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Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Pre-lockdown pollution back with a bang

monsoon period, has now been lost since economy got reopened and after winter set in. Levels of higher particulate matter 2.5 microns in thickness (PM 2.5) are being witnessed, which are typical when there are continuous emissions, including from vehicles, industry, and construction. PM 2.5 gets trapped due to meteorological changes. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director in charge of CSE’s Research and Advocacy said: “This analysis has dispelled the myth about safer air in the south compared to other regions. Health impacts are almost equally bad. Despite the dramatic reduction in air pollution during lockdown, pollution has bounced back across the southern region, unmasking the high impact of local and regional pollution.” After assessing the changing trends in Indo-Gangetic plains, Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and West Bengal, this analysis unravels the pattern of pollution in cities of southern India – a vulnerable but poorly monitored region from the air quality perspective. Avikal Somvanshi, programme manager in CSE’s Urban Lab team of Sustainable Cities programme, said: “Winter is not as harsh in southern cities. Therefore, the impact of inversion is expected to be limited; yet a build-up of pollution has been noted. Even though the average level of PM 2.5 for summer and monsoon months in 2020 is considerably lower than the previous year due to the summer lockdown, PM 2.5 levels this winter have risen beyond those in 2019 in most of the monitored cities, Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram being the only exceptions. The region cannot rely only on the natural advantage of warmer winters and sea breeze to avoid bad air.” The analysis is based on publicly available granular real-time data (15-minute averages) from the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) official online portal Central Control Room for Air Quality Management. The study notes that while several bigger cities have witnessed reduction in annual trends in PM 2.5, smaller towns and cities have experienced an increase. Only nine out of 21 cities have data for 2019. The 2020 average PM 2.5 level in many inland cities in Deccan Plateau has climbed up to breach the average concentration recorded in 2019. Chikkaballapur in southern Karnataka is the worst performer with 3.9 per cent increase from 2019 level. Tirupati has registered a 1.8 per cent increase. The maximum improvement is noted in Chennai, which closed 2020 with a 30 per cent lower PM 2.5. Amravati has 24 per cent, Bengaluru 19, Visakhapatnam 16, and Hyderabad and Rajamahendravaram at 14 per cent are the other best performers in the pool. Thiruvananthapuram has shown an improvement of 5 per cent. The dirtiest week for Hyderabad, Amravati, Rajamahendravaram, Chikkaballapur, and Yadgir was the week ending on January 3, 2021. For Tirupati, Visakhapatnam, Hubballi, Chennai, Coimbatore, Kannur, Kozhikode, Kochi, and Thiruvananthapuram; the dirtiest week was that ending on December 27, 2020. Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam had earlier start with bad air days in 2020 winter. The rolling weekly average rose over the 24-hour standard or 60 μg/m3 in Visakhapatnam on October 23 (nine days earlier), and Hyderabad on October 25 (14 days earlier). This winter overall has been 34 per cent dirtier in Visakhapatnam, seven per cent in Hyderabad, and nine per cent in Thiruvananthapuram. Bengaluru registered no change in the seasonal average while Chennai was 20 per cent cleaner. The rolling weekly average did not breach the standard in Bengaluru, Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram. | February 3, 2021

Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

India’s air dirtiest, but clean-up budget slashed

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman has cut federal allocations to tackle urban air pollution by half, even as India’s cities remain among the most polluted globally Of the 50 most populous cities in the world, seven are in India. All seven have PM2.5 levels in multiples of what the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends, a study found on the day India’s finance minister cut the central budget for air pollution control despite talking about providing budgetary support to clean dirty air in cities. Of all the cities, Delhi had the second highest annual average PM2.5 level of 102 micrograms per cubic metre (μg/m3) in 2019, according to the study conducted by air quality data platform OpenAQ in partnership with the Environmental Defence Fund. Lahore was the worst at 123.9 μg/m3. PM2.5 is particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 microns or less. Essentially, it is fine dust or smoke particles from combustion due to industrial activities – mainly coal-fired power generation – and from vehicle exhausts. These particles get deep into the lungs and the bloodstream and cause respiratory diseases. The WHO recommends a ceiling of 10 μg/m3 in a city. Instead, in 2019 Delhi had an average level of 102 μg/m3, Ahmedabad had 56.7, Kolkata 52.1, Mumbai 43.4, Hyderabad 38.2, Chennai 34.3 and Bangalore 27.1. Source: OpenAQ data Source: OpenAQ data While presenting the annual central budget in Parliament on February 1, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman acknowledged the need to “tackle the burgeoning problem of air pollution.” She allocated INR 22.17 billion (USD 304 million) to clean up foul air in 42 cities with over a million population for the financial year starting on April 1. Slashed by half However, this was almost half of INR 44 billion (USD 630 million) that was allocated in last year’s budget. Most of that money was not spent, experts said. “Last year’s funds remained largely unutilised by the urban local bodies,” said Ajay Singh Nagpure, director, air quality at World Resources Institute India, an independent research organisation. The federal finance ministry had released INR 22 billion as the first instalment in November 2020. “However, as the initial allocation was delayed due to pandemic disruption, it is too early to assess the impact of that funding,” said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy at the Centre for Science and Environment, a think tank. “This year, a concerted effort by the states and cities to develop capacity will help use the allocated funds efficiently and impact on-ground change,” Nagpure hoped. “While committed funding for clean air action is a positive step, it also raises the expectation of performance-based budgeting to ensure verifiable improvement in air quality,” said Roychowdhury. Air pollution shortens average life expectancy in India by 5.2 years compared with what it would be if WHO guidelines were met, according to Air Quality Life Index 2020 by the Energy Policy Institute of University of Chicago (EPIC). In cities like New Delhi, Delhi, life expectancy shrivels by around nine years from breathing filthy air, a situation that can be reversed only through drastic policy changes and action. See: Air pollution robs over five years of life in South Asia Poor countries, dirty countries While the situation in India and China is the worst, OpenAQ found that 33 of the largest cities in the world exceeded the WHO PM2.5 limit by around four times in 2019. The pollution is far more acute in developing country cities than in developed countries. The worst affected cities were in Asia – Lahore (Pakistan), New Delhi, Dhaka (Bangladesh), Ahmedabad and Xi’an (China), in that order. Air pollution is a bigger killer than the Covid-19 pandemic and will continue to remain so unless there is strong and sustained policy action to tackle the problem, researchers at EPIC said. It is a wake-up call for everyone to download air quality sensors on their smartphones or to buy a low-cost sensor, OpenAQ researchers believe. All the sensors are not equally good, but they provide an indication that helps fill 18 Monthly compilation of CSE’s media clippings: for the month of February 2021 key monitoring gaps and enables cities, governments, researchers and citizens to participate in monitoring air quality and fighting air pollution in their communities. The researchers point out that 90% of the world suffers harmful pollution levels, yet only half have access to air quality data. OpenAQ collects its data from a coalition of research scientists, NGOs and individuals. It uses high quality reference grade sensors that cost around USD 10,000, as well as low-cost sensors that cost around USD 100. The platform houses more than three quarter billion data points from over 11,000 stations in 99 countries. It is available to everyone, free of cost. Many scientists working in governmentrun laboratories criticise low-cost sensors, but these sensors are improving all the time. Many are mobile. Their use widens the areas that can be monitored in a city quite dramatically. Information can spark action Speaking at the release of the study, Jeremy Taub, executive director of OpenAQ, said, “We want to encourage new, affordable solutions to monitor air quality, and bring that data to OpenAQ to increase funding and action for those communities who are most affected by air pollution. It will fill important data gaps allowing communities to develop solutions to air pollution.” “One of the keys to fighting air pollution inequity is data transparency — ensuring that as wide a range of people as possible have access to as much of it as possible,” said Millie Chu Baird, Associate Vice President at Environmental Defence Fund. “It’s foundational to the ability to take action.”

