Sustainability Outlook Headlines

France to take up climate issues with India

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius will arrive here Thursday on an official visit during which he will discuss various international issues with a special focus on climate change with the Indian leadership.

During the day-long visit, Fabius is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj, Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar and Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu.

Fabius will also attend the 15th edition of the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit along with French Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy Minister... Read more..

Date : Feb 5

Source: Zee News

Greenlight Planet receives funding of $10 million

Solar energy product company Greenlight Planet has raised $10 million (Rs in funding led by Fidelity Growth Partners India to support its distribution expansion efforts in India and Southeast Asia.

The deal, which follows a $4 million series A round in 2012 led by global private equity firm Bamboo Finance, also saw participation from Deutsche Bank and Seattle-based impact investing firm Global Partnerships. The funds will be used chiefly for growing distribution of the company's solar products as well as further product research.

"As a result of this financing... Read more..

Date : Feb 5

Source: Economic Times

On offer: Cost-effective measures to rid India of air pollution

Delhi has the dubious distinction of being the world’s most polluted city. In fact, the entire country, including the rural areas, is heavily polluted as anyone who has taken a flight in India knows. The fog that engulfs north India in winter is largely a consequence of the smoke particles in the air on which water condenses easily. Why have matters been allowed to reach this state? One reason is that people do not realise how cheap it is to get rid of much of the air pollution that plagues us.

In November, the fields of north-western India are set on fire to burn the loose... Read more..

Date : Feb 5

Source: Hindustan Times

Gift city to be part of this year's Union Budget

India’s first international finance centre will start operations in 2015-16 and will be apart of the announcements in the Budget, multiple sources have said. The Gujarat International Finance Tech-City, or Gift City, is expected to be spread over 886 acres and will have a special economic zone on 261 acres.

According to people close of the development, this city would house the offices of investment firms.

The regulations would be milder in comparision with those mandated by the Reserve Bank of India, Securities and Exchange Board of India, Insurance Regulatory... Read more..

Date : Feb 5

Source: Rediff

SunEdison sets up solar power project in Brakes India facilitiy

Renewable energy service provider SunEdison has set up an 8 MW solar power plant at a cost of Rs 66 crore at the facility of Brakes India Ltd.

"We have set up this project that will generate 8 MW of electricity at Brake India's facility in Munanjipatti (in Tirunelveli district). The total capital for this project is about Rs 8 per MW, around Rs 66 crore," SunEdison Asia-Pacific President Pashupathy Gopalan told reporters here.

Brakes India Executive Director (Operations and Finance), S Kesavan said the power generated would address the needs of the foundry. ... Read more..

Date : Feb 5

Source: Economic Times

'Smart' secretariat to house key ministries

The country's largest 'iconic' new secretariat, which is being touted as an "intelligent" complex, spread over about two crore sq meter covered area will come up in the central part of Delhi. While two regions have been shortlisted for this campus, the complex is likely to be built in Lodhi Estate, which would involve demolition of about 1,100 government flats. People living in these houses will be provided alternative accommodation.

Sources said a blueprint of the project has been prepared and it would come up for discussion at a meeting next week that will be chaired by... Read more..

Date : Feb 5

Source: Times of India

Water Board Eyes Central Govt Funds

As chances of tapping funds from external agencies like the World Bank, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Korea Water Resources Corporation of South Korea appear bleak, the HMWS&SB has decided to approach the Central government for financial assistance for comprehensive water supply services improvements in Alwal, Uppal and Quthbullapur municipal circles.

The Central government has decided to scrap the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), a flagship programme of the previous UPA regime, and replace it with a new scheme.

... Read more..

Date : Feb 5

Source: The New Indian Express

Karnataka Pollution Board plans strategy to deal with climate change

The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) on Wednesday launched the groundwork to prepare an action plan to mitigate and adapt to ecological effects of climate change.

It started the consultation process with stakeholders with a focus on pollution — industrial and urban. The KSPCB will hold a series of meets at 11 cities, including Bengaluru, in the next one month and work out the action plan. The idea is to involve people in the exercise.

It announced the appointment of Shankar Sharma, power policy analyst, to help in getting feedback from various... Read more..

Date : Feb 5

Source: Times of India

Tough road ahead for Pune to earn spot in smart city scheme

Tough criteria set by the Union government may make it difficult for Pune city to find a place in PM Modi's pet project, 'the smart cities' programme.

Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, who was in the city recently, assured Puneites that the government was keen on selecting Pune. "The state government will appoint a special officer in the next 15 days to facilitate the city's claim to be a part of the smart cities scheme. The officer will coordinate with various stakeholders. The state will ensure that along with Nagpur, Pune also becomes a part of the programme," Fadnavis had... Read more..

Date : Feb 5

Source: Times of India

Welspun Renewables as Lead Sponsorer Supports MNRE’s 1st Renewable Energy Global Investment Summit – RE-INVEST

Welspun Renewables, India’s leading clean energy generator has been working for holistic development of the sector. In line with supporting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of 100 GW, Welspun Renewables as lead sponsorer has partnered with Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) for its first Renewable Energy Global Investment Promotion Meet & Expo (RE-INVEST). This is a follow up event to PM Modi’s ‘Make in India’ campaign. Slated to be one of India’s largest investors summit, Welspun Renewables is the lead sponsorer of the event.

Upendra Tripathy, Secretary,... Read more..

Date : Feb 5

Source: India CSR

Upcoming budget to hold roadmap for India's actions on climate change: Javadekar

Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar Tuesday hoped that the upcoming Budget will give a clear indication as to how India would "walk the talk" on climate issues while negotiating a deal on emission cuts in Paris later this year.

Saying that India is already taking actions to address climate change, the minister asked the developed nations to fulfil their commitment towards operationalising the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and providing clean technology at an affordable cost.

The UNFCCC meet on climate change is to be held in Paris in December this year for... Read more..

Date : Feb 4

Source: Zee News

Welspun Renewables looking to raise Rs1,000 crore through IPO

Welspun Renewables Energy Pvt. Ltd (WREPL), a renewable energy company with solar and wind power generation projects, has initiated discussions with investment bankers to raise around Rs.1,000 crore through an initial public offering (IPO), said three investment bankers who have met the company seeking a mandate for the IPO. Welspun Renewables is a group company of Welspun Corp. Ltd.

On Monday, Bloomberg reported that the offering is likely to take place in the next financial year. Welspun Renewables declined to comment.

Welspun Corp gained 0.96% to close at Rs.... Read more..

Date : Feb 4

Source: Live Mint

Shell Foundation may invest $75 million in clean energy in India over next 5 years

Shell Foundation, an independent charity set up by Anglo-Dutch energy group Shell, plans to allocate about half of its $150 million deployable funds in India's clean energy sector over the next five years, a top official said. The foundation may not invest the funds directly into projects but in for-profit companies or financial institutes, which will in turn invest in solutions to make cheap energy options accessible in rural and urban poor areas. "We want to take a marketbased approach where we can fund or forward grants to companies who are directly or indirectly providing the bottom of... Read more..

Date : Feb 4

Source: Economic Times

AP govt gives 'powerful' policy push to solar, wind energy

Single window system, easy permissions and treatment like industries for according clearances are some of the salient features of the solar and wind energy policies approved by the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet today.

The new policy aims to make the state no. 1 in solar energy in five years, Information Minister Palle Raghunatha Reddy said.

"These are the best policies in the country. The flexibility and facilities in the policies do not exist in others (States)," he said, briefing media after a meeting of the Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. ... Read more..

Date : Feb 4

Source: Business Standard

India can conserve 1,00,000 MW solar energy by 2020: Prakash Javadekar

Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar on Tuesday stated that India can conserve one lakh megawatts of energy via solar power by the year 2020, adding that energy efficiency is a pressing concern for the nation.

"India can achieve the target of conserving 100,000 Megawatts of solar energy by next five years. Energy efficiency should become the way of life for all Indians," Javadekar stated, speaking at conference on India's climate policy.

"The government has identified 17 critically polluting sectors... Read more..

Date : Feb 4

Source: DNA India

Tiny LEDs pave way to transparent gadgets

Semi-transparent, flexible electronics are no longer just science-fiction thanks to researchers who can now produce transparent LEDs at an atomic level that are powered by graphene.

Published in the scientific journal Nature Materials, University of Manchester and University of Sheffield researchers show that new 2D 'designer materials' can be produced to create flexible, see-through and more efficient electronic devices.

The team, led by Nobel Laureate Sir Kostya Novoselov, made the breakthrough by creating LEDs which were engineered on an atomic level. ... Read more..

Date : Feb 4

Source: Mumbai Mirror

86% Patna buildings have solar power potential

Solar power is developing as a mainstream source of energy and 86% of the city's residential buildings have the potential to use this mode for generating electricity, according to a survey conducted recently.

