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Climate observers call COP30 a 'COP of Talk'; just transition mechanism a small win

Days after the two-week UN climate summit closed in Belem, climate observers called it a ‘COP of talk,’ noting a small win with the establishment of a ‘just transition mechanism’ but a letdown on finance decisions for which developing countries were clamouring. The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) team, which witnessed and reported on the proceedings on-site at COP30 in Belem, said, “It was billed as the ‘COP of Truth’. But it ended up becoming another ‘COP of Talk’ — mouthing dialogues, promising roadmaps and delivering little of substance beyond one unclear mechanism.” While the COP30 does not mention a fully-financed transition away from fossil fuels, the adoption of the ‘just transition mechanism’, which secures the interests of workers and communities in the energy transition, provides a pathway for countries to transition away from fossil fuels in a just, equitable manner. “The adoption marks an important win for developing countries, which have demanded a coordinated approach that binds fragmented efforts on just transition. However, with timelines still uncertain, technical functions undefined, and no guaranteed finance for implementation, concerns remain that the mechanism could be empty and meaningless,” said Rudrath Avinashi, programme officer, Climate Change, CSE. Avantika Goswami, programme manager, Climate Change, CSE pointed out that the collective strength of the G77 and China bloc was evident and kept its priorities in focus.

Ethiopia’s volcanic ash cloud enters India: Is Delhi's already ‘very poor’ air at risk?

An ash cloud from Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi volcano reached parts of India on Monday evening, according to IndiaMetSky Weather. The plumes first crossed into Gujarat from the west and then moved quickly over Rajasthan, northwest Maharashtra, Delhi, Haryana, and Punjab by around 10 pm, continuing their drift toward the Himalayas and other northern regions. An ash cloud plume is sweeping across Delhi-NCR, carrying tiny particles of rock, glass, and sulphur dioxide at altitudes of 15,000–45,000 feet. The question remains: Will Delhi’s air become more toxic? 'May lead to a sudden spike in pollution levels' The ash cloud is travelling at 100-120 km/h at altitudes of 15,000 to 45,000 feet and contains volcanic ash, sulphur dioxide, and tiny particles of glass and rock. While it may make the sky appear darker and hazier, experts said it is unlikely to significantly affect Delhi’s air quality. Sunil Dahiya, founder and lead analyst of think tank EnviroCatalysts, said, “The volcanic ash consists of dust, silica, rocky material, and other minerals and can be hazardous for health. Volcanic ash while passing over the air shed over Delhi may lead to a sudden spike in pollution levels, worsening the air quality further.” Anumita Roychowdhury, Executive Director, Research and Advocacy, Centre for Science and Environment, said, “The magnitude of this problem requires immediate assessment. Volcanic ash can travel long distances and affect faraway regions. "This plume is a toxic mix of fine particles and gases like sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, etc., that can worsen the smog in Delhi that already has a saturated airshed. This toxic haze can affect vulnerable groups and enhance the health risks.” A thick layer of haze already engulfed the national capital on Tuesday morning, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) remaining in the ‘very poor’ category across Delhi and the National Capital Region, according to the Central Pollution Control Board. The volcanic ash plume is now moving toward China and is expected to clear Indian airspace by 14:00 GMT (19:30 IST) today.

