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<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="19969321" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="EV-charging" source="keywords">EV charging</keyword> is so bad it's driving people back to <keyword id="19951339" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="fossil-fuels" source="keywords">fossil fuels</keyword>.</li><li>Lack of <keyword id="20111395" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="charging-infrastructure" source="keywords">charging infrastructure</keyword> is already a barrier for many would-be EV buyers.</li></ul>Difficulty charging and other issues are leading some EV buyers to consider switching back to fossil fuels — the latest bad sign for the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/electric-vehicle-misconceptions-about-the-ev-transition-market-sales-2024-5" target="_blank">EV transition</a>. A recent consumer study conducted by <a href="https://executivedigest.sapo.pt/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Mobility-Consumer-Pulse-2024_Overview.pdf" target="_blank">McKinsey</a> found that 46% of US EV owners surveyed said they were likely to switch back to a gas-powered vehicle, compared to a global average of 29% of EV owners who said they would likely switch back to an internal-combustion engine. Respondents in 9 major countries said the top reason for potentially ditching their EVs was<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/electric-car-ev-road-trip-toyota-bz4x-genesis-gv60-charging-2023-8" target="_blank"> a lack of charging infrastructure</a>, something the US has historically <a href="https://www.iea.org/reports/global-ev-outlook-2024/outlook-for-electric-vehicle-charging-infrastructure" target="_blank">lagged</a> behind other nations in building. Other charging issues high on the list included a lack of charging at home and the impact of long-distance driving. <keyword id="21396729" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="range-anxiety" source="keywords">Range anxiety</keyword> and access to charging infrastructure have long been considered <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/electric-vehicle-charging-availability-cost-automakers-tesla-supercharger-advantage-2023-2">one of the top barriers to electric vehicle adoption</a>, but the revelation that these same issues may drive current <keyword id="22369439" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="battery-powered-car-owners" source="keywords">battery-powered car owners</keyword> back into <keyword id="20635927" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gas-powered-cars" source="keywords">gas-powered cars</keyword> is a new blow for the already rocky <keyword id="20729481" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="EV-transition" source="keywords">EV transition</keyword>. Despite the challenges facing the segment, EVs accounted for a record 7.6% of all cars sold in the US in 2023 while the number of charging stations hit 61,000. While the rate of growth has slowed, industry experts and executives have said they expect some EV share to grow to 8% in 2024 as new models continue to hit the market, helping to keep their <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ev-electric-car-deals-leases-kia-hyundai-tesla-ford-2024-6" target="_blank">average price falling.</a> While there are plenty of shoppers interested in an electric vehicle, the options on sale today are often too big, too expensive, or not practical enough to replace a gas-powered car. Car companies are already <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/automakers-back-to-the-drawing-board-ev-plans-2024-2">scrambling to adjust</a> to a sudden change in the electric vehicle market in order to draw more new customers. The slowdown in electric vehicle sales growth has rocked everyone from Ford to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-sales-miss-ev-slowdown-new-wave-customers-2024-4">Tesla</a>, denting sales and forcing executives to rethink their long-term plans for electric vehicles. While the industry has made great strides in electric vehicle range and battery charging times, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ev-charging-needs-to-improve-amenities-offerings-stores-2024-6">huge holes in the infrastructure</a> make certain areas nearly impossible to navigate without a gas-powered engine. McKinsey's study found this issue to be particularly acute in the US, which had the second-highest rate of respondents say they're considering ditching their EV. (In first place was Australia, with 49% of respondents saying they are likely to switch back.) America's high placement shouldn't come as too much of a surprise. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/electric-vehicle-range-ev-charging-station-infrastructure-issues-2024-5">Charging infrastructure here has long been a hot-potato issue</a>, which has held back efforts to build more chargers. While a push from the automotive industry to fund charging infrastructure has led to a boom in public charging stations in the last two years, these have largely been money-losing ventures. On the government side, the Biden Administration has set aside $7.5 billion for charging infrastructure with a vow to add 500,000 EV charging stations by 2030. But that effort in reality has played out slowly so far, with only a handful of stations going live since the funding was approved two years ago. Addressing charging infrastructure is already high on the industry's list of priorities when it comes to removing barriers to adoption, but the fact that it might also drive existing EV owners away only amplifies the issue. Correction: July 9, 2024 — An earlier version of this story misidentified where respondents who said they were considering switching back to gas-powered cars because of charging issues were located. They were in 9 countries, not only the US.

EV charging is so bleak that some owners are considering going back to gas-powered cars, survey finds

