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Centre’s oil palm expansion plan to hurt NE: MPs shoot off letter to PM

The central government has been urged to reconsider plans to increase oil palm planting in the northeastern region by a group of Members of Parliament (MP) citing its adverse effect on the environment of this region. The MPs, led by Pradyut Bordoloi of the Congress party, stressed the serious environmental and socioeconomic risks posed as well as the potential negative effects associated with such an extension. Powered By VDO.AI The parliamentarians expressed alarm over the potential for serious consequences of deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and water scarcity in the Northeast due to the anticipated oil palm growth. Congress MPs Vincent Pala from Meghalaya, Abdul Khaleque, Gaurav Gogoi from Assam, National People Party’s MP from Meghalaya Agatha Sangma and Naga People’s Front MP from Manipur Lorho S Pfoze — all joined Bordoloi in the appeal. Collectively, the MPs sent a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking him to thoroughly assess the Northeast oil palm expansion plan. Their statement also emphasised the region’s unsuitability for oil palm development due to its climate. Bordoloi told IANS, “The government must think along sustainable lines and in wider consultation with all stakeholders before any irreversible damage is done.” The MPs also argued that the government should focus its efforts on using the peninsula’s current cropland for oil palm production in order to prevent the logging of Northeastern forests. The central government has promoted oil palm farming as a way for India to lessen its dependency on foreign edible oils. Environmentalists, however, raised a warning about the possibly of disastrous environmental effects of such expansion. According to a report by the Centre for Science and Environment, oil palm farming will cause the loss of 2.5 million hectares of Indian forests by 2030. The study also showed that oil palm plantations don’t store as much carbon as forests do, which raises concerns about climate change. The MPs’ request serves as a welcome reminder of the critical requirement to carefully consider the environmental and social repercussions before beginning an oil palm expansion in the Northeast. Beyond social and environmental issues, the MPs expressed doubts about the Northeast’s ability to economically support oil palm cultivation. They emphasised how the area’s significant rainfall and cold temperatures make it unsuitable for such agriculture. “The government must determine whether oil palm development in the Northeast is economically viable. If it isn’t, the government shouldn’t move forward with the project,” Bordoloi said, expressing the attitude shared by the concerned MPs. The parliamentarians highlight the need for a thorough analysis and well-informed decision-making process that considers the numerous repercussions of the region’s oil palm expansion.

MPs from Northeast Stand Against Oil Palm Expansion, Citing Environmental Risks

Highlighting the grave environmental and social hazards posed, the MPs, led by Pradyut Bordoloi from the Congress party, emphasized the potential adverse outcomes linked to such an expansion. Expressing concern, the MPs underscored that the proposed oil palm expansion could lead to the severe consequences of deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and water scarcity within the Northeast. Joining Bordoloi in the appeal were Congress MPs Vincent Pala (Meghalaya), Abdul Khaleque (Assam), Gaurav Gogoi (Assam), NPP MP Agatha Sangma (Meghalaya), and NPP MP Lorho S Pfoze (Manipur). The MPs collectively submitted a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging a comprehensive review of the oil palm expansion blueprint for the Northeast. Their submission also pointed to the climatic inappropriateness of the region for oil palm cultivation. Bordoloi stated, "The government must think along sustainable lines and in wider consultation with all stakeholders before any irreversible damage is done." The MPs further advocated for the government's attention to be diverted towards utilizing existing cropland in the peninsular region for oil palm cultivation, thereby avoiding the destruction of forests in the Northeast. As India seeks to curtail its reliance on imported edible oils, the government has been championing oil palm cultivation. However, environmental advocates have sounded an alarm, highlighting the potentially catastrophic environmental repercussions of such an expansion. The Centre for Science and Environment conducted a study which foresees the loss of 2.5 million hectares of Indian forests by 2030 due to oil palm cultivation. The study also revealed that oil palm plantations store less carbon than forests, thus exacerbating climate change concerns. The plea from the MPs serves as a timely reminder of the indispensable need to meticulously weigh the environmental and social implications before embarking on an oil palm expansion in the Northeast. Beyond environmental and social concerns, the MPs expressed reservations about the economic feasibility of oil palm cultivation in the Northeast. They highlighted the region's unsuitability for such cultivation due to its high rainfall and low temperatures. "The government must assess whether oil palm cultivation is economically viable in the Northeast. If it is not, then the government should not pursue this project," stated Bordoloi, encapsulating the sentiment echoed by the concerned MPs. This collective appeal underlines the necessity for a comprehensive assessment and a well-informed decision-making process that takes into account the multifaceted implications of oil palm expansion in the region.

Vision 2047: Scientific landfills, AI, bioeconomy will change how India manages solid waste

India's population is expected to grow to 1.6 billion by 2047. This will have a direct impact on its waste generation. So, how do we reduce municipal solid waste and lower the burden on landfills? As told to Preeti Verma Lal, by Dr Richa Singh We are generating around 160,000 tonnes of waste every day, out of which around 50 percent is either getting landfilled or remains unattended, uncollected and unidentified. By 2031, the municipal solid waste (MSW) is projected to reach 165 million tonnes and jump to 436 million tonnes by 2050. If MSW continues to be dumped without treatment, by the time independent India turns 100, it will need 3,40,000 cubic meter of landfill space every day (1,240 hectare per year). Considering the Government projected waste generation, the requirement of land for setting up landfill for 20 years (considering 10-meter-high waste pile) could be as high as 66,000 hectares of precious land, which India cannot afford to waste. India's population is expected to grow to 1.6 billion by 2047 and 1.67 billion by 2050. This will have a direct impact on its waste generation. So, how do we reduce MSW and lower the burden on landfills? The waste management scenario in India is expected to transition significantly from now to 2047, and there will be a need for more inclusive approach and innovative solutions to address the challenges of waste generation and disposal. No more indiscriminate dumping of mixed waste: Perhaps the major culprit in causing the environmental and health hazards associated with waste management is mixed waste dumping in unscientifically constructed and operated landfills typically referred to as “dumpsites” in India. The scientific landfill sites shall be selected based on the regulatory norms stipulated under the Solid Waste Management Rules 2016 and are suitable for waste which is non-compostable, non-recyclable, non-recoverable and non-treatable. Locational criteria for siting a landfill site according to the Solid Waste Management Rules 2016 mandates a minimum distance of 200 metres from lakes and ponds, 100 metres from rivers, 500 metres from habitation, etc. In addition, a landfill site shall not be constructed in flood plains, critical habitat area, coastal regulation zone, wetlands, unstable zone such as landslide prone areas, fault zones, etc. Cost-effective and inclusive methods of waste management: Waste conversion technologies, including a wide array of biological, chemical, mechanical and thermal technologies capable of converting MSW into useful products like compost and energy such as steam, electricity, natural gas and diesel/ ethanol, will contribute in managing huge quantities of waste generated in the country thereby minimizing the burden on the landfills. Besides, it will be critical to adopt socially inclusive methods of waste management which can be done by integrating the informal sector in the city’s solid waste management chain. One classic example of integration of informal waste pickers is showcased by SWaCH, a cooperative of around 4,500 women waste pickers involved in providing door-to-door waste collection service to around 9 lakh properties in Pune City - thereby saving Rs 90 crore annually and enhancing the recycling rates of the city. Shift to a circular economy model of development: The circular economy is becoming increasingly mainstream, and this is likely to have a major impact on waste management in India. Businesses and consumers will have to reduce their waste footprint, and there will be a growing demand for sustainable waste management solutions. Growth of the bioeconomy: The bioeconomy will grow rapidly in India, providing new opportunities for the recycling and reuse of organic waste. This helps to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills or incinerators. This sector is expected to have a major impact on waste management in India, as it will provide new opportunities for the recycling and reuse of organic waste. For instance, the generation of Bio-CNG from biodegradable (wet) waste is gaining momentum these days and several policy initiatives including GOBARDhan scheme by the Ministry Jal Shakti, National Biogas Mission by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, government of India, are acting as catalyst for promoting the technology. This sector could be a game-changer for India’s future waste management scenario considering the fact that a huge amount of agro-residue waste and biodegradable household waste is generated in India. Currently, Indore, the cleanest city of India, is converting 550 tonnes of its biodegradable waste into 17,000 kg of bio-CNG every day. By 2047, there should be many more cities following the Indore model of waste management. Use of AI in waste management sector: Drones and other new technologies will be used to monitor waste collection and disposal, optimize waste routing, and identify recyclable materials. This will help to improve the efficiency of waste management systems. Dr Richa Singh Dr Richa Singh Dr Richa Singh is currently working with the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), New Delhi, as a programme manager in the solid waste management and circular economy team. She is heading the global programme and zero waste initiatives and helping 19 African and Asian countries with research, advocacy and capacity building. She holds a doctorate from IIT Bombay in environmental engineering. She has also been the recipient of DST Inspire fellowship and 2019 ISWA-SWIS scholarship on landfill management and landfill mining jointly organized by the University of Texas at Arlington, USA, and International Solid Waste Management Association (ISWA). As told to Preeti Verma Lal

