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Sustainability Outlook Headlines
Obama Winning Climate Debate as China Moves To AccordThe U.S., long accused of blocking progress in international climate talks, is winning a two-decade old debate about how to curtail global warming. The decision yesterday by China and India to move toward an agreement with the “legal force” to limit their fossil fuel emissions marked the first step toward treating developing nations the same as industrial ones when it comes to reducing pollution. President Barack Obama, and George W. Bush before him, had pushed for that parity after the Senate refused to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, which limits greenhouse gases for... Read more.. Date : Dec 12 Source: Bloomberg
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New waste transfer station to be in operation this weekThe city corporation is all set to start operating its transfer station for Rs 96 crore solid waste management project at Ukkadam later this week. The station is one of four similar facilities set up as part of the JNNURM scheme implemented on the basis of a Public Private Partnership (PPP). At the moment there are transfer stations at Peelamedu, Sathy Road and now at Ukkadam. One more transfer station will come up in Ondipudur locality. "We are completing pending work at the Ukkadam transfer station at the moment. It will be in operational soon," said TK Ponnusamy,... Read more.. Date : Dec 12 Source: Times of India
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Solid waste management only by next year nowThe deadline for the beginning of long-awaited solid waste management (SWM) project has been further extended. When the project was launched in May 2010, the deadline for its completion was August 2011. But now, according to Kailash Shukla of Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam who is looking after the project, the plant for generating electricity through solid wastes can only be started from March 2012. "However, functions like manuring of garbage and converting the collected solid waste into fertilizers will start from January 01, 2012," added Shukla. According to a report submitted by... Read more.. Date : Dec 12 Source: Times of India
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Reliance eyes energy targets in AmericasReliance Industries (RELI.NS), India's most valuable listed company, is scouting for oil investments in the Americas as it looks to increase the stake of crude production it owns to feed its refinery, the world's largest, a senior executive said. The company, controlled by Mukesh Ambani, India's richest man, is also looking to invest more in the United States shale gas sector, Executive Director PMS Prasad told Reuters. "We are looking at opportunities to invest. Our shale gas business in the U.S. needs capital," he said in an interview. Reliance has outlined... Read more.. Date : Dec 11 Source: Reuters India
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Climate conference approves landmark dealA U.N. climate conference reached a hard-fought agreement Sunday on a complex and far-reaching program meant to set a new course for the global fight against climate change for the coming decades. The 194-party conference agreed to start negotiations on a new accord that would put all countries under the same legal regime enforcing commitments to control greenhouse gases. It would take effect by 2020 at the latest. The deal also set up the bodies that will collect, govern and distribute tens of billions of dollars a year for poor countries. Other documents in the... Read more.. Date : Dec 11 Source: USA Today
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Equity Has to Be Centerpiece of Climate Talks: IndiaAsserting that equity has to be centerpiece of climate talks, India today slammed developed nations for not doing enough to combat global warming as it made an "emotional" appeal for space for basic development for its 1.2 billion people and poverty eradication. In the midst of growing criticism, Environment Minister Jayanthi Natarajan told delegates from 194 countries that India -- which is being seen as "deal-breaker" for not agreeing to a legally binding treaty -- was not holding up the climate talks. India along with US and China is under pressure to accept a legally... Read more.. Date : Dec 10 Source: Outlook India
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HC seeks answer from KMML on pollutionThe Kerala High Court on Friday sought an explanation from Kerala Minerals and Metals Ltd (KMML) after around 1,500 persons residing within 10 kilometres of the company filed a petition challenging constant pollution in the area due to the emission of untreated radioactive and hazardous trade effluents by the company. The residents of Sankaramangalam near Chavara in Kollam approached the court through advocate K Shaj on Friday under the banner of Polluted Area Welfare Society. In the petition, the residents alleged that the company, which was a public sector undertaking... Read more.. Date : Dec 10 Source: Times of India
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TN to set up 50 Mw solar power projectProject will involve an investment of Rs 5,000 crore. The Tamil Nadu government is planning to set up a 50-Megawatt (Mw) solar power generation project, as part of its efforts to make the state power surplus, said electricity minister, Natham R Viswanathan. It will generate an additional 416 Mw by January to stop the one-hour power cut in various parts of the state. Inaugurating Energy ’11, a one-day conference on sustainable energy, organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci), Viswanathan said, “Given that the state has considerable share... Read more.. Date : Dec 10 Source: Business Standard
