The Climate Log - Edition #9

8 November - 14 November 2024

??? TOP PICKS

?? India to Push for Stronger Climate Finance Commitments at COP29

?? India's Clean Energy Drive: States Encouraged to Adopt Nuclear Power

?? EV as a Service' Program to Boost EV Adoption in Government

??? Delhi’s Air Quality Emergency: What’s Being Done to Clear the Air??

?? Global Economy Suffers $2 Trillion Loss from Extreme Weather

?? GLOBAL PULSE

U.S. Oil Industry Seeks Reversal of Biden's Climate Measures: On November 12, 2024, the U.S. oil and gas industry, represented by the American Petroleum Institute (API), urged President-elect Donald Trump to repeal key climate policies from the Biden administration, citing threats to jobs, consumer choice, and energy security. Targeted measures include vehicle emissions standards, methane fees, and restrictions on fossil fuel development. This push risks increasing emissions, delaying renewable energy transitions, and undermining global net-zero efforts, especially in emerging markets relying on U.S. leadership. Trump's return to the White House may also impact US-India clean energy ties. Under Biden, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) incentivized renewable energy investments, benefiting Indian solar manufacturers. A rollback of the IRA could destabilize the sector, prompting Indian firms to seek alternative, incentive-rich regions for investment. Notably, on November 11th, 2024, US climate envoy John Podesta on the first day of the COP29 summit suggested that climate action will continue despite Trump’s return and the fight is still on against the crisis.?

India to Push for Stronger Climate Finance Commitments at COP29: At COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, India is set to emphasize climate finance accountability and protection for vulnerable communities in its national statement on November 18-19. In all likelihood, India will urge developed nations to accelerate their net-zero commitments and fulfill their financial pledges. India's delegation, led by Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Kirti Vardhan Singh, will focus on ensuring that climate finance is consistent, convenient, catalytic, and credible. The conference will also address the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) for climate finance, which could reach trillions of dollars annually. India aims to strengthen resilience for vulnerable communities and achieve an equitable energy transition. More on what BASIC countries want from COP29. A report titled ‘Road to Baku: The New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance’ published by the The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI in October emphasized that the National Climate Quantified Goals (NCQG) should align with each country's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs). The proposed framework aims to address this imbalance and focus on predictable, grant-based finance to enable adaptation and resilience efforts in vulnerable regions.?

China Passes its First Energy Law: China has passed a new "energy law" aimed at boosting high-quality energy development, ensuring energy security, and promoting a green, low-carbon transition, as reported by Xinhua, China’s state news agency. The law prioritizes renewable energy, supports carbon emission controls, and includes provisions for various energy sources like hydropower, solar, wind, biomass, and hydrogen. It introduces mechanisms for energy demand response and emphasizes technological innovation. This marks a significant step as China lacked a comprehensive, foundational energy law until now.

Brazil Sets New Climate Target for 2035 at COP29: Brazil has announced a new climate target aligned with Mission 1.5°C at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. The country aims to reduce its net greenhouse gas emissions by 59% to 67% by 2035, compared to 2005 levels. This ambitious target translates to a reduction of 850 million to 1.05 billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2035. The new Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) is part of Brazil's broader commitment to achieving climate neutrality by 2050. The announcement was made by Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, who emphasized the importance of this target in promoting a new development model through initiatives like the Climate Plan and the Ecological Transformation Plan. Brazil is the sixth largest emitter of GHGs.?

??SECTORAL INSIGHTS

?POWER & ENERGY

India's Clean Energy Drive: States Encouraged to Adopt Nuclear Power: The Indian government has urged states to consider establishing nuclear power plants to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and meet the growing energy demand. During a recent conference, Power Minister Manohar Lal emphasized the need for states, especially those distant from coal resources, to set up nuclear-based power plants. This initiative is part of India's broader strategy to enhance clean energy production and achieve its climate goals. The government also encouraged states to identify power utilities to attract investment and improve transmission systems to support renewable energy capacity. Currently, India has a capacity of 8 GW which it intends to increase to 20 GW by 2032.?

Rajasthan Trails in Rooftop Solar Adoption: Rajasthan is lagging behind in rooftop solar adoption despite its vast potential. As of November 5, 2024, the state received 190,908 applications for rooftop solar projects under the PM Surya Ghar Yojana, but only 15,854 plants were installed. This results in an application-to-installation ratio of just 8%, significantly lower than the national average of 19%. Several factors contribute to this slow progress, including the lack of state subsidies and policies like free electricity that disincentivize investment. Experts suggest introducing an opt-out option for free electricity in exchange for state subsidies to boost solar installations. Additionally, increased consumer awareness, streamlined processes, and flexible incentives are needed to accelerate the adoption of rooftop solar projects in the state.?

Proposals Sought for Green Hydrogen Centres of Excellence: On November 4th, 2024, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India invited proposals to establish Centres of Excellence (CoEs) for Green Hydrogen research under the National Green Hydrogen Mission. Launched on January 4, 2023, with a budget of Rs. 19,744 crore up to FY 2029-30, the mission aims to boost innovation and self-reliance in clean energy. The CoEs will focus on advancing Green Hydrogen production, storage, and utilization technologies, fostering collaboration among industry, academia, and government. The initiative includes an initial allocation of Rs. 100 crore for setting up these centres, which will serve as hubs for cutting-edge research, skill development, and knowledge dissemination.?

