The Congress party has criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government for withdrawing India's bid to host the 2028 global climate summit, COP33. Congress communication chief Jairam Ramesh labeled the move a 'flip-flop,' questioning the Centre's commitment to international climate goals and its willingness to pursue ambitious carbon mitigation targets. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced India's intention to host COP33 during COP28 in Dubai in December 2023. The sudden withdrawal, made without official explanation, raises doubts about the government's readiness to assume greater responsibility in global climate negotiations, especially with the seventh assessment report of the IPCC expected by 2028, potentially increasing pressure on India.
- The Congress party criticized the Indian government for withdrawing its bid to host the 2028 global climate summit (COP33).
- Jairam Ramesh, Congress communication chief, termed the withdrawal a 'flip-flop' and questioned the government's commitment to international climate goals.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi had initially announced India's intention to host COP33 during COP28 in Dubai in December 2023.
India has withdrawn its bid to host the 33rd Conference of Parties (COP33) in 2028, the annual United Nations climate talks. The decision, confirmed by The Hindu, follows a "review of its commitments for 2028," as stated in a letter from the Environment Ministry. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had previously announced India's interest in hosting COP33 at COP28 in Dubai. The hosting of COP rotates among UN regional groups, with India belonging to the Asia Pacific group. South Korea is now the only country that has expressed interest in hosting COP33. India last hosted a climate summit in 2002 (COP8). India recently updated its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for 2035, committing to source 60% electricity from non-fossil sources, reduce emissions intensity by 47%, and increase carbon sink by 3.5-4 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent.
- India has withdrawn its bid to host the COP33 climate summit in 2028.
- The withdrawal is attributed to a "review of its commitments for 2028" by the Environment Ministry.
- The hosting of the COP rotates among UN regional groups, with India belonging to the Asia Pacific group.
India's textile industry, experiencing a surge in orders, faces a "thermodynamic bottleneck" due to extreme heat, severely impacting worker productivity and supply chains. Indoor temperatures routinely exceeding 35-40°C halve worker capacity and cause operational collapses, leading to an estimated loss of 259 billion labour hours annually between 2001-2020, costing over $600 billion. Workers, especially informal ones, bear the brunt through lost wages and health risks. The article calls for a climate-smart supply chain by integrating heat projections into industrial policy, implementing mandatory heat-action plans, reforming financing mechanisms to support cooling technologies, strengthening labour protection codes, and driving innovation in heat-resilient solutions. International buyers are urged to share adaptation costs through fairer pricing and longer lead times.
- Extreme heat in India's textile industry significantly reduces worker productivity and causes operational disruptions.
- Indoor temperatures often exceed safe thresholds, leading to substantial annual labor hour and economic losses.
- Informal workers disproportionately suffer from lost wages and health risks due to heat stress.
India has announced revised Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to the Paris Agreement, reflecting a considered step forward in climate action while acknowledging its structural constraints as a developing country. The updated NDCs include enhancing emissions intensity reduction to 47% below 2005 levels by 2035, achieving 60% non-fossil fuel power capacity, and increasing forest cover carbon sinks. The article emphasizes that India's climate policies must balance its developmental needs, including large-scale growth in manufacturing and industry, with the costs and challenges of transitioning to green energy, such as the reliance on coal and the need for massive investment in renewable energy infrastructure.
- India updated its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to the Paris Agreement.
- Key pledges include reducing emissions intensity by 47% by 2035, 60% non-fossil fuel power capacity, and increasing forest cover carbon sinks.
- India's climate actions are shaped by its status as a lower middle-income developing country with significant developmental needs.
The article advocates for the "One Health" approach, which recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, as crucial for addressing global health risks and future pandemics. Drawing parallels with the 1995 film 'Outbreak' and the COVID-19 pandemic, it highlights how zoonotic diseases emerge from human activities like deforestation and trade in wild animals. The "One Health" concept, officially gaining traction since 2003-2004, aims to sustainably balance and optimize health across multiple sectors and disciplines. Post-COVID, the Indian government launched the National One Health Mission, and international bodies like WHO, FAO, and UNEP lead the Quadripartite collaboration. State-led initiatives like Odisha's Climate Budget and Kerala's carbon-neutral plan exemplify integrated approaches.
- The "One Health" approach emphasizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health for addressing global health risks.
