Sustainability Outlook Headlines

Forget deforestation: The world's woodland is getting denser and change could help combat climate change

For years exponents of climate change theories have used images of deforestation to support their cause.
However, the density of forests and woodland across much of the world is actually increasing, according to a respected scientific study.
The change, which is being dubbed the ‘Great Reversal’, could be crucial in reducing atmospheric carbon, which is linked to climate change.
 Dense: Countries in Africa have seen a 1.1 per cent increase in density in their forests
In countries from Finland to Malaysia, the thickening has taken place so quickly that it has... Read more..

India's youth taking baby 'green' steps

When it comes to lifestyles, young men and women in India are more environment-friendly than their counterparts in developed nations.
 
However, the conflict between aspirations for a better, more luxurious living and its impact on the environment comes out starkly in a survey conducted by related stories
Conserving energy: Colleges take the lead
Education options past generations never had
Here's how you can be eco-friendly
Like, Tweet, Plant trees
Hindustan Times and research body C fore.

Two out of five young Indian always have bucket... Read more..

Maruti Suzuki joins UN mission on climate change - New Kerala

India's top car maker Maruti Suzuki Sunday said that it has joined the "green league" of companies by registering for the clean development mission (CDM) project with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to bring down carbon dioxide emissions.

"Maruti Suzuki joins the elite -- green league -- of companies and nations who have in recent years pledged to undertake specific projects to bring down CO2 emissions in their operations," the company said in a statement.

"Besides identifying specific projects and committing resources, it will also help... Read more..

Tackling E-Waste With NASSCOM Foundation in India

NASSCOM Foundation is the social development arm of the internationally recognized trade body of the Indian IT outsourcing industry (IT-BPO). The Foundation aims to channelize the potential of the industry towards inclusive development of India. The Foundation is effectively harnessing IT to spread knowledge, increase employability, eradicate poverty, bridge the gender divide, and dispel isolation. This is done via two cross-cutting functional areas – to facilitate and strengthen CSR within the IT-BPO Industry and Technology Access Programmes.

It is arguably the only CSR arm of an... Read more..

Green movement gathering pace in Pune

Light-emitting diode ( LED) lights are being tried out to save electricity and garbage from 243 flats is collected daily and converted into manure for roof-top gardening. The Mont Vert Grande Society at Pashan is one among many societies in Pune that have gone green.

The city is witnessing a sharp increase in the number of environment-conscious builders as well as individuals, if the figures released by the PMC are any indication.

According to the Pune Municipal Corporation, the number of people availing tax benefits for green practices has increased 10-fold in three years. "... Read more..

Conserving energy: Colleges take the lead

On any summer day at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, the rear exit to the main administrative block is packed with sitting on the pavement, chatting, studying, flirting and chilling —literally. The wind tunnel at the IIT channels the air, using the most basic principles of physics to bring related stories
India’s youth taking baby ‘green’ steps
down temperatures. But the relief is temporary — the tunnel is unique on campus, and rooms without air conditioning do get hot.

A few hundred kilometres to the west, students at the brand new IIT in Jodhpur may not need... Read more..

Coal India to take 11.5MT hit on latest green directive; stock up

Coal India's annual output would fall by 11.5 million tonnes this fiscal because of a recent order from the environment ministry that requires a company to obtain forest clearances before mining even in barren areas if another part of the coal block has a forest.

At 9:45 am, shares of Coal India were trading 0.98% up at Rs 406.95 on the Bombay Stock Exchange.

The coal ministry has urged the environment ministry to withdraw the order. Coal minister Sriprakash Jaiswal said the directive has begun to impact existing and future projects.

"We are writing to Planning... Read more..

Environment Ministry ready with eco-tourism guidelines in ecologically fragile areas

As India prepares to host the biennial meeting of the Convention on Biodiversity, the Environment Ministry has prepared a set of guidelines to regulate tourism in ecologically fragile areas. The draft guidelines on eco-tourism is an attempt by the ministry to stem the tide of "eco-tourism" which has been to the detriment of the ecosystem and results in further alienation of the local people and communities.

The draft has been prepared after deliberations by a committee, which included wildlife experts and tourism practitioners, and extensive consultations with stakeholders. The long... Read more..

NALCO to set up Rs 274 cr wind power project

Pressing ahead with its diversification plans, Navratna PSU National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) plans to set up a 50.4-MW wind power project at a cost of Rs 274 crore in Gandikota, in Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh.

The wind power project will be executed through Suzlon Energy Limited. Under the project, 24 wind turbine generators -- each of 2.1-MW capacity -- will be set up, company sources said here on Thursday.

The NALCO board approved the project at a recent meeting, they said.

"The project is a part of NALCO's green initiative to promote sustainable... Read more..

Global 'hotspots' of climate-induced food insecurity includes India

A study has mapped global "hotspots" where climate-induced food insecurity is most likely to happen in the future, and it includes India.

The study, 'Mapping Hotspots of Climate Change and Food Insecurity in the Global Tropics', was produced by the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS).

The work was undertaken by a team of scientists responding to an urgent need to focus climate change adaptation efforts on people and places where the potential for harsher growing conditions poses the gravest threat to food production and food... Read more..

BHEL Bags Rs.62 Cr. Order For Solar Power Plant

Bharat Heavy Electricals ltd., or BHEL, said it had secured a major turnkey contract for Rs.62 crore from Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd., or KPCL, for setting up an eco-friendly Grid-Connected Solar Photo Voltaic power plant of 5MW capacity at Belakavadi village near Mandya in Karnataka.

BHEL's scope of the work envisages design, manufacture, supply, installation and operation an maintenance of the solar power plant.

With this order, BHEL is presently executing SPV-based power projects of various capacities totaling to 16 MW.

Significantly, KPCL has selected... Read more..

India Sanctions Fast Track Solar Mission

Indian Government on Friday approved a scheme fast-track the National Solar Mission.

Indian Cabinet cleared the Payment Security Scheme to enable financial closure of projects under the mission by extending Gross Budgetary Support (GBS) amounting to Rs 486 crore to the New and Renewable Energy Ministry (MNRE), an official spokesperson said in New Delhi.

The scheme will help MNRE in the event of default22222s in payment by the state utilities to NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam (NVVN), the Central Agency which will purchase solar power from the developers and sell it to the... Read more..