Central News Hub

Category: Environment

  • UNEP’s Emissions Gap Report Urges Urgent Climate Action

    UNEP’s Emissions Gap Report Urges Urgent Climate Action

    Current unconditional NDCs imply that additional emissions cuts of 14 GtCO2e are needed in 2030 over predicted levels for two degrees…reports Asian Lite News

    As global temperatures and greenhouse gas emissions break records, the latest Emissions Gap Report from the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) finds that current pledges under the Paris Agreement put the world on track for a 2.5-2.9 degrees Celsius temperature rise above pre-industrial levels this century, pointing to the urgent need for increased climate action.

    Released ahead of the 2023 climate summit in Dubai, the Emissions Gap Report 2023: Broken Record — Temperatures hit new highs, yet world fails to cut emissions (again), finds that global low-carbon transformations are needed to deliver cuts to predicted 2030 greenhouse gas emissions of 28 per cent for a two-degree pathway and 42 per cent for a 1.5-degree pathway.

    “We know it is still possible to make the 1.5 degree limit a reality. It requires tearing out the poisoned root of the climate crisis: fossil fuels. And it demands a just, equitable renewables transition,” said Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General.

    Maintaining the possibility of achieving the Paris Agreement temperature goals hinges on significantly strengthening mitigation this decade to narrow the emissions gap. This will facilitate more ambitious targets for 2035 in the next round of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and increase the chances of meeting net-zero pledges, which now cover around 80 per cent of global emissions.

    “There is no person or economy left on the planet untouched by climate change, so we need to stop setting unwanted records on greenhouse gas emissions, global temperature highs and extreme weather,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP.

    “We must instead lift the needle out of the same old groove of insufficient ambition and not enough action, and start setting other records: on cutting emissions, on green and just transitions and on climate finance.”

    Until the beginning of October this year, 86 days were recorded with temperatures over 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels.

    September was the hottest recorded month ever, with global average temperatures 1.8 degrees above pre-industrial levels.

    The report finds that global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions increased by 1.2 per cent from 2021 to 2022 to reach a new record of 57.4 gigatonne of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent (GtCO2e).

    GHG emissions across the G20 increased by 1.2 per cent in 2022. Emission trends reflect global patterns of inequality. Because of these worrying trends and insufficient mitigation efforts, the world is on track for a temperature rise far beyond the agreed climate goals during this century.

    If mitigation efforts implied by current policies are continued at today’s levels, global warming will only be limited to three degrees above pre-industrial levels in this century.

    Fully implementing efforts implied by unconditional Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) would put the world on track for limiting temperature rise to 2.9 degrees.

    Conditional NDCs fully implemented would lead to temperatures not exceeding 2.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels.

    All of these are with a 66 per cent chance. These temperature projections are slightly higher than in the 2022 Emissions Gap Report, as the 2023 report includes a larger number of models in the estimation of global warming.

    Current unconditional NDCs imply that additional emissions cuts of 14 GtCO2e are needed in 2030 over predicted levels for two degrees.

    Cuts of 22 GtCO2e are needed for 1.5 degrees.

    The implementation of conditional NDCs reduces both these estimates by 3 GtCO2e.

    In percentage terms, the world needs to cut 2030 emissions by 28 per cent to get on track to achieve the two degrees goal of the Paris Agreement, with a 66 per cent chance, and 42 per cent for the 1.5 degrees goal.

    If all conditional NDCs and long-term net-zero pledges were met, limiting the temperature rise to two degrees would be possible.

    However, net-zero pledges are not currently considered credible: none of the G20 countries are reducing emissions at a pace consistent with their net-zero targets.

    Even in the most optimistic scenario, the likelihood of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees is only 14 per cent.

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  • Almheiri Launches Action Plan to Reduce Food Waste

    Almheiri Launches Action Plan to Reduce Food Waste

    The roadmap was announced at the fourth National Dialogue on Food Security organized by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment…reports Asian Lite News

    UAE Minister of Climate Change and the Environment, Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, announced ‘Ne’ma Food Loss and Waste Reduction Roadmap,’ a strong action plan to reduce food loss and waste in the country by 50 percent by 2030.