Guwahati & Silchar sizzle, show change in NE summer

GUWAHATI: Soaring temperatures inching closer to 40 degrees Celsius, mostly above normal range, has indicated a change in northeast summer weather, especially in Assam and Tripura. An analysis of the highest maximum temperatures based on IMD data recorded in the northeast amid scorching summer months between April and July has shown that Tripura capital Agartala and Assam capital Guwahati had recorded the highest maximum temperatures. In August so far, Silchar town in south Assam was the hottest. In April, all 10 readings of highest maximum temperature were recorded in Agartala. This was ranging from 39.3 to 37.6 degrees Celsius. In May too, Agartala recorded top six readings of maximum temperature which ranged from 39.8 to 38.1 degrees Celsius. In June, Guwahati, which sizzled with top three readings - from 38.9 to 38.6 degrees Celsius, continued to be at the top in July as well. All three readings of highest temperature in July were recorded in Guwahati, which was 37.8 degrees Celsius on three different dates. In August so far, 38.4 degrees Celsius is the maximum temperature, recorded in Silchar on Thursday, followed by 37.7 degrees Celsius in Guwahati on August 1. "The analysis shows that Guwahati and Agartala, along with Silchar (close to Tripura) has recorded maximum temperatures this summer. Most importantly, these readings have shown above normal temperature," said an IMD official. The variations in deviation from normal was noticeable from Thursday's reading where the maximum temperature of Silchar was 6.1 degrees above normal. Thursday's second highest maximum temperature of 37 degrees Celsius, recorded in Guwahati, was also 4.7 degrees above normal. Meanwhile, Lok Sabha MP from Nagaon (Assam), Pradyut Bordoloi, has written to home minister Amit Shah insisting on the urgent need to recognise heat waves in the country as a national disaster and make it eligible for relief funds under NDRF and SDRF. "In the backdrop of climate change and unplanned development, projections indicate the frequency + severity of heatwaves are only bound to increase. We must act to address this public health crisis, especially to safeguard poor and vulnerable population in the unorganized sectors," he wrote on X (formerly Twitter). Bordoloi in his letter said the frequency, duration and intensity of these heat waves have escalated noticeably in recent years. "The Centre for Science and Environment's report indicates that India witnessed record-breaking temperatures and heatwaves in 2022, with close to 280 heatwave days recorded between March and May across 16 states," he said. "The impact of heatwaves on our society is alarming. They pose direct health hazards, leading to hundreds of fatalities annually, especially for vulnerable individuals with pre-existing medical conditions. The workforce engaged in outdoor labour, such as agriculture and construction, faces serious threats to their well-being. The non-recognition of heatwaves in the National Disaster Management Act, 2005, as a national disaster has several adverse consequences," Bordoloi added.

Assam: Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi urges Home Minister Amit Shah to recognize heatwaves as national disaster

Guwahati: Assam Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi has urged the Union Home Minister Amit Shah to urgently recognize heatwaves as a national disaster. In a letter to Shah, Bordoloi said that India has been facing the visible implications of climate change, with severe heat waves and disrupted rainfall patterns affecting several states. He pointed out that the frequency, duration, and intensity of these heatwaves have escalated noticeably in recent years. “The Centre for Science and Environment’s report indicates that India witnessed record-breaking temperatures and heatwaves in 2022, with close to 280 heatwave days recorded between March and May across 16 states,” Bordoloi mentioned. Bordoloi said that the impact of heatwaves on society is alarming. “They pose direct health hazards, leading to hundreds of fatalities annually, especially for vulnerable individuals with pre-existing medical conditions. The workforce engaged in outdoor labor, such as agriculture and construction, faces serious threats to their well-being,” he said. The non-recognition of heatwaves in the National Disaster Management Act, 2005, as a national disaster has several adverse consequences, said the Congress MP. To address these pressing issues, Bordoloi urged the government to take the following steps: >>Amend the list of disasters covered under SDRF (State Disaster Response Force) and NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) to include heatwaves to enable access to streamlined funding from said relief funds for mitigation and adaptation efforts. >>Establish a comprehensive compensation and financial assistance program to provide timely support to the families of victims who have lost their lives due to heatwaves. >>Enhance the accuracy of heatwave mortality data by expanding the definition to include all heat-related deaths, not just heat strokes and heat exhaustion. Implement standardized reporting systems to track heatwave impacts comprehensively. >>Launch awareness campaigns to educate the public about heatwave risks, prevention measures, and early warning signs of heat-related illnesses. Bordoloi said that the government’s prompt attention to this matter is essential to address the challenges posed by heatwaves effectively.

