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स्वामीनाथन ने नवाचार, समर्पण से लेकर टिकाऊ कृषि तक की विरासत छोड़ी है : वैज्ञानिकों ने कहा

प्रख्यात कृषि वैज्ञानिक एम.एस. स्वामीनाथन का निधन वैज्ञानिक समुदाय के लिए एक बहुत बड़ा नुकसान है, लेकिन उनकी विरासत बनी रहेगी और सतत खाद्य सुरक्षा एवं कृषि नवाचार की ओर विश्व को ले जाना जारी रखेगी। वैज्ञानिकों ने यह बात कही। देश की ‘हरित क्रांति’ में अहम योगदान देने वाले स्वामीनाथन का बृहस्पतिवार को चेन्नई में निधन हो गया। वह 98 वर्ष के थे। मनीला मुख्यालय से संचालित इंटरनेशनल राइस रिसर्च इंस्टीट्यूट (आईआरआरआई) से संबद्ध कृषि वैज्ञानिक रंजीता पुष्कर ने कहा, ‘‘कई वर्षों के उनके अपार योगदान से हम सभी प्रत्यक्ष या परोक्ष रूप से काफी लाभान्वित हुए हैं। भारत में हरित क्रांति के बगैर, जिसका उन्होंने नेतृत्व किया, हम खाद्य सुरक्षा हासिल नहीं कर पाते।’’ पुष्कर ने कहा कि उनका (स्वामीनाथन का) निधन वैज्ञानिक समुदाय, और विशेष रूप से कृषि समुदाय के लिए एक बड़ा नुकसान है। पुष्कर ने कहा, ‘‘वह आईआरआरआई के महानिदेशक थे और उनकी विरासत ने संगठन और इसके शोधार्थियों का आज तक मार्गदर्शन किया है…उनकी मानसिक स्फूर्ति और बौद्धिक जिज्ञासा पिछले कुछ वर्षों में भी पहले जैसी ही उच्च थी और शारीरिक रूप से कमजोर होने के बावजूद भी उन्होंने अब तक मार्गदर्शन किया। इस क्षति पर दुनिया भर के कृषि क्षेत्र के प्रति हमारी गहरी संवेदनाएं हैं!’ विशेषज्ञों ने कहा कि कृषि के क्षेत्र में क्रांति लाने और सभी के लिए खाद्य सुरक्षा सुनिश्चित करने करने वाले स्वामीनाथन ने नवाचार एवं टिकाऊ कृषि के प्रति समर्पण की एक विरासत छोड़ी है। इन लोगों का एक स्वर में यह मानना है कि कृषि क्षेत्र में उनका योगदान एक प्रकाश स्तंभ के रूप में काम करेगा, सतत खाद्य सुरक्षा और कृषि नवाचार की ओर विश्व को ले जाएगा। इंटरनेशनल फूड पॉलिसी रिसर्च इंस्टीट्यूट (आईएफपीआरआई) के दक्षिण एशिया क्षेत्र की समन्वयक ममता प्रधान ने कहा कि स्वामीनाथन एक दूरदृष्टा थे, एक प्रेरक थे। उन्होंने कहा, ‘‘मुझे उनके साथ 2007 से 2014 तक काम करने का सौभाग्य प्राप्त हुआ था, जब हमने भोजन और पोषण सुरक्षा के लिए एक गठबंधन बनाया था।’’ प्रधान ने कहा, ‘‘उन्होंने वास्तव में भारतीय कृषि में क्रांति ला दी। भारत जब खाद्य असुरक्षा के खतरे से जूझ रहा था, तब उन्होंने खाद्य उत्पादन में आत्मनिर्भरता की दिशा में काम किया और देश को खाद्यान्न आयातक से प्रमुख निर्यातक में तब्दील कर दिया। वह हमेशा टिकाऊ कृषि और किसानों के जीवन में सुधार के लिए समाधान तलाशते रहते थे।’’ स्वामीनाथन का जन्म तमिलनाडु के कुंभकोणम में सात अगस्त 1925 को हुआ था। स्वतंत्रता आंदोलन में उनके पिता की भागीदारी और महात्मा गांधी के प्रभाव ने कृषि विज्ञान के क्षेत्र में काम करने का उनके अंदर जुनून पैदा किया। उन्होंने देश के पूर्व प्रधानमंत्रियों के साथ करीबी रूप से काम किया और हरित क्रांति की सफलता में एक अहम भूमिका निभाई। राष्ट्रीय जैव विविधता प्राधिकरण के पूर्व सचिव जे जस्टिन मोहन ने कहा कि कृषि नीतियों और योजनाओं को तैयार करने में स्वामीनाथन के योगदान ने न केवल भारत, बल्कि विश्व के अन्य देशों की भी मदद की। केरल के मुख्य वन संरक्षक मोहन ने ‘पीटीआई-भाषा’ से कहा, ‘‘श्रीलंका में सशस्त्र संघर्ष की समाप्ति के बाद वहां के किसानों की सहायता के लिए और केरल में एक आर्द्रभूमि विकास परियोजना, कुट्टनाड पैकेज को लागू करने के दौरान उनके साथ काम करने का मुझे अवसर मिला, जिसकी परिकल्पना उन्होंने ही की थी।’’ मोहन ने कहा, ‘‘समय से आगे के और परिणाम देने के प्रति लक्षित उनके विचार बहुत व्यावहारिक थे, जिसने अनाज, दालों, मोटा अनाज, फल और सब्जियों के उत्पादन बढ़ाने में मदद की। उदाहरण के तौर पर, किसानों के लिए मृदा स्वास्थ्य कार्ड का सुझाव कुट्टनाथ परियोजना के तहत उन्होंने ही 2008 में पहली बार दिया था। इसे बाद में पूरे देश में केंद्रीय मृदा स्वास्थ्य कार्ड योजना के रूप में 2014-15 के दौरान लागू किया गया।’’ पर्यावरणविद सुनीता नारायण ने ‘एक्स’ पर एक पोस्ट में, विश्व को स्वामीनाथन के अपार योगदान को लेकर उनका आभार जताया। सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवॉयरमेंट (सीएसई) नई दिल्ली की निदेशक ने पोस्ट में कहा, ‘‘ईश्वर उनकी आत्मा को शांति दे। हम आपके नेतृत्व, आपकी अंतर्दृष्टि और आपके समर्थन को बहुत याद करेंगे। सीएसई के अध्यक्ष के रूप में आपने हमें ताकत दी और आपने हमें विनम्रता एवं मानवतावाद का महत्व बताया। हमारे और दुनिया के लिए आपने जो कुछ भी किया, उसके लिए धन्यवाद।’’ एमएस स्वामीनाथन रिसर्च फाउंडेशन के एक बयान के अनुसार, इसकी स्थापना करने वाले स्वामीनाथन ने सतत कृषि की पैरोकारी की तथा हरित से ‘सदा हरित’ क्रांति की ओर बढ़ने का समर्थन किया। फाउंडेशन में जलवायु परिवर्तन विषयों के सीनियर फेलो टी जयरमण ने बृहस्पतिवार को ‘एक्स’ पर एक पोस्ट में कहा, ‘‘प्रोफेसर स्वामीनाथन को मिले कई पुरस्कारों में सबसे बेशकीमती पुरस्कार उनके जीवनकाल में उन्हें लाखों भारतीय किसानों का मिला सम्मान और स्नेह है।’’