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Green energy turns lucrativeSeveral companies are looking at entering the green energy sector after the government made it mandatory for consumers of thermal power to source a certain percentage of their requirement from renewable sources such as wind, solar, hydro and bagasse. The purchase obligation varies from state to... Read more.. Date : Dec 10 Source: DNA India
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Adarsh had valid green nod: MMRDA officerContradicting the stand of two senior state bureaucrats and the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF), an MMRDA officer insisted that Adarsh had a valid clearance under the Coastal Regulation Zone rules. This clearance was the basis of the commencement certificate granted by MMRDA to the society to start building the multi-storeyed tower. Interestingly, senior MMRDA town planner Pradeep Yadav's statement came before the judicial commission during his cross-examination by advocate Niteen Pradhan, counsel for former deputy secretary in the state urban development... Read more.. Date : Dec 10 Source: Times of India
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UN Climate talks: India remains at odds with EU over binding treatyAs the climate talks in Durban come to a close, India remains at odds with the European Union, which wants a new legally binding treaty that will place all major emitters under an international obligation to reduce their carbon emissions. India has said that it will only consider being part of a treaty after 2020 providing developed nations fulfil "fundamental imperatives" in areas of mitigation finance and technology as well as address concerns of equity, unilateral trade barriers and intellectual property rights. It also wants a mid-year scientific assessment of the situation.... Read more.. Date : Dec 10 Source: Economic Times
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Do your bit to keep Ahmedabad waste-freeSoon, solid waste management will stop being a nightmare for sanitation department authorities of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC). The civic body will soon launch an information, education, communication (IEC) campaign in the city to spread awareness on solid waste management and urge citizens do their bit in keeping the city clean. With a budget of around Rs50 lakh, this campaign will kick off in January 2012 and is aimed at educating citizens on proper solid waste disposal. This is the first time that AMC will conduct a campaign at such high cost. Activities including... Read more.. Date : Dec 9 Source: Daily News and Analysis
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US signals support for EU's climate roadmapHead of the US delegation to the 17th Conference of Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Framework of Climate Change Conventions (UNFCCC) indicated on Thursday that Washington supports the European Union's roadmap unveiled at the meeting. "I think again misconception about all the various action (US made) including the negotiation preparatory work, negotiation of the new regime which you know the EU called roadmap, we support that." US special envoy on climate change Todd Stern said when responding to the questions by a journalist. The EU proposal would follow the current... Read more.. Date : Dec 9 Source: China Daily
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U.N. climate talks: Delegates confront treaty hurdlesAs U.N. climate talks entered their final stage in South Africa on Thursday, delegates were struggling with how to accommodate the desire of many nations for a new, legally binding treaty and the Obama administration’s resistance to such a commitment. The nearly 200 nations participating in the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change negotiations remain divided on three central questions: whether industrialized nations will embrace new climate targets under the existing 1997 Kyoto Protocol; how to move forward on establishing a broader global warming pact; and how to administer... Read more.. Date : Dec 9 Source: The Washington Post
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Sustainability through Innovation which AVITERA SEAVITERA SE is a revolutionary, ground breaking technology that help significantly reduce water and energy consumption and CO2 emissions since the dyeing and washing-off process never exceed 60°C. Continuing from the success from its initial launch in October 2010, AVITERA SE from Huntsman Textile Effects, a leading global provider of high quality dyes and chemicals to the textile and related industries, continues to make strides in contributing to the sustainability of one of the earth’s most precious resources – water. AVITERA SE is a revolutionary, ground breaking... Read more.. Date : Dec 9 Source: India Infoline
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UN Climate Convention: India backs Palestine's membershipAn effort to get membership for Palestine in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change got postponed with the G77+China group of 133 countries unable to come to a conclusion on the issue at Durban though India supported the initiative. Earlier Palestine's recognition as member country by UNESCO had led to US pulling out funds from the UN agency. The Arab group led by Egypt made a presentation for inclusion of Palestine in the UN convention as a member country. It found support of many including India. But Singapore opposed the proposal claiming this was not the forum to... Read more.. Date : Dec 9 Source: Times of India
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Greenko sets wind-energy venture with GEGreenko Group PLC , the Indian clean energy developer, owner and operator, Thursday announced that it has now formalized its agreement with GE Energy, for the supply and erection of further wind turbine generators, or WTGs, and closing documentation has now been completed. MAIN FACTS: -Agreement replaces the previously announced Memorandum of Understanding on the framework agreement, entered into with GE in May 2011. -Agreement marks a further step in the roll out of Greenko's wind strategy and the development of its pipeline of over 1GW of wind energy projects across... Read more.. Date : Dec 9 Source: Marketwatch