ग्रीन क्रेडिट से पर्यावरण संरक्षण को प्रोत्साहन, लेकिन चाहिए मजबूत नियामक तंत्र

केंद्रीय पर्यावरण मंत्रालय ने ग्रीन क्रेडिट कार्यक्रम का प्रस्ताव तैयार किया है। इसके तहत व्यक्ति, संगठन और उद्योग पहले से तय पर्यावरण-अनुकूल गतिविधियों के लिए क्रेडिट पा सकते हैं और फिर उसे बेच सकते हैं। फिर इसका व्यापार भी किया जा सकता है। माना जा रहा है कि इस कार्यक्रम से पर्यावरण संरक्षण को प्रोत्साहन मिलेगा। लेकिन जानकारों को चिंता है कि अगर इसे ठीक से विनियमित नहीं किया गया तो इससे ग्रीनवाशिंग को बढ़ावा मिल सकता है। हालांकि स्कीम को लेकर कुछ चिंताएं भी हैं। मसलन, क्रेडिट की गणना किस तरह की जाएगी। लाभों को मापने का तरीका क्या होगा। और अगर क्रेडिट में धोखाधड़ी की गई, तो क्या होगा। केंद्रीय पर्यावरण मंत्रालय ने टिकाऊ विकास और पर्यावरण संरक्षण को आगे बढ़ाने के लिए “ग्रीन क्रेडिट” स्कीम का प्रस्ताव तैयार किया है। इसके तहत व्यक्ति, संगठन और उद्योग पर्यावरण के लिए फायदेमंद मानी जाने वाली स्वैच्छिक गतिविधियों के लिए ग्रीन क्रेडिट पा सकते हैं। लेकिन जानकारों ने चेतावनी दी है कि उचित निगरानी या मजबूत नियामक तंत्र के बिना, यह योजना ग्रीनवॉशिंग (पर्यावरण को बचाने से जुड़े झूठे वादे) या डबल काउंट के मामलों को सामने ला सकती हैं। पर्यावरण, वन और जलवायु परिवर्तन मंत्रालय (एमओईएफसीसी) ने 27 जून को ग्रीन क्रेडिट कार्यक्रम का मसौदा जारी किया। इसमें पर्यावरण को बचाने से जुड़े आठ कामों को शामिल किया गया है। इनके लिए व्यक्तियों और अन्य संस्थाओं को क्रेडिट देने का प्रस्ताव है। कार्यक्रम के मसौदे में कहा गया है कि इन क्रेडिट को “घरेलू बाजार में व्यापार के लिए उपलब्ध कराया जा सकता है।” इससे पहले भारत ने ऊर्जा खपत को कम करने के लिए इसी तरह के तंत्र पर काम किया है। और अब अपना घरेलू कार्बन बाजार बनाने के लिए कार्बन क्रेडिट के व्यापार में उतर रहा है। लेकिन कार्बन बाजार के विपरीत – जो प्रति टन उत्सर्जित कार्बन की एक मानक इकाई की कीमत तय करता है – ग्रीन क्रेडिट प्रोग्राम (जीसीपी) में अभी तक अलग-अलग गतिविधियों के लिए मिलने वाले लाभों को मापने की कोई मानक इकाई नहीं है। इनमें पौधारोपण से लेकर टिकाऊ बुनियादी ढांचे तक के क्षेत्र शामिल हैं। कार्यक्रम के मसौदे में कहा गया है कि जीसीपी को एक अलग बाजार तंत्र के रूप में विकसित करने की कल्पना की गई है। लेकिन अगर “ग्रीन क्रेडिट” के चलते कार्बन उत्सर्जन में भी कमी आती है तो यह कार्बन बाजार के साथ ओवरलैप हो सकता है। सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट में जलवायु परिवर्तन की कार्यक्रम प्रबंधक अवंतिका गोस्वामी ने मोंगाबे इंडिया को बताया, “यहां तक कि कार्बन क्रेडिट पर नज़र रखना, जो सिर्फ एक ही गैस पर केंद्रित है, जटिल काम है और इसे भी रेगुलेट करना चुनौतियों से भरा है। उसी तरीके को अन्य पारिस्थितिक तंत्रों और प्रदूषण क्षेत्रों तक बढ़ाने से ग्रीनवॉशिंग का बड़ा खतरा पैदा होता है।” “यह इस बात पर भी गंभीर सवाल उठाता है कि निगरानी कितनी कठोर होगी और प्रदूषण में कमी और जैव विविधता को बचाने की जिम्मेदारी किसे लेनी चाहिए।” भारतीय प्रौद्योगिकी संस्थान, (आईआईटी) बॉम्बे में जलवायु अध्ययन में अंतःविषय कार्यक्रम की प्रोफेसर तृप्ति मिश्रा कहती हैं, “मेरा मानना ​​है कि चाहे अनिवार्य हो या स्वैच्छिक, किसी भी कार्यक्रम को मजबूत प्रक्रिया की जरूरत होती है, जिसमें तकनीकी सहायता, अच्छे माप उपकरण के अलावा स्रोत स्तर पर उचित निगरानी ज्यादा जरूरी होती है। चूंकि ग्रीन क्रेडिट या उस मामले में कार्बन मार्केट भारतीय कंपनियों के लिए नए कार्यक्रम हैं, ये निगरानी के प्रति जागरूकता सहित प्रक्रिया को आगे बढ़ाने के लिए अच्छी तरह से काम करेंगे।” कार्यक्रम का उद्देश्य सरकार द्वारा चलाए जा रहे ‘लाइफस्टाइल फॉर एनवायरनमेंट (LiFE) आंदोलन‘ का प्रचार करना है, जिसका उद्देश्य स्वस्थ और टिकाऊ जीवन को बढ़ावा देना है। मिस्र के शर्म अल-शेख में कॉप-27 में LiFE अवधारणा को आगे बढ़ाया गया था, जहां इसे फैसलों के साथ लिखित रूप में शामिल किया गया था और कवर पर भी रखा गया था जो वैश्विक जलवायु कार्रवाई को प्रभावित करता है। कार्यक्रम का मसौदा ऐसे समय में सामने आया है जब भारत जी-20 अध्यक्षता की मेजबानी कर रहा है। उसके लिए अपनी अंतरराष्ट्रीय जलवायु प्रतिबद्धताओं पर बात करनी जरूरी है। इसमें 2070 तक नेट-जीरो उत्सर्जन का लक्ष्य हासिल करना शामिल है। भारत ने अपने राष्ट्रीय निर्धारित योगदान (एनडीसी) में, अतिरिक्त वन और वृक्ष आवरण के जरिए ढाई से तीन बिलियन टन कार्बन डाइऑक्साइड को अवशोषित करने में सक्षम कार्बन सिंक बनाने की प्रतिबद्धता जताई है। इन्हें मिलेगा ग्रीन क्रेडिट मसौदे से जुड़ी अधिसूचना में कहा गया है कि समाज का एक व्यापक वर्ग जीसीपी में हिस्सा ले सकता है। इसमें व्यक्ति, किसान उत्पादक संगठन (एफपीओ), सहकारी समितियां, वानिकी और टिकाऊ कृषि उद्यम, शहरी और ग्रामीण स्थानीय निकाय, निजी क्षेत्र, उद्योग और विभिन्न प्रकार के संगठन शामिल हैं। आठ गतिविधियां जो क्रेडिट पा सकती हैं उनमें पेड़ लगाना; पानी को बचाना; प्रदूषित पानी को साफ करना; खेती के प्राकृतिक और रीजनरेटिव तरीकों को बढ़ावा देना; कचरे का प्रबंधन, कचरे को अलग-अलग करना और उसे इकट्ठा करने के तरीकों को बेहतर बनाना; वायु प्रदूषण को कम करना; मैंग्रोव का संरक्षण और और इन्हें फिर से लगाना; इमारतों के निर्माण और उसे बनाने के लिए इको मार्क लेबल प्राप्त करना शामिल हैं। इको मार्क एक लेबल है जिसे भारतीय मानक ब्यूरो (बीआईएस) पर्यावरण