Bhopal Gas Disaster: A Case Study in the Failure of Environmental Regulation

Bhopal, Jabalpur, New Delhi: The morning on a day in the year 1974 dawned clear and sunny as the cattle belonging to residents of Chola area strayed into the area of a pool fed by a rubber pipe issuing from the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL, Bhopal was then under the control of Union Carbide Corporation (UCC) – a US multinational company, which currently is owned the Dow Chemical Company (Dow), a subsidiary of Dow Inc), Bhopal. “They drank the water and died soon after. Analysis of the soil showed contamination with heavy metals. In water from wells outside the plant area, toxic chemical substances were found. UCIL did not divulge these findings”, wrote Ingrid Eckerman, MD, in her book titled “The Bhopal Saga- Causes and consequences of the world’s largest industrial disaster”, published by Universities Press, Hyderabad, India. It was normal. However, the incident turned out to be dangerous on multiple counts. In the history of Bhopal, this was the first incident when living creatures died due to poisoned water. Fatefully, because of the UCIL pesticide plant. And the worse that the incident was largely ignored. Precisely, a decade later, on the intervening night December 2-3, 1984 when poisonous gases from the UCIL plant which were heavier than air, spread across 40 sq kms of area, the City became a bearing witness to the moment when our beliefs about industrialisation and development changed. The escaping of toxic gases covered about 36 of the 56 municipal wards, leaving in its wake more than 20,000 dead (over several years) and inflicting injuries in varying degrees on over 550,000 others. The gas disaster brought the operations of UCIL, Bhopal to a sudden halt. This was again dangerous on multiple counts. To begin with, the waste that was generated during UCIL’s operation from 1969 to 1984 dumped in and around the plant leading to severe soil and water pollution were left behind. Not only this, nearly 345 tonnes of toxic waste stored at the plant site was left with the city’s then population of around 900,000 people of Bhopal to live with the consequences of Bhopal disaster. On the basis testimonies of ex-UCIL workers and CSIR and IICT findings submitted in the USA and in the Supreme Court of India, Ingrid Eckerman in her book “The Bhopal Saga (2004)” presented a descriptive picture of chemical waste dumped by UCIL in and around the factory. She mentioned 22 different types of chemical, amount used in the factory and about the nature of chemical pollution caused by them to air, water and soil. In a preliminary study titled “Assessment and Remediation of Hazardous Waste Contaminated Areas in and around M/s Union Carbide India Ltd., Bhopal” that was jointly carried out by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur, and the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI), Hyderabad, during 2009- 2010, it was estimated that “the total quantum of contaminated soil requiring remediation amounts to 11,00,000 MT [metric tons]”. Another 345 tons of toxic waste is stored in a shed within the plant. The state (Madhya Pradesh) government and the Bhopal Municipal Corporation never took any scientific study to monitor the situation. Nothing initiated to safely dispose of the toxic waste with the latest available remediation technology. However, no study to estimate the extent and gravity of the damage has been carried out by the centre or the state government to date. The groundwater in the areas that were completely devastated during the gas leak and reported maximum number of deaths is polluted. Activists working among the gas victims feel that UCC played rough with the local environment and treated them in a very careless manner. The utter callousness with which UCC treated the environment is also alarming, says a paper titled “The path to sustainable development: Lessons from the Bhopal disaster”, presented at the Right to Development Anniversary Event organised by the office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations Organisations, Geneva. Quoting article 4.2 of the UN Declaration on the Right to Development ND Jayaprakash, joint secretary, Delhi Science Forum and co-convenor, Bhopal Gas Peedith Sangharsh Sahayog Samiti (Coalition for supporting the cause of gas victims) laid emphasis on the need for “effective international cooperation” for “promoting rapid development of developing countries”. “Unfortunately, the requisite sustained action for promoting “international cooperation” is still missing. Instead, it is largely the colonial/imperialist mindset and exploitative attitude, which continue to dominate the North-South relationship”, says the paper presented by Jayaprakash in Geneva on December 2, 2014, the eve of the 30th anniversary of the Bhopal disaster. “Much after the disaster, it became known that pre-disaster dumping of toxic waste in and around the Bhopal plant had resulted in contamination of soil and ground water over a large area”, he said. Intake of contaminated groundwater has created new victims. According to a preliminary study in 2010, over 1,100,000 metric tonnes of contaminated soil alone require remediation, he added. An action plan developed by stakeholders to decontaminate UCIL’s plant site is ready. It just needs to be implemented, says A Down to Earth report titled Action Plan on Environmental Remediation in and around UCIL, Bhopal published on AUGUST 29, 2013. At the initiative of the Centre for Science & Environment, a voluntary scientific organization, a roundtable meeting was held in Delhi on 25-26 April 2013 in which organizations representing the gas victims along with representatives from the Central Pollution Control Board, CSIR institutions, IITs, and representatives from the chemical industry chalked out a tentative Action Plan to remediate the contaminated site at Bhopal. Initial attempts to discuss the said Action Plan with the union and the state government did not bear fruit. Eleven years ago, on August 9, 2012, the Honourable Supreme Court in para 35 (12) of the order dated 9 August, 2012 W.P. (C) no. 50 of 1998 directed as follows: “… we direct the Union of India and the State of Madhya Pradesh to take immediate steps for disposal of this toxic waste lying in and around the Union Carbide factory, Bhopal, on the recommendations of the Empowered Monitoring Committee, Advisory Committee and the NIREH within six months from today…. We direct a collective meeting of these organizations to be held along with the Secretary to the Government of India and the Chief Secretary of the State of Madhya Pradesh within one month from today to finalize the entire scheme of disposal of the toxic wastes.” The response from the governments (state and the centre) was tepid. The truth is that eleven years have passed and the one-month time given by the Supreme Court till this date has not arrived. There is nothing on record to show that the state government had actually ever pursued the matter with CPCB or with the concerned ministries at any time during the last ten years. The contamination of soil and groundwater are indiscriminate and do not distinguish between a survivor/victim of Bhopal Disaster or a normal Bhopal resident; they (contamination of soil and groundwater) contaminate the environment for decades; and the effects are felt for generations. Does it not sound weakening of the rule of law when there has been no resolution even knowing the fact that our country had passed new laws such as the Environment Protection Act (EPA), 1986 and the Public Liability Insurance Act (PLIA), 1991 and amended existing ones, such as the Factories Act, 1948, to rein in the public costs of industries working with hazardous technologies and chemicals after the Bhopal Disaster that killed over 15,000 people and affecting over 600,000 after methyl isocyanate escaped from the now defunct Union Carbide Plant on the intervening night of 2-3 December 1984.

