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Sustainability Outlook Headlines
Commercial productionof e-auto resumes at KALThe production of state’s first electric autorickshaw, the Neem G e-auto, has gathered steam. The commercial production of the e-auto is going on in full swing at the Kerala Automobiles Limited in Neyyattinkara. The bookings for e-auto had begun much earlier. The batteries for the vehicle had to be imported from China. Though the batteries had reached Delhi in March itself, however, it could not be transported to the production unit because of the lockdown. After the lockdown eased, the batteries have been transported to the state. The company aims to produce as many as 200 vehicles per... Read more.. Date : Jun 16 Source: The Times of India
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E-commerce giants like Amazon and Flipkart yet to respond on use of plastic: CPCB to NGTE-commerce giants against whom a petition has been filed in the National Green Tribunal to stop them from allegedly using excessive plastic for packaging have either not submitted complete documents regarding the quantity of plastic consumption or have not responded to the communication of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). While Amazon has not submitted complete documents regarding their responsibility under the Plastic Waste Management Rules and confirmation of quantity of plastic consumption, the Flipkart has not responded to CPCB’s email dated March 4, 2020 and no other... Read more.. Date : Jun 16 Source: Financial Express
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Solar tech cos seek level-playing fieldAmid adverse trading sentiment against China during the Covid era, leading solar panel makers across the country sought an intervention of the Central government to provide a “level-laying field” to all manufacturing units across the country under the ‘Aatma Nirbhar Bharat’ scheme. Taking a cue from the Prime Minister’s focus on self-reliant India in his address to the nation, ‘Vocal for local’, the manufacturers like Webel Solar, Vikram Solar and Renewsys made an appeal to the Centre to revise certain policies to help them in removal of some hurdles being faced by the solar sector now.... Read more.. Date : Jun 16 Source: ET Energy World
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IIT Madras researchers use agri waste, plastic to make biofuelResearchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras have developed a microwave process to produce biofuel from plastic waste, rice straw and sugarcane bagasse. A team of three researchers led by R. Vinu, associate professor in Chemical engineering department, published its research work in peer-reviewed journal ‘Bioresource Technology and Fuel Processing Technology’. Biomass, as a renewable source of carbon with immense potential, leaves no carbon footprint. “Agricultural waste products such as rice straw, sugarcane bagasse and wood chips can potentially serve as bio-oil producing... Read more.. Date : Jun 16 Source: The Hindu
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Manjushree Technopack Launches New Initiative To Deliver Recycled PackagingManjushree Technopack Limited (MTL), a rigid plastics packaging company, has launched its new initiative “Born Again” to deliver recycled packaging material to the FMCG Industry and support brands in their journey of creating a greener world. Born Again, (a venture under MTL New Initiatives Ltd), is MTL’s first step towards building an ecosystem of circular consumption. It is vertically integrated with the plastic waste collection ecosystem, with an objective to reduce the amount of plastic waste going to landfills and to deliver virgin-like quality PCR (Post Consumer Recycled) resin (PP... Read more.. Date : Jun 16 Source: Business World
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Worried over surging plastic waste, experts stress on reuse of certain components of PPEsAs soon as the lockdown was announced to flatten the coronavirus curve, people realised that the environment was getting cleaner. However, now there is a growing concern over the surging plastic waste, especially due to the increasing use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that includes gowns, aprons, face shields, goggles, shoe covers, masks and gloves. When contacted, Dr Indrani Karunasagar, director, Nitte University Centre for Science Education and Research told TOI: “With Covid-19 cases expected to rise further, plastic in the form of PPE and other medical equipment is important... Read more.. Date : Jun 16 Source: The Times of India
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Immediate switch to renewable energy required across sectors, says reportThe journey towards climate disaster would continue, unless an immediate switch to efficient and renewable energy is made across sectors in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a latest report. According to the report by Paris-based think-tank REN21, though growth in renewable power has been impressive over the past five years, too little is happening in heating, cooling and transport. “We must end any kind of support to the fossil economy, particularly when it comes to heating, cooling and transport. Governments need to radically change the market conditions and rules and... Read more.. Date : Jun 16 Source: ET Energy World
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Caution EV startups, funding to hit speed bump ahead but investors hopeful of returning to normalcyEven as the government has taken measures to support the targets projected for the incipient electric vehicle (EV) segment in the country, the startups in the EV space are likely to face challenges around fundraising, at least for the short term, according to experts. India has seen a proliferation of startups in the EV space in the past few years on the back of government’s vision for 2030, improving charging infrastructure and reducing carbon emissions apart from increased investors’ interest to back emerging EV startups. As a result, Tiger Global-backed Ather Energy, Yulu, Okinawa,... Read more.. Date : Jun 16 Source: Financial Express
