India’s sulfur dioxide emissions declined in 2019, the first decline in four years for the world’s largest pollutant responsible for human health risks and acid rain.
India’s emissions fell 6% last year as the country consumed less coal, reflecting a similar decline in global emissions of the toxic gas, according to a report by the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air and Greenpeace. The world’s top three emitters – India, Russia and China – saw reductions in sulfur dioxide, according to the report that analyzed data from NASA satellites.
The reduction in sulfur dioxide, which increases the risks of heart and lung disease, is good news for Indian cities that have one of the dirtiest airs in the world. Still, dangers persist, as coal is expected to dominate the country’s energy mix for years to come.
“In India, we are getting a glimpse of what reduced use of coal means for air quality and health,” said Avinash Chanchal, an activist for Greenpeace India, in a press release. “But our air is still far away, far from being safe. We must accelerate the energy transition from coal to renewable energy, for our health and the economy ”.
India accounted for 21% of global SO2, mainly from coal-fired power plants that lack equipment to curb pollution, according to the report. By contrast, in China, the world’s largest coal burner, SO2 emissions plummeted by 5% last year and 87% since 2011, thanks to stronger emissions standards and increased use of scrubbers in plants. power plants.
In 2015, the Indian Ministry of the Environment set new standards for emissions of SO2, nitrogen oxides and mercury, and called on power plants to comply within two years. Instead, generators successfully lobbied to push the deadline back to 2022, and are now seeking a further extension, citing a lack of clarity on how costs will be offset.
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