Sustainability Outlook Headlines

Madhuri Solar Develops Distribution Strategic Partnership with Francorp

Madhuri Solar founded in 2003, the leading solar solution provider for products such as Solar Lantern, Solar Street Lights, Home Lighting System, Solar Water Heaters, and Solar Water Pump has joined hands with FRANCORP INDIA, a part of Franchise India Group and acknowledged as the leader in franchising for expanding its distribution route and the overall roll out strategy program.

The venture got initiated by Pearl Enterprises, whose vision is to provide "Energy for everyone" using the endless energy from the sun. The products are designed to last long and serve a variety of purpose... Read more..

Govt explains logic behind climate diplomacy

For the first time, the government has set down the framework and reasoning behind its stance on future climate talks in a policy document - the Economic Survey. Firmly embedding equity and the principle of 'common but differentiated responsibility' at the heart of its negotiations for a post-2020 global regime, the Economic Survey said, "The post-2020 arrangements to be evolved under the Durban Platform have to be anchored in the principles of equity and CBDR."

In a rare departure, the survey report outlined and explained an element of India's international policy detailing why it... Read more..

New technology for faster waste processing at Kanjurmarg ground

Garbage processing could get faster in a couple of months. If all goes according to the plan of the solid waste management (SWM) department of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), garbage would be processed using an enhanced bioremediation technology at the Kanjurmarg disposal site from May.

The bioreactor technology that would be employed to treat the waste at the 66-hectare dumping ground would ensure faster processing.

Also, a closed cell for treatment would prevent the release of toxic gases in the surroundings.

“We are adopting... Read more..

US may sanction India If It doesn’t cut Iran oil imports

India has failed to reduce its purchases of Iranian oil, and if it doesn’t do so, President Barack Obama may be forced to impose sanctions on one of Asia’s most important nations, Obama administration officials said on Wednesday.

A decision to levy penalties under a new US law restricting payments for Iranian oil could come as early as 28 June, according to several US officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.

Given the level of trade, and in particular oil, between Iran and India, targeting an Indian entity that facilitates Iran’s... Read more..

New Greenhouse Gas Standards Unveiled for Corporate Value Chain and Products in India

The Greenhouse Gas Protocol launched two new standards today in New Delhi, India, to empower businesses to better measure, manage, and report their greenhouse gas emissions. Developed by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), the Corporate Value Chain (Scope 3) and Product Life Cycle Standards enable companies to save money, reduce risks, and gain competitive advantages. The launch event was hosted by WRI, WBCSD, and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), and followed by local training workshops on the... Read more..

India to adopt low carbon growth path in 12th Five-Year Plan

India will adopt a low carbon growth path in the 12th five year plan to meet the national target of lowering the emission intensity of its gross domestic product (GDP) by 20-25 per cent by 2020, the 2011-12 Economic Survey has suggested.

While the Centre will put its best foot forward to achieve a sustainable growth, the survey also underlined the importance of adopting climate friendly policies at the state level to lower the overall carbon footprint so that a green cover can be put on the GDP growth.

The survey, for the first time, has a separate chapter on climate change... Read more..

Subsidised diesel adding to pollution, health costs: Survey

Diesel price needs to be revised upward, or subjected to higher taxes, as misuse of subsidised diesel was adding to pollution and public health costs, the government's pre-budget economic report card said today.

The Economic Survey of 2010-11, presented in the Parliament by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, have made the suggestions with regard to diesel prices in a chapter on 'Sustainable Development and Climate Change', which has been included in this annual document for the first time.

In recent years, diesel price adjustments have lagged international prices and the... Read more..

Golbal funding vital to take on climate change: Survey

Global funding is vital for countries like India to address concerns related to climate change as mitigation efforts ultimately involve costs, says the Economic Survey 2011-12, which for the first time has made a pointed reference to the challenge posed by climate change.

"Global funding through the multilateral mechanism of the Convention will enhance domestic capacity to finance the mitigation efforts," says the survey presented in Parliament today, suggesting that funding is key for developing nations to design and implement adaptation plans and projects.

The survey, in... Read more..

Railways plans to turn a green leaf through renewable energy

In an attempt to become environment-friendly, the Indian Railways plans to set up renewable energy generation capacities—such as wind power, solar energy and bio-diesel plants—for its own use, railway minister Dinesh Trivedi said in his budget speech on Wednesday.

The renewable energy plans of the railways include setting up 72 megawatts (MW) wind power plants in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. This will also help the carrier avail fiscal incentives, including tax breaks for 10 years and depreciation benefits, besides a chance to earn carbon credits.... Read more..

Indus Towers to make 20K more towers diesel-free by April 13

Telecom tower company Indus Towers will make 20,000 of its sites or 20% of its network diesel-free by April 2013 at an investment of up to Rs 165 crore as part of an initiative to reduce carbon footprint, a top company official said today.

Indus Towers is a joint venture between telecom majors Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and Idea Cellular.

The company has already turned over 8,900 towers in its portfolio of 1.10 lakh diesel-free and will work towards taking the number to 20,000 by April 2013, Chief Executive BS Shantharaju told reporters here.

Making a tower diesel-free... Read more..

11 lakh households have no electricity, 85% of rural India uses firewood as fuel

Barely one in every ten households in rural Bihar and two-thirds of houses in the state's urban areas use electricity to light their houses, Census 2011 figures reveal.

Just over half of rural India uses electricity as its main source of lighting, an increase of 12% over 2001. If that seems heartening, the data also shows that 43% of rural households still use kerosene to light their houses, implying that the kerosene subsidy may not be as pointless as some would suggest. In urban India , the spread of electricity is more complete , with 93% of households using electricity as their... Read more..

India's Suzlon Weighs Sale Of German Unit REpower - Sources

Suzlon Energy Ltd. (532667.BY) has held initial talks with potential buyers for its German wind-turbine unit REpower Systems SE as the Indian power-equipment company faces pressure from creditors worried about its maturing debt, several people familiar with the matter said Wednesday.

The Indian company, which completed the purchase of REpower for around EUR1.8 billion last year after initially taking control of the company in 2007, is reluctant to sell the unit with which it is spearheading its international growth, these people added.

Due to mounting pressure from its... Read more..