Sustainability Outlook Headlines

Carbon Budget Overshoot and the Implications for the Carbon Dioxide Removal Field

This past November, the UNEP released the 2014 edition of their annual “Emissions Gap Report,” which highlighted the important role that carbon dioxide removal (“CDR”) solutions are likely to play in preventing climate change.

In particular, the UNEP report finds that the global economy has come precariously close to going “over-budget” on CO2 emissions — that is, humans are on track to emit more CO2 into the atmosphere than the planet can handle without warming significantly. If we do overshoot our carbon “budget” in the next several decades, the only way to return... Read more..

Date : Jan 14

Source: The Energy Collective

Chandigarh may be the first Indian smart city

Chandigarh could be the first Indian smart city as the government moves to create many hi-tech cities in the country. Referring to the NDA's proposal to set up 100 smart cities in the country, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said, "The first Indian smart city to be created probably could be Chandigarh. There are satellite cities around Chandigarh which are being created."

Elaborating on his point, he said Gandhinagar is an example of a smart city and towns like Noida and New Raipur are attracting foreign investments.

"Noida and Greater Noida on the outskirts of... Read more..

Date : Jan 13

Source: Economic Times

Tamil Nadu plans to recharge its solar sector

In a move to encourage creation of solar power capacity in the state, the Tamil Nadu electricity regulatory commission (TNERC) will be increasing the "Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO)" for the state electricity utility by April this year.

The RPO refers to a law that mandates certain obligated entities which includes the state electricity utility to procure a minimum amount of its power from renewable energy sources. It varies from state to state and Tamil Nadu has an RPO of 9% of which 0.5% is the solar component.

"The solar RPO for Tangedco will be... Read more..

Date : Jan 13

Source: Times of India

Green buildings soon to be face of Indore township

Indore will soon be listed amongst places with a clean environment and energy-efficient building, said experts during a discussion on Modern Healthcare and energy efficiency.

Organised by the Indian society of heating, refrigeration and air-conditioning (ISHRAE), the conference focused on creating awareness regarding energy efficiency in buildings and creating green townships.

"A lot of energy is wasted on air-conditioning, heating and refrigeration. Our aim is to ensure that we get the best out of it. A sustainable approach towards environment is what we want... Read more..

Date : Jan 13

Source: Hindustan Times

Organic Farming in India Points the Way to Sustainable Agriculture

Standing amidst his lush green paddy fields in Nagapatnam, a coastal district in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, a farmer named Ramajayam remembers how a single wave changed his entire life. The simple farmer was one of thousands whose agricultural lands were destroyed by the 2004 Asian tsunami, as massive volumes of saltwater and metre-high piles of sea slush inundated these fertile fields in the aftermath of the disaster.

“The general perception is that organic farming takes years to yield good results and revenue. But during post-tsunami rehabilitation work [...]... Read more..

Date : Jan 13

Source: IP News

Siemens showcases smart city sustainable solutions at Gujarat summit

Siemens is displaying a series of integrated sustainable building solutions for smart cities at the Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2015 held in Gujarat of India. At present, Siemens is collaborating with India Government in the Restructured Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Program (R-APDRP) for installing smart grid solutions across multiple cities.

Gujarat has been recognized as an active hub of construction and sustainable building activities and this platform provided by Vibrant Gujarat summit is vital in contributing to state’s renewable energy progress. It is to be... Read more..

Date : Jan 13

Source: Green Tech Lead

SunEdison, OMC Power sign deal for 5,000 rural power projects

Global solar technology manufacturer SunEdison Monday said it has entered into an agreement with OMC Power to develop 5,000 rural electrical projects across India in the coming three to five years involving a total 250 MW of electricity.

According to the US based company, the partnership leverages the expertise of both the companies including technical know-how, local and telecom knowledge from OMC and project development and financing expertise from SunEdison.

OMC Power builds small-scale power plants with renewable sources where there is no reliable power grid... Read more..

Date : Jan 13

Source: Green Tech Lead

'Redesigned' plants to improve biofuel production

Opening up opportunities to "redesign plants" for efficient biofuel production, researchers have identified the gene regulatory network that controls the formation of xylem -- the major component of wood. The gene networks that the researchers uncovered control cell wall thickening by the synthesis of the three polymers: cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin.

The three key components, found in plant tissues known as xylem, provide plants with mechanical strength and waterproof cells that transport water.

The authors said the most rigid of the polymers, lignin,... Read more..

