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Marine plastic pollution is not just a waste problem; reducing production is needed too

Nurdles, the tiny plastic pellets used as feedstock for making plastic products, are becoming dangerous as they spill into land and waterways during transportation. Animals mistake nurdles for food, causing fatalities while putting plastic into the food chain. While India has been focusing heavily on ‘managing’ plastic waste, such as beach clean-up drives, and has also been working on a Marine Litter Policy since 2018, activists argue that plastic is not just a litter problem, as the government wants to project. Dealing with plastic pollution requires working on all three phases of the plastic lifecycle – upstream, where the production happens; midstream, where products are made from it; and downstream, where waste needs to be handled. It was a Sunday in July last year, 2023, when a lifeguard in Mumbai noticed translucent tiny drops at the city’s Aksa beach. Unable to comprehend what they were, he called up the team at Coastal Conservation Foundation (CCF), a non-profit working on coastal and marine environments in Mumbai. “They looked like fish eggs. Crows were feeding on them. When our team went to check, they burnt it and realised it was plastic,” said Shaunak Modi, co-founder of CCF. Subsequently, bags full of these pellets, commonly called nurdles, were found at Juhu and Versova beaches in the city and at Palghar, a district north of Mumbai. This was the first reported incident of nurdle spill in India. Nurdles are lentil-sized plastic pellets, a raw material for almost all plastic products. As plastic production increases worldwide, there have been many incidents of nurdles leaking from the supply chain into the environment from ships, trucks, trains and industrial sites during transportation. Because nurdles look like fish eggs, sea birds, fish and crustaceans end up feeding on them, leading to starvation and organ failure. “It would have been a big issue in any other country, but nobody bothered to follow up here. The least the government should have done was inquire with the shipping company,” said Modi. Along with nurdles, sacks bearing the label of a South Korean company, Hanwha Total Energies Petrochemical, were also found on the Juhu and Palghar beaches. According to Fidra, a Scotland-based charity that conducts ‘nurdle hunts’ across the globe, South Korea is the world’s third largest exporter of plastics in primary form (base material used for plastic product manufacturing). “I complained to the Disaster Management Cell of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, but their only response was that the beaches had been cleaned up. They did the routine beach cleaning, a part of their routine responsibilities. I am sure if we dig a foot of sand at Juhu beach today, we will still find nurdles there,” said Modi. A month later, in August 2023, Our Sea of East Asia Network (OSEAN), a South Korea-based network working to protect the marine environment, sent a letter about the spill in Mumbai, to Hanwha Total Energies Petrochemical but did not get a reply, informed Modi. According to the Clean Seas Campaign, a global campaign by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), to raise awareness on marine litter and plastic pollution, there are 51 trillion microplastic particles in the world’s seas. India joined the Campaign in 2018, and since then, the National Centre for Coastal Research, Chennai (NCCR), under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, has coordinated many beach clean-ups to understand the kind and extent of marine litter on India’s coastline in a run-up to draft its Marine Litter Policy. NCCR has a programme to study the origin, pathway, degradation and environmental impacts of marine litter and microplastics along the Indian coast. “Public litter came up as the biggest source of beach litter in the coastal clean-ups we conducted. Of this, 19% were food wrappers, followed by plastic cups and bottles. On average, there is one tonne of plastic in every kilometre of the beach today,” said Pravakar Mishra, Scientist at NCCR. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, under a business-as-usual scenario and in the absence of necessary interventions, plastic waste entering aquatic ecosystems could nearly triple from 9-14 million tonnes per year in 2016 to a projected 23-37 million tonnes per year by 2040. By 2050, there may be more plastic than fish by weight in the world’s oceans, says a World Economic Forum study. While there is significant focus on managing plastic waste, little attention is given to pollution emitting from the plastic production process (upstream of the life cycle) and products manufactured from it (midstream). “For decades, plastic pollution has been misunderstood to be a waste mismanagement issue. The petroleum and petrochemicals industry argues that it is not a part of this problem, and most of our national legislations have been taken in by this argument. Governments have mobilised funds to ‘manage plastic waste’ while production has kept on increasing exponentially. We have produced more plastics in the last ten years than in the last century!” says Siddharth Ghanshyam Singh, Programme Manager at Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a Delhi-based non-profit. “The Government’s response to the nurdle spill in Mumbai shows the country’s lax attitude. We can’t afford to wait for a bigger disaster to strike before a mechanism is put in place,” said Swathi Seshadri, Director-Research and Team lead (oil and gas) at the Centre for Financial Accountability. Data dynamics The production of primary plastics in India has gone up from 0.9 million tonnes per year in 1990 to 21 million tonnes in 2021, an increase of 23 times. “About 87% of this is for commodity plastics like packaging and household items,” said Singh from CSE. Around 99% of plastic is derived from chemicals that come from fossil fuels. In India, 67% of the petrochemical manufacturing capacity is utilised to manufacture polymers (plastics), informed Singh. Private players own 73.75% of the petrochemical production capacity in India. “At 44.68%, Reliance India Ltd holds the biggest share here,” said Singh. India plans to position itself as a major exporter of basic petrochemicals, especially polymers, by increasing exports by over 100%. It looks like plastics is Plan B for the petroleum industry,” he said.