Down To Earth

UK, Nigeria And Egypt Send Strong Message To Cyril Ramaphosa Concerning Fake COVID-19 Vaccines.

The South African Covid strain may be available in a few African nations, cautions WHO There is a flood in the novel Covid sickness (COVID-19) cases and it is being fuelled by the new variations of the infection, the World Health Organization as of late cautioned. African countries should fortify their reactions against the SARS-COV-2 variations dreaded to be flowing in the landmass, said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, provincial chief, WHO Africa in a virtual public interview on January 28, 2021. As indicated by the Africa CDC, as of January 29, over 3.5 million individuals have been tainted in the locale and more than 88,900 individuals passed on of COVID-19. Southern and northern African locale is influenced the most and record for 80% cases and 86 percent passings in the mainland. Five African nations — South Africa, Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Zambia and Nigeria — and 24 non-African countries have affirmed instances of the South African variation, 501Y.V2. South Africa enrolled a 238 percent spike in Covid contaminations in December. Henceforth, Moeti has forewarned that the South Africa variation is a lot of liable to be flowing undetected in a few African nations. More than 175,000 new COVID-19 cases and in excess of 6,200 passings were accounted for in Africa in the most recent seven day stretch of January while diseases rose by 50% in the mainland between December 29, 2020 and January 25, 2021, said WHO. South Africa is right now seeing a slight plunge in contaminations and cases at present however 22 African nations, including Ghana and Nigeria, keep on seeing their cases develop, as per WHO. Passings rose two-overlap in a similar four-week time span, with more than 15,000 packed in 10 southern and northern African nations. Genomic observation increase WHO is attempting to track and handle new variations by assisting nations with building and lift the complex genomic reconnaissance limits expected to distinguish and react to new variations, dispatching tests to sequencing labs and giving supplies and specialized direction, Dr Moeti said in her assertion. WHO, in a joint effort with the African Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, has set up a COVID-19 genomic sequencing lab organization. This comprises of labs in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa and Uganda. All African countries have been encouraged by the WHO to deliver in any event 20 examples to sequencing research facilities consistently to help map the quick advancing circumstance and best objective reactions at all levels. The second influx of the pandemic is stressing because of the chronic weakness framework in Africa. Under these conditions, testing and following are key general wellbeing mediations to contain the pandemic. Yet, only 30 million tests have been accounted for since the start of the pandemic. Henceforth, the award of $12 million for the Africa Public Health Foundation declared by the Rockefeller Foundation on January 28 will help in growing the geographic inclusion of testing. To check the second rush of the pandemic, WHO called upon the African countries to increase testing, disengagement of contacts and treatment of patients. Demonstrated anticipation estimates like wearing veils, hand washing and safe social separating were additionally proposed to be improved. A moan of alleviation The current antibodies created by Pfizer and BioNTech are compelling against Covid variations that have arisen in South Africa and United Kingdom, WHO affirmed in an articulation delivered on 27 Jan 2021. Antibody engineers knew about infection changes and had considered, as per WHO Africa on January 22, 2021. The innovation and worldwide administration structure to rebuild SARS-CoV-2 antibodies for battling new variations as of now exist, the association said. There is no requirement for another immunization as of now however whenever required, Pfizer and BioNTech are prepared for it, they said. SOURCE : https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/africa/why-other-african-countries-need-to-guard-against-south-africa-covid-19-variant-75327

Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Pre-lockdown pollution back with a bang

Pre-lockdown pollution back with a bang This analysis has dispelled the myth about safer air in the south compared to other regions Hyderabad: A new analysis of winter pollution in India’s five southern states until January 26, 2021, carried out by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), has revealed some startling details. It states that clean air, courtesy of lockdown and monsoon period, has now been lost since economy got reopened and after winter set in. Levels of higher particulate matter 2.5 microns in thickness (PM 2.5) are being witnessed, which are typical when there are continuous emissions, including from vehicles, industry, and construction. PM 2.5 gets trapped due to meteorological changes. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director in charge of CSE’s Research and Advocacy said: “This analysis has dispelled the myth about safer air in the south compared to other regions. Health impacts are almost equally bad. Despite the dramatic reduction in air pollution during lockdown, pollution has bounced back across the southern region, unmasking the high impact of local and regional pollution.” After assessing the changing trends in Indo-Gangetic plains, Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and West Bengal, this analysis unravels the pattern of pollution in cities of southern India – a vulnerable but poorly monitored region from the air quality perspective. Avikal Somvanshi, programme manager in CSE’s Urban Lab team of Sustainable Cities programme, said: “Winter is not as harsh in southern cities. Therefore, the impact of inversion is expected to be limited; yet a build-up of pollution has been noted. Even though the average level of PM 2.5 for summer and monsoon months in 2020 is considerably lower than the previous year due to the summer lockdown, PM 2.5 levels this winter have risen beyond those in 2019 in most of the monitored cities, Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram being the only exceptions. The region cannot rely only on the natural advantage of warmer winters and sea breeze to avoid bad air.” The analysis is based on publicly available granular real-time data (15-minute averages) from the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) official online portal Central Control Room for Air Quality Management. The study notes that while several bigger cities have witnessed reduction in annual trends in PM 2.5, smaller towns and cities have experienced an increase. Only nine out of 21 cities have data for 2019. The 2020 average PM 2.5 level in many inland cities in Deccan Plateau has climbed up to breach the average concentration recorded in 2019. Chikkaballapur in southern Karnataka is the worst performer with 3.9 per cent increase from 2019 level. Tirupati has registered a 1.8 per cent increase. The maximum improvement is noted in Chennai, which closed 2020 with a 30 per cent lower PM 2.5. Amravati has 24 per cent, Bengaluru 19, Visakhapatnam 16, and Hyderabad and Rajamahendravaram at 14 per cent are the other best performers in the pool. Thiruvananthapuram has shown an improvement of 5 per cent. The dirtiest week for Hyderabad, Amravati, Rajamahendravaram, Chikkaballapur, and Yadgir was the week ending on January 3, 2021. For Tirupati, Visakhapatnam, Hubballi, Chennai, Coimbatore, Kannur, Kozhikode, Kochi, and Thiruvananthapuram; the dirtiest week was that ending on December 27, 2020. Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam had earlier start with bad air days in 2020 winter. The rolling weekly average rose over the 24-hour standard or 60 μg/m3 in Visakhapatnam on October 23 (nine days earlier), and Hyderabad on October 25 (14 days earlier). This winter overall has been 34 per cent dirtier in Visakhapatnam, seven per cent in Hyderabad, and nine per cent in Thiruvananthapuram. Bengaluru registered no change in the seasonal average while Chennai was 20 per cent cleaner. The rolling weekly average did not breach the standard in Bengaluru, Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram.

Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Industries outside NCR have major influence on Delhi’s air quality: New study

Industries outside NCR have major influence on Delhi’s air quality: New study TERI’s analysis found that in 32 pollution monitoring stations, there was an average reduction of 43% and 61% in PM2.5 and NOx concentrations respectively in 2020 during the lockdown period An analysis of air pollution levels in Delhi during the Covid -19 lockdown period between March 25 and May 31, 2020, has revealed that Delhi’s air quality is significantly influenced by air pollution sources outside the National Capital Region where most industries have not shifted to natural gas yet. The analysis titled “Assessment of air quality during lockdowns in Delhi” by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) released on Tuesday found that in 32 Central Pollution Control Board monitoring stations, there was an average reduction of 43% and 61% in PM2.5 and NOx concentrations respectively in 2020 during the lockdown period compared to the pre-lockdown period in 2019 despite adverse meteorological conditions like reduced wind speeds. The TERI team also focused on three air quality stations –India Habitat Centre (IHC), Laxmi Nagar, and Patel Nagar from April 22 to June 5 where chemical speciation of pollutants was also conducted to decipher the sources of air pollution during lockdown. The team found that PM2.5 levels violated the daily national standard of 60 micrograms per cubic metres 31-60% times at the three locations despite reduced emissions during the lockdown. IHC at Lodhi road showed 29% contribution to PM 2.5 from coal combustion like industrial activities. While there are no industries nearby, the contributions are expected to be from outside of Delhi city as the monitor was placed at a height of 25-30m which can capture regional sources, the analysis said. Contribution from the transport sector was also high -- 26% -- which may be due to government offices in the area remaining partially open during the lockdown. Districts upwind of Delhi like Jind, Panipat, Rohtak, Jhajjar, Sonipat etc; influence the air quality of Delhi considerably, the report said. At Laxmi Nagar and Patel Nagar, both residential areas, contribution from region sources was also seen. At Patel Nagar, there was more influence of long-range secondary particulates (not emitted directly from a source but pollutants which form in the atmosphere due to chemical processes) (29%) and waste and biomass-based sources (27%) were recorded. Laxmi Nagar had significant pollution contribution from regional coal-based industrial activities (22%) and also vehicles (13%). Overall, the average air pollution contribution in the city during the lockdown was from coal combustion (20%); waste and biomass burning (19%); and vehicles still contributed to about 15% of PM 2.5 emissions. “Industrial activities were also affected during the lockdown, and hence in absolute terms, the emissions and contributions must have decreased from the source. However, in relative terms, this still accounted for a significant share in Delhi’s PM2.5 concentrations. While most Delhi industries have shifted to gas, contributions from outside of NCR seem to be high. Share of biomass, agricultural residue and waste burning were enhanced than typically observed in Delhi, mainly due to restrictions,” the analysis has concluded. The report underlines that an airshed-based approach needs to be adopted to reduce severe air pollution in Delhi. Despite restriction on the local sources of emissions, contributions from upwind locations kept the pollution levels high. “Unless we tackle regional sources with equal or more intensity, we will not achieve air quality standards in Delhi. State governments need to come together and contribute,” said Ajay Mathur, Director General, TERI and member of the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Area formed last year to tackle air pollution in the region. Also Read | Plastic pens covered under Plastic Waste Management Rules, says NGT The analysis was reviewed by scientists at Paul Scherrer Institute, Switzerland, IIT Delhi, and other scientists at TERI. “During the lockdown, emissions from several local sources reduced significantly but biomass burning continued, power plants were also functioning. There are 11 power plants in 300 km radius of Delhi. We don’t know if any industrial activity was also continuing in the neighbouring districts. The findings once again drive home the fact that we need a strategy for the entire Indo-Gangetic Plains region and that we need a clean fuel transition. Industries need to move to natural gas or electricity,” said Anumita Roy Chowdhury, executive director, Centre for Science and Environment.

Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Pollution levels higher this winter in Hyderabad, AP

Pollution levels higher this winter in Hyderabad, AP HYDERABAD: This winter was dirtier for Hyderabad, Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam as compared to that of 2019 in terms of atmospheric pollution. For Hyderabad, Vijayawada and Rajahmundry, the dirtiest week during winter 2020-2021 was the week ending January 3. For Tirupati and Visakhapatnam, the dirtiest week was the one ending on December 27, 2020. The high winter pollution is blamed on the reopening of the economy and changing meteorology. A study of the air quality in major cities in South India, including Hyderabad in Telangana and Vijayawada, Amaravati, Visakhapatnam, Rajahmundry and Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) revealed that the cleanest week for Rajahmundry, Tirupati and Visakhapatnam was recorded pre-monsoon in April, May, and early June 2020. The CSE study, comparing pollution during lockdown and post lockdown, was released on Tuesday. According to the CSE report, Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam had an earlier start of bad air days in winter of 2020. The rolling weekly average rose over the 24 hour standard (60 micrograms per metre cube) in Visakhapatnam on October 23 (9 days earlier), and ink Hyderabad on October 25 (14 days earlier). This winter overall has been 34% dirtier in Visakhapatnam and 7% in Hyderabad. The study revealed that the number of days with particulate matter (PM) 2.5 concentration meeting standards was considerably lower this winter in Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam. There have been 31 days of poor or worse air days this winter compared to 10 recorded last year in Visakhapatnam. Hyderabad registered a day with poor air quality compared to zero in winter of 2019. Similarly, standard days have been lesser by 11 days in Hyderabad and 23 days in Visakhapatnam. The CSE took data up to January 26, 2021 for its study. It said even though atmospheric conditions during winter in the south is not the same as that in the Indo-Gangetic plains in the northern region, trapping of winter pollution is quite high, especially in inland cities. As part of the study, pollution data of 21 cities spread across five southern states was analysed. The 2020 average PM 2.5 level in many inland cities in the Deccan plateau has climbed up to breach the average concentration recorded in 2019. Tirupati has registered a 1.8% increase. Amaravati at 24%, Visakhapatnam at 16% and Hyderabad & Rajahmundry at 14% are the other best performers in the pool. From the respective cleanest week, the weekly average of PM 2.5 in Hyderabad rose seven times, while in Visakhapatnam it rose 14 times to the dirtiest week. Rajahmundry deteriorated 19 times and Amaravati 17 times.

Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Pre-lockdown pollution back with a bang

Hyderabad: A new analysis of winter pollution in India's five southern states until January 26, 2021, carried out by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), has revealed some startling details. It states that clean air, courtesy of lockdown and monsoon period, has now been lost since economy got reopened and after winter set in. Levels of higher particulate matter 2.5 microns in thickness (PM 2.5) are being witnessed, which are typical when there are continuous emissions, including from vehicles, industry, and construction. PM 2.5 gets trapped due to meteorological changes. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director in charge of CSE's Research and Advocacy said: 'This analysis has dispelled the myth about safer air in the south compared to other regions.

Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Pre-lockdown pollution back with a bang

Pre-lockdown pollution back with a bang Hyderabad: A new analysis of winter pollution in India’s five southern states until January 26, 2021, carried out by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), has revealed some startling details. It states that clean air, courtesy of lockdown and monsoon period, has now been lost since economy got reopened and after winter set in. Levels of higher particulate matter 2.5 microns in thickness (PM 2.5) are being witnessed, which are typical when there are continuous emissions, including from vehicles, industry, and construction. PM 2.5 gets trapped due to meteorological changes. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director in charge of CSE’s Research and Advocacy said: “This analysis has dispelled the myth about safer air in the south compared to other regions. Health impacts are almost equally bad. Despite the dramatic reduction in air pollution during lockdown, pollution has bounced back across the southern region, unmasking the high impact of local and regional pollution.” After assessing the changing trends in Indo-Gangetic plains, Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and West Bengal, this analysis unravels the pattern of pollution in cities of southern India – a vulnerable but poorly monitored region from the air quality perspective. Avikal Somvanshi, programme manager in CSE’s Urban Lab team of Sustainable Cities programme, said: “Winter is not as harsh in southern cities. Therefore, the impact of inversion is expected to be limited; yet a build-up of pollution has been noted. Even though the average level of PM 2.5 for summer and monsoon months in 2020 is considerably lower than the previous year due to the summer lockdown, PM 2.5 levels this winter have risen beyond those in 2019 in most of the monitored cities, Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram being the only exceptions. The region cannot rely only on the natural advantage of warmer winters and sea breeze to avoid bad air.” The analysis is based on publicly available granular real-time data (15-minute averages) from the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) official online portal Central Control Room for Air Quality Management. The study notes that while several bigger cities have witnessed reduction in annual trends in PM 2.5, smaller towns and cities have experienced an increase. Only nine out of 21 cities have data for 2019. The 2020 average PM 2.5 level in many inland cities in Deccan Plateau has climbed up to breach the average concentration recorded in 2019. Chikkaballapur in southern Karnataka is the worst performer with 3.9 per cent increase from 2019 level. Tirupati has registered a 1.8 per cent increase. The maximum improvement is noted in Chennai, which closed 2020 with a 30 per cent lower PM 2.5. Amravati has 24 per cent, Bengaluru 19, Visakhapatnam 16, and Hyderabad and Rajamahendravaram at 14 per cent are the other best performers in the pool. Thiruvananthapuram has shown an improvement of 5 per cent. The dirtiest week for Hyderabad, Amravati, Rajamahendravaram, Chikkaballapur, and Yadgir was the week ending on January 3, 2021. For Tirupati, Visakhapatnam, Hubballi, Chennai, Coimbatore, Kannur, Kozhikode, Kochi, and Thiruvananthapuram; the dirtiest week was that ending on December 27, 2020. Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam had earlier start with bad air days in 2020 winter. The rolling weekly average rose over the 24-hour standard or 60 μg/m3 in Visakhapatnam on October 23 (nine days earlier), and Hyderabad on October 25 (14 days earlier). This winter overall has been 34 per cent dirtier in Visakhapatnam, seven per cent in Hyderabad, and nine per cent in Thiruvananthapuram. Bengaluru registered no change in the seasonal average while Chennai was 20 per cent cleaner. The rolling weekly average did not breach the standard in Bengaluru, Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram.

Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Pre lockdown pollution back with a bang

Pre lockdown pollution back with a bang Hyderabad: A new analysis of winter pollution in India's five southern states until January 26 2021 carried out by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has revealed some startling details. Despite the dramatic reduction in air pollution during lockdown pollution has bounced back across the southern region unmasking the high impact of local and regional pollution.”After assessing the changing trends in Indo-Gangetic plains Delhi-NCR Rajasthan Maharashtra and West Bengal this analysis unravels the pattern of pollution in cities of southern India – a vulnerable but poorly monitored region from the air quality perspective. Avikal Somvanshi programme manager in CSE's Urban Lab team of Sustainable Cities programme said: “Winter is not as harsh in southern cities. Therefore the impact of inversion is expected to be limited; yet a build-up of pollution has been noted. This winter overall has been 34 per cent dirtier in Visakhapatnam seven per cent in Hyderabad and nine per cent in Thiruvananthapuram.

Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Pre lockdown pollution back with a bang

Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Pre lockdown pollution back with a bang

Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Study shows impact of winter pollution on South India

Study shows impact of winter pollution on South India There is a trend of local and regional build-up in pollution An analysis of air quality in South India has found that pollution levels have risen post-lockdown. The study by the Centre of Science and Environment (CSE) has found that the concentration of particulate matter has spiked with the onset of winter, owing to emissions from local sources, including vehicles and industry. Though winter atmospheric conditions in the south are unlike those of the Indo-Gangetic plains, winter pollution, especially in inland cities in the south, is high. Even though atmospheric conditions during winter in the south is not the same as that in the Indo-Gangetic plains in the northern region, trapping of winter pollution is quite high—especially in inland cities. Inland cities lack winds that can carry away pollutants and this adversely impacts air quality. The CSE study analysed air pollution in regional cities in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Kerala to conclude that smaller towns and cities have experienced an increase in share of tinier PM2.5 in the PM10 particles. This is reflective of a trend in local and regional build-up of pollution. The study was based on real time data available from 21 cities for the whole of 2020. This list includes Kochi, in addition to Hyderabad, Amaravati, Rajamahendravaram, Tirupati, Visakhapatnam, Bagalkot, Chikkaballapur, Chikkamagaluru, Hubballi, Mysuru, Ramnagara, Vijaypura, Yadgir, Bengaluru, Coimbatore, Chennai, Kannur, Kollam, Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram. While the average PM2.5 levels during summer and monsoon were lower because of reduced economic activity owing of the lockdown and the phased re-opening, with the onset of winter and the re-opening of economic activity, pollution levels spiked. From the cleanest weekly average, the levels in Hyderabad spiked the highest to seven times, starting in October. April, May and early June were the cleanest months for Kochi, and this spiked to more than five times the level in December. The study underscores that without long term changes to control pollution from waste, vehicles, power plants and industry, poor air quality cannot be controlled. Avikal Somvanshi, programme manager in CSE’s Urban Lab team of the Sustainable Cities programme, said: "Winter is not as harsh in the southern cities. Therefore, the impact of inversion is expected to be limited—yet, pollution build-up has been noted. Eventhough the average level of PM2.5 for the summer and monsoon months in 2020 is considerably lower than the previous year due to the summer lockdown, the PM2.5 levels this winter have risen beyond that in 2019 in most of the monitored cities, Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram being the only exceptions. The region cannot rely only on the natural advantage of warmer winters and sea breeze to avoid bad air.” This detailed data analysis shows that air pollution is a South Indian problem as well. Quick reforms and action in key areas is required to control winter pollution and better air quality.

Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Budget 2021: Experts Analyse Budget Allocations For Clean Air Initiatives

Budget 2021: Experts Analyse Budget Allocations For Clean Air Initiatives In the Budget 2021, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a R s. 2,217 crore funding for Centre’s clean air programme, for controlling air pollution in 42 cities New Delhi: “To tackle the burgeoning problem of air pollution, I propose to provide an amount of ₹ 2,217 crores for 42 urban centres with a million-plus population in this budget,” Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman said on February 1, as she announced the budget for the financial year of 2021. The budget’s primary focus in the environment sector remains clean air this year, with its objectives spanning across ministries and sectors, from National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to the ministries of Power, New and Renewable Energy and Urban Affairs. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in her budget speech, allocated R s. 2,869.93 crore for the Environment Ministry, out of which R s. 470 crore were allotted to control pollution. This sum is 10 crores more than the last budget. It is in addition to the R s. 2,217 crore amount that the Finance Minister has announced for combating air pollution in 42 urban centres. Also Read: Budget 2021: Experts’ View On Mission POSHAN 2.0 Announced By FM To Improve Nutritional Outcomes The R s. 470 crore for “Control of Pollution” includes financial assistance provided to pollution control Boards/Committees and funding to National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), which was launched in January 2019. Furthermore, Ms Sitharaman has also introduced a scrapping policy for old vehicles. Under this policy, vehicles will undergo a fitness test in automated fitness centres after 20 years for personal vehicles and 15 years for commercial vehicles. Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises welcomed the scrappage scheme. Mr Gadkari who will be announcing the details of Scrappage Policy in 15 days said in a press briefing, There are more than 1 crore old vehicles that need to be scrapped. Such vehicles are causing air pollution. These vehicles use outdated technology which consumes more fuel and emit pollutants about 10-12 times more than fit vehicles. There will be a reduction in vehicular air pollution by 25-30 per cent due to the scrappage policy. When it comes to indoor pollution, the FM announced that Ujjwala scheme will be extended to 1 crore more beneficiaries and 100 more cities will get gas pipelines. The highly popular scheme has benefited over 1.46 crore Below Poverty Line families in Uttar Pradesh, 88 lakh in West Bengal, 85 lakh in Bihar, 71 lakh in Madhya Pradesh and 63 lakh in Rajasthan, as per the latest government data. Also Read: Budget 2021: Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 To Focus On Faecal Sludge Management, Said Nirmala Sitharaman Experts’ View On Budget 2021 Clean Air Provisions Vivek Adhia, India Country Director for the Institute for Sustainable Communities tells NDTV that Union Budget 2021 lays out clear directions for green, rapid and resilient recovery with a significant boost in infrastructure investments and reform measures. He said, Continued outlay on the clean air program coupled with a boost in sustainable transport measures and vehicle scrappage policy in place, will help improve urban air quality across most regions. Avinash Chanchal, Senior Campaigner (Climate and Energy), Greenpeace India points out that the budget hasn’t clearly shown how the allocated funds for clean air initiatives will be utilised. He told NDTV, The government has allocated 2,217 crores to tackle air pollution in 42 urban cities and introduced a voluntary vehicle scrapping policy. But it isn’t clear how the allocated 2,217 crores funds would be utilised to resolve the pollution crisis. In the previous budget, the government had announced 4,400 crores for clean air but there is no information on the public platform on how this fund was utilised. Mr Chanchal further explains, On the other hand, the Budget document mentions that under “Control of Pollution”’ a total of 470 crores allocated for FY 2021-22. This includes providing financial assistance to Pollution Control Boards/Committees, funding to National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), mentions budget document. There are 122 cities presently under NCAP and the allocation for it is merely around 470 crore, which is clearly not enough. Also Read: Budget 2021: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Announces R s. 35,000 Crore For COVID-19 Vaccines According to Greenpeace India’s annual Airpocalypse report 2020, 231 cities out of 287 cities had PM10 levels exceeding the 60 µg/m3 limits, prescribed under National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) by Central Pollution Control Board, implying that all these cities/towns belong to the non-attainment list. The NCAP needs to include all these polluted cities. This would require an increased budget allocation for tackling the ‘pollution control’. This is alarming given the fact that total budgetary allocations for Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) have also been reduced this year by 230.07crores, he said. The total budget allocated for the ministry this year is 2869.96 crores while last year it was 3,100 crore. The reduction in the budget for MoEF&CC implies that a number of environmental measures could be slowed down or halted, Mr Chanchal added. He also lauded the new scheme, which will be launched at a cost of R s. 18,000 crores, to support augmentation of public bus transport services. Now the concerned authority should also ensure these buses should be fuelled by clean energy. This will strengthen the public transport system in cities. But to stop the spread of the (corona)virus, it’s important to provide clear guidance for safety and implement sanitation measures like cleaning regimes; issuing PPEs to drivers and staff; mandating face coverings for passengers; and increasing trips to account for limiting the number of passengers per ride, Mr Chanchal said. Executive Director, Research and Advocacy at the Centre for Science and Environment, Anumita Roy Chowdhury, tells NDTV that it is encouraging to see continued focus on funding for clean air action in million-plus cities. However, she also highlighted the need to explain how the money allocated is being used. Ms Chowdhury said, Going forward, we need a performance-based budget with clear indicators on where the money is being spent to ensure verifiable air quality gains. When it comes to the additional proposals by the government like the scrappage policy, Ms Chowdhury said, The budget has additionally put a spotlight on several critical strategies including scrappage of old vehicles, augmentation of public transport, and waste management, that need to be leveraged for green recovery. But the effectiveness of these strategies will depend on the policy design and that needs urgent attention to make a difference. Mr Chanchal from Greenpeace India also highlighted that the Finance minister’s statement that the government will provide an additional capital infusion of R s. 1,000 crores to Solar Energy Corporation of India and R s. 1,500 crores to Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency. This is a good step but again the share of decentralised renewable energy needs to increase. The decentralised model of renewable energy will not only help us to get universal energy access but it can also help us to mitigate climate crisis by replacing fossil fuel-based energy production. The government needs to support rooftop solar and other forms of decentralised renewable energy solutions that reduce the demand for coal-based electricity, said Mr Chanchal. Also Read: Union Budget 2021 Highlights: Key Announcements Made By FM Nirmala Sitharaman For A Swachh And Swasth India Anubha Aggarwal, Associate Analyst, Legal Initiative for Forest and Environment (LIFE), expresses her concern over the missing mention of rural areas in the clean air initiatives. She told NDTV, On first glance, the air pollution budget may look positive in terms of allocation of funds. However, granting funds explicitly only to urban centres unfortunately leaves the false impression that air pollution is an urban concern and not so much a rural one. As of today, half or more than half of the population in India resides in areas where the level air pollutants exceed National Ambient Air Quality Standard. Given the fact that the blame for air pollution is often put on rural areas, it is surprising there is no focus on pollution emanating from rural India. Also, the bulk of industrial and mining activities take place in areas that cannot be categorised as urban. Ms Aggarwal also highlights that the amount allocated is insufficient to ‘even set up one continuous air quality monitoring (CAAQM) station for all the cities in India (which are 4,000) with each CAAQM costing R s. 1 crore.’ Thus, even all urban centres will not be covered, leave alone rural areas, she said. IIT Kanpur’s Professor S N Tripathi, who is also the Coordinator, National Knowledge Network, NCAP says that the Budget 2021, by making provisions of RS 2,200 crores in urban centres has strengthened the National Clean Air Program to achieve clean air goals in these cities. He explains, The additional impetus will come from technology and innovation under newly formed National Research Foundation, in the area of air pollution monitoring, mitigation and purification. There are comprehensive performance assessment protocols being created that will be linked to grants. Additionally a system for imparting capacities and providing continuous training to ULB personnel, State Pollution Control Board officials and Institutes of Repute so that can collectively and collaboratively work to ensure its implementation on ground. Institutes of Research, consist of IITs, NITs and national labs and universities which are formed as part of National Knowledge Network under NCAP.

