Sustainability Outlook Headlines

Civic body eyes waste segregation at source

To ensure that no waste goes to waste, the civic body is mulling a project to segregate the bio- degradable and non-bio degradable waste at the source itself, a practice followed in most of the developed cities across the world. However, due to the enforcement of the poll code, the project would only take off by December this year. Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) will be launching the pilot project in ward no -55, which includes areas like Shakti Nagar, Saket Nagar and localities around AIIMS.

"Since the process of disposal is different for different types of waste, it is best to... Read more..

More lethal greenhouse gas

In September, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Barack Obama agreed to discuss how hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are hundreds to thousands of times more potent global warming compounds than carbon dioxide, could be phased down. They agreed, bilaterally and at the G20 summit, to use the expertise and institutions of the Montreal Protocol and report emissions under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Action on HFCs offers some common ground in the protracted climate negotiations, potentially creates commercial opportunities for Indian firms, and... Read more..

India says GM flouted emissions test regulations

General Motors India appears to be up to some shenanigans. In July, the company had its first vehicle recall since 1995 when 114,000 Chevrolet Tavera sport utility vehicles needed to be brought in over "emission standards and other regulatory specifications," according to Reuters. A government official who declined to be named told Reuters that the global automaker has been flouting testing regulations since that time.

"The report has pointed out that it is in the nature of corporate fraud," the government official said. It looks like all of the alleged cover up was being done by GM... Read more..

200 foundries in Kolhapur set to reduce greenhouse gas emission

As many as 200 foundries in the region have completed their basic-level energy consumption audit and are set to implement energy-efficient technology at their respective units to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emission.

This was revealed by Manish Soni, a senior consultant of PricewaterhouseCoopers Pvt Ltd that has been appointed for conducting efficiency audit of the foundries.

The transition is a part of World Bank' s Global Environmental Programme, under which the foundry sector is expected to adopt modern technologies, good practices for efficient use of energy and reduction... Read more..

Solar rooftop subsidy for 10,000 customers in TN

Spend Rs 50,000, put up a rooftop solar plant, save Rs 9,200 a year — this is the Tamil Nadu Government’s pitch to domestic electricity consumers. The Government today issued an order making available a capital subsidy of Rs 20,000 for each 1 kW solar rooftop system, formalising a promise made by the Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa in April.

The Tamilnadu Energy Development Agency (TEDA), which is the renewable energy development arm of the State Government, pegs the cost of a 1 kW solar rooftop system at Rs 1 lakh. The Government of India gives a subsidy of Rs 30,000. As such, the... Read more..

Punjab panel to look into plan to recycle agriculture waste

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today constituted a committee to study the feasibility of utilising recycled agriculture waste as alternative fuel.

The committee, headed by Agriculture department secretary K S Pannu, will find ways to implement the project in the state in collaboration with a private firm.

A decision to this effect was taken by the Chief Minister at a meeting with company representatives and officials of the Industry and Pollution Control departments here today.

The Chief Minister asked Pannu to study all aspects of the project so that it... Read more..

​Crop loss or hoarding? Peeling onion crisis not easy

It’s past the time when onion prices could bring tears to your eyes. Now there is just anger and frustration. In three months, the retail price of onion has gone up by 150% — from Rs 40 per kg to Rs 100 per kg — in parts of the city. The government has been claiming since September that prices will fall, first by the middle of the month, then by the middle of October and now by next week.

To make matters worse, the government and traders cannot see eye to eye on the reasons for this hike or when prices will start falling. While traders are being blamed for hoarding and creating an... Read more..

GM recalled 1.6 lakh vehicles due to emission issue: Govt

The government today put the number of vehicles recalled by General Motors India due to emission norms violation at 1.6 lakh, 46,000 more than the firm had announced and said the company has 'admitted' to 'lacunae' on its part in maintaining standards.

Comments from the company on the number of vehicles recalled could not be immediately obtained as calls made to the spokesperson remained unanswered. "The report has been submitted to us, we have to go through it, there was a lacuna in maintaining certain standards which the company (General Motors) itself admitted and has taken out... Read more..

India blocks talks to cut greenhouse gases using ozone treaty

India is blocking an international plan to reduce the polluting gases used in air conditioners and refrigerators, saying negotiators are trying to use the wrong treaty to bring about changes.

International envoys have sought to bypass log-jammed United Nations climate-treaty talks by handing responsibility for reducing hydrofluorocarbons, or HFCs, to the Montreal Protocol. That’s an instrument designed to protect the ozone layer rather than the climate.

India’s envoys tried to strike proposed amendments to the protocol from the agenda of a week-long meeting in Bangkok,... Read more..

In Tamil Nadu, solar is hot

Tamil Nadu is hot for solar. Even before the state-mandated ‘solar purchase obligation’ has kicked-in, and before power purchase agreements are signed for a big bunch of projects, a number of solar projects are coming up in the State.

Most of the investors are textile businessmen, who want to avail themselves of the ‘accelerated depreciation’ benefit — which allows them to depreciate the solar plant by 80 per cent in the first year, so that the consequent dip in taxable profits helps avoid paying tax. These businessmen used to put up windmills to get AD. Ever since the sop was... Read more..

Unilever brand, Knorr, strides towards meeting bold sustainable sourcing

Unilever’s biggest food brand Knorr has announced great progress on its commitment to sustainably sourcing its agricultural ingredients and revealed the results of a new global consumer survey looking at shopping attitudes and purchase behaviour.

The study shows food sustainability is not only a business and environmental imperative, but a highly significant priority for consumers across the world, including developing markets.

The research involved 5,500 consumers in Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, the Philippines, Poland, Russia, South Africa and the United... Read more..

India, US dig in against EU air carbon charge

India voiced firm opposition on Tuesday to EU plans to impose a scaled-back carbon charge on flights over European airspace while a senior U.S. lawmaker said the EU proposal runs afoul of a law intended to shield U.S. airlines from such charges.

The European Commission, the EU executive, last week proposed to make all airlines pay for emissions over European airspace in a retreat from a suspended EU law that covered the duration of flights using EU airports.

India said the EU proposal defies a global aviation agreement hammered out in Montreal earlier this month at an... Read more..