World’s first emission trading scheme (ETS) for particulate matter 10 (PM 10) launched in Surat a month ago has shown positive results.

In the one month of its launch on September 15 in 155 industrial units of highly polluted Pandesara area
trading has been done 386 times and the emission cap per unit fixed at 280 tonnes in a month has not been breached. The total emission recorded was 245 tonnes and the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) has further reduced the cap to 200 tonnes for the second month.

Parag Dave, regional officer, GPCB, Surat said, “The results in the first month of the launch are extremely encouraging. There is real-time monitoring of particulate matter and the onus is on industries to upgrade themselves to stay within the limits. The main aim of this scheme is overall up-gradation of environmental standards….