    The roadmap was announced at the fourth National Dialogue on Food Security organized by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment with ne’ma, the National Food Loss and Waste Initiative, and held under the theme, ‘Call for Change: Reducing Food Loss and Waste in the UAE.’

    The event, which featured high-level panel discussions, underlined the importance of a shared understanding of how food loss and waste play a critical role in achieving food security, sustainable consumption, and circular ecosystems, as well as mitigating climate risks.

    The discussions focused on identifying challenges and solutions, and mapping hotspots of food loss and waste, systemic gaps, and best practices, with emphasis on mobilizing the public and private sector, as well as the wider community, to change current consumption habits.

    Announcing the strategic roadmap, Almheiri said: “With only a few days away to our nation hosting COP28, this event underlines the strong commitment of the UAE in addressing all sectors that have a defining role in addressing the impact of climate change. And food and agriculture systems play a pivotal role in this regard, especially with food loss and waste one of the core challenges that humanity must address as a priority.”

    At COP28, the UAE is placing food and agricultural systems transformation at the heart of the discussions, said HE Almheiri, who has launched the COP28 Food Systems and Agricultural Agenda – an ambitious plan to transform global food systems and ensure their long-term sustainability, earlier this year.

    “The importance of addressing food loss and waste is a strategic imperative for the world,” explained HE Almheiri. “Today, according to World Food Program, one-third of food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted globally. Further, it is estimated that all the food produced but never eaten would be sufficient to feed two billion people.”

    Through the COP28 Food Systems and Agricultural Agenda, the UAE aims to bring together businesses, farmers, producer organisations and other non-state actors to drive progress across production, consumption, food loss and waste. “As part of mobilizing national leadership, we are extending a global call to action, inviting all countries to ratify the Emirates Declaration on Resilient Food Systems, Sustainable Agriculture, and Climate Action,” added Almheiri.

    She explained that at COP28, the UAE is looking at how to limit food wastage and the carbon impact of the food served. “To achieve this, we have launched a Sustainable Catering Strategy, which aims to demonstrate the potential of delivering sustainable food at scale.”

    Explaining the new roadmap to curb food loss and waste, Almheiri said ne’ma is a compelling testament to the commitment and vision of our leadership to encourage social responsibility and promote sustainable practices nationwide. “Since its launch, ne’ma has delivered exceptional work – including food system mapping, setting goals and formalizing a three-year strategy to reduce food loss and waste.”

    The roadmap will serve as a collective effort to reduce food waste by creating new social norms, scaling best practices, and enabling policies across the entire food ecosystem, said Almheiri. “Our strategy is to mobilize all the stakeholders and accelerate action with a holistic and government led approach. We will build capacity for food loss and waste monitoring, foster public private partnerships for food loss and waste solutions, leverage innovative approaches to build the circular economy, and introduce new mandates and policies. Our goal is to become a nation where no food is wasted.”

    In the run-up to setting the strategy for food loss and waste reduction, over 200 interviews were held with food value chain and system-level actors, in addition to several workshops for collective ideation. At the event, Jumeirah Group, Hilton Group, Rotana Group and Expo City signed agreements with ne’ma to embrace food loss and waste reduction as a top priority.

    Ahmed Taleb Al Shamsi, CEO of Emirates Foundation, said: “This new roadmap is incredibly important as we recognize the profound impact of food loss on our shared goals of food security, sustainable consumption, and the cultivation of circular ecosystems. Addressing the challenges of today requires a united effort grounded in a shared understanding of the intricate relationship between food loss and these critical objectives. It is incumbent upon us to acknowledge that every piece of wasted food is a missed opportunity to alleviate hunger and reduce environmental strain. Through a collective commitment to responsible consumption, we can forge a path towards a more sustainable future. Let us, as global citizens, work together to minimize waste, maximize efficiency, and foster a resilient food system that not only nourishes the present but preserves the abundance of our planet for generations to come.”

