Sustainability Outlook Headlines

BTS makes plans to launch cleantech fund in India

Zurich and Mumbai-based PE firm looks to raise up to $200M to invest in wind energy, biomass, hydropower, and energy efficiency.

Before the second quarter of 2010 is over, there could be a new source of funding for cleantech companies in India, according to VC Circle.

Private equity firm BTS Investment Advisors says it’s looking to raise a new $100 million to $200 million fund, which would focus on the clean energy sector in India. BTS expects to launch the fund in the first or second quarter, and is in the end stage of developing the fund’s strategy.

The new fund... Read more..

Carbon tariffs resurface in Copenhagen aftermath

The idea of a carbon tax at the EU's borders is gaining momentum after the Copenhagen climate talks, with French President Nicolas Sarkozy leading calls for a tariff on imports from China and other nations with less stringent environmental protection rules.

The European Commission is due to present its analysis of the outcome of the negotiations at an informal environment ministers' meeting on 15-17 January to assist the bloc in formulating its strategy for moving forward.

But the timing is difficult as the commissioners-designate will not attend their hearings at the... Read more..

India Will Meet Its Copenhagen Climate Commitment, Ramesh Says

India will include its proposal to limit greenhouse gases through 2020 in the Copenhagen climate- change agreement, meeting a pledge made last month, the environment minister said.

The fourth-biggest polluter from burning fossil fuels will submit its plan to be part of the international declaration and can carry it out without needing funds from richer nations, Jairam Ramesh said in an interview in New Delhi.

“India is a party to the Copenhagen Accord and we stick to the Copenhagen Accord” drawn up in the Danish capital by more than 190 nations, Ramesh said yesterday. “We don... Read more..

It is imperative to develop energy resources: Kakodkar

Atomic Energy Commission former chief Anil Kakodkar said here on Thursday that energy security is the most important issue facing our country.

Addressing the media on the sidelines of the 97th Indian Science Congress here Kakodkar said: "The question of energy security has new dimensions world over on the issue of sustainability.

To improve the quality of life it is imperative to develop energy resources and at the same time it is imperative that it should be sustainable."

He added that India should adhere to solving the issue of energy security as fast as possible.... Read more..

India, Japan to develop solar city

A Japanese delegation led by Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications, Kazuhiro Haraguchi on Wednesday met the Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah and decided to jointly develop a solar city in India.

During the bilateral meeting both sides discussed various aspects of cooperation between the two countries in the field of renewable energy.

After a detailed discussion and mutual agreement, the two sides decided to jointly develop one city in India as “solar city.”

The solar city project aims to reduce a minimum of 10 per cent of its... Read more..

Half of money managers ignore climate risks: survey

Nearly half of global money managers are making investment decisions without factoring in risks or opportunities associated with climate change, according to a survey released on Wednesday by a coalition of environmentalists and investors.

A related report recommended that money managers and institutional investors do climate risk assessments on all investments and encourage the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to encourage full disclosure of climate risks.

"This is about significant business issues that affect our portfolios," Jack Ehnes, chief executive of the... Read more..

BHEL bags order to set up solar plant in Karnataka

Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has bagged a Rs42-crore contract from the Karnatka Power Corporation Limited for setting up of an eco-friendly grid-interactive solar plant of 3 mw capacity, on a turnkey basis in the state.

The contract is for setting up of a solar photovoltaic power plant at Yapalaniddi village in Raichur district of North Karnataka, a release said.

BHEL would be responsible for engineering, manufacture, supply, erection and commissioning of the plant, apart from operation and maintenance of the plant for three years thereafter. The plant is scheduled... Read more..

Environment Friendly Buildings to be Promoted in India

It would be made mandatory for all buildings of state-run offices to pass the energy requirement levels, Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah has said.

Speaking at a conference organised by Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment, Environmentalist Rajendra Kumar Pachauri, underlined the need for making necessary changes in the building sector to strike a balance between development and environment preservation.

"We now really have to act as missionaries and make sure that the entire building sector reaches a level of efficiency that not only serves the... Read more..

Topsun Plans 5-MW PV Plant in Gujarat

Topsun Energy Ltd., a solar module manufacturer and turnkey solar photovoltaic power plant solution provider company is planning to build a 5-megawatt (MW) grid connected power plant in state of Gujarat, India.

This project is one of many planned in India in order to meet the county's solar goals. The Indian government's Cabinet recently approved its National Solar Mission, which targets the development of deploying at least 20 gigawatts (GW) of solar projects by 2020.

The company has sought clearance from the state government for 5-MW project and construction is likely to... Read more..

Outsourcing the Carbon Accounting Chore

Accounting for the amount of carbon a business emits is already a fact of life for some firms, and it could soon become business as usual for many more. Doing the carbon accounting work in-house could be a major obstacle for companies worldwide as they scramble to deal with rising regulatory and market forces. Solutions for outsourcing the work are emerging.

Carbon accounting outsourcing (CAO) could be the next big thing in the US$80 billion business process outsourcing (BPO) industry.

Early out of the gate is FirstCarbon, a carbon data management Click to learn how AT&T... Read more..

Coal trips India’s electric car revolution

Twenty-four hours before the world’s most-attended auto show began, actor Rahul Bose had decided his next car: A four-door Reva NXR made in Bangalore.

“I was just waiting for the four-door version, and now it’s here,” Bose, an avid spokesman for climate-change issues, said of the latest version of India’s biggest-selling electric car.

With pressure growing globally on the automobile industry to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels, it’s no coincidence that the 10th edition of India’s Auto Expo will open on Tuesday with the biggest-ever showing of electric, hybrid and... Read more..

Cleantech Takes A Bigger Slice Of VC Pie, Again

Close to 20% of all dollars invested by VCs in 2009 went into clean technology, up from roughly 14.4% in 2008 and 10% in 2007, according to MidwestBusiness.com and a 2007 report.

Solar was the leading investment category in 2009, TriplePundit reports, with over 25 cents of every cleantech VC dollar being invested in a solar related technology, according to Greentech Media.

Deals from 2009 that point to a growing solar industry this year include the acquisition of Solel, a solar thermal power components vendor, by Siemens for $418 million, and MEMC's purchase of Sun Edison, a... Read more..