<ul><li><keyword id="19895203" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="electric-vehicles" source="keywords">Electric vehicles</keyword> (EVs) are gaining popularity worldwide</li><li>However, concerns remain about their environmental impact</li><li> <keyword id="21881868" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="alternative-fuel" source="keywords">Alternative fuel</keyword> vehicles like hydrogen fuel cells and biofuels are some more alternatives we can tap into</li></ul> Electric vehicles or EVs are in their prime right now, with the demand crossing an all-time high. A trend noticeable around the world, EVs are not only becoming increasingly popular but also fairly affordable. Slowly but surely EVs are overcoming the challenges that crossed them — design, features, safety, and most importantly range. A major credit to this trend can be given to consumer acceptance, policy backing, and improving infrastructure. However, there is a downside to EVs as well. Having featured multiple EVs with our series<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCR3PaYxcmk&amp;t=1s" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank"> Short Spin, </a>I developed a strong reference point. This made me wonder why are we so heavily reliant on them. Over its life cycle, EVs cannot be termed as particularly environmentally friendly, which has been their main selling point over the past few decades. <h2>The ‘Red’ side of EVs</h2> There is a bit of red within the go-green agenda that EV manufacturers push. EVs as a whole do come with benefits like low maintenance, improved efficiency and ultimately lower fuel emissions. However, <keyword id="21357488" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="EV-production" source="keywords">EV production</keyword> and disposal can have detrimental effects on the natural environment. Here are some socio-ecological concerns over EVs: 1. High carbon footprint in battery production: EV battery production is energy-intensive and often relies on electricity from fossil fuels, leading to a high initial carbon footprint. This is elaborated in a story recently published by Earth Org. 2. Resource constraints and ethical concerns: Particularly with the extensive mining of cobalt and other minerals for EVs, there has been a global outcry. Limited availability of critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel, shady mining practices long work hours, unsafe work environments, and use of child labour in underdeveloped parts of the world have raised several ethical issues around the sustainability of EVs. This issue can be explored further in this essay by Al Jazeera. 3. Recycling and end-of-life challenges: EV battery recycling is currently inefficient, costly, and poses significant environmental risks, with a huge amount of batteries ending up in landfills. 4. Manufacturing costs and economic barriers: High production costs, especially for batteries, make EVs more expensive than conventional vehicles and require significant investments in new manufacturing facilities and supply chains. 5. Supply chain and geopolitical risks: Critical mineral resources necessary for EV production are concentrated in a few countries. This leads to vulnerabilities in the complex supply chain and often risks disruptions due to geopolitical tensions, trade conflicts, or natural disasters. China as of today controls 83% of EV battery production in the world, with a major stronghold on the supply chain. While I am in no way suggesting to drop out of EVs, I believe sticking to just one alternative risks replicating the same mistake we did for ICE vehicles. So, what are the alternatives? <h2>The alternates fuel vehicles (<keyword id="23193800" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AFVs" source="keywords">AFVs</keyword>)</h2> AFVs are a growing segment of the automotive industry that utilize fuels other than traditional gasoline or diesel. These vehicles offer similar potential benefits such as reduced greenhouse gas emissions, improved air quality, and reduced dependence on fossil fuels. While EVs are also a form of AFVs, here we will list out other major alternatives like hydrogen fuel and biofuel options. Hydrogen fuel cells: Convert hydrogen gas into electricity, emitting only water vapour. Currently, <keyword id="19906788" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Toyota" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Toyota" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Toyota">Toyota</keyword> and Hyundai are the only hydrogen-based cars in the Indian market. Hydrogen internal combustion engines: These vehicles use hydrogen as a fuel in modified combustion engines. While road-legal vehicles for this fuel type aren’t out, BMW with hydrogen 7 is working on a prototype. Ethanol: This is a renewable fuel made from plant materials, commonly mixed with gasoline. In America, Ford F-150 Flex-Fuel and Chevrolet Silverado Flex-Fuel are utilizing this technology. Biodiesel and renewable diesel: Derived from vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled grease, these fuel types can be used in diesel engines. Compressed Natural Gas (CNG): Perhaps the most famous alternative for cabbies in Delhi, CNG is in popular demand. Technically it is used in specially modified internal combustion engines, primarily for lower emissions. Propane (Liquefied Petroleum Gas, LPG): A byproduct of natural gas processing and crude oil refining, used in internal combustion engines. As technology continues to advance, these AFVs are becoming more accessible and affordable, making them a promising option for sustainable transportation. If you are an eco-conscious buyer in today’s auto market, bear in mind that there are options beyond EVs as well. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/mercedes-expands-bev-range-rolls-out-second-locally-produced-model-in-india/articleshow/113388002.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Mercedes expands BEV range; rolls out second locally produced model in India</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/electric-two-wheeler-adoption-in-india-rising-13-share-expected-by-2026-27-jefferies/articleshow/113361787.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Electric two-wheeler adoption in India rising, 13% share expected by 2026-27: Jefferies</a>

EVs are not the only options for alternative fuel — make way for hydrogen and bio-fuel

Amid the ongoing geopolitical tension, the <keyword id="19904988" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="energy-sector" source="keywords">energy sector</keyword> will continue to face challenge while the <keyword id="20468174" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="consumer-goods" source="keywords">consumer goods</keyword>, automotive, healthcare is set to expand in 2025, highlighted a report 'Industry Outlook 2025' by <keyword id="20618515" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Economist-Intelligence-Unit" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Economist Intelligence Unit" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Economist Intelligence Unit">Economist Intelligence Unit</keyword>. The report noted that the Fossil fuel markets will continue to face risks from geopolitical conflicts, particularly in the Middle East and Ukraine. However, investments in <keyword id="19895602" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="renewable-energy" source="keywords">renewable energy</keyword> will remain strong, especially in China, as the world pushes toward cleaner and more sustainable energy sources. The report said "Fossil-fuel markets will continue to face <keyword id="20064250" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="geopolitical-risks" source="keywords">geopolitical risks</keyword> amid conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, but investment into renewables will remain strong, particularly in China." It also added that the financial sector faces a mixed outlook with falling interest rates anticipated to narrow bank profit margins, potentially leading to smaller dividend payouts for shareholders. Yet, regulatory easing could provide relief, with the Basel III endgame likely seeing further delays, softening the impact on banking institutions amid a challenging economic landscape. For the consumer goods and retailing the report added that the Global retail volumes are forecast to grow by 2.2 per cent in 2025, thanks to easing inflation. However, stricter regulations on online retailing will target high-volume, low-price retailers, to ensure fair competition and consumer protection. It said "Global retail volumes will expand by 2.2 per cent, helped by disinflation, but regulations around online retailing will tighten further" As per report, the <keyword id="20359760" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="automotive-sector" source="keywords">automotive sector</keyword> is set for a record year, it said "After a difficult few years, annual new-vehicle sales will reach a record 97.2m units in 2025. This includes a 2 per cent rise in new car sales, a 4 per cent increase in commercial vehicle sales, and a significant 16 per cent growth in <keyword id="19963112" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="electric-vehicle-sales" source="keywords">electric vehicle sales</keyword>, reflecting the sector's recovery and the shift toward cleaner mobility. In technology the report added more countries will adopt satellite internet, although the primary users will be enterprise clients, including military and maritime sectors. Amazon's Project Kuiper will challenge the existing market dominance of Starlink and EutelSat OneWeb, offering more competition and potential growth in satellite connectivity. The resulting tensions will continue to affect investment into production and market entry, with companies taking advantage of government incentives to build out more flexible supply chains. <keyword id="23684177" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="investment-in-technology" source="keywords">Investment in technology</keyword>, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), will also be strong as projects gather pace. However, technology companies will face pressure from several directions as regulations tighten (particularly in Europe), investors become more impatient for profits and their energy usage comes under more scrutiny.

