Poor air quality, emissions drag India down in Environmental Performance Index
India ranked very low (176th) in the 2024 Environmental Performance Index (EPI), only scoring higher than Pakistan, Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar. This is a slight improvement from the previous EPI where India ranked last. The low ranking is due to poor air quality, high projected emissions and low biodiversity scores.
The EPI uses 58 indicators to assess a country's environmental performance. Indicators, include biodiversity, air pollution, air and water quality, waste management, emission growth rates, projected emissions, etc., under the three main heads of ecosystem vitality, environmental health and climate change. Among these three heads, India does not rank among the bottom ten countries only in climate change where it ranked 133rd. This is because India has invested in renewable energy and aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070.
To assess how well countries are safeguarding their natural treasures, the EPI added a new category this year: biodiversity and habitat. This category revealed a worrying trend – many protected areas worldwide are being overtaken by buildings and agriculture. India's heavy reliance on coal is a key factor hindering its environmental performance across multiple indicators. Coal use not only fuels high greenhouse gas emissions but also contributes significantly to India's severe air pollution problem. This is reflected in India's rankings: 177th for air quality (above only Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal) and 172nd for projected emissions by 2025.
India's Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change has previously criticised the EPI methodology, arguing that it does not consider all relevant factors and uses subjective weightings for indicators. (The Print)
Greening democracy: Asia Pacific needs to shift to sustainable elections
National elections are complex events with significant logistical challenges, often causing environmental harm. Campaign events organised by political parties and candidates often generate waste products, highlighting the need for sectoral transformation to reduce emissions and restrict global warming. The Asia Pacific region, home to vulnerable countries to climate-related extreme weather events and sea level rise, is uniquely positioned for sectoral leadership towards environmentally sustainable electoral processes.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has implemented green initiatives, including a campaign against single-use plastics and the introduction of biodegradable polling booths for the 2024 national elections. The ECI also introduced electronic voting machines (EVMs) to save millions of tonnes of paper, emphasising the importance of shade and health and safety measures.
Sri Lanka pioneered carbon-neutral campaigning by planting trees to offset emissions. The Philippines focused on online campaigning to limit pollution and COVID risks. Australia uses recyclable cardboard for voting materials and facilitates sharing with other elections.
Election management bodies and political parties can contribute to global efforts to reduce carbon emissions and scale up climate action by raising awareness among voters and candidates about climate action, engaging with stakeholders, integrating sustainable practices into electoral processes, promoting inter-agency collaboration between electoral management bodies and government agencies, and recognising the transboundary nature of climate change. Examples from Australia, India, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka demonstrate the importance of incorporating climate action into electoral manifestos, promoting sustainable practices, and promoting international cooperation. (International Idea)
Himachal to release water, but SC cautions Delhi government on water crisis
The Supreme Court of India expressed strong disapproval towards the Delhi government's handling of a plea regarding the capital's water crisis. The court emphasised the importance of proper legal procedure and adjourned the hearing despite the urgency of the situation. While the Delhi government pleaded for immediate action, the court insisted on reviewing all relevant documents before proceeding.
The hearing highlighted cooperation between states on the water issue. Himachal Pradesh agreed to release surplus water to Delhi, with the Supreme Court urging all parties to avoid politicising the matter. Haryana, another state involved in water allocation from the Yamuna River, also submitted their response to the court.
This decision by the Supreme Court comes amidst a critical water shortage in Delhi, which the court itself has previously acknowledged as an "existential problem." In an earlier hearing, the court had directed Himachal Pradesh to release surplus water to the national capital and instructed Haryana to facilitate its flow. The court also emphasised the role of the Upper Yamuna River Board (UYRB) in monitoring water flow and ensuring its proper allocation between beneficiary states. (The Economic Times)
TERI unveils green agenda for new Indian Government: Building a sustainable future
The Indian government's 100-day Green Agenda includes several proposals to build a greener economy. These include green budgeting, which allocates government funds based on environmental impact, and climate vulnerability allocation, which creates a dedicated climate fund to address climate change challenges.