के लिए बेहतर उत्पादों को देता है। दिल्ली स्थित थिंक टैंक सेंटर फॉर पॉलिसी रिसर्च (सीपीआर) के एसोसिएट प्रोफेसर ईश्वरन जे. नरसिम्हन ने कहा, “कुल मिलाकर, यह पहल बेहतरीन है। लेकिन इसे लागू करना चुनौतियों से भरा होगा और इसके लिए खास गतिविधियों के विशेषज्ञों के साथ वैज्ञानिक समिति बनानी होगी, जो ग्रीन क्रेडिट प्राप्त करने के लिए योग्यता की सूची बना सकें।” नरसिम्हन ने कहा, “प्रशासक को यह पक्का करना चाहिए कि अलग-अलग श्रेणियों के तहत जनरेट होने वाले प्रत्येक क्रेडिट ‘हॉट-एयर क्रेडिट‘ (अवास्तविक या वास्तविक मूल्य की कमी) नहीं है यानी जो काम पहले से ही हो रहे हैं, उनके अतिरिक्त हैं।” जीसीपी को लागू करने का काम भारतीय वानिकी अनुसंधान और शिक्षा परिषद (आईसीएफआरई) को सौंपा गया है। यह अनुसंधान करने वाला और क्षमता विकसित करने वाला संगठन है। यह आम तौर पर किसी चीज को लागू करने का काम नहीं करता है। जीसीपी के हिस्से के रूप में, यह अन्य जिम्मेदारियों के साथ-साथ क्रेडिट देने और ग्रीन क्रेडिट की रजिस्ट्री बनाए रखने का प्रभारी भी होगा। आईसीएफआरई को मार्गदर्शन देने वाली एक संचालन समिति होगी, जो कार्यान्वयन और सत्यापन के लिए दिशानिर्देश तैयार करेगी। किन क्षेत्रों को कार्यक्रम में शामिल किया जाना चाहिए, इसके लिए सुझाव देगी और इसकी समीक्षा और निगरानी करेगी। मसौदे में कहा गया है कि केंद्र सरकार समय-समय पर पूरे सिस्टम का ऑडिट करने के लिए ऑडिटरों को भी सूचीबद्ध कर सकती है। अनिश्चितता के क्षेत्र ऐसे बाजार तंत्रों के साथ भारत का अनुभव मिले-जुले नतीजों वाला रहा है। साल 2012 में शुरू की गई परफॉर्म अचीव एंड ट्रेड स्कीम (PAT/पीएटी) 13 कार्बन-सघन उद्योगों को अपनी ऊर्जा खपत कम करने के लिए प्रोत्साहित करती है। बचाई गई ऊर्जा प्रमाणित की जाती है और इसे उन संस्थाओं को बेचा जा सकता है जिन्होंने अपने लक्ष्य पूरे नहीं किए हैं। पीएटी योजना का दूसरा चक्र, जो 2019 में खत्म हुआ, जिसके चलते लगभग 680 लाख टन उत्सर्जन में कटौती हुई। हालांकि, सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट द्वारा 2021 में किए गए एक अध्ययन में पाया गया कि थर्मल पावर सेक्टर के लिए, सेक्टर की कुल ऊर्जा खपत की तुलना में ऊर्जा में कटौती महज तीन फीसदी थी। अध्ययन में कहा गया है, “यह इस तथ्य को उजागर करता है कि पीएटी को दिया गया लक्ष्य क्षेत्र से कुल उत्सर्जन कटौती की तुलना में बहुत कम है।” अध्ययन में पाया गया, “अनुपालन के लिए ऊर्जा बचत प्रमाणपत्र प्राप्त करने का विकल्प होने से थर्मल पावर प्लांटों के लिए ऊर्जा बचत उपायों को स्थापित करके अनुपालन प्रदर्शित करना बहुत कम खर्चीला हो जाता है।” अध्ययन के मुताबिक अनुपालन नहीं करने वाले थर्मल पावर प्लांटों को हमेशा दंडित नहीं किया गया। इसी तरह, बाजार-आधारित एक अन्य पहल, नवीन ऊर्जा प्रमाणपत्र (आरईसी), बिजली वितरण कंपनियों (डिस्कॉम) और अन्य संस्थाओं को ऊर्जा बनाने वालों से इन प्रमाणपत्रों को खरीदने की सुविधा देती है, अगर वे अपने नवीन (ऊर्जा) खरीद दायित्वों (आरपीओ) को पूरा करने में असमर्थ हैं। सलाहकार सेवा के क्षेत्र में काम करने वाली इंटेलकैप (Intellecap) की 2021 की रिपोर्ट में डिस्कॉम के बीच पेनाल्टी को सही तरीके से लागू नहीं करने के चलते आरईसी की ज्यादा आपूर्ति पाई गई। यह भी पाया गया कि मांग बहुत कम बाध्यकारी संस्थाओं द्वारा संचालित थी जिनकी स्वैच्छिक भागीदारी बहुत कम थी। जीसीपी महत्वाकांक्षी कार्यक्रम है क्योंकि यह कई अलग-अलग क्षेत्रों के तहत विभिन्न गतिविधियों को कवर करता है। लेकिन विशेषज्ञों का कहना है कि इसे लागू करने पर समस्याएं भी पैदा हो सकती हैं। सीपीआर के नरसिम्हन ने कहा, “बाज़ार में व्यापार के लिए इन क्रेडिट को भुनाना भी एक और चिंता का विषय है। क्या खास गतिविधियों से मिलने वाले क्रेडिट, गतिविधियों के भीतर व्यापार के योग्य हैं या नहीं? अगर नहीं, तो इस बात पर स्पष्टता जरूरी है कि अलग-अलग गतिविधियों में उत्पन्न क्रेडिट की किस तरह तुलना की जा सकती है। ” क्रेडिट की गणना किस तरह की जाएगी? मसौदा अधिसूचना में यह सवाल स्पष्ट नहीं है, जिसमें कहा गया है कि “संसाधन आवश्यकता (एक परियोजना के लिए), पैमाने की समानता, दायरे, आकार और अन्य प्रासंगिक मापदंडों की समानता” पर विचार करने के बाद एक मूल्य निकाला जाएगा। विशेषज्ञों का कहना है कि कुछ गतिविधियों के लाभ को मापना सावधानी से किया जाना चाहिए। उदाहरण के लिए, कचरे-से-ऊर्जा संयंत्र को हरित क्रेडिट से पुरस्कृत करना प्रतिकूल हो सकता है अगर यह मिश्रित कचरे को संसाधित करता है, जिससे उत्सर्जन बहुत ज्यादा होता है। हालांकि आईआईटी-बॉम्बे की मिश्रा स्वीकार करती हैं कि डबल काउंटिंग, ग्रीन क्रेडिट और कार्बन क्रेडिट कार्यक्रमों के लिए कोई समस्या नहीं है। वह ग्रीनवॉशिंग की आशंका पर चिंता व्यक्त करती हैं, जो उत्पादों, गतिविधियों या नीतियों को वास्तव में जितना वे हैं उससे अधिक पर्यावरण के अनुकूल या कम पर्यावरणीय रूप से हानिकारक बनाने का तरीका है। वह बताती हैं, “ग्रीन क्रेडिट को कंपनियों की कार्रवाई का पूरक माना जाता है। केवल क्रेडिट खरीदना और कोई आंतरिक कार्रवाई नहीं करना ग्रीनवाशिंग का संकेत है। यह कंपनियों के लिए इसे टिकाऊ गतिविधियों और एसडीजी लक्ष्यों के लिए कार्रवाई के तहत पार्क करने का एक आसान तरीका हो सकता है। ऐसी संभावनाएं हैं कि कंपनियां गलत तरीके से बता कर या अपने क्रेडिट को बढ़ा-चढ़ाकर पेश करके, अविश्वसनीय क्रेडिट खरीदकर और कंपनियों की क्षेत्रीय गतिविधि से असंबंधित क्रेडिट खरीदकर ग्रीनवॉश कर सकती हैं।