Consumer goods, auto and healthcare sector to expand but energy may face challenge in 2025: Report

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Abaxx is a new commodities exchange that aims to stabilize prices and aid the energy transition.</li><li>"Trade and network keeps the world at peace," Abaxx's CEO told BI.</li></ul>The race to clean-up the global economy is on.Investment in the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-renewable-energy-transition-solar-electric-vehicles-hit-records-2024-2">energy transition</a> — a broad shift from fossil-based energy production systems to renewable resources like wind and solar power — hit $1.8 billion in 2023, with countries like China and the United States leading the charge, according to BloombergNEF, an energy research company. The International Energy Agency says total investment in clean energy could reach $2 trillion by the end of the year.But the shift to a cleaner, lower-carbon world doesn't depend solely on the work of government officials, legislators, or even major businesses. It also hinges on players working behind the scenes to secure the prices of key commodities like liquefied natural gas, essential for electricity generation and heating, and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/fund-carbon-removal-corporates-avoid-bad-credits-2023-2">carbon offsets</a>, which help companies counteract the impact of their carbon emissions.A new Singapore-based commodities exchange called Abaxx, which launched in June, is working to do that by providing companies, governments, and project developers with a transparent marketplace for their trades. Commodities markets help stabilize prices by helping suppliers and consumers figure out fair prices, hedge against volatile price changes, and execute efficient and transparent transactions.Exchanges like Abaxx play a role in this because they help lock in prices and mitigate drastic fluctuations in the future. Abaxx deals in futures contracts, legally binding agreements to buy or sell commodities at a specified future date. Three regionally deliverable liquified natural gas contracts and two carbon offset contracts are already trading on the exchange. It's working on launching futures contracts for gold and battery metals, like lithium, a component in <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-tesla-cheaper-electric-vehicle-battery-technology-lithium-shift-2023-3">batteries that power EVs like Tesla</a>.Josh Crumb, the CEO and founder of Abaxx, says unclear pricing can lead to higher and more volatile prices for consumers while also forcing commodity producers to navigate turbulent investment cycles."If we look at the battery supply chain, nickel sulfate, lithium, cobalt, these things have gone through huge swings of boom and bust over the last couple of years," Crumb told Business Insider. "The main reason why is we don't have a lot of market transparency so that people can forward plan, price, hedge, all of that."Crumb first realized that the commodity industry needed more innovation when he was working as a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/rip-goldman-sachs-wall-street-investment-bank-dead-2023-11">strategist at Goldman Sachs</a> in the years following the 2008 financial crisis. That coincided with the end of the commodities boom of the 2000s, during which the prices of many commodities, from food to oil to chemicals, had drastically surged.Now, with trading in full swing, Crumb hopes Abaxx will play a role in stabilizing what he sees as the next commodity investment cycle — marked not just by a need for new commodities to facilitate the energy transition but also a surge in electrification."When people speak of the energy transition to a lower carbon economy, they are usually speaking of replacing internal combustion engines with electric vehicles, with electricity supplied by low carbon renewables, hydro, and nuclear power. This will lead to a dramatic increase in electricity consumption," a representative for Crumb wrote to Business Insider by email. Between 2022 and 2050, global electricity generation is expected to surge at a faster rate than it did over the past decade, according to a report from the International Energy Agency.Most importantly, though, exchanges like Abaxx could play a critical role in geopolitics, Crumb said. "You want more transparency; you want more markets because we think that leads to more peace," he said. "We think trade and networks keeps the world at peace."

Founder of new commodities exchange explains how it can fuel the green energy transition

Union Minister of <keyword id="19994242" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="road-transport" source="keywords">Road Transport</keyword> and Highways, <keyword id="19897455" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nitin-Gadkari" source="keywords">Nitin Gadkari</keyword>, asked states to pitch for reducing GST on flex-engine cars. Gadkari stated that the government needs the support of the states to promote <keyword id="23007559" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="flex-engine-vehicles" source="keywords">flex engine vehicles</keyword> by reducing GST up to 12 per cent on <keyword id="23007560" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="flex-engines" source="keywords">flex engines</keyword>, cars, and scooters. "We will try to convince all the finance ministers. Yesterday I had the opportunity to discuss with the finance minister of Maharashtra and I told him, you please go to the meeting and put up this proposal for reducing GST up to 12 per cent on flex engines, cars, and scooters," he said. Addressing IFGE's India Bio-Energy and Tech Expo in New Delhi, the Union Minister added that factors such as economic viability, proven technology, availability of raw material, and marketability of the finished product are in favour of the development of these engines. Gadkari said that developing flex-fuel engines is the target of the government, and we have the "proven technology" to make it possible. "I feel that now the flex fuel is very, very important. Already the managing director of Tata, Suzuki and Toyota, they have decided to start flex engine car in the country," the Union Minister stated. Gadkari added, "So the flex engine is the ultimate target. As far as the market is concerned, there is huge potential. Everywhere, as far as a comparison between fossil fuel and <keyword id="20228373" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="biofuel" source="keywords">biofuel</keyword>, in the Indian scenario, the cost of biofuel is less and there is no pollution. So that is the important reason that it is going to be advantageous to the common man also," the Minister stated. Going further, Gadkari said that vehicle companies such as Bajaj, TVS, and Hero, along with two or three other companies, have their models ready with flex engines to run on 100 per cent <keyword id="20069651" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ethanol" source="keywords">ethanol</keyword>. He said, "Many of the generator manufacturers are working to change the diesel generators into ethanol. One of the companies is also they are taking an interest in converting 5 lakhs of telecommunication towers there and 250 crore litre consumption of diesel. Now they are also changing into ethanol." He further stated that the raw material is already available in India, there is a need to think about ways to increase the production of biomass, which can be useful for making biofuel. (ANI) "I feel that this is the time for the country that we have got very good potential. We need to create positivity and confidence in the minds of the stakeholders. Now things are open. The market is going to increase. Availability of ethanol, again, I am very much thankful to Hardeep Puri ji, our Minister group is there. We already have a clear policy now," Gadkari said. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/webstories/realme-13-plus-5g-vs-iqoo-z9s-pro-battle-of-the-under-25000-smartphones/slidelist/112924868.cms">Realme 13 Plus 5G vs iQOO Z9s Pro – Battle of the under ₹25,000 smartphones</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/webstories/baazar-style-retail-ipo-price-band-to-risk-factors-all-you-need-to-know/slidelist/112920678.cms">Baazar Style Retail IPO – Price band to risk factors, all you need to know</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/upcoming-cars-launching-in-india-in-september-2024/slidelist/112917920.cms">Upcoming cars launching in India in September 2024</a>

