Sustainability Outlook Headlines

Distillers say no to Pollution Board's effluent processing norms; cite hazy pricing rules

All-India Distillers' Association has declined to adopt the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) guidelines for co-processing distillery effluent with cement, power or steel plants, citing logistics and lack of transparent pricing mechanism.

“Lately the CPCB has come out with suggestions and guidelines for co-processing distillery effluent by concentrating it up to 50-60 per cent by taking it to cement, power or steel plants for complete incineration in their kilns,” Mr B.K. Murkute, President, All India Distillers' Association, told Business Line.

“Through initial... Read more..

India, China attack EU on Carbon tax

India, China and other major developing economies today attacked European Union saying the bloc's "unilateral" decision to levy charges on international flights "in the name of climate change" would "seriously jeopardise" efforts to fight global warming. Talking tough on the issue of EU's Emission Trading Scheme during their 10th meeting on Climate Change here, Environment Ministers of the BASIC countries - Brazil, South Africa, India and China- noted that the measure on aviation sector "violates international law including the principles and provisions of UNFCCC and runs counter to... Read more..

EU must deliver investment grade green policy: HSBC

Energy efficiency and low carbon investment is gaining traction as a financial asset class, but to deepen confidence the European Union must deliver "investment grade policy" a senior executive at HSBC said on Monday.

He was speaking on the eve of a debate by energy ministers on the EU's draft Energy Efficiency Directive, on which Denmark, current holder of the rotating EU presidency, hopes to get a political agreement by the end of June.

Without policy reform, the EU is likely to only half meet a policy goal set in 2007 of a 20 percent improvement in energy efficiency... Read more..

Lanco to exit wind energy business

In an indication of the coming consolidation in India’s wind energy sector, Lanco Infratech Ltd has decided to exit the segment and has given the mandate for selling the business to audit and consulting firm Ernst and Young (E&Y).

“Lanco has 5,000 megawatts (MW) of wind power licences and had acquired land for 600MW of capacity through Lanco Wind Power Pvt. Ltd,” said a person aware of the development, requesting anonymity. Another person, who didn’t want to be named, confirmed the development.

Lanco’s decision comes at a time when the company is laden with a debt... Read more..

EU open to talks but won't scrap carbon tax

Europe is willing to discuss its new carbon emissions tax for airlines with disgruntled governments but has no plans to scrap the levy, top EU officials said Monday.

Airlines and governments have complained the tax is too costly and was implemented without consultation. Industry leaders are warning the disagreement could spark a trade war between Europe and the rest of the world.

"We're ready to negotiate within our framework," Siim Kallas, European Commission vice president and transport commissioner, said at an aviation conference in Singapore. "We aren't trying to... Read more..

Brahmakumaris conduct ‘rytu sadassu'

Farmers would get good results by adopting modern methods while continuing with traditional farming, a senior member of Brahmakumaris organisation Raju Bhai said at a Rytu Chaitanya Sadassu organised by the organisation at Lankelapalem near here on Sunday as part of its platinum jubilee celebrations.

In the past agricultural practices of India had inspired other nations but at present agriculture sector was in doldrums due to several factors, while the government policies were causing trouble to the farmers, he regretted. The results of research were not reaching the farmer.

... Read more..

With 42 green buildings, city leads the pack

The state may be hobbled by a severe power shortage, but its capital is home to more green buildings than any other city in the country. Chennai is home to 42 of the 212 structures in India that are certified as eco-friendly by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC).

Chennai is followed by Mumbai, with 29 green buildings, and the National Capital Region (28), among cities awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification by IGBC. Hyderabad and Bangalore are tied in fourth place with 24 each and Kolkata is sixth with eight.

Tamil Nadu tops the states... Read more..

With 42 green buildings, Chennai leads the pack

CHENNAI: The state may be hobbled by a severe power shortage, but its capital is home to more green buildings than any other city in the country. Chennai is home to 42 of the 212 structures in India that are certified as eco-friendly by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC).

Chennai is followed by Mumbai, with 29 green buildings, and the National Capital Region... Read more..

Tata Comm to buy 5.76% in Green Infra Wind

Tata Communications Ltd plans to buy 5.76 per cent stake in Tamil Nadu-based Green Infra Wind Generation Ltd as part of its plans to use power from alternative energy sources.
 
Under the proposal, Tata Communications plans to buy 10 million units of power, which is about 30 per cent of its annual power requirement in Tamil Nadu, from Green Infra.

Tata Communications already has an agreement with Green Infra to procure 13 million units. The additional procurement will take Tata Communication's to 23 million units.

Approval sought

The telecom company has... Read more..

Solar Energy Corpn plans to set up 1,000 MW park

It is in the very early stages, but the thinking in the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy Corporation is for the newly set up Solar Energy Corporation to put up a 1,000-MW solar park in the country.
 
Confirming this to Business Line, Mr Tarun Kapur, Joint Secretary in the Ministry, said that developing such a park would be one of the Corporation's activities.
 
Business Line has heard from industry sources that the MNRE is thinking in terms of mandating local content for projects that would be set up in the park, while those come up elsewhere would not have any... Read more..

PFC issues draft guidelines for power drawal

Distribution licensees will now have to procure short-term power (less than or equal to one year) through competitive bidding say the draft guidelines of the Power Finance Corporation (PFC). This is expected to reduce the overall cost of procurement of power.
 
The short-term power market presently comprises 10 per cent of the total electricity procured in India. PFC has convened a meeting with the representatives of distribution licensees on February 10 to discuss the modalities. Currently, the per unit rate of short-term power procurement stands at Rs 3.80 to Rs 4.
 ... Read more..

India Says 27 Nations to Discuss Retaliation on EU Airline Levy

India, China and the U.S. will be among at least 27 nations that will discuss retaliatory steps following the European Union’s extension of its emissions market to aviation, according to an Indian aviation ministry official.

New taxes and charges on European airlines, as well as the re-opening of bilateral treaties governing flight rights will be considered at the two-day meeting in Moscow, due to start Feb. 21, the official told reporters in New Delhi today. He declined to be identified citing government policy.

India will also protest the EU’s decision, which came into... Read more..