Current Issue - Volume 18 Issue 9 (December 2025)

Delhi-NCR faces a severe annual air pollution crisis driven by a combination of local emissions, regional pollution transport, and winter weather that traps pollutants close to the ground. PM_2.5 levels routinely reach hazardous ranges, causing major health impacts, economic losses, and pressure on hospitals. While short-term actions under GRAP help manage acute spikes, they cannot resolve the region’s chronically high baseline pollution. Effective solutions require coordinated airshed-level governance, cleaner transport and fuels, strict dust and waste controls, support for sustainable farming practices, and stronger public engagement. Long-term, structural reforms—backed by accountability and transparency—are essential to reduce pollution and safeguard public health..

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In this article, Dr Shamim Haque Mondal says that COP30 marked a shift from climate promises to the urgent need for implementation. He highlights that despite rising temperatures, worsening disasters, and repeated failures to meet the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C goal, global action remains slow and uneven. While COP30 brought hope through renewed commitments to renewable energy and climate justice, major gaps persist in climate finance, fossil-fuel phase-out, and technology transfer. The author stresses that without real cooperation and timely action, the world risks moving towards an increasingly uncertain and hazardous future.

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In this article, Arvind Kumar analyses the outcomes of COP30, highlighting both progress and persistent gaps in global climate action. He notes advances such as updated NDCs, new adaptation indicators, increased finance targets, the Belém Action Mechanism for just transition, and the launch of the Tropical Forest Forever Facility. However, he stresses that climate finance remains fragmented, adaptation underfunded, and a global fossil fuel phase-out roadmap was not agreed upon. The author concludes that despite meaningful steps, COP30 falls short of what is needed to keep 1.5°C within reach.

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In this article, Rajesh Aggarwal highlights the tremendous promise that digital transformation holds for Indian agriculture. He explains how technologies such as precision farming, digital marketplaces, farm-management software, and blockchain are empowering farmers, improving productivity, and creating exciting opportunities for entrepreneurs. He emphasizes that agritech is placing farmers at the centre of the ecosystem while strengthening supply chains and boosting national growth. Though challenges like digital awareness and affordability remain, the author expresses strong optimism that innovation, collaboration, and farmer-centric solutions will drive a more sustainable, profitable, and modern agricultural future for India. read more

WOG Technologies is a world leader in providing delegated management of water, wastewater services and renewable energy generation for industrial and municipal client. It designs the technological solutions and builds the facilities required for these services. Here, we are in an exclusive email conversation with Mr Sunil Rajan, CEO, WOG Technologies. read more

Researchers affiliated with the Emissions Market Accelerator helped the Indian state of Gujarat design and launch the world's first particulate pollution market. That project is now a finalist for the world's most prestigious and impactful environmental award, The Earthshot Prize. read more

In this article, Chaithanya M K highlights that Lepas anatifera is a barnacle commonly known as the goose barnacle. It is a biomonitor species, and because it is cosmopolitan, it is found almost everywhere. When subjected to gastrointestinal (GIT) testing, the species has been found to contain microplastics, which in turn indicates rising pollution levels in ocean and sea waters. These goose barnacles attach to floating plastic debris in the sea, as well as to drifting wooden logs. When they wash ashore, they indicate the presence of microplastics, cotton, cellulose, and other pollutants. For this reason, they are also called “dirt barnacles,” highlighting their unique ability to signal plastic and water contamination.

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