The Climate Log - Edition #5

3rd October - 10th October 2024

??? TOP PICKS

?? Brazil Leads G20 Initiative for Tropical Forest Conservation

?? Delhi Government Plans to Extend EV Policy Amid New Draft Preparations:

?? October’s Alarming Warmth - How It’s Disrupting the Shift to Cooler Weather

??? IIT Delhi Suggests Targeted Interventions to Reduce Delhi’s PM2.5 Levels by Up to 26%

?? 2023 - The Driest Year for Rivers in 30 Years, According to UN

?? IN FOCUS?

Climate Change and the Rise of Powerful Atlantic Hurricanes: The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season has been severe, with multiple intense storms causing catastrophic flooding and threatening communities still recovering from previous impacts. In May 2024, US Administration’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) had predicted an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season. Earlier, Hurricane Helene and now Hurricane Milton Hurricanes Milton, Kirk, and Leslie are currently churning the Atlantic waters, presenting a rare and potentially dangerous scenario for coastal regions and maritime operations. Studies suggest that record-breaking sea temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico have significantly intensified recent hurricanes, such as Helene and now Milton. Hurricanes draw their energy from warm tropical waters, and as these waters get warmer, the storms become more powerful and can intensify more rapidly. Human-caused climate change has made such extreme ocean temperatures 200-500 times more likely, according to rapid attribution studies. This connection between warmer oceans and stronger hurricanes underscores the urgent need to address climate change to mitigate future risks.

?? GLOBAL PULSE

Brazil Leads G20 Initiative for Tropical Forest Conservation: At the G20 environment ministers' meeting in Rio de Janeiro on October 3-4, 2024, leaders agreed to support funding for ecosystem services, endorsing Brazil’s proposal for a trust fund to reward tropical forest countries for conservation efforts. Unlike the Amazon Fund, this initiative will benefit all tropical forest nations and pay local and Indigenous communities for maintaining ecosystems. The ministers discussed addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation, emphasizing the need for financing adaptation and transition policies. The declaration called for scaling up mitigation efforts, reaffirmed the Paris Agreement, and prioritized issues like oceans, waste reduction, and plastic pollution.

India’s Entry into International Energy Efficiency Hub Approved by Cabinet: On October 3rd, 2024, the Union Cabinet of India approved India’s entry into the International Energy Efficiency Hub (IEEH) by signing a ‘Letter of Intent’. This strategic move highlights India’s commitment to enhancing global collaboration in energy efficiency and aligns with its goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. IEEH serves as a platform for governments, international agencies, and private sectors to exchange innovative solutions and best practices in energy efficiency. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has been designated as the nodal agency responsible for managing India’s role within the Hub. As of July 2024, the Hub includes influential global players such as Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, the European Commission, France, Germany, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, Russia, Saudi Arabia, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

India and US Forge Pact to Strengthen Critical Minerals Supply Chain: On October 3rd, 2024, India and the United States signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand and diversify their critical minerals supply chains. The MoU is seen as a strategic move to enhance the resilience of supply chains for critical minerals, which are vital for modern technology and the energy transition. It aims to reduce dependence on China which accounts for about 60% of global production and 85% of processing capacity for these minerals. This includes minerals like lithium and cobalt, which are essential for electric vehicles and clean energy technologies. Both the countries plan to collaborate on exploration, extraction, processing, refining, recycling, and recovery of these minerals.

Google Eyes Nuclear Power to Fuel AI Data Centers: Tech giant Google might be considering nuclear power to meet the growing energy demands of its AI data centers. CEO Sundar Pichai mentioned that the company is evaluating technologies like small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) as part of its strategy to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030. In recent times, the surge in AI and cloud services has significantly increased the energy requirements of data centers. Google aims to use nuclear power to provide a stable, low-carbon energy source, aligning with its environmental commitments. Other tech giants like Microsoft and Amazon are also investing in nuclear energy to power their data centers. Google is working with utility partners in the U.S. and exploring options in other countries to integrate nuclear power into their energy mix. This initiative reflects the broader trend among tech companies to seek sustainable energy solutions to support their expanding technological infrastructure.?

??SECTORAL INSIGHTS

?POWER & ENERGY

Amitabh Kant Calls for Green Hydrogen and Infrastructure Improvements for Clean Energy Goals: On October 7th, 2024, Amitabh Kant, former CEO of NITI Aayog, while speaking at a Roundtable discussion emphasized that India should aim to become a clean energy exporter by 2030. He outlined that India should target 750 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy capacity by 2030, surpassing its current goal of 500 GW. This ambitious target is crucial for positioning India as a leader in clean energy. He said that establishing robust financial systems, such as escrow accounts, is essential to attract private investments for renewable projects. Kant highlighted the availability of global funds and the need for India to leverage these resources effectively. He asked for a stronger focus on green hydrogen production and decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors like steel, cement, and transport. He suggested that improvements in energy infrastructure, including smart grids, smart meters, and green energy corridors, are necessary to support India’s renewable energy ambitions Kant stressed the importance of India driving its own agenda amid global crises affecting free trade and renewable energy prices. He called for international financial institutions to use guarantees and blended finance to enable higher levels of private funds to flow into India.