Properties are huge GHG emitters here’s how to decarbonise them

India might exceed its carbon funds way ahead of the self-adopted 2070 deadline if remaining to the ‘business as usual’ scenario in the building sector, a report released by a think tank on March 18 reported. The research by the Centre for Review of Science, Technologies and Policy (CSTEP) advocated the adoption of cleaner gasoline and photo voltaic strength in its place, noting that the sector could lessen emissions by up to 59%. The report ‘Pathways to Steer India’s Buildings Sector Towards a Web-Zero’ stated India’s making sector at the moment accounts for 25% of the country’s greenhouse gasoline (GHG) emissions, even as most of the inventory demanded by 2030 is nonetheless to be developed. WHAT IS CARBON Budget? HT launches Crick-it, a a single prevent vacation spot to catch Cricket, whenever, anywhere. Check out now! The sixth evaluation report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Alter (IPCC AR6) believed the remaining world-wide carbon spending budget (from 2020 onwards) for a 50% prospect of limiting worldwide warming to 1.5°C to be 500 gigatonnes of CO2 equivalent. The report explained that each 1,000 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions success in an estimated .45°C enhance in world wide area temperature. The 2015 Paris Agreement decided to limit world wide warming (human-induced enhance in worldwide temperatures) to “well below” 2°C (from the pre-industrial period) and go after initiatives to keep under 1.5°C. This aim necessitates limiting carbon dioxide emissions to in just a described carbon spending plan. The remaining carbon spending plan signifies the amount of money of CO2 that can even now be emitted after the pre-industrial time period though maintaining the temperature rise from 1.5°C to 2°C. The IPCC AR6 has demonstrated that the globe warmed by 1.07°C until 2019 from pre-industrial degrees, which signifies almost four-fifths of the world-wide carbon finances is already around. Only a fifth of the total remains to meet up with the 1.5°C goal established in the Paris Agreement. REPORT Results Analysing different eventualities, the report explained India’s developing sector emissions in the enterprise-as-normal state of affairs (BAU) will get to 90.85 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide equal by 2070, exceeding the country’s overall carbon price range, which is now believed at 89 gigatonnes, by 2%. Beneath the ‘decent dwelling standards’ (DLS) situation, which contains housing, cooking, education, and well being for all by 2030, the report explained, emissions will boost to 97.11 gigatonnes of CO2 equal, exceeding the carbon finances by 8%. Adopting ‘the structures-led scenario’ (BLS), which suggests cleaner cooking gas and rooftop photo voltaic energy, will lower once-a-year building emissions by 16%. In comparison, annually operational emissions when the structures are in use could be lowered by 69%. Oblique emissions from building materials and electric power usage could represent 30% and 50% of the overall sectoral emissions. The integrated circumstance (BLS+ILS) would see a 72% reduction in emissions and a 47% reduction in vitality demand in 2070, conserving 1.83 gigatonnes of CO2 equal emissions. Buildings emit GHGs by using far more fossil gasoline-centered energy than solar power, getting inefficient patterns, demanding artificial lights even all through the daytime, and utilizing air-conditioned cooling alternatively than minimising heat as a result of architectural functions. The use of more mature enthusiasts and ACs that run on chlorofluorocarbons has even higher emissions. Most importantly, properties emit GHGs by utilizing cement and metal produced in factories driven by coal. The CSTEP report mentioned that the creating sector accounts for 37% of power and method-associated CO2 emissions and extra than 34% of the worldwide power need. According to IPCC, effective procedures in the setting up and development sectors can lower greenhouse gasoline (GHG) emissions by up to 90% in developed nations and up to 80% in producing nations around the world, aiding lift 2.8 billion persons out of vitality poverty in establishing international locations. Require FOR BINDING NORMS A 2022 study by Shakti Sustainable Strength Foundation discovered the creating sector accounts for in excess of 30% of India’s electric power use. The examine said as Indian cities expand, the electricity demand from structures would surge, and it ought to change from coal to photo voltaic and rooftop photo voltaic, but that changeover is extended. Mitashi Singh, manager of the sustainable buildings and habitat programme at the Centre for Science and Surroundings (CSE), reported, “The developing sector has not stopped expanding, and we assume to incorporate about two-thirds of the infrastructure that we need to have for 2030 in the subsequent couple many years. That is a good deal. When we do that, we also hope that by 2050 or so, we will at minimum triple the power made use of in the sector and quadruple the carbon emissions connected to this sector. In the absence of any plan or intervention or any code or stringent state of affairs where the enhancement is guided in a internet zero fashion, we will overshoot it. “ Singh pointed out two forms of setting up codes. The 1st is the nationwide developing code by the Bureau of Indian Requirements, which is not obligatory. It is a guiding document that tells you how significantly concrete to set in when building a slab. The next is building bylaws, a compulsory code that guides making and development. India’s town and place arranging organisation, which falls underneath the Union ministry of housing and city affairs, formulates the setting up bylaws that are adopted by states and urban regional bodies. The last established of product building bylaws was framed in 2016. “The difficulty with these codes is that they do not integrate very low-carbon building techniques,” Singh included. The Union government’s Bureau of Strength Efficiency designed Eco-Niwas Samitha (ENS) in 2018, an power-conservation residential constructing code that encourages energy-successful structure and low-carbon development supplies. The code also aims to elevate consciousness of electricity-economical making procedures throughout the market. A report by the Globe Means Institute published in January 2024 stated that 23 out of the 28 states in India have been notified of this code. However, implementation by development gurus is nonetheless lagging and needs to be even further enforced by the point out governments and city area bodies.

Study finds surge in oil and gas use to make polymers

New Delhi: Ahead of the 4th session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4) to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution to be held later this month in Canada, a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) report flagged that companies have started increasing oil and gas production for polymers, in anticipation of a serious response to climate change that could curb the production of fossil fuels. The global report titled “Global Plastic Treaty Negotiations” also highlighted that India, Russia, United States of America, China in certain cases, are not agreeable to reducing primary plastic polymer production; reducing chemicals from polymer production; or phasing out single use plastic. This is based on analysis by CSE researchers of submissions made by countries during negotiations. China is the largest plastic producer followed by rest of Asia and North America while the US is the largest producer of oil followed by Saudi Arabia; Russia and Canada. India has a progressive stance on the use of alternative plastics; use of recycled plastic content; product design and performance focused on increasing reusability, repairability and recyclability. But, it has made it clear that all measures will be nationally driven, taking international standards into account, the report pointed out. The INC-3 meeting took place from November 13 to 19 last year at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Nairobi, Kenya. The Nairobi negotiations culminated in an agreement on a revised zero draft being made available to all negotiators for negotiation this year. The fourth session of INC (23 to 29 April 2024 ) will highlight the importance of refining the draft text on plastic pollution. The goal will be to identify areas of agreement and address remaining differences through textual negotiations, focusing on both substance and structure of the proposed instrument. Various alternative draft proposals will be consolidated into a streamlined and cohesive document that can be finalized in legal terms by the fifth session, CSE said in its report. The revised zero draft document is expected to get more complicated in an effort to express the views of all member states. The CSE report has also highlighted that leading state-owned and private crude oil and gas producers have been increasing the output of primary (virgin) plastics in anticipation that a serious global response to climate change might reduce demand . According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), up to 99% of plastics are made from polymers derived from non-renewable hydrocarbons (crude oil and natural gas). Polymers, commonly known as plastics, are larger units of smaller molecules (monomers) that are joined together by chemical bonds.

Plugging the leakages

Without access to clean water, life is unhealthy and unbearable. Successive governments, both at the Centre and in states, have worked, over the years, to provide clean water to rural communities. But experience shows that even as water supply has “reached” villages, the number of villages that has again fallen into the “unreached” category has grown. This zero-sum game is because water supply is not only about building pipes but also about ensuring the sustainability of the source of the supply system. Meaning, even if water supply has “reached” the village, the built and delivered infrastructure breaks down if the source dries up or gets contaminated. The key challenge then is to ensure sustainability of the water supply system, particularly the source of water supply. The Government of India’s ambitious and much needed Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) recognises this fundamental flaw and stresses that its objective is sustainability so that water continues to flow through the pipes to the taps. In this way, JJM’s most important objective is to provide a “functional” tap in every home, and not just the provision of the tap. This requires focus on improving the durability of water assets—by ensuring that the pond or lake or tank is not encroached upon and that the watershed, so critical for the drainage to be secured, is not destroyed. This also requires source sustainability by ensuring that the water source—be it river, lake or well—is recharged and is not polluted either by the excreta dumped on the land or by wastewater from households that now have toilets and taps. The fact is, 80 per cent of the water supplied to households is discharged as wastewater. In rural households, sanitation programmes focus on building toilets which use minimal water. Most of the wastewater is in the form of greywater—defined as wastewater from all human uses like bathing, washing clothes and washing utensils, other than toilets—which is discharged into the open. This greywater creates pools of water and breeding grounds for vectors and other diseases and becomes another source of contamination for groundwater and surface water. This is why greywater management—to reuse that used water for cultivation or for recharging groundwater—is key to source sustainability. This is water to water, not water to waste. At the same time, water supply has to be linked to the system of sanitation and wastewater generation. We need to understand that when we pollute water, we waste it. The fact is, the toilet building programme is incomplete unless the wastewater—the faecal sludge that is contained in the receptacle of the single- or double-pit or unlined, linked or honey-comb individual toilet—is safely disposed of. This means the faecal sludge must be either treated within the toilet—in situ treatment—so that when it is emptied, the sludge can be reused as manure without polluting water or land. Or, there are systems to collect the faecal matter and to take it to treatment plants before it is reused on the land. We know that the faecal matter—what we excrete after eating food that takes the nitrogen and phosphorous from the soil—is full of nutrients. This matter must be put back on the land and not disposed of in waterways. But it must be done after treatment so that the waste does not add to our health burden. But the most important learning is that unless communities are involved, water supply programmes will remain dysfunctional and indeed broken. The problem lies in the fact that land and water bureaucracies are fractured—somebody owns the pond; another agency the drain; and yet another the catchment. Water security requires this to change. This means giving much greater control over the water structures to the local community—by deepening democracy and through devolution of powers—is then the answer to water management. This has to be the next game changer in our quest to supply clean water to all. This is even more important in today’s climate-risked world. In this decade we will see the revenge of nature. We need then to scale up our work to invest in water systems and to make them durable—not just to withstand another rain but another deluge. We need to speed up our work, because climate change will make sure that we have more rain but in fewer rainy days. This means doing much more to capture the rain, when and where it falls, so that the groundwater is recharged. Our water future is about our water wisdom and in this, we must recognise that water and culture go together. Water shortage is not about mere failure of rain. It is about the failure of society to live and share its water endowment. The writer is the Director-General of CSE and editor of DownToEarth. Views expressed are personal