Delhi chokes: PMO flags vehicles, 37% non-compliant, calls for EVs

RED FLAGGING that the capital city holds more than half of all vehicles in the entire National Capital Region, and that 37 per cent of vehicles in Delhi-NCR still belong to the outdated BS I to BS III emission norms, a high-level meeting chaired by the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister directed all states and UTs to accelerate the shift to electric vehicles, expand charging networks and intensify enforcement. As pollution levels rose with the onset of winter, and air quality turned ‘very poor’ in Delhi with the Air Quality Index (AQI) crossing the 350 mark, and the Delhi government implementing Stage 2 of GRAP, the high-level task force met on October 24 with secretaries from at least eight departments — from environment and power to housing and agriculture — and the chief secretaries of five states: Delhi, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. Senior government officials told The Indian Express that the emphasis on transportation comes against the backdrop of Delhi’s disproportionate vehicle load: Of the NCR’s 2.97 crore registered vehicles, nearly 1.57 crore are in Delhi — a city that occupies only 2.7 per cent of the NCR’s geographical area. With the Commission for Air Quality Management, a statutory body set up by the Supreme Court, highlighting transportation and vehicular pollution as the key concerns, the Prime Minister’s Office asked all four states bordering Delhi viz., Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Punjab, to urgently take measures “to adopt practical and result-oriented measures for visible improvement in air quality”. Driven by a mix of stubble-burning and vehicular emissions over the fortnight since the meeting of the high-level task force, the capital city’s AQI veered into the ‘severe’ range from November 11-13. 51% skip to content Sections English தமிழ் বাংলা മലയാളം ગુજરાતી हिंदी मराठी Business बिज़नेस Newsletters The Indian Express Newsletter. follow us on Facebook.(Opens in new window) follow us on Twitter.(Opens in new window) follow us on youtube.(Opens in new window) follow us on Instagram.(Opens in new window) Edition India Tuesday, Nov 25, 2025 ePaper.Opens in new window Today’s Paper.Opens in new window The Indian Express logo Journalism of Courage Home ePaper India UPSC Premium Entertainment Politics Sports World Explained Opinion Business Delhi.Opens in new window Lifestyle Tech Subscribe Sign In Trending Get Express Edge Legal News UPSC Offer Research Mini Crossword Fresh Take Archives

Dharitri Youth Conclave lays emphasis on grassroots efforts to tackle climate change

The Dharitri Youth Conclave-2025 brought together over a thousand students, climate activists and environmental leaders here on Monday to deliberate on a sustainable future. Editor of Down to Earth Sunita Narain urged rethinking on development and action to address the climate crisis. Noted conservationist Purnima Devi Barman highlighted how grassroots efforts can drive lasting change. British Deputy High Commissioner Dr Andrew Fleming emphasised the power of youth stating that the future of climate resilience lies in the hands of the younger generation. Editor of Dharitri Tathagata Satpathy said meaningful environmental change starts with personal responsibility. Dharitri CEO Adyasha Satpathy spoke on the importance of grassroots initiatives. The event featured a panel discussion moderated by environmentalist Arun Krishnamurthy. Deepa Rani Nayak, Bapi Gochhayat and Bikash Saathi were named as the winners of the Dharitri Climate Grant 2025.

How Delhi’s air quality monitors work — and why their readings can falter

Anumita Roychowdhury, Executive Director at the Centre for Science and Environment and part of the expert group that devised the National Air Quality Index in 2014, said regular third-party audits are essential to ensure station efficacy. Earlier this week, the Supreme Court asked authorities to explain the equipment used in Delhi air-quality monitoring stations and whether it is suited to the city’s conditions — a question raised at a time when Delhi relies heavily on AQI readings to gauge daily exposure to pollution. The city’s network comprises 40 Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) — compact, temperature-controlled cabins that function as automated laboratories. Spread across the city for representative measurement, each station must track eight pollutants: PM2.5, PM10, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone, ammonia and lead. They operate under Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) guidelines issued in 2012, which specify the principles, calibration steps and quality-control procedures all instruments must follow. Each air-conditioned, dust-proof station contains racks of analysers, pumps and data loggers, with sampling inlets mounted on a mast above the roof. How monitors measure each pollutant Particulate matter is measured using Beta Attenuation Monitors (BAM), which rely on the beta ray attenuation principle. A small Carbon-14 or Krypton-85 source emits beta rays through a clean patch of filter tape. After air is drawn through and dust collects on the tape, the instrument re-measures the spot. Fewer beta rays pass through, and the decline in signal is used to calculate PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations.