CERC Proposes New Carbon Credit Trading Regulations: The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has proposed new regulations for the trading of Carbon Credit Certificates (CCCs). These regulations, titled "Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (Terms and Conditions for Purchase and Sale of Carbon Credit Certificates) Regulations, 2024," aim to establish a structured framework for trading CCCs on power exchanges. The Grid Controller of India will serve as the registry for these exchanges, ensuring transparency and compliance. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) will administer the CCCs and develop detailed procedures for the Carbon Credit Trading Program. The regulations will apply to both obligated entities (required to meet carbon reduction targets) and non-obligated entities, facilitating India's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and meet its climate commitments.??

Methanol Produced from Captured CO2 at NTPC Plant: In a global first, India’s National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and Jakson Green have successfully synthesized methanol from captured carbon dioxide at NTPC's Vindhyachal Thermal Power Plant in Madhya Pradesh. This pilot project, developed by NETRA (NTPC Energy Technology Research Alliance), captures CO2 directly from flue gas emissions and converts it into methanol, a cleaner fuel suitable for power generation and transportation. This breakthrough marks the first instance of producing methanol from captured carbon and is a significant step towards cleaner fuel alternatives.?

?? E-MOBILITY

‘EV as a Service' Program to Boost EV Adoption in Government: On November 10thm 2024, Union Minister Manohar Lal launched the "EV as a Service" program by Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL), targeting the deployment of 5,000 electric cars in government ministries and public sector units over the next two years. This initiative aims to boost electric vehicle (EV) adoption within the government sector through a flexible procurement model, allowing departments to select EV models that suit their operational needs. CESL has already deployed close to 2,000 electric cars across India and is facilitating the rollout of around 17,000 electric buses as part of its broader mission to support India's net-zero emissions goal by 2070. The program aligns with the PM E-DRIVE Scheme, which aims to fast-track India's transition to electric mobility.

??? AIR QUALITY?

Delhi’s Air Quality Emergency: What’s Being Done to Clear the Air?: The Indian government recently convened a high-level meeting chaired by Principal Scientific Adviser Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood to address India’s air pollution crisis, particularly focusing on Delhi’s deteriorating air quality. Key officials discussed advancing the National Air Quality Resource Framework of India (NARFI) to provide a science-driven approach to pollution control, incorporating improved meteorological data, emissions inventories, and airshed mapping. With Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) soaring to "severe" levels, authorities implemented Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) on November 15, restricting non-essential construction, mining, and older vehicle use, while advising schools to shift online for younger students. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has also tightened enforcement, launching a real-time GRAP Monitoring Control Room and appointing nodal officers to oversee compliance.

??? CLIMATE RISKS, ECOLOGY, ENVIRONMENT AND PEOPLE

What Has Put Delhi's Winter on Hold? : Just like October, this month has also been unusually warm in Delhi with people still using fans. Typically, this time of year sees a drop in temperatures, but this year, both daytime and nighttime temperatures have remained significantly above 30°C and 16-18°C respectively. The lack of Western Disturbances and snowfall in the Himalayas has contributed to this warmth. In previous years, November temperatures typically dropped to between 10-15°C. Weather officials predict that temperatures may start to drop around November 17, but until then, Delhi continues to experience warmer conditions.

NGT Alarmed Over Ganga Pollution in Uttar Pradesh: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has raised serious concerns about the deteriorating water quality of the Ganga in Uttar Pradesh due to the discharge of untreated sewage. According to a report from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), there is a significant gap in sewage treatment capacity, with 247 untapped drains discharging 3,513.16 million liters per day (MLD) of wastewater into the river. The NGT has directed the state's chief secretary to file an affidavit detailing the steps taken to address this issue, including short-term measures to prevent untreated sewage discharge and timelines for making sewage treatment plants (STPs) fully functional.?

Global Economy Suffers $2 Trillion Loss from Extreme Weather: A recent report commissioned by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and conducted by Oxera, a specialist economics consultancy, reveals that climate-related extreme weather events have cost the global economy over $2 trillion over the past decade (2014-2023). The report identifies nearly 4,000 events impacting 1.6 billion people during this period. In the last two full years alone, global economic damages reached $451 billion, a 19% increase compared to the previous eight years. The U.S. was the most affected, with economic losses totaling $934.7 billion, followed by China and India. The report underscores the urgent need for coordinated global action to mitigate climate change and build resilience against extreme weather events. Find the official document here.?

Accurate Interpretation of Adaptation Science Critical for the Poor: An article "Misguided Negative Adaptation Narratives are Hurting the Poor" published by E. L. F. Schipper and A. Mukherji in Science has addressed the detrimental effects of misinterpreted adaptation narratives on vulnerable communities. The article discusses how the concepts of maladaptation (when adaptation measures backfire) and adaptation metrics are being misinterpreted by policy-makers. It points out that some policy-makers are uncomfortable with the broad definitions of maladaptation and adaptation metrics, leading to debates and potential removal of these concepts from reports and negotiations. Further, the authors highlight that weaponizing maladaptation and claiming that adaptation success is impossible or unmeasurable can result in reduced or halted funding for adaptation projects. This negatively impacts vulnerable communities that rely on these funds. The authors also emphasize the disparity between the Global North and Global South, where the former often questions the usefulness and accuracy of adaptation indicators, while the latter fears that their arguments for funding will be undermined without these indicators. The article provides examples of maladaptation, such as irrigation being labeled as maladaptive when it leads to water-intensive cultivation systems in water-scarce regions. However, appropriate use of irrigation can provide necessary food and improve well-being in poor agricultural areas. The authors call for accurate interpretation of scientific evidence to ensure that adaptation efforts are adequately funded and implemented to support those most affected by climate change.?

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