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Social sector funding hit by economy woesCall it the Covid-19 effect. Philanthropic or social sector funding has taken a huge blow with several non-profits even facing an existential crisis, with all funding activities currently revolving around fighting the pandemic. The sector stares at a huge fall, with CSR funding expected to drop by an estimated 30-60% over the next two years, as ultra-high-net-worth individuals and leading corporates set aside their spends for Covid-19 response. Going forward, economic distress faced by companies will be the double whammy for the sector. Officials working in the non-profits space told TOI... Read more.. Date : Jun 16 Source: The Times of India
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LNG terminal owners GAIL, Petronet join India’s first gas trading platformLiquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal owners, state-run GAIL (India) Ltd and Petronet LNG Ltd (PLL) have joined India’ first natural gas exchange, that went online today, said Rajesh Kumar Mediratta, director, Indian Gas Exchange. With others such as Manikaran Power, Torrent Power and Adani Gas onboard, the exchange will help in the revival of stranded gas fuelled power projects and reducing fertiliser prices and subsidy, Mediratta added. The other members and clients of the exchange are; Geeta Power, GMR Group, Piramal Glass, Asahi Glass, Gujarat State Fertilizers & Chemicals Ltd,... Read more.. Date : Jun 16 Source: Livemint
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Andhra Govt Approves Proposal for 10 GW Mega Solar ProjectThe Andhra Pradesh government has approved a proposal to set up a 10 GW mega solar power project to ensure an uninterrupted 9-hour power supply to farmers during the daytime, besides establishing an Integrated Renewable Energy Project (IREP). The nine hour free power supply is a key government assurance to farmers in the state In a statement, Information and Public Relations Minister Perni Venkataramaiah said as part of the IREP, 550 MW of wind power, 1200 MW of hydropower and 1000 MW of solar power would be generated. Under the Green Energy Development Charge (GEDC), the State government... Read more.. Date : Jun 15 Source: Saur Energy International
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EDF wants India to play important role in its strategy of becoming carbon neutral by 2050French electric utility company Électricité de France (EDF) expects India to play an important role in its global strategy of becoming carbon neutral by 2050. It is in the process of scaling up solar and wind power generation capacity in India to 2 gigawatts by 2022 and is scouting for acquisition opportunities in hydro power, EDF’s India head told ET. EDF has an ambitious target of doubling renewable installed capacity worldwide by 2030 to 50 GW and has identified renewable energy, smart metering, smart cities, transmission and distribution, and nuclear power as key growth areas in India... Read more.. Date : Jun 15 Source: ET Energy World
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India gets its first climate change assessment reportThe average temperature in India is projected to rise by 4.4ºC, frequency of heat waves to be 3-4 times higher, intensity of tropical cyclones to increase substantially and sea level to rise by 30cm by the end of this century as compared to the recent 2-3 decades, shows the first ever climate change assessment report by government scientific institutions. The report "Assessment of Climate Change over the Indian Region" shows temperatures of the warmest day and the coldest night of the year have risen by about 0.63°C and 0.4°C in the recent 30-year period (1986-2015) and these temperatures... Read more.. Date : Jun 15 Source: Times of India
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Supreme Court calls for finding middle path between ecology, developmentSaving the environment should not come at the cost of economic development, the Supreme Court said on Friday, adding that a balance should be struck between the two. The observation by the top court came on a plea filed by a lawyer, Abir Phukan, seeking a ban on mining in the Saleki forest reserve, situated close to the Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam. The area falls in the elephant corridor and in this region, state-owned Coal Indian Limited (CIL) has obtained approval for mining from the standing committee of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) in April this year. The Centre... Read more.. Date : Jun 15 Source: Hindustan Times
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Mumbai gets integrated flood warning system, Uddhav calls it 'boon'Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Friday inaugurated the new integrated flood warning system (IFLOWS) developed for Mumbai, calling it a "boon" for the city. Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Science and Technology, and Earth sciences, who was also present during the ceremony, said the system will help the people of Mumbai in a "big way" as it can predict floods. The Ministry of Earth Sciences, using in-house expertise and in close coordination with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), has developed this system. "The flood management... Read more.. Date : Jun 15 Source: Livemint
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Karnataka: Rain pushes up water levels in 13 reservoirsGood pre-monsoon showers and early onset of monsoon have lifted the flagging spirits of farmers in the state and also eased concerns over water and power supply with major reservoirs receiving good inflow since the last four weeks. The storage position in 13 major reservoirs is higher than in the last five years for mid-June, officials said. “The storage in all reservoirs, except Supa in Uttara Kannada, is better than last year,” said Manoj R Rajan, commissioner of Karnataka State Disaster Management Authority. With the India meteorological department (IMD) forecasting a normal monsoon and... Read more.. Date : Jun 15 Source: Times of India
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Sovereign rating downgrade poses risk for India's green energy investorsThe recent downgrading of India’s sovereign credit rating poses increased risk for attracting global investors in the country’s renewable energy sector. Earlier this month, Moody’s cut the country’s sovereign credit rating by a notch to the lowest investment grade with negative outlook. The country’s credit rating was revised down to Baa3 from Baa2. In April, both Moody’s and Fitch had warned that deterioration in India’s fiscal outlook as a result of lower growth could exert pressure on its sovereign rating. “Foreign investors would now be shy of investing in India’s promising renewable... Read more.. Date : Jun 15 Source: Business Standard