    The event was attended by influential stakeholders from the public and private sectors, regulators, representatives from all stages of the food value-chain, technology and innovation startups, as well as local and international subject matter experts. Panel discussions on addressing food waste by creating the circular and closed loop food ecosystem, adopting more responsible sustainable habits, and the root causes of food loss as a complex challenge that requires collective effort.

    A demonstration of Zero Food to Landfill was also displayed, which highlighted how all food will be segregated, reused or repurposed and given back to nature. To encourage the participants to cut food loss and waste, Ne’ma ‘Food is Blessing’ leftover bags were distributed.

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  • Weather Alert: Low Pressure Over Bay of Bengal Turns Depression

    Weather Alert: Low Pressure Over Bay of Bengal Turns Depression

    Earlier on Tuesday, the IMD also said, a low-pressure area formed over the Andaman Sea is likely to intensify into a deep depression and cause heavy rainfall in parts of Odisha on November 16…reports Asian Lite News

    A well-marked low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal Sea moved westwards and concentrated into a depression on Wednesday, an India Meteorological Department (IMD) official said on Wednesday.

    Speaking to ANI, IMD Visakhapatnam’s MD Sunanda said, “Fishermen are advised not to venture into the sea from Wednesday onwards.”

    “A low-pressure area is formed over the Bay of Bengal…Later it intensified into a depression in the west-central Bay of Bengal. Due to this, from Wednesday onwards, along and off the Andhra Pradesh coast, wind speeds are increasing…Winds will be prevailing for the 2 days – November 15 and 16. So fishermen are advised not to venture into the sea from Wednesday onwards,” IMD Visakhapatnam, MD Sunanda said.

    According to the Meteorological Department, the weather system is likely to move northwestwards initially and further north to northwestwards and intensify into a deep depression over the west-central Bay of Bengal off the Andhra Pradesh coast.

    “Thereafter, it would recurve north northeastwards and reach over Northwest Bay of Bengal off Odisha coast on 17th morning & off North Odisha-West Bengal coasts on 18th November morning,” she added.

    Earlier on Tuesday, the IMD also said, a low-pressure area formed over the Andaman Sea is likely to intensify into a deep depression and cause heavy rainfall in parts of Odisha on November 16.

    “Thereafter, it would move north-westwards and may intensify into a deep depression over the West-Central Bay of Bengal off the Andhra Pradesh coast on November 16. Subsequently, it would recurve north-northeastward and reach the northwest bay of Bengal off the Odisha coast on November 17. Due to this system, we are expecting heavy to very heavy rainfall activity over some parts of Odisha, especially coastal Odisha,” added Sunanda. (ANI)

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  • Lahore Grapples With Severe Air Pollution

    Lahore Grapples With Severe Air Pollution

    The city, which had experienced five days of relatively normal air quality, saw a sudden spike with a maximum AQI of 401 recorded at 9 am, marking it as extremely unsafe for breathing…reports Asian Lite News

    Following a brief respite, Lahore is once again grappling with a severe air pollution crisis as the air quality index (AQI) reaching alarming levels, Dawn reported on Wednesday.

    The city, which had experienced five days of relatively normal air quality, saw a sudden spike with a maximum AQI of 401 recorded at 9 am, marking it as extremely unsafe for breathing.

    Global air quality monitoring platform iqair.com provided data indicating a slight improvement in the afternoon, with the AQI dropping to 188 by 7 pm. However, hopes for sustained improvement were dashed as the air quality deteriorated again, registering an AQI of 236 at 9 pm. This unsettling development propelled Lahore to the third spot on the list of the most polluted cities globally, Dawn reported.

    It is crucial to note that an AQI below 50 is considered safe for breathing, and Lahore’s current readings indicate a severe threat to public health.

    Air quality varied across different areas of the city. Fida Hussain House reported an AQI of 364, Syed Maratib Ali Road at 309, CERP Office at 282, Polo Ground Cantt at 270, US Consulate in Lahore at 270, Lahore American School at 267, NetSol LHR2 at 259, Pakistan Engineering Services (Pvt) Ltd at 240, DHA Phase 8 at 236, and WWF Pakistan at 231.