- Zoonotic diseases, like those seen in the COVID-19 pandemic, often emerge due to human activities such as deforestation and changes in land use.
- The concept gained official recognition around 2003-2004, particularly with the emergence of SARS and avian influenza H5N1.
Climate change is causing a broad-spectrum medical crisis in India, intensifying existing diseases and introducing new health challenges. Increased waterlogging in cities like Mumbai leads to waterborne infections (cholera, typhoid), while droughts cause water scarcity and diarrhoeal diseases. Shifting seasonal patterns expand disease windows, leading to a rise in vector-borne diseases like dengue and malaria, even in previously unaffected regions. Rising air pollution from increased AC use and greenhouse gases contributes to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Extreme heat causes heat-stroke deaths, eliminates recovery windows, and impacts infant health. Food systems are disrupted, leading to shortages, malnutrition, and weakened immunity, especially among vulnerable populations. Recognizing climate change as a medical emergency is crucial for urgent response.
- Climate change in India is intensifying waterborne infections due to waterlogging and increasing diarrhoeal diseases due to water scarcity.
- Shifting seasonal patterns are expanding the geographic reach and incidence of vector-borne diseases like dengue and malaria.
- Rising air pollution, exacerbated by increased energy consumption for cooling, contributes to respiratory, cardiovascular, and kidney diseases.
Illegal sand mining in the National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary, straddling Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, is devastating the ecosystem and threatening critically endangered species like gharials. Driven by demand from North India's construction boom and exacerbated by livelihood issues in the Chambal ravines, the sand mafia operates with impunity, often outgunning local authorities and using villagers to track patrols. State governments' attempts to legalize mining were stalled by the NGT and Court. The Supreme Court has called the mafia "modern dacoits" and taken suo motu cognisance, reminding states of acts like the National Security Act. The article argues that lasting change requires restoring lawful livelihoods and credible enforcement, rather than just force.
- Illegal sand mining in the National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary threatens critically endangered species and the river's ecosystem.
- The sand mafia, termed "modern dacoits" by the Supreme Court, exploits jurisdictional gaps between Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh.
- Livelihood challenges in the Chambal ravines drive young men to join the sand mining mafia.
The Supreme Court refused to interfere with the environmental clearance for a twin-tube tunnel corridor project connecting Kozhikode and Wayanad districts in Kerala. The project, deemed of "national importance" by the Court, aims to alleviate congestion in the land-starved state. A petitioner-NGO challenged the Kerala High Court's decision, arguing the project was in an ecologically fragile, landslide-prone Western Ghats zone and required Category 'A' environmental clearance at the Central level. The SC noted that the Central Expert Appraisal Committee (CEAC) had approved the project with safety and structural conditions, and petitioners could approach the National Green Tribunal (NGT) if conditions were violated.
- The Supreme Court declined to intervene in the environmental clearance for the Kozhikode-Wayanad tunnel project in Kerala.
- The project is a twin-tube tunnel corridor intended to connect Kozhikode and Wayanad districts, aiming to ease congestion.
- The Supreme Court considered the project to be of "national importance" for the land-starved state.
This article analyzes why China has remained largely unaffected by the Iran war and global energy crises, unlike India. China's robust energy security stems from two decades of strategic planning, including building 120 days of strategic petroleum reserves (SPR) and diversifying crude oil imports through pipelines from Central Asia and Russia, which now account for 20% of its total imports. Additionally, China's proactive engagement in conflict zones for oil deals and its climate strategies, such as being the largest consumer of electric vehicles, have reduced its oil demand. The current economic slowdown in China also contributes to lower overall energy consumption, bolstering its resilience.
- China's energy security is robust due to strategic petroleum reserves (SPR) and diversified import sources.
- Pipelines from Central Asia and Russia now account for 20% of China's crude oil imports.
- China's proactive engagement in conflict zones for oil deals has helped diversify its import sources.
India's latest Plastic Waste Management Rules, announced on March 31, reveal ongoing challenges in curbing plastic waste collection and recycling. The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regime, in effect since 2022, mandates producers, importers, and brand owners to collect and process plastic waste, with targets increasing to 100% by 2024-25. New amendments for 2026 introduce recycled content mandates for plastic packaging. However, the rules allow companies to carry forward shortfalls for up to three years, effectively making targets elastic and potentially undermining the EPR regime's intent due to a lack of proper reckoning and enforcement.
