Sustainability Outlook Headlines

Brahmapuram waste-to-energy solid waste treatment plant remains on paper

The much-hyped Rs 295-crore waste-to-energy (WTE) solid waste treatment plant proposed at Brahmapuram, aimed at reducing Kochi's garbage woes, still remains on paper. Thought an agreement was signed between the corporation and GJ Eco Power Pvt. Ltd - the implementing agency of the project-seven months ago, the project has not received even a single clearance or permit document till date for commencing work. The agency has to get 21 approvals in order to start the construction of the plant.

India to develop its own palm oil sustainability framework-trade body

India, the world's biggest importer of edible oils, will develop its own sustainability framework for palm oil production considering the domestic ecology, a leading trade body said on Tuesday.

Mumbai-based Solvent Extractors' Association of India (SEA) said it has tied up with Hong Kong-based Solidaridad for developing a sustainability framework for India since the local environment and farming practices... Read more..

US urges WTO to enforce report on India's solar product policy

The US has said it will urge the World Trade Organisation to enforce the panel and appellate reports that found India's policies "discriminatory" against American solar products. 

The US Trade Representative yesterday also called for a special WTO meeting to adopt a compliance panel report that found the European Union guilty of maintaining illegal subsidies to Airbus. 

... Read more..

ADB to fund millions of LED lights, pumps across India

Multilateral lending agency Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Monday said it will extend a $200 million loan to India for installation of energy-efficient home and street lights, and water pumps.

The entire exercise could save energy to the tune of 3,800 gigawatt-hours per year.

"Energy efficiency is by far... Read more..

Delhi tops most polluted megacity list, says WHO

Delhi's air is the worst among world megacities, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed recently, even as IndiaSpend's #breathe network of air-quality sensors reported fine-particulate-matter (PM2.5) levels were almost four times above daily safe levels, on average, for the seven-day period from September 22 to 28, 2016.

For long-term exposure, these 24-hour levels are nearly 11 times above the WHO... Read more..

Neeri’s stove reduces smoke, promises better rural health

With World Health Organisation (WHO) identifying indoor pollution being significantly responsible for the declining rural health and high mortality rate in India, National Environmental and Engineering Research Institute (Neeri) has developed ‘Neerdhur’, a novel multi-fuel domestic cooking stove.

“The unique thing of the stove is that apart from wood, other fuel like coal, cowdung and agricultural residue... Read more..

India joins Paris Climate Change Agreement, submits instrument of ratification at UN headquarters

India formally joined the Paris Climate Change Agreement by submitting its instrument of ratification at UN headquarters in New York on Sunday - the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The instrument of ratification was deposited by India's permanent representative to the UN, Syed Akbaruddin. 

By putting Gandhi seal on the climate deal, the country will now urge the global community to adopt 'Gandhian way... Read more..

European Union decides to ratify Paris climate deal; Climate deal will enter into force in November

Two days after the India's highest decision making body - Union Cabinet - gave its approval to the country's move to ratify the Paris Agreement, the ministers of 28 European countries too on Friday jointly approved the ratification of the global climate deal by the European Union (EU). 

The decision was reached at an extraordinary meeting of the Environment Council in Brussels. The decision will now go to... Read more..

10 MLD waste released in Ganga daily in Mirzapur, NGT told

Almost 10 million litres of untreated waste water is being directly pumped into Ganga every day only in Mirzapur from five big drains, the National Green Tribunal has been informed.

"There are five big drains which are the main cause of pollution of river Ganga in Mirzapur. At present there is 28.8 MLD sewerage production in municipal corporation of Mirzapur. There are two sewage treatment plants in the city... Read more..

CPM asks government to announce industrial policy

Coming down heavily on the state government, CPM state secretary P Madhu has alleged that chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu is giving permission for industries with high pollution levels, endangering the lives of millions of people in the state. He has demanded that the state government come out with the industrial policy as there is no place for agro-based industries in the government's plans.

Speaking to... Read more..

TUDY SHOWS BENGALURU’S SOLID WASTE HAS ENERGY POTENTIAL; HELPS GENERATE BIOGAS

A large percentage of waste generated by the city can be recovered and used as a cheaper source of energy, according to a paper by Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru.

The paper -- recently presented at a conference organised by SJB Institute of Technology and Indian Water Works Association, Bengaluru Centre -- said that Bengaluru generates around 3,000-4,000 tonnes of solid waste every day and 72... Read more..

HIMURJA provides over 37,000 solar cookers

State-run Himachal Pradesh Energy Development Authority or HIMURJA has provided over 37,000 solar cookers in the state as part of its renewable energy programme, an official said on Sunday.

To provide cleaner energy for households and replace traditional dependence on wood-based heating systems, it has provided 37,339 box-type solar cookers and 755 dish-type pressure cookers, an official statement here said... Read more..