    Lahore traditionally experiences a decline in air quality during the winter season, particularly from October to February. During this period, farmers in the wider Punjab province burn crop remnants, contributing to smog. Weather changes further exacerbate the problem by trapping pollutants in the air for a longer duration.

    The primary contributors to air pollution in Lahore include vehicle and industrial emissions, smoke from brick kilns, burning of crop residue and general waste, and dust from construction sites. Deforestation for infrastructure development, such as new roads and buildings, also plays a significant role, according to Dawn.

    The winter air pollution is worsened by temperature inversion, a phenomenon where a layer of warm air prevents the upward movement of pollutants, leading to their accumulation.

    To combat the rising air pollution crisis, experts suggest making real-time air quality data readily available to the public with greater granularity. When individuals are aware of the pollution levels they are exposed to, they can take informed measures to protect themselves and contribute to collective efforts in combating air pollution.

    Reducing industrial and vehicular emissions is identified as a critical step towards improving air quality. As the situation in Lahore continues to worsen, urgent and coordinated efforts are required to address the root causes of air pollution and safeguard the health and well-being of the city’s residents, Dawn reported. (ANI)

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  • Capital chokes

    Capital chokes

    Several residents and commuters in the national capital complained of breathing problems and urged the government to mobilise steps to curb air pollution at the earliest…reports Asian Lite News

    A thick toxic haze or ‘smog’ continued to hang heavy over the national capital as the air quality remained in the ‘severe’ category on Wednesday, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) informed.

    According to the data shared by the CPCB, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Anand Vihar was recorded at 452, while it was at 433, 460, 382, and 413 at RK Puram, Punjabi Bagh, Sri Aurobindo Marg and Shadipur, all in the ‘severe’ category.

    Several residents and commuters in the national capital complained of breathing problems and urged the government and the authorities concerned to mobilise steps to curb the runaway air pollution at the earliest.

    Voicing concerns over the deteriorating air quality, a commuter told ANI, “This toxic air is giving us breathing problems. The government should mobilise urgent steps to bring us some respite.”

    Gulab Singh Shukla, another resident, said, “The deteriorating air quality is proving to be a public health hazard. Residents, especially daily commuters, are suffering and the government should act at the earliest.”

    Jatin, a cyclist, said, “The air pollution is getting worse and people are literally struggling to breathe. The AQI is deteriorating by the day. The government and all agencies concerned should take note of our problems and announce further steps to curb pollution.”

    Satish Mishra, another resident, said the governments of the northern states were trading blame and pointing fingers at each other instead of trying to control the worsening air pollution.

    “If not controlled now, this could have a more severe impact on public health than Covid. Masks are back on the faces of residents here as the air quality is going from bad to worse,” Mishra told ANI.

    The Supreme Court on Tuesday expressed grave concern over the hazardous air quality in the national capital and directed that farmers should stop stubble burning forthwith in Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh, saying it was one of the major contributors to air pollution.

    A bench of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Sudhanshu Dhulia made the local State House Officer, under the overall supervision of the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, responsible for preventing crop burning.

    It further directed that a meeting be held on Wednesday between the states to ensure that crop burning is stopped forthwith.

    Further, the top court noted that smog towers installed as per an earlier order are not working and directed the government to ensure they are repaired.

    The top court also asked chief Secretaries of the states to hold a meeting either physically or by Zoom on the pollution issue. “Eminent Secretary should call for a meeting tomorrow, whether physically or via Zoom. All stakeholders will connect to ensure that we have a better picture and some redemption by Friday,” it added.

    It also observed that schemes like odd-even for vehicles to tackle pollution issues mere optics.

    Air pollution levels can be high during the winter months for a number of reasons, including dust and vehicular pollution, dry-cold weather, stubble burning, burning crop residues after the harvest season, and commuting.

    Cold air is denser and moves slower than warm air, so it traps pollution and doesn’t whisk it away. This means that air pollution in winter remains in place for much longer than during the summer.

    According to doctors, for any healthy person, a recommended AQI should be less than 50, but these days the AQI has spiked beyond 400, which could prove fatal for those suffering from lung-related diseases and even pose a risk of lung cancer.