धारित्री यूथ कॉन्क्लेव में जमीनी स्तर पर जोर

भुवनेश्वर : धारित्री यूथ कॉन्क्लेव-2025 में सोमवार को एक हज़ार से ज़्यादा स्टूडेंट्स, क्लाइमेट एक्टिविस्ट और एनवायरनमेंटल लीडर्स एक सस्टेनेबल भविष्य पर चर्चा करने के लिए इकट्ठा हुए। डाउन टू अर्थ की एडिटर सुनीता नारायण ने क्लाइमेट संकट से निपटने के लिए डेवलपमेंट और एक्शन पर फिर से सोचने की अपील की। ​​जानी-मानी कंजर्वेशनिस्ट पूर्णिमा देवी बर्मन ने बताया कि कैसे ज़मीनी स्तर पर कोशिशें लंबे समय तक चलने वाला बदलाव ला सकती हैं।

Why Delhi's air quality remains severe despite GRAP: A stark look at the vehicle problem

A high-level meeting chaired by the Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary has directed states in the National Capital Region (NCR) to urgently accelerate the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) and intensify enforcement, following an alarming assessment of Delhi’s disproportionate vehicle load and the significant contribution of transport to the region’s toxic air. The urgent directive, issued during an October 24 meeting of a high-level task force, comes as Delhi’s air quality deteriorated to ‘very poor’ levels, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) crossing 350, prompting the implementation of Stage 2 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). The meeting included secretaries from at least eight central departments and the chief secretaries of Delhi, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. According to a report by The Indian Express, senior government officials highlighted that the emphasis on transportation stems from stark data: of the NCR’s 2.97 crore registered vehicles, a massive 1.57 crore are in Delhi alone. This means the capital, which occupies a mere 2.7 per cent of the NCR's geographical area, hosts more than half of all vehicles in the region. Compounding the problem, 37 per cent of vehicles across the NCR still conform to outdated and more polluting BS I to BS III emission norms. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), a statutory body, has identified transportation and vehicular pollution as primary concerns. In response, the Prime Minister’s Office has asked the four states bordering Delhi to adopt “practical and result-oriented measures for visible improvement in air quality.” The pollution situation worsened in the weeks following the meeting, with Delhi’s AQI entering the ‘severe’ category from November 11 to 13, driven by a mix of stubble-burning and vehicular emissions. EV adoption lags despite policies

 Official data cited by The Indian Express reveals a significant lag in EV adoption, particularly in key segments. In October, only 4,419 electric two-wheelers were registered in Delhi, bringing the annual total to 31,447. In a stark contrast, more than double that number — 78,114 — petrol-run two-wheelers were registered in October alone. The trend is similarly pronounced for four-wheelers. While 2,331 electric and electric-hybrid private cars were registered in October, the total for January to October stands at 17,942. Meanwhile, registrations for petrol or diesel-run private four-wheelers soared to 1,27,099 this year, according to a fuel-wise analysis of the government’s VAHAN dashboard. Enforcement and policy overhaul ordered To address the crisis, the NCR states — Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan — were urged to deploy advanced enforcement systems such as Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and Integrated Traffic Management Systems (ITMS). A key decision from the meeting was a directive for state governments to review and revise their EV policies with clear timelines and implementation mechanisms to speed up the transition across all vehicle classes, from two-wheelers and cars to buses and commercial vehicles. The states were also advised to expeditiously notify policies for cab and bike aggregators and to develop a unified portal for monitoring progress. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has been tasked with expediting a scientific study on pollution from vehicles running on fossil fuels. Transport sector a major polluter
 The push for a transport overhaul is backed by compelling pollution data. Analysis from the Decision Support System (DSS) of the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology showed the transport sector contributed 14-20% to Delhi’s air pollution between November 1 and 22. A separate analysis by the Centre for Science and Environment estimated that vehicles alone can be responsible for half of all particulate matter pollution during winter. This finding is consistent with past studies. A 2018 emissions inventory by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) found the transport sector’s contribution to emissions was the highest at 81 per cent. The current official data for the capital region shows average PM10 levels from October 15 to November 25 were around 295 µg/m³ and PM2.5 levels were 171 µg/m³ — far exceeding the World Health Organization’s safe standards of 45 µg/m³ and 15 µg/m³, respectively. The renewed focus on vehicles coincides with data showing a decline in farm fires. The number of stubble-burning incidents from September 15 to November 24 hit a five-year low this season, highlighting the growing relative significance of vehicular pollution and prompting the central government’s latest intervention.

