The Climate Log - Edition #3

19th September - 25th September 2024

???TOP PICKS

?? UN Adopts Historic Pact for the Future to Tackle Global Challenges

??India Not Responsible for Global Climate Crisis, Iterates PM Modi

?? PM E-Drive Scheme: Local Production, E-Vouchers and Fresh Charging Guidelines

??Gramin Sewa Scheme Goes Green: Delhi Orders EV Transition

?? Delhi’s 21 Point Winter Action Plan - Drones, Anti-Smog Guns and More

?? India Inc. Struggling with Climate Change

? Fossil Fuel Firms Use Sports to Divert Attention from Climate Impact

?? DATA BYTE

Which Countries Are Meeting Their Paris Agreement Goals?

?? GLOBAL PULSE

UN Adopts Historic Pact for the Future to Tackle Global Challenges: On September 22nd, 2024, at the UN Summit of the Future, world leaders adopted the Pact for the Future, a landmark agreement aimed at transforming global governance to address contemporary challenges. The key components of the Pact include establishing guidelines for digital cooperation and governance, ensuring that future policies consider the needs and rights of upcoming generations, commitment to Security Council reform, nuclear disarmament, and preventing an arms race in outer space, emphasizing climate action, human rights, gender equality, and youth empowerment. It also focuses on enhancing the representativeness and effectiveness of international institutions. The Pact represents a collective effort to create a sustainable, just, and peaceful global order, drawing on the expertise of governments, civil society, and other key partners. Find the official press release for more information here.

India Not Responsible for Global Climate Crisis Itierates PM Modi: During his address to the Indian community in New York, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized that India has played no role in causing global destruction, particularly in the context of climate change. He highlighted that despite having 17% of the world’s population, India’s carbon emissions are less than 4%. Modi’s remarks were seen as a critique of Western nations, urging them to take greater responsibility for their historical emissions. He stressed India’s minimal contribution to global emissions relative to its population size. He urged developed countries to lead in addressing climate change due to their larger historical emissions. He also highlighted India’s efforts in promoting renewable energy and sustainable practices.?

COP29: Accelerating Renewable Energy with Expanded Battery Storage and Grid Overhauls: Azerbaijan, the host of this year’s COP29 UN summit, announced 14 climate initiatives last week expecting support from member nations. Among them is one to promote energy storage and electric grids urging governments to increase energy storage capacity six-fold from 2022 levels, aiming for 1,500 gigawatts (GW) by 2030. Also, to add or refurbish over 80 million kilometers of electricity grids by 2040 to meet the COP28 goal of tripling global renewable energy capacity by 2030. Find the full list of initiatives here.?

India Signs Key IPEF Deals to Boost Clean Energy and Fair Economy: On September 21st, 2024, India signed the Clean and Fair Economy agreements under the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) during the Indian PM’s US visit. These agreements aim to attract ?1.91 lakh crore in green investments, focusing on sustainable development and reducing carbon emissions. The agreements are expected to boost investments in renewable energy, green hydrogen, and other sustainable technologies. These initiatives are part of India’s broader strategy to promote economic growth while addressing climate change. The agreements highlight India’s commitment to working with international partners to achieve its environmental and economic goals.

The Agreement on Clean Economy intends to promote technical cooperation, workforce development, and bolster investments in climate friendly technologies while the Agreement on Fair Economy aims to create a more transparent and predictable trade and investment environment across the Indo-Pacific.

?? SECTORAL INSIGHTS

?POWER & ENERGY

Union Minister Calls for Recognition of India’s Low Per Capita Carbon Footprint: On September 18th, 2024, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change speaking at RE-Invest Expo in Gujarat said that India should not be viewed as the world’s third or fourth-largest emitter of greenhouse gases (GHG) due to its low per capita emissions. He highlighted that with 17% of the world’s population, India contributes less than 5% to global carbon emissions and its per capita emissions are significantly lower than those of developed countries. He emphasized that India is committed to a low-carbon development strategy while considering its national circumstances acknowledging the need for continued use of fossil fuels for development.?

