Sustainability Outlook Headlines

India considers twin-track climate plans towards UN deal

Time is ticking. With less than nine months to go before the world leaders gather in Paris to sign a globally-binding climate deal, countries are developing their national climate pledges, known in climate jargon as intended nationally determined contributions (INDC).

The INDCs are post-2020 targets and goals that each country takes for itself to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases that cause global warming. They will be the building blocks of the new international climate change agreement expected to be finalised in Paris in December 2015.

So far European... Read more..

Date : Apr 21

Source: RTCC

'The world is finally producing renewable energy at an industrial scale'

Renewables are finally becoming a globally significant source of power, according to a United Nations Environment Programme report released in March by Frankfurt School UNEP Centre and Bloomberg New Energy Finance. Driven by rapid expansion in developing countries, new installations of carbon-free renewable power plants in 2014 surpassed 100,000 megawatts of capacity for the first time, according to the Global Trends in Renewable Energy Investment report. It appears that renewable energy is now entering the market at a scale that is relevant in energy industry terms – and at a price that... Read more..

Date : Apr 21

Source: The Guardian

Supreme Court backs NGT’s ban on old vehicles in Delhi

The ban imposed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) last year on vehicles more than 15 years old from plying on Delhi roads received the Supreme Court’s stamp of approval on Monday.

Dismissing an appeal against the ban imposed on November 26, a bench headed by Chief Justice H L Dattu said, “One tribunal is trying to do something which is good for people. Let us assist them and not discourage them. We are not interfering with their order.”

The court’s stand assumes significance since the Centre last week said it intends to move a similar appeal against the NGT... Read more..

Date : Apr 21

Source: Indian Express

Digital clean-up with smartphone weapon

All health officers and sanitation inspectors of Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) will get a smartphone for digital surveillance and monitoring of garbage disposal system.

Besides, civic body will also launch a mobile-based application to make the city clean.

District administration, in an affidavit submitted before high court on Friday, mentioned that IMC was directed to implement mobile app for garbage disposal within three weeks and provide smartphones to civic officials.

Administration has also directed IMC to carry out physical... Read more..

Date : Apr 21

Source: Times of India

Green power quota: 16 states post below 70% compliance

The concept of Renewable Power Obligation (RPO), or the legally-mandated obligation on states to include green power in their overall energy mix is floundering, with as many as 16 states reporting a compliance level of less than 70 per cent.

According to a study conducted by Indian Energy Exchange(IEX), of these 16, a total of nine states including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi have not met even half of their RPO targets in the past two years. In FY14, Delhi managed to meet only 3 per cent of its obligation while Madhya Pradesh met about 5 per cent of its RPO... Read more..

Date : Apr 20

Source: Indian Express

Govt to kickstart its 100,000-Mw solar energy plan soon

The Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre is considering starting its plan to build a 100,000-Mw solar energy capacity by 2022 through award of 10,000-Mw projects in the coming three months.

The plan includes close to 6,000 Mw of capacity to be set up by NTPC alone, 2,500 Mw by Solar Energy Corporation, around 2,500 Mw in Madhya Pradesh and the rest as solar energy parks in several other states.

Officials in the ministry of new and renewable energy said NTPC would build 3,300 Mw of its own projects and tender 3,000 Mw under the power bundling scheme. "NTPC... Read more..

Date : Apr 20

Source: Business Standard

Environment ministry acts to divert sewage from water bodies

The environment ministry has decided to make sewage collection and transport mandatory across India in a measure aimed at stopping the discharge of untreated sewage into water bodies and groundwater. The notification from the ministry will be issued to all states, who agreed on the urgency of the issue at a recent meeting in the national capital.

“We are taking action so that no untreated sewage is released in water bodies or underground water. We are making collection, transportation, treatment and finally reuse of sewage mandatory. Reuse for all non-potable purposes like... Read more..

Date : Apr 20

Source: Live Mint

Oil India commissions 54 MW wind energy project in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh

Oil IndiaBSE -1.52 %, the nation's second largest state-owned oil explorer, today said it has commissioned a 54 MW wind energy project in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. Saddled between the two states, the project is split between a 16 MW capacity plant at Patan in Gujarat and a 38 MW at Chandgarh in Madhya Pradesh, the company said in a statement.

The project cost Rs 439 crore -- Rs 126.5 crore for the Gujarat side and Rs 312.45 crore for the Madhya Pradesh location. "With this, OIL's installed renewable energy capacity (commercial wind energy and solar energy projects)... Read more..

Date : Apr 20

Source: Economic Times

Households in NDMC areas to install solar panels on roof tops

Households in the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) areas will now be able to install solar panel on rooftops to generate electricity but would have to sell it to the civic body and cannot utilise it for their consumption. In a first-of-its kind scheme launched by NDMC, the households in areas under its jurisdiction are being encouraged to install solar panels and get them linked with the civic body's power grid.