Sustainability through global collaboration

While the news of increasing temperatures in the Capital City of Delhi in the coming weeks and months hit the headlines, in a resounding affirmation of the symbiotic relationship between sustainability and economic progress, President Dennis Francis (heading the 78th session of the UN General Assembly), recently in an exclusive interview with PTI, unequivocally asserted that the pursuit of sustainability stands as the cornerstone of 21st-century development endeavours. He also emphasised the imperative of integrating sustainability into the fabric of global advancement. Dennis Francis is all set to inaugurate the “Sustainability Week” at the United Nations headquarters scheduled from April 15-19, 2024. Under the overarching theme of “Paving the Way for a Sustainable Future,” this landmark event will spotlight pivotal sectors such as tourism, infrastructure connectivity, transportation, energy and debt, dedicating its discourse to the multifaceted dimensions of sustainability in each domain. In this PTI exclusive, President Francis outlines a strategic focus on key economic sectors — tourism, transportation, infrastructure, energy and debt management — to drive transformative sustainability. He highlights challenges like climate change, energy security and debt entrapment, emphasising their nexus with poverty, education, housing and national security. Francis further underscores sustainability as both a moral imperative and a catalyst for equitable global progress, envisioning judicious decisions in these realms as key to profound shifts towards a sustainable future. During the upcoming ‘Sustainability Week’, Dennis will host a series of high-level events including debates on ‘debt sustainability’ and ‘socio-economic equality’; discussions on ‘tourism and sustainable transport’, an informal dialogue on ‘global resilience through infrastructure connectivity’ and a stocktaking session for the completion of the ‘UN Decade of Sustainable Energy for All’ - all aimed at advancing the implementation of SDG 7 for sustainable development. Dennis (in the interview) fervently promotes the fusion of sustainability and economic advancement, underscoring their intrinsic interdependence for societal well-being. He advocates for a transformative approach toward sustainable lifestyles, condemning antiquated resource exploitation methods exacerbating climate instability. He envisions a future where profitability harmonises with environmental stewardship, fostering equity and resilience. ‘Sustainability Week’ precedes the ‘Summit of the Future,’ to instil sustainability as a collective imperative for safeguarding resources for posterity. He further emphasised the pressing requirement to refocus endeavours on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which saw a setback in target achievement because of the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing conflicts. ‘Sustainability Week’ aims to revive dedication to impactful measures, crucial for reorienting the SDGs towards their intended trajectory. Through collective action, the aim should be to uplift communities, inspire hope and advance the global agenda for sustainability and equity. The need is to empower communities, foster optimism and promote sustainability and equity worldwide. Governments, communities and organisations per se are uniting to tackle environmental challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss and renewable energy promotion. For example, in Scandinavia, countries like Denmark have been leaders in wind energy production, investing heavily in offshore wind farms and renewable energy infrastructure. Denmark’s commitment to sustainability has led to a significant reduction in carbon emissions and reliance on fossil fuels. Moreover, in Southeast Asia, Singapore pioneers innovative strategies to address river and ocean waste, utilising advanced wastewater treatment and strict plastic regulations, effectively curbing marine pollution. Meanwhile, Africa’s ‘Great Green Wall’ initiative fights desertification in the bio-geographical Sahel region by planting trees and promoting sustainable land management, revitalising degraded landscapes and fostering biodiversity. Across Latin America, Costa Rica exemplifies biodiversity conservation through national parks and eco-tourism, fostering sustainable development while preserving its rich natural heritage, resulting in both environmental protection and economic prosperity. Some of these diverse efforts demonstrate global commitment to environmental management, enhancing resilience and also safeguarding ecosystems for future generations. India’s proactive stance towards achieving the SDGs is evident through multifaceted commitments across sectors. Initiatives like the ‘National Solar Mission’ and ‘Jal Jeevan Mission’, ‘National Health Mission’, etc., highlight the resolve to tackle environmental challenges. India further aims to generate great renewable energy capacity, emphasising reduced reliance on fossil fuels. Water conservation programs such as rainwater harvesting and the ‘Jal Jeevan Mission’ underscore India’s dedication to ensuring water security, aiming to provide piped water supply to all households by 2024. This commitment is reinforced by experts like waterman, Rajendra Singh and CEO of Centre for Science and Environment, Sunita Narain, who stress the importance of renewable energy and community-driven water conservation efforts. Additionally, India’s sustainability efforts extend to biodiversity conservation, rural development, healthcare, education, waste management and gender equality, exemplified by schemes like MGNREGA and Ayushman Bharat. Dr. Vandana Shiva emphasises that sustainability encompasses socio-economic factors, with India’s inclusive policies striving to create a more equitable and resilient society through integrated policymaking. It may be noted that India initiated its climate action journey in 2009 by pledging to decrease emissions intensity by 20-25 per cent by 2020, achieving a commendable 24 per cent reduction. Subsequently aligning with the Paris Agreement, India outlined its ‘Nationally Determined Contributions’ in 2015, aiming for a 33-35 per cent emissions intensity reduction by 2030. Additional goals include enhancing non-fossil fuel energy generation, expanding carbon sinks and targeting ‘NET ZERO’ emissions by 2070. National efforts are reinforced by initiatives such as the ‘National Action Plan on Climate Change’ and the ‘National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change’, focusing on renewable energy, sustainable habitat and adaptation strategies. As per media reports, by April 2023, India had made substantial progress toward 14 of the 33 SDGs, with improvements in neonatal and under-five mortality; sanitation and electricity access. Challenges like adolescent pregnancy, clean cooking fuel and water facilities persist. Legislative amendments promoting renewable energy and carbon credit trading, along with initiatives such as the ‘Green Hydrogen Mission’, highlight India’s commitment to sustainability. “Business Today” report of August 25, 2023, suggests that these efforts, coupled with the implementation of the ‘Sustainable Development Goals National Indicator Framework’, positioned India as a global leader in sustainability, as reflected in its ranking in the ‘Climate Change Performance Index’, indicating promising future progress. India has implemented various environmental conservation initiatives like the ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’ ‘Namami Gange’, etc., along with legislative measures such as the ‘Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act’ and so on. The introduction of the ‘Sustainable Development Goals National Indicator Framework’ by the National Statistics Office in 2023 signifies efforts to monitor progress. However, despite advancements in climate action, financing SDGs remains a challenge. Proactive measures, integrating sustainability into policymaking and engaging communities are essential for achieving the ambitious 2030 SDG targets globally, ensuring equity and resilience. The imperative for proactive engagement by dedicated and committed citizens, not only within India but globally, underscores the exigency of collective action. Such involvement is paramount in addressing contemporary challenges, necessitating concerted efforts on a global scale. The choice is ours — perish or preserve. (The writer is Programme Executive, Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti; views are personal)