    Meanwhile, the air quality index (AQI) in Prayagraj district in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh, slipped to the ‘poor’ category on Wednesday.

    Mumbai air quality deteriorates

    Meanwhile, air quality in Mumbai continued to remain in the ‘Moderate’ category on Wednesday.

    The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 149 at noon according to data provided by the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR)-India data.

    Many areas in the city dipped to ‘poor’ and ‘very poor’ air quality.

    The state pollution control meter, installed at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) reflected the air quality of Mumbai as ‘very poor’ at 7 am. A health alert was also issued at the CST area due to the deteriorating air quality.

    The air quality index varied in different areas of Mumbai. In the Bandra Kurla Complex, the air quality was recorded in a ‘moderate’ category, with an AQI of 200 at 9 am. Meanwhile, Colaba and Borivali East reported ‘moderate’ air quality with an AQI of 151 and 141, respectively.

    On Tuesday, the air quality remained in the ‘poor’ category in the Bandra Kurla complex, which is one of the important commercial areas of Mumbai. Although the average AQI of the city was recorded to be 145 (moderate), as per the data released by SAFAR.

    The Bombay High Court on Monday passed interim directions for the Maharashtra government and municipal authorities in Mumbai and surrounding areas to mitigate the issue of worsening air pollution.

    ALSO READ-Delhi to Start Odd-Even System to Curb Pollution

  • Delhi to Start Odd-Even System to Curb Pollution

    Delhi to Start Odd-Even System to Curb Pollution

    Under this plan, vehicles with odd-numbered license plates can drive on odd dates, and those with even-numbered plates on even dates….reports Asian Lite News

    In bid to combat the worsening air quality in the national capital, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal chaired a high-level meeting on Monday, focusing on addressing the air pollution crisis, and decided on various measures, including launching the odd-even scheme next week.

    Expressing his deep concern about the situation, Kejriwal and his cabinet colleagues, including Environment Minister Gopal Rai, Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot, Health Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj, and Education Minister Atishi, deliberated on key decisions to mitigate the issue.

    Addressing the media on the government’s strategy after the meeting, Rai said that the government has decided to implement the Odd-Even scheme from November 13 to 20, post-Diwali, in response to the anticipated surge in pollution levels.

    Under this scheme, vehicles with licence plates ending in odd numbers (1, 3, 5, 7, and 9) will be allowed to operate on odd days, while vehicles with even-numbered plates (0, 2, 4, 6, and 8) will be permitted on even days.

    “A comprehensive action plan, developed in collaboration with relevant departments, including Transport and Traffic Police, will be formulated during a meeting on Tuesday,” he said.

    “Furthermore, the government has extended the closure of schools for students in Classes 6, 7, 8, 9, and 11 grades until November 10, in addition to the existing closure of schools up to Class 5. Notably, board exams for Classes 10 and 12 will proceed as scheduled,” said Rai.

    In response to concerns raised about the efficacy of pollution control efforts, Rai said that the Delhi government’s continuous year-round commitment to reducing pollution through various long-term initiatives, such as the Summer and Winter Action Plans.

    “According to scientists and the meteorological department’s analysis, the main reason for the rise in pollution within Delhi is the continuous drop in temperatures and very low wind speed. The air quality index (AQI) in Delhi was 347 on October 30. Subsequently, it increased to 359 on October 31, 364 on November 1, 392 on November 2, 468 on November 3, and 415 on November 4. Then, on November 5, it increased further to 454, and on Monday, it was recorded at an AQI of 436, which had peaked at 468 in between,” he said.

    “To reduce vehicular pollution in Delhi, the Transport Department and Traffic Police have conducted campaigns to check Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates. A fine of Rs 10,000 is imposed for violating PUC norms, and 28,471 fines have been issued to vehicles during the periods of Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) levels I, II, and III,” said Rai.

    “This has helped in controlling vehicles that contribute to pollution in Delhi. Moreover, an anti-dust campaign was conducted in Delhi, where 12,769 construction sites were inspected. Violations of norms were found at 324 locations, resulting in fines of around Rs 74 lakh. Complaints related to the increase in pollution have been received through the Green Delhi app. From October 3 until now, 1,646 complaints have been registered, and 1,581 of these complaints have been resolved with the cooperation of various departments.”