Opinion: Women’s quota Bill undermines merit

I believe in Chanakya Neeti and Chanakya said, “A woman should never be left dependent on another person. Doing so may result in a flaw in his character. Therefore, a woman should be protected in the same way as you protect the safe of your house. Never trust anyone in the matter of a woman.” Reservation Bill, to me, is nothing but a dependency model which corrupts the system. Is it Beneficial? While the intention behind the Women’s Reservation Bill may be noble, it is essential to critically examine whether such quotas are genuinely beneficial for women’s progress. As a woman, I feel offended that after 75 years of independence, we are looking for reservation when women are already contributing strongly to every sector, right from technology to the gig economy. What made the government sit up now and bring in a Bill to create a stir in society? We had Indira Gandhi, the first and, so far, the only female Prime Minister of India. She served in this role for multiple terms and played a crucial role in shaping Indian politics. Pratibha Patil who was India’s first woman President in 2007, broke gender barriers in the highest office in the country. Mamata Banerjee as the Chief Minister of West Bengal and a prominent political figure has had a significant impact on the State’s politics and India’s national politics. But we don’t want to talk about them in the current political scenario. Their contributions will all be questioned but their contribution to the nation cannot be ignored. Let’s see more. Savitribai Phule, a pioneer in women’s education in India, along with her husband Jyotirao Phule, founded the first girls’ school in Pune and worked relentlessly for women’s education. Dr Kamala Sohonie was the first Indian woman to have a doctorate in science and was instrumental in shaping science education for women in India. Her acceptance into and work at the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, paved the way for women to be accepted into the institution for the first time in its history. In technology and space, we had Kalpana Chawla who became the first woman of Indian descent in space. Her contributions to aerospace engineering and space exploration are celebrated worldwide. Tessy Thomas, known as the ‘Missile Woman of India’, played a pivotal role in the development of ballistic missile technology. In the corporate world, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw founded Biocon, one of India’s largest biotechnology companies, that made significant contributions to the biotech and pharmaceutical sectors. Indra Nooyi worked her way up to be the CEO of PepsiCo, one of the world’s largest food and beverage companies. In sports PV Sindhu became the first Indian woman to win a silver medal in badminton at the Olympics (2016) and has consistently performed at a high level in international competitions. Mary Kom is a six-time world champion and an Olympic bronze medallist. In wrestling Geeta Phogat, Babita Phogat, Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat, Navjot Kaur, Pooja Dhanda, Divya Kakran. Oh, sorry, can’t talk about them. They were recently fighting for justice for women. Arundhati Roy, a prominent Indian author, public intellectual and activist, has earned international recognition and critical acclaim. Sunita Narain, director general of the Centre for Science and Environment, is one of India’s most prominent environmentalists and has made significant contributions to the country’s environmental policy and conservation efforts. Anandamayi Ma was a prominent spiritual teacher and philanthropist known for her teachings on love, compassion and selflessness. She has inspired millions of people not only in India but across the world. In Higher Education Women’s enrolment in higher education has increased nearly twice as fast as male enrolment over the last four decades. As per the All-India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2019-20, the gross enrolment ratio of female students stands at 27.3%, more than that of male students, which is 26.9%. The percentage of female enrolment to total enrolment has increased from 45% in 2014-15 to around 49% in 2020-21. The survey findings also reveal a sharp rise in female student enrolment at MA, MCom and MSc levels in the last five years. Women have been breaking barriers, challenging traditional gender roles and proving their worth in a male-dominated society. They are now leaders, entrepreneurs, and role models for others. Thus, with women being on an upward trajectory in all fields, it is a regressive move to introduce reservations for them, which basically signals to them and others that without such support they cannot make it on their own. One of the fundamental principles of a fair and just society is meritocracy, where individuals are rewarded based on their abilities and qualifications rather than their gender, caste, or any other characteristic. The Women Reservation Bill, by design, reserves a certain percentage of seats for women, regardless of their qualifications or experience. While it aims to increase women’s representation in politics, it may inadvertently undermine the concept of meritocracy. Reserving seats for women can lead to tokenism, where women are selected merely to fulfil the quota requirement rather than for their competence. This not only does a disservice to women but also weakens the quality of representation in legislative bodies. True empowerment should focus on ensuring that women who enter politics do so based on their skills and commitment to public service. For Publicity? Is it just another Bill to gain publicity? Quotas are meant to create a division in society. Women’s Reservation Bill only makes it more challenging to achieve the broader goals of empowerment and equality. Rather than relying solely on quotas, efforts should be directed toward improving women’s access to education and economic opportunities. When women have the knowledge, skills and financial independence, they are better equipped to compete on an equal footing in any field, including politics. Instead of relying on legislative quotas, society should actively promote women’s participation in politics through awareness campaigns, mentorship programmes and support networks. Encouraging women to enter politics voluntarily, based on their interests and capabilities, will lead to a more genuine and lasting impact. True equality should be achieved by breaking down barriers and ensuring that women have the skills and opportunities to succeed in any field, rather than relying on quotas that may inadvertently undermine their progress. As Gloria Steinem once famously said, “Women are always saying, ‘We can do anything that men can do.’ But men should be saying, ‘We can do anything that women can do’.” It’s time India took note of its women and what they can do for the country.

Estimating emissions accurately essential for effective mitigation and management strategies

