Sustainability Outlook Headlines

BRICS ministers agree on MoU on environmental issues

Environment ministers of BRICS countries on Friday agreed on a memorandum of understanding and announced the setting up of a joint working group institutionalizing their co-operation on environment-related issues, an official said. 

"The ministerial declaration highlights key arrangements which were adopted with mutual consensus. The areas agreed for mutual co-operation are abatement and control of air and... Read more..

Adani Green setting up country’s largest tracker-based PV solar project in Punjab

Adani Green Energy is setting up the country's largest tracker-based photo voltaic solar project of 105 mw in Bhatinda, Punjab. 

The renewable-energy arm of the Adani Group company has tied up with San Francisco-headquartered Nextracker to use more efficient technology for its projects in India and overseas. 

... Read more..

States to get Centre’s financial support for free power scheme

The Centre will extend financial support to states to enable them to offer new electricity connections free of cost to everyone. 

At present, electricity connections to only below poverty line (BPL) families are offered for free. A senior government official said the Union power ministry has proposed to extend the free connections scheme to all in line with the Centre's goal to achieve 24x7 power for all by... Read more..

CleanMax eyes 400 MW rooftop solar installed capacity in 2 years

Buoyed by the Centre's increased focus on renewable energy sector, solar solutions provider CleanMax Solar is looking to enhance its rooftop installed capacity by nearly eight-fold to about 400 MW in the next two years, a top company official said. 

"With a current installed rooftop solar capacity of 55 MW across the major metros in the country, we are looking at increasing it to up to 400 MW in the next two... Read more..

Gujarat to continue with LED distribution scheme: Energy Minister

Gujarat government will continue to distribute LED bulbs in the state after Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the scheme aimed at conserving electricity, Energy Minister Chimanbhai Shapariya has said.

“The government has distributed 2.25 LED bulbs in the state so far after launch of the Central scheme in this regard. Gujarat is now leading in terms of LED distribution across the nation,” he told PTI by... Read more..

Apex court says eco clearance not needed for Railway, Metro projects

In an order that would speed up construction work of Indian Railways and metro rail in various cities, the Supreme Court on Friday stayed an order of National Green Tribunal directing them to seek prior environmental clearances (ECs) for their projects like dedicated freight corridor.

“The order of the National Green Tribunal is stayed,” a Bench, comprising Chief Justice TS Thakur and Justice AM Khanwilkar,... Read more..

75 kw rooftop solar power plant at Vikas Bhawan, in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

Making an ecofreindly move to utilize solar power, UP New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA) took the initiative to install the first 75 kw rooftop solar power plant at Vikas Bhawan here.

The plant has been made functional but it will be used after the installation of meters within two days.

... Read more..

Govt launches initiative to mitigate impact of gases on ozone

On the eve of Ozone Day, the Environment Ministry today launched a major research and development initiative to develop long-term technology to mitigate the impact of refrigerant gases on the ozone layer. 

"The Ministry today announced an sustainable refrigerant technologies as alternatives to HFCs. This R&D initiative brings together government, research institutes, industry and collaborative R&D... Read more..

Toxins at Bandhwari waste treatment plant infect water

The worst fears about a toxic discharge from the defunct Bandhwari waste treatment plant in the Aravalis poisoning the environment have come true. Water samples collected by the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) from a spot behind the plant's compound have shown high levels of contamination. The only relief, if one can call it so, is that the contamination does not appear to have spread too far.

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U.S expects India to ratify Paris treaty this year

The U.S is confident that India will be able to ratify the Paris Agreement on climate change before the end of the year, according to a senior Obama administration official. The Obama administration is actively persuading members of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) to admit India into the 48-member club, the official told The Hindu. However, these issues are not linked, and both countries are pursuing these on the individual merits of each, he said. "There is a lot of activity around that," he said of the U.... Read more..

Bill Gates, Total Invest $14M in Cellulosic Sugars Company

Business magnate Bill Gates and energy giant Total have backed biofuels company Renmatix in a $14 million investment round. Renmatix developed a new process called Plantrose® that makes converting biomass into cellulosic sugars – the critical intermediary for second-generation biochemicals and biofuels – more affordable for biorefineries.

The investment will help fund the process’ commercialization, which... Read more..

IIT-M finds way to measure vehicle pollution in real time

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT-M) have developed a “real-time exhaust emission prediction model,” stated to be for the first time, that can help manage urban air quality and aid traffic planning in India.

Imagine a mobile app flashing emission levels of your car in real time, helping you to make necessary changes in driving, assisting policy makers in managing grid-wise... Read more..