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India's Pledge To Go Carbon Neutral By 2070 Is Real Climate Action: Experts

PM Modi, in his address at the ongoing COP26, announced a bold pledge on Monday that India will achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2070. Environment experts have said India is doing more than most countries, including China, to reduce emissions and its pledge at COP26 to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2070 is "real climate action". Lauding the big promise made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his national statement on Monday at the 26th international climate conference in Glasgow, they said by making the pledge, India has put the ball in the court of developed nations to fulfil the promise $1 trillion of climate finance. Climate change activist and director general of Centre for Science and Environment Sunita Narain said India has laid out its roadmap, and targets of non-fossil fuel, renewable energy (RE) and reduction of carbon intensity are all pathways to get one billion tonnes carbon emission reduction by 2030. "RE target of 50 per cent, non-fossil fuel 500 GW; carbon intensity of 45 per cent are all pathways to get to 1 billion tonnes carbon emission reduction by 2030. India has laid out its roadmap; this is more than OECD and certainly what China has done. India enhanced NDC (Nationally Determined Contribution) is a challenge to the world to step up," she tweeted. We will reduce 1 billion tonnes by 2030; per capita will be 2.31 tonnes/as against US 9.4 t/per capita and China 9 t/per capita. No question that this is running the talk," Ms Narain tweeted. She, however, said to limit the 1.5-degree temperature rise, the world will have to go net zero by 2050. "For the world to go net zero by 2050, China should go by 2040 and OECD countries by 2030. This is why net zero is inequitable and makes combatting climate change unambitious and ineffective. We deserve better," Ms Narain tweeted. Founder of Council on Energy, Environment, and Water Arunabha Ghosh said, "I want to congratulate PM Modi and India for making a bold statement for low-carbon development. India has clearly put the ball in the court of the developed world. This is real climate action." "Now, India demands $1 trillion of climate finance as soon as possible and will monitor not just climate action but deliver climate finance. Most importantly, India has called, once again, for a change in lifestyles. If we cannot fix how we live, we cannot fix the planet on which we live," Mr Ghosh said. In a similar response, Aarti Khosla, Director, Climate Trends, said, "By announcing a commitment for achieving net zero targets by 2070, India has responded positively to the global call and it was the best climate action in Glasgow today." "The commitment of 500GW of renewable energy by 2030, which is more than twice the installed capacity of coal currently, should set the stage for a quick transformation of the energy sector, the kind of which hasn't been witnessed so far. Ensuring that the new energy regime doesn't bring the pitfalls of the current regime will be fundamental. Solar and wind are poised to emerge as the future in the net zero world," she said. PM Modi, in his address at the ongoing COP26, announced a bold pledge on Monday that India will achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2070 and asserted that it is the only country that is delivering in "letter and spirit" the commitments on tackling climate change under the Paris Agreement. He also raised the NDC of achieving 450 GW non-fossil energy capacity to 500 GW, among other commitments, including reducing carbon emissions. Ajay Mathur, director general, International Solar Alliance, said reducing one billion tonnes of emissions by 2030 and expanding non-fossils capacity to 500 GW are enormous and transformative steps. "PM Modi cut through the rhetoric and delivered a big promise of climate action from India. Reducing 1 billion tonnes of emissions by 2030 and expanding non-fossils capacity to 500 GW are enormous and transformative steps. Fifty per cent of electricity generation from renewable energy sources speaks to India's leadership and commitment to climate action. The Prime Minister has made bold announcements and led India from the front at the onset of the Glasgow meeting," he said. Congratulating the PM for the bold announcements, Chandra Bhushan, CEO, iForest, said these steps will go a long way in solving the climate crisis. "India's announcement of an ambitious 2030 target and a net zero target is a big step for climate collaboration. I congratulate the PM for announcing this bold step which will go a long way in greening the Indian economy and solving the climate crisis," he said. Sharing a similar view, Vaibhav Chaturvedi, Fellow, CEEW, said that by announcing the net zero year, the PM has also accorded a red carpet to foreign and domestic investors who want to invest in research and development, manufacturing, and deployment of green technologies in India. Ravi Singh, Secretary General and CEO, WWF India termed India's five key commitments made the COP 26 as "bold stand" which is a pathway towards low carbon development. "PM Modi has taken a bold stand in spelling out India's commitments and global leadership at CoP26. Together, the five commitments highlighted by the PM indicate India's position and pathway in moving towards low carbon development and reducing climate vulnerability for its people," he said. PM Modi has announced India's updated nationally determined contributions (NDCs) at the COP 26, first time since 2015. In 2015, India had committed to achieving 40 per cent of all installed electricity generation capacity to be from non-fossil energy sources by 2030. As per the new NDC, 50 per cent of electricity generation will come from renewable energy sources by 2030 and the target of achieving 450 GW non-fossil energy capacity has been increased to 500 GW by 2030. Promoted Listen to the latest songs, only on JioSaavn.com For the first time India announced the target of achieving net zero emission by 2070 and that it will reduce carbon emissions by one billion tonnes by 2030. These were not a part of the 2015 NDCs.