Green Public Procurement (GPP) encourages the purchase of energy-efficient appliances and eco-friendly products through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM). Green PSL (Priority Sector Lending) integrates environmental considerations into loans provided to key sectors like agriculture, monitoring credit allocation to farmers practicing sustainable methods, including women beneficiaries.
The Green Finance Platform aims to finance climate-resilient infrastructure projects in various states. Sectoral net-zero targets are defined for different sectors over the next decade, aligning with India's Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS). Clean energy transition is promoted, with grid-scale energy storage, flexible power systems, and concentrated solar power incentivised through targeted Production Linked Incentive schemes and robust research & development support. Green hydrogen is supported in industries and transport sectors.
Sustainable resource management is addressed through the finalisation of the National Water Policy, plastic neutrality standards, Trees Outside Forests (ToF), environmental data policy, biofertilisers and soil health, and expanding green initiatives such as MSME participation in carbon markets and integrated biogas plants and waste management. A national mission for climate action in cities is launched, similar to the Smart City Mission, dedicated to climate action planning in urban areas. (Krishak Jagat)
NGT questions UP government’s plan to cut trees for Kanwar route
The Uttar Pradesh government's plan to construct a 111-kilometer dedicated route for Kanwar Yatra pilgrims has sparked controversy. The project hinges on felling over 33,000 trees, raising concerns with the National Green Tribunal (NGT). The Tribunal has demanded a more detailed breakdown of the tree felling plan, seeking assurances on adherence to environmental regulations.
The UP government justifies the project by citing the needs of millions of devotees who undertake the Kanwar Yatra annually. Devotees travel hundreds of kilometers on foot to collect holy water from the Ganges in Haridwar and carry it back to their hometowns. Proponents argue the current route is congested, causing traffic disruptions and safety hazards for both devotees and regular commuters.
However, the NGT's scrutiny reflects concerns about the environmental impact. The loss of mature trees can have significant ecological consequences, impacting biodiversity, air quality, and soil health. While the government has mentioned plans for compensatory afforestation by planting new trees elsewhere, environmentalists often argue that planting young trees doesn't fully compensate for the ecological value of mature trees lost.
This controversy underscores the growing tension between development and environmental protection in India. Large-scale infrastructure projects often come at a cost to the environment, raising questions about sustainable development practices. The Kanwar route project serves as a case study, highlighting the need to balance infrastructure needs with environmental responsibility. (Business Standard)
NGT halts construction on Mangaluru's Waterfront Project over environmental concerns
The NGT has put a stop to construction on a key part of Mangaluru's waterfront promenade project. This comes after the National Environment Care Federation (NECF) filed a complaint alleging that the construction violated Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) rules.
The NGT's order specifically restricts Mangaluru Smart City Limited (MSCL) from carrying out any further work on the riverfront section of the project, which falls within the CRZ area. The Tribunal warned MSCL that if they continue construction in defiance of the order, the structures will be dismantled, and they will face heavy fines.
Adding to the project's troubles, a joint committee formed earlier to assess the project has failed to submit a report on time. The National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR) is absent from the committee, causing a delay in their findings. The NGT expressed strong disapproval of this inaction. They criticised both the committee's lack of progress and the DK Deputy Commissioner's (a committee member) inability to secure NCCR's participation.
Further complicating matters, Karnataka State Coastal Zone Management Authority (SCZMA) confirmed that MSCL had violated the conditions of their permit by carrying out construction on the riverfront. Photographic evidence presented by the applicant clearly documented these violations, including dates, locations, and specific coordinates.
In light of these developments, the NGT has ordered a complete halt to construction on the riverfront section until the next hearing. They have also warned of serious consequences for non-compliance, including potential legal action against the NCCR for disobeying the Tribunal's order. This case highlights the increasing scrutiny of infrastructure projects in India, especially those that might impact sensitive ecological zones. The NGT's actions emphasize the importance of adhering to environmental regulations and ensuring transparency throughout the development process. (Deccan Herald)
This is a roundup of important policy updates from 1st June to 15th June, 2024. Read our news updates here
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