Methane emissions contribute to climate change and air pollution and are thus a major environmental concern. This was revealed by programme manager of solid waste management and circular economy at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) in India, Richa Singh during a live discussion on CSE’s new report named ‘Methane Emissions from Dumpsites in India.’ She highlighted that therefore estimating these emissions accurately is essential for effective mitigation and management strategies. She mentioned that Methane estimation models play a crucial role in assessing the environmental impact of landfills and devising effective mitigation strategies, adding that when it comes to Indian landfills, these models often produce variable results, posing challenges for policymakers and environmentalists. Singh says there are two ways of estimating methane emissions from landfills or dumpsites theoretically and experimentally. According to her various theoretical models such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change models, the Landfill Gas Emissions Model, and the Modified Triangular Method are commonly used to predict annual methane emissions, despite their continued reception of criticism due to their poor accuracy and insufficient validation. Richa says there is a huge disparity in methane emission estimates from Indian landfills/dumpsites, mainly attributed to factors such as inconsistent data collection, variable landfill practices, informal waste disposal, methodological differences, changes over time, and regulatory variations. She mentioned that landfills are the largest third emitter of methane after oil and gas as well as agriculture sectors respectively. Based on the volume of waste generated, its composition, and how it is managed, it is estimated that 1.6 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent greenhouse gas emissions were generated from solid waste treatment and disposal in 2016, or 5 percent of global emissions and a further 2.6 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent is expected in 2050 should there be no behavioural change. Regarding this, Dr Singh called for the scientific construction of landfills, with the necessary tools to harvest methane and avoid it roaming in the atmosphere. She noted that as one of the greenhouse gases, methane is 28 times more likely to trap heat than carbon dioxide, hence CSE calls for concerted efforts to standardise data collection, invest in modern waste management infrastructure as well as develop region-specific models. Dr Singh noted that methane acts as ground-level ozone, which is a hazardous air pollutant responsible for millions of premature deaths. Citing CSE’s new report, Methane Emissions from Dumpsites in India, Dr. Sigh highlighted major recommendations being; phasing out the disposal of biodegradable organics in the landfills and instead decompose them in a way that it can be harvested and used as fuel instead. She also recommended the scientific treatment of biodegradable waste, using biotechnology methods to treat biodegradable waste to produce a nutrient-rich solid material and biogas containing carbon dioxide and methane. This can include further processing for the biogas to burn to produce electricity that can be used to power the plant. The third major recommendation is to remediate the legacy-based dumpsites. Still, during the discussion of the report, Dr Singh pointed out that the variability in methane estimation models for Indian landfills arises from a combination of factors, including waste composition, data availability, climate variability, waste management practices, population density, and regulatory frameworks, adding that to improve the accuracy of these models, increased collaboration between researchers, policymakers and waste management authorities can help address these challenges and pave the way for more effective methane mitigation strategies in Indian landfills. She pointed out that to reconcile differing results, it is crucial to critically assess the methodologies, data sources, and assumptions used in different studies. Combining multiple approaches and conducting ongoing monitoring can provide a more accurate picture of methane emissions from dumpsites in Delhi or any other area. This discussion comes 63 days prior to COP 28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where global leaders with lock heads and discuss how to triple renewable energy output to 11,000 gigawatts by 2030, more than double low carbon hydrogen production to 180 million tons per year by 2030 as well as transform food and agriculture systems through greater investment in agri-tech, smarter water use and food production in an accelerated time frame.

Methane Emissions from Landfills Pose Major Environmental Concern, Says CSE Report

New Delhi, India — Methane emissions from dumpsites in India are a significant contributor to climate change and air pollution, according to a live discussion led by Richa Singh, the program manager for solid waste management and circular economy at the Center for Science and Environment (CSE) in India, writes Baboloki Semele. Singh emphasized the importance of accurate methane emission estimates for effective mitigation and management strategies. Estimating methane emissions from landfills or dumpsites can be done theoretically or experimentally, Singh explained. Theoretical models, including those from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the Landfill Gas Emissions Model, and the Modified Triangular Method, are commonly used to predict annual methane emissions but often receive criticism for their poor accuracy and insufficient validation. Singh noted that the estimates of methane emissions from Indian landfills and dumpsites vary widely due to factors such as inconsistent data collection, variable landfill practices, informal waste disposal, methodological differences, changes over time, and regulatory variations. Landfills are the third-largest emitter of methane globally, following the oil and gas and agriculture sectors. According to a 2016 World Bank report, based on the volume of waste generated, its composition, and how it is managed, it is estimated that 1.6 billion metric tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent greenhouse gas emissions were generated from solid waste treatment and disposal in 2016, or 5 percent of global emissions, and a further 2.6 billion metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent is expected in 2050 should there be no behavioural change. Dr. Singh called for the scientific construction of landfills equipped with tools to capture methane, preventing it from entering the atmosphere. Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is 28 times more effective at trapping heat than carbon dioxide. CSE advocates for standardized data collection, investment in modern waste management infrastructure, and the development of region-specific models to combat methane emissions. Additionally, Dr. Singh highlighted key recommendations from CSE's new report, "Methane Emissions from Dumpsites in India." These include phasing out the disposal of biodegradable organics in landfills and promoting their decomposition for use as fuel. The report also suggests the scientific treatment of biodegradable waste using biotechnology methods to produce digestate, a nutrient-rich solid material, and biogas. The biogas can be further processed to generate electricity. Another major recommendation is the remediation of legacy-based dumpsites. Singh stressed that variability in methane estimation models for Indian landfills results from various factors, including waste composition, data availability, climate variability, waste management practices, population density, and regulatory frameworks. She emphasized that collaboration among researchers, policymakers, and waste management authorities is crucial to improving model accuracy and developing effective methane mitigation strategies. This discussion occurred 63 days ahead of COP 28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where global leaders will convene to discuss plans to triple renewable energy output, double low-carbon hydrogen production, and transform food and agriculture systems through increased investment in agri-tech, smarter water usage, and food production.

India Should Phase Out Biodegradable Waste Disposal In Landfills To Check Methane Emissions: CSE Report

In its latest report, the Centre for Science and Environment has advocated for robust policies to incentivise waste diversion through source separation and the development of critical infrastructure for biodegradable waste treatment India should conduct a nationwide study to accurately estimate methane emissions from legacy waste dumpsites and organic waste processing facilities, and urgently phase out biodegradable waste disposal in landfills, a new report by the Centre for Science and Environment has recommended. The independent think tank’s report, titled “Methane Emissions from Open Dumpsites in India: Estimation and Mitigation Strategies”, also stresses the importance of creating robust markets for reduced-emission products generated from organic waste processing and promoting carbon credits for biomining projects. A key concern raised in the report is the unreliability and inconsistency of data related to municipal solid waste and methane emissions. To address this issue, the report suggests using the first-order decay (FOD) method, which relies on field data and primary research to more precisely estimate methane emissions from landfill sites. The CSE said, A pan-India study needs to be conducted on estimation of methane and other GHGs (greenhouse gases) from each of the legacy waste dumpsites and organic waste processing facilities. There is a lack of data on the quantity of methane originating from the dumpsites and other waste management-related activities. Creating a system of comprehensive methane measurement and monitoring strategies will enable policymakers and regulators to develop data-driven, science-based targets to reduce methane emissions from the waste sector, especially from dumpsites. In its report, the environmental think tank has emphasised the need to phase out the disposal of biodegradable waste in landfills and advocated for robust policies to incentivise waste diversion through source separation and the development of critical infrastructure for biodegradable waste treatment. Large-scale anaerobic digestion facilities are highlighted as a necessity to keep biodegradable waste out of landfills, reducing the burden on downstream mitigation technologies. The report also highlights the need to promote carbon credits for biomining projects and mandates estimating methane potential from capped landfills and dumpsites. Currently, there is a lack of monitoring of methane flux from existing landfill facilities and fugitive gas emissions from bio-digesters and biogas storage balloons in biomethanation plants. The CSE has also advocated for afforestation on reclaimed bioremediated land, emphasising its role as a carbon sequester to mitigate emissions. It said, Afforestation should be promoted in the reclaimed bioremediated land — recovered after biomining of legacy waste dumpsites. The green cover developed on the reclaimed land will act as a carbon sequester. According to BUR-3 (third biennial update report) submitted by the Government of India, forest and tree cover sequestered 331 million tonnes of CO2 in 2016, which is around 15 per cent of the total CO2 emissions in the country. Methane is a potent GHG with a much higher global warming potential than carbon dioxide (CO2). Its atmospheric concentration has more than doubled over the last two centuries primarily due to anthropogenic activities. Methane has a relatively short lifespan — of approximately 12 years — in the atmosphere. However, its global warming potential (GWP) — the ability of the gas to trap heat in the atmosphere — is 25 times more than CO2 and it has been second only to CO2 in causing climate change during the industrial era. Landfills are the third-largest source of methane emissions globally, after oil and gas systems and agriculture. Landfill waste management worldwide accounted for an estimated 1.6 billion tonnes of CO2e (CO2 equivalent) in 2016. According to a report by the World Bank, this number is expected to reach 2.6 billion tonnes of CO2e by 2050. CO2e means the number of metric tons of CO2 emissions with the same global warming potential as one metric ton of another greenhouse gas, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency. As per India’s third biennial update report (BUR), the country’s methane emissions in 2016 (excluding land use and land-use change and forestry) stood at 409 million tonnes CO2e. Of this, 73.96 per cent came from the agriculture sector, 14.46 per cent from the waste sector, 10.62 per cent from the energy sector and 0.96 per cent from the industrial processes and product use sector.