- The latest amendments to India's Plastic Waste Management Rules highlight difficulties in achieving plastic waste collection and recycling targets.
- The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regime, effective since 2022, sets increasing targets for plastic waste collection and processing.
- New mandates for 2026 require a minimum percentage of recycled content in plastic packaging.
The Border Security Force (BSF) has been directed to explore the feasibility of using reptiles like snakes and crocodiles in riverine stretches along the Bangladesh border. This initiative, in line with Home Minister Amit Shah's directions, aims to prevent infiltration and criminal activities in areas difficult to fence due to floods and dense population. The internal communication from BSF headquarters on March 26 highlights challenges such as procuring reptiles and assessing their impact on local populations. The article also details the progress and remaining gaps in border fencing along the India-Bangladesh border.
- BSF field units are exploring the use of reptiles (snakes and crocodiles) for patrolling riverine stretches of the Bangladesh border.
- This directive aligns with Home Minister Amit Shah's instructions to prevent infiltration and criminal activities in challenging terrains.
- The difficult topography, flood-prone nature, and dense population make physical fencing challenging in these areas.
India's latest amendments to the Plastic Waste Management Rules ease compliance for companies by allowing them to carry forward unfulfilled recycling targets for up to three years, provided they meet at least one-third of the deficit annually. The rules also formalize a system of tradable certificates, enabling companies to meet obligations by purchasing credits from others who exceed their targets. While headline recycling targets remain unchanged, these provisions offer flexibility, but also mean firms aren't strictly required to recycle their own plastic footprint. The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework, introduced in 2022, specifies collection targets and recycled content mandates for different plastic categories.
- New amendments to Plastic Waste Management Rules allow companies to carry forward unfulfilled recycling targets for up to three years.
- A system of tradable certificates has been formalized, enabling companies to buy credits to meet their plastic waste management obligations.
- The amendments provide flexibility but may reduce the incentive for companies to recycle their own plastic waste.
A draft "Comprehensive Tribal Welfare Plan" for the Great Nicobar Island (GNI) mega-infrastructure project has caused confusion and exacerbated apprehensions among Nicobarese tribal communities. The plan, proposing a ₹42.52-crore outlay for relocating communities from tsunami-affected or project-impacted areas, lacks clarity on specific relocation sites and beneficiaries. Tribal Council leaders, who previously withdrew consent for the ₹92,000-crore project in 2022, are protesting, alleging unsettled forest rights and fearing encroachment on ancestral lands. The administration has not clearly explained project boundaries, adding to the community's concerns.
- The Great Nicobar Island (GNI) mega-infrastructure project's draft tribal welfare plan has created confusion and apprehension among Nicobarese communities.
- Tribal leaders are concerned about unclear relocation details and potential encroachment on ancestral lands and forest rights.
- The ₹92,000-crore project has faced protests, with tribal communities withdrawing consent in 2022.
India is significantly expanding its piped natural gas (PNG) network, aiming to increase domestic gas consumption and reduce reliance on imports. The government has set a target to increase the share of natural gas in the energy basket to 15% by 2030, up from the current 6.3%. This push is driven by the fact that PNG is cheaper than LPG, offers continuous supply, and is more convenient. Policy measures include a gazette notification for priority allocation of domestic gas to city gas distribution (CGD) entities. The expansion involves laying new pipelines and increasing household connections, with a projected increase in domestic production and a 25% growth in Rystad Energy projects by 2024.
- India is rapidly expanding its piped natural gas (PNG) network to increase domestic gas consumption.
- The government aims to raise the share of natural gas in the energy basket from 6.3% to 15% by 2030.
- PNG is promoted as a cheaper, more convenient, and continuously supplied alternative to LPG.
Odisha, despite being India's most disaster-prone state with significant investments in preparedness, received the single largest reduction in disaster funding share from the 16th Finance Commission. This paradox stems from the Commission's multiplicative Disaster Risk Index (DRI = Hazard X Exposure X Vulnerability) formula, which uses total population as the exposure metric, rewarding demographic size over actual hazard exposure. Similarly, vulnerability is measured by per capita Net State Domestic Product (NSDP), which reflects fiscal capacity rather than true disaster vulnerability. The article argues for redefining exposure as population within hazard zones and vulnerability as a composite index including housing quality, health infrastructure, and early warning effectiveness, to ensure equitable disaster finance.