दुबई की बारिश का मुंबई की नमी वाली लू से क्या है कनेक्शन, जान लीजिए पूरी बात

दुबई और मुंबई के बीच यूं तो 2,000 किलोमीटर की दूरी है, लेकिन दोनों ही शहर मौसम की मार से बेहाल हैं। 16 अप्रैल को दुबई में मूसलाधार बारिश से बाढ़ के हालात बन गए तो वहीं मुंबई गर्मी की भीषण लहर झेल रही है। मौसम वैज्ञानिक इन दोनों अलग-अलग मौसम के बीच समानता की बात कह रहे हैं। वैज्ञानिकों के मुताबिक, एक ही एंटीसाइक्लोनिक सिस्टम इन दोनों शहरों में मौसम की मार की वजह है। इसे स्थानीय मौसम का साथ मिला और इसका असर बढ़ गया। कोंकण के तटीय इलाके खासतौर पर मुंबई बीते दो दिनों से नमी भरी लू झेल रही है। 15 साल में सबसे अधिक तापमान पुणे के मौसम वैज्ञानिक रुशिकेश अग्रे ने बताया कि 15 अप्रैल को सांता क्रूज का तापमान शाम साढ़े पांच बजे 37.9 डिग्री था और नमी 55% थी। वेट बल्ब टेंपरेचर 29.3 डिग्री हो गया। वेट बल्ब टेंपरेचर नमी और तापमान को मिलकर बताया जाता है कि व्यक्ति को असल में कितनी गर्मी सहनी पड़ रही है। 14 अप्रैल की तुलना में यह 4.7 डिग्री बढ़ा। तब तापमान 33.2 डिग्री था। 15 अप्रैल को न्यूनतम तापमान भी 27.5 डिग्री रहा। लेकिन यह 30 डिग्री जैसा महसूस हुआ। सांता क्रूज में 16 अप्रैल को तापमान बढ़कर 39 डिग्री हो गया। यह 15 वर्षों में सबसे ज्यादा है। एंटीसाइक्लोनिक एरिया में हवाओं के बहने की वजह से एक कम दबाव का क्षेत्र बनता है। इस दबाव की वजह से गर्मी बढ़ती है। आमतौर पर इस वजह से लू बढ़ती है। अंकित संगमोला, सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरमेंट दुबई में 127 एमएम बारिश इसी तरह दुबई में 16 अप्रैल को 127 एमएम बारिश हो गई। शहर में बाढ़ की स्थिति बन गई। IIT बॉम्बे के क्लाइमेट स्टडीज के प्रफेसर रघु मुर्तुगुडे ने कहा कि ये दोनों मौसम एक ही एंटी साइकलोनिक सिस्टम की देन हैं। एंटीसाइक्लोनिक सर्कुलेशन गर्म हवाओं का एक क्षेत्र है। यह सिस्टम अरब सागर से गर्म हवाओं को पश्चिमी एशिया की तरफ धकेलता है। जबकि मुंबई में इस समय नमी वैसे ही काफी ज्यादा है। अग्रे के मुताबिक, आमतौर पर रात के समय मुंबई समुद्र की ठंडी हवाओं की वजह से ठंडी हो जाती है, लेकिन इस एंटीसाइक्लोन की वजह से समुद्र की यह ठंडी हवाएं ब्लॉक हो गई। इसकी वजह से रात में भी तापमान काफी ज्यादा रहा।

लगातार घट रही मिट्टी की उर्वरा शक्ति, फसलों में कम हो रहा पोषण, अगले 60 सालों में खेती होगी मुश्किल