ज्वालामुखी धुआं भारत पहुंचा: दिल्ली की ‘बहुत खराब’ हवा पर क्या असर?

पर्यावरण विशेषज्ञ सुनील दहिया (एनवायरोकैटालिस्ट्स) ने कहा, “यह राख धूल, सिलिका और खनिजों से बनी है, जो स्वास्थ्य के लिए हानिकारक हो सकती है। दिल्ली के वायुमंडल से गुजरते हुए यह प्रदूषण स्तर में अचानक उछाल ला सकती है, लेकिन ऊंचाई के कारण जमीन पर पहुंचने की संभावना कम है।” सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट की एक्जीक्यूटिव डायरेक्टर अनुमिता रॉयचौधरी ने चेतावनी दी, “यह विषैला मिश्रण दिल्ली के पहले से संतृप्त वायुमंडल को और खराब कर सकता है, खासकर कमजोर वर्गों के लिए जोखिम बढ़ जाएगा।” Hayley Gubi Volcano/Ethiopia News: इथियोपिया के अफार क्षेत्र में स्थित हायली गूबी ज्वालामुखी, जो लगभग 10,000 से 12,000 वर्षों से सुप्त पड़ा था, रविवार सुबह अचानक फट पड़ा। इस विस्फोट के बाद निकला विशाल राख और सल्फर डाइऑक्साइड का बादल लाल सागर पार कर सोमवार शाम को भारत के पश्चिमी हिस्से में प्रवेश कर गया। गुजरात से शुरू होकर राजस्थान, उत्तर-पश्चिमी महाराष्ट्र, दिल्ली, हरियाणा और पंजाब तक फैल चुका यह बादल मंगलवार दोपहर तक हिमालय की ओर बढ़ गया। हालांकि, विशेषज्ञों के अनुसार, दिल्ली की पहले से ही ‘बहुत खराब’ श्रेणी वाली हवा पर इसका असर सीमित रहेगा, लेकिन हवाई यात्रा पर काफी असर पड़ा है। ज्वालामुखी विस्फोट इथियोपिया के दानाकिल रेगिस्तान में स्थित हायली गूबी ज्वालामुखी का विस्फोट रविवार सुबह 8:30 बजे यूटीसी (भारतीय समयानुसार दोपहर 2 बजे) शुरू हुआ। स्मिथसोनियन इंस्टीट्यूशन के ग्लोबल वोल्कैनिज्म प्रोग्राम के अनुसार, इस ज्वालामुखी का कोई ऐतिहासिक विस्फोट रिकॉर्ड नहीं है, जो इसे होलोसीन काल (लगभग 12,000 साल पहले शुरू) की दुर्लभ घटना बनाता है। विस्फोट के दौरान 10 से 15 किलोमीटर ऊंचाई तक राख का स्तंभ उठा, जो 100-120 किलोमीटर प्रति घंटे की रफ्तार से पूर्व की ओर बढ़ा। टूलूज वोल्कैनिक ऐश एडवाइजरी सेंटर (वीएसी) के अनुसार, यह बादल पहले यमन और ओमान की ओर बढ़ा, फिर अरब प्रायद्वीप पार कर भारत पहुंचा। स्थानीय लोगों ने बताया कि विस्फोट के बाद आसपास के गांवों पर मोटी राख की परत जम गई, लेकिन कोई हताहत की खबर नहीं है। वैज्ञानिकों का कहना है कि यह विस्फोट एर्ता एले श्रृंखला का हिस्सा है, जो क्षेत्र की भूगर्भीय अस्थिरता को दर्शा रहा है। दिल्ली-NCR पर असर दिल्ली में पहले से ही स्मॉग की मोटी चादर बिछी हुई है, जहां एयर क्वालिटी इंडेक्स (एक्यूआई) ‘बहुत खराब’ (300-400) के बीच बना हुआ है। केंद्रीय प्रदूषण नियंत्रण बोर्ड (सीपीसीबी) के अनुसार, मंगलवार सुबह दिल्ली का औसत एक्यूआई 350 के आसपास रहा। इथियोपिया से आया राख बादल 15,000 से 45,000 फीट की ऊंचाई पर यात्रा कर रहा है, जिसमें ज्वालामुखी राख, सल्फर डाइऑक्साइड, नाइट्रोजन डाइऑक्साइड, कांच के सूक्ष्म कण और चट्टानों के टुकड़े शामिल हैं। पर्यावरण विशेषज्ञ सुनील दहिया (एनवायरोकैटालिस्ट्स) ने कहा, “यह राख धूल, सिलिका और खनिजों से बनी है, जो स्वास्थ्य के लिए हानिकारक हो सकती है। दिल्ली के वायुमंडल से गुजरते हुए यह प्रदूषण स्तर में अचानक उछाल ला सकती है, लेकिन ऊंचाई के कारण जमीन पर पहुंचने की संभावना कम है।” सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट की एक्जीक्यूटिव डायरेक्टर अनुमिता रॉयचौधरी ने चेतावनी दी, “यह विषैला मिश्रण दिल्ली के पहले से संतृप्त वायुमंडल को और खराब कर सकता है, खासकर कमजोर वर्गों के लिए जोखिम बढ़ जाएगा।”

