Page 3 - Pollution

Independent report flagged misuse of studies before SO2 rollback nod

Before India significantly relaxed sulphur dioxide (SO2) emission control norms exempting a large number of coal-fired power plants, an independent analysis had warned that key scientific studies being cited to justify the move were riddled with contradictions and risked undermining public health. In an analysis released last month, the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) alleged that studies by institutions such as NEERI, NIAS and IIT Delhi were being "selectively used to justify inaction" by power plants across the country, which continue to delay the installation of flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) units to control SO2?? emissions -- a major air pollutant. India established stringent sulphur dioxide emission standards for coal-based power plants in December 2015, requiring compliance within two years. Even after multiple extensions, 92 per cent of coal-fired power plants have not yet installed flue gas desulphurization units to control SO2 emissions, a major air ...

Delhi govt welcomes CAQM relief on vehicle ban, CM lauds decision

The Delhi government on Tuesday welcomed the Centre for Air Quality Management's (CAQM) decision to defer the implementation of the fuel ban on overage vehicles until November 1. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the "commendable decision" taken in public interest reflects a balanced and humane approach towards environmental concerns and citizens' livelihoods. "The CAQM issuing revised guidelines on the request of the Delhi government is an important and commendable decision that has been taken keeping in mind the public interest. The government welcomes this," the chief minister said in a post in Hindi on X. She said the Delhi government will use the time given by CAQM to provide further relief to residents and work collaboratively toward a long-term and practical solution. "As much as it is necessary to protect the environment, it is equally important that no decision affects the livelihood and dignity of common citizens," she added. Meanwhile, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder

SpaceX seeks return of debris, rejects Mexico's pollution complaint

Sheinbaum said on Wednesday that SpaceX's Starship rocket launches in Texas have polluted an area in Mexico with debris

Kerala's fishing economy reels from back-to-back maritime disasters

Back-to-back ship accidents in the Arabian Sea halt fishing, stir fears of contamination, and threaten the livelihoods of over a million people in Kerala

Smog, Yamuna pollution biggest environment issues in Delhi: SC judge

Supreme Court judge Justice Sanjay Karol on Thursday said smog and Yamuna River pollution were the biggest environmental issues in the national capital. The judge was speaking at the Society of Indian Law Firms (SILF) Climate Change Conference and Awards 2025 when he emphasised on environmental protection. Each citizen, he said, was responsible to protect the environment and the onus wasn't just on the judiciary, the executive and the legislature. "We have to make sure that the environment, be it in any form, has to be protected. I would also say this, that over the years we have developed certain principles, and the public trust doctrine is one such doctrine which we must always keep in mind," Justice Karol said. He continued, "But I would say this, if you were to see our report card in the last 75 years, or since the 1980s, what have we done? Have we done enough to protect the environment? My view is that a lot needs to be done, at all levels. And I would borrow an expression, th

'Noida is a hell': Investor shares why he quit India to live in Luxembourg

Himanshu Upadhyay, now based in Luxembourg, says poor infrastructure, social decay, and safety fears pushed him to leave India despite living in a 'posh' locality

US House votes to block California's nation-leading vehicle emissions rules

The Republican-controlled US House voted Thursday to block California from enforcing first-in-the-nation rules phasing out the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035. The move comes a day after the chamber voted to halt California standards to cut tailpipe emissions from medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, as well as curb smog-forming nitrogen oxide pollution from trucks. The passage of these resolutions is a victory for Americans who will not be forced into purchasing costly EVs because of California's unworkable mandates, House Republicans Brett Guthrie of Kentucky and Morgan Griffith of Virginia, said in a statement. If not repealed, the California waivers would lead to higher prices for both new and used vehicles, increase our reliance on China, and strain our electric grid. California for decades has been given the authority to adopt vehicle emissions standards that are stricter than the federal government's. Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom in 2020 announced plans to ban the sale o

Clean up: Air, water crises in Delhi demand better fund deployment

The 'Control of Pollution' scheme was launched in 2018 to monitor the three kinds of pollution across India, and is fully funded by the government

Can India's Carbon Credit Trading Scheme drive climate target success?

