Supreme Court directs coordinated plan to cut emissions from coal power plants

The Supreme Court has directed key power sector agencies to submit a coordinated plan to reduce carbon emissions from coal-fired power plants, citing the sector’s major role in worsening air quality and climate change.

The order came in response to a civil appeal (No. 388/2021) filed by climate activist Ridhima Pandey. The Bench called climate change an “existential global predicament” and noted that power generation contributes 8 per cent of India’s carbon emissions. It also pointed to the critical levels of air pollution in Delhi-NCR, with thermal plants being a significant source of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5).

The Court expressed concern that only 8 per cent of India’s 540 coal-based plants have installed flue gas desulfurization (FGD) systems, despite repeated deadlines. It criticised the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for extending compliance timelines.

Referring to India’s pledge at COP28 to reach 50 per cent non-fossil fuel energy capacity by 2030, the Court acknowledged recent progress in solar and wind deployment, including large-scale installations such as the 30 GW Adani Green Energy project in Kutch.

The Bench directed the Ministry of Power, Central Electricity Authority (CEA), and Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) to jointly submit an affidavit within four weeks, detailing legal and operational steps to reduce emissions from thermal plants.

The matter will be heard next on 19 August 2025.