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Sustainability Outlook Headlines

A group of 79 company bosses and investors managing $41 trillion issued separate calls on Thursday for world leaders to accelerate action on climate change by enacting more ambitious policies in areas including carbon pricing

A group of 79 company bosses and investors managing $41 trillion issued separate calls on Thursday for world leaders to accelerate action on climate change by enacting more ambitious policies in areas including carbon pricing.

In an open letter to all governments as leaders of the G7 group of industrialised nations meet in Britain, and ahead of a global climate summit in November, the Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders called for "bold action" now to meet future emissions targets.

To force corporate action, governments needed to change the rules of the game, they said, including... Read more..

Source: Reuters

SASB and IIRC Make Merger Official, Launch Value Reporting Foundation

The International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC) and the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) today officially announce their merger to form the Value Reporting Foundation.

The Value Reporting Foundation supports business and investor decision-making with three key resources: Integrated Thinking Principles, Integrated Reporting Framework and SASB Standards. These tools help businesses and investors develop a shared understanding of enterprise value and how it is created, preserved or eroded over time.

The Value Reporting Foundation is also committed to the... Read more..

Source: Intrado

GAIL to bid for solar foray with 400 MW capacity

Gas utility GAIL will bid for 400 MW solar power capacity being auctioned by SECI (formerly Solar Energy Corporation of India), making it the latest state-run oil and gas company to bet big on renewable energy for a low-carbon future.

“GAIL will bid for three projects aggregating 400 MW capacity being auctioned by SECI in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh,” company chairman Manoj Jain told TOI on Wednesday.

On proposed outlay for renewables, Jain said funds “are not a problem for GAIL as we practically have no debt.
“We had won the bid for Rs 4,800 MW operational wind power projects... Read more..

Source: Economic Times

Energy Tech Startup Greenjoules Raises $4.5 Mn From Blue Ashva Capital

Pune based green energy technology company Greenjoules Pvt. Ltd., has raised $4.5 Mn or INR 33 Cr in a combination of equity and debt from Blue Ashva Capital.

The funding was part of Blue Ashva’s Sampada Fund and will be used to set up commercial scale waste to energy plants and invest into new R&D initiatives.

“We can now focus not only on growing our current product range but also on developing a portfolio range of high energy density liquid and gaseous biofuels,” said S Viraraghavan, Founder and Director of Greenjoules.

Although biodiesel technology has been... Read more..

Source: Inc42

Sony aims for 'zero environment footprint' by 2025, collects 2,975 tonnes of e-waste in India

With e-waste becoming a big cause of concern, consumer electronic companies are actively doing their bit. So is the Japanese conglomerate's India arm -- Sony India, which has been providing collection and recycling services for e-waste.

In FY2019, Sony India collected approximately 2,975 tonnes of e-waste internally and through the third-party partner. Additionally, the company has focused on creating a broad network of e-waste collection points, making it easier for customers to turn in their e-waste.

Recognising the social responsibility as a manufacturer to deal with its... Read more..

Source: Business Today

India Can Save Logistics Fuel Worth ₹311 Lakh Crore between 2020 and 2050; Highlights India’s Potential to Save 10 Gigatonnes of Cumulative C02 over the Next Three Decades

NITI Aayog, RMI and RMI India’s new report,Fast Tracking Freight in India: A Roadmap for Clean and Cost-Effective Goods Transport,presents key opportunities for India to reduce its logistics costs.

Due to the rising demand for goods and services, freight transport demand is expected to grow rapidly in the future. While freight transport is essential to economic development, it is plagued by high logistics costs and contributes to rising CO2emissionsand air pollution in cities.

According to the report, India has the potential to:

Reduce its logistics cost by 4% of GDP... Read more..

Source: Press Information Bureau

UN Chief Urges Insurers to Align Underwriting, Investments with Net Zero Goal, Help End Coal

https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/speeches/2021-06-08/closing-remarks-...

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres urged insurance companies to align their underwriting and investment practices and policies with global climate goals, in a speech Tuesday at the Insurance Development Forum’s Summit 2021.

Guterres said:
“As insurers and as investors, the insurance sector has a key role to play. Every country, city, financial institution, and company... Read more..

Source: ESG Today

Wind could produce affordable green hydrogen by 2030, Siemens Gamesa says

Wind power could make it possible to produce hydrogen without emitting greenhouse gases as cheaply as is currently feasible with fossil fuel energy by 2030, turbine maker Siemens Gamesa (SGREN.MC) said in a white paper released on Wednesday.

Policymakers see green hydrogen, which is made with renewable power without emitting carbon, as a vital tool to help shift economies away from planet-warming energy sources and to stave off climate change, but want to reduce its sky-high costs.

Using onshore wind turbines to power electrolysers that extract hydrogen from water could... Read more..