Fines on bulk waste generators to be linked to water bills

GURGAON: The Municipal Cororation of Gurgaon (MCG) has decided to link the challans issued to bulk waste generators (BWGs) flouting waste management norms to their water bills. According to officials, while BWGs found violating the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2016, are penalised by the corporation, they often don’t deposit the challan amounts. The decision has been made to recover the fines, they added. A fine of Rs 25,000 is imposed on bulk generators for improper waste disposal. The civic body has also decided to confer awards on the BWGs composting their wet waste and recycling their dry waste properly as per the SWM Rules. “The commissioner, in a meeting held recently, directed senior officials to merge the challans imposed on the defaulting BWGs with the water bills issued to them by GMDA so that they pay up. It was also decided to give awards to the best performing BWGs,” said MCG spokesperson SS Rohilla. MCG has also decided to take stringent action against defaulting bulk generators, officials said. In the last two months, MCG has issued 12 challans to bulk waste generators in zone 3 and six in zone 4. A majority of the city’s BWGs are located in zones 3 and 4. Around 27 challans were issued last year. According to the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, a bulk waste generator means and includes buildings occupied by the central government departments or undertakings, state government departments or undertakings, local bodies, public sector undertakings or private companies, hospitals, nursing homes, schools, colleges, universities, other educational institutions, etc having an average waste generation rate exceeding 100kg per day. MCG came up with a public notice in 2018, stating that the civic body will consider waste generators which produce 50kg or more waste every day as BWGs. There are around 1,200 residential societies, including condominiums, in the city. According to the norms, BWGs should first segregate their waste into three categories — dry, wet and domestic hazardous. The dry recyclable material should be \given to the authorised waste pickers or recyclers, while the wet waste is to be processed, treated and disposed of through composting or bio-methanation within the premises. In February this year, the MCG commissioner had constituted a committee to start an audit of BWGs of the entire city. The committee comprised the MCG additional commissioner-1, additional commissioner-4, additional municipal commissioner, joint commissioner (Swachh Bharat Mission) and chief engineer. sOfficials said that they are soon going to start inspections of the existing BWGs to check their waste disposal practices. In April, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) had said MCG needs to map BWGs as the numbers currently identified are underestimated. The civic body had identified 614 BWGs — such as gated communities, institutions, hotels and restaurants in an area over 5,000sqm – in the city. Of these, just around 200 — around one-third — are composting wet waste within their premises, CSE had said in a report.

The 360° UPSC Debate| Himalayan States: Environmental concerns vs development

The occurrence of recent disasters such as landslides, rains, cloudbursts, and the subsidence in Joshimath in the Himalayan States has highlighted the imperative of prioritising environmental preservation over development. However, there is an ongoing debate on whether environmental concerns be traded for development in Himalayan states? The Himalayan mountain ranges extend from the western region of Afghanistan to the eastern region of Myanmar, serving as the prominent geological features in nations such as India, China, and Pakistan. Rivers such as the Ganges, Indus, and Brahmaputra play a crucial role in supporting a population of over 1.5 billion individuals and facilitating various businesses, hence contributing to the rapid economic development witnessed in these regions. Additionally, they flow through one of the most unstable geopolitical boundaries. The occurrence of recent disasters such as landslides, cloudbursts, and the subsidence in Joshimath in the Himalayan States has highlighted the imperative of prioritising environmental preservation over development. The proposed action has the potential to increase the susceptibility of the already precarious and environmentally delicate area, exacerbating its vulnerability and rendering development more detrimental. However, there is an ongoing debate on whether environmental concerns be traded for development in Himalayan states. The frightening footage of the latest disaster in Himalayan states shows multi-storey buildings crashing into the river like a deck of cards, and cars, bridges, and buildings being sucked into a powerful vortex. According to activists, the prevention of these circumstances may have been achieved had the state administration responded to the request to halt construction activities and encroachment on the riverbed. According to scientific experts, the construction of dams on the Ganga river, encroachment on its riverbed, and mining operations in the area are causing significant detrimental effects on the region. According to Himanshu Thakkar, coordinator of the South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People, a significant number of projects lack rigorous studies of their environmental and social impacts. Mallika Bhanot, member of Ganga Ahvaan, a public forum dedicated to the preservation of the sacred Ganga river, reports that a total of 244 dams are currently under construction along the river’s course. It is worth noting that only three dams were halted following the declaration of a 100-kilometer segment, extending from the glacial source at Gaumukh to Uttarkashi town, as an eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) in December 2012. The opposition from the Uttarakhand government towards the government notification in New Delhi has been highlighted by Bhanot. It is worth noting that this notification was developed after a comprehensive evaluation of the geographical features and with the primary objective of safeguarding human lives in an area susceptible to landslides. The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), located in New Delhi, has also established a connection between the disaster and the approach to development used in this unique location. CSE Director-General Sunita Narain raises a pertinent query regarding the consideration given by the Central or state government to the collective ramifications of hydropower projects on the rivers and mountains, given the significant economic significance of energy generating. At present, there exist approximately 70 ongoing or planned projects along the Ganga river, with the objective of producing an estimated 10,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity. The model was characterised as “bumper to bumper development”, wherein projects are undertaken in rapid succession without any gaps in between. According to Narain, the implementation of diversion channels and reservoirs will have a significant impact on around 80 percent of the Bhagirathi, which is the second head stream of the Ganga river, as well as approximately 65 percent of the Alakananda. In the arid season, extensive sections of the river will experience full desiccation. According to her, these efforts prove to be highly profitable for developers, hence creating significant barriers for tiny environmental groups to effectively express their concerns. There are numerous environmentally friendly alternatives available, such as the use of smoke from burning pine needles to drive turbines for electricity generation, biomass energy, and the implementation of micro hydro plants with a capacity to produce two MW of power. However, firms are not inclined to favour these less lucrative initiatives. According to Narain, the causation of this specific calamity cannot be fully ascribed to climate change. However, it is obvious that there is an observable increase in the occurrence of strong and extreme weather events, particularly characterised by a heavier and more unpredictable monsoon. The prevailing consensus among scholars is that climate change is mostly attributed to the combustion of fossil fuels and the subsequent release of excessive carbon dioxide into the Earth’s atmosphere. Consequently, it is evident that the present environmental crisis is predominantly caused by human activities. The occurrence of a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) in 2021, characterised by the descent of boulders and debris from the mountains, serves as an additional indication that the intricate equilibrium of natural forces has been perturbed. Consequently, the Himalayan States are currently experiencing the consequences of this disruption.

