer long-term setbacks in terms of development," said Rajit Sengupta, co-author of the study. The study gathered data from IMD and ministry of home affairs' "Situation Report Regarding Flood/Heavy Rainfall in the Country" report from Jan to Sept 2024. Thirty-five out of 36 states and UTs (excluding Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu) recorded extreme weather events this year. "This reinforces the well-established reality that extreme weather is a chronic and escalating challenge for India. While India made significant progress in predicting extreme weather events, there is still room for improvement in its early warning systems to ensure that those at risk are alerted and rescued in time. Additionally, the country must enhance its ability to estimate loss and damage more accurately and expand insurance coverage to better protect communities from the devastating impacts of extreme weather," said Sengupta. In 2023, the state recorded 173 human casualties with extreme weather events on 106 days. According to the researchers, most of these deaths occurred during monsoon. From May to Sept this year, 204 deaths occurred due to the extreme weather events in Maharashtra, the climate study showed.

As Delhi turns gas chamber, what should we ban today?

On November 13, a day after the Supreme Court suggested a year-round cracker ban, Delhi woke up to one of its worst bad-air days. Diwali was celebrated on October 31, and 14 days is a period long enough for crackers smoke to clear. That is what brings us to the question -- what should we ban today? The question is pertinent because Delhi saw 61 'good' and 'satisfactory' air days last year. Bad air is a perennial problem and helps Delhi top the ignominious chart of world's most-polluted cities. November 13 saw the worst air quality as the Air Quality Index (AQI) spiked to 429. The Delhi and NCR areas plummeted to the 'severe' category for the first time this season. Delhiites and judges of the Supreme Court, by sheer fortune that it is based in Delhi, get to breathe toxic year all round the year, but come November, everyone realises how bad things have become. DIWALI AND PARALI BLAMED, BUT POLLUTION ALL-YEAR ROUND But come November, there's the need for a fall guy. And there are two -- Diwali and parali (stubble). So, why look beyond? It is a coming together of several factors that make Delhi a gas chamber in November. A November 5 report by the Hindustan Times, quoting data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), shows Delhi had just 201 days this year when the AQI was 200 or less. In 2023, Delhi had one 'good', 60 'satisfactory' and 145 'moderate' air days, with a total of 206 clean-air days, according to the report. Spending close to half the year breathing toxic air, there is definitely the need to look for a long-term solution, but the fixation on Diwali and parali might be reducing the visibility. On November 12, the Supreme Court questioned why there wasn't a permanent, nationwide ban on firecrackers, and restrictions were applied only during specific months in Delhi. It rightly pointed out that air pollution remains a year-round issue in the national capital. CORRECT DIAGNOSIS BUT BETTER TREATMENT NEEDED Though the diagnosis is correct, there seems to be a problem in pinpointing the source of the ailment. "We are of the view that no religion encourages any activity which creates pollution. If firecrackers are burnt in this fashion, it also affects the fundamental right to health of the citizens," the Supreme Court observed as it heard a case on air pollution in Delhi. Air Quality Index (AQI) data for a week around Diwali in Delhi shows firecrackers have no visible impact. The research on the impact of Diwali on pollution also does not show a long-lasting impact. The research paper titled, 'Estimates of air pollution in Delhi from the burning of firecrackers during the festival of Diwali' by Dhananjay Ghei and Renuka Sane didn't find conclusive evidence on the impact of Diwali fireworks on air quality. Even stubble-burning does not contribute as much to Delhi's pollution as is commonly believed. A new study by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a Delhi-based environmental think tank, states that stubble burning is responsible for only 8 percent of Delhi's air pollution. What is also concerning is that perceived solutions have become part of the city's problem. The waste-to-energy plants that were first set up under Congress leader Sheila Dikshit have backfired. They are adding to the toxic fumes of Delhi. There is GRAP for a city grappling with pollution woes, but those are emergency measures that kick in when the situation goes from worse to worse. With the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), Delhi will ban one half of its vehicles and cover up its construction sites. Those are all stop-gap measures. What is the permanent solution, and who is going to come up with it? Those two are the most questions that must be on the minds of gasping Delhiites on November the 13 as the city, once again, turns into a gas chamber. It is time we looked beyond what to ban today.

कागजी प्लान, सिर्फ ऐलान और धुआं-धुआं आसमान... दिल्ली-NCR को क्यों पॉल्यूशन से नहीं मिल पा रही मुक्ति?

