Sustainability Outlook Headlines

Carbon dioxide turned into fuel using light

Scientists have developed tiny nanoparticles that help convert carbon dioxide into methane - a key building block for many types of fuels - using only ultraviolet light as an energy source.

Having found a catalyst that can do this important chemistry using ultraviolet light, researchers at Duke University in the US hope to develop a version that would run on natural sunlight, a potential boon to alternative... Read more..

Kharun river threatened by industrial pollution: Smart City documents

The Kharun river is being threatened by pollution from the industries which are on the outskirts of the city, observed Raipur's 'Smart City' proposal document for 'The Smart City Challenge Stage-II' of India Smart City Mission.

It further mentioned : "Protecting the natural features like the river, natural nullah and the ponds from these (industrial effluents) eminent threats will be the city's top priority... Read more..

Gujarat govt announces Rs 1,000 cr package for MSMEs

In its state budget for 2017-18, the Gujarat government has announced a special package of Rs 1,000 crore for the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) sector. This decision comes close on the heels of the Union Budget 2017-18 announcing reducing the income tax for smaller companies with annual turnover up to Rs 50 crore to 25 per cent.

The special package, announced by deputy chief minister Nitin... Read more..

CCEA approves 40,000 MW solar park scheme

In a major push for solar power development in the country, a cabinet panel on Wednesday approved increasing the capacity of solar parks and projects from 20,000 MW to 40,000 MW.

"The enhanced capacity would ensure setting up of at least 50 solar parks -- each with a capacity of 500 MW and above -- in various parts of the country," Power and Renewable Energy Minister Piyush Goyal told reporters following a... Read more..

Three-month deadline for functional primary effluent treatment plants: Supreme Court to industry

The Supreme Court on Wednesday set a deadline of three months for industrial units across the country to set up functional primary effluent treatment plants (PETPs), failing which they will not be allowed to operate. Ordering a nationwide crackdown on water pollution by factories and industrial units which release untreated waste into rivers and other water bodies, the bench led by Chief Justice of India J S Khehar directed state pollution control boards to issue common notices to all industrial units, asking... Read more..

UK’s CDC Group plans renewable energy platform for India, South Asian countries

CDC Group Plc, the UK government’s development finance institution, is planning to set up its own renewable energy platform focussed on east India and neighbouring countries.

This dedicated platform will focus on eastern states such as Bihar, Odisha and Assam, and also set up clean energy projects in neighbouring countries such as Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar.

... Read more..

NTPC commissions 115 MW capacity at Bhadla solar project

State-run power producer NTPC today said It has commissioned 115 MW capacity out of 260 MW of Bhadla Solar Power Project.

"With this, the installed capacity of NTPC's solar power projects touches 475 MW. The total installed capacity of NTPC on standalone basis has become 41,177 MW and that of NTPC group has become 48,143 MW," NTPC said in a BSE filing today.

... Read more..

Adrian Grenier and Dell are teaming up to fight ocean plastics

U.S. technology giant Dell and Hollywood actor Adrian Grenier are making waves as they launch their global pilot program to turn the tide on ocean pollution. By pulling plastics out of the ocean and recycling them into a commercially viable way, they hope to keep harmful micro plastics from troubling ocean waters.

Dell's pilot program is on pace to use 16,000 pounds of ocean plastics in 2017. Grenier, star... Read more..

Health ministry to study deaths due to pollution soon: Environment Minister Anil Dave

Expressing his reservations on global reports linking deaths to air pollution, Environment Minister Anil Dave on Tuesday said a study will soon be conducted by Health Ministry on the issue.

The Union minister, while iterating his views on various reports linking deaths to air pollution, asserted that a proud nation always believes in its own data.

... Read more..

Renewables row: US blocks India at WTO on localisation issue

India’s request for a dispute settlement panel against the US for incentivising use of domestic over imported goods in its renewable energy programmes was taken up by the World Trade Organisation on Monday.

The move, however, was blocked by the US, which said that it had not flouted norms.

“The US' move of... Read more..

Faecal sludge management policy to be unveiled soon

The draft of National Urban Faecal Sludge and Septage Management (FSSM) policy is ready for implementation in March first week, according to Praveen Prakash, Joint Secretary in the Union Urban Development Ministry.

Addressing media persons on the sidelines of the fourth Faecal Sludge Management Conference here, Prakash said the policy will deal with sanitation awareness, financial structuring,... Read more..

Connecticut unveils initiative to boost film plastic recycling

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has introduced a new initiative that is geared toward increasing the recycling of LDPE film plastics, linear low density polyethylene and medium and high density polyethylene.

“If you collect plastic bags and plastic film separately it has value,” says Sherill Baldwin, coordinator of Connecticut’s Wrap Program, which will be launched this... Read more..