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Ajmera Realty & Infra India acquires 100% stake in ABLAjmera Realty & Infra India has acquired 100% stake in Ajmera Biofuel (ABL) subject to such approvals, consent, sanctions and permissions as may be required. Further, ABL has entered into a joint venture with Comet Power, an associate company of Videocon Group, wherein ABL shall hold 49% stake and rest 51% shall vests with Videocon Group. The said joint venture company has commenced operation for 5.75 MW solar power project at Rajasthan. The Ajmera Group has established itself as one of India’s leading construction houses, having been in the business of real estate for... Read more.. Date : Dec 9 Source: NDTV
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Small islands snub India, back EU’s vision on climate talksSmall island states, which have a powerful moral presence in the climate talks, displayed the political inclinations towards the EU when they tried to block India's demand that the UN review whether rich nations are meeting their commitments. The review would require the UN to assess if the developed countries had lived up to their existing commitments under the climate convention. The proposal has no direct bearing on the Association of Small Island States (AOSIS), which is made of countries like Fiji and Bahamas in the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean. However, the small group... Read more.. Date : Dec 9 Source: Times of India
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Solar projects: Financing mess turns tariffs unrealisticThe second round of National Solar Mission, which has seen the lowest of the low tariffs, could soon face financing hurdles. The 350 megawatts of solar power saw bids as low as little less than Rs 8 a unit. That is around 33 per cent lower than the current average solar power tariffs of around Rs 12 per unit. Banks, which are already wary of lending to the power sector, are becoming more cautious with these projects. “I think these bids are aggressive to the extent that they might affect the long-term viability of these projects,” says B K Batra, executive director of IDBI Bank. “... Read more.. Date : Dec 9 Source: Business Standard
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Late night huddle at Durban fails to resolve differencesCountries were in a huddle till late in the night over the timeframe and nature of the legally binding treaty, in which India and China, were being branded as deal breakers. Negotiators claim that the talks would continue till Saturday evening when a general assembly meeting could be called. "It is going down to wire. But, we are optimistic of a deal," a climate negotiator. The Durban Climate Summit is working on a declaration of the future course of actions with sometimes up to 2020. But, the biggest question stalling the talks is whether emerging countries would... Read more.. Date : Dec 9 Source: Hindustan Times
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Tapan Solar Energy begins module production in IndiaTapan Solar Energy has begun manufacturing crystalline PV modules in India. Trading under the name Elecssol and based out of Rajasthan, current capacity stands at 20MW and plans are already underway to increase this to 40MW by the end of 2012. At present, Tapan’s 30,000-square-foot facility is producing modules with an efficiency of 15%, although it is already preparing to launch a new series of self-cleaning, 16%-plus efficiency modules. The company also manufacturers CFL- and LED-based solar street lights, lanterns, charge controllers and water heating systems. Elecssol has... Read more.. Date : Dec 9 Source: PV Tech
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Exxon expects low-carbon boomOil is expected to dominate the global energy mix through 2040 but the world is embracing more low-carbon alternatives, U.S. supermajor Exxon Mobil said. Exxon Mobil in its annual outlook for energy said that, while oil is likely to remain the dominant source of energy, natural gas and energy efficiency improvements could make headway in the global energy sector. "The outlook projects that global energy demand in 2040 will be about 30 percent higher than it was in 2010, led by growth in developing regions such as China, India, Africa and other emerging economies," the energy... Read more.. Date : Dec 9 Source: United Press International
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Vedanta, Cairn Energy Complete Cairn India TransactionVedanta Resources PLC said Thursday it has completed the final purchase of a 30% stake in Indian oil- and gas-exploration company Cairn India Ltd. from Cairn Energy PLC. The sale marks the end of a long-delayed transaction in which it took the parties involved 15 months to get approval for the deal. Through a series of transactions, India-focused Vedanta has paid gross proceeds of $8.67 billion for a 58.5% stake in Cairn India, 20% of which is held by Vedanta’s subsidiary Sesa Goa Ltd. In the last stage of the deal U.K.-listed Cairn Energy received net proceeds of $4.1... Read more.. Date : Dec 9 Source: Wall Street Journal
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Tuvalu block proposal to protect rights of tribalsTuvalu, a small island nation in Pacific, has blocked the proposal supported by India to protect rights of indigenous people living in forests around the world. The protection through a global protocol under the mechanism called Reduced Deforestation and Degradation of Forests (REED) plus aims to protect tribal communities depend on forest produce from proposed market interventions. Forests can capture carbon from air and act as carbon sinks, thus resulting in lesser release of global warming causing gas into the atmosphere. Countries in the Cancun Agreement have... Read more.. Date : Dec 8 Source: Hindustan Times
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