Environmental Clearance

AI data centres don't need standalone environmental clearance, says govt

The Union government told Parliament that AI data centres do not, per se, require environmental clearance under the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006

Best of BS Opinion: Investors are finally reassessing AI valuations

From the correction in AI stocks and environmental clearance rules to ecommerce reform, exam paper leaks and a critique of technology, desire and patriarchy

SC draws firmer line on environmental compliance and approvals

The latest judgment can be seen as seeking a balancing act between a May 2025 judgment of a two-judge Bench and its recall in November

Supreme Court bars executive route for post-facto environmental clearances

Top court quashes the 2021 office memorandum but upholds the 2017 notification, saying any future relaxation must come only through a statutory notification

SC quashes 2021 OM granting Centre, others power to grant retrospective ECs

The Supreme Court quashed the 2021 Office Memorandum allowing retrospective environmental clearances, while protecting projects that had already secured such approvals

Experts raise concerns over Centre's plan to fast-track environmental nods

As the Centre has proposed setting up standing bodies to expedite the green clearance process in states and Union territories, experts have raised concerns about the criteria for selecting the members for the new bodies, which could lead to a weakened scrutiny of projects. According to a draft notification issued on March 5, the new bodies would assume the functions of the existing State Environment Impact Assessment Authorities (SEIAA) and State Expert Appraisal Committees (SEAC) whenever these state-level institutions become non-functional due to the expiry of their tenures or delays in reconstitution. While the SEIAA grants environmental clearances, the SEAC advises it in appraising the project. The new bodies Standing Authority on Environment Impact Assessment (SAEIA) and Standing Committee on Environment Impact Appraisal (SCEIA) would comprise "ex officio members", meaning government officials or bureaucrats, nominated by the Central government. Subhrajit Goswami, a research

Jairam Ramesh moves SC against ex post facto environmental clearances

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Friday said he has filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging ex post facto environmental clearances, asserting that they are bad in law, detrimental to public health and make a mockery of governance. In a post on X, Ramesh said, "Encouraged by the Supreme Court's review on December 29th 2025 of an earlier verdict on the redefinition of the Aravallis, I have just filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging ex post facto environmental clearances." "Retrospective environmental clearances are bad in law, are detrimental to public health, and make a mockery of governance," the former environment minister said. Ramesh said they give an easy way out to those who are actually wilful defaulters. Ignorance of the law cannot be an excuse for violating it, he added. Last month, the Congress general secretary had urged the Supreme Court to take suo motu cognisance of three "urgent" environmental matters. In a post on X, Ramesh referred to the apex

SC's green clearance ruling recall could push ahead stalled projects

The Supreme Court's recall of its May 2025 ruling on retrospective environmental clearances eases demolition fears for hundreds of projects and offers relief to homebuyers, developers and lenders

'Damning indictment of govt': Cong on SC ban on environmental clearances

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Monday hailed the Supreme Court decision striking down the measures enabling the grant of ex-post facto environmental clearances and said it was a "damning indictment" of the Modi government whose domestic walk is completely at variance with its global talk on environmental protection. The Supreme Court last Friday said the right to live in a pollution free atmosphere was a part of the fundamental right as it struck down the Centre's office memorandum allowing ex post facto or retrospective environmental clearances to projects in violation of norms. A bench comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan made scathing remarks in its judgement delivered on a plea filed by Vanashakti organisation and said, "The Union Government, as much as individual citizens, has a constitutional obligation to protect the environment. Former environment minister Ramesh hailed the judgement which he claimed was a "damning indictment" of the Modi government. "In a ...

SC bars govt from giving post-facto environmental clearance for projects

The Supreme Court has restrained the Centre from granting ex-post facto environmental clearances to projects, declaring them illegal and violative of constitutional rights

Growth hits a green wall: Can Indian factories outgrow environmental norms?

A Supreme Court stay on eased green norms has stalled large-scale construction, reigniting a long-running clash between industrial growth ambitions and environmental safeguards

Adani Group defends key projects amid alleged environmental law violations

Adani Group is defending itself against allegations made in India's National Green Tribunal that it started work on a $2 billion power plant without waiting for environmental clearance

GHCL climbs 7%; hits record high on environmental nod for soda ash project

Since October 26, GHCL shares have surged 37 per cent after the company reported resilient September quarter performance despite challenging global market conditions and higher imports into India

Here's why EU's ecodesign regulation can hurt export of textiles, footwear

EU's ecodesign regulation mandates rigorous energy performance and environmental sustainability, prohibiting the disposal of unsold textiles and footwear, potentially impacting India's export volumes

Environmental and financial benefits drive EV adoption in India: Study

According to a new study by leading insurer ICICI Lombard General Insurance, environmental benefits and reduced fuel costs are the top reasons for switching to EVs

From ecosystems to economics: The potential of a 'species stock exchange'

Creating interdependence between funding and ecological outcomes can establish an accountable framework, augmenting the efficacy of conservation initiatives

Govt okayed 43 projects in eco-sensitive zones in 5 years: Ashwini Choubey

The Centre granted environmental clearance to more than 80 per cent of the proposals for "projects and activities" in the eco-sensitive zones of the country in the last five years, Union minister Ashwini Choubey informed the Rajya Sabha on Friday. He also said the Standing Committee of National Board for Wild Life (SCNBWL) recommended a total of 689 proposals in the last five years. The minister said the environment ministry approved 43 of the total 53 proposals received in the last five years for "projects/activities" in the default eco-sensitive zones (ESZs) according to the provisions of the Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006. ESZs are eco-fragile areas within 10 kilometers of the borders of protected areas, including national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. According to government data, SCNBWL recommended 153 proposals in 2018-19; 71 in 2019-20; 85 in 2020-21; 149 in 2021-22 and 231 in 2022-23.

Supreme Court's stay will hurt sector, says mining industry experts

Petitioner argues EIA ineffective if damage already done

US pushes environmental enforcement after more than a decade of budget cuts

The Environmental Protection Agency conducted more on-site inspections of polluting industrial sites this year than any time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the agency said on Monday as it seeks to reinvigorate its enforcement programme after more than a decade of budget cuts. EPA opened nearly 200 criminal investigations this year, a 70 per cent increase over 2022, the agency said in a report. It completed nearly 1,800 civil settlements, a 9 per cent increase over 2022. More than half the inspections and settlements involved poor and disadvantaged communities long scarred by pollution, the agency said, reflecting the Biden administration's emphasis on environmental justice issues. But some parts of EPA's enforcement efforts still lag. In 2023, for example, it charged 102 defendants criminally. The Trump administration charged more every year, although most years only marginally. Nearly 200 defendants were charged in the latter years of the Obama administration. There is,

World Environment Day: Green clearances in India at multi-year high

Industrial projects get bulk of clearances, followed by infrastructure and mining