Environmental Report : Emission of Sulfur declines for first time in 4 years

New Delhi: The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, and Greenpeace released a report in which emissions from India dropped 6% last year as the country consumed less coal, mirroring a similar decline in global emissions of the toxic gas. The world’s largest emitters India, Russia and China saw reductions in sulfur dioxide as per the report which analyzed NASA satellite data.

The India’s Sulfur emission, first time decline in four years for the world’s largest spewer of the pollutant responsible for human health risks and acid rain in 2019. The sulfur dioxide increases the risks of heart and lung diseases, if there is reduction in the emission that means it is good news for Indian cities that have some of the world’s dirtiest air. Still, dangers remain as coal is set to dominate the nation’s energy mix for years to come.

Avinash Chanchal, campaigner at Greenpeace India in statement pointed out, “In India we’re getting a glimpse of what reduced coal use means for air quality and health,” in a But our air is still far, far from safe. We must speed up the energy transition away from coal and toward renewables, for our health and the economy.”

India emits 21% of global SO2, mostly from coal-fired power plants that lack pollution-curbing equipment, the report said. In contrast, China, the world’s biggest coal burner, saw SO2 emissions plummet 5% last year and 87% since 2011, thanks to strengthened emissions standards and increased use of scrubbers at power plants. In 2015, India’s environment ministry set new standards for emissions of SO2, nitrogen oxides and mercury, asking power plants to comply in two years. The generators instead successfully lobbied to get the deadline pushed back until 2022, and are now seeking a further extension, citing lack of clarity on how the costs will be compensated.