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Sustainability Outlook Headlines
Big fall in electricity sector emissions since carbon taxAustralia's greenhouse gas emissions from the electricity sector are down about 7.6 per cent since the carbon tax was introduced in July 2012, or the equivalent of about 14.8 million tonnes. This reduction, revealed in the September-quarter National Greenhouse Gas Inventory figures released on Wednesday, was mostly countered by rises in emissions from sectors of the economy uncovered or only partially covered by the carbon price. The total emissions, excluding increases in emissions from land-clearing, came in at 542.1 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent for the year... Read more.. Date : Feb 5 Source: SMH
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U.K. Met Kyoto Target, First Carbon Budget, Data ShowThe U.K. achieved its first national carbon budget and target for greenhouse gas emissions reductions under the Kyoto Protocol treaty, according to final data from the Department of Energy and Climate Change. British output of the six gases regulated by the 1997 Kyoto Protocol averaged 604.5 megatons a year from 2008 through 2012, the department said today in a report on its website. That’s 22.5 percent less than in 1990, the base year, and compares with a goal of a 12.5 percent cut. Emissions were 36.3 megatons below a five-year cap set by the nation’s first binding carbon budget... Read more.. Date : Feb 5 Source: Bloomberg
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Heat-related deaths will rise 257% by 2050 because of climate changeDeaths as a result of hot weather are to soar over the next four decades as a result of climate change, researchers have predicted. The number of annual deaths in the UK that occur as a result of the heat will rise by 257% by 2050, they said. Elderly people are most at risk, according to the new study. While the number of excess deaths seen in the summer months will rise, those recorded in winter will actually decrease, they said. Researchers wanted to try to determine the effect that climate change will have on temperature-related deaths in the coming decades. Their... Read more.. Date : Feb 5 Source: The Guardian
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Delhi Metro awarded for energy efficiencyFor its energy efficient measures, the Delhi Metro has become the first rail system in the world to be awarded the Gold Standard foundation -- a globally accepted certification standard for carbon mitigation projects, a statement said Sunday. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) registered for the certification as the energy efficiency measures undertaken in 51 of its stations in phase II qualified under the criterion verified by the auditors. "The energy efficiency measures have been... Read more.. |
Novozymes Says India Biofuel Interest DoubledNovozymes A/S (NZYMB), the biggest producer of enzymes used for biofuels, says Indian interest doubled in the past year as costlier oil spurs demand for alternatives. “India could be one of the biggest markets for us in a few years,” said G.S. Krishnan, regional president for the Danish company. “The push will primarily come from the oil bill.” The rupee’s 15 percent drop against the dollar in the past year has made oil imports more expensive, nudging the current-account deficit to a record last... Read more.. |
Nagpur Municipal Corporation to provide 3450 solar water heaters at 50% subsidyThe Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) will distribute 3,450 solar water heaters as the first step under the Model Solar City Project. The beneficiaries will get solar water heater with capacity of 125 litres per day for only Rs 7,400 as 50% subsidy will be funded by the Central government. The NMC electrical department has completed the tendering process and selected three companies to provide the solar water heaters. The rate has been finalized at Rs 14,800 per unit. The NMC, with the help of funds sanctioned by the Ministry of... Read more.. |
Off-Grid Clean Energy Sees Its First Successful ExitThe number of new entrants in clean energy’s next big market is increasing by the day. However, the market is still in its infancy, making announcements like BBOXX's $3 million pre-Series A revenues significant. Now Impact Energies has achieved another milestone for this nascent industry: its first exit. The firm was just acquired by Persistent Energy Partners, a pay-as-you-go solar provider. Impact Energies is an interesting story. It’s an off-grid company... Read more.. |
Lanco Infratech selling three hydro power assets with capacity of 80 MW to GreekoLanco Infratech Ltd has struck a deal with UK’s AIM-listed renewable energy firm Greenko to sell three hydro power assets with a combined capacity of 80 MW for an undisclosed amount, as per a stock market disclosure. Lanco’s arm Lanco Hydro Power Ltd has agreed to sell off its entire holding in 70 MW Lanco Budhil Hydro Power Project in Himachal Pradesh to Tejassarnika Hydro Energies Pvt Ltd, a subsidiary of Greenko Energies, which in turn is the Indian arm of Greenko. In addition, Lanco has signed... Read more.. |
