Environment

New Delhi, Dec 16 (PTI) Ghaziabad is the most polluted city in north India and its annual average PM2.5 levels are much worse than those of Delhi, according to data from 137 continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations (CAAQMS) spread across 56 cities in the region.

The Centre for Science and Environment, which analysed the PM2.5 data from these CAAQMS from January 1, 2019, to November 30, 2021, also said PM2.5 levels in otherwise cleaner smaller towns can exceed the concentration reported in Delhi during smog episodes in early winters.

15 Dec 2021; MEMO: A German engineering company has won a deal for the world's largest green hydrogen project at Saudi Arabia's future city, Neom, Trade Arabia reports.

According to the report, German company, Thyssenkrupp Uhde Chlorine Engineers, has signed an agreement with Saudi Arabia to supply and install a 2GW-plus electrolysis plant for one of the world's largest green hydrogen projects.

Kanpur: Kanpur District Transport Agency flagged off the plying of as many as 25 electric buses in the city areas on Sunday. These buses will operate on 10 different routes in the city.

These electric buses will be highly useful in not only reducing the pollution levels in the whole of state but they will also provide relaxation from intense noise pollution.

What remains good for the daily passengers is that the fares have been marked even lower than tempo services.

08 Dec 2021; MEMO: Palestinian Authority (PA) Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh yesterday called for probing Israel's burial of hazardous nuclear and chemical waste in the occupied Palestinian territories, Arab48 reported.

During a conference about Climate Change held in Ramallah and attended by a number of foreign ambassadors, Shtayyeh shed light on the dangerous Israeli measures that devastate the Palestinian environment.

Colombo, Dec 3 (PTI) The Chinese embassy here has confirmed that an energy project in Sri Lanka's northern province has been suspended.

"Sino Soar Hybrid Technology, being suspended to build hybrid energy system in 3 northern islands due to security concerns from a third party, the embassy tweeted.

China has instead inked a contract with Maldives to establish 12 solar power plants at 12 Maldivian islands, it said.

19 Nov 2021; MEMO: The UN General Assembly yesterday adopted a resolution acknowledging that $856.4 million in damage was caused by an oil slick in 2006 and calling for Israel to assume responsibility by compensating its northern neighbour and Syria.

New Delhi, Nov 17 (PTI) The Delhi government has decided to shut schools and other educational institutions, and ban the entry of vehicles from outside, except for essential services, till further orders amid rising pollution levels in the national capital, Environment Minister Gopal Rai announced on Wednesday.

It has also decided to extend work from home for Delhi government employees and the ban on construction and demolition activities till Sunday.

Ghaziabad, Nov 16 (PTI) Bhartiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait on Tuesday said farmers or stubble burning should not be blamed for air pollution, citing a Supreme Court observation.

The Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) national spokesperson, who has been one of the most prominent faces of the protests at Delhi borders against the Centre's farm laws, also demanded an apology from those holding the farming community responsible for pollution woes.

12 Nov 2021; MEMO: The ruler of Dubai said in a tweet yesterday the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been selected to host the COP28 international climate conference in 2023, Reuters reports.

"We will put all our capabilities to make the conference a success. The UAE will remain committed to global climate action to protect the planet," said Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, who also serves as prime minister of the UAE.

New Delhi, Nov 9 (PTI) Delhi's air quality slipped to the "severe" category again on Tuesday with stubble burning accounting for 27 per cent of its PM2.5 pollution, authorities said.

Low temperature -- Delhi recorded a minimum of 13.5 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, the season's lowest so far -- allowed accumulation of pollutants, said Mahesh Palawat, vice president (meteorology and climate change), Skymet Weather.

The minimum temperature is expected to dip to 10 degrees by November 15, the India Meteorological Department said.