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News and Insights

News | November 15, 2024

Almost Everyone in India Vulnerable to Climate Change Impacts; Need for Concerted Efforts: Dr. Soumya Swaminathan

At COP29, Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, former WHO chief scientist, emphasized the widespread vulnerability of Indians to climate change and the urgent need for collaborative action to address its health, gender, and economic impacts. She highlighted that over 80% of India’s population faces climate-related health risks, including respiratory illnesses from air pollution and malnutrition due to disrupted agriculture. Women and children, especially in rural areas, are disproportionately affected, and she urged policies that promote clean energy to mitigate these health risks.

Dr. Swaminathan advocated for green public transportation as a "win-win solution" for reducing air pollution and enhancing public health. She also called for gender-focused climate policies to support the poorest and most vulnerable. Stressing the economic costs of climate-related health impacts, she noted that air pollution alone costs trillions globally. Cross-border cooperation, particularly through initiatives like the Our Common Air Commission, is crucial to combat air pollution effectively. Dr. Swaminathan concluded that India has the potential to lead in climate adaptation and sustainable urbanization by integrating climate resilience into development strategies. For more details, visit

News | November 15, 2024

UN Climate Talks 'No Longer Fit for Purpose' Say Key Experts

Key climate experts, including former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and former UN climate chief Christiana Figueres, have criticized the UN’s COP climate talks as "no longer fit for purpose," urging a significant overhaul. In a letter to the UN, these leaders argue that host countries should support the phase-out of fossil fuels to be eligible to hold COP events. This call follows controversy at COP29 in Azerbaijan, where President Ilham Aliyev praised natural gas as a “gift from God” despite its role in global warming. The letter also highlights issues with COP hosting, pointing out that fossil fuel lobbyists often outnumber scientific and Indigenous representatives, undermining fair representation.

The experts acknowledge achievements such as the Paris Agreement but believe the slow COP process cannot match the speed required to address the climate crisis. The letter suggests reforms to ensure more accountability and advocate for smaller, more frequent COPs. Climate scientist Johan Rockström emphasized that while a “safe landing” for humanity is still possible, it demands a global policy shift that delivers change rapidly and at scale.

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News | November 13, 2024

Tropical Rainforests can Survive Global Warming: Study by IIT-CU-Ontario University

Researchers from IIT Kharagpur, Calcutta University, and the University of Western Ontario found that tropical rainforests, including those in the Western Ghats and the Amazon, show resilience to climate warming, which could allow them to endure future temperature rises. Their study analyzed tropical rainforest fossils from Gujarat's Vastan coal mines, dating back to the Palaeocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) about 56 million years ago. During this time, global CO₂ levels rose drastically, leading to extreme temperatures above 40°C. Despite the warming, increased rainfall helped maintain these rainforests through a "rainfall-buffered temperature" effect, which balanced the temperature and supported biodiversity. This study suggests that rainforests may adapt to changing climates, but only if conditions like rainfall remain supportive. Lead researcher Anindya Sarkar highlighted that these findings help understand how rainforests might cope with future climate challenges.

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News | November 13, 2024

Delhi Chokes as Air Pollution Turns 'Severe'

Delhi’s air quality has reached severe levels, with pollution over 30 times the safe limit set by the World Health Organization. The dense smog, visible even from space, is affecting health and visibility, prompting flight delays and cancellations. Every winter, Delhi and northern India face a toxic mix of pollutants from crop stubble burning, vehicle emissions, and industrial activities. This year, pollution levels in Delhi and surrounding areas like Noida and Gurgaon have soared, with AQI readings hitting 500, a critical threshold indicating hazardous air quality.

Health impacts are widespread; a survey revealed 81% of families in Delhi have at least one member experiencing pollution-related health issues, with many relying on cough syrups. Authorities have activated the Graded Response Action Plan, restricting coal and diesel generator use and advising residents to limit outdoor activities. Delhi, ranked the world’s most polluted capital in 2023, highlights India’s ongoing struggle with pollution amid rapid industrial growth and lax environmental regulations.

Discover more details and stay updated on the latest air quality measures and health advisories here.

News | November 12, 2024

COP29 Agrees International Carbon Market Standards

At COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, global leaders made significant strides in climate action, agreeing on standards for an international carbon market under Article 6. These standards, developed after years of negotiations, aim to facilitate cost-effective, global emissions reduction by allowing countries to trade carbon credits. COP29 Lead Negotiator Yalchin Rafiyev described this development as a "game-changer" for channeling resources to developing countries, with the potential to save $250 billion annually. Additionally, COP29 launched a fund for "Loss and Damage," set to distribute aid from 2025, and brought private sector leaders, philanthropies, and SMEs together in a new climate platform.