NDMC will purchase the electricity from the households and adjust the amount against the monthly bill.

The scheme, which is part of NDMC's smart... Read more..

Date : Apr 20

Source: Business Standard

India's investment climate better than BRIC peers: Survey

India has "better investment climate" than other BRIC nations even as regulatory and tax system-related challenges are impacting immediate investment plans, says a survey of top executives of German companies. More than 90 CEOs and CFOs from leading German high-tech companies participated in the survey done by global consultancy EY and research firm Delphi.

Investors recognize India's market growth, large market size and efforts to attract FDI while the perceived obstacles, are its infrastructure, administration and regulation, the study said. "India currently offers a better... Read more..

Date : Apr 20

Source: Economic Times

Mobilizing the Billions and Trillions for Climate Finance

Across a wide range of meetings on the many aspects of financing the transition to low-carbon, resilient growth, three points made this IMF/World Bank Group Spring Meetings different: They were standing room only, they reflected the growing sense of purpose and urgency, and they brought together voices from all areas of the economy – governments, central banks, development institutions, businesses, investors, and communities.

The climate ministerial reflected all three as 42 ministers of finance and development met with the heads of the World Bank, IMF, and United Nations and... Read more..

Date : Apr 20

Source: World Bank

India urges rich nations to do more ahead of climate talks

On the eve of a crucial meeting in Washington on climate change, India asked the developed world to show better understanding and respect for mitigation efforts by developing nations. Also, India said it would like to see discussions and remedial measures move beyond mitigation and focus also on adaptation, capacity building, finance and technology.

“The developed world must understand the way the developing world is ready to take action, and actually respect (it),” said Indian environment minister Prakash Javadekar.

Picking up a theme walked around the world... Read more..

Date : Apr 20

Source: Hindustan Times

IHG partners for responsible disposal of e-waste across South West Asia

InterContinental Hotels Group, in its support towards the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan ('Clean India' Campaign), has partnered with Green Vortex to reduce the environmental and health impacts of e-waste across its hotels in South West Asia.

Under the agreement, Green Vortex, a leading e-waste management company based in Manesar, Gurgaon, will work with IHG to ensure electrical and electronic waste across its hotels in the region are processed, recycled and disposed of in an effective manner.

E-waste which will be disposed of includes various electronic devices such as... Read more..

Date : Apr 20

Source: 4 Hoteliers

Bioplastics made from egg whites may soon make conventional plastic history

Scientists investigating alternatives to petroleum-based plastics have found that a bioplastic made from proteins found in egg whites demonstrate superior antibacterial properties and are fully biodegradable.

Bioplastics made from protein sources such as albumin and whey have shown significant antibacterial properties, findings that could eventually lead to their use in plastics used in medical applications such as wound healing dressings, sutures, catheter tubes and drug delivery, according to a recent study by the University of Georgia College of Family and Consumer... Read more..

Date : Apr 20

Source: Zee News

HUL to spend Rs100 crore on water conservation

Water scarcity is a stark reality, and one that is expected to get worse. As a step to address the water problem, Hindustan Unilever Foundation, the non-profit arm of India’s largest packaged consumer products maker, on Thursday said it will spend Rs.100 crore to conserve and create potential for generating 500 billion litres of water by the end of the decade.

As part of the corporate social responsibility mandate of Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL), the foundation implements water conservation measures in villages by building check dams, ring bunds, ponds and through... Read more..

Date : Apr 17

Source: Live Mint

Cisco: IoT to generate $8 trillion worldwide in 10 years

A new Trend Report from Cisco and DHL suggests that the Internet of Things will create $8 trillion in value worldwide in Value at Stake over the next decade. The report found that there will be 50 billion devices connected to the Internet by 2020, compared to 15 billion today.

Particular drivers of the windfall will be in innovation and revenue, which will produce $2.1 trillion, and asset utilisation, producing the same figure.

Meanwhile, employee productivity improvements will bring in $1.2 trillion and enhanced customer and citizen experience $700 billion.... Read more..

Date : Apr 17

Source: CBR Online

Canada's Green Party voices concerns over uranium deal with India

Canada's Green Party has expressed serious concern over the country's uranium deal with India. Under the deal, which was signed here with the witness of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart Steven Harper on Wednesday, India will import 3,000 tones of uranium from Canada in the coming five years.

Elizabeth May, leader of the Green Party of Canada on Thursday said, "Canada 's trade in nuclear materials with India is a direct violation of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NNPT)," Xinhua reported.

Green Party's Indigenous Affairs... Read more..

