Sustainability Outlook Headlines

India, China, US see 70% rise in energy demand: IEA

China, the US and India together accounted for nearly 70 per cent of the rise in energy demand, even as such demand worldwide grew by 2.3 per cent last year, at its fastest pace this decade, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said on Tuesday. This exceptional rise in energy demand was driven by a robust global economy and stronger heating and cooling needs in some regions, according to the IEA report. ... Read more..

BP commits $100 million to fund new emissions reduction projects

 BP today announced it has established a $100 million fund for projects that will deliver new greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction in its Upstream oil and gas operations. The new Upstream Carbon Fund will provide significant support to BP’s work generating sustainable greenhouse gas emissions reductions in its operations, the firm said. In April 2018, BP set targets aimed at reducing its emissions and advancing... Read more..

Mercedes-Benz Is Evaluating The Feasibility Of Electric Vehicles In India

The FAME 2 scheme has brought cheers to the automakers in India. The Union Cabinet on February 28 allocated ₹ 10,000 crore to speed-up the development of the EV infrastructure in the country a major chunk of which will be channelised to set up fast-charging stations on a large scale. Many carmakers had already announced launching or at least evaluating the viability of electric vehicles in India beforehand. For instance, Audi has already decided to launch the e-Tron in our market and Porsche will be bringing... Read more..

Mumbai: Green activists urge parties to include environment issues in manifestos

Environmentalists and activists are demanding that environment issues find a place in the election manifestos of political parties. The city’s green activists have been disappointed with the political discussions in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls next month, being bereft of issues of ecological destruction and tribal displacements faced by the city as well as the state on account of mindless development. ... Read more..

Suzlon Energy completes sale of two arms for INR 99 cr

 Suzlon Energy Monday said it has completed sale of its two arms - SE Solar and Gale Solarfarms - to CLP Wind Farms for a total... Read more..

India ranks 76th in WEF's clean energy race; Sweden tops the list

India has moved up two places to rank 76th on a global energy transition index, which has ranked 115 economies on how well they are able to balance energy security and access with environmental sustainability and affordability.

Sweden remains on the top on this annual list compiled by Geneva-based World Economic Forum (WEF) and is followed by Switzerland and Norway in the top three, as per its latest report... Read more..

Maharashtra Passes Order For Power Generated by Solar Pumps to Account Towards RPO Fulfilment

The Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) in a recent order has confirmed that the power generated by off-grid solar photovoltaic (PV) water pumps in the state installed under various solar agricultural pump schemes will be counted towards meeting the renewable purchase obligation (RPO) of Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL).

The commission observed that even... Read more..

Vice President asks scientists to step up research on ocean and marine energy

The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu has called for fully tapping the enormous potential of the Blue Economy for the country to achieve higher economic growth. Observing that the objective of the Blue Economy is to promote smart, sustainable and inclusive growth and employment opportunities through maritime economic activities, the Vice President wanted appropriate programs to be initiated for... Read more..

Delhi to get 131 charging stations for electric vehicles

The capital will get 131 public charging stations for electric vehicles to address the concerns of potential buyers and to ensure that people have access to recharging facilities in their vicinity. According to the plan approved by the power ministry and the Delhi government, 33 such facilities will be set up at Metro stations, 34 at CNG stations, 24 at Indian Oil petrol pumps, 15 at Bharat Petroleum fuel stations... Read more..

Smart City projects on Modi govt's agenda to woo middle class

The Narendra Modi-led NDA government is all set to showcase the progress of its 100 smart cities initiative to woo the urban middle class this election season. According to sources, the Centre would be talking about the work that has been done as well as the projects that are being planned in these 100 cities. During its campaigns, the party will explain how cities will get transformed over the next five years. Many of the brownfield projects are slated to start taking off after the polls.

Govt missing out on low-hanging fruits amid EV-push

A Rs 10,000 crore scheme to subsidise sale of electric and hybrid vehicles as part of efforts to curb pollution is welcome, but the government is missing out on low-hanging fruits like Auto LPG, that can have an immediate impact on urban air quality, Indian Auto LPG Coalition (IAC) said. The association urged that the government should provide a level playing field to other cleaner gaseous fuels like Auto LPG as... Read more..

Chandigarh admin to use social media to encourage residents to install solar plants

As the UT administration extended its deadline to install solar plants till June 30, the Chandigarh Renewal Energy, Science and Technology Promotion Society (Crest) has now planned to spread awareness through different social media platforms to encourage residents to install solar panels. A senior UT official said though they have been advertising in newspapers, holding awareness campaigns but now they are planning... Read more..