The state government has already started installing solar panels on government buildings, including the headquarters building of Bihar State Power (Holding) Company Limited (BSPHCL). "To start with, solar power should be used in the areas with the fewest power cuts. The industrial areas in Patna, for example, already receive a fairly reliable power supply," said Ramapati... Read more..

Date : Feb 4

Source: Times of India

India’s National Solar Mission drafts guidelines to add next 2GW to 2019 pipeline

The Indian Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has drafted guidelines to install 2GW of new solar PV generation capacity through the current phase of the country’s National Solar Mission (JNNSM).

Using viability gap funding (VGF), the third batch of the second phase of JNNSM will select up to 2,000MW of new projects that are each over 10MW capacity. MNRE’s sub-division by Solar Energy Corporation of India will attempt to “divide the entire quantity in a state into projects of uniform size as far as possible”. MNRE said it intends to raise competitiveness through the... Read more..

Date : Feb 4

Source: PV Tech

Rays Power Infra bags EPC projects worth Rs 240 crore

Rays Power Infra, a Solar Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) company, today announced that it has bagged 37 megawatt (MW) solar EPC projects worth Rs 240 crore in Telangana and Karnataka.

The company has won solar capacity projects at an average Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) price of Rs 6.7 per unit, the company said in a statement.

"Out Of the total 37 MW won by Rays Power Infra, 5 MW will be set up in Karnataka for a Gujarat-based organisation at a competitive price of Rs 7.1 per unit. The remaining 32 MW will be implemented in Telangana," it... Read more..

Date : Feb 4

Source: Business Standard

Germany supports India's bid for adaptation over mitigation

In a significant shift from its previous stand, Germany Wednesday supported India's bid for achieving an equal balance between mitigation and adaptation to combat climate change.

In view of India's low per capita carbon emissions, Germany also agreed that expectations from India could not be the same as that from China, the top emitter of greenhouse gases, with respect to rolling back the emission.

"First we were opposed...now we agree with India's position because different countries have different needs," German Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks told the... Read more..

Date : Feb 4

Source: Web India 123

World Bank may lend $500 million to Power Grid for solar infrastructure: Official

The World Bank is likely to disburse $500 million to the Power Grid CorporationBSE -0.57 % of India for strengthening solar transmission, according to a senior executive of the state-owned company.

"The World Bank has expressed its intent to give the loan. The development is in the initial stage and talks are still going on. We expect to finalise this in three to four months," the executive, who did not want to be named, told ET.

Six or seven solar projects with a combined capacity of 7,000 MW will be added to the main grid, he added.

The World... Read more..

Date : Feb 3

Source: Economic Times

Bihar bans use of bottled water in govt offices to protect environment

In a first of its kind in the country, the Bihar government has directed its officials not to use bottled water in government offices and meetings, in a bid to protect the environment and to reduce the danger of global warming, officials said on Monday.

With this decision, Bihar has become the first state in the country to stop the use of bottled water in government offices. Bihar chief secretary Anjani Kumar Singh issued the order to all department heads in government offices.

"Singh has suggested the use of water purifiers and flasks to serve water in offices... Read more..

Date : Feb 3

Source: Rediff

Indian States Gear Up For An Era Of ‘Smart Cities’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's one of the most ambitious dreams is to establish 100 Smart Cities across India. To realise his dream, the state governments and other stakeholders have started taking baby steps. They have chalked out the criteria for the selection and ranking of cities hoping to build 'a new Chicago every year' in the country by agreeing to implement innovative financing models and urban governance reforms.

These agreements were reached following intense discussions at the two-day 'Consultation Workshop of state governments and stakeholders on smart cities.'... Read more..

Date : Feb 3

Source: Business Insider

AP govt gives 'powerful' policy push to solar, wind energy

Date : Feb 3

Source: Business Standard

Renewable off-grid solutions for ‘Electricity for all by 2019’

The Union Government has identified “Electricity for all by 2019” as one of its key strategic goals. Access to a clean reliable source of power holds the potential of improving the productivity, quality of life and per capita income of nearly 30 per cent of the Indian population, which has unreliable access to grid connected electricity or none at all.

Modern infrastructure
This arguably is the single most important factor in transforming the social and economic parameters of the rural ‘bottom of the pyramid’ population by increasing their productivity (... Read more..

Date : Feb 3

Source: Business Line- The Hindu