Source: Reuters

Corona becomes first global beverage brand to achieve a net zero plastic footprint globally

Corona has become the first global beverage brand with a net zero plastic footprint, meaning the brand recovers more plastic from the environment than it releases into the world. This achievement is part of Corona’s vision to be a sustainability leader in consumer packaged goods and is the latest in the brand’s longtime efforts to help protect the world’s oceans and beaches from marine plastic pollution.

Achieving this milestone comes after an extensive external assessment of Corona’s global operations against the 3RI Corporate Plastic Stewardship Guidelines by South Pole, a leading... Read more..

Source: ABInBev

West Bengal Plans to Roll Out 1 Million Electric Vehicles in the Next Five Years - Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy 2021

The Power Department of West Bengal has announced the Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy 2021, aiming to position the state as a sustainable transportation infrastructure hub. Through the move, the state government is promoting electric mobility in the state. The policy will remain in force for five years from the date of notification in the official gazette.

As per the new policy, the government plans to have one million EVs combined across all segments during the implementation period. The government is also planning to develop 100,000 charging stations during this time frame.

... Read more..

Source: Press Information Bureau

Shri Dharmendra Pradhan dedicates to the nation 201 CNG plants and commencement of PNG supply in Jhansi; Inaugurates CNG distribution through MRUs; Mobile energy fuelling is the future in India, says Shri Pradhan

Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas and Steel Shri Dharmendra Pradhan todaydedicated to the nation GAIL group’s 201 CNG stations across the Country. Shri Pradhan also inaugurated the commencement of PNG supply in Jhansi and Mobile Refueling Units (MRUs)for refueling vehicles at Raigad.

Sh. Dharmendra Pradhan interacted with PNG consumer family in Jhansi who expressed their happiness about the unhindered and cheaper supply of PNG in the house. Sh. Pradhan also interacted with MRU operators in Raigad and Delhi and witnessed the filling of CNG in vehicle through MRU.The MRUs... Read more..

Source: Press Information Bureau

McCain India ups renewable energy use, lowers sodium content in products

Moving ahead with its sustainability goals, McCain (India) increased the share of renewable energy in its overall energy consumption and in terms of food quality has lowered the sodium content in its products.

As per the '2020 Global Sustainability Report - Together, Towards Planet-Friendly Food', the company purchased electricity from wind turbines in 2020 and securing the environmental certificates to be able to claim 20 per cent renewable electricity in 2021.

It has also reduced sodium content by 13 per cent in its 'Veggie Nuggets' and 10 per cent in the product 'Smiles'.... Read more..

Source: Economic Times

EESL Inks Pact With Lemon Tree Hotels To Implement Energy Efficiency Measures

State-run EESL has inked a pact with Lemon Tree Hotels to implement energy efficiency and energy conservation measures.

'Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a joint venture under the administration of the Ministry of Power, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Lemon Tree Hotels Limited for implementing energy efficiency and energy conservation measures at a selected number of the latter’s properties in India,' a statement said.

During the three-year engagement, both companies will work together to identify areas to improve energy efficiency and leverage... Read more..

Source: Business World

CCI approves acquisition of 51% of the equity share capital in each of the three Electricity Supply Companies of Odisha by Tata Power Company Limited

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) approves acquisition of 51% of the equity share capital in each of the three Electricity Supply Companies of Odisha. viz Western Electricity Supply Company of Odisha (“WESCO Utility”), Southern Electricity Supply Company of Odisha Limited (“SOUTHCO Utility”) and Central Electricity Supply Company of Odisha Limited (“CESCO Utility”) by The Tata Power Company Limited (“TPCL”) under Section 31(1) of the Competition Act, 2002, today.

Proposed combinations relate to acquisition of 51% of equity share capital in each utility by the TPCL from Grid... Read more..

Source: Press Information Bureau

ReNew Power Announces New Affiliate Relationship with the Precourt Energy Institute’s ‘StorageX Initiative’ for New Energy Storage System Technology Development

ReNew Power (“ReNew” or “the Company”), India’s leading renewable energy company, today announced a collaboration agreement with the Precourt Institute for Energy at
Stanford University and its StorageX Initiative (“StorageX”). StorageX is an academic-industrygovernment initiative that aims to solve the most pressing real-world challenges in battery storage.
ReNew’s collaboration with StorageX will focus initially on challenges surrounding grid level battery
usage and performance in India, with an eye toward optimizing the performance of storage assets, and
... Read more..

Source: Renew Power

CESL and Ladakh sign an MoU to make the Union Territory carbon neutral

Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) under Ministry of Power has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Administration of Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh, to make it a clean and green UT. Under the MoU, various clean energy and energy efficiency programmes will be implemented.

Beginning with a pilot in the Zanskar valley area, CESL will take up solar mini and micro grid solutions, energy efficient lighting, energy storage-based solutions, efficient cooking stoves and electric mobility solutions... Read more..

Source: Press Information Bureau

Environment Minister launches awareness campaign on Single Use plastics

Reiterating government’s commitment to phase out identified single use plastic items which have low utility and high adverse environmental impact, Union Environment Minister, Shri Prakash Javadekar today said that though plastic, was a useful 20th century innovation, however uncollected plastic waste has emerged as a serious threat to the environment.

