Amendment to Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Rules, 2023
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has issued the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Second Amendment Rules, 2025 on November 29, 2025. The amendment specifies an additional responsibility for the Nodal Officer of the State Forest Department.
Updated National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance 2.0
Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare launched the second version of the National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (NAP-AMR 2.0) (2025–29) on November 18, 2025, which also marked the first day of the WHO’s World AMR Awareness Week (November 18–24). The Minister emphasized that Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is a major public health concern that demands collective action.
CPCB Updates Recognition for 70+ Environmental Labs
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has issued a comprehensive notification updating its official list of recognized Environmental Laboratories and designated Government Analysts under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. The notification, dated October 7, 2025, reflects two major actions by the CPCB: the substitution (renewal/amendment) of entries for 41 existing laboratories and the insertion of 37 new laboratories into the recognized list.
Environment Ministry Updates ‘White Category’ List for Air and Water Pollution Control
The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change has substituted the schedule listing industrial plants and sectors classified under the “White Category.” The White Category encompasses industries that are exempted from needing prior Consent to Establish (CTE) or Consent to Operate (CTO) under certain provisions of the Water and Air Acts.
Environment Ministry Notifies GHG Emission Intensity Targets for Key Industries
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has formally published the Greenhouse Gases Emission Intensity Target Rules, 2025. These rules establish binding emission reduction targets for specific entities in four key industrial sectors—Aluminium, Cement, Chlor-Alkali, and Pulp and Paper—as part of the compliance mechanism under the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme, 2023. The rules come into force immediately upon their publication in the Official Gazette on October 8, 2025.
MoEFCC Amends Jurisdiction of State Level Expert Appraisal Committees in Rajasthan
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has notified an amendment to reorganize the territorial jurisdiction of the State Level Expert Appraisal Committees (SEACs) in Rajasthan. The amendment, effective September 30, 2025, modifies the areas of authority for the existing four SEACs, aligning them with various districts for the purpose of granting environmental clearances (EC) under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
MoEFCC Proposes Exempting All Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) from Prior Environmental Clearance
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has released a draft notification proposing to omit Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) from the list of projects requiring prior Environmental Clearance (EC) under the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006. This draft was issued on October 1, 2025. The draft proposes to entirely delete Item 7(h) and all corresponding entries related to CETPs from the Schedule of the EIA Notification.
Government Constitutes New National Designated Authority for Paris Agreement’s Article 6
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has constituted a new authority, effective August 22, 2025, to oversee the implementation of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement in India. This new authority, known as the National Designated Authority (NDA) for the Implementation of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, supersedes the previous notification governing the matter.
Environment Ministry Proposes Exempting Select Cement Grinding Units from Prior EC
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has published a draft notification proposing to exempt a specific category of standalone cement grinding units from the requirement of obtaining prior Environmental Clearance (EC). The proposal, published on September 26, 2025, aims to rationalize the regulatory burden for units that demonstrate a significantly lower environmental footprint and utilize green logistics.
India Marks World Ozone Day 2025 with Focus on Climate and Cooling Technology
In line with its commitments, India is actively phasing down Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are not ozone-depleting but possess high Global Warming Potential (GWP). The phase-down is being carried out under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, which India ratified in 2021. During a webinar conducted by the National Ozone Unit on September 16, 2025, officials and experts emphasized the critical role of the cooling sector in achieving climate goals. The discussions highlighted that the phase-out of Ozone Depleting Substances (ODSs) and the phase-down of high-GWP HFCs drive innovation towards energy-efficient and climate-friendly alternatives, thereby addressing both ozone depletion and global warming.
Draft Environmental Guidelines Proposed for Charcoal Manufacturing Units
A new set of Draft Environmental Guidelines has been proposed for charcoal manufacturing units, aiming to address the significant environmental challenges associated with the production process. The guidelines, which apply to both traditional and modern production methods, seek to mitigate air and water pollution by mandating cleaner technologies and improved waste management.
Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Amendment Rules, 2025
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has enacted the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Amendment Rules, 2025 on August 31, 202. These amendment rules introduce changes to the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Rules, 2023. These amendments, effective immediately, aim to streamline the process of diverting forest land for non-forest purposes, clarify procedural approvals, and strengthen enforcement.