India Risks Missing 2030 Net-Zero Goal Without Green Hydrogen Boost: On September 19th, 2024, S&P Global published a report suggesting that India may miss its 2030 net-zero emission target by a decade unless it significantly accelerates its green hydrogen economy. The green hydrogen sector is crucial for India’s energy transition, requiring urgent investment and policy support. Currently, only 5% of investment allocations have been directed towards green energy over the past five years, with the majority still going to fossil fuels due to higher returns compared to green energy enterprises.? The report recommended a policy framework combining subsidies, mandates, taxes, and incentives to stimulate green energy sectors. Further it asked for government initiatives like establishing a carbon market framework and climate finance taxonomy to support green technologies. Find the report here.

??E-MOBILITY

PM E-Drive Scheme: Government Pushes for Greater Local Production in EV Sector: The Indian government plans to revise localization rules under the new PM E-Drive scheme, which aims to boost electric vehicle (EV) adoption and domestic manufacturing. The Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) will implement stricter requirements for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to qualify for government incentives. The PM E-Drive scheme, with a total outlay of ?10,900 crore, succeeds the FAME initiative and focuses on electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and e-buses. The scheme will encourage OEMs to produce more components domestically, gradually phasing out imports. Ongoing consultations with the industry will shape the final localization rules, expected to be stricter to reflect the growth in domestic manufacturing capacity.?

New E-Voucher System to Streamline EV Subsidies in India: On September 18th, 2024, Union Heavy Industries Minister announced that MHI will soon introduce ‘e-vouchers’ for EV buyers to avail incentives under the newly approved PM E-DRIVE scheme. MHI is introducing e-vouchers for EV buyers to avail demand incentives under the scheme. At the time of purchase of the EV, the scheme portal will generate an Aadhaar authenticated e-Voucher for the buyer. This e-voucher will be signed by the buyer and submitted to the dealer to avail demand incentives under the scheme.?

What are demand incentives? Demand incentives for electric vehicle (EV) purchases in India are financial mechanisms implemented by the government to encourage consumers to adopt EVs. These incentives aim to reduce the high upfront costs associated with EVs, making them more accessible to a broader segment of the population.?

India Unveils New Guidelines to Expand EV Charging Network Nationwide: On September 18th, 2024, the Ministry of Power released new guidelines to expand electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, aiming to support the growing adoption of EVs across the country. Under the scheme, charging stations will be placed every 20 km for regular EVs and every 100 km for long-range and heavy-duty vehicles like buses and trucks along the highways. The current EV charging density targets aim for one station every 1 km in urban areas and every 20 km along highways by 2030. These guidelines are part of the broader PM E-DRIVE scheme and focus on ensuring accessible and efficient charging solutions. They also introduce standardized charging protocols to ensure compatibility and ease of use for EV owners. Find the official guideline document here.?

Gramin Sewa Scheme Goes Green: Delhi Orders EV Transition: Delhi government is planning to replace all CNG-powered Gramin Sewa vehicles with electric vehicles (EVs) to promote cleaner transportation. The Gramin Sewa scheme, launched in 2011, provides permits for high-capacity three-wheelers to operate in rural areas and unauthorized colonies of Delhi.

Under the new mandate, all existing Gramin Sewa vehicles must be replaced with EVs that have a maximum seating capacity of six passengers plus a driver. For application, vehicle owners must apply for replacements through an online, Aadhaar-based process and obtain a no-dues certificate before scrapping their old vehicles. The initiative aims to reduce pollution and enhance the travel experience for commuters. The move aligns with the Delhi government’s policy to promote electric vehicles and sustainable public transportation.?

???AIR QUALITY

Delhi-NCR Winter Pollution: PMO Pushes for Stronger Enforcement of Control Plans: On September 23, 2024, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, P.K. Mishra, chaired a high-level task force meeting to assess the readiness of the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) to tackle air pollution ahead of the winter season. The task force is executing a comprehensive action plan aimed at mitigating the seasonal spike in pollution, which is driven by factors like stubble burning, vehicular emissions, and industrial activities.

During the meeting, Mishra emphasized the promotion of electric vehicles (EVs) and the expansion of EV charging infrastructure across the NCR. He instructed the chief secretaries of Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh to strictly enforce action plans to curb stubble burning and ensure the full utilization of crop residue management equipment. Discussions also focused on the urgent implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) and enforcing a ban on firecrackers to manage air quality during the winter.

Additionally, regular monitoring of thermal power plants to ensure compliance with co-firing targets was highlighted, with penalties for non-compliance. The task force underscored the need for initiatives to raise public awareness about pollution control and to foster community participation in reducing emissions.

