Launched in 2019, the world’s first emission trading scheme has helped reduce air pollution in Surat by 20 per cent, said Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Friday. This scheme will now be replicated in Ahmedabad.
Virtually launching “India’s first Fenton Catalytic Reactor” project that has the ability to treat 30 MLD (million litres per day) of industrial effluents emanating from Vatva GIDC in Ahmedabad, Rupani said, “The world’s first emission trading scheme in Surat has successfully eliminated 20 per cent of air pollutants in the city.”
The Indian Express had earlier reported about the scheme, where 155 industrial units in Surat engaged in trading of particulate matter.
The scheme was spearheaded by the Gujarat Pollution Control Board in association with Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) founded by Nobel laureates Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo. The Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago in India, National Commodities and Derivatives Exchange e-Markets Limited and South Gujarat Textile Processors Association were the other partners.
“Keeping in mind the success of Surat’s emission trading scheme, we have decided to implement a similar scheme among 240 units in Ahmedabad,” Rupani added during his speech.
The chief minister also said that the state government was also building 19 new Common Effluent Treatment Plants. “There 35 plants are working to clean polluted water in the state. These plants treat more than 750 MLD (million litres per Day) of industrial effluents. In addition to these, the state has planned for 19 Common Effluent Treatment Plants,” he said.