Sustainability Outlook Headlines

TERI and Tetra Pak launch Project SEARCH Phase II

fter a successful year long effort to raise awareness on good waste management practices in 60 schools in Delhi and Bangalore, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) along with Tetra Pak India Pvt. Ltd. are launching the phase II of Project SEARCH, a major nationwide programme launched in 2009 to create awareness amongst school students, teachers and the school community at large about waste and the habit of refusing, reducing, reusing and recycling.  This year being the second year in the series, the project focuses on; promoting respect for nature’s resources and make an effort to... Read more..

TERI unveils new generation cost effective off-grid lighting solutions.

In continuation of its efforts and commitment towards providing clean lighting solutions in rural regions of the country and beyond, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) under its flagship project “Lighting a Billion Lives” (LaBL), unveiled new models of solar lanterns jointly designed and developed by TERI along with its technology partners. These new solar lanterns will provide cutting edge, affordable lighting solutions, ensuring high quality illumination.

Present on the occasion to unveil the lanterns were Mr. Jitin Prasada, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas,... Read more..

BASIC meeting ends without consensus on climate change

A meeting of the BASIC group, formed by Brazil, South Africa, India and China, ended on Monday without consensus on a unified plan to deal with the global climate change.

The group, which met in Rio over the weekend, tried to reach a common ground on the maximum limit of carbon emissions for developing countries, to be presented to the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference, which will take place in Cancun, Mexico, in November.

As they failed to reach a common ground, the four countries decided to hold another meeting in Beijing in October. According to Brazilian Environment... Read more..

Why India MUST push for ethanol blended petrol

Petroleum is one of the most precious natural energy resources. With India growing at a fast pace, the demand for oil is set to rise. India and China will account for 45 per cent of the increase in global primary energy demand by 2030.

India has become a significant consumer of energy resources. Its oil consumption has risen to 3.3 million barrels per day in 2009, from 643,000 barrels of oil per day in 1980, making it the world's fourth biggest consumer of oil.

India is also the fourth largest producer of ethanol in the world. Ethanol production in India has an advantage as... Read more..

Two reasons why planners must look for options

A few days of steady rain and the civic administration's clear and present worry about water seems to have almost ended.

However, the lull in the rains mid-season in the past two years have caused worry lines. This year, the monsoon arrived in the city in early June, but after a few days of rain, a dry period set in during which the levels in all the reservoirs of the dams that supply water to the city plummeted.

Such over dependence on the four dams has raised queries in many quarters and city planners must either look at new sources of water for the future or look into... Read more..

India, Myanmar to sign pacts today

India and Myanmar are to sign a host of agreements here on Tuesday after the conclusion of delegation level talks between the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, and the visiting Myanmar Senior General Than Shew, Chairman, State Peace and Development Council.

The Myanmar leader arrived in Gaya on Sunday at the start of a five-day state visit.

The visit assumes importance as India is keen to engage with its eastern neighbour and plans to develop a transport corridor in the North East which will pass into Myanmar before reaching Mizoram. While the easiest way to the North East... Read more..

Foundation stone for Perungudi waste-management project laid

In face of opposition from the local residents, Mayor M Subramanian on Monday laid the foundation for the integrated solid waste management project at the dumping yard in the southern suburb of Perungudi.

The facility, costing Rs 69.5 crore, is expected to resolve the problem of mounting garbage in the city and also fetch Rs 75 lakh per annum to the Chennai Corporation as royalty charges.

The State Environment Impact Assessment Authority recently gave environmental clearance to the project, which also got the consent of the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board. "At least 1,500... Read more..

JMC to sell 150 mld treated water

In a step that could address the water woes in the city, the Jaipur Municipal Corporation has decided to sell at least 150 mld treated water from its sewerage treatment plant (STP) at Delawas and Jaisighpura khor.

The decision assumes significance as the PHED is facing a supply shortage of 150 mld (million litres per day) water in the city alone. The JMC is likely to expand its capacity to treat sewerage water at several units across the city outskirts.

As per the PHED estimate, the total water supply in the city is pegged at 320 mld, of which over 80% is converted into... Read more..

3TIER Brings Advanced Solar Products to India

3TIER,® the global leader in renewable energy information services, today announced that its complete suite of solar prospecting and assessment products is now available throughout India. The products are based on 3TIER's proprietary solar dataset, which is the most advanced and accurate solar dataset that exists for India. The products enable project developers to quantify the long-term availability and variability of solar resources with or without observational data.

"As solar energy development in India accelerates, 3TIER has the state-of-the-art products and expertise... Read more..

New climate, energy policies may create 2.5 mln jobs: report

New greenhouse gas emissions and energy policies at the Federal level could add about 2.5 million new jobs and $134 billion in economic activity in the US, while keeping energy costs down, according to a report.

The report, released from the Center for Climate Strategies, published with Johns Hopkins University, is based on economic impacts of climate policies developed by 16 states and calls for adoption of 23 specific policy approaches that have the potential to reduce pollution and improve energy efficiency with least cost.

"Several states have pioneered creation of... Read more..

Carbon Capture Still Pricey for China

Many environmentalists suggest that China will be the country that makes carbon capture and sequestration viable — but Chinese officials remain unconvinced.

Some Chinese leaders are skeptical of carbon sequestration efforts.
With its vast manufacturing base and heavy reliance on coal for electricity, China, already the world’s top emitter of global warming gases, is beginning to dominate some clean-tech sectors, including solar and wind power. Environmentalists, and the U.S. government, think it can replicate that success with storing carbon.

Some of China’s biggest... Read more..

India unveils prototype of $35 computer, paving way for solar-powered websurfing in villages

 It looks like an iPad, only it's 1/14th the cost: India has unveiled the prototype of a $35 basic touchscreen tablet aimed at students, which it hopes to bring into production by 2011.

If the government can find a manufacturer, the Linux operating system-based computer would be the latest in a string of "world's cheapest" innovations to hit the market out of India, which is home to the 100,000 rupee ($2,127) compact Nano car, the 749 rupees ($16) water purifier and the $2,000 open-heart surgery.

The tablet can be used for functions like word processing, web browsing and... Read more..