Environment

Democracy and climate politics are set to collide next year 

After the legalistic niceties of environmental diplomacy, the dirtier business of political maneuvering is going to consume the world’s democracies over the next 12 months. In 2024, climate will be on the ballot in a way we’ve rarely seen

Tiger attacks: 9 people killed in 3 months across 2 national parks

Experts say that if tigers continue venturing into nearby villages and lose their inherent fear of humans, it could spell disaster. To prevent this, strategies around minimising man-animal conflict need a rethink.

COP28: Climate finance must follow Dubai deal on moving away from fossil fuels, say experts

The financial offering from rich states to poor is far too small since developing and poor nations have little to no capacity to invest in clean energy or adaptation in the near term, experts said

8 biggest takeaways for India from COP28 climate summit

From the PM Narendra Modi launching the Green Credits Initiative to the Global River Cities Alliance, India’s active participation and leadership in initiatives solidified its position as a key player on the global climate stage.

COP28 deal is missing one big thing: Money

Neglecting the money was a common feature of all of COP28’s modest victories. The ballyhooed deal to launch a loss-and-damage fund to repay developing nations for the harm global heating is already causing attracted just $792 million in pledges, a comically tiny amount that wouldn’t cover the cost of one run-of-the-mill Florida hurricane

COP28 plays with words to clinch consensus

Face-saving phrase averts disaster at Dubai summit, but may not be enough to save the Earth from a climate catastrophe

COP28 Agreement: Climate campaigners must focus on carbon removal, not fossil fuels

The biggest fossil fuel producers, which include the US, wouldn’t have had a market but for takers of their products in the very same rich countries whose climate campaigners shout the loudest against fossil fuels. Everyone needs fossil fuels at this time. A more sensible solution is carbon dioxide removal but it isn't a priority yet

COP28 ends: A look at key decisions from the world’s biggest climate summit

Transitioning away from fossil fuels, accelerating efforts towards the phase-down of unabated coal power, setting up of the loss and damage fund, tripling renewable energy by 2030 and pledges by major oil and gas firms to curb methane emissions are some of biggest takeaways from COP28

Copout at COP28: Why a consensus in phasing out 'dirty' fuels is so difficult

While no country disagrees with the danger of climate change, the problem is how one achieves the goal given the very different concerns, interests, and stages of economic development

Thermax bags Rs 500 crore order; to ramp up R&D spends to highest-ever

Thermax aims to develop gasification plants with carbon capture capabilities to process coal ranging from 100 to 500 TPD.

At least $2.1 billion in new funds pledged at COP28, as foundations focus on health and agriculture

Along with multiple other philanthropic funders, Sequoia announced a $450 million commitment to target the reduction of methane and other pollutants over three years.

COP28: UN summit makes little progress on providing funds for adapting to climate crisis

While there is broad agreement that financing adaptation is crucial, there has been little movement on the ground.

COP28: Fighting climate change can create jobs in India

Global climate finance flows are woefully inadequate to meet the challenges of the warming planet. There are climate-led business opportunities that can create jobs and sustainable growth. Facing the brunt of extreme weather phenomena, India must scale up renewables capacity and invest in sectors creating smart and sustainable solutions

Do Indian banks care about climate finance?

Indian banks need to get serious about green finance and Net Zero targets. They should take a leaf out of UAE lenders who have massively scaled up their efforts to achieve Net Zero emissions by channelling $270 billion to green finance

In last hours of Dubai climate talks, most important draft document omits 'fossil fuel phase out'

Until now, statements from a large number of countries suggested a consensus on the need to phase out fossil fuels at COP28, but a small minority of countries have been blocking this text, observers said.

NGT issues notice to DPCC, other agencies over discharge of engine oil from railway shed

The NGT was hearing a matter on the discharge of oil from the shed into a drain flowing through the Mohan Cooperative Industrial area and merging with the Agra canal in southeast Delhi.

India’s main engines of economic growth need climate protection

Urban India to contribute to 75 percent of GDP by 2030. Future proofing cities from climate events such as cyclone Michaung is imperative

COP28 is turning into a trade show. And that’s not a bad thing

The number of corporate types turning up at climate conferences should be taken as a positive, rather than a negative indicator. Global commerce has long structured itself around trade fairs, expos and conferences that commonly host 10,000 people at a time. Where the suits lead, money follows

Carbon tax — Will the two-pronged strategy against the EU work?

India has to weigh the pros and cons while opposing the European Union’s CBAM

Vegan economy: Why plant-based diets represent an opportunity for India

Vegan meat, egg, and dairy products are made from plants grown in abundance in India, including moong dal, millets, peas, coconut, and jackfruit.

COP28: Why India remains reluctant to sign the Global Cooling Pledge

India’s electricity consumption for air conditioning is projected to increase nine-fold by 2050. Strict adherence to the Global Cooling Pledge's ambitious targets could potentially restrict access to affordable cooling. Instead, India has its own Cooling Action Plan.

World Food Day 2023: Why we need smart proteins to build a resilient food system

For the first time, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP) will have a dedicated day for discussions on food.

Cyclone Michaung | ‘Expect droughts and floods to become more extreme whenever they occur’

As Chennai faces its third major flood in eight years, meteorologist Dr Akshay Deoras offers insights into India's increasing extreme weather events, and why forecasting in the tropics can be a challenge.

Jindal Stainless targets 50% carbon emissions reduction before 2035

Jindal Stainless has committed to reducing 50 percent of its emission intensity by 2035 aligning with India's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) of reducing emissions intensity of its GDP by 45 percent by 2030.