4,000 deaths in 270 days: How extreme weather cost India in 2025

India witnessed 270 days of extreme weather in the first 273 days of 2025. This means almost 99 per cent of the year so far has seen some form of extreme weather event. The impact has stretched across the country, from the northern hills to the southern coast. According to the Climate India Report 2025, (https://www.cseindia.org/climate-india-2025-an-assessment-of-extreme-weather-events-12927) Himachal Pradesh stands at the top of the list, having suffered extreme weather for 217 days, almost 80 per cent more than any other state. From winter flooding to pre-monsoon landslides to violent monsoon cloudbursts, the hilly state saw everything, which resulted in 380 deaths and widespread destruction.

India Pushes for Critical Minerals Circularity and Collective Action on Climate at G20

Prime Minister Narendra Modi pushed for the creation of the Critical Minerals Circularity Initiative which will foster recycling, urban mining, second-life battery projects, and related innovations at the two-day G20 Leader’s Declaration event. India also called for greater collective action on the climate agenda to strengthen global food security, highlighting the Deccan Principles on Food Security adopted during India’s G20 Presidency. The G20 Summit in South Africa is considered a victory for the host nation and the African continent. The Leaders’ Declaration was adopted on the first day despite the US’ absence and without any objections. The G20 Leader’s Declaration held under the theme “Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability” and put emphasis on multilateral cooperation amid geopolitical and economic divide. Argentina was also with the US and did not support the Leaders’ Declaration but “remains fully committed to the spirit of cooperation that has defined the G20 since its inception”. Dr. Mohan Kumar Professor & Dean, Strategic and International Initiatives, OP Jindal Global University, Former Indian Ambassador to Bahrain and France said, “The fact that the US is absent has not pushed G20 into irrelevance. There is a collective will outside of the US that multilateralism matters and institutions like G20 matter. G20 is alive and kicking, despite the conspicuous absence of the US as well as Argentina.” At the summit South Africa laid emphasis on the Global South’s priorities such as debt reform and reaffirming the impact of climate change and the need for climate finance to be ramped up from billions to trillions. This will ensure the commitments made through the Paris Agreement remain aligned and developing countries who are most vulnerable to the effects of climate change are not shouldering the entire financial burden themselves. Bilateral Agreements with Canada and South Africa for Critical Technology India also signed a bilateral trade agreement with Canada at the sidelines of the event in the fields of critical technologies, nuclear energy, diversification of supply chains and AI. PM Modi also discussed bilateral ties and ways to enhance cooperation in the fields of AI, Digital Public Infrastructure and critical minerals with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. The PM at the summit said the country’s priorities were clear and it is time to look at the new parameters of development, one which addressed the imbalance of growth and overexploitation of nature, particularly when the G20 Summit was being held for the first time in Africa. “The G20 Critical Minerals Framework is also special for admitting that developing countries have long been stuck in raw-material extraction with little beneficiation, and this must change,” said Trishant Dev, Deputy Programme Manager, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). “In relation to the COP30 outcome in Belém, the G20’s language on unilateral climate measures, reiterating Article 3.5 of the UNFCCC, points to an important and emerging concern about the evolving link between climate policy and trade, a dynamic that is already tilting against developing countries.” Article 3.5 of the UNFCCC states that the parties should cooperate to promote a supportive and open international economic system that would lead to sustainable economic growth and development of all the parties, particularly developing countries, enabling them to better address the problems of climate change.

Ancient volcano erupts, disrupting flights and raising pollution fears in Delhi