India's targets announced by PM at COP26 immensely challenging to achieve: CSE

PM Modi announced ‘enhanced’ targets that India will increase its non-fossil fuel energy capacity to 500 giga watt, meet 50% of its energy requirements from renewable sources, reduce its total projected carbon emissions by 1 bn tonnes from now, and bring down the carbon intensity of its economy by less than 45%. And by 2070, India will achieve its target of net zero NEW DELHI : The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) on Tuesday said India's targets announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the global climate summit COP 26 are bold and ambitious but will be immensely challenging to achieve. In a statement, the research and advocacy organisation said by announcing these targets, India is not just walking the talk, but "running the talk". At the ongoing COP 26 in Glasgow, Modi announced "enhanced" targets for India to combat climate change - by 2030, India will increase its non-fossil fuel energy capacity to 500 giga watt, meet 50% of its energy requirements from renewable sources, reduce its total projected carbon emissions by one billion tonnes from now, and bring down the carbon intensity of its economy by less than 45%. And by 2070, India will achieve its target of net zero. India's national targets, announced by its Prime Minister, are bold and ambitious, but they will be immensely challenging as well to achieve. In fact, by announcing these targets, India is not only walking its talk, it is literally running the talk - and recognising the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change," said CSE director general Sunita Narain. The organisation said that these ambitious pledges are a challenge to the developed world to step up their action. "Going by our comparatively low contribution to global emissions, coupled with the fact that our economy needs to grow and meet the energy needs of millions of poor citizens, we did not need to make such an ambitious pledge - but these are a challenge to the already rich world to step up - the time for procrastination and prevarication is over," it said. The CSE observed that India has committed to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by 1 billion tonnes - roughly 22% from the business-as-usual (BAU) scenario and "this means that per capita emissions in 2030 will be lower than all industrialised countries of the world, including China". "It also means that we have committed to a transformation of our energy system and this when we still have the challenge of reaching affordable energy to millions in the country," it said. The CSE further said that as far as the net-zero 2070 is concerned, India's target matches the commitment of the already industrialised. "The fact is that the world must reach net-zero by 2050, which means that the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries should get there by 2030 and China by 2040. The net zero target is not equitable or ambitious," it said. The CSE also decoded each of the targets announced by Modi. On the bold step to become net zero by 2070, it said that according to the IPCC, global emissions must become half by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050. "Given the enormous inequity in emissions in the world, the OECD countries must then reach net zero by 2030, China by 2040 and India and the rest of the world by 2050. However, the targets for net zero are both inequitable and unambitious. As per this, OECD countries have declared a net zero target for 2050 and China for 2060," said Narain. Therefore, India's net zero target of 2070 is an extension of this and cannot be argued against, the CSE said, adding that this combined net zero goal will not keep the world below 1.5 degree Celsius temperature rise and it means that OECD countries must frontload their emission reductions by 2030. Most importantly, China which will occupy 33% of the remaining budget and must be asked to reduce its emissions drastically in this decade -- China alone will add 126 Gt in this decade," it said.

India’s targets announced by PM at COP 26 immensely challenging to achieve: CSE

In a statement, the research and advocacy organisation said by announcing these targets, India is not just walking the talk, but "running the talk". The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) on Tuesday said India’s targets announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the global climate summit COP 26 are bold and ambitious but will be immensely challenging to achieve. In a statement, the research and advocacy organisation said by announcing these targets, India is not just walking the talk, but “running the talk”. At the ongoing COP 26 in Glasgow, Modi announced “enhanced” targets for India to combat climate change – by 2030, India will increase its non-fossil fuel energy capacity to 500 giga watt, meet 50 per cent of its energy requirements from renewable sources, reduce its total projected carbon emissions by one billion tonnes from now, and bring down the carbon intensity of its economy by less than 45 per cent. And by 2070, India will achieve its target of net zero. “India’s national targets, announced by its Prime Minister, are bold and ambitious, but they will be immensely challenging as well to achieve. In fact, by announcing these targets, India is not only walking its talk, it is literally running the talk – and recognising the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change,” said CSE director general Sunita Narain. The organisation said that these ambitious pledges are a challenge to the developed world to step up their action. “Going by our comparatively low contribution to global emissions, coupled with the fact that our economy needs to grow and meet the energy needs of millions of poor citizens, we did not need to make such an ambitious pledge – but these are a challenge to the already rich world to step up – the time for procrastination and prevarication is over,” it said. The CSE observed that India has committed to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by 1 billion tonnes – roughly 22 per cent from the business-as-usual (BAU) scenario and “this means that per capita emissions in 2030 will be lower than all industrialised countries of the world, including China”. “It also means that we have committed to a transformation of our energy system and this when we still have the challenge of reaching affordable energy to millions in the country,” it said. The CSE further said that as far as the net-zero 2070 is concerned, India’s target matches the commitment of the already industrialised. “The fact is that the world must reach net-zero by 2050, which means that the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries should get there by 2030 and China by 2040. The net zero target is not equitable or ambitious,” it said. The CSE also decoded each of the targets announced by Modi. On the bold step to become net zero by 2070, it said that according to the IPCC, global emissions must become half by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050. “Given the enormous inequity in emissions in the world, the OECD countries must then reach net zero by 2030, China by 2040 and India and the rest of the world by 2050. However, the targets for net zero are both inequitable and unambitious. As per this, OECD countries have declared a net zero target for 2050 and China for 2060,” said Narain. Therefore, India’s net zero target of 2070 is an extension of this and cannot be argued against, the CSE said, adding that this combined net zero goal will not keep the world below 1.5 degree Celsius temperature rise and it means that OECD countries must frontload their emission reductions by 2030. “Most importantly, China which will occupy 33 per cent of the remaining budget and must be asked to reduce its emissions drastically in this decade — China alone will add 126 Gt in this decade,” it said.