India’s Nuclear Energy Sector Opens to Private Investment with Small Reactors: The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) will soon operate small nuclear power plants, called ‘Bharat Small Reactors,’ for private companies. These reactors, with a capacity of 220 MW each, will be funded and situated on land provided by private firms, marking the first time private players are involved in India’s nuclear energy sector. NPCIL will manage and operate the reactors, which use India’s cost-effective Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) technology. The cost is estimated at ?16 crore per MW, much lower than the ?100 crore per MW for foreign small modular reactors (SMRs). Since NPCIL is a public entity, no changes to the Atomic Energy Act are required. These reactors will have a smaller exclusion zone of 500 meters, enabling them to be located near industrial areas, benefiting energy-intensive industries like steel manufacturing. This initiative aims to boost India's nuclear energy capacity and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Research and development for the reactors are already underway at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC).

Green Tariffs and the Financial Health of Discoms: On October 4th, 2024, the Centre for Social and Economic Progress published a working paper titled ‘Green Electricity Tariffs: Pricing and Other Challenges’ which throws light on the potential financial challenges that India’s green electricity tariffs could pose for distribution companies (Discoms). The Ministry of Power’s initiative aims to promote renewable energy by introducing green tariffs for large consumers. The study suggests that the proposed green tariffs are set approximately 15% below the average cost of supply, which could lead to significant financial losses for Discoms. This discrepancy arises because the green tariffs do not fully cover the costs of energy supply, including generation, transmission, and distribution. Further, the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources like wind and solar complicates the ability of Discoms to provide a reliable supply of green energy. This could affect energy management and service reliability. If high-paying commercial and industrial consumers switch to the lower-cost green tariffs, Discoms could face further financial strain due to reduced revenue from these consumers. The study calls for a reevaluation of the green tariff proposal to ensure it does not negatively impact the financial stability of Discoms or equitable access to renewable energy. Find the working paper here.?

??E-MOBILITY

Delhi Government Plans to Extend EV Policy Amid New Draft Preparations: The Delhi government is planning to extend its existing Electric Vehicle (EV) policy until March 2025, as they work on finalizing EV Policy 2.0. Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot has directed his department to prepare a proposal for this extension and submit it to the Cabinet for approval. The current EV policy, which expired in August 2023, was initially extended for six months until December 2023. The government now plans to extend it further until March 2025 to ensure continuity of benefits for EV buyers.

The extension aims to address delays in subsidies and other incentives such as road tax exemptions that have been pending for the past six months. Since the launch of the EV policy in August 2020, Delhi has seen significant growth in EV adoption. As of August 2024, 10.71% of all vehicles sold in Delhi were electric, with a total of 2,20,618 e-vehicles registered. The policy aims to increase the share of EVs to 25% of all new vehicle registrations by 2024.?

??? AIR QUALITY?

CAQM Directs Faster Response to Air Pollution Complaints in NCR: The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has issued new directives to improve the handling of air pollution complaints in the National Capital Region (NCR). The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), NCR state pollution control boards, and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) must coordinate more efficiently to ensure timely action on complaints received via social media. Once a complaint is filed, it must be tagged to the CAQM and assigned to the relevant agency, which must update its compliance status or explain non-compliance on the same platform. This allows CAQM to monitor response times and the effectiveness of actions taken. The directive urges the Chief Secretaries of NCR states and the Government of NCT Delhi to ensure timely pollution control measures. The boards are also required to publicize this complaint mechanism through media and social platforms to encourage public participation. This initiative is part of CAQM’s broader efforts to enhance enforcement and air quality management across the NCR, especially during winter when pollution levels are severe.

IIT Delhi Suggests Targeted Interventions to Reduce Delhi’s PM2.5 Levels by Up to 26%: A study from IIT Delhi titled ‘The Impact of the Dispersed Sources Programme on Local Air Quality’ has found that by addressing dispersed sources of pollution, Delhi could see a notable reduction in PM2.5 levels, ranging from 15% to 26%. The research was conducted in three areas—Jahangirpuri, Rohini, and Karol Bagh—where targeted interventions were introduced to tackle issues such as unpaved roads, illegal dumping of construction waste, garbage burning, and damaged footpaths. To measure the effectiveness of these interventions, the study used portable low-cost sensors, which were calibrated against high-grade monitors for accuracy. Managed by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and guided by the Commission for Air Quality Management, the program's success underscores its potential for replication in other cities. Find the official research study here.?

Noida’s ?38 Crore Plan to Tackle Winter Air Pollution: Noida plans to spend ?38 crore under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) to combat air pollution. The Noida Authority has outlined several measures to mitigate pollution, especially during the winter months when air quality typically worsens. The authority has already purchased five anti-smog guns and plans to buy ten more, along with twelve hybrid smog guns. These devices spray fine mist or water droplets to reduce particulate matter and other airborne pollutants. Water will be sprinkled from high-rise buildings to effectively bring down dust particles. ?10 crore will be allocated for resurfacing roads and repairing potholes to reduce vehicular pollution caused by traffic congestion.?