Sustainable Food Systems

Following the honey adulteration controversy, Dabur launches 'Organic Honey' which is 'untouched by chemicals'

Following the honey adulteration controversy, Dabur launches 'Organic Honey' which is 'untouched by chemicals' Dabur India Limited has partnered with Amazon India to launch Dabur Organic Honey Dabur has launched its first organic product. As per the company statement, Dabur Organic Honey comes with the ‘promise of being completely unprocessed and unpasteurized.’ A recent study by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) put the honey market and the intense competition in the limelight. It found rampant adulteration in honey sold by major Indian brands, with 77% of samples failing purity tests for sugar syrup adulteration. Following the controversy, Dabur India Limited has now partnered with Amazon India to launch Dabur Organic Honey, which is the first organic product from the house of Dabur. Know all about the latest goings-on from the advertising, media and marketing industry with our newsletter Subscribe to our Newsletter Agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy Dabur Organic Honey claims to come with the ‘promise of being completely unprocessed and unpasteurized.’ Commenting on the launch, Prashant Agarwal, Marketing Head- Health Supplements, Dabur India Ltd said, “Organic is not just a choice of products. It is gradually becoming a mainstream lifestyle. In terms of consumption, the focus on natural and other products is on the rise. We are confident that people who conform to this lifestyle would definitely find the Dabur Organic Honey a much-needed addition to their daily routine. Dabur Organic Honey is completely unprocessed and unpasteurized with only filtration done to remove any impurities. We are happy to have partnered with Amazon to take this product to our consumers, who have made Dabur Honey as World’s No. 1 honey brand.” Saurabh Srivastava, Director – Category Management, Amazon India said “We are happy to bring the new ‘Dabur Organic Honey’ for customers on Amazon.in. With the new Dabur Organic Honey, we aim to strengthen our portfolio and provide our customers a vast selection of organic products from a trusted brand like Dabur. We continue to give our customers an unmatched value, fast and reliable delivery and a great shopping experience." “Today Indian consumers’ demand for Organic food has increased and with fitness and healthy lifestyle at the forefront, we as a brand have developed an Organic version of our Star product Dabur Organic Honey which is 100% pure and natural. The process of procuring the Organic Honey from remote rainforests has been the most rewarding experience for us as a brand and we make sure we pass on the unadulterated and unpasteurized product to our consumers, as it is. So yes, I am proud to say that we select apiaries within close proximities of only organic farmlands managed without chemicals or pesticides to get our hero product. The product is exclusively available on Amazon at INR 235 for a 300g pack,” said Smerth Khanna, Business Head – Ecommerce, Dabur India