Coordination, collaboration key to solving crisis of antibiotic development

The crisis around antibiotic research is a global problem and would need global solutions, experts at CSE event highlighted Calling the current antibiotic development pipeline inadequate would be an understatement. Of the 297 antibiotic medicines that are being researched globally, only 77 are undergoing clinical trials, according to a World Health Organization (WHO) database. This is minuscule compared to over 10,000 drugs for cancer, over 1,800 for neuropsychiatric conditions, and about 1,500 for endocrine, blood and immune disorders. On July 28, 2023, Delhi-based think tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) organised a webinar titled The Crisis of Antibiotic Research and Development to discuss the issue. The webinar was based on CSE’s latest assessment — ‘A Developing Crisis’ — published in Down To Earth magazine, where CSE researchers have highlighted the current status of the antibiotic development pipeline. The webinar, the first of a multi-part series, was moderated by Sunita Narain, CSE director general. It brought together key stakeholders — James Anderson, executive director, global health, International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations, Switzerland; Richard Lawson, senior project manager, Combating Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator, the United States; Lesley Ogilvie, director of the secretariat, Global AMR R&D Hub, Germany — for an online panel discussion. The key issues discussed are as follows: The world is currently facing a triple jeopardy, the experts pointed out. First, there is the issue of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and antibiotics becoming more and more ineffective. Second, there is less research and development in the case of antibiotics and third is the issue of access to new antimicrobials. The experts recognised that there is indeed a crisis when it comes to antibiotic research and development (R&D). Society and healthcare systems place a low value on antibiotics despite the public health risks of AMR, sending a clear signal to companies that investing in them is not a priority. This creates a fragmented antibiotic development pipeline that lacks the predictability of funds to encourage the development of a more sustainable and healthier pipeline. Even though there has been progress in terms of antibiotic development, there still is a long way to go to solve this crisis. The crisis of antibiotic research is a global problem and would need global solutions. The antibiotic development pipeline requires robust and resilient funding. Around $1.8-2 billion goes into AMR R&D every year from the public and philanthropic sectors globally, according to data from the Global AMR R&D hub. Just 23 per cent of this, however, goes into the development of new antibiotics/antibacterials. This is insufficient to meet the growing crisis of AMR. Push incentives are working but have their challenges, the speakers pointed out. These incentives aim to support innovation, research and development of new antibiotics from the early stages of basic science to clinical trials. Push incentives lower developers’ costs and risks through financial, tax and technical help. The main limitation of any push funding organisations, however, is that they alone can’t do the job. Push and pull incentives need to work together. Pull incentives aim to reward new antibiotics with proven scientific viability and relevance to the market. It ensures developers’ financial viability by reducing the risk of insufficient future revenues. On the pull side, there is a need to build on the experience of countries like the United Kingdom, Sweden etc., who are currently implementing pull-based initiatives. An example of pull incentive that was highlighted was the UK Subscription Model. This model introduced a couple of years ago as a pilot project is based on the idea that negotiation should be around the value of an antibiotic to society as a whole, not just to individuals. That value determines the prefixed amount paid to the company for several years. Even though this model solves some challenges, it would only work if other countries do something similar. Additionally, there is a need to develop and implement mechanisms for push and pull incentives that ensure a robust and sustainable R&D ecosystem. Experts also emphasised that coordination, collaboration and communication are key to solving the antibiotic R&D crisis. Access and affordability issues should also be considered while developing antibiotics. New antibiotics which are being developed target the critical priority pathogens and will be kept in ‘reserve’ category and used only when needed (in order to avoid resistance from emerging quickly against them). However, if companies are assured of predictability, such as being done in the UK subscription model (fixed level of payment to the company), then there could be a possibility of ensuring access to such antibiotics in low and middle-income countries as well. The issue of access and antibiotic development cannot be solved without cooperation between countries and stakeholders. There were discussions around evolving the Priority Pathogens List into a Priority Indications List backed up by indication-specific target product profiles to guide researchers and developers. Aligning research with priority indications and feasible clinical trials can help improve the productivity of the pipeline. In addition, there is a need to leverage the infrastructure created during COVID-19 Pandemic. Moreover, it is necessary to understand what a promising pipeline looks like and set targets for achieving it. If there are no targets set on what needs to be done, all the discussions happening will become much more difficult going ahead. The Global Leaders Group on AMR is in a very important position to convene and bring together these conversations ahead of the 2024 UN High Level meeting on AMR. We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together. https://www.downtoearth.org.in/blog/health/coordination-collaboration-key-to-solving-crisis-of-antibiotic-development-91036

30 sub-Saharan Africa countries among 38 that fail to provide basic electricity access

About 38 countries globally fail to provide basic electricity access to the population with an average per capita electricity consumption of 118 kWh, varying between a broad range of 17 kWh and 333 kWh. The benchmark annual per capita electricity consumption is 360 kWh. Some 30 countries out of these are from sub-Saharan Africa, with an average per capita electricity consumption of 110 kWh. This means, in the worst-case scenario, a family has to make a hard choice between using a fan for an hour a day for 300 hot days or a CFL bulb for five hours a day throughout the year. More than 60 per cent of Africa’s population is facing acute energy poverty, an analysis for 2021 by Delhi-based think tank Centre for Science and Environment revealed. The 30 SSA countries that fail to provide basic electricity access to their residents collectively account for 62 per cent of the total population of the African region, which signifies the enormity of energy poverty in the continent. At just 502 kWh, the average per capita electricity consumption for entire Africa is not encouraging either. South Africa leads the per capita consumption chart with 3,758 kWh, followed by nine other countries with a better-than-average electricity access scenario. However, six other countries managed to extend basic energy supplies marginally better than the recommended threshold but still below the average for Africa. Needless to mention, there is no point of comparison against the world average, which stands at 3,600 kWh, except for the case with South Africa. This further implies that the entire Africa region is facing poverty issues affecting almost the entire population of the continent barring South Africa, 17 per cent of the world’s population. Following table presents the most abject state of energy access in the SSA region. https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/africa/30-sub-saharan-africa-countries-among-38-that-fail-to-provide-basic-electricity-access-91045

Gurgaon Municipality to link Rs 25,000 penalty for waste generation with water bills. Here are details

In a big move, the Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon (MCG) has decided to link penalties for violating waste disposal regulations with water bills. As per a TOI report, this step aims to ensure compliance and fine payment, as often the fines imposed on bulk waste generators (BWGs) remain unpaid. A penalty of Rs 25,000 is levied on bulk generators for improper waste disposal, in accordance with the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2016. To encourage better waste management practices, the civic body has also decided to recognize and award BWGs that effectively compost their wet waste and appropriately recycle their dry waste as per SWM Rules. MCG's spokesperson, SS Rohilla, told ToI, "The commissioner, in a recent meeting, directed senior officials to combine the penalties imposed on noncompliant BWGs with the water bills issued by GMDA to ensure payment. The plan also involves presenting awards to the most responsible BWGs." MCG is taking stringent action against BWGs that violate waste management norms. Over the past two months, 12 challans were issued in zone 3 and six in zone 4, which host the majority of the city's bulk waste generators. Last year, around 27 challans were issued for similar violations. As defined by the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, bulk waste generators include entities such as government departments, local bodies, public and private sector companies, healthcare institutions, educational establishments, etc., generating over 100kg of waste daily To further elaborate the norms, MCG announced in 2018 that waste generators producing 50kg or more waste daily would also be considered as BWGs. The city houses about 1,200 residential societies, including condominiums. Regulations require BWGs to segregate waste into three categories: dry, wet, and domestic hazardous. Dry recyclables should be handed over to authorized recyclers, while wet waste must undergo composting or bio-methanation onsite. Earlier this year, the MCG commissioner formed an audit committee to evaluate BWGs across the city. This committee comprised officials from various departments. In April, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) highlighted the need for accurate mapping of BWGs, indicating that the current identification numbers are underestimated. The civic body had earlier recognized 614 BWGs, with only around 200 effectively composting wet waste within their premises, as reported by CSE

