Pichavaram Mangrove Study Values Ecosystem at ₹2,485.38 Crore; Blue Carbon Storage Key

India's First Farmer Carbon Credit Payout: ₹2.5 Crore Distributed to 2,500 Farmers in Punjab & Haryana

For the first time in India, ~2,500 farmers in Punjab and Haryana have received carbon credit payments (totaling ₹2.5 crore) for adopting climate-smart agricultural practices like reducing stubble burning and economizing fertilizer use. This marks a major shift from penalizing stubble burning to economically rewarding sustainable farming, with satellite monitoring and ICAR-backed verification.

Indian Railways Achieves 99.6% Electrification, Targets Net-Zero Carbon by 2030

Indian Railways has achieved 99.6% broad gauge electrification as of March 2026, positioning itself to meet the net-zero carbon target by 2030. This transition involves renewable energy integration, green hydrogen trains, and structural financing reforms, impacting India's climate commitments and energy security.

NDMA Plans Comprehensive Study of Nepal Glacial Collapse; India Achieves 20% Ethanol Blending by 2025-26

A hanging glacier collapse in Nepal triggered a devastating flash flood, killing over 350, prompting NDMA to plan a comprehensive study to reduce GLOF risks in India. Simultaneously, India achieved 20% ethanol blending by 2025-26, five years ahead of schedule, but faces backlash from older vehicle owners; discussions on offering E10 alongside E20 are underway. The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra saw a surge in 2026 after resumption, and India-China special representatives reached an eight-point consensus on border management.

UK Recognises India's Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) Under CBAM for Carbon Price Relief

The UK has officially recognised India's Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) as a qualifying carbon pricing mechanism under its Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). This allows UK importers of eligible Indian goods to claim carbon price relief, reducing the tax burden on Indian exporters and avoiding double taxation.

Systemiq Report: 21.5% of India’s GDP (₹64.8 Lakh Cr) Dependent on Himalayas; Black Carbon from Brick Kilns Key Threat

A new report by Systemiq estimates that 21.5% of India’s FY24 GDP (₹64.8 lakh crore) is underpinned by the Himalayan water systems, which are threatened by glacier melt and black carbon emissions. The report highlights brick kilns as a major source of black carbon that India can control, proposing a fund to modernize brickmaking and cut emissions by up to 70%.

India's Next Energy Transition: Electrifying Industrial Heat for MSMEs, Manufacturing Competitiveness

India's next energy transition phase targets electrifying industrial heat, especially for MSMEs, to boost manufacturing competitiveness, energy security, and decarbonisation. The article draws a parallel with the solar PV revolution and calls for a coordinated ecosystem of policies, financing, and cluster-level planning to scale the transition.

21 GW Renewable Energy Faces Curtailment Due to Transmission Bottlenecks in India

India's renewable energy boom is hitting a critical bottleneck: lack of transmission infrastructure. Nearly 21 GW of capacity operates on temporary grid access, facing severe curtailment (up to 90-95% in some cases), threatening project viability, debt repayment, and potentially creating NPAs for banks that have deployed ₹5.08 lakh crore in the sector.

15th FC Air-Quality Grant: BMC Spends ₹573.88 Cr, but Mumbai Clean Air Rank Falls to 28th

BMC spent 92.54% (₹573.88 Cr) of the 15th Finance Commission's air-quality grant, but Mumbai's clean air ranking slipped to 28th from 25th. The bulk (79.56%) went to electric buses, yet BEST's fleet shrunk and half the buses are undelivered. This is a classic case of misaligned spending – examiners will ask why funds meant for pollution mitigation were diverted without addressing local hotspots.