भारत की 2070 तक शून्य कार्बन उत्सर्जन के लक्ष्य की प्रतिज्ञा वास्तविक जलवायु कार्रवाई : विशेषज्ञ

नयी दिल्ली, दो नवंबर (भाषा) पर्यावरण विशेषज्ञों ने कहा है कि भारत, ग्रीन हाउस गैसों का उत्सर्जन कम करने के लिए चीन समेत कई अन्य देशों से बहुत ज्यादा प्रयास कर रहा है और 2070 तक शून्य कार्बन उत्सर्जन का लक्ष्य हासिल करने की सीओपी26 में की गई उसकी प्रतिज्ञा “असल जलवायु कार्रवाई” है। ग्लासगो में 26वें अंतरराष्ट्रीय जलवायु सम्मेलन में सोमवार को अपने वक्तव्य में प्रधानमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी द्वारा किए गए बड़े वादे की सराहना करते हुए, पर्यावरण विशेषज्ञों ने कहा कि प्रतिज्ञा करके, भारत ने एक हजार अरब डॉलर की जलवायु निधि के वादे को पूरा करने के लिए गेंद विकसित देशों के पाले में डाल दी है। जलवायु परिवर्तन कार्यकर्ता एवं ‘सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट’ की महानिदेशक सुनीता नारायण ने कहा कि भारत ने अपना खाका तैयार कर लिया है, और गैर-जीवाश्म ईंधन, नवीकरणीय ऊर्जा और कार्बन तीव्रता में कमी के लक्ष्य 2030 तक एक अरब टन कार्बन उत्सर्जन में कटौती करने के रास्ते हैं। उन्होंने ट्वीट किया, “50 प्रतिशत नवीकरणीय ऊर्जा का लक्ष्य, 500 गीगावॉट गैर-जीवाश्म ईंधन, 45 प्रतिशत कार्बन तीव्रता का लक्ष्य सभी 2030 तक कार्बन उत्सर्जन में एक अरब टन कमी को हासिल करने के रास्ते हैं। भारत ने अपना खाका तैयार कर लिया है, यह आर्थिक सहयोग और विकास संगठन (ओईसीडी) से ज्यादा और चीन से निश्चित तौर पर ज्यादा है। भारत का राष्ट्रीय स्तर पर निर्धारित योगदान (एनडीसी) को बढ़ाना विश्व के लिए ज्यादा कार्रवाई करने की चुनौती पेश करता है।” नारायण ने ट्वीट किया, “हम 2030 तक एक अरब टन कार्बन उत्सर्जन कम करेंगे; प्रति व्यक्ति 2.31 टन जो अमेरिका में प्रति व्यक्ति 9.4 टन और चीन के 9 टन/प्रति व्यक्ति के मुकाबले कम होगा। कोई सवाल ही नहीं है कि वह जो कह रहा है वह होगा।” हालांकि, उन्होंने कहा कि वैश्विक तापमान को 1.5 डिग्री से ज्यादा न बढ़ने देने के लिए शून्य उत्सर्जन का लक्ष्य दुनिया को 2050 तक प्राप्त करना होगा। नारायण ने कहा, “दुनिया को 2050 तक शून्य उत्सर्जन के लिए, चीन को 2040 तक और ओईसीडी देशों को 2030 तक उत्सर्जन शून्य करना होगा। यही कारण है कि शून्य उत्सर्जन का लक्ष्य असमान है और जलवायु परिवर्तन से निपटने को अस्पष्ट एवं अप्रभावी बनाता है। हम बेहतर के लायक हैं।” ऊर्जा, पर्यावरण और जल परिषद की संस्थापक अरुणाभा घोष ने कहा, "मैं कम कार्बन उत्सर्जन के संबंध में एक साहसिक बयान देने के लिए प्रधानमंत्री मोदी और भारत को बधाई देना चाहती हूं। भारत ने स्पष्ट रूप से गेंद को विकसित देशों के पाले में डाल दिया है। यह वास्तविक जलवायु कार्रवाई है।" घोष ने कहा, “अब भारत जल्द से जल्द एक हजार अरब डॉलर की जलवायु निधि की मांग करता है और वह न सिर्फ जलवायु कार्रवाई की निगरानी करेगा बल्कि जलवायु वित्त भी मुहैया कराएगा। सबसे अहम यह है कि भारत ने एक बार फिर जीवनशैली में बदलाव का आह्वान किया है। हम कैसे जीते हैं, इसे अगर हमने अभी नहीं बदला तो, हम जिस धरती पर रह रहे हैं उसे ठीक नहीं कर सकते।” इसी तरह की प्रतिक्रिया में, ‘क्लाइमेट ट्रेंड्स’ की निदेशक, आरती खोसला ने कहा, "2070 तक शून्य उत्सर्जन लक्ष्यों को प्राप्त करने की प्रतिबद्धता की घोषणा करके, भारत ने वैश्विक आह्वान पर सकारात्मक प्रतिक्रिया दी है और यह ग्लासगो में आज की सबसे अच्छी जलवायु कार्रवाई थी।" ‘इंटरनेशनल सोलर अलायंस’’ के महानिदेशक अजय माथुर ने कहा कि 2030 तक कार्बन उत्सर्जन में एक अरब टन की कमी और गैर जीवाश्म क्षमता का 500 गीगा वाट तक विस्तार बहुत ही व्यापक और परिवर्तनकारी कदम हैं।’’ ‘आईफारेस्ट’ के सीईओ चंद्र भूषण ने बड़ी घोषणाओं के लिए प्रधानमंत्री मोदी को बधाई दी और कहा कि जलवायु संकट के समाधान मे ये कदम दूरगामी असर डालेंगे। ‘डब्ल्यूडब्ल्यूएफ इंडिया’ के सीईओ एवं महासचिव रवि सिंह ने कहा ‘‘सीओपी26 में भारत की प्रतिबद्धता और वैश्विक नेतृत्व के जरिये प्रधानमंत्री ने साहसिक कदम उठाया है और उनके द्वारा जाहिर पांच प्रतिबद्धताओं ने कार्बन उत्सर्जन घटाने की दिशा में रास्ते और भारत की स्थिति को रेखांकित किया है।’’