- Odisha, a highly disaster-prone state, experienced the largest reduction in disaster funding share from the 16th Finance Commission.
- The 16th Finance Commission's Disaster Risk Index (DRI) formula, which is multiplicative, disproportionately rewards states with larger populations.
- The formula's definition of 'Exposure' as total population rather than population in hazard zones is scientifically indefensible.
A new study highlights that jungle cats (Felis chaus), despite being widespread, are understudied and need conservation attention. They prefer agro-pastoral and open habitats, avoiding dense forests, and their populations are shrinking. The study, based on extensive camera-trap records, estimates India's jungle cat population at over 3 lakh, with Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Odisha having the largest numbers. Threats include human pressure, fragmented habitats, speeding vehicles, poaching, and potential hybridisation with domestic cats. Researchers emphasize the importance of land policies recognizing the ecological value of open ecosystems and planning wildlife passageways in agro-pastoral areas.
- Jungle cats (Felis chaus) are understudied and their populations are shrinking, despite being widespread across diverse habitats in Asia, including India.
- The study found that jungle cats prefer agro-pastoral and open habitats, where they help control rodent populations, rather than dense forests.
- Major threats to jungle cats include human pressure, habitat fragmentation, road accidents, poaching, and potential hybridisation with domestic cats.
India has updated its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), committing to 60% non-fossil installed electric capacity by 2035, a 47% reduction in emissions intensity from 2005 levels, and increasing its carbon sink to 3.5-4 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent. These targets, communicated to the UNFCCC, raise previous commitments and are notable as India has already achieved 52% non-fossil capacity by early 2026. While NDCs document progress, their effectiveness in driving structural changes away from fossil fuels is mixed globally. India's CO2 emissions growth slowed significantly in 2025, driven by a decline in power sector emissions, but contradictions persist with plans for new coal capacity and petrochemical investments.
- India's updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) commits to 60% non-fossil electric capacity by 2035, a 47% reduction in emissions intensity, and a 3.5-4 billion tonnes CO2 equivalent carbon sink.
- These new targets are higher than previous commitments and are communicated to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
- India has already surpassed its previous non-fossil capacity target, reaching 52% by early 2026, demonstrating rapid progress in clean energy.
India has updated its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for 2035, committing to 60% installed electric capacity from non-fossil sources, a 47% reduction in emissions intensity per unit of GDP, and a 3.5-4 billion tonne CO2 carbon sink. This updates the 2020 NDCs of 50% non-fossil capacity and 45% emissions intensity reduction. While India met its 2030 non-fossil target early, only about 25% of generated power is non-fossil due to insufficient battery storage. The editorial emphasizes that despite ambitious targets and a net-zero goal by 2070, actual improvements in generated supply require urgent enhancement of battery storage and grid infrastructure to fully utilize existing non-fossil capacity.
- India updated its NDCs for 2035, targeting 60% non-fossil electric capacity, 47% emissions intensity reduction, and a 3.5-4 billion tonne CO2 carbon sink.
- Despite meeting its 2030 non-fossil target early, only 25% of India's generated power is from non-fossil sources due to inadequate battery storage.
- The Power Ministry's National Generation Adequacy Plan projects 70% non-fossil capacity by 2035-36.
A study by Toxics Link revealed that 84% of 560 surveyed locations across Bhubaneswar, Delhi, Guwahati, and Mumbai continue to use banned single-use plastic items, three years after the nationwide prohibition. The report highlights significant enforcement gaps, with Bhubaneswar showing the highest non-compliance at 89%. Informal markets and small commercial establishments exhibit widespread use of banned items, attributing it to high customer demand and the higher cost of alternatives. The study calls for stronger national action, robust enforcement, and coordinated regulatory efforts to ensure compliance.
- 84% of surveyed locations in four major Indian cities continue to use banned single-use plastic items, indicating a significant failure in enforcement.
- Bhubaneswar recorded the highest non-compliance at 89%, followed by Delhi (86%), Mumbai (85%), and Guwahati (76%).
- Informal markets and small commercial establishments are major violators, citing high customer demand and costly alternatives as reasons.
