The Union Ministry of Power has named Maharashtra the first among 36 states and Union Territories in the State Energy Efficiency Index (SEEI) 2024 released in 2023-24 financial year. The index aims to help speed up the transition of the Indian economy to a low-carbon economy and is used to monitor state-level efforts to fulfill the net-zero objective of the country by 2070 and a 45 percent reduction in the intensity of emissions by 2030.

With the emergence of the shadow schooling phenomenon of private tuition or coaching beyond the school day, India is witnessing a significant transformation in its education system. Another recent Comprehensive Modular Survey (CMS) by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation indicates that one out of three students is currently relying on such coaching, with urban areas on the forefront of this trend.

Although India is increasing its levels of renewable energy, coal still takes centre stage in electricity production. A recent overview of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) cases indicated that coal mining and thermal power plants pose environmental, health and governance challenges that are of high concern and more accountability and sustainable transition policies are needed.

Clean water and sanitation will continue to be one of the most urgent public health concerns in the world in 2025. A WHO-UNICEF report identifies major progress since 2000 but notes that deep inequalities continue to erode the progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) of universal access by 2030.

Japan has already unveiled an AI-generated video that simulates an eruption at Mount Fuji and displays ash clouds drifting over Tokyo, halting transport, cutting power and advising citizens to hoard food and don protective gear. Released on the Volcano Disaster Prevention Day, the film is part of an effort by Japan to sensitise people about volcanic dangers, even as there is no imminent eruption threat.