हजारों वर्षों में पर्यावरण से हुए खिलवाड़ ने हमें और हमारी धरती को प्रभावित किया है। दुनिया भर में लगभग 40 प्रतिशत कृषि मिट्टी निम्नीकृत या गंभीर रूप से निम्नीकृत है; हम हर साल अनुमानित 36 अरब टन ऊपरी मिट्टी खो देते हैं। वैज्ञानिकों ने हमें चेतावनी दी है कि हमारे पास लगभग 60 वर्ष की उपजाऊ मिट्टी ही बची है। भारत के कई क्षेत्रों में औद्योगिक गतिविधियों और अंधाधुंध खेती के कारण मिट्टी में अम्लीकरण बढ़ रहा है। वैज्ञानिकों का मानना है कि इससे मिट्टी के स्वास्थ्य पर गहरा असर पड़ रहा है। हाल ही में हुए एक शोध में सामने आया है कि विशाल कार्बन भंडार पर्यावरण में बदलाव, विशेष रूप से मिट्टी के अम्लीकरण के प्रति संवेदनशील है। एसिड कैल्शियम कार्बोनेट को घोलते हैं और इसे कार्बन डाइऑक्साइड गैस के रूप में या सीधे पानी में निकाल देते है। देश भर के वैज्ञानिकों से बातचीत के बाद ये सामने आया कि कॉर्बन का असंतुलन खेती की पैदावार को खराब करने का प्रमुख कारक है। वैज्ञानिक मानते हैं कि जमीन में ऑर्गेनिक कार्बन जितना बढ़े अच्छा है लेकिन उसका निकल कर वातावरण में जाना खतरनाक है। वैज्ञानिकों ने चेतावनी दी है कि अगर मिट्टी और फसल पैदावार की प्रक्रिया को दुरूस्त साइंस पत्रिका में प्रकाशित एक शोध के अनुसार मिट्टी में जितना अजैविक कार्बन किसी ने सोचा है उससे कहीं अधिक मौजूद है, और यह पृथ्वी के कार्बन चक्र में आश्चर्यजनक रूप से बड़ा प्रभाव डालने वाला हो सकता है। दुनिया के कई क्षेत्रों (जैसे चीन और भारत) में मिट्टी अम्लीय वर्षा और औद्योगिक व सघन कृषि गतिविधियों से होने वाले अन्य प्रदूषण के कारण अधिक अम्लीय होती जा रही है। राष्ट्रीय वर्षा सिंचित क्षेत्र प्राधिकरण (एनआरएए) ने बीते साल जारी एक रिपोर्ट में कहा था कि देश में पिछले 70 वर्षों में मृदा जैविक कार्बन (एसओसी) तत्व एक प्रतिशत से कम होकर 0.3 प्रतिशत पर आ गया है। एसओसी मिट्टी के जैविक पदार्थ का मुख्य घटक है जो इसकी जल धारण क्षमता, संरचना और उर्वरता प्रदान करता है। ओएससी तत्व में भारी गिरावट मृदा की उर्वरक क्षमता को प्रभावित करती है। इसमें कमी के चलते पौधों को पोषक तत्व प्रदान करने वाले प्रमुख कारक सूक्ष्म जीव जीवित नहीं बच पाते हैं। पद्मश्री से सम्मानित कृषि वैज्ञानिक डॉक्टर चेतराम चौधरी कहते हैं कि जमीन के लिए ऑर्गेनिक कार्बन बेहद जरूरी है। इसे बोलचाल की भाषा में ह्रयूमस भी कहा जाता है। सामान्य तौर पर जंगल की जमीन में इसकी मात्रा एक फीसदी से ज्यादा होती है। सामान्य तौर पर खेती योग्य भूमि में इसकी मात्रा 0.5 फीसदी से कम नहीं होनी चाहिए। लेकिन आज देश के ज्यादातर हिस्से में भूमि में ऑर्गेनिक कार्बन की मात्रा काफी कम है। चौधरी बताते हैं कि पूर्वी उत्तर प्रदेश की जमीन में आर्गेनिक कार्बन की मात्रा 0.2 फीसदी तक है।ये काफी चिंताजनक है। दरअसल ऑर्गेनिक कार्बन जमीन में कई तरह से जमीन की उपजाऊ शक्ति बढ़ाता है। एक तरफ जहां ये मिट्टी में माइक्रोब्स की संख्या बढाता है वहीं ये मट्टी में पानी को रोकने की क्षमता या वाटर होल्डिंग कैपसिटी को बढ़ाता है। ये जमीन में न्यूट्रिशयन को बढ़ाता है। ये नाइट्रोजन को स्टोर करता है और धीरे धीरे जरूरत के मुताबिक पौधों को देता है। आज पूरे देश में केमिकल फर्टिलाइजर का इस्तेमाल हो रहा है। इससे जमीन को नुकसान पहुंचा है। भारत में ऑर्गेनिक कॉर्बन की कमी सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड इंवायरनमेंट की रिपोर्ट के अनुसार ऑर्गेनिक कार्बन की कमी भारत में व्यापक है। 24 राज्य और केंद्र शासित प्रदेशों में कम से कम आधे मिट्टी के नमूनों में ऑर्गेनिक कॉर्बन की कमी है। उनमें से सात राज्यों में 90 प्रतिशत से अधिक नमूनों की कमी है। हरियाणा की मिट्टी में कार्बनिक कार्बन की सबसे अधिक कमी है, उसके बाद पंजाब, उत्तर प्रदेश, राजस्थान, तमिलनाडु, मिजोरम और अंडमान और निकोबार द्वीप समूह का नंबर आता है। नाइट्रोजन की कमी भी व्यापक और गंभीर है। 32 राज्यों और संघ क्षेत्रों में उनकी मिट्टी के कम से कम आधे नमूनों में नाइट्रोजन की कमी है। ऐसे ही रहे हालात को पड़ जाएंगे मिट्टी के लाले भारत में कुल भौगोलिक क्षेत्र (328.7 मिलियन हेक्टेयर) का 29% यानी करीब 96.4 मिलियन हेक्टेयर से अधिक का क्षरण हुआ है। वहीं दुनियाभर में मिट्टी की उर्वरता खोने के मामले में 40 फीसदी तक गिरावट बढ़ गई है। इससे वैश्विक जीडीपी का लगभग आधा हिस्सा खतरे में है। इसके अलावा मिट्टी से लगातार ऑर्गेनिक कार्बन कम हो रहा है। लगातार घट रहे ऑर्गेनिक कार्बन से उत्पादकता पर विपरीत प्रभाव पड़ा है। अगर ऐसा ही चलता रहा तो कुछ सालों में कई स्थानों पर जमीन बंजर जाएगी। पौधे मिट्टी में कार्बन कैसे बढ़ाते हैं ? प्रकाश संश्लेषण की प्रक्रिया के माध्यम से, पौधे कार्बन को आत्मसात करते हैं और श्वसन के माध्यम से इसका कुछ हिस्सा वायुमंडल में लौटा देते हैं। जो कार्बन पौधों के ऊतकों के रूप में रहता है, उसे जानवरों द्वारा खा लिया जाता है या पौधों के मरने और विघटित होने पर कूड़े के रूप में मिट्टी में मिला दिया जाता है। कॉर्बन उत्सर्जन पर लगाम लगाने की आवश्यकता रानी लक्ष्मीबाई सेंट्रल एग्रीकल्चर यूनिवर्सिटी के वाइसचांसर डा. ए.के.सिंह कहते हैं कि यूं तो क्लाइमेट चेंज के लिए कई चीजें जिम्मेदार हैं। लेकिन सबसे बड़ा कारण कार्बन उत्सर्जन है। इस कार्बन उत्सर्जन पर लगाम लगाने के लिए बड़े पैमाने पर कदम उठाए जाने की जरूरत है। इसके लिए कोल सेक्टर से होने वाले कॉर्बन उत्सर्जन पर खास तौर पर रोक लगानी होगी। ग्रीन हाउस गैसों के उत्सर्जन को भी कम करना होगा। एग्रीकल्चर सेक्टर में भी कार्बन उत्सर्जन पर लगाम लगाने के लिए कई कदम उठाए जाने की जरूरत है। कई सारी फसलों जैसे धान की फसल से काफी कार्बन उत्सर्जन होता है। किसान जानवर पालते हैं, इन जानवरों का गोबर खुले में पड़े रहने से भी कार्बन और अन्य ग्रीन हाउस गैसों का उत्सर्जन होता है। वह कहते हैं कि पशुपालन करने वाले किसानों को गोबर को खुले में नहीं रखना चाहिए। गोबर खुले में रखने से गैसों का उत्सर्जन होता है। जमीन को खाली न छोड़ें उस पर कुछ न कुछ फसल लगाए रखें। बड़े पैमाने पर पेड़ भी लगाए जाने की जरूरत है। सरकार ने एग्रो फॉरेस्टी की योजना चलाई है इसके तहत खेतों में फसलों के साथ ही कुछ पेड़ भी लगाएं। कार्बन का सबसे बड़ा सिंक पौधे हैं। ज्यादा से ज्यादा पेड़ लगा कर हम कार्बन उत्सर्जन से होने वाले नुकसान को कम कर सकते हैं।

Study finds surge in oil and gas use to make polymers

New Delhi: Ahead of the 4th session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4) to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution to be held later this month in Canada, a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) report flagged that companies have started increasing oil and gas production for polymers, in anticipation of a serious response to climate change that could curb the production of fossil fuels. The global report titled “Global Plastic Treaty Negotiations” also highlighted that India, Russia, United States of America, China in certain cases, are not agreeable to reducing primary plastic polymer production; reducing chemicals from polymer production; or phasing out single use plastic. This is based on analysis by CSE researchers of submissions made by countries during negotiations. China is the largest plastic producer followed by rest of Asia and North America while the US is the largest producer of oil followed by Saudi Arabia; Russia and Canada. India has a progressive stance on the use of alternative plastics; use of recycled plastic content; product design and performance focused on increasing reusability, repairability and recyclability. But, it has made it clear that all measures will be nationally driven, taking international standards into account, the report pointed out. The INC-3 meeting took place from November 13 to 19 last year at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Nairobi, Kenya. The Nairobi negotiations culminated in an agreement on a revised zero draft being made available to all negotiators for negotiation this year.