An explosive eruption from a volcano in Ethiopia, dormant for an estimated 12,000 years, has sent an ash cloud drifting thousands of kilometres eastward, causing significant disruption to air travel across the Middle East and India. The event involves the Hayli Gubbi shield volcano, located in the Afar Region of Ethiopia, which dramatically reawakened on Sunday morning, November 23, 2025. The eruption produced a massive plume of ash, sulphur dioxide, and fine glass and rock particles, soaring to altitudes of up to 45,000 feet, which is well within the typical cruising height of commercial aircraft. Understanding the Volcanic Ash threat Volcanic ash is not like the soft ash from a fire; it is composed of tiny, sharp fragments of rock, minerals, and glass. For aviation, this material presents a triple threat. Firstly, at high altitudes, the particles can be sucked into jet engines, where the heat is sufficient to melt the ash. This molten material then coats the internal engine parts, particularly the turbine blades, leading to engine malfunction or complete failure. Encounters with volcanic ash plumes have historically caused serious incidents, including mid-air engine shutdowns. Secondly, the ash can scratch aircraft windscreens, impairing the flight crew’s visibility, and contaminate the pressurised air drawn from the engines for the cabin, potentially leading to a chemical odour or smoke inside the aircraft. Lastly, it affects vital airspeed indicators and other sensors, leading to incorrect readings that can jeopardise flight safety. Impact on Travelers and Aviation Safety As the voluminous ash plume drifted eastwards, first across the Red Sea and Arabian Peninsula (including Yemen and Oman) and subsequently into India’s northwestern airspace, aviation authorities quickly responded. India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued an urgent safety advisory to all airlines, instructing them to avoid affected regions and altitudes. Airports were also advised to inspect runways and taxiways for ash contamination and suspend operations if necessary to prevent engine ingestion during take-off and landing. The direct consequence for travelers has been flight disruptions across routes connecting India with the Middle East and Europe. Multiple Indian and international carriers, including IndiGo, Akasa Air, and KLM, have cancelled or rerouted flights. For instance, some flights to destinations like Jeddah, Kuwait, and Abu Dhabi were cancelled or diverted to avoid the ash corridor. Airlines have had to conduct detailed engine checks on aircraft that flew near the affected zones as a precautionary measure. While the explosive phase of the Hayli Gubbi eruption appears to have stopped, the existing ash cloud, traveling at speeds of 100–120 km/h, continues to dictate flight paths and cause potential delays. Passengers are strongly advised to check their flight status with their respective airlines for real-time updates and be prepared for ongoing schedule modifications until the plume dissipates. Implications for Delhi’s Air Quality crisis The arrival of the volcanic ash cloud over parts of Northwest India, including the Delhi-NCR region, has ignited concern over its potential to worsen the capital’s already severe air pollution crisis. Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) remains firmly entrenched in the ‘very poor’ to ‘severe’ categories due to a mix of local and regional emission sources. The question is whether the high-altitude volcanic plume, which contains dust, silica, and sulphur dioxide, will descend and mix with the city’s toxic ground-level air. Meteorological and environmental experts offer a guarded assessment. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) suggests that a significant deterioration of Delhi’s air quality from the volcanic ash is unlikely. This is primarily because the plume is traveling at very high altitudes, between 15,000 and 45,000 feet, and its effect at the surface level is expected to be minimal. The most noticeable impact is a possibility of a hazy or darker sky for a few hours as the cloud passes over. However, some environmental analysts have cautioned that the situation demands close monitoring. Volcanic emissions, especially sulphur dioxide and fine particulate matter, are toxic. Anumita Roychowdhury, Executive Director of Research and Advocacy at the Centre for Science and Environment, noted that this plume is a “toxic mix of fine particles and gases” that could potentially worsen the smog in Delhi’s already saturated airshed, posing enhanced health risks for vulnerable groups. As the plume is forecast to drift further east towards the Himalayas and China, the period of risk for Delhi’s surface air quality is expected to be short-lived, but the persistent threat of high-altitude disruption to air travel continues.