Gadkari asked states to pitch for reducing GST on flex engine vehicles

Globally, the rate at which people are installing solar panels and buying electric vehicles is "perfectly in line" with what experts have said is necessary to reach net zero emissions by 2050. That's according to <keyword id="293700" type="General" weightage="60" keywordseo="fatih-birol" source="Orion">Fatih Birol</keyword>, the economist who leads the world's energy watchdog, the International Energy Agency (<keyword id="66776" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="iea" source="Orion">IEA</keyword>). Thanks to a "staggering" rise in clean energy generation and investment over the last two years alone, the prospect of halting global heating at 1.5°C remains intact, he added. After a summer of unparalleled climate disasters in Libya, Greece and Canada, should dread turn to optimism? In a recent update on humanity's progress with cutting greenhouse gas emissions, the IEA concluded that by 2030: <keyword id="560717" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="fossil-fuel" source="Orion">fossil fuel</keyword> demand must fall 25% -the energy efficiency of homes, vehicles and other appliances must double -methane emissions from the oil and gas sector must fall 75% The report assumes that renewable energy capacity will need to triple and replace coal, oil and gas at a rapid pace by the end of this decade to guard against catastrophic levels of warming. But despite sources like solar consistently defying even the most bullish predictions, fossil fuels have hardly budged: they supplied 82% of the world's energy last year and 87% in 2000. Why? Fossil fuels linger, wind power stalls "Rapidly increasing renewable energy hasn't cut coal and gas consumption at the same rate because humankind is using a lot more electricity than we used to, especially in Asia," says Malte Jansen, a lecturer in energy and sustainability at the University of Sussex. "[In Europe and North America] renewable energy has slowly eaten into the proportion of energy generated by fossil fuels, while all other energy sources (nuclear, hydro, biomass) have remained about the same. In Asia, electricity demand has tripled since the 2000s, with the bulk of this energy coming from fossil fuels." And while the report was glowing in its assessment of solar power's performance, it noted that planned projects for generating wind energy this decade trail what the IEA says will be necessary by 2030. Jansen says wind is a particularly valuable energy source during winter, when energy demand peaks. Unfortunately, the wind industry has been buffeted by inflation. "For those involved in the construction of an offshore wind farm, this means the cost of both the physical parts (such as the turbines) and the debt (bank loans) has gone up," says Phil McNally, a research fellow in electricity markets at UCL. McNally does not believe this setback heralds the end of cheap offshore wind, as some have claimed. Instead, he argues, it means governments must produce strategic plans to grow the sector which include how much energy they wish to procure in auctions with developers. Net zero must come sooner According to the IEA, "almost all countries" will also need to move their net zero target dates forward by several years. Most developed countries, including the US and Australia, aim to fully decarbonise by 2050. Under the UN principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, developing countries have a bit longer: India plans for 2070, for example. A team of energy experts at Australian National University (with support from nearly 900 engineers) recently argued that Australia could hit net zero as early as 2035. But in the UK at least, government policies on net zero are moving in the opposite direction. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak recently scrapped requirements on landlords to raise the energy efficiency of their properties and delayed the phase-out of petrol and diesel car sales from 2030 to 2035. "As my own analysis has shown," says Tim Jackson, a professor of sustainable development at the University of Surrey, "the UK's fair share of the global carbon budget, taking into account the development needs of the poorest parts of the world, will be exhausted before 2030. Forget 2050. The science is clear. Delay is tantamount to capitulation." We've been here before What can earlier energy transitions teach us about what is happening today? According to energy historian Vaclav Smil, past energy transitions took on average 50-75 years to ripple through society. We no longer have that kind of time says Liz Conor, an ARC Future Fellow at La Trobe University. "To farm fields and build cities, we've gone from relying on human or animal muscle to wind and water to power sailboats and mill grain. Then we began switching to the energy dense hydrocarbons, coal, gas and oil. But this can't last." "We were first warned in 1859 that when burned, these fuels add to the Earth's warming blanket of greenhouse gases and threaten our liveable climate," she says. Environmental limits have spurred the shift to new energy sources before. Take England's transition from burning wood to coal. "England was once carpeted in forest. Endemic deforestation drove the change to coal in the 16th and 17th centuries. Most English coal pits opened between 1540 and 1640," Conor says. Later, dwindling whale populations saw the US abandon whaling as a source of fuel and lubricant for crude oil extraction. But the dominance of coal, oil and gas today was not inevitable. Conor points to 1850s New England, where steam generated from burning coal was three times more expensive than water for powering textile mills. Smil's research documents how waterwheels and turbines "competed successfully with steam engines for decades". "The energy of flowing water was free. Digging up coal was labour-intensive. Why did steam win?" asks Conor. The answer, she says, referring to work by human ecologist Andreas Malm at Lund University, is capital. "Locating steam engines in urban centres made it easier to concentrate and control workers, as well as overcoming worker walk-outs and machine breaking," Conor says. Today's energy transition requires another active intervention, she adds. "Once solar panels and wind turbines are built, sunlight and wind are free. It is the resistance of the old guard - fossil fuel corporations - that is holding us back." (The Conversation) NSA NSA