??INDUSTRY

India’s Battery Waste Management Under Review: Experts have called for reforming India’s Battery Waste Management Rules (BWMR) introduced in 2022, which aim to promote a circular economy for battery recycling. Concerns are being raised about the underpayment by producers for recycling, which could undermine sustainability efforts and allow fake recyclers to thrive. The rules mandate producers to ensure proper recycling of batteries, but the current Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) floor price is considered too low. The government has set varying EPR credit costs based on battery chemistries, ranging from ?18 per kg for lead batteries to ?2,400 per kg for lithium batteries. Industry experts and environmentalists believe that inadequate payments for recycling could lead to non-compliance and the proliferation of unauthorized recyclers thus advocating for an increase in the EPR floor price to ensure effective recycling and sustainability.

??? CLIMATE RISKS, ECOLOGY, ENVIRONMENT AND PEOPLE

October’s Alarming Warmth - How It’s Disrupting the Shift to Cooler Weather: This year October has not been its usual self. The early morning chill is missing and scientists believe climate change and changing weather patterns are to be blamed for this. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts above-normal temperatures for most parts of the country this October, meaning a warmer October in north and central India. The reduced frequency of Western Disturbances is driving higher temperatures and disrupting the usual transition to cooler weather, with noticeable variability in monsoon patterns also contributing to the phenomenon. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), October—a month typically marked by a shift to cooler temperatures—is warming at an alarming rate. For example, Delhi’s Safdarjung observatory recorded maximum temperatures between 35°C and 38°C in early October, 3-4 degrees above the seasonal norm. Nighttime temperatures have also remained consistently higher than usual. Scientists are concerned about this rapid warming, warning that it is likely to persist, further shortening the already brief transition from monsoon to winter.

Climate Change Turning Antarctic ‘Green’: On October 4th, 2024, a study titled Sustained Greening of the Antarctic Peninsula Observed from Satellites, published in Nature Geoscience, revealed a potential dramatic increase in plant cover across the Antarctic Peninsula, fueled by climate change. Research from the universities of Exeter and Hertfordshire, along with the British Antarctic Survey, shows that vegetation cover has increased more than tenfold over the past four decades.

The study found that the area of vegetation has expanded from less than one square kilometer in 1986 to almost 12 square kilometers by 2021. The greening trend has accelerated by over 30% between 2016-2021. The Antarctic Peninsula is warming faster than the global average, leading to more extreme heat events. Increased plant life is adding organic matter to the soil, potentially paving the way for other plants to grow. This raises concerns about the introduction of non-native and invasive species. The researchers emphasize the need for further studies to understand the specific climate and environmental mechanisms driving this greening trend. They warn that continued warming could lead to fundamental changes in the biology and landscape of this vulnerable region. Find the research here.?

2023 - The Driest Year for Rivers in 30 Years, According to UN: A report titled “State of Global Water Resources 2023’ published by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has revealed that 2023 was the driest year for global rivers in over three decades, driven by record-high temperatures. More than half of the world’s population now faces severe water scarcity for part of the year, a problem worsened by climate change, which disrupts precipitation patterns and water availability. The report highlights the growing frequency of water-related disasters, such as floods, droughts, and landslides, with severe impacts on sustainable development, biodiversity, and human health. The WMO calls for increased global cooperation to manage water resources, improved monitoring of the water cycle, and technological and financial investments to ensure access to clean and safe drinking water.

Research Points to 25 Planetary Vital Signs Reach Record Extremes: A report titled ‘The 2024 State of the Climate Report: Perilous Times on Planet Earth’, published in Bioscience, warns of an “irreversible climate disaster” as 25 of 35 planetary vital signs reach record extremes. It highlights the rising frequency of extreme weather, such as the 2024 heatwaves in Asia, including India's longest on record. Fossil fuel emissions, methane, and nitrous oxide levels are at all-time highs, with coal, oil, and gas consumption up by 1.5% in 2023. Global temperatures, ocean heat, and sea levels have hit record highs, while ice masses in Greenland and Antarctica have reached record lows. Human population growth, at 200,000 people per day, exacerbates environmental strain. The report warns that current policies could lead to 2.7°C warming by 2100, surpassing Paris Agreement targets.?

How India’s Eating Habits Could Help Save the Planet: The 2024 Living Planet Report by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) highlights India’s food consumption patterns as the most sustainable among G20 nations. It praises India’s millet-rich diet for its low environmental impact, noting that if globally adopted, it would be the least climate-damaging. The report warns that current global food consumption trends could cause greenhouse gas emissions from food production to exceed the 1.5°C climate target by 263% by 2050. In contrast, India’s model would require less than one Earth (0.84) to sustain food production. The report also emphasizes India's National Millet Campaign and the importance of alternative protein sources to reduce the environmental footprint of food production.

Stay Informed, Stay Inspired ???

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