CFA Report Puts Waste-to-Energy Plants at Top of India’s Pollution List
What Happened
A new report by the Centre for Financial Accountability (CFA) claims that waste-to-energy (WTE) incineration plants are the highest-polluting industrial sector in India, assigning them a Pollution Index (PI) score of 100 out of 100. Based on monitoring data and inspection records submitted by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and other regulators, the report says WTE plants rank above sectors such as open-cast coal mining, copper smelters and thermal power plants in terms of pollution impact.
Key Takeaways
The CFA report challenges the CPCB’s decision to move WTE plants from the"Red" category to the "Blue" category, arguing that the plants generate hazardous waste and emit pollutants including particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides and heavy metals. The report warns that regulatory exemptions could weaken environmental oversight and public-health protections.