Climate crisis: Net zero goal still alive, says IEA

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Countries adopted the first-ever climate deal that calls for a transition away from fossil fuels.</li><li>The deal also calls for the world to triple renewable energy by 2030.</li></ul>DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Nearly 200 countries on Wednesday reached a historic climate deal calling for the transition away from fossil fuels starting this decade and the tripling of renewable energy by 2030.The deal marks the first time that countries addressed the leading cause of the climate crisis – burning coal, oil, and gas – and set a global target for boosting renewables like solar and wind power. Past UN climate agreements have mostly avoided fossil fuels."It's clear that the era of fossil fuels is coming to a close," Joab Okanda, senior climate advisor at Christian Aid, a relief organization, said in a statement. "We may not have driven a nail in the coffin here in Dubai but the end is coming for dirty energy."Diplomats were negotiating into the early hours on Wednesday to strike a balance between more than 100 countries who demanded a "phase out" of fossil fuels – something small island nations facing rising sea levels said their very existence depends on – and major oil, gas, and coal producing nations like Saudi Arabia and China who opposed such language.Many climate advocates said that this years' summit, known as COP28, would be a failure without a fossil fuel "phase out." But the compromise is stronger than a draft released Monday, which said countries "could" choose from a menu of options to decarbonize their economies. That draft was described by an official from Samoa as a "death sentence."The location of this year's UN summit makes the compromise especially significant. The United Arab Emirates is the seventh-largest oil producer in the world and a member of OPEC, a powerful oil cartel that lobbied against a fossil fuel "phase out" in the days before a final deal was reached. The role of Sultan Al Jaber, CEO of the Emirate's state-owned oil company, as COP28 president also attracted intense scrutiny of whether he could rally world leaders around a deal to transition away from fossil fuels.Al Jaber on Wednesday congratulated countries for putting the common interest ahead of self interests and said the deal can lead to transformational change.Jean Su, acting co-executive director at the Center for Biological Diversity, told reporters on Wednesday that Al Jaber's role as an oil executive worked in civil society's favor."It finally dragged fossil fuels onto center stage and forced politicians to deal with it," she said.The compromise does have several caveats that leave the door open to more fossil fuel production, including references to technologies that capture greenhouse gas emissions and store them away. Critics argue that carbon capture technology is an unproven and expensive distraction from renewable energy, which is cheaper and available now. The deal also says that "transitional fuels" can play a role in the energy transition – a nod to gas, which is less polluting than coal, but still a major contributor to global warming.Climate scientists warn that the world must cut emissions by at least 42% this decade, and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius compared with pre-industrial levels. Otherwise, it will be difficult for humans to adapt to more extreme disasters like heat waves, drought, flooding, and rising sea levels.The world has already warmed an average of 1.2 degrees Celsius and <a target="_blank" href="https://wmo.int/news/media-centre/2023-shatters-climate-records-major-impacts#:~:text=Global%20Temperatures,-The%20global%20mean&amp;text=Based%20on%20the%20data%20to,(%C2%B10.13)%20%C2%B0C.">countries are dealing with the fallout</a>, including a deadly wildfire in Hawaii, drought in the Horn of Africa, and sweltering heat waves. This year is on track to be the hottest on record.<h2>Big promises, disappointing delivery</h2>The deal in Dubai caps another UN summit where big promises are made, but rarely delivered. In 2015, countries struck the Paris Agreement that urged emissions cuts in line with the 1.5 degrees Celsius target. Since then, emissions<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/carbon-emissions-2022-record-renewables-growth-solar-wind-iea-2023-3"> have risen to record levels</a>, although a rapid rise in solar, wind, and electric vehicles has slowed the pace.In 2021 in Glasgow, Scotland, countries agreed to phase down coal plants that aren't equipped with technology to capture emissions as well as "inefficient" fossil fuel subsidies.Yet both issues are headed in the opposite direction. China and India continue to build new coal plants and fossil fuel subsidies <a target="_blank" href="https://www.imf.org/en/Blogs/Articles/2023/08/24/fossil-fuel-subsidies-surged-to-record-7-trillion">surged to a record $7 trillion in 2022</a> as countries dealt with the global energy crisis following Russia's invasions of Ukraine, according to the International Monetary Fund.Meanwhile, poorer nations are always trying to hold rich economies like the US and Europe accountable to their promises to finance efforts to respond to the climate crisis.In Dubai, countries set up a "loss and damage" fund for counties most vulnerable to the effects of the climate crisis that raised at least $700 million. The deal also called for doubling adaptation finance for developing countries by 2025 – estimated at about $40 billion. Adaptation refers to efforts by countries more resilient to extreme weather and rising seas, like early warning systems, restoring forests and mangroves that can be natural barriers to flooding, and building sea walls."Even if we phase out fossil fuels, we still have to deal with the inevitable impacts of climate change," Mohamed Adow, director of Power Shift Africa, told reporters. He pointed <a target="_blank" href="https://www.unep.org/resources/adaptation-gap-report-2023">to a recent UN report</a> that said $387 billion in adaptation finance is needed per year.<h2>A tool for accountability</h2>Even though climate action is slow, observers told BI that without the annual UN summits, there wouldn't be much transparency or accountability. The voluntary agreements don't guarantee any outcomes, but they do set the global direction of travel, according to Alden Meyer, a COP veteran and senior associate at the EG3 think tank."Countries are required to show how they're living up to what they decided here, both in their national pledges under the Paris agreement and in their actions back home," Meyer told BI.He added that whether China stops building new coal plants, or the US stops permitting new gas export facilities, can't be decided at UN climate summits. But the event, which attracts tens of thousands of people, puts the pressure on these countries to do more, Meyer said.People will always ask whether voluntary declarations can make a difference, US Senator Brian Shatz, a Democrat from Hawaii, said during a press conference earlier this week."If they didn't, they wouldn't have the fossil fuel industry so nervous," Shatz said, in response to a question about the <a target="_blank" href="https://kickbigpollutersout.org/articles/release-record-number-fossil-fuel-lobbyists-attend-cop28">nearly 2,500 fossil fuel lobbyists who attended</a> the summit in Dubai – about four times more than previous event. "They understand their business model is in peril."

'The end is coming for dirty energy': Countries strike historic deal on fossil fuels in Dubai

<ul class="summary-list"><li>It's no surprise that Exxon opted to buy Pioneer in a $60 billion agreement.</li><li>Energy analysts say fossil fuels will still account for half the world's energy mix by 2050.</li></ul>ExxonMobil's $60 billion bet that the world will be hooked on fossil fuels for decades is looking like a safe one — at least financially.CEO Darren Woods has long said that fossil fuels will be central to the world's energy mix for the foreseeable future. The company's acquisition of Pioneer Natural Resources, the largest oil and gas producer in the Permian Basin that spans from West Texas into New Mexico, further entrenches Exxon in that future."This is proof of Exxon's strategy to stay in oil and gas as long as possible," Mark van Baal, founder of the activist shareholder group Follow This, told Insider. "It shows that the company doesn't think there's any chance the world will achieve the Paris Agreement, because if they did, they wouldn't buy new assets."Nearly 200 countries adopted the Paris Agreement in 2016 that aims to limit global temperatures from rising above catastrophic levels. Thousands of the world's largest companies made similar promises. Yet greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/carbon-emissions-2022-record-renewables-growth-solar-wind-iea-2023-3">largely driven by burning fossil fuels</a>. Renewables like solar and wind are gaining ground, but not fast enough, according to climate and energy analysts.Oil majors <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/exxon-chevron-investors-reject-climate-change-proposals-2023-6">are under less pressure from investors</a> and asset managers to accelerate their decarbonization plans after earning record profits last year. The war in Ukraine sent energy prices soaring and led Europe to search for new gas suppliers. Meanwhile, the world is still approving new oil and gas projects, <a target="_blank" href="https://priceofoil.org/2023/09/12/planet-wreckers-how-20-countries-oil-and-gas-extraction-plans-risk-locking-in-climate-chaos/">with the US leading the way</a>. Big banks <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bankingonclimatechaos.org/">are willing to finance that expansion</a>, even as they pledge to achieve net-zero emissions on their balance sheets by 2050.Given the trends, it's no surprise that Exxon opted to buy Pioneer. Many of the company's oil and gas fields are still untapped, and new wells pay back in less than two years, analysts at Wood Mackenzie said in a note. If the deal gets antitrust approval, Exxon would immediately double its supplies to 1.3 million barrels of oil equivalent a day, with a goal to boost production to 2 million barrels a day by 2027. The deal secures decades of supply for Exxon's growing plastics, chemicals, and liquified natural gas businesses, according to Wood Mackenzie, a global research and consultancy firm.Exxon already had plans to ramp up production in the Permian Basin before announcing the deal, even as Pioneer's CEO Scott Sheffield <a target="_blank" href="https://www.mrt.com/business/oil/article/pioneer-ceo-scott-sheffield-sees-looming-peak-17823129.php">earlier this year predicted </a>that oil production could peak in the Permian in five to six years.US oil majors have resisted pressure to diversify into renewables like solar and wind, arguing that natural gas is a transition fuel because it produces fewer emissions than coal. Exxon has instead focused on reducing methane leaks along its infrastructure and developing nascent technology that captures carbon emissions at power plants. But those investments are a fraction of Exxon's spending on oil and gas development through 2027, which <a target="_blank" href="https://corporate.exxonmobil.com/news/news-releases/2022/1208_exxonmobil-announces-corporate-plan-to-double-earnings-and-cashflow-potential-by-2027">will account for some 70% of capital expenditures</a>.Exxon didn't respond to Insider's request for comment.The International Energy Agency for the first time in September predicted that fossil fuels — which meet 80% of the world's energy demand — will hit peak demand this decade."Our latest projections show that the growth of electric vehicles around the world, especially in China, means oil demand is on course to peak before 2030," Fatih Birol, executive director of the IEA, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ft.com/content/f6155d7b-2ef7-4f62-a08a-b640b7e87fca">said in an op-ed in the Financial Times</a>.Even so, fossil fuels are still expected to account for half of the world's energy mix by 2050, which is nowhere near the steep drop that's needed to hit global climate goals. Exxon recently <a target="_blank" href="https://corporate.exxonmobil.com/-/media/global/files/global-outlook/2023/2023-global-outlook-executive-summary.pdf">forecast that oil, gas, and coal will account for 68% of the energy mix</a> by that date.Some analysts viewed the Exxon-Pioneer merger as a sign that an era of major fossil fuel growth is coming to a close. They predicted similar mergers on the horizon for other companies like Chevron and Shell."This deal is about scale and efficiency," Andrew Logan, senior director of oil and gas at Ceres, a sustainability nonprofit that works with investors, told Insider. He added that Exxon could've made a worse deal, given its clear track record of doing little to tackle climate change.The deal reflects how many investors think they have to choose between profits and protecting the planet, van Baal said. "I really think that shareholders should think again about how they deal with the oil industry," van Baal said. "They will have to pay for the consequences eventually."