India should phase out biodegradable waste disposal in landfills to check methane emissions: CSE report

India should conduct a nationwide study to accurately estimate methane emissions from legacy waste dumpsites and organic waste processing facilities, and urgently phase out biodegradable waste disposal in landfills, a new report by the Centre for Science and Environment has recommended. The independent think tank's report, titled "Methane Emissions from Open Dumpsites in India: Estimation and Mitigation Strategies", also stresses the importance of creating robust markets for reduced-emission products generated from organic waste processing and promoting carbon credits for biomining projects. A key concern raised in the report is the unreliability and inconsistency of data related to municipal solid waste and methane emissions. To address this issue, the report suggests using the first-order decay (FOD) method, which relies on field data and primary research to more precisely estimate methane emissions from landfill sites. "A pan-India study needs to be conducted on estimation of methane and other GHGs (greenhouse gases) from each of the legacy waste dumpsites and organic waste processing facilities. There is a lack of data on the quantity of methane originating from the dumpsites and other waste managementrelated activities. "Creating a system of comprehensive methane measurement and monitoring strategies will enable policymakers and regulators to develop data-driven, science-based targets to reduce methane emissions from the waste sector, especially from dumpsites," the CSE said. In its report, the environmental think tank has emphasised the need to phase out the disposal of biodegradable waste in landfills and advocated for robust policies to incentivise waste diversion through source separation and the development of critical infrastructure for biodegradable waste treatment. Large-scale anaerobic digestion facilities are highlighted as a necessity to keep biodegradable waste out of landfills, reducing the burden on downstream mitigation technologies. The report also highlights the need to promote carbon credits for biomining projects and mandates estimating methane potential from capped landfills and dumpsites. Currently, there is a lack of monitoring of methane flux from existing landfill facilities and fugitive gas emissions from bio-digesters and biogas storage balloons in biomethanation plants. The CSE has also advocated for afforestation on reclaimed bioremediated land, emphasising its role as a carbon sequester to mitigate emissions. "Afforestation should be promoted in the reclaimed bioremediated land - recovered after biomining of legacy waste dumpsites. The green cover developed on the reclaimed land will act as a carbon sequester. "According to BUR-3 (third biennial update report) submitted by the Government of India, forest and tree cover sequestered 331 million tonnes of CO2 in 2016, which is around 15 per cent of the total CO2 emissions in the country," it said. Methane is a potent GHG with a much higher global warming potential than carbon dioxide (CO2). Its atmospheric concentration has more than doubled over the last two centuries primarily due to anthropogenic activities. Methane has a relatively short lifespan - of approximately 12 years - in the atmosphere. However, its global warming potential (GWP) - the ability of the gas to trap heat in the atmosphere - is 25 times more than CO2 and it has been second only to CO2 in causing climate change during the industrial era. Landfills are the third-largest source of methane emissions globally, after oil and gas systems and agriculture. Landfill waste management worldwide accounted for an estimated 1.6 billion tonnes of CO2e (CO2 equivalent) in 2016. According to a report by the World Bank, this number is expected to reach 2.6 billion tonnes of CO2e by 2050. CO2e means the number of metric tons of CO2 emissions with the same global warming potential as one metric ton of another greenhouse gas, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency. As per India's third biennial update report (BUR), the country's methane emissions in 2016 (excluding land use and land-use change and forestry) stood at 409 million tonnes CO2e. Of this, 73.96 per cent came from the agriculture sector, 14.46 per cent from the waste sector, 10.62 per cent from the energy sector and 0.96 per cent from the industrial processes and product use sector.

India should phase out biodegradable waste disposal in landfills to check methane emissions: CSE report

India should conduct a nationwide study to accurately estimate methane emissions from legacy waste dumpsites and organic waste processing facilities, and urgently phase out biodegradable waste disposal in landfills, a new report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has recommended. The independent think tank’s report, titled ‘Methane Emissions from Open Dumpsites in India: Estimation and Mitigation Strategies’, also stresses the importance of creating robust markets for reduced-emission products generated from organic waste processing and promoting carbon credits for biomining projects. A key concern raised in the report is the unreliability and inconsistency of data related to municipal solid waste and methane emissions. To address this issue, the report suggests using the first-order decay method, which relies on field data and primary research to more precisely estimate methane emissions from landfill sites. “A pan-India study needs to be conducted on estimation of methane and other GHGs (greenhouse gases) from each of the legacy waste dumpsites and organic waste processing facilities. There is a lack of data on the quantity of methane originating from the dumpsites and other waste management-related activities. “Creating a system of comprehensive methane measurement and monitoring strategies will enable policymakers and regulators to develop data-driven, science-based targets to reduce methane emissions from the waste sector, especially from dumpsites,” the CSE said. In its report, the environmental think tank has emphasised the need to phase out the disposal of biodegradable waste in landfills and advocated robust policies to incentivise waste diversion through source separation and the development of critical infrastructure for biodegradable waste treatment. Large-scale anaerobic digestion facilities are highlighted as a necessity to keep biodegradable waste out of landfills, reducing the burden on downstream mitigation technologies. The report also highlights the need to promote carbon credits for biomining projects and mandates estimating methane potential from capped landfills and dumpsites. Currently, there is a lack of monitoring of methane flux from existing landfill facilities and fugitive gas emissions from bio-digesters and biogas storage balloons in biomethanation plants. The CSE has also advocated afforestation on reclaimed bioremediated land, emphasising its role as a carbon sequester to mitigate emissions. “Afforestation should be promoted in the reclaimed bioremediated land – recovered after biomining of legacy waste dumpsites. The green cover developed on the reclaimed land will act as a carbon sequester. “According to BUR-3 (third biennial update report) submitted by the government of India, forest and tree cover sequestered 331 million tonnes of CO2 in 2016, which is around 15 per cent of the total CO2 emissions in the country,” it said. Methane is a potent GHG with a much higher global warming potential than carbon dioxide (CO2). Its atmospheric concentration has more than doubled over the last two centuries primarily due to anthropogenic activities. Methane has a relatively short lifespan – of approximately 12 years – in the atmosphere. However, its global warming potential – the ability of the gas to trap heat in the atmosphere – is 25 times more than CO2 and it has been second only to CO2 in causing climate change during the industrial era. Landfills are the third-largest source of methane emissions globally, after oil and gas systems and agriculture. Landfill waste management worldwide accounted for an estimated 1.6 billion tonnes of CO2e (CO2 equivalent) in 2016. According to a report by the World Bank, this number is expected to reach 2.6 billion tonnes of CO2e by 2050. CO2e means the number of metric tonnes of CO2 emissions with the same global warming potential as one metric ton of another greenhouse gas, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency. As per India’s third BUR, the country’s methane emissions in 2016 (excluding land use and land-use change and forestry) stood at 409 million tonnes CO2e. Of this, 73.96 per cent came from the agriculture sector, 14.46 per cent from the waste sector, 10.62 per cent from the energy sector and 0.96 per cent from the industrial processes and product use sector. (PTI)

