The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has introduced a new draft of Solid Waste Management Rules, 2024 that will replace the existing Solid Waste Management rules that came into force in 2016. It starts with a promising note, mandating a four-way segregation of waste, covers horticulture waste and agri waste and brings the rural local bodies too under its jurisdiction. However, the new rules promote waste-to-energy incineration in a big way and relax many environmental standards for incineration. It also introduces the “Extended Bulk Waste Generator Responsibility” certificates modelled on the problematic and failed Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) certificates for managing wet waste by bulk waste generators(BWGs) such as hotels, shopping malls, hospitals, gated communities, universities etc. A joint submission to the MoEFCC with suggestions and recommendations on the draft SWM rules 2024 can be found here.
On February 1st and 2nd, the union government announced the Economic Survey and the Union Budget for 2025-26. The Economic Survey 2024-25, recently presented by the Indian government, emphasises the urgent need for climate adaptation strategies in light of increasing vulnerabilities to climate change. This focus raises questions about the continued promotion of coal technologies, such as super-critical (SC), ultra-super-critical (USC), and Advanced ultra-super-critical (AUSC) systems, which are often touted as “efficient” energy solutions. As of June 2024, many thermal power plants faced operational challenges due to insufficient coal reserves. The low coal reserves were among one of the reasons for a low average Plant Load Factor (PLF) of only 68% for existing SC and USC plants during 2023-24 and 2024-25. This low PLF suggests inefficiencies in relying on coal as a primary energy source, particularly when juxtaposed with the pressing need for climate adaptation. While the government continues to promote advanced coal technologies under the guise of efficiency, this approach appears increasingly irrational given the urgent need for climate adaptation and the evident challenges posed by reliance on fossil fuels.
The Economic Survey has highlighted several critical issues surrounding the growth of nuclear energy in India, including public safety concerns, waste management challenges, and the availability of raw materials and technology. Despite these challenges, the recent budget announcement indicates plans for over 100 GW of nuclear power projects to be financed entirely by the private sector. This ambitious initiative raises further concerns, particularly regarding a proposed amendment to the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, aimed at incentivising private investment in nuclear energy.
The Economic Survey also mentions the failure of COP 29 in Baku to secure commitments on climate finance. In this context, the economic survey seems to indicate that India’s focus will shift from mitigation to adaptation. It is likely that this may be reflected in the updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) due in 2025 from all countries.
The Economic Survey also continues its position from earlier ones on the question of circular economy, waste and air pollution. According to the Survey, “The key objective of promoting a circular economy is to minimise waste, recover valuable materials, and reduce reliance on virgin resources”. The Survey also hails India’s low per capita consumption rate. However, the Union Government in the same Survey confirms that recycling is its main strategy.
Reports suggest that the average global recycling rate is a mere 9%. On the other hand, according to Ellen McArthur Foundation’s Global Commitment 2024 Progress Report, “Brand and retail signatories have reduced their virgin plastics use by 3% since 2018, while the plastic packaging market as a whole has increased virgin plastic use by 8% over that same time period”. The scenario in India is not very different from global realities. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister has on several occasions has spoken to India’s aspiration to become a global petrochemical hub. As recently as November 2024, he said, “Our petrochemical sector, once valued at USD 220 billion, is on track to reach USD 300 billion by 2025, with potential to touch USD 1 trillion by 2040”. Upstream olefins (which are the building blocks for intermediate and downstream polymers) and downstream polymers form 59% of all petrochemicals produced in India. In 2019, emissions from the petrochemical industry contribute 6.1% of total green house gas emissions. Therefore, while the Economic Survey suggests that India needs to focus on adaptation rather than mitigation, it continues on the path of increasing its emissions by growing its petrochemical industry.
— Energy Team at CFA
Read the full issue here: Energy Matters | January 2025