Exxon's $60 billion bet on fossil fuels proves we're failing at the energy transition

As the global urgency to combat <keyword id="19907392" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="climate-change" source="keywords">climate change</keyword> intensifies, all eyes are on India's <keyword id="19955368" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Budget-2024" source="keywords">Budget 2024</keyword>, as there’s no better way to walk the talk than allocating funds. Speculation is rife about the potential measures the government may introduce to accelerate the transition to a sustainable energy future — a move that is supremely necessary after the slew of deadly climate catastrophes that we saw last year. India’s Union Budget 2024 will be presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in a couple of days, and is expected to reflect the nation’s commitment to achieving <keyword id="21280854" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="net-zero-carbon-emissions" source="keywords">net-zero carbon emissions</keyword> by 2070. Here are some of the key initiatives from the interim budget that was presented in February earlier this year, along with their anticipated impacts! <h2>Rooftop Solarisation</h2>One of the most talked-about initiatives is the ambitious rooftop solar programme, which aims to provide free electricity up to 300 units per month to one crore households. If implemented, this move will help in not only cutting down energy bills — a godsend for the middle- and lower-income folks — but will also give households a chance to generate and even sell their surplus power. <h2>Electric Vehicle (EV) Ecosystem</h2>Charging up the electric vehicle movement, the interim budget included measures to expand EV manufacturing and infrastructure in the country. The move aimed to accelerate the adoption of <keyword id="19895203" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="electric-vehicles" source="keywords">electric vehicles</keyword>, reducing emissions from the transport sector and making your commute cleaner and greener. Additionally, the government seemed keen on encouraging the adoption of electric buses to make urban travel more eco-friendly. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111855546" title="Budget 2024: How will budget affect India’s position in the global space race?" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> <h2><keyword id="20495045" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="offshore-wind-energy" source="keywords">Offshore Wind Energy</keyword></h2>Riding the winds of change, the interim budget introduced a viability gap funding for 1 GW of offshore wind energy. As per the Finance Ministry, this initiative aims to harness the power of India’s vast coastline, pushing the envelope on <keyword id="19895602" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="renewable-energy" source="keywords">renewable energy</keyword> and reducing our fossil fuel dependency. <h2><keyword id="22499996" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="national-green-hydrogen" source="keywords">National Green Hydrogen</keyword> Mission</h2>The interim budget also supercharged the National Green Hydrogen Mission with a massive boost to Rs 600 crore from last year’s Rs 297 crore. The government has continually insisted that Green Hydrogen is set to become the fuel of the future, and this announcement supports its development and adoption, paving the way for cleaner industrial processes. <h2>Coal Gasification and Liquefaction</h2>Switching up the coal game, the interim budget plans to set up coal gasification and liquefaction projects that will be able to process 100 metric tonnes by 2030. These projects aim to make the most out of coal in a cleaner way, especially by reducing our reliance on imported natural gas and slashing emissions. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111827903" title="Union Budget 2024 for Railways: Expectations focused on improving passenger safety, experience, infrastructure" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> <h2>Bioenergy and Biomass Aggregation</h2>Turning waste into wealth, the interim budget has also promised additional financial assistance for biomass aggregation. This, they explain, will help in creating a sustainable model for managing agricultural waste, promoting bioenergy production and giving farmers a new revenue stream. <h2>Research and Development (R&amp;D)</h2>In a nod to innovation, the interim budget allocated a whopping Rs 1 lakh crore for interest-free financing in “sunrise” R&amp;D for emerging <keyword id="19931192" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="green-technologies" source="keywords">green technologies</keyword>. If the government follows through on this promise, the funding could catapult a wave of innovation, supporting the transition to a sustainable energy future. By focusing on renewable energy, reducing carbon emissions, and supporting green technologies, India’s initial budget allocations seem to be taking significant strides towards its net-zero goal. Whether this will ultimately pan out to become a greener and more resilient future for its citizens remains to be seen.