India Should Phase Out Biodegradable Waste Disposal In Landfills To Check Methane Emissions: Report

A new report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has urged India to conduct a nationwide study to accurately estimate methane emissions from legacy waste dumpsites and organic waste processing facilities. The report also recommended that India urgently phase out biodegradable waste disposal in landfills. The report titled 'Methane Emissions from Open Dumpsites in India: Estimation and Mitigation Strategies' also stressed the importance of creating robust markets for reduced-emission products generated from organic waste processing and promoting carbon credits for biomining projects. The unreliability and inconsistency of data related to municipal solid waste and methane emissions were the key concerns raised in the report. To address this issue, the report suggests using the first-order decay (FOD) method, which relies on field data and primary research to more precisely estimate methane emissions from landfill sites. In its report, the environmental think tank has emphasised the need to phase out the disposal of biodegradable waste in landfills and advocated for robust policies to incentivise waste diversion through source separation and the development of critical infrastructure for biodegradable waste treatment. Large-scale anaerobic digestion facilities are highlighted as a necessity to keep biodegradable waste out of landfills, reducing the burden on downstream mitigation technologies. The report also highlighted the need to promote carbon credits for biomining projects and mandates estimating methane potential from capped landfills and dumpsites. The CSE has also advocated for afforestation on reclaimed bioremediation land, emphasising its role as a carbon sequester to mitigate emissions. "Afforestation should be promoted in the reclaimed bioremediation land — recovered after biomining of legacy waste dumpsites. The green cover developed on the reclaimed land will act as a carbon sequester." "According to BUR-3 (third biennial update report) submitted by the Government of India, forest and tree cover sequestered 331 million tonnes of CO2 in 2016, which is around 15 per cent of the total CO2 emissions in the country," it said. Compared to carbon dioxide (CO2), methane is a powerful GHG with a significantly larger potential for global warming. Over the past two centuries, its atmospheric concentration has more than doubled mostly as a result of human activity. Methane only stays in the atmosphere for around 12 years, which is not very long. However, it has a 25 times greater global warming potential (GWP) than CO2, making it the second-leading contributor to climate change during the industrial period. GWP measures a gas's capacity to trap heat in the atmosphere. After oil and gas systems and agriculture, landfills are the third-largest source of methane emissions worldwide. In 2016, it was estimated that landfill waste handling produced 1.6 billion tonnes of CO2e (CO2 equivalent) globally. According to a report by the World Bank, this number is expected to reach 2.6 billion tonnes of CO2e (number of metric tonne of CO2 emissions) by 2050. Notably, as per India's third biennial update report (BUR), the country's methane emissions in 2016 (excluding land use and land-use change and forestry) stood at 409 million tonnes CO2e. Of this, 73.96 per cent came from the agriculture sector, 14.46 per cent from the waste sector, 10.62 per cent from the energy sector and 0.96 per cent from the industrial processes and product use sector.

India should phase out biodegradable waste disposal in landfills to check methane emissions: CSE report

India should conduct a nationwide study to accurately estimate methane emissions from legacy waste dumpsites and organic waste processing facilities, and urgently phase out biodegradable waste disposal in landfills, a new report by the Centre for Science and Environment has recommended. The independent think tank's report, titled "Methane Emissions from Open Dumpsites in India: Estimation and Mitigation Strategies", also stresses the importance of creating robust markets for reduced-emission products generated from organic waste processing and promoting carbon credits for biomining projects. A key concern raised in the report is the unreliability and inconsistency of data related to municipal solid waste and methane emissions. To address this issue, the report suggests using the first-order decay (FOD) method, which relies on field data and primary research to more precisely estimate methane emissions from landfill sites.

India should phase out biodegradable waste disposal in landfills to check methane emissions: CSE report