    “Additionally, 233 smog towers have been installed at various projects, and 106 anti-smog guns have been installed on government buildings to control pollution. Mobile anti-smog guns have been spraying water on the roads at 192 locations,” Rai claimed.

    “Various teams have been deployed for different tasks, such as addressing open burning, checking vehicle emissions, and enforcing restrictions on fireworks. In total, 611 teams are working in the field to address open burning, 385 teams are checking vehicle emissions, and 210 police teams have been formed to control the use of firecrackers.

    “Furthermore, 82 MRTs (Multi-Tasking Resource Vehicles) are cleaning the roads through water sprinkling and cleaning. An additional 345 water sprinklers from various departments are working on the roads to mitigate pollution in different areas. The concerted efforts include the installation of 233 smog towers at different project sites and 192 mobile anti-smog guns spraying water on the roads. Additionally, 106 anti-smog guns have been installed in various government buildings to combat pollution,” he added.

    The Environment Minister further said that in Delhi, there is a complete ban on fireworks.

    “Last time, despite the ban, fireworks were set off in various places. In this regard, the police have been instructed to keep their teams on alert, as Diwali is just a few days away.

    “Additionally, there are World Cup matches, and Chhath Puja is also approaching.”

    The Environment Minister urged the BJP governments in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to impose a ban on fireworks in their states as well and monitor the situation to prevent it from deteriorating further.

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  • COP28 Achieves Breakthrough on Loss & Damage Fund

    COP28 Achieves Breakthrough on Loss & Damage Fund

    The recommendation, if adopted by consensus at COP28 has the potential to impact “billions of people, lives and livelihoods who are vulnerable to the effects of climate change.”…reports Asian Lite News

    COP28 President Dr. Sultan Al Jaber heralded the successful conclusion of a vital United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) meeting on the implementation of the Loss and Damage Fund, held in Abu Dhabi, as a vital step towards a successful outcome on the road to COP28.

    Once up and running the fund would provide particularly vulnerable countries, many at extreme risk from climate change, with funding to support recovery from the impacts of climate change.

    Dr. Al Jaber said: “As we have shown in Abu Dhabi, Multilateralism works. The Transitional Committee has broken deadlocks and and found common ground to deliverclear recommendations- Parties must seal the deal in Dubai and fulfill our obligations on the Loss and Damage Fund.”

    The recommendation, if adopted by consensus at COP28 has the potential to impact “billions of people, lives and livelihoods who are vulnerable to the effects of climate change.” They, Dr. Al Jaber said, “depend upon the adoption of this recommended approach at COP28.”

    The Fifth Meeting of the Transitional Committee on Loss and Damage, held on 3 and 4 November in Abu Dhabi, has produced recommendations including the provision of much-needed, grant-based support to countries particularly impacted by climate and loss. At COP28 Parties will now be responsible for operationalizing the fund.

    “I welcome the agreement reached in Abu Dhabi by the Transitional Committee,” Dr. Al Jaber said in a statement. “This clear and strong recommendation to operationalize the Loss and Damage Fund and funding arrangements, paves the way for agreement at COP28.”

    The agreement to establish a Loss and Damage fund was heralded as a key breakthrough at COP27 held in Sharm El Sheikh.

    “There is still more work to do but I would like to thank the Transitional Committee, including co-chairs Outi Honkatukia of Finland and Richard Sherman of South Africa, for all their long days in getting to this stage. We have sent a clear message, unity won the day,” said Dr. Al Jaber.

    The COP28 Presidency hosted the meeting after the previous session ended without conclusion. The Transitional Committee was established after COP27 to make recommendations for consideration and adoption at COP28, which is starting in 25 days, in Dubai. The UNFCCC managed the Committee meeting.

    The agreed recommendations will now be socialized with national governments ahead of COP28, so the fund can be activated and capitalized.