Date : Jan 13

Source: Zee News

Why we must leave fossil fuels untouched

British scientists have warned that most of the world's fossil fuel reserves need to stay in the ground if dangerous levels of global warming are to be avoided.

Over 80% of coal, 50% of gas and 30% of oil reserves are "unburnable" and not be used before 2050 if global warming is to stay below the 2°C target agreed by policy makers, according to new research by the UCL Institute for Sustainable Resources.

The study funded by the UK Energy Research Centre also identifies the geographic location of existing reserves that should remain unused.

The... Read more..

Date : Jan 13

Source: Times of India

Soon, BMC will turn waste into power, fuel

The mountains of garbage that Mumbaikars generate every day will thankfully be put to some use, if the authorities find success in their latest endeavour. Taking a step towards generating electricity and fuel from waste, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to set up biomethanation plants at its dump yards.

Biomethanation is a process by which organic material is microbiologically converted under anaerobic conditions to biogas. The civic body has sought expression of interest (EOI) from firms across the globe in this regard. According to the proposal, the... Read more..

Date : Jan 13

Source: DNA India

NDA plans big rural push for green energy

The government is planning a massive programme to dot India’s countryside with renewable energy projects, using funds allocated to the rural development and panchayati raj ministries, as it aims to reduce the nation’s overwhelming reliance on imported fossil fuels.

The ministry of new and renewable energy is working on the plan to leverage the reach and budget of the two rural-related ministries to create these green projects for panchayats and self-help groups, according to a top government official, who requested anonymity. The government is also exploring the idea of... Read more..

Date : Jan 13

Source: Live Mint

Welspun Renewables to invest Rs 8,300 crore in Gujarat

Welspun Renewables today announced an investment of Rs 8,300 crore to set up about 1,000 MW solar and wind capacities in Gujarat.

At the Vibrant Gujarat Summit here, Welspun Renewables committed to set up 500 MW wind and 600 MW solar capacities with Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam (GUVNL).

"An investment of Rs 8,300 crore will be poured to develop over 1 GW capacities in Gujarat. The IPP (Independent Power Producer) made these commitments during the first day of the Vibrant Gujarat summit," the company said in a statement.

The IPP signed 500 MW wind... Read more..

Date : Jan 12

Source: Business Standard

Transport ministry to promote clean auto tech for ‘pradushan mukt’ Bharat

Along with prime minister Narendra Modi's ongoing Swachh Bharat (clean India) campaign, there will be a pradushan-mukt Bharat (pollution-free India) in the coming years. While the Swachh Bharat campaign is being realised through people-engagement, the pradushan-mukt Bharat campaign will be kicked off by incentivising and promoting clean automotive propulsion technologies.

The Union Budget, to be presented next month, may well play a key role by offering incentives for green technologies. The finance minister will reportedly offer a Rs 800 crore incentive package for electric... Read more..

Date : Jan 12

Source: Auto Car Pro

India turns to new industries for economic revival

India will focus on “entirely new industries” — including solar technology, LED lighting, small cars, medical appliances and weapons — rather than trying to follow China into consumer electronics in its drive to become a global manufacturing power, according to one of its senior policymakers.

“What we’re trying to do is massively build out India’s productive capacity,” Jayant Sinha, minister of state for finance and a former McKinsey partner, said in an interview in New Delhi.

“That is, in fact a veritable supply side revolution because what we are really trying... Read more..

Date : Jan 12

Source: Gulf News

Solar, nuclear, climate progress 'possible' on Obama India visit

There could be progress on US-India civil nuclear cooperation, solar power and climate change when US President Barack Obama visits India in two weeks, US officials said on Sunday. While stressing there were no guarantees that some of the most vexing economic issues between India and the United States would be resolved, the officials said some agreements were conceivable.

"We are working on the civil nuclear liability issue," a senior state department official told reporters traveling with US secretary of state John Kerry to the home state of Indian Prime Minister Narendra... Read more..

Date : Jan 12

Source: Times of India

Solar panels on top of canal impress U.N. chief

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday praised India’s ingenuity and cutting-edge technology while dedicating Gujarat’s second canal-top 10-MW solar power project to the nation. The solar panels are arranged on top of the Vadodara branch of the Sardar Sarovar project canal, probably a first-of-its-kind project in the world to generate power.

In a brief address, Mr. Ban said he was honoured to inaugurate “this impressive project” and commended the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Looking at the canal top, he said he saw “more than the glittering... Read more..

