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
‘The air is killing us’: why Delhi’s pollution problem runs deeper than smog season
The Guardian | 22 November 2024
“We need to tear off the Band-Aid and tackle the wound underneath, to fix the structural issues, if we ever want India to breathe clean air again.” Bhargav Krishna in The Guardian.
Mounting economic costs of India’s killer smog
France 24 (AFP) | 26 November 2024
“From missing a day at work to developing chronic illnesses, the health costs associated with that, to premature death and the impact that has on the family of the person”, Bhargav Krishna explained the costs adding up in every phase during smog season in India to France 24 (AFP).
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.
Speaking engagements
“Adapting to climate change means not just addressing the immediate impacts of a climate disaster but planning to address those we haven’t even foreseen the scale of yet–intense and long heatwaves, storm surges, or sea level rises” – Bhargav Krishna at a webinar on ‘Climate Change: South Asia’s Biggest Threat?’ organised by The Democracy Forum. Watch the entire conversation here.
“To effectively address future heat waves, heat action plans must be tailored to local contexts, prioritize the most vulnerable, and ensure sustainable, long-term funding.” – Tamanna Dalal during the discussion on ‘Piecing Together a Heat Action Plan: What’s Needed and What’s Often Left Out?’ at the Heat Rising Convening, organised by Wipro Foundation, Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment and Azim Premji University.
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.