Sustainable Food Systems

The sweetest Thaen: This start-up is empowering tribals in the Western Ghats by selling their raw, wild honey

The sweetest Thaen: This start-up is empowering tribals in the Western Ghats by selling their raw, wild honey Thäen, a part of former IIT Madras-incubated start-up ecoLogin, is making unadulterated honey from the Nilgiris accessible to the mainstream market A recent Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) study revealed widespread adulteration in Indian honey brands that have been around in the market for ages. According to the study, 13 of the biggest honey brands add sugar syrup and the honey found in the market isn't pure. But what if we tell you that you can find raw, unadulterated honey in the market. All you have to do it look. Among the few brands that do sell pure honey is a brand right here in Chennai. Formerly incubated at IIT Madras, this start-up — ecoLogin — began as a community travel company and it is through their various travels that its founder Sridhar Lakshmanan launched the honey brand Thäen. It was while on tour through the tribal areas in the Nilgiris that Sridhar first got the idea. "We conducted tours to remote areas in Tamil Nadu and other places and came to know a lot of the tribals, who also helped us with the travel plans. They asked if they could do something else and that is when we decided to sell the honey they produce," says Sridhar, an MBA graduate from IIM Ahmedabad. The honey was well-received in the market, says Sridhar and that is when he decided to make it a brand. Today, Thäen sells honey, which includes honey from Kashmir, Rajasthan, Karnataka and Kerala as well, on its website. Thäen Thäen also sources honey from other parts of India, like Kashmir | Pic: Thäen Sridhar says the honey is not only raw and unadulterated, but it has also not been exposed to heat. "We developed a unique process that could remove moisture from the honey without heating it. When the bees make honey, they hover around the hive and that dries up the honey. We developed a technique that's quite similar to it," says Sridhar. This process retains the medicinal property of honey, says Sridhar. "It can also be done in remote areas," adds Sridhar. Thaen's parent company ecoLogin had been incubated at IIT Madras almost eight years ago as a social enterprise. "Our company helps the tribals improve their livelihood through economic development. We wanted to take the products and services they already had and develop it for the mainstream market," says Sridhar.

Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

बजट 2021 में अहम है कबाड़ नीति, पर्ाावरण के लिए िीन चीजों पर फोकस: सीएसई

सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट की पयाावरणववद अनुममता राय चौधरी का कहना है कक अगर पयाावरण के मिहाज से देखें तो यह वेस्ट (व्यर्ा), वायु प्रदूषण और जि प्रदूषण पर फोकस करता हुआ बजट है. नई ददल्िी. आम बजट 2021 (Budget 2021) में पयाावरण को िेकर फोकस ककया गया है. ववत्त मंत्री ननमािा सीतारमण की ओर से पेश ककए गए बजट में स्रै वपगं पॉमिसी (Scrapping Policy) िाने की बात कही गई है. भारत में पुराने वाहनों से िगातार बढ़ते प्रदूषण को देखते हुए पयाावरणववद िंबे समय से प्रदूषण (Pollution) फैिाने वािे पुराने वाहनों के स्रैपेज (कबाड़) को िेकर मांग कर रहे र्े. सीएसई ने खुद स्रैपेज पॉमिसी पर एक ररपोटा ननकािी र्ी जजसपर वपछिे पांच साि से चचाा भी हो रही र्ी. अब अगर बजट 2021-22 में व्हीकि स्रैपेज पॉमिसी (Vehicle Scrappage Policy) िाने की बात कही गई है तो यह अच्छी बात है. यह कहना है सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट (CSE) की एक्जीक्यूदटव डायरेक्टर अनुममता राय चौधरी का. न्यूज 18 दहंदी से बातचीत में अनुममता राय चौधरी ने कहा कक बजट काफी ठीक है िेककन असिी मसिा उसके उपयोग को िेकर है. यह पैसा ककन जगहों पर खचा ककया जाना है. वपछिे साि बजट 2020 में सरकार ने हवा को शुद्द करने के मिए 4400 करोड़ रुपये ददए र्े. 42 प्रमुख प्रदूवषत शहरों पर यह पैसा खचा होना र्ा. हािांकक वह पैसा कैसे-कहां खचा हुआ और उसका क्या पररणाम रहा यह तो स्टेटस ररपोटा आने के बाद ही कहा जाएगा िेककन इस मद में इस साि भी इसमें 2267 करोड़ रुपये बढ़ाया गया है तो यह राहत की बात है. वे कहती हैं कक कोरोना महामारी और इस दौरान प्रदूषण एक बड़ी समस्या रहा है. इस दौरान बस ट्ांसपोटा सेवा पर भी बड़ा खराब प्रभाव पड़ा र्ा और हम िोगों की मांग भी र्ी जजस पर इस बजट में ध्यान ददया गया है बसों के मिए करीब 1800 करोड़ रुपये के पैकेज की बात कही गई है तो इससे पजलिक ट्ांसपोटा में भी सुधार होगा. वहीं 15 साि पुराने सावाजननक और 20 साि पुराने ननजी वाहनों की कफटनेस की जांच और स्रैपेज से पयाावरण को फायदा होगा. अगर पयाावरण के मिहाज से देखें तो यह बजट वेस्ट (व्यर्ा), वायु प्रदूषण और जि प्रदूषण पर फोकस करता हुआ है. इसमें ग्रीन कवर को बढ़ाने और ग्रीन हाउस गैसों के प्रभाव को िेकर बहुत खास नहीं है हािांकक इस समय की सबसे बड़ी परेशानी बन चुके वेस्ट मेटेररयि के ननदान और वायु व जि प्रदूषण को रोकने की ददशा में यह बजट अच्छा है.