“Considering the adverse impacts of littered single use plastic items on both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi gave a clarion call to phase out single use plastics by 2022, and the... Read more..

Source: Press Information Bureau

12,000 MW CPSU phase-II Solar project scheme; IREDA extends bid submission to 15th June

Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd. (IREDA), a PSU under the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) has extended the bid submission date to 15th June for implementation of the Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) scheme phase-II for setting up 12,000 MW grid-connected solar projects with viability gap funding (VGF). Earlier, the last date to submit the bids was 30th May. A VGF is provided to cover the cost difference between domestic and imported solar cells and modules. VGF will be released in two tranches.

The CPSUs are required to submit their responses by... Read more..

Source: Press Information Bureau

India’s commitment to promote Renewable energy: Proposes to revamp the Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) Mechanism

Ministry of Power has circulated a Discussion paper on redesigning the Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) Mechanism for comments of stakeholders in power sector today.

Discussion paper on the requirement of redesigning the REC Mechanism has been prepared in order to align it with the emerging changes in power scenario and to promote new renewable technology.

Salient features of changes proposed in REC mechanism are:

1. Validity period of RECs; Floor & Forbearance Price

The REC validity period may be removed. Thus, the validity of REC would be... Read more..

Source: Press Information Bureau

NITI Aayog releases annual plan for gradual rollout of E20 ethanol

The NITI Aayog on Monday released the annual plan for the gradual rollout of E20 ethanol in the country which will result into saving ₹30,000 crore of foreign exchange per year among other benefits.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 5, 2021 released the report of the expert committee on 'Roadmap for Ethanol Blending in India by 2025'.

According to the report, 20% of ethanol blending is within reach. It suggested specific responsibilities of union ministries, state governments and vehicle manufacturers for the production, supply and gradual rollout of 20% ethanol blending... Read more..

Source: NITI Aayog

U.S. seeks less costly clean hydrogen in climate fight - The Department of Energy (DOE) set a goal for hydrogen made with clean power, such as renewables and nuclear energy plants, by 80% to $1 per kilogram in a decade.

The Biden administration on Monday set a goal of reducing the cost of producing clean hydrogen, a fuel that could reduce dependence on others that emit greenhouse gases that cause climate change.

The Department of Energy (DOE) set a goal for hydrogen made with clean power, such as renewables and nuclear energy plants, by 80% to $1 per kilogram in a decade.

"Clean hydrogen is a game changer," U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said in a statement. "It will help decarbonize high-polluting heavy-duty and industrial sectors, while delivering good-paying clean energy jobs and... Read more..

Source: Reuters

EU wants to loosen state aid rules for renewable energy projects

EU competition regulators are considering changes in state aid laws to allow EU countries to subsidise up to 100% of renewable energy projects, the European Commission said on Monday, as the bloc seeks to meet ambitious green targets.

The proposed changes are part of the EU executive’s revision of its climate, energy and environmental state aid guidelines (EEAG) which are expected to be adopted by the end of the year.

“Europe will need a considerable amount of sustainable investments. Although a significant share will come from the private sector, public support will play a... Read more..

Source: Reuters

CESL expands into electric 2 wheelers and 3 wheelers on World Environment Day

Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL) , CPSE under Ministry of Power has forged key partnerships on World Environment Day in an effort to further the deployment of electric vehicles in the country. Agreements and MoUs have been signed with state governments of Goa, and Kerala to procure over 30,000 two- and three-wheelers. This is the first entry to the 2W and 3W segments in the country, with solutions uniquely designed to deliver affordable financial solutions to buyers.

Under the agreements, CESL will also invest in establishing the electric vehicle charging infrastructure... Read more..

Source: Press Information Bureau

CESL signs MoUs with Ladakh and Meghalaya; expands its decentralized solar portfolio

Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) under Ministry of Power has signed two Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with two states of India – Meghalaya and Union Territory of Ladakh amounting to around 65 MW of decentralised solar.

In the first MoU with Meghalaya Power Distribution Corporation Limited (MePDCL), CESL has signed an MoU worth 60MW, which will also entail finding synergies in business development to implement various sustainable solutions like pump sets, LED lighting and solar power stations for... Read more..

Source: Press Information Bureau

NTPC joins UN’s CEO Water mandate; to step up work on water conservation with reduce, reuse and recycle

NTPC Ltd, India’s largest power utility Under Ministry of Power has become a signatory to the prestigious UN Global Compact’s CEO Water Mandate. With NTPC joining the coveted league of companies that focus on efficient water management, its Chairman and Managing Director Shri Gurdeep Singh has joined a select group of business leaders who recognize the ever-growing importance of water stewardship and have been working to conserve this precious natural resource. NTPC has already taken a series of measures across its plant locations on sound water management. NTPC will further imbibe the 3 R... Read more..

Source: Press Information Bureau
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