UN Climate Chief Simon Stiell emphasized the urgent need for inclusive climate investment, noting that climate change is causing inflationary pressures worldwide. He stressed that bolder climate action is essential to economic stability and growth. Nigar Arpadarai, the COP29 High-Level Champion, highlighted the conference’s focus on involving non-state actors, especially SMEs, in shaping the green transition. The initiatives at COP29 represent a collaborative effort to accelerate climate action, push for financial reforms, and deliver sustainable development benefits globally.

Explore the full story and dive deeper into the groundbreaking decisions shaping global climate action—click here for more details!

News | November 12, 2024

Rise in Nitrous Oxide Emissions Endangers Pathway to 1.5°C, The Ozone Layer, and Human Health

A new UN Global Nitrous Oxide (N₂O) Assessment highlights the urgent need to address rising N₂O emissions, warning that without swift action, limiting global warming to 1.5°C will be unachievable. The report reveals that N₂O, a potent greenhouse gas emitted mainly from agricultural activities, is now the leading ozone-depleting substance and contributes approximately 10% to global warming. Without mitigation, N₂O emissions could expose millions to harmful UV rays and increase rates of skin cancer and cataracts. Reducing N₂O emissions by over 40% could prevent up to 20 million premature deaths from air pollution by 2050 and avoid the equivalent of 235 billion tonnes of CO₂ emissions by 2100. The report, launched at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, proposes immediate actions such as transforming agricultural practices and nitrogen management. Tackling N₂O emissions could improve air quality, protect ecosystems, and significantly advance climate, health, and food security goals.

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News | November 28, 2022

Coal to stay as major source of energy in foreseeable future: Joshi

Responding to a Parliament question, Coal Minister Prahlad Joshi informed that coal will stay as a major source of energy in the foreseeable future as the country will require base load capacity of coal-based generation for stability and also for energy security. While India has committed to clean energy under the Paris Agreement as well as in the recent COP26, the pace of transition to cleaner energy sources in India and phase down of coal is to be viewed in the light of national circumstances, he stressed. Read More

News | January 10, 2022

Green Home to Fight Environmental Degradation: To Achieve Sustainable Development Goals

With the aim to achieve energy efficiency, effective waste management, and ensure that minimum stress is being put on natural resources, ‘green’ concepts and techniques were developed. Green buildings have tremendous benefits that are both tangible and intangible. They help in not only reducing the carbon footprint but also optimum use of natural resources, maximize the reuse, recycling and utilization of renewable resources, effective utilization of landscapes and provide an overall healthy environment. A green building uses less energy and water, generates less greenhouse gases, uses materials more efficiently, and produces less waste than a conventional structure over its entire life cycle. The following article explores strategies towards climate adaptation & mitigation through Green Building. Read More

News | January 10, 2022

Climate Change: The world depends on a low-carbon India

Between now and 2027, India is set to become the world’s most populous country. No one questions its right to development, or the fact that its current emissions per person are tiny. But when building the new India for its 1.4 billion people, whether it relies on coal and oil, or clean, green energy will be a major factor in whether global warming can be tamed. What is clear is that a low-carbon transition is in the country’s best long-term interests. India is extraordinarily vulnerable to climate change, with high baseline temperatures that make it particularly sensitive to additional warming. The following article by the Rockefeller Foundation, explores how distributed renewable energy (DRE) technology throughout India is a panacea that can facilitate India’s development goals and lead to a limiting of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Read More

News | January 10, 2022

Addressing Climate Change is Good for Business

India is already facing challenges of water shortages, food security issues, loss of development dividends with impacts projected to grow in coming times. Through its climate plans, largely the “nationally determined contributions” (NDCs), India is incorporating strategies to mitigate carbon emissions while also adapting to already existing climate impacts through resilient infrastructures and coping mechanisms in the form of early warning systems, watershed structures, building river embankments, and so forth. The budgetary allocations, including in this year, signals the government’s increasing recognition of climate issues. However, the climate agenda cannot be an exclusive government concern and other actors such as the private sector need to step up the act too. Given that the private sector generates 90 per cent of jobs in developing countries, its role in any large-scale transformational shift is crucial. In this article, Advisors from GIZ India explore how addressing climate change is good for business and how strengthening private sector engagement is crucial for a transformational shift towards climate actions. Read More

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