सीओपी26 में प्रधानमंत्री की ओर से घोषित लक्ष्य भारत के लिए बेहद चुनौतीपूर्ण: सीएसई

नयी दिल्ली, दो नवंबर सेंटर फार साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट (सीएसई) ने मंगलवार को कहा कि ग्लासगो में सीओपी जलवायु शिखर सम्मेलन के दौरान प्रधानमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी द्वारा भारत के लिए तय लक्ष्य की घोषण साहसी और महत्वाकांक्षी है, हालांकि इसे प्राप्त कर पाना बेहद चुनौतीपूर्ण है।</p><p> ब्रिटेन के ग्लासगो में संयुक्त राष्ट्र सीओपी-26 के राष्ट्राध्यक्ष और शासनाध्यक्ष सम्मेलन में भारत का प्रतिनिधित्व करते हुए प्रधानमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी ने कहा है , ‘‘भारत 500 गीगा वाट गैर जीवाश्म ईंधन क्षमता 2030 तक हासिल करेगा। भारत 2030 तक अपनी ऊर्जा जरूरतों का 50 प्रतिशत नवीकरणीय ऊर्जा से प्राप्त करेगा। भारत अब से 2030 के बीच अनुमानित कार्बन उत्सर्जन में एक अरब टन की कटौती करेगा। भारत कार्बन की गहनता में 45 प्रतिशत तक कटौती करेगा और 2070 तक शून्य उत्सर्जन के लक्ष्य को प्राप्त करेगा।

जलवायु परिवर्तन: सहनसक्षम विश्व की ओर

विश्व के जलवायु संकट का मतलब है कि हम ज़्यादा सघन तूफ़ान, समुद्रों का बढ़ता जल स्तर, बढ़ता सूखा, और ज़्यादा इनसानी तकलीफ़ें देख रहे हैं. मगर, एक प्रमुख भारतीय पर्यावरणविद सुनीता नारायण का कहना है कि ज़रूरी नहीं कि हम इसे स्वीकार ही करके बैठ जाएँ. हम जानते हैं कि अपने गाँवों, खेतों, शहरों, रास्तों और घरों को किस तरह सुरक्षित बनाया जाए. हमें इंसाफ़ की ख़ातिर, तत्काल कार्रवाई करनी होगी. जलवायु मुद्दे पर यूएन वीडियो सिरीज़ में अगली कड़ी...

