Simply Put: The brighter side of things

CO2 emissions from building sector highest in 2019: UNEP

The sector’s decarbonisation progress also slowing down, notes report

Clear and present danger in the Himalayas

As Himalayan towns continue to grow haphazardly without development plans and carrying capacity assessment, how does one secure their future?

Nuance and law

The Supreme Court’s ill-timed order on a case of municipal solid waste that is affecting construction workers illustrates how Indian courts …

Joshimath, a well-engineered calamity

Sinking of the Himalayan town shows we have completely lost the ability to plan keeping in mind the ecological uniqueness of fragile areas

Mountain of faith: Mysuru’s famous Chamundi Hill is crumbling

Four major landslides have been reported on Mysuru’s Chamundi Hill since 2019, alarming greens and government alike

COVID-19 slowed global progress on energy efficiency: IEA report

Shift in energy demand from commercial to residential buildings, and from public to private transport, was largely witnessed, the report noted

Renewable wood-based products can help combat climate change: FAO

Bioeconomy has emerged as a concept for tackling challenges that contribute to climate change

Aarey's Chipko moment

The plan to clear Mumbai's last green cover is facing stiff resistance from citizens and non-profits

Future shock: The leaning towers of Najafgarh Jheel

Why construction activity around the southwest Delhi water body is a recipe for disaster  

Copenhagen, Oslo and Stockholm to cut fossil fuel use in construction

Bringing changes to the construction industry can help decrease emissions 44% by 2050, according to a report by C40 Cities

UN report outlines how developing, developed countries can reduce emissions from constructions

If India uses recycled materials, it could reduce emissions in the material cycle of residential buildings by 50-70 per cent

Supreme Court modifies order on construction ban within one kilometre of protected areas

The apex court said it is not possible to implement a uniform ESZ in every protected area because of interstate boundaries

Daily Court Digest: Major environment orders (September 25, 2020)

Down To Earth brings you the top environmental cases heard in the Supreme Court, the high courts and the National Green Tribunal

India recycles only 1% of its construction and demolition waste: CSE

The rest remains strewn across, in landfills, or in plain sight everywhere, leading to air and water pollution

After Joshimath, it could be Karnaprayag, Nainital and other Uttarakhand towns next, say experts

Policy interventions are needed on construction work in Himalayan regions to avoid a repeat of Joshimath, according to experts  

Millions of labourers to be affected by brick producers’ strike over hike in GST, coal rates

Uttar Pradesh manufacturers to cease production for a year; Coal rates doubled from last year, GST goes up to 12% from 5%

COVID-19 lockdown: What are the lessons for Graded Response Action Plan

It is time for the government to order more robust source apportionment studies for cities hit by plummeting air quality  

Puri may have no water left in a decade

Rapid construction and encroachment in Odisha’s main tourist hub threaten water supplies

Cleaner, greener: Can architects help maintain natural correction?

Infrastructure is the backbone of any growing economy and fixing the way we build it can help address air pollution concerns 

COP27: Carbon emissions, energy consumption due to constructions back to pre-COVID levels

Report reveals 10 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide emitted in the atmosphere in 2021; Most significant energy demand in last 10 years

Lethal toxicity vs quantum of pollution in Delhi’s air

Not just quantum of pollution but also toxicity of emissions must be assessed to prioritise action on pollution sources

No mention of regional coordination to curb air pollution in 102 city plans, finds study

Sources from outside a city’s boundaries account for at least 30% of pollutants in that city, according to study