Sustainability Outlook Headlines

Bajaj Auto invests $8 million in e-bicycle sharing platform Yulu

Bajaj Auto Ltd, India’s second largest motorcycle manufacturer, will invest in Bengaluru-based cycle sharing platform Yulu, which offers electric cycles and bicycles on hire for last-mile commute.

This comes in the backdrop of India’s changing mobility landscape. The interest from Rajiv Bajaj-helmed Bajaj Auto in a ride hailing firm also comes at a time of cab-hailing giant Uber’s interest in the space.

“Bajaj Auto Ltd is investing $8 million in Yulu, to compliment this strategic relationship. Yulu will source from Bajaj... Read more..

UP govt introduces blockchain to allow trading of surplus solar power

The Uttar Pradesh government has introduced the blockchain technology to the rooftop solar power segment, allowing consumers to trade their surplus solar energy.

Two state power utilities — UP Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) and UP New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA) — have launched the ambitious project as a pilot in select government buildings in Lucknow with installed rooftop solar power plants.

According to state energy watchdog UP Electricity Regulatory Commission (UPERC), Phase-I of the pilot... Read more..

Yet to float tenders, NMC may lose out on 100 e-buses

The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) is likely to lose out on central government funded 100 electric buses. Reason: the NMC is yet to begin tender process for acquiring these eco-friendly buses.

Enraged over this, NMC’s transport committee chairman Bunty Kukde on Tuesday issued a show cause notice to the programme manager of Aapli Bus — DIMTS.

In August, the department of heavy industries and public enterprises had sanctioned 100 electric buses to NMC under Phase-II of faster adoption and manufacturing of electric... Read more..

India's still burning coal — just not at home

India is lauded for its aggressive targets to achieve sustainable energy goals — like aiming to generate 175 GigaWatts (GW) of its energy from renewable sources by 2022. Its policy framework and ambitious targets for sustainable energy made it the top scorer in this year Climatescope rankings. Not only is India working towards bringing in more sources of renewable energy, but it's also cutting down on fossil fuels. Its existing coal fired power projects are reporting stress and no new financial commitments for coal plants... Read more..

Micromax Energy eyes 10 per cent market share in lithium-ion batteries

Micromax Energy, an independent firm and part of Micromax Group, is aiming 8-10 per cent market share of the lithium-ion battery market in India — which is at a nascent stage — by next year. The company has been manufacturing lead acid batteries too, but is now focussing on the lithium-ion batteries as the market for electric vehicles, particularly as the three-wheeler segment is growing at a multi-fold level. “This year was the beginning of the trials and a lot of people coming in...but in 2020, we are targeting 8-10 per cent of the total market. Next year will be a big market for the... Read more..

BSES discoms, Ola Electric Mobility to set up battery swapping stations

BSES power discoms — BYPL and BRPL — will set up battery swapping stations in the city for two and three wheelers in collaboration with Ola Electric Mobility, officials said on Monday. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed recently between the BSES discoms and Ola Electric Mobility for setting up battery swapping stations at identified locations in south, west, central and east Delhi areas, a BSES spokesperson said. Co-founder of Ola Electric Mobility, Ankit Jain said the agreement will augment company's efforts for laying a strong foundation to enable smooth functioning of... Read more..

India accounts for the highest number of deaths among G20 nations due to air pollution

More than a million people die in India every year as a result of outdoor air pollution, due to stroke, heart disease, lung cancer and chronic respiratory diseases and, compared to the total population, this is the highest level in the Group of Twenty (G20) countries, Climate Transparency Partnership said in a report quoting World Health Organisation (WHO) data. To keep the Paris Agreement’s 1.5 Degree Celsius goal within reach, G-20 countries will have to fasten their 2030 emission targets by 2020 and significantly scale up mitigation, adaptation and finance over the next decade,... Read more..

MNRE invites bids for evaluation of New National Biogas and Organic Manure Program

Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has invited an expression of interest for conducting an independent evaluation of the implementation of the national biogas and organic manure programmes implemented across 13 states. The ministry has been implementing the programme for deployment of small biogas plants in the remote rural, semi-urban areas of the country facilitating the beneficiaries to convert cattle dung, organic wastes into clean gaseous fuel for cooking and lighting. The process helps in reducing health hazards, combating climate change, mitigating greenhouse gas emissions... Read more..

Inox Wind gets SECI extension to commission 550 MW wind projects

Wind energy solutions provider Inox Wind on Monday said it has been granted extension by state-run SECI for the scheduled commissioning of 550 MW inter-state transmission system (ISTS) connected wind power projects in Gujarat. The time extension has been granted by Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) due to delay in operationalisation of long-term access by the central transmission utility, Inox Wind said in a regulatory filing to BSE. "Out of the total 250 MW of SECI 1 at Dayapar, Gujarat, Inox Wind had successfully commissioned 200 MW in June and July, 2019," the company... Read more..

‘Will take lesser time than Beijing to improve air quality’

Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar on Friday exuded confidence that the country will take less time than the 15 years taken by Beijing to improve air quality in the national capital. Responding to a discussion on “air pollution and climate change”, the minister said a mass movement is needed to tackle the problem. “It took Beijing 15 years (to fight air pollution). We will take lesser time,” he said, referring to the air quality in Delhi.

Climate change aspect

There is a relation between pollution and climate change, the Environment Minister said, adding that 40 per cent... Read more..

22% of India’s groundwater dried up or in critical state: Gajendra Singh Shekhawat

Almost 22% of groundwater (assessed un- its) in the country has either dried up or is in the ‘critical’ and ‘over-exploited’ categories, Jal Shakti (water resources) minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said as he emphasised the need to focus on efficient use of water resources and noted that 10% of water saving in the agriculture sector now would make it available for all users for the next 50 years. The ‘Dynamic Ground Water Resources of India’ report of the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) showed that 1,499 out of 6,881 assessed units (blocks/mandals/taluks) in 2017 came under ‘over-... Read more..

Eastern Railway plans to generate 30 MW solar power by 2020

In an effort to minimise carbon footprint and contribute towards reduction in global warming, the Eastern Railway on Friday said it has set an ambitious plan to generate solar power of 300 million watts (30 megawatt) by 2020. Aiming at maximum possible use of clean and renewable energy within the zone, the Eastern Railway (ER) has set a rapid growth path for utilising solar energy from 30 million watts in 2018 to 300 million watts in 2020, ER spokesperson Nikhil Chakraborty said. "At present, rooftop solar plants, commissioned by the Eastern Railway, generate 55 million watts and process... Read more..