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Context:

The Environment Ministry defended exempting most thermal plants from FGD installation as a scientifically justified, cost-effective, and climate-coherent regulation.

Introduction:

India has recently revised its sulphur dioxide (SO₂) emission norms for coal-based thermal power plants (TPPs), a move that has attracted both support and criticism. The Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has defended the decision, stating that it aligns with cost-effective environmental management and climate coherence. However, environmentalists have raised concerns over its potential impact on public health and India’s climate goals.

Why Were Emission Norms Introduced?

In 2015, the MoEFCC notified stricter emission norms for Particulate Matter (PM), SO₂, NOx, and mercury, to be implemented by 2017. These norms aimed to curb pollution from thermal power plants, which account for a major share of industrial air pollution in India.

However, due to delays in implementation, the deadline was extended several times—most recently to 2022 for newer plants and 2025 for older ones.

What Do the Revised SO₂ Norms Say?

The 2024 notification divides TPPs into three categories based on pollution load:

1. High-pollution load plants (11 GW capacity) must install Flue Gas Desulphurization (FGD) units by December 2024.
2. Medium-pollution load plants (approx. 164 GW) are required to meet the revised SO₂ norms by December 2027.
3. Low-pollution load plants (approx. 75 GW) are exempted from installing FGDs, citing low contribution to total emissions and cost concerns. 

Government’s Justification

According to the MoEFCC and the Ministry of Power:

• Cost-Effective Compliance: Mandating FGD installation for all plants would raise power generation costs by 20–25 paise/unit, potentially increasing consumer tariffs.
• Targeted Approach: Pollution levels and geographical vulnerability are not uniform. Prioritising high-emission areas ensures resource optimisation.
• Power Sector Stability: Sudden, large-scale retrofitting could lead to disruptions in power supply, especially when coal remains a key energy source. 

Criticisms and Concerns

Environmentalists and public health experts have expressed strong opposition:

• Public Health Risk: SO₂ contributes to respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses, especially in vulnerable populations. India is already among the world's largest SO₂ emitters.
• Weakened Climate Commitments: Exempting plants from compliance dilutes the objectives of India’s National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) and Paris Agreement goals.
• Poor Implementation Record: Many TPPs have failed to meet previous deadlines. Critics argue that further relaxation signals a lack of enforcement will.

Impact on India's Climate Diplomacy

India has committed to reduce its emission intensity of GDP by 45% by 2030 under its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). While coal remains central to India’s energy mix, the revised norms may cast doubts on the country’s seriousness about clean energy transition and its role as a responsible global climate actor. 

Conclusion

The revised SO₂ emission norms reflect an attempt to balance the economic and environmental imperatives facing India’s energy sector. While the government’s cost-based rationale seeks to prevent disruption in power supply and consumer tariffs, public health and long-term climate goals must not be sidelined. A phased but strict enforcement, technological upgradation, and greater investment in renewables are critical for sustainable development. 

ALSO READ- https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-editorials/the-saga-of-regulating-indias-thermal-power-emissions

Source: The Hindu