Residents call for tighter regulation of waste plants under GRAP norms in Delhi

Harbai, a 56-year-old resident of Metro Vihar JJ Colony in north-west Delhi’s Bawana, says she often clears layers of black ash from the terrace of her four-storey residence. “A few years ago, we couldn’t figure out where all this dust was coming from. But now we know there is a plant nearby that burns garbage, which emits this black ash,” she recalls. Her neighbour, 59-year-old Somvati, says she struggles with breathlessness every morning. “It feels like some residue always sits in my throat. People with asthma or other lung problems suffer even more,” she says. Less than 2 km away stands the 24 MW waste-to-energy (WTE) plant, run through a public-private partnership between the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and Re-Sustainability. Residents of nearby villages, Holambi Khurd, Sonath, Holambi Kalan and Naya Bans, report similar health concerns. On the day of The Hindu’s visit, the air quality index (AQI) in the Bawana Industrial Area was slightly higher than that of New Delhi. Even during GRAP III restrictions, which curb industrial activity, these plants continue operating because they are classified as “essential services”. Delhi’s four WTE plants in Bawana, Tekhand, Okhla, and Ghazipur operate round the clock and together process around 7,500 tonnes of the 11,300 tonnes of mixed waste generated daily. The remaining waste piles up in landfills. Government rules mandate regular health facilities and medical camps for residents within a 5-km radius of such plants. But villagers say these are rare. “There are so many industries here now. We are told everything is safe, but we live with the impact,” said Lekh Ram, 49, from Holambi Khurd. Segregation gaps At the Bawana facility, a senior employee said around 85 garbage trucks arrive daily and often make multiple rounds, and over 200 workers handle the waste. “All the waste is unsegregated. Machines sort it in several rounds, but they can only do so much, given the condition in which we receive it,” he said. He insisted that the plant follows all prescribed norms, provides safety gear to workers, and undergoes DPCC inspections every three months. A Jindal Group representative, which operates the Okhla and Tekhand plants, said fly ash and bottom ash are stored in sealed silos or sent to approved landfills, while plants use flue-gas systems to trap acidic pollutants. Plastics like PVC are separated before burning to prevent the release of toxic fumes. Parth Kumar of the Centre for Science and Environment said proper source segregation is essential as toxins remain in combustible material when waste arrives mixed. “These plants are inside the city where people live. When residents raise concerns, GRAP-like norms should be prepared,” Mr. Kumar said, adding that clear information must be provided on which pollutants are being tracked and their emission levels for “greater transparency”.

