A recent study conducted by the International Energy Agency’s Clean Coal Centre (IEACCC) brings to light the issue of coal burning as a significant source of air pollution in India. Simultaneously, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a Delhi-based think tank, has been deliberating measures to limit India’s carbon dioxide emissions from its coal-reliant power sector. The CSE has expressed concern to the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) regarding any potential delay in meeting emission standards for the nation’s thermal power plants.
The Contribution of Coal-Based Thermal Power Stations to Pollution
Coal-based thermal power stations have been identified as key contributors to a variety of pollutants. These include over half of the sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions, 30% of nitrogen oxides (NOx), and approximately 20% particulate matter (PM). A combination of persistent coal burning and slow technology implementation leaves the sector lagging behind in adopting advanced carbon capture storage technology that could mitigate the issue.
Other Sectors Contributing to Air Pollution
Aside from thermal power stations, the transportation sector and various industrial sectors also contribute to poor air quality, ranking second after power stations in terms of their environmental impact.
Suggested Measures to Decrease Pollution
Several strategies are being proposed to decrease emissions and pollution. These include retiring older, less efficient power stations and adopting cleaner coal technology. However, investment in advanced technology has been hampered by financial difficulties experienced by some of the latest plants such as Mundra and Sassan in Gujarat.
Need for More Aggressive Energy Efficiency Schemes
Current energy efficiency schemes are considered insufficient in driving significant improvements with regards to pollution and efficiency. Consequently, more ambitious schemes are recommended, which include measures such as carbon pricing. Of equal importance is the adoption of Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS), a process that captures waste CO2, transports it to a storage site, and ensures it does not enter the atmosphere.
Coal Burning and Pollution: Getting to the Root of the Issue
The process of coal formation, pollution caused by burning coal, and initiatives to control emissions shed some light on the depth and complexity of the issue. Formed deep underground over thousands of years, coal releases energy when burnt, but also a number of airborne toxins and pollutants, causing health conditions ranging from asthma and breathing difficulties to brain damage and premature death.
Water Pollution: Yet Another Challenge in the Coal Industry
Coal-fired plants produce more than 100 million tons of coal ash annually, leading to contamination of water supplies. This, coupled with acid rock drainage from coal mines and damage caused by mountaintop removal mining, shows the wide-ranging environmental impacts of the sector.
Climate Change: The Role of Coal
The contribution of coal to global warming is significant, exacerbating the urgency of addressing the issue. Several initiatives to control emissions are being explored, including the use of Flue Gas Desulphurization units and a “graded action plan” proposed by the Ministry of Power to manage plant locations based on pollution severity.
About International Energy Agency’s Clean Coal Centre
The IEACCC is a collaboration programme under the International Energy Agency, with 17 members consisting of contracting parties and sponsoring organizations. Its mission is to provide independent information on transforming coal into a cleaner energy source in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The centre is focused on reducing CO2 emissions and other pollutants from coal use through High Efficiency, Low Emissions technologies.