India should conduct a nationwide study to accurately estimate methane emissions from legacy waste dumpsites and organic waste processing facilities, and urgently phase out biodegradable waste disposal in landfills, a new report by the Centre for Science and Environment has recommended. The independent think tank’s report, titled “Methane Emissions from Open Dumpsites in India: Estimation and Mitigation Strategies”, also stresses the importance of creating robust markets for reduced-emission products generated from organic waste processing and promoting carbon credits for biomining projects. A key concern raised in the report is the unreliability and inconsistency of data related to municipal solid waste and methane emissions. To address this issue, the report suggests using the first-order decay (FOD) method, which relies on field data and primary research to more precisely estimate methane emissions from landfill sites. “A pan-India study needs to be conducted on estimation of methane and other GHGs (greenhouse gases) from each of the legacy waste dumpsites and organic waste processing facilities. There is a lack of data on the quantity of methane originating from the dumpsites and other waste management-related activities. “Creating a system of comprehensive methane measurement and monitoring strategies will enable policymakers and regulators to develop data-driven, science-based targets to reduce methane emissions from the waste sector, especially from dumpsites,” the CSE said. In its report, the environmental think tank has emphasised the need to phase out the disposal of biodegradable waste in landfills and advocated for robust policies to incentivise waste diversion through source separation and the development of critical infrastructure for biodegradable waste treatment. Large-scale anaerobic digestion facilities are highlighted as a necessity to keep biodegradable waste out of landfills, reducing the burden on downstream mitigation technologies. The report also highlights the need to promote carbon credits for biomining projects and mandates estimating methane potential from capped landfills and dumpsites. Currently, there is a lack of monitoring of methane flux from existing landfill facilities and fugitive gas emissions from bio-digesters and biogas storage balloons in biomethanation plants. The CSE has also advocated for afforestation on reclaimed bioremediated land, emphasising its role as a carbon sequester to mitigate emissions. “Afforestation should be promoted in the reclaimed bioremediated land — recovered after biomining of legacy waste dumpsites. The green cover developed on the reclaimed land will act as a carbon sequester. “According to BUR-3 (third biennial update report) submitted by the Government of India, forest and tree cover sequestered 331 million tonnes of CO2 in 2016, which is around 15 per cent of the total CO2 emissions in the country,” it said. Methane is a potent GHG with a much higher global warming potential than carbon dioxide (CO2). Its atmospheric concentration has more than doubled over the last two centuries primarily due to anthropogenic activities. Methane has a relatively short lifespan — of approximately 12 years — in the atmosphere. However, its global warming potential (GWP) — the ability of the gas to trap heat in the atmosphere — is 25 times more than CO2 and it has been second only to CO2 in causing climate change during the industrial era. Landfills are the third-largest source of methane emissions globally, after oil and gas systems and agriculture. Landfill waste management worldwide accounted for an estimated 1.6 billion tonnes of CO2e (CO2 equivalent) in 2016. According to a report by the World Bank, this number is expected to reach 2.6 billion tonnes of CO2e by 2050. CO2e means the number of metric tons of CO2 emissions with the same global warming potential as one metric ton of another greenhouse gas, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency. As per India’s third biennial update report (BUR), the country’s methane emissions in 2016 (excluding land use and land-use change and forestry) stood at 409 million tonnes CO2e. Of this, 73.96 per cent came from the agriculture sector, 14.46 per cent from the waste sector, 10.62 per cent from the energy sector and 0.96 per cent from the industrial processes and product use sector.

India should phase out biodegradable waste disposal in landfills to check methane emissions: CSE report

India should conduct a nationwide study to accurately estimate methane emissions from legacy waste dumpsites and organic waste processing facilities, and urgently phase out biodegradable waste disposal in landfills, a new report by the Centre for Science and Environment has recommended. The independent think tank's report, titled 'Methane Emissions from Open Dumpsites in India: Estimation and Mitigation Strategies', also stresses the importance of creating robust markets for reduced-emission products "A pan-India study needs to be conducted on estimation of methane and other GHGs (greenhouse gases) from each of the legacy waste dumpsites and organic waste processing facilities. There is a lack of data on the quantity of methane originating from the dumpsites and other waste management-related activities." "Creating a system of comprehensive methane measurement and monitoring strategies will enable policymakers and regulators to develop data-driven, science-based targets to reduce methane emissions from the waste sector, Large-scale anaerobic digestion facilities are highlighted as a necessity to keep biodegradable waste out of landfills, reducing the burden on downstream mitigation technologies. The report also highlights the need to promote carbon credits for biomining projects and mandates estimating methane potential from capped landfills and dumpsites. Currently, there is a lack of monitoring of methane flux from existing landfill facilities and fugitive gas emissions from bio-digesters and biogas storage balloons in biomethanation plants. The CSE has also advocated for afforestation on reclaimed bioremediated land, emphasising its role as a carbon sequester to mitigate emissions. "Afforestation should be promoted in the reclaimed bioremediated land — recovered after biomining of legacy waste dumpsites. The green cover developed on the reclaimed land will act as a carbon sequester." "According to BUR-3 (third biennial update report) submitted by the Government of India, forest and tree cover sequestered 331 million tonnes of CO2 in 2016, which is around 15 per cent of the total CO2 emissions in the country," it said. Methane is a potent GHG with a much higher global warming potential than carbon dioxide (CO2). Its atmospheric concentration has more than doubled over the last two centuries primarily due to anthropogenic activities. Methane has a relatively short lifespan — of approximately 12 years — in the atmosphere. However, its global warming potential (GWP) — the ability of the gas to trap heat in the atmosphere — is 25 times more than CO2 and it has been second only to CO2 in causing climate change during the industrial era. Landfills are the third-largest source of methane emissions globally, after oil and gas systems and agriculture. Landfill waste management worldwide accounted for an estimated 1.6 billion tonnes of CO2e (CO2 equivalent) in 2016. According to a report by the World Bank, this number is expected to reach 2.6 billion tonnes of CO2e by 2050. CO2e means the number of metric tons of CO2 emissions with the same global warming potential as one metric ton of another greenhouse gas, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency

India should phase out biodegradable waste disposal in landfills to check methane emissions: CSE report

India should conduct a nationwide study to accurately estimate methane emissions from legacy waste dumpsites and organic waste processing facilities, and urgently phase out biodegradable waste disposal in landfills, a new report by the Centre for Science and Environment has recommended. The independent think tank’s report, titled “Methane Emissions from Open Dumpsites in India: Estimation and Mitigation Strategies”, also stresses the importance of creating robust markets for reduced-emission products generated from organic waste processing and promoting carbon credits for biomining projects. A key concern raised in the report is the unreliability and inconsistency of data related to municipal solid waste and methane emissions. To address this issue, the report suggests using the first-order decay (FOD) method, which relies on field data and primary research to more precisely estimate methane emissions from landfill sites. “A pan-India study needs to be conducted on estimation of methane and other GHGs (greenhouse gases) from each of the legacy waste dumpsites and organic waste processing facilities. There is a lack of data on the quantity of methane originating from the dumpsites and other waste management-related activities. “Creating a system of comprehensive methane measurement and monitoring strategies will enable policymakers and regulators to develop data-driven, science-based targets to reduce methane emissions from the waste sector, especially from dumpsites,” the CSE said. In its report, the environmental think tank has emphasised the need to phase out the disposal of biodegradable waste in landfills and advocated for robust policies to incentivise waste diversion through source separation and the development of critical infrastructure for biodegradable waste treatment. Large-scale anaerobic digestion facilities are highlighted as a necessity to keep biodegradable waste out of landfills, reducing the burden on downstream mitigation technologies. The report also highlights the need to promote carbon credits for biomining projects and mandates estimating methane potential from capped landfills and dumpsites. Currently, there is a lack of monitoring of methane flux from existing landfill facilities and fugitive gas emissions from bio-digesters and biogas storage balloons in biomethanation plants. The CSE has also advocated for afforestation on reclaimed bioremediated land, emphasising its role as a carbon sequester to mitigate emissions. “Afforestation should be promoted in the reclaimed bioremediated land — recovered after biomining of legacy waste dumpsites. The green cover developed on the reclaimed land will act as a carbon sequester. “According to BUR-3 (third biennial update report) submitted by the Government of India, forest and tree cover sequestered 331 million tonnes of CO2 in 2016, which is around 15 per cent of the total CO2 emissions in the country,” it said. Methane is a potent GHG with a much higher global warming potential than carbon dioxide (CO2). Its atmospheric concentration has more than doubled over the last two centuries primarily due to anthropogenic activities. Methane has a relatively short lifespan — of approximately 12 years — in the atmosphere. However, its global warming potential (GWP) — the ability of the gas to trap heat in the atmosphere — is 25 times more than CO2 and it has been second only to CO2 in causing climate change during the industrial era. Landfills are the third-largest source of methane emissions globally, after oil and gas systems and agriculture. Landfill waste management worldwide accounted for an estimated 1.6 billion tonnes of CO2e (CO2 equivalent) in 2016. According to a report by the World Bank, this number is expected to reach 2.6 billion tonnes of CO2e by 2050. CO2e means the number of metric tons of CO2 emissions with the same global warming potential as one metric ton of another greenhouse gas, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency. As per India’s third biennial update report (BUR), the country’s methane emissions in 2016 (excluding land use and land-use change and forestry) stood at 409 million tonnes CO2e. Of this, 73.96 per cent came from the agriculture sector, 14.46 per cent from the waste sector, 10.62 per cent from the energy sector and 0.96 per cent from the industrial processes and product use sector. PTI GVS DIV DIV