[Explainer] Living with microplastics, is not fantastic

Microplastics are less than 5 mm in size – the size of two grains of sand or even less. Studies show that microplastics can cause neurotoxicity, immune system disruption and other health hazards in humans, but the full extent of toxic effects on humans and animals, remains unknown. Even after the Indian government announced a ban on certain single-use plastic items such as plates, cups and polystyrene (Thermocol), they still float around in the market. India does not yet have a policy on microplastics. However, researchers argue that it is important to discuss the impacts of microplastics on human health. Plastic is pervasive in our lives – now in everything, everywhere, all at once. But plastic’s most sinister avatar is the one that’s barely visible – microplastic. It is less than 5 mm in size – the size of two grains of sand or even less. Microplastics are so ubiquitous in our world. Where do microplastics come from? One, of course, is all the plastic you see around you that breaks down into small particles. Other sources of microplastics are all around us – road markings, tyres, marine equipment, synthetic clothing. However, microplastics are also manufactured for making plastic pellets and personal care products. There is growing evidence that this tiny particle is a bigger problem than we might think. Microplastic is an emerging pollutant. We are ingesting microplastics in many ways. Plastics that end up in the ocean break down to form microplastics that marine life ingests. Once in the food chain, it makes its way into our bodies. But it is not just fish-eaters who need to worry. Our sugar, honey and beer have the same problem. While some estimates say that every week, you may be inhaling plastic that is equal to an entire credit card, researchers even found microplastic in the placenta of newborn babies. Studies show that microplastics can cause neurotoxicity, immune system disruption and other health hazards in humans, but the full extent of toxic effects on humans and animals remains unknown. Efforts to curb microplastic pollution India does not have a policy on microplastics yet. However, in July 2022, the government announced a ban on certain single-use plastic items such as plates, cups and polystyrene (Thermocol). India’s Plastic Waste Management Rule was also amended in 2021 to increase the permitted thickness of plastic carry-bags. The thinner the bag, the higher the probability of its breakdown into microplastics. But with a lack of alternatives to plastic and poor implementation of rules, these banned items still float in the market. In 2022, UN member states, including India, committed to developing a legally binding agreement by 2024 to ‘End Plastic Pollution’. The resolution addressed the full lifecycle of plastic, including its production, design and disposal. Need for more studies There are over 10,000 unique chemicals used to make plastic of different kinds. A quarter of them are of potential concern to human health. So, if microplastics come from plastics, can’t these ingredient chemicals tell us something about the impacts? “The discussions are not really happening around what kind of chemicals are being used and what would be the long-term effects of these chemicals on the human health and on the environment,” states Siddharth Singh from Centre for Science and Environment.” Singh argues that it is imperative to start talking about microplastics in our country to safeguard the health of citizens.

Pushing antibiotic development agenda needs more support

Globally, discussions on the need for an antibiotic development pipeline have been gaining momentum. There is an emerging consensus that novel financing models must come up to rejuvenate the dipping pipeline, which has often been attributed to a broken market for antibiotics. An ongoing incentive model is the ‘push’ incentive, which aims to push the antibiotic candidate under development through different stages of basic research, preclinical and clinical trials. Push incentive, therefore, involves funding mostly the early stages of antibiotic development carried out by small and medium size developers through the involvement of philanthropic organisations, public-private partnerships, industry and the governments. They help reduce development costs and the risk of failure is also shared by the funder. There are different push incentives currently in operation. For example, Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator (CARB-X) and the United Kingdom government’s Global Antimicrobial Resistance Innovation Fund (GAMRIF) focus on discovery and early-stage funding. Those like Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARD-P) and AMR Action Fund support the late-stage development. The United States government’s Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) helps with end-to-end product development, while the Joint Programming Initiative on AMR (JPIAMR) is looking at basic exploratory research. The development of various products is currently supported by these push incentives. CARB-X is currently supporting 30 projects that include therapeutics (for example, antibiotics), preventatives (for example, vaccines) and diagnostics. BARDA supports CARB-X and recently committed an additional $370 million along with London-based charitable foundation Wellcome Trust. GARDP, which is developing five antibiotics by 2025 under its 5 BY 25 initiative, has invested around EUR 28 million for development of antibiotics against sepsis for children. The UK government has invested GBP 20 million for three years in CARB-X and GBP 4.5 million for four years in GARDP through GAMRIF. Industry initiatives like the AMR Action Fund, which has commitment of $1 billion over 10 years shared by 20 companies, is currently supporting five developers. NO DOWNSTREAM FUNDING Push incentives, however, have their own set of challenges. In a recent webinar organised by the Delhi-based thinktank Centre for Science and Environment to discuss the antibiotic research and development crisis, Richard Lawson, Senior Project Manager, CARBX acknowledged that these incentives alone cannot do the job. Speaking about the small and medium antibiotic developers, he said, “One of the greatest risks that we have is that CARBX and other organisations will advance these projects to a cliff, where there is nowhere else for them to go. There is no downstream funding to work towards”. The webinar was based on CSE’s latest assessment — A Developing Crisis — which talked about the fragile and thin global antibiotic pipeline, the exit of major pharmaceutical players from antibiotic R&D space, and what needs to be done further. The webinar brought together key stakeholders and experts like Lawson, James Anderson, executive director, global health, International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA), and Lesley Ogilvie, director of the secretariat, Global AMR R&D Hub. “Small- and medium-scale antibiotic developers may also not have access to or be able to afford all the skills, capabilities or expertise that are needed,” said Lawson. “CARBX not only helps companies advance their product and also prepares them for the next step, which includes where the next stage of funding is going to come from and how we can make that case for the next stage.” Echoing the same, Daminao De Felice, Director of Development and External Engagement at CARBX acknowledges that the teams that bring these innovations are often very small and typically expert with the foundational technologies but not with drug discovery and development. “Additionally, because of the high level of innovation of many programs that CARB-X supports, there is little to no precedence with many pre-clinical models, particularly animal models of infection, as well as clinical development and regulatory strategies,” he said. With GARDP, which looks at late stage antibiotic, the limitations are different. Manica Balasegaram, Executive Director of the GARDP highlights that antibiotic development becomes more challenging when clinical trials are needed to be conducted in diverse geographies and populations. Another issue is that of ensuring access to the new antibiotics it is developing in partnership with companies as well as existing antibiotics, even if it did not play a role in the development of the antibiotic. “Sustainable access to antibiotics is highly challenging — whether due to a lack of laboratory and diagnostic capacity, insufficient capacity or resources in the health system, and challenges with forecasting demand to ensure adequate quantities of an antibiotic are available when required,” said Balasegaram. Developing new antibiotics for children and newborns is also another important area that needs attention since their bodies react differently than adult bodies. GARDP is addressing these challenges by forming collaborations and networks, enabling better access in low- or middle-income countries through its SECURE initiative,and identifying and developing new treatments for children and newborns. SOME SUCCESS, BUT NOT ENOUGH The webinar acknowledged that, besides funding, appropriate implementation mechanisms for current incentives are needed to ensure a robust and sustainable innovation ecosystem. “We need to build more robustness and resilience in funding for the antibiotic development pipeline,” said Ogilvie at the webinar. Experts also emphasised the importance of coordination, collaboration and communication as the keys, in addition to money. Lawson, highlighted how Bugworks Research Inc., which was initially supported by CARB-X since 2017, from lead optimisation to phase-I clinical trials, was now joining hands with GARDP to forward the development of a novel antibiotic, BWC0977. The potential antibiotic will help treat serious bacterial infections in both critical care and community settings, as well as infections caused by drug resistant pathogens in hospital settings. “Vast parts of the world need access to antimicrobials, and they need to get this at affordable costs. The development of new antimicrobials has therefore to be linked with the issue of affordability and access,” said Sunita Narain, director general, CSE, who moderated the recently concluded webinar. Push incentives, like GARDP and CARBX are also taking into consideration the importance of ensuring access as well as stewardship while working with developers. Push incentives are working. There have been examples of some successes, but the current investments are not enough and need to be supplemented. “More push funding is definitely needed for early stage and preclinical research,” said Christine Ardal from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. “While CARB-X and GARDP are doing fantastic jobs supporting the current pipeline, they would both benefit from additional financing. They are unable to support all promising antibacterial candidates. Especially, if we seek truly innovative candidates that will have a higher failure rate, we need more investment in push funding,” said Ardal. https://www.downtoearth.org.in/blog/health/pushing-antibiotic-development-agenda-needs-more-support-91070

