India’s Environmental Standards and Sulphur

• The Environment Ministry has exempted most coal-fired plants from installing Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) systems to cut sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions.

• This undermines the 2015 mandate that required all such plants, including 180 units, to install these systems.

• Only about 8% of the units have installed FGD, mostly by the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC).

• SO2 is monitored by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and contributes to particulate matter pollution.

• The lack of urgency in implementing FGD norms is due to limited vendors, high installation costs, potential electricity bill rise, and COVID-19 pandemic disruptions.

• An expert appraisal committee argues that Indian coal is low in sulphur and that reducing sulphates would worsen warming and compromise India’s climate goals.

• A minority of plants, about a fifth, must install FGDs by 2028, suggesting that the location of a coal plant determines their installation.

• This contradicts India’s commitment to scientifically informed public health.