PARTIAL COMBUSTION OF FUEL (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: Recently, the National Green Tribunal took suo-motu cognizance of a Times of India report titled "How partial combustion fuels your bad-air woes," prompting it to issue notices to the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, Central Pollution Control Board, and the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests and Climate Change.

Partial Combustion of Fuel

• About: It is also known as incomplete combustion, often results in the release of carbon monoxide gas (CO).
• Poisonous Nature of Carbon Monoxide: CO is a poisonous gas due to its ability to reduce the oxygen-carrying capacity of our blood when inhaled.
• Emission of Carbon Dioxide (CO2): When fossil fuels undergo combustion, they emit significant amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere.
• Impact: Greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, contributing to global warming.

oGlobal Temperature Increase: The average global temperature has already risen by 1°C due to the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

oGlobal Warming: Exceeding a 1.5°C increase in global temperature poses risks such as sea level rise, extreme weather events, biodiversity loss, species extinction, food scarcity, worsened health outcomes, and increased poverty for millions worldwide.

• Study: The study indicated that the emissions of ammonium chloride are caused due to the burning of plastic or industrial waste, etc., whereas the emissions of ammonium sulphate are due to the burning and usage of coal for various purposes.

oDue to all these factors, there has been a rise in the air pollution oxidative factor which is said to be the key indicator causing adverse health effects.

National Green Tribunal (NGT)

• Established: Under the National Green Tribunal Act 2010.
• Location: New Delhi with 4 other location - Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata and Chennai 
• Composition: Chairperson, the Judicial Members, and the Expert Members.
• Tenure: 5 years and are not eligible for reappointment.
• Appointment: The Chairperson is appointed by the Central Government in consultation with the Chief Justice of India (CJI).
• Disposal of cases: NGT is mandated to make disposal of applications or appeals finally within 6 months of the filing of the same.