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An improvement in the air quality was the only positive impact of the strict restrictions imposed in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Delhi, one of the world’s most polluted cities, witnessed a 48% reduction in nitrogen dioxide (NO2) emissions during the national lockdown, of which reduction in tail-pipe emissions were a major component. People across the nation avoided public transport due to the fear of contracting the virus. In a bid to...

Carbon markets are emerging as a popular choice for delivering cost-effective emissions reduction: 2021 witnessed the launch of national carbon markets in China and Britain. Trading in the British market opened last month at a carbon price of...

Climate related disasters and inequities may push more than 100 million people in developing countries below the poverty line by 2030. This makes mainstreaming climate change mitigation and adaptation an absolute imperative for protecting ecological, social, and economic systems. Cities around the world are showing a growing interest in bringing nature to the urban commons, streets and public spaces, and towards protection and conservation of ecosystems at large.

Ecosystem...

This article was originally published on ET Insights.

By 2030, India’s urban population is expected to nearly double to 600 million. Cities have always attracted migrants who come to urban areas in search of better opportunities. However, this increased urbanization will put enormous pressure on infrastructure and increase pollution as well....

Every Indian city has at least one man-made mountain where ‘waste’ generated in our homes and businesses end up. About 90% of the staggering 150,000 metric ton of urban solid wastes generated everyday make their way to such locations. Called dump yards, landfills or garbage mountains, these toxic sites are the dark underbelly of India’s bustling, glittering cities and are home and workplace for tens of thousands of people.

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The latest greenhouse gas (GHG) emission data submitted by the Government of India to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change through its third biennial update report (BUR3) reveals interesting trends about Indian industry. In 2016, the most recent year for which data is now available, emissions from Indian industry constituted 22% of the country’s total GHG emissions. This includes emissions from energy use by manufacturing industries and construction, and the...

In FY2020, the goods carrier segment accounted for 17.5% (1,11,554 units) of the total domestic 3-Wheeler industry sales (6,36,569 units) in India. Since last year, the COVID-19 pandemic-induced restrictions have brought a structural shift in shopping behavior, where an increasing number of customers and businesses are shifting towards e-...

Electric mobility is widely considered to be an effective way to improve air quality and address environmental concerns, which ultimately benefit their primary users. However, the sector’s viability is heavily affected by factors like incentives on discarding used vehicles, favorable government policies, purchase incentives, safety and performance of the vehicles. Consumers are further interested to know how much they would be saving on fuel expenses if they switch to Electric Vehicles (EVs). Some incidents where EVs were not able to deliver the range claimed by their manufacturers have...

Well-designed carbon markets have the potential to harness least-cost emission reductions. Over the last two decades, the Indian industry has built its experience with multiple market-based mechanisms such as the “Clean Development Mechanism” (CDM), “Perform, Achieve and Trade” (PAT) and “Renewable Energy Certificate” (REC) that have led to emission reductions. However, the effectiveness of these market-based mechanisms has been limited...

The ride-hailing industry has altered commuting patterns in Indian cities. Cabs have been the most popular model, followed by buses, bikes and autorickshaws, which have gained matured ridership and continue expanding their businesses.

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