Public engagement
Opinions
Managing air quality: Answer is in airsheds
Shibani Ghosh and Bhargav Krishna
Hindustan Times | 28 October 2024
Four key issues to consider for effectively implementing an airshed-level approach to air quality management: development of robust knowledge systems; appropriate institutional structures; clear powers and functions of the airshed authority; and accountability mechanisms.
Climate and development: What opportunities, what threats?
Navroz K Dubash
ODI’s Development Policy Review | 20 September 2024
While it may be in the interests of developing countries to do development differently for climate reasons, the technological fact of falling renewable energy prices by no means imply a post-equity climate politics. But with weak prospects for a grand global bargain around climate and development, we may be in for messy country-by-country approaches to low-carbon development transitions.
Towards Operationalising a New Climate Right for India: Unpacking the Ranjitsinh Judgment
Navroz K Dubash and Shibani Ghosh
The India Forum | 19 September 2024
The Ranjitsinh ruling of the Supreme Court is potentially far-reaching but its limited view of action on climate change risks causing an inadequate framing of policy. It is legislation that is built on a bottom-up approach that can act on the Court’s calls for balance across multiple objectives.
In the news
‘Severe’ air pollution in Delhi
BBC | 13 November 2024
“The focus on crop residue burning which seasonally occurs for 2 weeks every year only contributes to 15-20% of Delhi’s air pollution, and annually roughly 3-5%, is taking away focus from all the other reasons- local transport emissions, industries, waste burning sources etc” – Bhargav Krishna on rising air pollution levels in Delhi.
Delhi Smog: Air pollution remains severe across northern India
BBC World | 21 November 2024
“Schools are shut down so children are less likely to be exposed to air pollution but who knows what they are exposed to at home? For the vast majority of people who work in Delhi, there is no option of working from home. They cannot afford an air purifier. We are really reliant on the government to execute effectively the policies laid out” – Bhargav Krishna speaks to BBC World on how air pollution directly affects the vulnerable.
Possible Solutions to Rising Air Pollution in Delhi NCR
BBC World | 20 November 2024
“Stricter norms around emissions from power plants, enhancing public transport in Delhi, a lot more political participation from people across classes, and holding local authorities accountable” – Anannya Mahajan on the BBC World on possible solutions to NCR’s air pollution.
आज भी AQI 500 है, कहां भाग कर जाएं लोग, दूसरे शहर भी बेहाल
Ravish Kumar Official | 20 November 2024
“PM2.5 is closely linked to severe health conditions, including heart attacks, strokes, and chronic lung diseases, as highlighted by evidence from India. The impacts of air pollution have a lifelong imprint on human health.” Bhargav Krishna spoke on Ravish Kumar’s show ‘आज भी AQI 500 है, कहां भाग कर जाएं लोग, दूसरे शहर भी बेहाल’.
Speaking engagements
At a training workshop on heat action plans for Rajasthan’s government officials and health experts, organised by NRDC and NDMA in October, Tamanna Dalal discussed gaps in India’s response to extreme heat. She highlighted the need to leverage centrally sponsored schemes such as MGNREGA and Nagar Van Yojana to finance the implementation of the heat action plan.
Aman Srivastava moderated a discussion on ‘Policy Frameworks for Supporting Carbon Dioxide Removal’ with RR Rashmi, Distinguished Fellow, TERI, and Rathin Roy, Former Economic Advisor – PMO, organised by Alt Carbon on 16 October 2024. They discussed the policy actions India needs to undertake to scale carbon removal efforts & make our climate finance frameworks more robust.
Ashwini K Swain chaired a panel discussion at the Centre for Science and Environment’s Climate Week event on 17 October 2024 on how the energy sector can go through a scalable and affordable transition.
Aman Srivastava spoke at Carbon Reset Summit, India’s first durable carbon removal summit in Mumbai on 8 October 2024, about the necessary policy frameworks to support emergent CO2 removal technologies. He highlighted the need for these frameworks to be designed in a way that complements mitigation actions, considers socio-environmental impacts, and strategically manages public finances.
“Climate law in India should differ from those in developed countries, which focus primarily on emissions. Instead, it should emphasize adaptation and resilience, similar to approaches in Kenya and South Africa. Rather than being regulatory, it should facilitate coordination, knowledge sharing, and community engagement.” – Shibani Ghosh at a panel discussion on ‘Transforming Climate Litigation’ by IMPRI Impact and Policy Research Institute. Watch here.
“Indian cities should keep investing in and expanding public and non-motorized transport options, even as it takes time for behavioural changes to fully take effect,” Arunesh Karkun said at the Asian Development Research Institute (ADRI) discussion on ‘Revamping urban transport to check congestion and pollution and increase economic efficiency’ on 22 August 2024.