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DU to set up School of Climate Change and SustainabilityThe Delhi University will be setting up a School of Climate Change and Sustainability (DSCC&S) under the Institute of Eminence Scheme, which will take up research in priority areas related to the environmental challenges. Professor C R Babu, an acclaimed Environmental Scientist, will head DSCC&S (honorary director). He has also been the founder of Environmental Teaching and Research in the University of Delhi, a statement from the varsity said. Professor Inderjit Singh, an eminent plant ecologist of international repute, will act as Joint Director, DSCC&CC. The Ministry of... Read more.. Date : Jun 15 Source: Outlook India
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Scientists study why India faced 5-decade long rainfall decline till 2000In novel approach to understand natural variability factors behind five-decade long rainfall decline till the year 2000 in India, a group of scientists has now examined the differing trends in pre- and post-2000 Indian summer monsoon (rainfall), its decline and recovery. The variability manifested itself in a decline in monsoon rainfall over north central India starting in the 1950s, which persisted for as long as five decades before a reversal from 1999 onwards. Dr Xin Huang and Professor Tianjun Zhou from the Institute of Atmospheric Physics (IAP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have... Read more.. Date : Jun 15 Source: Business Standard
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Will Capping Public Charging Costs For EVs Boost Green Mobility Adoption?One of the biggest drawbacks in the adoption of electric vehicles in India is the lack of charging access as well as the high cost of electricity for many average consumers. In a bid to shake off these issues, the power ministry has capped the ‘per unit cost’ of electricity for charging an electric vehicle (EV) at a public charging station to 15% of the state’s average cost of supply (ACS). Under the new amendment, the ministry has left it to the state electricity regulatory commission (SERC) to decide the tariffs for public charging stations. It has also removed any conditions as well. “... Read more.. Date : Jun 15 Source: Inc42
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Gauhati High Court dismisses PIL on Assam gas well tragedyThe Gauhati High Court has dismissed a PIL against PSU major Oil India, a private firm, the Centre and the state over the Baghjan gas well blowout and successive fire in Assam's Tinsukia district. Hearing arguments from both the petitioner and respondents, the bench comprising Chief Justice Ajai Lamba and Justice Soumitra Saikia on Friday disposed of the public interest litigation filed by environmentalist-cum-entrepreneur Niranta Gohain. "In Paragraph 4 of the petition, it has been pleaded that the petitioner has no personal interest in the litigation. However, learned counsel for the... Read more.. Date : Jun 15 Source: ET Energy World
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EV adoption: Limited range and charging infrastructure remain significant barriers, says Lux ResearchMany consumers cite concerns over limited range and charging infrastructure as key reasons to not consider electric vehicles, according to US-based technology research and advisory firm Lux Research. There is a fear among consumers that an electric vehicle (EV) won’t have enough range to complete all or most trips which consumers need their vehicles to make, said Lux Research adding that there is another concern that an EV will take too long to charge, potentially stranding users on the road for extended periods of time. Although numerous studies suggest many consumers are open to... Read more.. Date : Jun 15 Source: ET Energy World
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About 15,000 MW of wind-solar hybrid capacity to come up in 5 years: CrisilAs the government continues to focus on increasing the share of renewable energy in the country, nearly 15,000 MW of wind-solar hybrid capacity is expected to come up over the next five years, Crisil said. Out of this 15,000 MW, works on nearly 10,000 MW are already either under construction or are being tendered and are expected to start feeding the grid by fiscal 2024. In the hybrid option, the system is designed using solar panels and small wind turbines generators for generating electricity. "We expect the hybrid market to grow and evolve as the number of projects and developers who... Read more.. Date : Jun 11 Source: ET Energy World
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India will soon be able to discover the untapped potential of renewable energy sector'Leading solar manufacturers have sought the intervention of the government to provide a level-playing field to all manufacturing units in order to realize the true potential of the renewable energy sector under the ambitious Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent announcement as a path breaking initiative, senior business leaders representing the solar manufacturing units said that with the government’s support, India will soon be able to discover the untapped potential of the renewable energy sector, and achieve the ambitious target of 100 GW of solar electric... Read more.. Date : Jun 11 Source: ET Energy World
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Dutch pension fund APG keen to buy into Tata Power’ clean energy InvITDutch pension fund manager APG Asset Management NV has evinced interest in acquiring a 51% stake in Tata Power’ renewable energy infrastructure investment trust (InvIT), said two people aware of the development. InvITs are trusts that manage income-generating infrastructure assets, typically offering investors regular yield and a liquid method of investing in infrastructure projects. Citibank has been given the mandate to find an investor for the InvIT that will house 3 giag watt (GW) renewable energy projects besides around ₹10,000-12,000 crore of debt. The others who have separately... Read more.. Date : Jun 11 Source: Livemint
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