India should phase out biodegradable waste disposal to check methane emissions: CSE

India should conduct a nationwide study to accurately estimate methane emissions from legacy waste dumpsites and organic waste processing facilities, and urgently phase out biodegradable waste disposal in landfills, a new report by the Centre for Science and Environment has recommended. The independent think tank's report, titled "Methane Emissions from Open Dumpsites in India: Estimation and Mitigation Strategies", also stresses the importance of creating robust markets for reduced-emission products generated from organic waste processing and promoting carbon credits for biomining projects. A key concern raised in the report is the unreliability and inconsistency of data related to municipal solid waste and methane emissions. To address this issue, the report suggests using the first-order decay (FOD) method, which relies on field data and primary research to more precisely estimate methane emissions from landfill sites. "A pan-India study needs to be conducted on estimation of methane and other GHGs (greenhouse gases) from each of the legacy waste dumpsites and organic waste processing facilities. There is a lack of data on the quantity of methane originating from the dumpsites and other waste management-related activities. "Creating a system of comprehensive methane measurement and monitoring strategies will enable policymakers and regulators to develop data-driven, science-based targets to reduce methane emissions from the waste sector, especially from dumpsites," the CSE said. In its report, the environmental think tank has emphasised the need to phase out the disposal of biodegradable waste in landfills and advocated for robust policies to incentivise waste diversion through source separation and the development of critical infrastructure for biodegradable waste treatment. Large-scale anaerobic digestion facilities are highlighted as a necessity to keep biodegradable waste out of landfills, reducing the burden on downstream mitigation technologies. The report also highlights the need to promote carbon credits for biomining projects and mandates estimating methane potential from capped landfills and dumpsites. Currently, there is a lack of monitoring of methane flux from existing landfill facilities and fugitive gas emissions from bio-digesters and biogas storage balloons in biomethanation plants. The CSE has also advocated for afforestation on reclaimed bioremediated land, emphasising its role as a carbon sequester to mitigate emissions. "Afforestation should be promoted in the reclaimed bioremediated land — recovered after biomining of legacy waste dumpsites. The green cover developed on the reclaimed land will act as a carbon sequester. "According to BUR-3 (third biennial update report) submitted by the Government of India, forest and tree cover sequestered 331 million tonnes of CO2 in 2016, which is around 15 per cent of the total CO2 emissions in the country," it said. Methane is a potent GHG with a much higher global warming potential than carbon dioxide (CO2). Its atmospheric concentration has more than doubled over the last two centuries primarily due to anthropogenic activities. Methane has a relatively short lifespan — of approximately 12 years — in the atmosphere. However, its global warming potential (GWP) — the ability of the gas to trap heat in the atmosphere — is 25 times more than CO2 and it has been second only to CO2 in causing climate change during the industrial era. Landfills are the third-largest source of methane emissions globally, after oil and gas systems and agriculture. Landfill waste management worldwide accounted for an estimated 1.6 billion tonnes of CO2e (CO2 equivalent) in 2016. According to a report by the World Bank, this number is expected to reach 2.6 billion tonnes of CO2e by 2050. CO2e means the number of metric tons of CO2 emissions with the same global warming potential as one metric ton of another greenhouse gas, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency. As per India's third biennial update report (BUR), the country's methane emissions in 2016 (excluding land use and land-use change and forestry) stood at 409 million tonnes CO2e. Of this, 73.96 per cent came from the agriculture sector, 14.46 per cent from the waste sector, 10.62 per cent from the energy sector and 0.96 per cent from the industrial processes and product use sector.

As winter approaches, experts point to gaps in the system for monitoring rising air pollution delhi news GeoTv News

With winter approaching — and a sharp rise in air pollution that comes with it — does the National Capital Region have enough equipment to measure the extent of its pollution problem? The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) list of continuous monitoring stations of ambient air quality in Delhi-NCR shows a total of 80 stations in the national capital region. Half of these stations, i.e. 40, are in Delhi alone. Of these 80 stations in the National Capital Region, nine were found inactive on Sunday, according to the CPCB list. The inactive stations include five out of 40 stations in Delhi, one out of four stations each in Gurgaon and Noida, and the only stations installed in Hapur and Baghpat. The districts of Bahadurgarh, Sonipat, Karnal, Panipat, Bhiwadi and Jind (in Haryana), and Bulandshahr and Muzaffarnagar (in UP) have only one station each. Ghaziabad has four such stations while Greater Noida has two. “As far as Delhi is concerned, we don’t need to add more there,” said Anumita Roychowdhury of the Center for Science and Environment. “But the larger NCR has a lot of data shadow areas. It is only in the last few years that we have started to see the network expanding into the National Capital Region. This requires some justification.” NCR requires more monitors representing different land uses, such as industrial or residential areas. The area of ​​influence of a single analyzer is unknown, said Dipankar Saha, former head of the CPCB’s air laboratory. If it is placed in an industrial area, at a traffic intersection, or in a residential area, it reflects this. The goal is to improve air quality, and our regulatory goal should be to reduce the toxicity level of pollutants. Therefore, measuring particles is not sufficient. “Manual monitoring is necessary so that toxicity levels can be determined. At manual stations, particles collected on filter paper are analyzed to determine the mineral and chemical composition… and what they contain.” As part of its policy to reduce air pollution in the National Capital Region, released last year, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) said a plan for the air quality monitoring network in the National Capital Region should be developed “based on revised criteria (based on land use, density, Population, urban to regional scale, etc.). He stated that for NCR areas, the CPCB and State Pollution Control Boards have to implement a plan for installation of identified new monitoring stations or those to be relocated. Fifty per cent of these new stations are to be set up Determined by next December, and the rest by the end of next year.