MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI ANIL MADHAV DAVE)
(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
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Statement referred to in reply to Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 84 due for reply on 22.11.2016 regarding ''Air Pollution'' by SHRIMATI VANAROJA R., Hon''ble Member of Parliament
(a) The air pollution in National Capital Region (NCR) reached severe category in Air Quality Index (AQI) recently during the first week of November, 2016. The rise in air pollution, predominantly with respect to PM2.5, can be attributed to meteorological conditions like low temperature, poor wind speed and low mixing height, in addition to the major contributing factors like road dust, vehicular emissions, construction and demolition activities, gensets, industrial emissions, garbage burning, stubble burning, hot mix plants, brick kilns etc. The meteorological data and PM2.5 concentration in Delhi from October 1 to November 10 compared for the years 2015 and 2016 is enclosed at Annexure I.
(b) The major steps taken by Government to reduce pollution in NCR inter alia include notification of National Ambient Air Quality Standards; formulation of environmental regulations / statutes; setting up of monitoring network for assessment of ambient air quality; introduction of cleaner / alternate fuels like gaseous fuel (CNG, LPG etc.), ethanol blending; promotion of cleaner production processes; launching of National Air Quality index; universalization of BS-IV by 2017; leapfrogging from BS-IV to BS-VI fuel standards by 1st April, 2020; comprehensive amendments to various Waste Management Rules and notification of Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules; banning of burning of leaves, biomass, municipal solid waste; promotion of public transport and network of metro, e-rickshaws, promotion of car pooling, Pollution Under Control Certificate, lane discipline, vehicle maintenance; regular co-ordination meetings at official and ministerial level with Delhi and other State Governments within the NCR; issuance of directions under Section 18(1)(b) of Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and under Section 5 of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986; installation of on-line continuous (24x7) monitoring devices by major industries; collection of Environmental Protection Charge on more than 2000 CC diesel vehicles in Delhi; and ban on bursting of sound emitting crackers between 10 PM to 6 AM etc.
(c) In 2015, India, as part of its Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs), announced its commitment to reduce emission intensity of its GDP by 33 to 35 percent from 2005 levels by 2030. This goal is to be implemented between the period 2020 and 2030. India’s realization of INDC goals is contingent upon the support on finance, transfer of environmentally sound technologies and capacity building to be provided from available domestic and international sources. A preliminary estimate suggests that at least USD 2.5 trillion (at 2014-15 prices) will be required for meeting India''s climate change actions between now and 2030.
(d) As per India’s First Biennial Update Report to the UNFCCC, the quantum of India’s net Green House Gas (GHG) emission in 2010 was 1884 million tonnes in CO2 equivalent terms which is far lower than the GHG emissions of China and USA which rank 1st and 2nd globally in terms of total annual GHG emissions. India’s per capital emission in 2010 was 1.56 metric tonnes CO2 equivalent which is less than one-third of the World’s per capita emissions.
(e) Till date 163 countries have submitted their Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) to United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The list of the countries is enclosed at Annexure II.
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