Belem COP30. All green talk, no greenback

The 2025 UN climate summit ended with a whimper at the edge of the Amazon, as nearly 200 governments compromised on actions that fail to effectively combat the galloping impacts of climate change. In a year marked by the second withdrawal of the US from the Paris Agreement, India faced at least a heatwave, storm, flood, landslide or drought worsened by climate change on 245 out of the first 273 days (nine months), according to a report by the New Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment; 4,064 lives were lost and 47 million hectares of cropped area were affected. Similar disasters hit many other parts of the world. But at the fortnight-long summit held near the mouth of the Amazon in Belem, governments could not agree on a strong measure to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) causing climate change. Despite exhortations by conference president André Correa do Lago of host country Brazil to “accelerate the implementation of the 2015 Paris Agreement”, progress was stymied, largely by the refusal of rich nations to provide public finance to developing countries to help combat climate change and its impacts.

Experts Warn of Rising Respiratory Illnesses as Air Pollution Intensifies

Air pollution is increasingly being identified as a major contributor to asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung infections, and long-term respiratory ailments—particularly affecting young children, senior citizens, and individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions. Speaking at the 37th annual national conference of the National Respiratory Chapter, PedPulmoCon-2025, environmental and public health expert Dr Anumita Roy Chowdhury highlighted the dangers posed by fine particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and sulphur dioxide. These pollutants, she said, penetrate deep into the lungs and cause significant damage. She urged citizens to adopt low-pollution lifestyle practices to reduce long-term health risks.

Where does road dust settle in India’s efforts to clean its air?

Road dust mainly comprises PM₁₀ and coarse particles and forms a large share of the air we breathe. With the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) aiming for a 40% reduction in PM₁₀ by 2025-2026, reducing road dust is an urgent priority. This is reinforced by source apportionment studies across 17 non-attainment cities that have found road dust to be a major contributor to PM10 (20-52%) as well as PM2.5 (8-25%) particles. IIT-Delhi researchers have also recorded that streets in 32 cities across Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Telangana vary widely vis-à-vis their silt loads, from 0.2 g/m2 to 111.2 g/m²; Delhi averages 14.47 g/m². Overall, cities in North India have heavier silt loads and are thus dustier than their southern counterparts. In response, governments have already invested heavily in fighting dust. Per a 2024 reportby the Centre for Science and Environment, ₹19,711 crore was allocated to 131 cities between 2019 and 2025 under the NCAP to improve air quality. By November 2023, nearly 64% of the total fund had been spent on road dust control, far more than what was spent on tackling biomass burning, vehicular pollution, and capacity-building efforts.

Sacrificing Our Future: How Delhi’s Air Pollution Threatens an Entire Generation

Delhi experienced another smog-blanketed day on Sunday, with the city’s average air quality index (AQI) reaching 391 at 4 pm on November 23, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data. This indicated a steady deterioration from AQI levels of 370 on November 22 and 364 on November 21. However, this is not a new experience for Delhiites. As winter settles in, Delhi’s air quality plunges into dangerous territory, with regular spikes in PM2.5 levels and AQI readings often entering the “very poor” above the AQI of 301 and below 400 and even the “severe” above 400 zones. According to a March 2025 report published by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), the city’s winter average PM2.5 level during one season was an alarming 175 µg/m³—several times higher than India’s 24-hour standard of 60 µg/m³ and the annual standard of 40 µg/m³. During the season, the national capital did not register any ‘good’ air quality days, with peak pollution reaching 602 µg/m³ on November 18, 2024. The year-long trend too shows a deterioration: A CSE analysis showed that Delhi’s annual PM2.5 in 2024 (104.7 µg/m³) was a 3.4% increase from 2023 levels.