Sustainability Outlook Headlines

Coalition confirms introduction of mandatory carbon reporting

The government is today expected to confirm that it will introduce mandatory carbon reporting rules requiring around 1,800 of the UK's largest listed companies to report annually on their greenhouse gas emissions.

Writing in The Guardian, deputy prime minister Nick Clegg, who will tomorrow represent the UK at the Rio +20 Earth Summit in Brazil, confirmed that long-awaited emission reporting rules would come into effect from next April.

"Using resources responsibly is in business's own interests too," he wrote. "Pepsi depends on water, Unilever depends on fish stocks and... Read more..

Surat civic body to install solar panel on science centre.

Following the matra of Going Green, Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) has called for tenders to install 100 KW solar panel atop its Science center building located at city light area of the city. Use of Solar energy to meet day to day requirements of the civic body, is envisaged and planned. SMC plans to produce at least 15 to 30 per cent of its requirement of energy by the combination of Wind and Solar power in coming three years.

SMC already has a 3 MW wind power mill in Porbandar and has called for tenders for another plant of 7.5 MW capacity at the same place. "We have called... Read more..

Rio summit to make fresh bid to tackle environment woes

A crucial summit on global development kicks off here Wednesady with nearly 20 heads of state and government, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, in attendance in a fresh bid to rally the world behind a common environmental blueprint amid economic woes and discord.

As calls go out to world leaders to commit to reaching an accord that addresses the most pressing environment and social woes, Singh will pitch for the principle of common but differentiated responsibility during the meeting, 20 years after the first Earth Summit was held in this Brazilian city.

US President... Read more..

Welspun Energy in talks to sell stake, hopes to raise $150-200 million

Welspun Energy is in talks with renewable energy funds to sell a small stake in the company and raise $150-200 million for investments in wind energy farms. The associate company of the $3.5-billion Welspun Group has mandated investment banking firm Macquarie to advice on the sale of a stake up to 15 per cent, people close to the development said. Welspun Energy plans to invest $1 billion in construction of two wind farms in Karnataka in the next five years.

"We are in the market and are looking at options. But it's too premature to say anything at this moment," one person involved... Read more..

HCC only Indian firm featured in UN climate report

Hindustan Construction Company (HCC), a leading infrastructure construction and development company, was the only Indian company to be featured in the climate report issued by the United Nations Global Compact and United Nations Environment Programme.

The UN report titled ‘Caring Business and Climate Change Adaptation: toward Resilient Companies and Communities’ presents 10 case studies from among 10 global companies. These cases illustrate how businesses are responding creatively and effectively to address climate change opportunities, risks, and impacts in developing countries and... Read more..

New technology a must for producing clean fuel

It is not uncommon for Indian companies to encounter situations that require ingenious engineering combined with a uniquely Indian approach to problem solving. Automobile companies around the world have developed some exquisitely advanced diesel engine technologies, but Indian companies had to go one step ahead.

More than a decade ago, as Indian car manufacturers began improving their diesel engines, some of their customers tried to reverse their efforts by tampering with the controls to improve the torque. The adoption of common rail technology put an end to this tampering. It was... Read more..

Diamantaire sees glitter in green energy

A city-based diamantaire has set up, what is touted to be the state's first solar energy production equipments plant, at Pipodhara village on the outskirts of Surat.

The plant, set up by Goldi Green Technology with an investment of Rs 350 crore, will produce solar modules and panels.

The first phase of operations of this plant located, some 20 km off Surat city, will begin in 15 days' time.

Goldi Green had inked a memorandum of understanding with state government in 2011 during the vibrant Gujarat summit for setting up a plant for green energy.

"We have imported... Read more..

During 2011 40 GW of wind power was put into operation

 During 2011, an estimated 40 GW of wind energy capacity was put into operation, more than any other renewable technology, increasing global wind farm capacity by 20% to approximately 238 GW.

Around 50 countries added wind turbines capacity during 2011; at least 68 countries have more than 10 MW of reported capacity, with 22 of these passing the 1 GW level; and the top 10 countries account for nearly 87% of total capacity. 

Over the period from end-2006 to end-2011, annual growth rates of cumulative wind power capacity averaged 26%. As in 2010, more new wind turbine... Read more..

Lanco to exit hydropower business

In an indication of growing stress in the Indian power sector, Lanco Infratech Ltd has decided to exit hydropower generation and is in talks with SN Power of Norway for selling its stake in the business.

“The talks are on with SN Power for Lanco’s hydropower business,” a person aware of the development said, requesting anonymity. “It will all depend upon the valuations.”

“SN Power has shown interest in the company’s (Lanco) hydropower assets,” said a Mumbai-based investment banker, who also declined to be identified. “They have been keen on acquiring hydroelectric... Read more..

Jindal Power to Invest $7.7 Billion in Hydro: Corporate India

Jindal Power Ltd., a unit of India’s biggest steelmaker by market value, plans to spend $7.7 billion on hydroelectric projects over the next decade as a coal shortage forces utilities to cut dependence on fossil fuels.

The generator, which shelved a share sale plan announced in 2009, will invest 427 billion rupees in the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh to install 6,100 megawatts of capacity, Jayant Shrinivas Kawale, managing director for hydro and renewables, said in an interview in New Delhi. The company expects to get government approvals for its first water-based... Read more..

India''s deal with France on Jaitapur nuke plant likely this

India today said it hopes to clinch later this year a deal with France for multiple nuclear energy units at Jaitapur in Maharashtra to produce 9,900 MW of power.

"Negotiations are going on and are progressing well. We hope to seal the deal later this year," official sources said referring to the proposed pact involving six nuclear power units of 1,650 MW each.

He said "we have not yet achieved the financial closure for the deal.

The technology for the power plants is proposed by French energy major Areva which has already entered into pacts with state-run... Read more..

IIM, Shillong to participate at UN Earth Summit at Rio

 Indian Institute of Management, Shillong is the only educational institution in the country to participate as an official invitee at the UN Earth Summit scehduled to begin from June 15 at Brazil's capital Rio de Janerio. 

Prof Sanjeeb Kakoty is the lone academic from India who was selected to the group that has drafted the report on Management Education, official sources said here today. 

IIM Shillong has also contributed to the Indian section of the film on Voices from different parts of the world, which will be screened at the inaugural session. 

The Summit would... Read more..