India Green News is a selection of news highlights about environmental and energy issues in India.
Week of September 19-25, 2015
CLIMATE CHANGE
India, US Sign Agreement on Energy Security and Climate Change
Washington: India and the US have signed a significant MoU on energy security, climate change and clean energy which Secretary of State John Kerry said reflects the commitment of the two countries to make the Paris summit later this year a success.
“We have concluded a very significant Memorandum of Understanding on energy security, climate change, and clean energy,” Mr Kerry said at a joint news conference with his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj, US Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker and Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
India’s commitment to reach 175 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2022 is the world’s most ambitious target in the area of renewables, Mr Kerry said referring to the goal set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi….
(NDTV – September 23, 2015)
Climate change: India to unveil plan on October 1
NEW DELHI: India’s nationally determined contributions to mitigate climate change are likely to be unveiled on October 1 and will promote renewable energy, enhanced energy efficiency, less carbon intensive urban centres, green transport and abatement of pollution.
India’s strategy ahead of the climate summit in Paris in December will be firmly anchored in the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities” and will clearly project India’s financial, technology transfer and capacity building requirements….
(The Times of India – September 24, 2015)
ENERGY
India is well-suited to lead energy transformation: US official
WASHINGTON: As the world moves towards renewable energy, India is “well-suited” to lead energy transformation to a clean and renewable energy future, a top US energy official has said.
“The world is at a historic period of transformation in energy because of the rapid changes across the spectrum,” Amos Hochstein, US Special Envoy for International Energy Affairs said in his address at the sixth annual India-US Energy Partnership Summit organised by TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute).
“I believe India is well-suited to lead this energy transformation and this process,” Hochstein said, “has to be not just about lowering greenhouse gas emissions, but rather about access….
(The Economic Times – September 22, 2015)
Renewable energy expo starts today
Over 550 global firms from 35 countries are expected to participate in the 9th Edition of Renewable Energy India (REI) Expo beginning this Wednesday.
From wind-powered Taiwanese invertors to Japanese hydrogen-fuelled cars, the exhibition, scheduled from September 23 to 25 at the India Expo Centre in Greater Noida, will showcase latest innovations in the field. The expo is touted to be world’s second largest event in the renewable energy sector.
The event is likely to be an icebreaker for global investments in the country. For Delhi and the National Capital Region, harnessing solar energy is expected to get a major boost. Delhi has set a target of producing 1000 MW of solar power in five years….
(The Hindu – September 23, 2015)
India’s Maharashtra approves state solar net metering policy
The Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) has officially approved its net metering policy for rooftop PV in the state.
The introduction of net metering, announced in a gazette notice, will allow commercial and domestic solar consumers to get credit for the solar power they generate.
The scheme will apply to PV systems with <1MW capacity under 20-year agreements. A MERC statement said eligible consumers must use or intend to use a PV system installed on a rooftop or any other mounting structure in their premises, to meet all or part of their own electricity requirement….
(PV Tech – September 23, 2015)
Energy Minister Piyush Goyal urges US to invest in clean energy market in India
WASHINGTON: India has appealed to American companies to come up with innovative solutions to address the massive energy needs of the world’s third largest economy, which is set to become the largest clean energy market in the next 10 years.
Union Energy Minister Piyush Goyal was addressing a meeting of high level gathering of US companies in the renewable energy development and financing sector, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in partnership with the American Council on a Renewable Energy (ACORE)….
(The Economic Times – September 23, 2015)
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH & GOVERNANCE
No Sand Mining in North India Till September 1 Each Year: Green Tribunal
New Delhi: No environmental clearance will be given for sand mining in the rivers of north India till September 1 each year, and during the rainy season, directed the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to the Union Environment ministry.
A bench headed by NGT chairperson, Justice Swatanter Kumar passed the direction while disposing of a plea alleging mining activity being carried out in the rainy season, contrary to the terms and conditions of the environmental clearance.
The counsel appearing for the ministry told the bench that the restriction for carrying on mining activity applied only during the raining season, which is normally mid-May to mid-August….
(NDTV – September 25, 2015)
Centre Discusses UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
New Delhi: Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address at the UN Sustainable Development Summit, the Union Cabinet today discussed the UN’s 2030 agenda for sustainable development and India’s position on it.
“The Cabinet was also informed of the 2030 agenda of sustainable development of the UN, India’s stand on it and the debate that happened on the issue in the world,” Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad told reporters.
The Prime Minister will address the high-level Sustainable Development Summit hosted by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on September 25, when the new and ambitious post-2015 development agenda will be adopted….
(NDTV – September 22, 2015)
Note: The linked articles and excerpts in this post are provided for informational purposes only and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the India Initiative or of the Natural Resources Defense Council.
INDIA GREEN NEWS: India, US Sign Agreement on Energy Security and Climate Change; Net ...