    The COP28 Presidency has repeatedly advocated for the operationalization of the fund and funding arrangements, with Dr. Al Jaber stating at last month’s Pre-COP event that Parties “must deliver” on the fund. Progress in loss and damage represents “taking action for the world’s most climate vulnerable people,” he told delegates during the event.

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  • Delhi’s Air Quality Continues to be in ‘Severe’ Category

    Delhi’s Air Quality Continues to be in ‘Severe’ Category

    The statement further informed that the meeting has been called to strictly implement GRAP-4…reports Asian Lite News

    The cases of stubble burning in the neighbouring states of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab are the major sources of air pollution in the city…reports Asian Lite News

    The overall air quality in the National Capital continues to be in the ‘severe’ category’ for the fifth straight day, as per the Central Pollution Control Board.

    According to the data issued by the System of Air Quality Forecasting and Research (SAFAR-India), the air quality in the National Capital was recorded at 488, up from 410 a day ago.

    Meanwhile, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai has called a meeting of all concerned departments today in view of the increasing pollution, his office said in a brief statement.

    The statement further informed that the meeting has been called to strictly implement GRAP-4.

    This comes after the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Sunday decided to invoke Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in the entire National Capital Region (NCR) with immediate effect to prevent further deterioration of air quality.The Air Quality Commission said that Stage IV will be implemented in addition to the restrictions placed under Stage I to III.

    According to the 8-point action plan, there will be a ban on entry of truck traffic into Delhi (except for trucks carrying essential commodities/ providing essential services and all LNG/ CNG/ electric trucks). Also, a ban will be imposed on the plying of Delhi-registered diesel-operated Medium Goods Vehicles (MGVs) and Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) in Delhi, except those carrying essential commodities/ providing essential services.

    GRAP Stage-IV restrictions also include NCR State Govts and GNCTD may take a decision on discontinuing physical classes even for classes VI-IX, and class XI and conduct lessons in an online mode.

    According to doctors, for any healthy person, a recommended AQI should be less than 50, but these days the AQI has spiked beyond 400, which could prove fatal for those suffering from lung-related diseases and even poses a risk of lung cancer.

    The cases of stubble burning in the neighbouring states of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab are the major sources of air pollution in the city.

    Meanwhile, a similar situation was witnessed in Bathinda, Punjab where the AQI remained in the (very poor) category with an overall Air Quality Index recorded at 215.

    Locals spoke to ANI and appealed to the government to stop farmers from stubble burning as air pollution in the region continues to deteriorate.

    “Do not let the farmers set the stubble on fire. The smoke will cause great health problems to the people,” locals said.

    NGT in a statement said that immediate action is required for the prevention and control of air pollution in these cities so as to ensure better air quality to the residents. (ANI)

    ALSO READ-Delhi to enforce new measures as air quality turns ‘poor’

  • Pope Francis Commits 3 Days to COP28

    Pope Francis Commits 3 Days to COP28

    The head of the Catholic Church revealed he would be in Dubai from December 1st to 3rd, focusing on the global challenge of climate change….reports Asian Lite News

    Pope Francis confirmed plans to visit Dubai for the COP28 climate conference, expressing ongoing concerns about environmental issues. In an interview with Italian television network RAI, the pontiff revealed he would be in Dubai from December 1st to 3rd, focusing on the global challenge of climate change.

    The Pope, known for his advocacy on environmental care, mentioned no specific agenda for the trip but is likely to address the conference, emphasising the impact of environmental damage, particularly on vulnerable communities.

    Scheduled right before his 87th birthday, Francis, when asked about his health, humorously reiterated his standard response, “Still alive, you know,” following recent abdominal surgery.

    Last month, Pope Francis received the Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, Mohamed Abdel Salam, in Rome to learn about the ongoing preparations for the Faith Pavilion at COP28, to be organised by the Council in collaboration with the COP28 Presidency and the UN Environment Programme during 2023 UN Climate Change Conference.

    The pavilion aims to be a global platform for dialogue between leaders of different religions and their icons, and to involve them in efforts to address climate change.