India, Germany may sign pact on green energyA €1-billion agreement for promotion of green energy between India and Germany is expected to be signed during the visit of the German President Joachim Gauck from Thursday. Briefing newspersons on the visit, German Ambassador to India, Michael Steiner, said the Minister accompanying the President might sign a technical and financial cooperation pact for about €1 billion for green corridors. “Whether it is signed or not during the visit is a technical issue but in essence it is agreed,” he said. With the German Government moving... Read more.. |
UNDP grants Rs 40 lakh for green energy action planThe Ashden India Collective, a team comprising Ashden awardees from India headed by solar power expert S P Gon Chaudhuri, has received a grant of Rs 40 lakh from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to prepare an action plan for commercial use of renewable energy in five states of the country. The Ashden Award, awarded by the Ashden trust, is a prestigious award given for the promotion and use of sustainable energy. It is popularly known as the "Green Oscars". Gon Chaudhuri had received the award in 2003. ... Read more.. Date : Feb 3 Source: Times of India
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UPSIDC stresses on solar power to reduce scarcityUttar Pradesh State Industrial Corporation (UPSIDC) is emphasizing on solar power plants to reduce the power scarcity in the state. The solar plants would be set up near industrial areas so that industries could draw power from them. According to sources, UPSIDC management has made contact with big companies which have specialization in solar power plants and got positive response. There are possibilities that around 120 acres of land would be allocated for a solar power plant company at Lalitpur within couple of weeks. There are... Read more.. |
Environmental concerns keep wastewater treatment industry's revenue streams flowingConventional sources of water such as surface and ground water are under heavy stress in India as the demand of fresh water continues to outstrip the supply. With environment regulations getting stricter in India, manufacturing industry is forced to incorporate reliable eco-friendly processing technologies. Companies are finding themselves under increased pressure to optimally use water - a scarce, but, quintessential resource for any industry. Most of the industries today face a common challenge: while they can get the necessary approvals, power and other utilities... Read more.. |
3 MW Anaerobic Digestion Biogas Plant Expected at Indian Compost FacilityGerman anaerobic digestion technology is likely to be installed at an Indian composting facility for the production of biogas for use in energy generation, according to a recent report by The Times of India. 3 MW Anaerobic Digestion Biogas Plant Expected at Indian Compost FacilityThe report explained that a delegation of 25 people visited the Nashik Municipal Corporation's (NMC) compost plant in Vilholi, including officials from the department of economic affairs (ministry of finance), German Government's nodal agency, Gesellschaft... Read more.. |
Teresa Kho is ADB's new Country Director for IndiaThe Asian Development Bank has a new Country Director for India in Teresa Kho. Kho, who assumed charge as Country Director for India on Monday, was previously heading the Bangladesh Resident Mission of ADB. She replaces Hun Kim, who is now Deputy Director General of ADB's South Asia Department in Manila. “India is one of the ADB’s most important clients. For ADB, it has been a privilege to partner with the Indian Government and support the Government’s... Read more.. |
India and France jointly building 3rd satellite for climate change studiesIndia and France are working on building the third Indo-French satellite designed for climate change studies, a senior French official said today. "We are preparing the third Indo-third French satellite. We have already launched one (Megha-Tropiques) in 2011 and the second (SARAL-AltiKa) in 2013," Counsellor (Space), Embassy of France in India, Mathieu J Weiss, told PTI after French Ambassador to India Francois Richier and his delegation met ISRO Chairman Dr K Radhakrishnan here. The new satellite... Read more.. |
EU Panel Votes to Limit Concessions on Airlines Carbon CurbsThe European Parliament’s environment committee backed changes to a draft law on airline emissions that would end concessions on pollution from foreign flights four years sooner than the European Commission proposed. The panel voted today to end in 2016 a plan where European Union limits on carbon emissions from international flights apply only to the portion of trips within the bloc’s airspace. The draft law was proposed last year to narrow the scope of emissions curbs on flights via European airports through 2020. The changes will keep pressure on nations to agree on a... Read more.. Date : Jan 31 Source: Bloomberg
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A green solution for waste management miseriesKOTTAYAM: For Dr Jogi Abraham, organic waste is precious. The kitchen of his dental laboratory at Vadavathoor where food is cooked for over 60 individuals, thrice a day, runs on the biomethane produced from the biogas plants in his compound.
He has also developed a system to produce Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) from this biogas, which he uses to fuel his SUV. And all this happens at a stone's throw away from the dumping yard at Vadavathoor where the authorities are yet to work out a plan for waste management.