देश में मौसम करवट ले रहा है और दिल्ली-एनसीआर में दमघोंटू हवाएं बीमार करने लगी हैं. पूरा शहर फॉग और स्मॉग की चपेट में है. एयर पॉल्यूशन के बीच धुंध और क...

Women Over 50 Are Leading On Climate Action

Sunita Narain, Director of the Centre for Science and Environment Sunita Narain is an influential environmentalist and director of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). Since 1982, she has advocated for sustainable development and environmental policies in India. She co-edited the 1985 State of India’s Environment Report and later wrote 'Towards Green Villages.' Sunita led the successful CNG initiative in Delhi to reduce air pollution and raised global awareness on climate change. She was named one of Time’s 100 most influential people in 2016.

Delhi smog explained: Why air turned hazardous and early respite looks bleak

It’s not just Delhi that is under a blanket of the annual early-winter smog, making the city’s air hazardous for its 20 million residents. The entire National Capital Region (NCR), which includes Noida, Gurugram, Faridabad and Ghaziabad, is reeling from the onslaught of very high concentration of particulate matter (PM) in the air. On November 13, Delhi woke up to a layer of thick smog that severely impaired visibility on the roads in the early hours. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the AQI (air quality index)—a standard benchmark to gauge the severity of pollution—reading hovered at an average 418 (“severe”) over the past 24 hours. CPCB data showed that around 18 per cent of the air pollutants were from stubble-burning by farmers in Punjab and Haryana. Predictably, Gurugram had “very poor” air (an average AQI of 321). Ghaziabad, Greater Noida and Noida too were in the “very poor” range, with average AQI values of 350. AQI readings show the concentration of PM2.5 (very fine particulate matter that poses grave health risks) and the larger PM10 suspended in the air. Haryana’s industrial areas, such as Bahadurgarh and Ballabgarh, too are battling “very poor” air. In Uttar Pradesh, Bulandshahr and Baghpat have reported AQI numbers between 300 and 350. Clearly, the problem extends beyond Delhi, affecting millions across Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and even parts of Rajasthan. Despite many dissuasive efforts, including the threat of financial penalties, many farmers in Delhi’s neighbouring states continue to burn crop stubble, worsening air pollution. Data monitored by the CPCB shows 7,029 stubble-burning instances in Punjab and over 1,000 in Haryana since September 15 this year. As on November 11, stubble-burning contributed about 18 per cent to Delhi’s PM2.5 levels. Though lower than past years, it remains significant and shows the problem’s scale. Punjab’s 7,029 fires since September 15 were 70 per cent fewer than the 23,730 fires reported in the corresponding period in 2023 and 82 per cent fewer than the 40,677 fires in 2022. Haryana reported 1,008 fires since September 15. Last year, the figure was 1,703 fires and 2,880 in 2022. These numbers show some progress in how crop stubble is being managed. Nevertheless, many farmers continue with this way of clearing their fields for sowing the next crop, releasing pollutants into the NCR’s stagnant winter air. The NCR’s main problem is high levels of PM2.5, a pollutant under 2.5 microns in size. For perspective, a single PM2.5 particle is about 1/30th the width of human hair and roughly 40 times smaller than a fine grain of sand. PM2.5 particles can go deep into the lungs, potentially triggering breathing problems, heart trouble, worsening asthma and even causing cancer in the long term. They even reach the bloodstream. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends no more than average 25 µg/m3 (micrograms) of PM2.5 exposure over 24 hours. In Delhi, the exposure is multiple times higher. As winter sets in, the AQI trends in NCR show air quality is rapidly worsening. Delhi invariably has “very poor” to “severe” AQI levels at this time of the year. CPCB records don’t show many “good” air days. In 2023, AQI was already in “very poor” range in November. That remains unchanged this year. What’s worse, weather forecasts in the near future suggest winds not strong enough to dispel the pollutants, which means air quality will stay “very poor”. The not-for-profit Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), in its latest analysis of government data, has found that vehicles continue to be the highest contributor to Delhi’s bad air. “The average PM2.5 concentration has almost stagnated and is the highest in the past five years. Peaks can be highly variable due to the atmospheric conditions. But the increase in average level is a matter of worry,” says Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director (research and advocacy), CSE. There was a 9 per cent increase in average concentration in air pollution in 2023-24 as against 2019-20, the CSE’s analysis found. “This upward trend reflects elevated levels of pollution and the high impact of atmospheric conditions. It needs immediate action,” says Roychowdhury.