Air quality set to plummet in India's capital after clean spell

Intermittent rain and winds led to a rare drop in pollution in India's capital last month, with residents breathing the cleanest air in at least four years, but authorities warn that air quality is set to drop sharply in November. A delayed end to the monsoon and a sharp pick-up in wind speeds ensured that the concentration of hazardous, small airborne particles known as PM2.5 in a cubic metre of air averaged 72 in October when air quality typically takes a turn for the worse. That was sharply down from an average concentration of 126 recorded in October 2020 - 25 times over the World Health Organization's safe limit - according to data gathered by the state-run Central Pollution Control Board. But factors including falling temperatures, a drop-off in wind speed and farmers torchingcrop stubbleare likely to turn the air hazardous. "Because of frequent rains, most farmers didn't get to burn crop stubble, and now they have an even shorter window to dispose of crop waste," said Anumita Roychowdhury, an executive director at the Centre for Science and Environment think tank. New Delhi's air pollution is a reminder of the challenges India faces as world leaders meet at the UN COP26 summit in Scotland to agree on strategies to fight global warming. read more Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose government often invites criticism for not doing enough to curb pollution, on Monday told the COP26 climate summit that India would achieve a net zero carbon emission target by 2070. read more Scientists said India's target is at least two decades late. India, the world's third-biggest emitter of greenhouse gases after China and the United States, had earlier rejected calls to announce a net zero carbon emissions target, and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson pressed New Delhi to submit an ambitious emissions reduction target. read more India should actively strive for an earlier date of zero emissions after reassessing the situation in coming years, said Avinash Kumar Chanchal, senior climate campaigner at Greenpeace India. "The next ten years are going to be crucial in achieving the climate target, and the action plan must start reducing emissions at sources, as fast and as much as possible," he said. Adding to concerns over air quality in New Delhi, the Diwali festival of lights falls on Thursday when Indians set off firecrackers as part of an ancient Hindu tradition. Delhi has banned the sale of firecrackers, but authorities rarely enforce such curbs. read more "The October air was clean, but we're really worried about November," said a senior government official involved in framing policies to curb air pollution. "Stubble burning could peak right after Diwali." Since 2018, India has given individual farmers a 50% subsidy and farm cooperatives an 80% subsidy to buy machines that dispose of rice stubble left out in the field by mechanised harvesters. Despite the subsidies, the machines are expensive. Farmers also complain that they need to pay upfront and then claim subsidies later - a process that takes about 10 months. In October, crop waste burning came down by 52% against the same month last year, government data showed. In Lahore in neighbouring Pakistan, not far from the border with India, the air quality index rose to 341, the worst in the world on Monday, according to IQ Air. On Tuesday, air quality in Pakistan's second-most populous city was 162. In the winter months, industrial and vehicular emissions, smoke from brick kilns and crop stubble fires lead to a sharp spike in air pollution in Lahore, just as in India.

Air quality in Noida, Ghaziabad worsens

The air quality is, however, likely to improve over the next two days due to the change in the wind direction from northwesterly -- which carries smoke from stubble burning -- to the cleaner southerly, according to the air pollution monitoring agencies The air quality in Noida worsened on Sunday, but remained in the ‘poor’ category. The air quality is, however, likely to improve over the next two days due to the change in the wind direction from northwesterly -- which carries smoke from stubble burning -- to the cleaner southerly, according to the air pollution monitoring agencies. The festival rush or increase in traffic movement, and dropping temperatures or wind speed, are the reasons behind the spike in the pollution levels over the past 24 hours,” said Shambhavi Shukla, deputy programme manager (air pollution), Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the air quality index (AQI) reading, on a scale of zero to 500, for Noida on Sunday was at 292 against 260 a day earlier. The AQI in Ghaziabad was at 342 against 273 on Saturday, and 292 in Greater Noida against 273 a day earlier. An AQI reading between 101 and 200 is considered ‘moderate’, between 201 and 300 ‘poor’, between 301 and 400 ‘very poor’, and above 400 ‘severe’. According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (Safar), the fire count has reduced slightly over the past 24 hours, and the air quality is likely to improve in the coming days. “The air quality is likely to improve to the upper end of the ‘poor’ category in the next two days due to an expected change in the wind direction to westerly or southwesterly, reducing the transport of emissions from stubble burning. Isolated rainfall is likely in the upwind region which would improve the air quality. Share of crop residue burning emissions in PM2.5 is about 8% at present. Prevailing shallow mixing layer height reduces dispersion of pollutants,” according to a statement by the SAFAR on Sunday. According to the Safar, the effective fire count (stubble burning) on Sunday was recorded at 1,734 against 1,826 a day earlier. Meanwhile, the daytime temperatures recorded a slight drop in Noida. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the maximum and minimum temperatures in Noida on Sunday were recorded at 29.2 degrees Celsius and 17.1 degrees Celsius, respectively, against 29.2 degrees Celsius and 14.8 degrees Celsius, respectively, a day earlier. “Maximum and minimum temperatures will hover around 30 degrees Celsius and 17 degrees Celsius on Monday,” said an IMD official.

Affordability, incentives, rebate in power bills: What is needed to increase use of energy efficient appliances

