India Environmental News Compilation - June 17th - June 28th, 2011
Posted June 30, 2011 in Curbing Pollution, Health and the Environment, Moving Beyond Oil, Solving Global Warming
Climate
Carbon trading begins in Himachal Pradesh
“Community participation in watershed management programmes is making strong headway for success of world's largest and India's first Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) project registered for carbon credits by the United Nations. Under this project, the World Bank will buy carbon credits from the new forests/plantations being developed on degraded areas in 177 Gram Panchayats covering around 4000 hectare land falling in 10 districts of the state. The project is expected to sequester the emission of 8,00,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide from 2006 to 2025by promoting bio- diversity through native species in remote areas.”
(DNA, 6/27/11)
Greenpeace activists blockade Bharti’s group headquarter
“Greenpeace activists intensified their campaign by blockading the entrance of Bharti’s group headquarters at Vasant Kunj, New Delhi. Greenpeace acted because Bharti Airtel backtracked from its earlier assurance to commit to a timeline for the public disclosure of its carbon emissions from its entire operations and the phase out of diesel in powering its telecom tower operations. Greenpeace demanded a written assurance from the company to a process through which they would act to phase-out diesel. Precipitated by the protest, Mr. Akhil Gupta, Joint CEO, of the Bharti Group met Greenpeace representatives but failed to confirm that they intend to phase out diesel and replace it with renewables.”
(Business Standard, 6/28/11)
China, India Want Rich-Nation Emissions to Peak Before 2013
“Brazil, China, India and other emerging nations said greenhouse-gas output from developed nations “should peak without any delay no later than 2012.” Developed countries should cut emissions 50 percent below 1990 levels by 2020 under an extended Kyoto Protocol, the countries said in a submission yesterday to the United Nations- overseen climate talks in Bonn. “They should have peaked before 2000,” according to the document. The submission highlights disagreement between emerging nations and developed countries in the climate-protection talks. The U.S. has said it’s unwilling to join an extended Kyoto Protocol unless emerging nations also participate. ”
(Bloomberg, 6/17/11)
Energy
US Commerce Official: Concerned About India's Barriers To Investment
“The U.S. remains concerned about barriers to investment in India, particularly in sectors such as financial services and solar-power technology, a senior U.S. Commerce official said Thursday. The Obama administration has targeted India as a major growth priority in reaching its goal of doubling exports by 2015, but has pressed the fast-growing emerging economy to address barriers to trade and investment. One dispute that has come to the forefront recently is solar power. The two countries have promoted India's solar power development as a key area for collaboration, but recent regulations restrict local firms from importing foreign-made solar panels. "It's in India's interest to attract the best technology," said Sanchez. "Any kind of limitations that you place like this inhibit that."
(Wall Street Journal, 6/23/11)
IFC Helps Expand Solar Power Generation Infrastructure in India’s Rajasthan State
“IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is working with Rajasthan to explore the state’s prospects as a solar manufacturing and power generation hub, establish research facilities, and help bring down energy costs. Rajasthan accounts for 80 percent of the total allocation made so far under India’s National Solar Mission plan. The state has assigned top priority to stepping up private investment in solar power and has already taken several steps in this direction.”
(International Finance Cooperation, 6/28/11)
“As much as $100 million (Rs450 crore) has flowed into India's solar energy sector in the past 18 months, according to the estimates by venture capitalism blog VCcircle. In 2011, the sector has received more than $45 million (Rs200 crore). The World Bank's private sector lending arm, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) is also eyeing India's solar sector.”
(Hindustan Times, 6/22/11)
Environmental Governance and Compliance
Delhi has high level of air pollutants: Teri
“The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) is conducting a study to assess the energy and emissions scenarios for various states of India from the year 2005 to 2030. "Ozone monitoring is presently carried out in few cities only and the results in Delhi show that concentrations have violated the standards. It may cause significant damage to the agricultural yield in addition to its ability to impact human health," a Teri statement said. TERI also found that cities like Delhi and Ghaziabad violate annual ambient air quality standards for particulate matter concentrations.”
(Times of India, 6/22/11)
Government releases funds to extend green revolution to East India
“Aiming to increase farm productivity in the country, the government has released Rs. 181.35 crore till May this year under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana scheme to extend green revolution to the Eastern states. Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa, Eastern Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal are covered under this scheme with a total allocation of Rs. 400 crore. The scheme aims to increase the crop productivity of the region by intensive cultivation through promotion of suitable agricultural technologies and practices, it added.”
(The Hindu, 6/27/11)
Jairam's note: PM seeks clarification
“Prime Minister's Office has sought clarification from the coal and power ministries on environment minister Jairam Ramesh's note blaming the two ministries for degrading Indian forests. Ramesh's note to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh comes in wake of coal and power ministries blaming him for failing to meet their production targets. Ramesh also raised the issue of two lakh hectares of forestland lying, which Coal India had failed to return to the state government despite closure of the coal mines. He also questioned the company's claim on compensatory afforestation saying it was not up to the mark.”
(Hindustan Times, 6/19/11)
CREDAI to tackle e-waste menace
“Kochi is marching ahead in its quest to curb the e-waste menace. The Confederation of Real Estate Developers Associations of India (CREDAI) has come up with an e-waste management project; the aim of the project is to sort waste at source and recycle metals and electronic waste that will help to create a greener and cleaner environment. CREDAI has reached an agreement with a private company for the collection and disposal of the materials that fall in the e-waste category. If implemented, it will be the first of its kind in Kerala.”
(Times of India, 6/28/11)
(Prepared by Sachi Singh, Claremont McKenna College)
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.