Buildings are big GHG emitters; here’s how to decarbonise them

India might exceed its carbon budget way ahead of the self-adopted 2070 deadline if left to the ‘business as usual’ scenario in the building sector, a report released by a think tank on March 18 said. The study by the Centre for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP) advocated the adoption of cleaner fuel and solar energy instead, noting that the sector could reduce emissions by up to 59%. The report ‘Pathways to Steer India’s Buildings Sector Towards a Net-Zero’ said India’s building sector currently accounts for 25% of the country’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, even as most of the stock required by 2030 is yet to be built. The sixth assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC AR6) estimated the remaining global carbon budget (from 2020 onwards) for a 50% chance of limiting global warming to 1.5°C to be 500 gigatonnes of CO2 equivalent. The report said that every 1,000 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions results in an estimated 0.45°C increase in global surface temperature. The 2015 Paris Agreement decided to limit global warming (human-induced increase in global temperatures) to “well below” 2°C (from the pre-industrial era) and pursue efforts to stay under 1.5°C. This goal necessitates limiting carbon dioxide emissions to within a defined carbon budget. The remaining carbon budget signifies the amount of CO2 that can still be emitted after the pre-industrial period while keeping the temperature rise from 1.5°C to 2°C. The IPCC AR6 has shown that the world warmed by 1.07°C until 2019 from pre-industrial levels, which means almost four-fifths of the global carbon budget is already over. Only a fifth of the total remains to meet the 1.5°C target set in the Paris Agreement. REPORT FINDINGS Analysing different scenarios, the report said India’s building sector emissions in the business-as-usual scenario (BAU) will reach 90.85 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2070, exceeding the country’s entire carbon budget, which is currently estimated at 89 gigatonnes, by 2%. Under the ‘decent living standards’ (DLS) scenario, which includes housing, cooking, education, and health for all by 2030, the report said, emissions will increase to 97.11 gigatonnes of CO2 equivalent, exceeding the carbon budget by 8%. Adopting ‘the buildings-led scenario’ (BLS), which means cleaner cooking fuel and rooftop solar power, will reduce annual construction emissions by 16%. In comparison, yearly operational emissions while the buildings are in use could be reduced by 69%. Indirect emissions from building materials and electricity consumption could constitute 30% and 50% of the total sectoral emissions. The integrated scenario (BLS+ILS) would see a 72% reduction in emissions and a 47% reduction in energy demand in 2070, saving 1.83 gigatonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions. Buildings emit GHGs by using more fossil fuel-based electricity than solar energy, having inefficient designs, requiring artificial lighting even during the daytime, and using air-conditioned cooling rather than minimising heat through architectural features. The use of older fans and ACs that run on chlorofluorocarbons has even higher emissions. Most importantly, buildings emit GHGs by using cement and steel manufactured in factories powered by coal. The CSTEP report said that the building sector accounts for 37% of energy and process-related CO2 emissions and more than 34% of the global energy demand. According to IPCC, efficient policies in the building and construction sectors can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by up to 90% in developed countries and up to 80% in developing countries, helping lift 2.8 billion people out of energy poverty in developing countries. NEED FOR BINDING NORMS A 2022 study by Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation found the building sector accounts for over 30% of India’s electricity use. The study said as Indian cities grow, the energy demand from buildings would surge, and it must shift from coal to solar and rooftop solar, but that transition is prolonged. Mitashi Singh, manager of the sustainable buildings and habitat programme at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), said, “The building sector has not stopped growing, and we expect to add about two-thirds of the infrastructure that we need for 2030 in the next few years. That is a lot. When we do that, we also expect that by 2050 or so, we will at least triple the energy used in the sector and quadruple the carbon emissions linked to this sector. In the absence of any policy or intervention or any code or stringent scenario where the development is guided in a net zero fashion, we will overshoot it. “ Singh pointed out two types of building codes. The first is the national building code by the Bureau of Indian Standards, which is not mandatory. It is a guiding document that tells you how much concrete to put in when making a slab.

Engineered landfill not a silver lining

Delhi’s first engineered landfill became operational in Tehkhand on March 12. The new landfill, built on an estimated budget of Rs 42.32 crores, and spread over an area of 25 acres, including a forest area of 7.42 acres, has been hailed as “one of its kind” in the country. With several layers of geosynthetic material applied to the landfill bed, authorities claim that the new landfill will avoid leachate percolation and will be environmentally sustainable. The three landfills in Okhla, Bhalswa and Ghazipur, stand exhausted and are functioning over their capacity limit. “What we see in Delhi are not landfills but mere dumpsites,” says Atin Biswas, programme director, Centre for Science and Environment. A landfill, he says, is designed in a manner so as to not have an adverse effect on the environment. There are around 3,184 dumpsites in the country as stated by a report on solid waste management by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The maximum number of dumpsites are in Uttar Pradesh, followed by Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. UP boasts of 609 dumpsites, with numbers for Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra pegged at 326 and 237 respectively. Delhi’s three landfills have, over the years, garnered attention of both experts and authorities for environmental concerns. According to observations made by the National Green Tribunal in 2022, fire in Delhi’s Ghazipur landfill resulted in emission of toxic smoke, posing great harm to public health and environment. The tribunal stated, “Such dumpsites in Delhi and other cities are like time bombs as they generate explosive gases like methane.” The potential sources of air pollution at these dumpsites are handling of fresh waste, fire incidents, bad odour, to name a few. Handling flyash Delhi generates around 10,990 tonnes per day (TPD) of solid waste. Out of this, about 5,193 TPD of waste is treated, while 5,533 TPD of waste is landfilled. In response to an online questionnaire, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) stated that the new landfill will be used for disposal of bottom ash or fly ash, residue from waste-to-energy plants. Fly ash falls into the category of inert waste. Inert waste refers to those which do not react with the environment and pollute it. “A waste-to-energy plant uses dry waste for combustion, and thus produces electricity,” says Priti Mahesh, Chief Programme Coordinator, Toxics Link. According to a fact sheet by Toxics Link, the ongoing cost of producing electricity from such plants is twice that of a thermal plant. Delhi has four waste-to-energy plants — in Ghazipur, Narela, Okhla and Tehkhand. “Burning waste in such plants seems to be more about getting waste out of sight,” says Priti. According to her, waste segregation at the primary source is the key to mitigate creation of more dumpsites and landfills.

Democracy and environmental responsibility: Rethinking India’s electoral practices

