Govt targets 20% ethanol blending of petrol by 2025-26

These documents have been prepared after taking into account the foundational principles of equity and Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC), different national circumstances and India’s priorities for sustainable development, the minister stated.

He said the central government has taken a number of initiatives for prevention, control and abatement of pollution, including enactment of environmental laws and associated regulations, issuance of guidelines on various aspects of environment protection, forests and biodiversity conservation towards pollution control. These include notification of National Ambient Air Quality and effluent discharge standards, introduction of cleaner/alternative fuels (including ethanol blending), leapfrogging from Bharat Stage (BS) IV to BS VI fuel norms etc.

The government, he said, is promoting cleaner production processes by providing incentives for production and use of hybrid and electric vehicles, notification of various rules for environmentally sound management of different types of waste - solid, plastic, hazardous, bio-medical, construction and demolition and e-waste.

The government has also notified rules, standards and guidelines and issued directions under Section 5 of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and Section 18(1)(b) of Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. In addition, Government of India is implementing National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) as a national level strategy to reduce air pollution levels across the country. Under NCAP, City Specific Clean Air Action Plans for 131 non-attainment/million plus cities have been prepared to improve air quality, he pointed out.

Ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEFCC) has issued revised environmental standards for brick kilns as 250 mg/ Nm3 from earlier standards of 750mg/ Nm3. All bricks kilns shall use only approved fuel such as piped natural gas, coal, firewood, and/or agricultural residues. Use of pet coke, tyres, plastic, and hazardous wastes shall not be allowed in the brick kilns. Brick kilns shall construct permanent facility (port hole and platform) as per the norms or design laid down by the Central Pollution Control Board for monitoring of emissions. Brick kilns shall follow process emissions/ fugitive dust emission control guidelines as prescribed by concerned State Pollution Control Boards/ Pollution Control Committees.

India’s climate targets are enshrined in its nationally determined contributions (NDCs) submitted under the Paris Agreement. The NDCs cover the period 2021 to 2030 and include inter-alia, targets for reducing emission intensity of its GDP by 45 per cent over 2005 levels, 50 per cent cumulative electric installed capacity from non-fossil fuel sources and creation of additional carbon sink of 2.5-3.0 billion tonnes.  India’s NDC does not bind it to any sector specific mitigation obligation or action. The goal is to reduce overall emission intensity of its GDP and improve energy efficiency of its economy over time and at the same time protecting the vulnerable sectors of economy and segments of our society.

The minister said the government is committed to combat climate change through several programmes and schemes, including the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) which comprises missions in specific areas of solar energy, energy efficiency, water, sustainable agriculture, health, Himalayan ecosystem, sustainable habitat, green India, and strategic knowledge for climate change. Thirty-four states / union territories have prepared action plans on climate change in line with the NAPCC, taking into account state specific issues relating to climate change. These SAPCCs inter alia outline sector-specific and cross-sectoral priority actions, he added.