Environment Awareness

The boom in green ammonia production is slowing as, despite long-term sustainability goals, fading carbon incentives and high production costs—often $700–$1400 per tonne, far above traditional grey ammonia—make projects economically unviable. Fertiliser executives warn that the green transition cannot succeed with "red numbers," forcing a slowdown in investment as reliance on fossil-fuel-based ammonia persists.  Key Factors in the Waning Green   Ammonia Boom: High "Green Premium":   Green ammonia costs significantly more than conventional ammonia, with premiums reaching around $126 per metric tonne (a 24.5% increase) as of early 2025. Declining Incentives:-  Reduced government subsidies and carbon price signals are weakening the economic incentive to adopt costlier, low-carbon alternatives. Production Costs: - While costs are projected to drop to $480 per tonne by 2030, current high renewable energy and electrolyser expenses keep green ammonia less competitive than ...

Global green hydrogen production is surging, driven by massive investments, policy support, and industrial demand for decarbonization, with capacity forecast to rise significantly from 1.7 million tons in 2024 to over 42-65 million tons annually by 2030. The market is expected to shift from pilot projects to large-scale infrastructure, with significant growth in North America, Europe, and Asia. Key Drivers and Trends for 2026-2030: Production Surge:-  Low-carbon hydrogen production, which was 0.84 million tons in 2024, is projected to reach between 42 million and 65.3 million tons a year by 2030, according to Engineering News. Market Value: - The green hydrogen market is projected to reach USD 74.81 billion by 2032 with a CAGR of 60%, note MarketsandMarkets, or up to USD 173.5 billion by 2035, according to AltEnergyMag. Sector Demand:-   Heavy industries—steel , shipping, chemicals, and heavy transport—are leading adoption to meet net-zero goals, notes Horizon Educational. Key...

  Delhi's air pollution is driven primarily by 1) vehicular emissions (23–27%),  2) biomass/stubble burning (20%),  3) construction dust (15–30%),                       and 4)  industrial waste, exacerbated by geographical trapping of pollutants during winter.      Key remedies include promoting electric vehicles, managing crop residue, stricter construction regulations, and regional airshed management.  Key Causes of Delhi Pollution Vehicular Emissions: - Rapidly increasing vehicle numbers, particularly diesel-powered ones, contribute significantly to PM2.5 levels. Stubble Burning: - Agricultural residue burning in neighboring states (Punjab, Haryana) during winter releases massive amounts of particulate matter. Construction and Demolition Dust: - Poorly regulated construction activities generate substantial dust, accounting for up to 30% of pollution in some reports. Industrial Emission...

India's nuclear power sector is expanding rapidly, with an installed capacity of 8.78 GW from 24 reactors as of late 2025. As the fifth largest electricity source, it contributes ~3% to the national mix, with plans to reach over 22 GW by 2031-32 through indigenous PHWRs and international partnerships.  Key Aspects of India's Nuclear Energy: Capacity Expansion: - Nuclear capacity grew over 70% in the last decade, with 11 additional reactors (totaling 8.7 GW) currently under construction. Indigenous Technology:   India uses a three-stage program focused on utilizing its vast thorium reserves. The program is largely run by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL). Private Sector Participation: - A major policy shift in late 2025 allows private investment in nuclear energy to accelerate growth, targeting 100 GW by 2047. Cost and Efficiency: - Nuclear power is considered a cost-competitive base load energy source, with some plants producing power at very low rat...

Net-zero emissions refers to achieving a balance where the amount of greenhouse gases (GHG) produced by human activity is offset by the amount removed from the atmosphere, crucial for limiting global warming to  1.5∘C   It requires reducing emissions as close to zero as possible, with remaining, unavoidable emissions balanced through carbon removal methods like reforesting or technological, engineered solutions (e.g., carbon capture and storage).  Key details regarding net-zero emissions include: Goal: - The primary objective is to stop contributing to the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere to mitigate climate change. Target Date: - To align with the Paris Agreement and avoid the worst impacts of climate change, global emissions must reach net zero by 2050. Action Plan: - Achieving this requires dramatic cuts in emissions, primarily by moving away from fossil fuels, improving energy efficiency, and transitioning to renewable energy sources. Net-Zero vs. Ca...

China's large-scale tree-planting initiative, the Three-North Shelterbelt Program (also known as the "Great Green Wall"), has shown success in transforming parts of the Taklamakan desert's margins into a carbon sink.     This decades-long effort has stabilized sand dunes and increased forest cover, though experts highlight concerns regarding the strain on scarce water resources.  Project Overview and Achievements Massive Scale: - Launched in 1978 and scheduled for completion by 2050, the program is one of the world's largest afforestation projects, aiming to plant billions of trees across arid northern China. To date, more than 66 billion trees have been planted. Carbon Sink:,-  A 2026 study in the PNAS journal confirmed that the newly vegetated margins of the Taklamakan Desert are absorbing more carbon dioxide than they emit, effectively functioning as a carbon sink. Desertification Control: - The initiative has helped stabilize sand dunes, reduced the frequenc...