As India gears up for the forthcoming General Elections scheduled from April 19th to June 1st, the nation finds itself at a critical juncture, not only in terms of its political trajectory but also in confronting the harsh realities of climate change. Against the backdrop of scientific projections indicating a 22% likelihood of 2024 surpassing 2023 as the hottest year on record globally (with a staggering 99% probability of ranking within the top 5), it is important that we confront the environmental footprint generated by electoral activities in our country. Between 2000 and 2019, the economic toll of modern pollution forms—ambient, chemical, and lead pollution—has surged, now estimated to constitute approximately 1% of India’s GDP. Moreover, with over 377 million urban residents living in 7,935 towns and cities, generating 62 million tonnes of municipal solid waste annually, it is alarming that only 43 million tonnes of waste are collected, leaving significant amounts untreated and 31 million tonnes dumped in landfills. The ramifications of such unscientific landfill practices are dire, as they give rise to harmful chemicals seeping into the soil and groundwater, rendering the latter unfit for consumption and contributing to various illnesses. Additionally, waste in landfills emits harmful gases like methane and carbon dioxide, comprising 90–98% of landfill gases, alongside nitrogen, oxygen, ammonia, sulphides, hydrogen, and other gases, worsening air pollution and further fuelling global warming. urthermore, the disposal of land-based waste often culminates in marine pollution, as a considerable portion eventually finds its way into the water bodies. The decomposition process releases poisonous gases such as methane, hydrogen sulphide, and carbon monoxide, which, as evidenced by incidents like the 2016 fires in Mumbai’s landfills, pose significant health and environmental hazards, contributing to air pollution levels and exacerbating respiratory issues among the populace. Therefore, it is crucial to acknowledge that India, as a country, struggles to address diverse aspects of pollution control and waste management. Consequently, alongside numerous other issues, the contamination by the electoral process emerges as an additional obstacle. In essence, as we embark on the democratic exercise of elections, it’s imperative that we also address the pressing environmental impacts caused by the electoral activities. While the zeal of democratic participation often overshadows the environmental consequences, it is essential to recognise the substantial impact of traditional election methods. The excessive use of promotional materials, mainly crafted from non-biodegradable substances like plastic and polythene, presents an environmental challenge. A study conducted by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) in 2019 revealed the alarming statistic that Indian elections generate approximately 6000 metric tonnes of plastic waste solely from campaign materials. This overwhelming volume of waste serves as a stark reminder of the pressing need for the adoption of sustainable waste management practices within our electoral processes. Furthermore, in the 2021 assembly elections, a green protocol handbook released by Suchitwa Mission projected the accumulation of approximately 5,426 tonnes of plastic and disposable waste materials by the end of the electoral period in the states. This estimate highlighted a myriad of sources, including banners, posters, hoardings, political party flags, and disposable items, further emphasising the magnitude of the environmental challenge posed by electoral activities.

In car fuel economy, India might catch up with Europe

New Delhi: In a move designed to contribute to India’s ambitious climate targets and lower carbon emissions, the central government is planning to introduce the next stage of norms for fuel economy or efficiency of automobiles. The third phase of corporate average fuel economy, or CAFE-III norms, is being prepared by the road transport and highways ministry and the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), two people aware of the matter said, adding that the new norms may come into effect from 2027. “Work is underway in terms of specifications and technicalities, and giving the OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) a roadmap in terms of adapting to the updated norms," one of the two people cited above, an official with the ministry of road transport and highways, said on condition of anonymity. “It would take two-three years for the new norms to become applicable." Queries sent to the ministry of road transport and highways and BEE remained unanswered till press time. The current, operational CAFE-II norms came into effect in 2022. These norms are relevant for petrol, diesel, CNG (compressed natural gas), LPG (liquefied petroleum gas), hybrid and electric passenger vehicles. Vehicles covered under these norms include those having up to nine seats including the driver's seat and a gross vehicle weight not exceeding 3,500 kg. Commercial vehicles with gross weight of 12 tonne or more are covered under separate fuel efficiency norms that were finalized in August 2017. Further, for vehicles with weight of 3.5 to 12 tonne, norms are still in the making, according to the BEE website. Under the current CAFE-II norms, the cap on emission by passenger vehicles was pegged at 113 gm CO2 per km. It was brought down from 130 gm CO2 per km under CAFE-I norms, which had come into effect in 2017. The permitted emission levels in Europe are 95 gm CO2 per km, which India will try and match with the CAFE-III norms, and talks are underway with OEMs, said another person aware of the matter. “The current FE (fuel economy) standards are so lenient that these cannot push technological innovations to maximize fuel and carbon savings from ICE vehicles, nor can they require large-scale electrification of car fleet to meet fleet-wide fuel efficiency targets," said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy, Centre For Science and Environment. "We are losing out on the opportunity to leverage these norms to accelerate electrification of car fleet. As noted in Europe, much more stringent fuel economy or carbon dioxide reduction targets have speeded up electrification. India needs to quickly tighten the norms, especially now when our market is shifting steadily towards heavier cars and SUVs, with a fuel economy penalty," Roychowdhury added. CAFE norms also allow manufacturers of passenger cars to earn extra credits, known as super credits, based on specific model performance for fuel efficiency and specific features that would help get better fuel efficiency. “Newer and cleaner technologies help car makers accrue super credits, which help them meet the limits set under CAFE norms for passenger cars," said Sharif Qamar, associate director, transport & urban governance, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). "EVs and hybrids are currently part of the super credit mechanism. The norms also allow super credits for technological features, like tyre pressure indicator, six speed transmission, start stop system, regenerative braking, etc." As per existing regulations, non-compliance with CAFE norms attracts penalties for automakers. The proposed new CAFE-III norms, once implemented, will also be mandatory for all passenger vehicles, and auto companies would need to tweak their vehicle composition to adhere to emission and efficiency parameters. Apart from CAFE norms, there's also the Bharat State Emission Regulations (BSER) regulations, including BS-VI, which aim at lower the emissions of several toxic biproducts including sulphur, nitrogen oxide, among others, while the CAFE norms aim at improving the fuel economy and lowering the emissions of carbon dioxide. According to a report by TERI, the Indian automobile industry had introduced new technologies to reduce fuel consumption for passenger vehicles to achieve CAFE-II targets. For example, in addition to making the powertrain more efficient, manufacturers also introduced technologies like start-stop device, regenerative braking, tyre pressure monitoring system and six-speed transmissions, according to TERI. Further, different manufacturers have embraced different strategies for introducing electric or hybrid vehicles for compliance with these norms. Noting that overall greenhouse gas emissions of the vehicle depend on the way the fuel was produced, the 2022 report of TERI said: “It is important to evaluate the real GHG emissions of various fuel options. Considering India’s specific situation and availability of vast biological resources, there is a need to integrate carbon neutral ethanol and carbon negative (Bio-CNG) biofuels in upcoming CAFE considerations." The proposed CAFE-III norms are in line with India's target to reduce carbon emission by about 45% till 2030 from the 2005 levels.

In car fuel economy, India may catch up with Europe

NEW DELHI: In a move designed to contribute to India's ambitious climate goals and low carbon emissions, the Center plans to introduce the next set of regulations on fuel economy or efficiency of automobiles. The Corporate Average Fuel Economy Phase III, or CAFE-III norms, are being prepared by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), two people familiar with the matter said, adding that new norms are likely. Effective from 2027. „Work is underway on the specifications and technologies and provide a road map to OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) to comply with the updated regulations,” said one of the two, an official from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways quoted above. , on condition of anonymity, said, „It will take two-three years for the new regulations to apply.” Queries sent to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and BEE remained unanswered till press time. The current, operational CAFE-II regulations went into effect in 2022. These norms are relevant for petrol, diesel, CNG (compressed natural gas), LPG (liquefied petroleum gas), hybrid and electric passenger vehicles. Vehicles covered by these regulations have nine seats including the driver's seat and have a gross vehicle weight not exceeding 3,500 kg. Commercial vehicles with GVW of 12 tonnes or more are covered under separate fuel efficiency norms finalized in August 2017. Also, for vehicles weighing 3.5 to 12 tonnes, regulations are still being prepared, according to the BEE website. Under the current CAFE-II norms, passenger vehicle emissions are set at 113 grams of CO2 per km. This has been reduced from 130 gm CO2 per km under the CAFE-I norms that came into effect in 2017. The permissible emission levels in Europe are 95 grams of CO2 per km, which India will try to match with the CAFE-III norms, and talks are underway with OEMs, another person familiar with the matter said. „The current FE (fuel economy) standards are so lenient that they cannot stimulate technological innovation to increase fuel and carbon savings from ICE vehicles, and do not require large-scale electrification of the car fleet to meet fleet-wide fuel efficiency targets,” he said. Anumita Roychowdhury, Executive Director, Research and Advocacy, Center for Science and Environment. „We are missing an opportunity to use these regulations to accelerate the electrification of the car fleet. As noted in Europe, more stringent fuel economy or carbon dioxide reduction targets have accelerated electrification. India needs to tighten regulations quickly, especially now that our market is steadily shifting towards fuel-efficient heavier cars and SUVs.” Raichowdhury added. CAFE regulations allow manufacturers of passenger cars to receive additional credits, called super credits, based on fuel efficiency and specific features that help achieve better fuel efficiency. „New and cleaner technologies are helping carmakers get super credits to meet the limits set under CAFE norms for passenger cars,” said Sharif Qamar, Associate Director of Transport and Urban Management, Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). And hybrids are currently part of the super credit mechanism. Regulations also allow super credits for technical features like tire pressure indicator, six-speed transmission, start-stop system, regenerative braking.” Under existing regulations, non-compliance with CAFE regulations imposes fines on automakers. The proposed new CAFE-III norms, once implemented, will be mandatory for all passenger vehicles and will require vehicle manufacturers to adapt their vehicle systems to adhere to emission and performance parameters.

