Environment

📍 New Delhi, Delhi, India

Delhi's average AQI in September 2026 was 102, the lowest for that month in five years, according to figures reported on 1 October 2026. Opposition leader Ajay Maken said the January-September average (167.6) was worse than 2025's 164.3 and questioned what the CAQM report omitted. Stubble-burning season is now beginning.

At COP30 it was agreed that Türkiye would host COP31 in Antalya while Australia would be President of Negotiations. On 11 September 2026 Türkiye's Murat Kurum said the two countries are not co-presidents, and that Türkiye holds the COP31 presidency. Both say they are working together without disagreement.

📍 India

India sold 35,995 electric passenger vehicles in September 2026, up 94% year on year, according to figures published on 2 October 2026. Tata Motors led with about 41% share, followed by Mahindra and JSW MG Motor. January-August sales had already passed the whole of 2025.

📍 India

India added about 29 GW of solar and wind capacity from January to June 2026, with 26 GW of solar, and total renewable capacity reached 288 GW, per a Down To Earth report of 15 July 2026. Rooftop solar installations roughly doubled, while wind additions fell 16%. India targets 500 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030.

📍 Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

BMC received Stage II environmental clearance to divert 103.65 hectares of mangrove land for the Versova-Bhayandar link road, reported on 7 August 2026, with compensatory planting planned in Bhayandar and Palghar. The Supreme Court in March 2026 declined to halt the Bombay High Court's order, citing protective conditions. Activists have raised concerns about flood protection.

📍 Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Mumbai's reservoir stock fell to about 7% by 28 June 2026 amid a delayed monsoon, with a 10% cut since 15 May and curbs on construction, pools and industry from 17 June. Heavy rain followed in July. Levels have likely changed since, but the supply question remains.

📍 Maharashtra, India

Deccan Herald reported on 8 July 2026 that 62 people had died in rain-related incidents in Maharashtra that monsoon, with landslides, building collapses, rail disruption in Nalasopara and Mumbai's lakes overflowing. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis discussed relief operations with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

📍 United States

The Trump administration's repeal of the EPA's 2009 endangerment finding, which underpinned federal greenhouse-gas regulation, took effect on 21 April 2026. States, environmental and health groups, and some industry groups petitioned the D.C. Circuit. Supporters of the repeal cite regulatory burden; opponents cite climate and health risks.

EU governments approved a 2040 target of a 90% cut in greenhouse gases and postponed the ETS2 carbon market for buildings and road fuel to 2028 (March 2026). On 8 September 2026 a Commission official said the full picture will emerge when remaining sectoral laws are proposed later this year.

📍 China

An analysis published 3 June 2026 (updated 21 July) found China's CO2 emissions rose 2% in Q1 2026, still below the 2024 peak, while wind capacity grew 23% and solar 33%. About 170 TWh of wind and solar was curtailed, which the analysts linked to inflexible coal and grid management. EVs reached 53% of vehicle sales by April.