Thus begins our season of despair

Climate records have tumbled like never before in the past two months. First, the planet observed its hottest June on record. Then came July, which recorded the hottest two weeks ever. In June, the surface temperature of the world’s oceans was the highest ever; Antarctica’s ice was the thinnest ever. The heat has gone off the charts in many parts of the world, and never before have there been extreme rainfall events that have resulted in such large-scale loss of property and lives. Scientists warn that this is only the beginning of our season of despair as much is changing in the natural world around us. The unprecedented intense heatwaves in the oceans, including in the Bay of Bengal, is changing the way the monsoon winds blow over the Indian subcontinent’s landmass. Then the western disturbances, which emanate from the Mediterranean region and bring snow and rainfall to the subcontinent in the winter season, are becoming more variable. This, scientists believe, is linked to temperature changes in the Arctic. In 2023, the western disturbances that came as late as in June collided with the monsoons and resulted in extreme rainfall, floods and devastation. This is now going to be combined with the much-warmer-than-anticipated North Atlantic Ocean temperatures, which drives extreme weather disturbances like cyclones, and the onset of El Nino in the Pacific, which is a precursor of extreme heat and drought. The bottom line is that there is no weather pattern for scientists to follow. We are out of our comfort zone and will be exposed to nature’s dictates like never before. Yet, our response to the catastrophic events has been grossly inadequate in terms of action to combat climate change. Let’s be very clear about this—greenhouse gas emissions are not decreasing anywhere close to the scale or at the pace they need to. This is a fact and needs to be repeated so that we are not under the optical illusion that the already rich and industrial world is moving out of fossil fuels into clean energy and battery-driven vehicles or, even better, buses. The only big development that has brought down emissions in the rich world has been its shift away from coal for energy supply—mostly to use natural gas. But natural gas is a fossil fuel; it still pollutes and keeps the world in the unsafe zone. Furthermore, the world that is today ravaged by the impacts of climate change is not getting the investment it needs to move even incrementally towards a cleaner tomorrow. We need to address this and now. Let’s stop beating around the bush on this issue, and understand that when we say we are in this together, we really are. Many parts of the world, which are heating up, will need to find solutions for thermal comfort—including installing air conditioners. What this will mean for our warming world will depend on what these countries do to reduce the emission intensity of their energy grid. It will also depend on their ability to do what has been discussed for long; retrofit their buildings for better insulation and for ventilation. The fast-warming world will require inventive solutions so that we do not end up blowing up even more of the non-existent carbon budget. In our world, we have millions of farmers, who are the worst impacted by extreme and variable weather. The situation is so bad that they have no idea when to plant their next crop—the planting season, which starts with the advent of the monsoon, has come and gone. What they plant is devastated by flood or by lack of rain. There is no crop calendar that they can work with now; and their risks are compounded many times. This is the tragic human face of extreme weather that we are seeing over and over again. Let’s not lose sight of this. Then, we are oblivious of the need for climate-resilient development. In fact, we are doing the reverse. We are building on the floodplains, choking drainage and filling up waterbodies. We are mindless about the fact that the Himalayas are the world’s youngest mountain range and so, development of everything from buildings to roads and other infrastructure must be based on this vulnerability. The devastation in our world is not only because of climate change—as our politicians would like us to believe. Climate change is exacerbating, making worse our human-made mess. I say this because we must not slip into believing that fixing this mess is beyond our control. Then there is no way ahead. This would be the ultimate tragedy. (Courtesy: https://www.downtoearth.org.in; Writer is Director General of CSE and editor of Down To Earth, an environmentalist who pushes for changes in policies, practices and mindsets)

Back Insurers will place a vital role in India’s green-energy transition

India has emerged as a compelling market for the rapid growth and adoption of renewable energy. According to the Asian Development Bank, the country has increased its renewable-energy capacity by 250% over the past seven years and now ranks fourth in the world on this. The development and deployment of green technologies such as solar and wind, upcoming investments in hydrogen energy, and encouraging the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) have all played an important role in this transition. India's stake in green-energy solutions Over the past few years, the urgency of addressing climate change has given the world the impetus it needs to transition to low- or zero-carbon energy sources. In its latest report, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) emphasised the need to significantly reduce fossil fuel consumption to keep global warming below 1.5°C (it’s currently at 1.1°C). India, which has significant exposure to tropical cyclones and extreme weather, experienced such conditions on 314 out 365 days in 2022, as highlighted by the Delhi-based non-profit Center for Science and Environment (CSE) and Down to Earth (DTE) Data Centre. While India currently ranks third globally on electricity consumption, it is making commendable progress in its energy transition efforts and the government has set an ambitious target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2070. Notably, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy reported approximately 62GW in installed solar-power capacity as of November 2022. Challenges to energy transition The benefits of green technology and renewable energy are apparent and tangible, but their implementation faces many risks and challenges. The construction and installation of such projects requires considerations of contractor/engineer experience, supply chain issues, accidents, and force majeure events. Once operational, new challenges arise. As the technology is new, there is no historical data on how performance could actually develop over time. Additionally, the rapid development of hydrogen-based technologies and the potential transition to them from wind and solar needs to be considered in the long-term upkeep of such infrastructure. Environmental factors further amplify these risks as solar panels and wind turbines are exposed to the elements and will inevitably incur wear and tear or damage from adverse weather conditions. Given that the green energy sector is relatively nascent, it is also imperative to build technical knowledge in this field as historical data either does not exist or stems from a technical standard that has become antiquated. Uncertainty regarding the frequency and severity of extreme weather events pose additional challenges to risk evaluation. Meanwhile, the ever-growing risk of cyber threats continues to loom large, for both green-technology and traditional-energy infrastructure, further necessitating proper risk management and financial protection. The role of insurance Green technology and renewable energy projects are capital intensive and typically financed by major banks and institutional investors, who require the assets to be properly insured. This gives insurance a pivotal role in supporting the energy transition. Insurers supported by reinsurers could effectively undertake risk assessments and underwrite renewable energy projects, providing coverage and financial protection to investors, lenders and project developers. In doing so, they could encourage investment in green energy infrastructure and facilitate the growth of renewable energy capacity. As long-term renewable energy output remains a risk, reinsurers through insurers could provide performance guarantees, taking on risks such as projects producing less power than anticipated. This approach would stabilise returns for investors, making these projects more attractive for long-term financing. The same is true of batteries used in electric vehicles. Their long-term performance is crucial for the resale value of these vehicles. Many customers still hesitate to buy an electric vehicle because they are not sure if they will be able to resell it at a reasonable price down the road as there is simply no historical data on how engine performance will be affected. Performance guarantees provided by the insurance sector could eliminate this risk and boost the sales of environmentally friendly cars. Reinsurers have access to vast amounts of data, and by leveraging their expertise in risk modelling and data analytics, they could accurately assess and quantify the risks and uncertainties associated with renewable energy projects. This knowledge also allows them to offer valuable insights to project developers and investors, enabling informed decision-making and more precise risk assessment. Moving towards green energy The demand for green-technology insurance in India is expected to soar, given the country’s pursuit of renewable energy solutions and ambitious carbon-neutrality targets. As the country embraces green technologies, the insurance sector will serve as a crucial enabler. By assessing risks, providing performance guarantees and leveraging data analytics, (re)insurers could facilitate the growth of renewable energy projects and infrastructure. Given the complexity of insuring green technology, well-capitalised reinsurers, in partnership with leading insurers, have a critical role to play in mitigating these risks and providing support and protection to these assets and projects. The author is chief executive, India, Middle East and Africa, Munich Re.