Budget 2024: Key sustainability and energy initiatives that Indian government plans to implement this year

<ul><li>EV penetration is set to reach 6-8% by FY27 compared to a mere 1.3% in FY23 as per a CRISIL report.</li><li>The total cost of acquisition (<keyword id="21010615" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tca" source="keywords">TCA</keyword>) is lower for EVs but the total cost of ownership (<keyword id="19896738" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tco" source="keywords">TCO</keyword>) is higher as compared to other variants, says the report.</li><li>For e-cabs, the TCA is higher than that of TCO but charging infra and other factors play a crucial role in adoption.</li></ul> <keyword id="19895203" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="electric-vehicles" source="keywords">Electric Vehicles</keyword> (EVs) are here to take over the auto market. In the US, this growing trend is close to reaching double digits in terms of penetration among personal vehicles. Even in India, the penetration is growing as domestic manufacturers increasingly gravitate towards the EV segment. In addition to Tata Motors’ EV versions of Nexon, Tigor and <keyword id="20075324" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tiago-ev" source="keywords">Tiago EV</keyword> and MG’s ZS — many other automakers are entering the EV lane too. Foremost among them is <keyword id="19909974" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="maruti-suzuki" source="keywords">Maruti Suzuki</keyword>, which is planning to launch its first EV by 2025, and Renault’s electric Kwid, Zoe and KZE are also expected to come to India soon. MG Motor India already has a couple of fairly successful EV models and plans to introduce many more soon. For foreign brands like Tesla, policy roadblocks on imports, proved to be a limiting factor so far. However, the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/new-ev-policy-elon-musks-tesla-may-soon-enter-india-as-import-taxes-slashed-for-electric-vehicles/articleshow/108527306.cms">recent changes in the Indian policy landscape</a> lower the import taxes if the companies commit to manufacturing in India in the subsequent years. Such policy incentives are likely to attract even more global EV brands to India. But what do these new models of new-age tech cars mean to car buyers sitting on the fence? As per a recent analysis by CRISIL, the total cost of ownership (TCO) or total cost of ownership of passenger vehicles could work in favour of EVs in the next three years for Indian buyers. So, how does the math work for prospective owners? TCA is lower but the TCO may remain higher TCO includes the purchase price of a particular asset, plus operating costs over the asset’s life span. As of FY22, the TCO of EVs was 20-30% higher than that of all three variants which is petrol, diesel and CNG. “In FY27, we expect the economics to again remain the same. However, despite not-so-favourable cost economics, higher adoption has been witnessed initially by environment-conscious buyers,” said CRISIL. The latest analysis agrees with the <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0361198120947089">earlier research</a> from <keyword id="20691574" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="world-resources-institute-india" source="keywords">World Resources Institute India</keyword> (<keyword id="20336071" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="wri-india" source="keywords">WRI India</keyword>) on TCO in India. The study highlighted that the TCO for EVs for personal use remains higher and may require additional financial incentives to be economically viable. The total cost of acquisition (TCA) on the other hand is lower for EVs as compared to other variants. TCA of an EV is 24% lower than that of a diesel variant, and 4% lower for a petrol variant. The TCA for an EV and a CNG variant is the same. This is due to lower registration charges for EVs amid high loan-to-value (LTV) ratios. Overall, the report expects EV penetration in the passenger vehicle segment to reach 6-8% by FY27 from a mere 1.3% in FY23. Meter down: How do EVs fare as cabs? Unlike in the PV segment, the cost dynamics are reversed for cab aggregators who want to drive in the EV lane – where even though the TCA is higher, TCO remains lower. In FY22, the TCO of EVs for cab aggregators was lower than that of petrol and diesel vehicles by around 29% and around 19%, respectively. However, the TCO of EVs is still higher than that of a CNG variant by around 13% even for commercial use. This is due to the higher running of a commercial passenger vehicle and high fossil fuel prices. The FAME-II subsidy provided by the Government of India incentivises the adoption of EVs for commercial use, including 2-wheelers, 3-wheelers, and buses for public transport. However, the TCA of an EV for a cab aggregator is still around 17% higher than that of a diesel vehicle, 26% higher than a petrol vehicle, and around 16% higher than a CNG variant. “In FY27, we expect the TCA of EVs to be lower than that of diesel and petrol variants, but higher than that of a CNG variant,” says CRISIL. The report expects the cab aggregator segment to lead the drive towards EVs, resulting in a 4% EV penetration by FY26. The taxi segment accounts for 10-15% of sales within passenger cars. However, a few challenges continue to linger, limiting the wider adoption of e-cabs on the road. A limited number of charging stations range anxiety and lack of large original equipment manufacturer (OEM) presence are hindering EV adoption. EVs used for personal use, however, are mostly charged at home, and charging infrastructure does not play a very high role there. “The lower battery cost (due to expected localisation led by the phased manufacturing programme or PMP) is expected to offset the lack of FAME subsidy and will help maintain the competitiveness of EVs against diesel and CNG variants for cab aggregators in the long run,” says CRISIL.

Electrifying auto market: Planning to buy an EV, compare their price with petrol, diesel and CNG variants