Date : Apr 17

Source: Economic Times

Biofuels can offer solution to farmer's woes: Nitin Gadkari

Biofuels can offer a viable solution to some of the challenges facing the agriculture sector by providing alternative source of income and energy to the rural areas, according to Nitin Gadkari, minister of road, transport and highways and shipping. “Biofuels can be socio-economic change agents as it would address crucial issues of farmer suicides, agri surpluses in the sugar, wheat and rice industries and fuel economy,” said Gadkari at the ‘Biofuels Roundtable 2015, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) on April 15, 2015.

He added, “Biofuels are an... Read more..

Date : Apr 17

Source: Business Standard

Apple to build first solar project in SW China

In the first of its kind project outside the US, Apple will help China to build a 40-megawatt solar power project as part of the company's environmental and climate commitments. Solar panel maker SunPower Corp would partner with Apple Inc to build solar power projects in China's southwestern plateau.

"The project, which will be able to power 61,000 homes a year, will add 80 million kilowatt hours of clean energy to the grid annually," said Lisa Jackson, vice president for environmental initiatives at Apple.

The world's most populous nation is now the biggest... Read more..

Date : Apr 17

Source: Zee News

Merrill Lynch International, Aion invest $60 mn in Mytrah Energy

Merrill Lynch International and Aion Direct Singapore Pvt Ltd have invested $60 million (Rs 350 crore) in Mytrah Energy Limited, the India-based renewable energy focused independent power producer, through non-convertible debenture.

Together with the cash flow from its existing 543 Mw operating portfolio and the recently concluded $70 million financing, this new capital provides all of the equity required to take Mytrah Energy’s generating capacity beyond 1000 Mw, the company said in a statement.

The new capital is in addition to the existing India-listed non-... Read more..

Date : Apr 17

Source: Business Standard

Vikram Solar Launches Collaborations With European Partners

Vikram Solar has begun three new collaborations with leading international research institutes and technology companies from Germany and Switzerland. The partnerships are intended to further optimize the module production technology at Vikram, make preparations for cell manufacturing at the company, and establish a solar academy in India. Memorandums of understanding were signed to this effect with Fraunhofer ISE and the companies Meyer Burger and Centrotherm photovoltaics at the world’s largest industrial trade show, Hannover Messe.

Fraunhofer ISE in Germany is the biggest... Read more..

Date : Apr 17

Source: Panchabuta

MNRE and TERI discuss road ahead for grid-connected rooftop solar power in India

TERI and MNRE held a day-long conference today at the India Habitat Centre to deliberate upon the challenges and strategies for the successful implementation of the MNRE scheme for grid-connected rooftop solar power in India.

In the Keynote address Shri Tarun Kapoor, Joint Secretary, MNRE said, “Grid-connected rooftop solar power is the most important single sector as far as renewables are concerned. This 40,000 MW project requires an investment of upto 4 lakh crores. This is a big opportunity for all business.” He also encouraged start-up businesses to come forward and... Read more..

Date : Apr 17

Source: India Education Diary

RE100 Initiative Now Recruiting Chinese Companies to Switch to 100% Renewables

RE100, a global initiative aimed at recruiting and encouraging major companies to use 100 percent renewable power across their operations, has announced a partnership with the China Renewable Energy Industries Association (CREIA) as part of a major new drive to help companies in China adopt renewable energy.

This week, The Climate Group published a report that found corporate demand for renewable energy is growing quickly in China. The country is already the largest investor in the renewable energy market, with an increased investment of $89.5 billion in 2014. China’s... Read more..

Date : Apr 17

Source: Sustainable Brands

Essel partners three German firms for smart cities, green energy

Essel Group, India's leading business conglomerate, has entered into technology transfer agreements with three leading German firms at the world's largest trade fair, Hannover Messe 2015, in Germany. While a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for transfer of critical technology in wind and solar energy was signed with FeCon GmbH, a subsidiary company of Wind and Sun Technology GmbH, a similar pact was also inked with Passavant Energy and Environment (PE&E) GmbH for mega scale waste-water treatment projects in India. A letter of intent (LoI) has also being signed with Schneider to... Read more..

Date : Apr 16

Source: DNA India

Biofuel can solve India’s complex agriculture problems: Gadkari

Promoting bio-fuels in India will help reduce oil imports as well as resolve the country’s complex agricultural problems, Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Wednesday.

“Bio-fuels can be socio-economic change agents as it would address crucial issues of farmer suicides, agri surpluses in the sugar wheat and rice industries and fuel economy. Higher use of biofuels will directly help reduce petrol and diesel imports which are at about Rs.6 lakh crore,” he said at an event here on bio-fuels organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

The... Read more..

Date : Apr 16

Source: Green Tech Lead