Delhi’s 21 Point Winter Action Plan - Drones, Anti-Smog Guns and More: On September 25th, 2024, the Delhi government announced a comprehensive 21-point Winter Action Plan to combat air pollution in the city. Key measures under the plan include real-time monitoring of pollution hotspots using drones, formation of a special task force to oversee pollution control efforts, increased use of water sprinklers and anti-smog guns to reduce dust pollution, control of vehicular pollution, open waste burning, and industrial emissions, implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) and odd-even vehicle scheme. Emphasis has been laid on using the Green Delhi app to increase public participation in reporting pollution incidents and undertaking plantation drives. Under the 21 point agenda, a ban on firecrackers has been brought into effect alongside advocating for work from home policy on days with severe pollution.?It is to note that the implementation of the GRAP measures in Delhi has commenced ahead of the scheduled timeline of October 1st. More on GRAP here.?

??INDUSTRY

Cabinet Greenlights Bio-RIDE Scheme to Propel India’s Biotech Sector:? On September 18th, 2024, the Union Cabinet approved the Bio-RIDE scheme with an outlay of ?9,197 crore. The scheme is aimed at advancing biotechnology and biomanufacturing. The scheme, which will run through the 15th Finance Commission period (2021-22 to 2025-26), focuses on three core components: Biotechnology Research and Development (R&D), Industrial & Entrepreneurship Development (I&ED), and Biomanufacturing and Biofoundry. Aligned with India’s green goals under the ‘Lifestyle for the Environment (LiFE)’ initiative, the scheme will nurture startups with seed funding, incubation support, and mentorship. It aims to promote the commercialisation of bio-based products and technologies and create a skilled workforce in biotechnology, contributing to capacity building and preparing India for global competition in biotechnology research and entrepreneurship.?

??? CLIMATE RISKS, ECOLOGY, ENVIRONMENT AND PEOPLE

India Inc. Struggling with Climate Change: India Inc. needs to address the escalating risks posed by climate change, which are becoming increasingly severe and frequent, a recent article highlighted. The article categorizes climate risks into chronic risks, such as rising temperatures and sea levels, and acute risks, including storms, heatwaves, and floods leading to significant damage and loss of life. The business impact is profound, with sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, energy, and insurance being particularly vulnerable. Companies are experiencing operational disruptions and financial losses due to these climate hazards. Despite this, only a quarter of top Indian companies have plans to adapt to the physical impacts of climate change, indicating a substantial gap in preparedness. Experts emphasize that climate hazards are no longer distant threats but are already tangibly affecting human lives, resources, and business continuity. The article calls for increased awareness and proactive measures from businesses to mitigate and adapt to these climate risks.

Climate Change Intensified Central Europe’s Deadly Floods: On September 25th, 2024, a study published by an international collective of scientists has found that the deadly flooding in Central Europe earlier this month was made twice as likely due to human-caused climate change. The severe four-day rainfall, driven by Storm Boris, was the heaviest ever recorded in the region, affecting countries like Romania, Poland, Czechia, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, and Germany. The floods resulted in 24 deaths, significant infrastructure damage, and widespread power outages. The study suggested that warming from burning fossil fuels has doubled the likelihood of such extreme rainfall events. It highlighted that the rains were 7% to 20% more intense due to climate change. Find the official study here.?

Fossil Fuel Firms Use Sports to Divert Attention from Climate Impact: A recent report by the New Weather Institute (NWI) reveals that fossil fuel companies have invested over ￡4 billion in sports sponsorships to “greenwash” their reputations. The report, titled “Dirty Money - how fossil fuel sponsors are polluting sport,” highlights that these companies are using sports to divert attention from their role in the climate crisis. Saudi Arabia’s Aramco, Ineos, Shell, and Total Energies are among the top sponsors investing in sports like football, motorsports, rugby union, and golf. Environmentalists and athletes argue that these sponsorships are harmful and call for a ban similar to tobacco sponsorship bans. Some companies claim their sponsorships support the development of low-carbon solutions. The report calls for sports organizations to seek more sustainable funding sources. Find the official report here.?

Stay Informed, Stay Inspired ???

Thank you for reading this edition of The Climate Log. As we continue to navigate the evolving landscape of climate action, your curiosity and commitment ?? play a crucial role in driving change. Together, we can transform knowledge into action ?? and create a sustainable future for all.

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