IETA estimates that by 2030, the global carbon credit market will be around $300 billion, growing to $1 trn to $1.5 trn by 2050. India is expected to be one of the big sellers

Atmospheric CO2 reaches 800,000-year high at 420 ppm in 2023: WMO

Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels reached 420 parts per million in 2023, the highest in the last 8,00,000 years, according to the World Meteorological Organization's (WMO) State of the Climate report published on Wednesday. The report said long-term global warming is currently estimated to be between 1.34 and 1.41 degrees Celsius compared to the 1850-1900 baseline. It said that tropical cyclones, floods, droughts and other disasters in 2024 led to the highest number of new displacements recorded in the past 16 years. These events also worsened food crises and caused massive economic losses. Carbon dioxide levels in 2023 (the latest year with complete global data) were 420.0 0.1 parts per million (ppm), 2.3 ppm higher than in 2022 and 151 per cent of the pre-industrial level (1750). The WMO said 420 ppm corresponds to 3,276 gigatonnes (or 3.276 trillion tonnes) of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The report said the past 10 years (2015-2024) were the warmest on record, with each o

Delhi records lowest AQI in three years, air quality now 'satisfactory'

The average AQI of Delhi for past 24 hours was at 85, at 4 pm on March 15. This was the first day of the year on which the AQI had managed to fall under the ambit of the 'Satisfactory' category.

India ranks fifth in polluted air globally in 2024, says IQAir report

Six of the world's ten most polluted cities are in India; the country marginally improved its position from number three in 2023

Delhi's air quality remains in 'moderate' category, AQI drops to 113

Air quality has improved across Delhi-NCR due to rainfall over the past few days

DPCC plans expansion of state labs to facilitate real-time water testing

The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has proposed granting 'state' laboratory status to all labs in government colleges and those under the Delhi Jal Board to facilitate real-time water testing across the national capital, officials said on Monday. The proposal was made during the 74th board meeting of the DPCC on February 13, 2025, at the Delhi Secretariat, where critical issues such as recruitment, pollution control measures, and infrastructure improvements were discussed, they said. Currently, Delhi has only one state laboratory for water testing. The proposed move aims to bolster large-scale water quality monitoring and enhance data accuracy, they added. The DPCC is also set to issue a public notice to gauge the willingness of government institutions to participate in the initiative. "In the last meeting held in September 2024, it was directed that more labs, including Delhi Jal Board facilities and those in government colleges, be recognized as state labs to support ..

Delhi's air quality deteriorates to 'poor' category, AQI rises to 218

As pollution levels declined, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) Sub-Committee on Grap revoked Stage-II curbs

UP to New Delhi: Yamuna's pollution crisis is a multi-state failure

Failure to build sewage treatment plants or keep them running well is choking the river

Delhi's air quality improves to 'moderate' category, AQI drops to 183

Unfavourable weather, including a partly cloudy sky and low wind speed, has worsened air quality in Delhi

Delhi's air quality remains 'very poor'; rain expected in early February

To combat rising pollution, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) reimposed Stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in the national capital

Indian refiners test FOWE's emulsion tech to clean polluting bunker fuel

Indian oil refineries have initiated tests of fuel emulsion systems from a Monaco-based company to clean highly polluting bunker fuel as they eye significant benefits, including substantial fuel cost savings and a reduction in environmental impact of the high carbon-emitting fuel used in ships. Two state-owned oil firms deployed Fowe Eco Solutions' (FOWE) patented Cavitech devices at their refinery and depot installations to check the result of emulsified fuel oil (bunker fuel), sources aware of the matter said. Trials showed substantial reduction in emissions and better fuel efficiency, they said, adding the refiners are now looking at tests for its commercial use. Requiring very little initial investment and eliminating the need for installation downtime, the FOWE uses a process known as cavitation using its Cavitech device, which allows emulsification of fuel oil, also known as furnace oil, with fresh water. This process, which does not require any additives or further processing

Thane civic body cracks down on developers flouting pollution control rules

The civic authorities in Maharashtra's Thane city have pulled up developers for flouting pollution control guidelines during construction activities and halted work at the sites of seven developers, an official said on Saturday. The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) has initiated strict action against developers flouting pollution control guidelines and issued orders to halt work for developers failing to comply, the official said. According to the city development department, of 317 construction sites instructed to follow dust pollution control measures, punitive action was taken at 182 sites for non-compliance, and a cumulative fine of Rs 9.25 lakh was levied on violators. Additionally, show-cause notices were issued to 120 developers, questioning why their construction activities should not be stopped, and of these, seven developers who failed to provide evidence of compliance were ordered to halt all work. Assistant Director of Urban Planning Sangram Kanade confirmed the ...