    In the same context, the Secretary-General met with Pietro Parolin, Cardinal Secretary of State of Vatican City, and Cardinal Miguel Ayuso Guixot, President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue of the Holy See

    The meeting discussed the latest developments regarding the global summit for faith leaders, the Confluence of Conscience, which will take place on November 6-7 in Abu Dhabi in partnership with the COP28 Presidency. The importance of the message that will come out of the summit to COP28 was also discussed.

    Net-Zero Transition Charter

     The COP28 Presidency has launched a charter to mobilise and encourage the private sector to take bolder action on climate and commit to greater credibility and accountability in their net-zero emissions pledges.

    The ‘Net-Zero Transition Charter: Accountability mobilisation for the private sector’ launch comes just weeks ahead of the COP28 conference, to be held in Dubai between 30th November and 12th December. The Charter follows a technical report from the Global Stocktake on 8th September, which showed that the world is off-track to keeping the goals of the Paris Agreement alive.

    The Charter recognises the important role the private sector must play in combatting climate change. The private sector accounts for approximately 80 percent of the global GDP, as well as the bulk of the world’s energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

    Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and COP28 President, said, “The private sector’s engagement in COP28 – their resources, expertise, and commitment – is vital in driving real-world action and achieving the ambitious climate goals set forth by the Presidency. For every pillar of our Action Agenda – fast-track the energy transition, fix climate finance, focus on nature, lives, and livelihoods, and full inclusivity – companies can leverage their strengths and resources to advance our collective climate goals and provide us with required solutions.

    “The Net-Zero Transition Charter will further enable the private sector to take meaningful action on climate, track progress and be held accountable. We have strong collaboration with the private sector already in the consultation and development of many of the outcomes of the action agenda – and I encourage all eligible private sector organisations to make this commitment and sign the Charter today.”

    The COP28 Presidency has called for a collaborative approach to reduce emissions by 43 percent in the next seven years, with all sorts of capital – public, private and philanthropic sources necessary to help solve the emissions gap more effectively.

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  • Delhi Stops Entry of Diesel Buses into City From Today

    Delhi Stops Entry of Diesel Buses into City From Today

    A decision was taken to stop construction work within a one-kilometer radius in hot spots where the AQI level continuously remains close to 400…reports Asian Lite News

    Environment Minister Gopal Rai chaired a review meeting at the Delhi Secretariat on Wednesday on the rising pollution level and implementation of Graded Response Action Plan-II.

    A decision was taken to stop construction work within a one-kilometer radius in hot spots where the AQI level continuously remains close to 400, he said.

    “The entry of diesel buses into Delhi has been stopped from today as per the directions by CAQM (Commission for Air Quality Management). 18 teams have been formed for this…It is my request to the state governments to ply only CNG, Electric or BS-VI buses from their depots so that passengers do not face any trouble,” the Delhi environment minister said.

    Taking account of the poor air quality situation of the national capital, Rai said that the next 15-20 days from November 1 onwards would be critical in the context of the air quality index.

    Speaking to ANI, Rai said: “From November 1, the next 15 to 20 days are critical. Scientists are saying that the temperature is dropping and the speed of air has decreased, so pollutants are at a lower level. Yesterday, AQI was nearly 350. Due to the work going on in the 13 hotspots in Delhi, the situation is fairly under control. At some hotspots, vehicle pollution’s contribution is high.”

    The Environment Minister further said that different departments will convene a meeting later in the day to analyse the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)-II.

    “Today there is a meeting of different departments to analyze GRAP-II, which was implemented in all of Delhi. We have asked for reports from different places to know what the sources of local pollution are. We have requested that the state governments send CNG or BS-VI buses from the depot itself. The report released by the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) shows that stubble burning has reduced, but its impact can be seen on Delhi pollution,” the minister added.

    Meanwhile, the air quality index in the national capital was recorded at 336 on Wednesday morning bringing the air quality under the ‘very poor’ category for the fourth day in a row and the third straight day this week.

    As per the SAFAR-India, the city’s AQI has been in the ‘very poor’ category since Sunday (309).

    The AQI was recorded at 322 on Monday and 327 on Tuesday, as per the data provided by the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR)-India. (ANI)

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