As India's electricity demand rises with the spread of the current power grid, the policymakers, as well as the private sector, are looking for ways to increase power production. Ratings by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) on a scale from 1 to 5, which are boldly displayed on most electronic products, indicate the energy efficiency of an electronic appliance in an increasing order. EESL (Energy Efficiency Services Limited), the govt agency responsible for bringing energy efficient appliances into the Indian market, launched its super-efficient scheme for ACs (air-conditioners) in July 2019. But Avikal Somvanshi, Programme Manager working with the Sustainable Cities Programme at the CSE (Centre for Science and Environment), rues that the scheme was able to achieve less than 1% sales target by March this year. Though adherence to BEE ratings for electronics is not a prerequisite, there is an ongoing awareness campaign to save the environment by optimising use of electricity. But what's really falling short in phasing out power guzzling devices? WHERE DOES THE PROBLEM LIE? Pointing to the Bachat Lamp Yojana which led to a successful shift of Indian households from incandescent to CFL lamps, Somvanshi feels that EESL's AC priced at Rs. 41,300 for a 1.5 ton model is way too expensive for middle-class families to opt for. He reckons that faulty rating design is another drawback, claiming that the "current BEE labels for AC don't give a realistic estimate of power consumption as the whole rating system is designed to under-report power consumption by these appliances so that the new customers don't get scared by the running cost." Contending that the annual consumption numbers are suppressed to reduce the reported energy savings and get a better star level, he cites that star labels tell people that a 5-star AC on average consumes 120-150 units of electricity less than a 3-star AC annually. He told ET Now: "5-star ACs are minimum Rs. 8,000 dearer than their 3-star counterparts and the annual saving can be translated to anywhere between Rs. 180-225 (Delhi's subsidised domestic rate) and Rs. 930-1,162 (Delhi's highest unsubsidised domestic rate) depending upon the electricity rate one chooses for the calculation." Even with the most optimistic calculation, this implies that a minimum time of 7 years is needed for payback of the extra investment, for a product that has a designed life of just 5-6 years. WHAT DO EXPERTS SUGGEST Former CEO and MD of Tata Power Delhi Distribution, Sunil Wadhwa, suggests that the use of energy-efficient electronic appliances should entail some rebate for the seller and credit in electricity bills for the consumer after submission of proof of purchase. He is of the view that a rebate for energy-efficient appliances approved by SERCs (State Electricity Regulatory Commissions) will eventually enable savings in the tariff setting process. Asking for a PLI scheme to manufacture super-efficient appliances, Wadhwa wants incentives to rise along with the efficiency of appliances to make the industry more competitive. Though he seems wary of the idea of enforcing penalties for energy-guzzling devices for now, he does feel that the intent to impose penalties in the coming decades can't be ruled out. Stressing on the need to adopt higher minimum energy performance standards to ensure the removal of power-guzzling devices from the market, Somvanshi feels that India needs to go much beyond providing ratings, by ensuring the availability of energy-efficient appliances at an affordable price. While constant efforts are being made to manufacture and promote energy-efficient appliances, the endeavour needs to spread to public consciousness and more domains of policymaking to ensure that it actually makes a difference.

