Unresolved thermal power reforms in the Supreme Court's sights, urging the development of a strategy to decrease carbon emissions.
The Supreme Court of India has taken a significant step in the fight against climate change, directing the Ministry of Power to convene a meeting with key energy regulators to devise a strategy for reducing carbon emissions from coal-based power plants.
The directive comes as part of the ongoing case, Ridhima Pandey vs. Union of India & Ors., which addresses carbon emissions reduction from coal-based power plants in India. The next hearing for the matter is scheduled for August 19, 2025.
The Court's instructions aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of the current regulatory landscape and proposed strategies for decarbonisation. The joint affidavit to be filed by the Central Electricity Authority, the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission, and the Power Ministry should detail current regulatory mechanisms, emission reduction strategies, and the proposed timeline for decarbonisation, including the installation of Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) systems.
The Court's concern arises from the fact that thermal power generation accounts for about 8% of national carbon emissions and contributes heavily to particulate matter pollution. Coal-fired thermal power plants are among the largest contributors to PM2.5 emissions in the Delhi-NCR region, according to an Amicus Curiae's report.
The Court has also expressed concerns about regulatory delays affecting air quality in Delhi. FGD systems have been installed in only a fraction of these power plants despite government mandates. The Court's direction to the Central Electricity Authority and the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission is intended to facilitate coordinated regulatory action for reducing carbon emissions from coal-based power plants.
The proceedings stem from an earlier order dated February 21, 2025, where the Court took note of the broader climate emergency and observed that India is experiencing intensified weather events and environmental instability due to rising emissions. The Court has recognised climate change as an existential threat, noting serious impacts such as extreme weather events and risks to health, food security, and the economy.
The Court's direction comes in response to the case Ritwik Choudhury vs. Union of India & Ors. and the recent notification by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on July 11, 2025, which diluted the 2015 norms on carbon emissions. The Court has directed that the proceedings include discussions on the diluted carbon emission norms.
However, the Court's final orders and detailed emission reduction plans are still awaited. The Amicus Curiae report acknowledges the Government of India's expansion of renewable power capacity, which now constitutes nearly half of all installed electricity generation. The report emphasises the need for reform in the coal sector and robust enforcement of emission standards alongside this transition.
The Court's direction to the Ministry of Power to convene a meeting with key energy regulators on July 22, 2025, is a step towards a structured and enforceable national strategy rather than piecemeal action. This indicates a move towards a focused institutional response involving regulators and implementing agencies within the power sector. The Court seeks a coordinated and effective approach to tackle the issue of carbon emissions from coal-based thermal plants.
- The Supreme Court's directive in the Ridhima Pandey case marks a significant move in environmental science, as it aims to develop a strategy for reducing carbon emissions from coal-based power plants, addressing climate-change concerns.
- The Court's attention to regulatory delays and incomplete installations of Flue Gas Desulphurisation systems highlight the intersection of policy-and-legislation and politics, particularly in relation to India's commitment to combating climate change and improving air quality.
- General news outlets are following the ongoing case Ritwik Choudhury vs. Union of India & Ors., as the Court's orders have included discussions on the dilution of carbon emission norms, reflecting the wider implications of climate change on the environment and various sectors of the economy.