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India Moves to Restore Forest CoverIndia is about to get greener. Literally. The Green India Mission (GIM) has been given a final nod of approval from the government.
First proposed in 2011, the effort doesn’t refer to the greening of business or energy systems, but the restoration
of 10 million hectares of forest cover across the country.
India’s Cabinet is expected to appropriate $2 billion for the project in the very near future.
The goal is to restore 5 million hectares of degraded forest land and to bring another 5 million hectares of... Read more.. Date : Jan 31 Source: SustainableBusiness.com
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Kingfisher halt helped cut aviation carbon emissions: ReportMUMBAI: The total carbon emissions by Indian carriers went down in 2012 as compared to the previous year, said a carbon footprint report released by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Thursday. The reversal was not an indicator of a new trend, but rather a result of Kingfisher Airlines' suspension of operations. "Overall in the year 2012, carbon dioxide emissions from Indian airline-related operations declined. This trend is related to general passenger developments for 2012, the discontinuation of Kingfisher's operations, as well as the improved operational... Read more.. Date : Jan 31 Source: Times of India
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Solar traffic signals start operating on trial basisNASHIK: The newly installed solar traffic signals with countdown timers across the city have been made operational on a trial basis for a week starting Monday.
The solar panels and the countdown timers were installed by the NMC last week.
There are total 28 traffic signals across the city; of which, three solar panel-installed traffic signals were already operational and countdown timers were fitted on six others.
Speaking to TOI, superintending engineer of the NMC N G Agarkar said, "The solar panels have been... Read more.. Date : Jan 31 Source: Times of India
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Despite the politics, oil firms are planning to pay for emissionsSeveral of the largest international oil companies, along with other major companies, are taking the prospect of international carbon pricing seriously. This is documented in a report released late last year by the New York-based non-profit group CDP, formerly known as the Carbon Disclosure Project. A Bloomberg feature article based on this report says: Exxon Mobil Corp, the biggest energy company by market value, is basing plans for future capital investments on the assumption that it will have to pay US$60 a tonne for carbon emissions. Such an attitudinal switch by... Read more.. Date : Jan 31 Source: The Conversation
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Six PSUs sign up for world's largest solar plantJV firm will have equity participation from BHEL, Solar Energy Corporation of India, Sambhar Salt Ltd, Power Grid, Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam and Rajasthan Electronics & Instruments. Six state-owned companies have come together to set up the world’s largest single-location 4,000-MW ultra mega solar power project in Rajasthan. The joint venture company will have equity participation of 26 per cent from BHEL, 23 per cent from SECI (Solar Energy Corporation of India), 16 per cent from SSL (Sambhar Salt Ltd), 16 per cent from Power Grid, 16 per cent from SJVNL (Satluj Jal Vidyut... Read more.. Date : Jan 30 Source: Indian Express
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National Green Tribunal seeks UP govt response on water bodies' encroachmentNOIDA: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed UP government to initiate within four weeks a process to remove encroachments from water bodies across the state. The government has also been directed to stop all construction activities that are at present being carried out over various water bodies in the state. The directions have been issued by a four-judge bench headed by Justice Dr P Jyothimani during the hearing of an application related to encroachment in Ghaziabad district. In the application, filed by Ghaziabad-based environmental activist Sushil Raghav, it had been... Read more.. Date : Jan 30 Source: Times of India
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India: Coca-Cola eviction from 'land-grab' site imminentLocal authorities in Varanasi, India, are preparing to evict Coca-Cola from land that the company is occupying illegally at its bottling plant in Mehdiganj. The eviction is due to take place 'within days'. The action to evict Coca-Cola comes as the result of an order (in Hindi) passed by the Tehsildar, the local revenue officer, in December 2013 after a official investigation carried out at the insistence of local villagers. The company was also fined Rs.124,590, about US$2,000. The order issued by the Tehsildar also allows for a police force to accompany the local... Read more.. Date : Jan 30 Source: The Ecologist
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Maruti, Tata adopt sustainable plus label to show performanceLeading companies like ITC, Tata Power, Siemens and Maruti have adopted Sustainable Plus label as a brand identity tool to reflect their sustainable performance to consumers and investors. Sustainable plus -- an initiative to provide a brand identity tool for companies to communicate to various stakeholders that they are sustainable, responsible and well-governed -- is the innovation of the CII-ITC Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development. Companies are also using the label in corporate communications, product/merchandise packaging, point-of-sale, business proposals... Read more.. Date : Jan 30 Source: Business Standard
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