India’s Agenda At COP26: What You Need To Know

At the United Nations Climate Summit in Copenhagen in 2009, the developed nations had pledged to provide $100 billion a year to the developing nations to help mitigate climate change and it is yet to be delivered and India is likely to take this up, as opposed to setting a deadline to achieve net zero target New Delhi: COP 26, or the biggest and the most important climate conference on the planet, is on at Glagow currently. Since 1995, the United Nations has held an annual summit, bringing together representatives from over 190 nations across the globe, that have signed up to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in 1992. For the conference, politicians and key policymakers get together to discuss climate targets and progress on reducing emissions and it is formally known as a “Conference Of the Parties” or “COP”. The official agenda of the two-week meeting is to finalise the rules and procedures for implementation of the Paris Agreement, which was supposed to have been completed by 2018. Under the Paris Agreement, India has three quantifiable nationally determined contributions (NDCs): Lowering the emissions intensity of its GDP by 33- 35 per cent compared to 2005 levels by 2030 Increase total cumulative electricity generation from fossil-free energy sources to 40 per cent by 2030 Create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tons through additional forest and tree cover. According to Union Environment Minister, Bhupender Yadav, climate finance will be the primary focus for India at the conference. In an interaction with the media ahead of the international climate conference to be held from October 31 to November 12 in Glasgow, the minister said it is yet to be determined which country will get how much financial support to combat the global climate challenge. There are many issues which will be on the table but the most vital will be to remind the developed nations to deliver on their promise of $ 100 billion per year to the developing countries, he said. At the United Nations Climate Summit in Copenhagen in 2009, the developed nations had pledged to provide $100 billion a year to the developing nations to help mitigate climate change and it is yet to be delivered. The amount has now accumulated to over $1 trillion since 2009. Elaborating on the issue, Environment Secretary R P Gupta said that the amount to be received by India is yet to be ascertained. Mr Gupta also said that besides fulfilment of climate funding, India expects the developed nations to compensate for the loss and damage expenditure borne by the country due to climate change and global warming as the developed world is responsible for it. The severity and the frequency of floods and cyclones have increased and it is because of climate change. The 1.5-degree Celsius temperature rise globally has happened because of the developed nations and their historical emissions. There should be compensation for us. The developed nations must bear the expenditure of the damage because they are somewhere responsible for it, Mr Gupta said, adding that India is hopeful of a good outcome at the COP 26. As per the data in 2018 carbon emissions data, China tops the list with 10.06 GT, the US emitted 5.41 GT and India emitted 2.65 GT. The world’s average per capita emission per year is 6.64 tons. India historically stands at 4.5 per cent total emissions and to make it actually work, developed countries should do it before 2050. There should be a compensation mechanism and the expenditure should be brought by the developed nations, Environment Ministry sources told ANI. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set a target of generating 450 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2030. As of July 2021, India had 96.96 GW of renewable energy capacity, and represents 25.2 per cent of the overall installed power capacity. India’s Stance On Net Zero As per the recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, it has been stated that all countries need to achieve net-zero by 2050 to keep the global temperature rise under 1.5 degrees Celsius. Net zero refers to the balance between the amount of greenhouse gas produced and the amount removed from the atmosphere. As per experts, we reach net zero when the amount we add is no more than the amount taken away. The United States, Britain and the European Union have set a target date of 2050 to reach net zero, by which point they will only emit an amount of greenhouse gases that can be absorbed by forests, crops, soils and still-embryonic “carbon capture technology. While working towards net zero, countries are expected to announce new and strengthened intermediate targets for cutting emissions. However, India on Wednesday (October 27) rejected calls to announce a net zero carbon emissions target and said it was more important for the world to lay out a pathway to reduce such emissions and avert a dangerous rise in global temperatures. As per the Environment Secretary R.P.Gupta, net zero was not the solution to the climate crisis. It is how much carbon you are going to put in the atmosphere before reaching net zero that is more important, Mr Gupta said. Also Read: Explainer: From Paris To Glasgow – Cutting Through Climate Jargon Experts’ Take On India’s Agenda At The COP26 Never before, and perhaps never after, nations of the world will come together in such a significant manner as at the COP 26; to transit from generic fossils fuels, or hydrocarbons, (coal petroleum products) to renewable energy (Wind Solar Hydro Hydrogen) to save the planet Earth from imminent disaster of warming beyond 1.5 degrees above pre industrial levels; making it unliveable due to freak and extreme weather conditions which we are witnessing with increasing frequency, says Rajeev Suri, an Activist in Urban, Environment & Transition advocacy. Mr Suri further says that the crisis is manifesting itself through oceans warming, change in rainfall patterns, island states being submerged, drought, extreme heat, melting glaciers, water shortages, typhons, cyclones, destruction, displacement migrations, just to name few very obvious outcomes. During the Paris Accord in 2015, nations had voluntarily agreed to emission cuts known as Nationally Determined Contributions, India had committed to reduce its emissions by 25-30 per cent from 2005 baseline year. The tagline in COP 26 is Net Zero, for nations to achieve carbon neutrality by the proposed year 2050 or earlier. To achieve this transition, Coal as a form of energy for electricity, heavy industry, and petrol/petroleum for mobility have to be phased out, and replaced by power generated through renewables Solar Wind Natural Gas (as transition fuel) and later Green Hydrogen. Large users of Coal as India have given 2030 as the peaking year, following which consumption will decline, Mr Suri explains. Also Read: COP26: What Real Climate Action Would Look Like Mr Suri also says that COP 26 is the last hope to save the planet, COP 26 seeks to apply the ‘Ratchet’ mechanism, whereby countries voluntarily rachet up their NDC’s, to hasten the energy transition. The Conference will have nations groups such as the Least Developed Countries (LDC’s) 46 nations, Like Minded Developing Countries (LMDC’s) 24 nations including India, that will be pressing for climate justice, equity and contribution based on historical responsibility. The wealthy nations must fulfill their long-promised funding of $100 Billion a year, now considered too little, to lesser development nations with a creditable delivery programmed in the form technology and adaption. COP26 is the last hope to save the planet from imminent destruction; we cannot fritter away this chance. Avantika Goswami, Deputy programme manager, Climate Change, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), tells NDTV that India’s strength is that it has performed well on 2 out of 3 stated NDC goals. It also has a minimal contribution to historical carbon dioxide emissions, which is important to note since cumulative emissions are the main driver of global warming. So the burden of decarbonisation is not India’s to bear, it belongs to the developed world. What is not clear is whether or not this is enough for both climate change and the best interests of all sections of our own population. What India must focus on is developing clear sectoral emissions reductions plans domestically that will serve our best own interests in terms of clean air, energy access and resilient livelihoods. We definitely need to reduce our coal dependence, but that must happen on our own terms and with our developmental goals in mind. Forest Regeneration and Environment Sustainability Trust (FORREST) India’s Founder and Director, Neha Singh says that all of us are responsible for the Global climate change and all of us together can only create solution of this situation. When it comes to India’s focus on climate finance from developed to developing country, she says, We must remind them that promises need to be fulfilled as helping other countries will help them in turn. It’s a circle and we all are standing together joining hands. But we should proclaim that we are working on our quantifiable nationally determined contributions (NDCs) rigorously and we are determined to fulfill them no matter what. Focus of the meeting should be committing to create feasible local climate strategies in every country through country’s policies, Projects and plans. This should percolate from above to below strata and movement should be generated at the grassroots at the same time where communities should be involved. At least 195 countries are expected to participate in the meeting in Glasgow that is expected to take place from October 31 to November 12. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is participating in a World Leaders Summit to be held as part of the COP.

Cleanest October air in Delhi since start of AQI in 2015

NEW DELHI: New Delhi recorded its cleanest October air this year since the Central Pollution Control Board started measuring the city's AQI or air quality index in 2015. This October also witnessed the first 'good air' day of the year and didn't have any 'very poor' or 'severe' air quality day, unlike this month in the past six years. 4578 (1) Experts say intense rainfall and lesser number of farm fires were mainly behind the clean air. An analysis of CPCB's October data reveals the highest number of 'very poor' air quality days at 14 were recorded in 2017, while no such day was seen in October this year. First October In 6 Yrs To Have At Least One 'Good-Air' Day The lone 'good' air day this October 18 was also the first to be recorded in the month since 2015. The average AQI this October was 173, the lowest ever measured in October in the capital. According to India Meteorological Department's data, the city saw seven rainy days in October this time and logged 122.5mm rainfall, which is the highest since 1960. However, except October 2018, which recorded no rain activity, only one rainy day each was seen in the same month in 2020, 2019, 2017, 2016 and 2015. Dipankar Saha, former head at CPCB's air laboratory said, "October 2021 was historically good month as it recorded the first 'good' air day of the year and no 'very poor' or 'severe' air quality day. The analysis of past data of October shows the air quality in the month usually start deteriorating in the second week of October but it didn't happen this time. Though AQI reached higher-end of 'poor' category on October 16 and 17 with an AQI of 284 and 298, it drastically came down to 46 on October 18 due to heavy rain." Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director research and advocacy, Centre for Science and Environment, said, "This October has been the cleanest because of the intense and longer spell of rains, delayed withdrawal of monsoon, and farmers deferring burning of stubble which normally picks up in October. We may now see a spike in stubble burning incidents as the window for the sowing season is getting shorter. This is a matter of concern." While an AQI reading of 50 or below is classified as "good", readings between 51 and 100 fall in the "satisfactory" category and those between 101 and 200 are classified as "moderate". "Poor" air ranges from 201 to 300, "very poor" from 301 to 400 and "severe" from 401 to 500.

