Sustainability Outlook Headlines

United Nations CO2 scheme to take backseat in climate-aid drive

The U.N.'s carbon offset scheme will play only a small role in the developed world's pledge to raise $100 billion in annual climate aid for developing nations by 2020, and analysts say that is driving the need for new sources of funding.

The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), created as part of the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, allows rich nations to invest in emissions-cutting projects in the developing world in return for carbon credits.

Yet new investment in it has fallen by 80 percent since 2008 to $1.5 billion in 2010, with even less expected this year.

"I fear that will... Read more..

Govt planning to launch nation mission on biomass: Abdullah

Aiming to give a boost to renewable energy, government today said it is planning to launch a national mission on biomass on the lines of the programme to promote solar energy in the country.

"We are working on national mission on biomass which will be put up before the Cabinet for final approval," New and Renewable Energy Minister Farooq Abdulah said here.

The Minister was talking to reporters on the sidelines of a CII conference on biomass.

The minister said the project will be on the lines of Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) under which government is... Read more..

Japan Aims to Start Bilateral Carbon Offset Program in 2013

Japan aims to start a program to work with companies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in developing countries in 2013, according to a new set of action plans to be introduced at the climate talks in Durban today.

The government has been preparing the bilateral offset credit mechanism program to cut emissions by establishing energy management systems and forest protection projects with Japanese companies such as Toshiba Corp. (6502) and Marubeni Corp. (8002) in developing countries. This is the first time that Japan has said when it wants to start the program.

Japan opposes... Read more..

LED market in India: A new frontier in lighting

Indian lighting market has seen buoyancy in lighting products recently. The demand for energy efficiency has brought forward an immediate need for more energy efficient products and also has pushed market towards more efficient products such as Light Emitting Diode (LEDs). 

The key challenge is whether the market is currently ready for LED products and what is the rationale for such products. 

Over the years, opportunities for Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) in Indian lighting markets have showcased and materialised in automotive, communications, signage, signalling,... Read more..

SEBI announces mandatory ESG disclosure for top 100 companies

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), in a major decision, has mandated that listed companies report on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) initiatives undertaken by them.

The SEBI board met on November 24th, 2011 to discuss and pass the resolution to solicit Business Responsibility Reports from listed companies, as a part of the latter’s Annual Reports.

The SEBI press release stated that the Business Responsibility Reports should describe “measures taken by them (... Read more..

London-based jatropha company goes public

London-based jatropha biofuel company Nandan Cleantec Plc is going public. Nabarro LLP recently announced it is advising Nandan on its initial public offering (IPO) on AIM, which is the London Stock Exchange’s international market for smaller, growing companies. According to Nabarro, it has valued Nandan at approximately £166.1 million ($259.5 million) and is raising approximately £16.1 million before expenses. Arden Partners Plc is acting as nominated advisor and placing agent.

Information released by Nabarro states that Nandan has been formed by Nandan Cleantec Ltd., which was... Read more..

Going green, big business hires auditors for proof

After Office Depot was picketed over its environmental practices in 2003, the big-box retailer made big changes. It cut off a paper supplier accused of illegal logging. It started tracking its carbon emissions.

And, like more and more corporations, it began releasing independent audits of its environmental progress.

Eight years later, the company has more recycled products, a smaller carbon footprint and has won praise from conservation groups. Annual environmental audits reinforce all this.

"We want to showcase our performance accurately and positively without sugar-... Read more..

Over 50 dark villages to light up with solar LED lamps

 Over 50 backward villages that do not have electricity would soon get lit up with solar LED lamps, thanks to an initiative taken by India800 Foundation, an organisation which works for people living below poverty line.

The villages would be among 120 villages that would be covered under the project in the country. This was announced by Lord Amir Bhatia, House of Lords, England and vice-chairman of the India800 foundation. Hanul Technologies is installing over 5,000 LED Lights developed by the company at BMC Software which will bring savings of around 575 mega watts hours per year... Read more..

India, China urged to change stand at climate summit

 A group of analysts and activists are urging emerging nations like India and China to change their stance at the U.N. climate summit that begins in Durban on Monday and be willing to consider binding commitments under a future climate regime. They also accused the Indian elite of “hiding behind the low carbon emissions of the poor.”

“I believe it is no longer possible for the BASIC (Brazil, South Africa, India and China) to say we will never accept binding emission targets, now or in the future,” said Praful Bidwai, speaking at the launch of his book,The Politics of Climate Change... Read more..

Renewable Energy Efficiency Proposal

 The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy is implementing a programme on Energy Efficient Solar/Green buildings which aims to promote the construction of energy efficient solar/green buildings including a green building rating system-Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA). Further, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has also developed Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) for ensuring energy efficiency in buildings. These are voluntary and are not proposed to be mandatory. However, the Committee of Secretaries has recommended for adoption of GRIHA ratings by... Read more..

UN suspends coal derived carbon credits

The UN has temporarily suspended carbon credits generated by coal power projects from its carbon offset scheme in a move that could put added pressure on the EU to follow suit.

At a meeting ahead of this week's Durban climate conference, the executive board of the UN's Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) also took steps to improve the verification of emission reduction projects designed to speed up the registration process, and adopted a new method of accrediting controversial HFC-23 projects that reduce emissions of the powerful greenhouse gas.

The board said in a statement... Read more..

Biogas plant planned at Mysore zoo

Mysore zoo will soon be a model for other zoos in the country, thanks to its eco-friendly initiative. It will set up a biogas plant to convert animal waste into gaseous fuel to be used for cooking.

The work on the project is underway and is expected to be complete in three months.

This will help the zoo authorities cut down on operational cost. Presently, the zoo is consuming a large quantity of LPG every month.

Zoo executive director B P Ravi said they have signed a tripartite agreement with Mysore City Corporation (MCC) and National Institute of Engineering-Centre... Read more..