Gusty winds and showers flush pollutants out, city AQI ‘moderate’ after 11 ‘poor’ days

Gurgaon: Showers and winds gusting up to 20kmph cleared pollutants suspended in the air, improving the city’s 24-hour average AQI from ‘poor’ (266) on Saturday to ‘moderate’ (150) on Sunday. The air quality index (AQI) was in the poor zone for 11 straight days before Sunday. The city last recorded ‘moderate’ AQI on April 2, when it was 156, data by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed. According to the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB), wind speed between 18kmph and 20kmph coupled with a bout of rainfall allowed pollutants to disperse, improving AQI. On Sunday, the air quality monitoring station in Teri Gram logged average AQI at 188 (moderate) and the one at Vikas Sadan, 106, also moderate. Data was not available for Sector 51 and Gwalpahari stations. Experts said air quality is likely to remain ‘moderate’ till April 17 due to gusty winds. “The predominant surface wind is likely to be blowing from east and southeast directions in Delhi with wind speed 12-25 kmph,” the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR) said. “For the next few days, air quality will stay in the lower end of ‘poor’ or ‘moderate’. Thereafter, pollution could start increasing as minimum temperature increases and wind speed changes. This will make dispersion of pollutants slow,” said Shubhansh Tiwari, a research associate at Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). The most prominent pollutants in Gurgaon, according to CPCB data on Sunday, were carbon monoxide (CO) and particulate matter (PM10). These pollutants majorly arise from road dust, construction dust, wheat stubble burning in the summer, industrial emissions, vehicular emissions and open waste burning. We also published the following articles recently UTs grass solution for rising air pollutionChandigarh implements a Green Action Plan to tackle air pollution by expanding grass cover near roads with heavy traffic volume. The initiative aims to reduce particulate matter and improve overall air quality in the city.109208572 ADB forecasts moderate growth for cash-strapped Sri LankaSri Lanka's economy is forecasted to grow by 1.9% in 2024 and 2.5% in 2025, supported by reforms, positive sentiment, debt restructuring, improving inflation rates, and growth in service output and industrial projects.109246090 How to tackle dust pollution & manage waste? Panel to come up with roadmapGurgaon forms a committee to handle waste, pollution, and greenbelt maintenance. The committee will collaborate with various agencies and residents to ensure systemic changes and accountability for better city management.

Decoding the judgment on Jim Corbett

In its ruling in March, the Supreme Court brought to light the unholy nexus of politicians, forest officials, and local contractors responsible for the felling of 6,000 trees in the Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand. This state of affairs underlines one fact clearly: despite conservation goals receiving priority through policies and laws including the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, Project Tiger, and the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, the state’s main interest remains increasing revenue. The illegal destruction of trees in Jim Corbett can be seen in contravention of the Supreme Court judgment in Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra vs. State of Uttar Pradesh, which said that “economic growth cannot be achieved at the cost of environmental destruction and people’s right to healthy environment.” The judgment National and State forest authorities have leaned on ecotourism to simultaneously attain conservation goals, enhance revenue, and improve the livelihoods of local people. In its recent judgment, instead of treating eco-tourism as a panacea for conservation and revenue generation, the Supreme Court said that the approach must be of eco-centrism and not anthropocentrism. The court directed the banning of tiger safaris in core areas and the constitution of a committee to explore the feasibility of permitting tiger safaris in peripheral areas in not just Jim Corbett, but across India. It also disagreed with the 2019 guidelines of the National Tiger Conservation Authority permitting a tiger safari on the lines of a zoo in a national park. The court stressed that tigers should be sourced from the same landscape as where the safari is being conducted and not outside the tiger reserve. According to British environmentalist Norman Myers, the precautionary principle is becoming an established principle for policymakers tackling environmental problems. The principle says “where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used as a reason for postponing cost-effective measures to prevent such environmental degradation.” On banning safaris in core areas, the Court invoked this principle to ensure that there is least damage to the environment. Myers had said, “In salient respects, the principle applies to biodiversity more than any other environmental problem. This is because the mass extinction gathering force will, if it proceeds unchecked, not only eliminate half or more species but will leave the biosphere impoverished for at least 5 million years.” The International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species monitors 1,212 animal species in India. In 2021, it found that 12% of them are endangered. According to a report of the Centre for Science and Environment in 2021, India has lost 90% of the area under its four biodiversity hotspots. The precautionary principle therefore applies not only in the case of tigers, but also other species, especially endangered ones. What the court missed However, the Court’s decision to assess the damage done to the green cover of Jim Corbett so as to identify the cost of restoration and recover the same from the errant individuals and officers appears to be a mirage in the absence of a well-defined methodology. Recovering the cost of restoration does not amount to necessarily recovering the loss of the ability of the environment to provide goods and services. As per the European Liability Directive 2004, conservation status of natural habitat means the “sum of influences acting on a natural habitat and its typical species that may affect its long-term natural distribution, structure, and functions as well as the long-term survival of its typical species.” In India, the framework of valuation which predated the T.N. Godavarman case (1996) was aimed at replacing lost natural forest with compensatory plantations. The two choices which are supported legally and institutionally and serve as the background for the valuation of forest land in India are now compensatory afforestation levy and net present value (NPV). The levy is essentially a form of replacement cost, designed to replace the forest land which was lost as a result of diversion of forest towards non-forestry use. Since the levy is found to be insufficient in terms of making good the loss, the Court introduced the NPV in 2002 as an additional payment obligation. But both these methodologies do not rightly account for the correlation between the removal of trees and the harm caused to other environmental goods and services. In the context of the growing degradation of biodiversity hotspots and the support to revenue-generating eco-tourism, a valuation method which is based on ecosystem services (food, water, and services regulating the climate and floods, etc.) is a must. The system refers to the benefits people obtain from natural ecosystems in contrast with man-made structures. The Court could have set a precedent by saying that ecosystem services are more important and generate more revenue than eco-tourism or raised the need of putting in place a precise law and policy relating to ecosystem services. The reasoning provided by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in Costa Rica v. Nicaragua (2018) could have been used to understand the methodologies in evaluating damage to the environment. The ICJ asserted that damage to the environment, and the consequent loss of the ability of the environment to provide goods and services, is compensable.