As part of his ambition to make <keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="india" source="keywords">India</keyword> a green economy, Union minister <keyword id="19897455" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="nitin-gadkari" source="keywords">Nitin Gadkari</keyword> wants to slash GST on hybrid vehicles and has vowed to rid the country entirely of the over 36 crore petrol and diesel vehicles. "One hundred per cent," <keyword id="19934966" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gadkari" source="keywords">Gadkari</keyword>, the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, said when asked whether it is possible for India to get rid of petrol and diesel cars altogether. "It is difficult but not impossible. This is my vision," Gadkari said in an interview to PTI. He said India spends Rs 16 lakh crore on fuel imports. This money will be used for improving the life of farmers, villages will be prosperous and the youth will get employment, the minister said. Gadkari did not give any timeline to meet this ambitious target which even proponents of green energy believe is mind bogglingly difficult. The proposal to reduce GST on hybrid vehicles to five per cent and to 12 per cent for flex engines has been sent to the Finance ministry which is considering the requisition, Gadkari said. The minister said he firmly believes the country can end fuel import by promoting the use of biofuels. Environmental activists welcomed Gadkari's vision for increasing green mobility, but also struck a word of caution by flagging the use of fossil fuels in the production of electricity. "In India, we are still heavily dependent on a fossil fuel-based energy system to power electric cars, and this needs to be changed. There is urgent need to ensure 100 per cent renewable energy alongside electric vehicles to tackle the climate crisis," <keyword id="21152150" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="avinash-chanchal" source="keywords">Avinash Chanchal</keyword>, a campaigner for Greenpeace India, told PTI. Gadkari said he has been pitching for alternative fuels since 2004 and is confident things will change in the coming five to seven years. "I cannot give you a date and year for this transformation to take place as it is very difficult. This is difficult but not impossible," Gadkari asserted. He said he firmly believes that given the speed with which electric vehicles are being introduced, the coming era will be of alternative and biofuels and this dream will come true. Gadkari said auto companies such as Bajaj, TVS and Hero are also planning to manufacture motorcycles using flex engines and auto rickshaws using similar technology too were on the way. "I roam around in a car that runs on hydrogen. You can see electric cars in every other household. People who used to say this was impossible, have changed their views now and started believing in what I have been saying for the last 20 years," the minister said. "Tatas and <keyword id="19906966" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ashok-leyland" source="keywords">Ashok Leyland</keyword> have introduced trucks that run on hydrogen. There are trucks that run on LNG/CNG. There are 350 factories across the country of bio-CNG," he said. "Definitely, a revolution is taking place. The fuel imports will end and this country will become self-reliant - <keyword id="19952544" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="atmanirbhar-bharat" source="keywords">Atmanirbhar Bharat</keyword>. I strongly believe in this," Gadkari said. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/telecom/news/ussd-based-call-forwarding-to-be-suspended-soon-to-curb-fraud/articleshow/108933705.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/telecom/news/ussd-based-call-forwarding-to-be-suspended-soon-to-curb-fraud/articleshow/108933705.cms" target="_blank">USSD-based call forwarding to be suspended soon to curb fraud</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/upcoming-cars-and-two-wheelers-launching-in-india-in-april-2024/slidelist/108869757.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/upcoming-cars-and-two-wheelers-launching-in-india-in-april-2024/slidelist/108869757.cms" target="_blank">Upcoming cars and two-wheelers launching in India in April 2024</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/from-ai-photo-editing-to-international-upi-payments-here-are-upcoming-whatsapp-features/articleshow/108815797.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/from-ai-photo-editing-to-international-upi-payments-here-are-upcoming-whatsapp-features/articleshow/108815797.cms" target="_blank">From AI photo editing to international UPI payments, here are upcoming WhatsApp features</a>

Gadkari vows to eliminate petrol, diesel vehicles in India, bats for lower tax for hybrid cars

<ul class="summary-list"><li>A new <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/cost-effective-climate-solutions-to-implement-right-now-2022-4" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">UN report</a> calls for drastic, immediate cuts to heat-trapping gas emissions.</li><li>A small part of those cuts come from individual people <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/cycling-boom-us-streets-infrastructure-bike-lanes-history-united-states-2020-12" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">biking</a> to work or wasting less <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/foods-getting-more-expensive-this-year-inflation-supply-fertilizer-war-2022-4" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">food</a>.</li></ul>Hundreds of<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/scientists-risk-arrest-in-global-climate-protests-2022-4" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored"> scientists</a> called for immediate, drastic <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/cost-effective-climate-solutions-to-implement-right-now-2022-4" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">action</a> to cut emissions of heat-trapping gases in a<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/climate-crisis-could-turn-around-this-decade-ipcc-report-2022-4" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored"> major report</a> last week.The original goal set in the historic Paris Agreement — to limit<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/climate-change-alter-human-life-un-ipcc-report-2022-2" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored"> global warming</a> to 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial temperatures — is quickly fading into the rearview mirror. The new report, from the<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mass-animal-extinctions-climate-change-un-ipcc-report-2022-3" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored"> United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change</a>, drew a road map to give the planet one last chance at 1.5 degrees.The <keyword id="6941656" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="ipcc" source="Orion">IPCC</keyword> warned that emissions of gases such as carbon dioxide and<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/space-imagery-reveals-methane-pouring-from-the-us-russia-daily-2022-2" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored"> methane</a> must peak as soon as possible — in 2025 at the latest — then plummet to half their current levels by 2030, and drop to zero by 2050. That means drastic changes across all sectors of human life, especially a rapid transition away from <keyword id="11970530" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="fossil-fuels" source="Orion">fossil fuels</keyword>, such as coal and oil, to renewable-energy sources, such as solar and wind power.Conversations about cutting emissions often involve a<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/fossil-fuel-companies-spend-millions-to-promote-individual-responsibility-2021-3" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored"> familiar refrain</a>: What can I do? How can I make my lifestyle more sustainable?The truth is that just a small fraction of the IPCC's road map involves individuals changing their day-to-day behaviors. There are some lifestyle changes that may be effective if people in the developing world deployed them en masse — diet, food waste, and transportation choices. But the report emphasized that government policies and better business practices were necessary to change human behavior on a large scale."Lifestyle choices and behavior is certainly important. But not everything is in our control," said Edward Byers, an energy and climate researcher at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis and a lead author on the IPCC report.You could switch your gas-guzzler for an electric vehicle tomorrow, Byers added, but you might not be able to choose whether the new car's electricity came from a solar farm or a coal-fired power plant.<h2>'Influencers' make daily decisions with big emissions implications</h2>For developed countries, such as the US, there are some straightforward lifestyle changes that would reduce emissions. For example, it could make a big difference if urban populations ditched their cars for biking, walking, and public transport.But that only happens if planners and developers make cities more walkable by building homes near businesses, designing roads that are safe for bikes, and planning accessible, cheap public transit systems.That's why Stephanie Roe, a lead author on the IPCC report and climate scientist at the World Wildlife Fund, thinks of individual action in terms of "influencers." Such people have the power to make large-scale choices as professionals — such as planning transit systems or deciding what a restaurant chain does with its extra food — which can either significantly reduce emissions or have cascading effects that influence other people's behavior."We assume a lot of times it needs to be these top-down decisions, either from the federal or state level, that can make these changes. But oftentimes it's actually the actions of individuals within these sectors that can make a big difference," Roe said. "If you have somebody who builds houses for a living, for example — that developer or that builder can choose heat pumps over boilers, or they can choose induction stoves over gas stoves," she added. "Those kinds of decisions, that are not necessarily facilitated or incentivized yet by policy, are made on an individual basis."Food waste, which <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/methanes-warming-power-spurs-sustainability-solutions-in-agriculture-2021-10" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">releases</a> powerful methane gas as it decomposes, is one problem whose solution may fall largely on individual consumers. The IPCC report found that in 2019, 61% of the world's food waste came from households.Still, the report recommended the creation of education campaigns to reduce household food waste, policies to make expiration-date labels clearer, and improved packaging to extend shelf life."A lot of the responsibility to decarbonize lives with big businesses, industries, and governments to establish the correct incentives and regulatory frameworks," Byers said. There are "many, many things that the public can do in their everyday choices. This also requires centralized and coordinated action, and political will."

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