The impact of COVID-19 on the relatively small DRE sector is upsetting. A mechanism needs to be developed to support small enterprises working in the DRE sector, which are more prone to risks and shocks. Further, a paradigm change in thinking is required to address the gender issue in employment.

The rooftop solar sector is nowhere near the intended levels if we consider the official target of 40 GW, as only about 6 GW has been realized so far, with over 80 per cent of it coming from installations at the commercial and industrial (C&I) level.

Given the severity of pollution in the region, a majority of the NCR states have released a list of approved fuels. Yet, most of the industries here have not switched to cleaner fuels.

CSE believes that given the encouraging projections of growth of BTM technologies, that are ushering in a consumer-centric clean energy transition, we need to lay down robust and sustainable principles for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in the sector.

ASEAN—Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam—has emerged as the most important region for future growth in coal-fired power generation as both China and India are investing in renewable power and moving away from coal.

Coal based thermal power stations are responsible for one of the largest industrial waste streams in India—coal ash. As fugitive emissions in the dry form and as leakage of ash slurry from ash ponds, coal ash is a major environmental and health concern today. It has been under the regulatory scanner for more than two decades.

Coal-based power is one of the most resourceintensive and polluting industries. On 07 December 2015, the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Climate Change introduced stricter environmental standards for coal-based thermal power plants under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.

Crop stubble burning is a major source of pollution in Northwest India. It will require significant and continuous investment to end the practice. On the other hand, despite the growth in ‘renewables’, India’s reliance on coal to meet its base power load demand will continue in the foreseeable future.

Four years after Biomedical Waste Management Rules were notified in India, implementation has improved in certain areas but continues to remain iffy on key parameters. COVID-19 has brought the need for extremely careful handling of biomedical waste into renewed focus.