The article analyzes how the discovery of oil and subsequent geopolitical conflicts have drastically altered the ecology of the Persian Gulf, once a vibrant fishing ground. The Gulf, a shallow, semi-enclosed sea with extreme temperatures and high salinity, hosts unique ecosystems like coral reefs, seagrass meadows, and dugong populations. Rapid urbanization, land reclamation, dredging, and industrial pollution from desalination plants have degraded coastlines, destroyed habitats, and led to mass fish deaths. Oil spills and infrastructure targeting during conflicts further exacerbate environmental damage, pushing already stressed ecosystems to the brink.
- The Persian Gulf, historically rich in marine life, has undergone severe ecological transformation due to oil discovery and geopolitical conflicts.
- Rapid urbanization, extensive land reclamation, and dredging have physically altered over 60% of Dubai's coastline, destroying natural habitats.
- Industrial pollution from numerous desalination plants discharges hot, saline brine and chemicals, further stressing the Gulf's semi-enclosed ecosystem.
India has significantly updated its climate goals, pledging that by 2035, 60% of its installed electric capacity will be from non-fossil sources. This new Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), to be submitted to the UNFCCC, also targets a 47% reduction in emissions intensity per unit of GDP from 2005 levels and an increase in carbon sink to 3.5-4 billion tonnes. India has already surpassed its previous 2030 target of 50% non-fossil power, currently at 52%. The move comes as India and Argentina were the last G-20 countries to announce their 2035 NDCs.
- India has updated its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for 2035, aiming for 60% non-fossil fuel installed electric capacity.
- Other new targets include a 47% reduction in emissions intensity per unit of GDP from 2005 levels and a carbon sink of 3.5-4 billion tonnes.
- India has already achieved its previous 2030 target of 50% non-fossil power, with current installed capacity at 52% from non-fossil sources.
The article discusses the imperative for an energy transition, arguing it should be driven by ethics rather than solely by geopolitical shocks or fluctuating oil prices. It highlights how the West Asia conflict exposes the vulnerability of fossil fuel dependency, affecting economies like India's. While renewables offer energy sovereignty, they depend on critical minerals with concentrated supply chains, posing new geopolitical risks. The author suggests that cheap oil makes renewables less attractive due to high upfront costs, implying that ethical considerations for saving the planet should be the primary driver, not just economic or security concerns.
- Fossil fuel dependency creates national security vulnerabilities, as seen with the West Asia conflict impacting India's oil supply.
- While renewables offer energy independence, their reliance on critical minerals with concentrated supply chains introduces new geopolitical risks.
- The high upfront capital expenditure for renewables makes them less attractive when oil prices are low, leading governments to prioritize fiscal responsibility over energy sovereignty.
India's Companies Act, 2013, mandated profit-sharing for social good, but environmental needs remain neglected in CSR funding. Recent Supreme Court observations, invoking Article 51A(g), have reframed environmental spending as a constitutional mandate, linking the right to conduct business with the responsibility to restore the planet. An analysis shows a lopsided spending pattern, with education (38%), healthcare (22%), and rural development (10%) receiving the most funds, while environment averages only 7-9%. Corporations often prefer "quick wins" like awareness drives over long-term land-based restoration projects due to their complexity and lack of expert skills. A strategic shift towards an 'ecosystem recovery' strategy, with alliances and long-term financing mechanisms like restoration trusts, is needed for real ecological impact.
- The Supreme Court has mandated environmental spending as a constitutional obligation, linking business rights to planetary restoration, invoking Article 51A(g).
- CSR funding in India shows a significant imbalance, with environmental projects receiving only 7-9% of funds compared to social sectors like education and healthcare.
- Companies often prioritize "quick wins" and easily reportable initiatives over complex, long-term environmental restoration projects.
International efforts are intensifying to save the Bar-tailed Godwit, a migratory bird known for its epic 30,000 km annual journey from Alaska to New Zealand. This species, listed as "Near Threatened," faces threats from habitat loss, climate change, and human activities along its flyway. The Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) is working with nations to protect the bird and its habitats. The article highlights the importance of international cooperation, especially from countries along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, to ensure the survival of this species. Conservationists emphasize that saving such migratory birds requires addressing threats across their entire range, not just in breeding or wintering grounds, and that the Godwit's plight reflects broader challenges for migratory species.
- International efforts are underway to protect the Bar-tailed Godwit, a migratory bird with an epic 30,000 km journey.
- The species is listed as "Near Threatened" and faces threats from habitat loss and climate change.
- The Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) is coordinating international cooperation for its conservation.