Date : Jan 12

Source: The Hindu

MNRE to set up 100 MW offshore wind power project

The ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE) signed an MoU on Wednesday along with a consortium of PSUs to set up a Joint Venture Company (JVC) that will set up the first 100 MW demonstration offshore wind power project in the country along the coast of Gujarat.

The consortium includes National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE), NTPC Ltd, Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL), Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency, Power Finance Corporation, Power Trading Corporation, and Gujarat Power Corporation Ltd (GPCL).

“Some sites were identified along the... Read more..

Date : Jan 12

Source: Indian Express

Videocon eyes wind power market in India with Rs. 2000-crore fiberglass plant

With an aim to address growing wind energy sector in India, Videocon is planning to open a 60000 tons per annum fiberglass plant at Bharuch. The group has set aside approximately Rs 2000 crore for this purpose, according to official statement. The fiberglass is an important raw material in the production of wind turbine blades. Usage of fiberglass blades reduce the time of manufacturing considerably, lowering the production costs.

Videocon already runs a colored glass manufacturing factory in Bharuch and the new plant will come up in the same land. Within a month, the Group... Read more..

Date : Jan 12

Source: Green Tech Lead

Hopeful for new accord on emissions at Paris climate meet: Prakash Javadakar

After playing a proactive role in the recent Lima climate talks in Peru, India on Saturday said it hopes a new global agreement would be drafted this year at the Paris climate conference containing a complete plan for pre- 2020 actions for cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

The UN climate conference, to be held in Paris from 30 November to 11 December of this year, is tasked with finalising a global agreement designed to cut greenhouse gas emissions. “We are very positive about the Paris conference. We want it to come up with a good outcome which will help earth to mitigate... Read more..

Date : Jan 12

Source: Live Mint

Sustainable energy gets MoU push

Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL), an initiative of the United Nations, will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Gujarat government on January 12 at the Vibrant Gujarat summit. The intent of the MoU is to establish a framework for collaboration between SE4ALL and the state government on activities that support SE4ALL objectives. Gujarat will be the first state in India to collaborate with SE4ALL.

This year's Vibrant Gujarat event focuses on sustainable energy for all, smart cities, water management, climate change, health for all and global competitiveness of... Read more..

Date : Jan 12

Source: Times of India

Sustainable energy gets MoU push

Date : Jan 12

Source: Times of India

DMRC bicycle scheme for green cause

Delhi Metro on Thursday announced a unique initiative under which commuters will be able to rent a bicycle from a residential area to reach the nearest Metro station and the vice versa. The scheme has been launched to provide pollution-free last-mile connectivity to Metro commuters.

The "public bicycle sharing" scheme is aimed at promoting the cause of "clean and green India". The facility was inaugurated at Saket Metro station. A commuter will be able to rent a bicycle from the nearby Neb Sarai locality and park it at Saket Metro station. DMRC is planning to launch the... Read more..

Date : Jan 9

Source: The Times of India

India plans Five $5 Billion Green Energy Funds

As part of its blueprint for energy security, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government plans to float five funds of $5 billion each, targeted at promoting green energy sources.
India’s ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE) plans to get the help of state-owned and private sector financial institutions such as Power Finance Corp. Ltd (PFC), Rural Electrification Corp. Ltd(REC), Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA), IFCI Ltd, SBI Capital Markets Ltd and ICICI Bank Ltd to create a corpus of $25 billion.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government... Read more..

Date : Jan 9

Source: Livemint

Colleges green campuses to save environment

Green is the new word for colleges in the region. From growing ornamental plants near buildings to raising kitchen gardens, colleges have become conscious of the earth and its depleting resources.

Student populations are rising in the region's major private colleges and managements have introduced new technologies to save water, power and other resources. Bannari Amman Institute of Technology in Sathyamangalam near Erode has nearly 4,000 students in the hostel, and the college uses 10lakh litres of water a day. "We installed a sewage treatment plant to recycle water. Every... Read more..

Date : Jan 9

Source: The Times of India

Leading the way in frugal solar innovations

The National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR) is emerging as a bright spot in developing frugal solar power solutions that can help address the Union government's agenda to provide accessible power to all rural households.

For instance, NIRDPR-assisted rural individuals, in partnership with a local-based firm, have developed a unit that traps heat energy released during cooking (or burning) and converts it into electricity capable of lighting at least two LED lamps. Equipped with a capacitor, the Rs 6,000-portable unit stores charge and can be used... Read more..

Date : Jan 9

Source: Business Standard