Emission targets: Carbon-heavy sectors put on notice
The Tribune Editorial: The Central Pollution Control Board needs to act strictly in accordance with the legal framework
THE Greenhouse Gases Emission Intensity Target Rules, notified by the Centre earlier this week, are a major step towards curbing industrial pollution as well as environmental degradation in India. These rules have fixed the country’s first legally binding emission reduction targets for carbon-intensive industries. Production units that emit less than their assigned target can earn tradable carbon credit certificates, while those exceeding it must purchase equivalent credits from the Indian carbon market or pay a penalty. As many as 282 industrial units in the aluminium, cement, pulp & paper and chlor-alkali sectors are required to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions from the 2023-24 baseline levels. Notably, some big names feature in the first compliance cycle: aluminium smelters operated by Vedanta, Hindalco, Nalco and Balco and large cement plants owned by UltraTech, Dalmia, JK Cement, Shree Cement and ACC. The government has sent a strong message that the high and mighty must lead by example in the pursuit of green goals.
