Sustainability Outlook Headlines

LEDs to play key role in solar energy scheme

The incandescent lamp has given way to the compact fluorescent lamp (CFLs) which is more energy-efficient. The CFL is likely to be phased out gradually by the Light Emitting Diode. The arrival of LED bulbs in the market is expected to have an impressive impact on energy conservation schemes, according to experts in the field.
 
The Energy Management Centre, an autonomous organisation under the State Department of Power, will introduce LED lamps under the energy saving schemes to be launched in the next phase of solar energy programmes. Such an approach would enable solar energy... Read more..

Globalizing sustainable development

The question of how the world can end extreme poverty and improve human wellbeing will take on new urgency in 2015, as the millennium development goals (MDGs) expire and a new set of goals—the proposed sustainable development goals (SDGs)—are finalized. 
 
United Nations secretary general Ban Ki-moon’s Synthesis Report, outlining the main elements of the post-2015 agenda, provides strong guidance regarding what sustainable development should look like and what world leaders must do over the next 15 years to achieve it. After two years of crafting the “what” of sustainable... Read more..

US may help Narendra Modi government achieve target of 100 gigawatt of solar power

The United States may extend funds and supply of equipment to help India achieve the Narendra Modi government's target of 100 gigawatt of solar power in the country by 2022 that requires an investment of Rs 6 lakh crore. 
 
Shortly after US President Barack Obama's upcoming visit, an entourage of highprofile US visitors including Michael Bloomberg and top executives of funding agencies and American ministries are expected to follow in February to discuss clean energy finance with the Indian government, officials said. 
 
The recent $4-billion deal between Indian... Read more..

An ‘India exception’ for climate talks

If the U.S. partners with India for more efficient industrialisation, it could be the kind of investment that cements ties between the two countries
 
As India and the U.S. build closer ties, they should pursue a win-win agreement on climate. It is in the U.S.’s strategic interest that India grows into a regional power, which can only be accomplished if India is given sufficient development space to grow its economy and eliminate poverty. It is in India’s interest to diversify its energy portfolio — a prospect that can be strengthened with the U.S.’s assistance. The way to... Read more..

Auto sector should adopt 'clean and green' technologies: Anant Geete

The automobile sector should adopt 'clean and green' technologies, Union Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises Minister Anant Geete said today. Pointing out that energy security and oil are important for the country's future, the minister said it was important that work on alternate fuels and related technology be done in a sustained manner to get over this problem.
 
Geete was here to inaugurate the Symposium on International Automotive Technology EXPO 2015. Asserting that India is among the biggest auto markets in the world, Geete said technology upgradation through seven... Read more..

Sops planned for renewable energy

The government plans to announce a special package of fiscal incentives in the budget next month to boost the growth of the country’s renewable energy sector with a focus on increasing India’s wind power generation capacity to 60,000 MW by 2022.
 
Finance minister Arun Jaitley is likely to announce a slew measures in his budget including a 10-year tax holiday for wind power producers, concessions in customs duty and exemption in excise duty for procurement of technology and equipment for projects.
 
In addition, Jaitley may also increase the fund allocation for the... Read more..

Mohali MC ordered to acquire land for waste disposal

The National Green Tribunal (NGT), Delhi, has ordered the Mohali Municipal Corporation (MMC) to acquire land for dumping solid waste within a year. The judgment came out of the court of Justice Swatanter Kumar on January 13, as the case was filed against the Mohali Industry and Commerce Association (MICA) last year.
 
MICA, in its application, had pleaded that the dumping of solid waste by the civic body was causing pollution and was an environmental hazard to the areas surrounding Patiala ki Rao. NGT - after hearing all the facts - directed the corporation to stop illegal... Read more..

India Inc. more than doubles its disclosure on ESG and Sustainability measures

When It Comes to Climate, Modi Is More Worried About Renewables Than Obama's Emission Cuts

With U.S. President Barack Obama’s visit to India just days away, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is focused more on boosting the use of renewables in his country than committing to cuts in greenhouse-gas emissions.
 
Obama announced a pact with China two months ago for capping emissions, raising the pressure on India, the third biggest greenhouse polluter behind those two countries, to follow suit. Instead, Modi is likely to cite a 90 percent success rate in a program aimed at forcing companies to conserve power, and there are hints he may boost clean energy goals.
 
... Read more..

IICT makes organic LED technology

Imagine a wall which can turn into a television, but can be operated with power from a small solar cell. Or the windscreen of your car that can turn into a television when powered just by the car battery.
 
All these are futuristic gadgets based on the phosphorescent ‘organic’ LED technology. And now scientists from the Hyderabad-based Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) have made a breakthrough in realising a simple and low-cost model of an organic LED that has a high power and luminescence efficiency.
 
Current technology makes use of inorganic LEDs,... Read more..

Indian Railways should address issues of CO2 emission: Minister

Indian Railways should address problems and challenges arising out of carbon dioxide emission, said Suresh Prabhu, Minister of Railways.
 
The Minister was speaking at the release of “Carbon Capture, Storage and Utilization (CCSU),” a book published by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).
 
Railways is the biggest consumer of energy in the country. While it mostly uses electricity and diesel, it is slowly moving to alternate sources of energy like wind, solar, CNG and Bio fuels.
 
Referring to the energy scenario in the country, he said that while... Read more..

Andhra Pradesh government inks pact with ICRISAT to boost sustainable farming

The Andhra Pradesh government has signed a pact with International Crop Research Institute for Semi-arid Tropics (ICRISAT) to provide assistance in making agriculture sustainable and profitable. ”The agreement with ICRISAT is part of the state government’s plans to increase productivity of agriculture and allied sectors,” the state government said.
 
The Memorandum of Agreement was signed yesterday in the presence of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu by Special Chief Secretary (Planning) S P Tucker and ICRISAT Director-General David Bergvinson. Through the agreement, the best... Read more..