India Development Debate Cop26

EP1319 - India’s role at the crucial climate conference - CoP26 Glasgow | India Development Debate All eyes on COP 26 summit in U.K's Glasgow, where top world leaders will discuss climate emergency. On agenda are contentious issues like carbon emission, global temperatures, financing the fight against climate change and fixing responsibility. This time around, there are high expectations from India as well which has exceeded the targets set by world in mitigating climate change. To discuss what India's stance is going to be and what the significance of this conference, watch ET NOW's Tamanna Inamdar Speak with Sunita Narain, Director, CSE, & Environmentalist on the India Development Debate.

COP26: The order of our times

COP26's top agenda should be to reclaim its leadership and voice to rebuild the trust of people - both rich and poor It’s a make-or-break moment for the world. Today, when leaders gather in Glasgow, Scotland, for the 26th conference of the parties (COP26) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), they meet with the recognition that time has run out. Science has already spoken about the dire emergency that stares us in the face; the UN chief has sounded “Code Red for humanity”, based on the findings of climate scientists. But we no longer need scientists to tell us this. We can see the devastation in our world — every day there is news about another region that has faced an extreme weather catastrophe. COP 26 — delayed by a year due to Covid-19 — has the task to rework its own agenda and functioning. Over the past few decades, climate negotiations have been ossified to such an extent that they have kind of lost their purpose. A myriad of committees, institutions, and funds have been set up purportedly to manage climate change — but this maze is just full of papers and wordage. COP26’s top agenda should be to reclaim its leadership and voice to rebuild the trust of people — both rich and poor. This means making the agenda for action clearer and much more focused on what needs to be done — now, not even tomorrow. First, there is a desperate need to front-load action on mitigation — to plan for 2030, and to ensure that China, which will occupy 30 per cent of the already shrunk carbon budget between 2020 and 2030, is in the spotlight. China is yesterday’s USA and it is important to speak truth to this power. Then there is a need to discuss the remaining carbon budget, necessary to limit the temperature rise to 1.5°C, and how it should be allocated — not just appropriated. We cannot have an ambitious agreement unless it is equitable. So, COP26 must not repeat the mistakes of the past by trying to erase equity and climate justice. Roughly 70 per cent of the world need to exercise their right to development and in the process will exceed the available budget. This means, all will be at risk in an interdependent world. We know countries like India must not make the same mistakes that the already rich have made. The world needs to secure pathways for low-carbon growth and to pay for this transformation in the still developing world. Finger-pointing and shaming the emerging world for future and inevitable emissions will cut no ice with them. At COP26, we need to confront the reality of this inequity and ensure that it is addressed. Third is the agenda of “how” this will happen. Availability of finance must be made transparent and measurable — it will help overcome the trust deficit. So, it is not just the scale of finance that has to be discussed and agreed upon, its rules must also be made so that this fund transfer can be counted and verified. The “how” agenda is also connected to the discussions on markets — Article 6 of the Paris Agreement — which is on the table at COP26. The current effort is to find smart and cheap ways to build a market instrument that will reduce the cost of carbon purchase from the developing world. A repeat of the complicated, convoluted, and cheap Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) must not be allowed again. Instead, the market should be used for transformational action so that projects that will bring “big bang” carbon reductions can be paid through this instrument. The market must be driven by public policy and intent, and not left to discover new scams in the name of carbon offsets. This is also where discussions on nature-based solutions must be firmly rooted. We must not miss the wood for the trees — literally in this case. There is an opportunity to use the ecological wealth of poor countries and communities for mitigation as trees and natural ecosystems sequester carbon dioxide. So, this should not be viewed as carbon sticks but as opportunities for livelihoods and the economic well-being of the poor. The rules for carbon offsets for forests must be developed with this in mind — deliberately and with statecraft. All this then brings the world to the discussions on adaptation and loss and damage — completely lost in the multiplicity of institutions, committees, funds, and all without any money or impact in the real world. The elephant in the room (that we would like not to discuss) is finance — this is where the discussions must be on adaptation and on loss and damage. We do not need rocket science to calculate the crippling losses being suffered by countries and communities because of climate change-induced extreme weather events. This is why COP26 must not be lost to prevarication in negotiations and to pusillanimous leaders. Let’s hope that this COP stands out and is counted as different. It is the order of our times.