Here is the best of Business Standard's opinion pieces for today
It has set a target to reduce its carbon emissions by 20% in 2026 and 42% by 2030
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday released a draft report that proposes strategies to reduce carbon emission in the state. The draft report on 'climate-resilient and low-carbon development pathway for Bihar' is in line with India's goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. "The report provides a timely first-of-its-kind comprehensive analysis of future growth scenarios for Bihar to understand what a decarbonisation pathway entails and how it can spur economic growth, jobs and sustainability," state environment secretary Bandana Preyashi said at 'Bihar Climate Action Conclave' here. "The underlying principle driving the strategy is to embed climate action -- mitigation and adaptation -- into vision, programmes, policies, and budgets across sectors to lend credence to a net-zero and climate-resilient future," she added. According to the document, "development pathway focuses on choices and actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change, and
The programmes and initiatives of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency have helped the country to cut 3.5 per cent of energy consumption annually and reduce yearly carbon emissions by 306 million tonnes (MT), Union Minister RK Singh said on Friday. The minister made the remarks at the 22nd Foundation Day of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), a statement issued by the Power Ministry said. "BEE helped India to reduce its energy consumption by around 3.5 per cent, and to reduce its carbon emissions by 306 million tonnes per annum," the Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy said. Some of the BEE's programmes and initiatives are Buildings Energy Efficiency, Star Label for consumer goods, and Energy Efficiency in Small & Medium Industry etc. These initiatives aim to improve energy efficiency and reduce higher consumption of power. "Road transport accounts for 12 per cent of country-related carbon dioxide emissions and constitutes 92 per cent of all transport-related energy ...
India's first indigenously developed and built hydrogen fuel cell ferry, launched by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, has zero emission and zero noise and can reduce the impact of global warming. According to Cochin Shipyard here, which constructed the fuel cell ferry, the adoption of green hydrogen as a maritime fuel is at the forefront of India's commitment to a sustainable future that aims for net zero emissions by 2070. The inland waterway vessel, under the Harit Nauka initiative, is a pilot project to demonstrate the technology for the maritime sector, Cochin Shipyard said in a statement. "The fuel cell powered vessel has zero emission, zero noise and is energy efficient, which in turn reduces the effect of global warming," it said. In line with the Government of India's green vision, Cochin Shipyard took up the ambitious project to design, develop and construct India's first fully indigenous hydrogen fuel cell catamaran ferry vessel to demonstrate the technology
It was designed to level the playing field and make foreign suppliers pay the same carbon price as domestic ones, even if they are not subject to an ETS or carbon tax at home
India will not accept any unjustified mandate on carbon emissions but will deliver more than the commitment it makes, a senior government official said on Friday. While speaking at the Aavaana-Startup India ClimateTech Challenge event, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said India's mandate is to become net zero by 2070. "We have accepted a stretched-out kind of goal because India believes we are not historically responsible for carbon emissions, even less in per capita terms, but the vision of the Hon'ble PM has always been that we will not accept unjustified mandates but we will deliver much more than we have promised," he said. Singh said India has already built the world's 4th largest renewable energy capacity of 180 gigawatts. "We are well ahead of our SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) goals," he said. He said that as India moves towards a greener future, start-ups will play a very important role through their innova
Rajya Sabha MP Prakash Javadker said as the world grapples with severe climatic upheavals, India's three per cent contribution to carbon emissions demand urgent action. The brunt of climate change falls on the poor and as a responsible nation, it is "incumbent for us to lead the change", the former Union minister for environment, forest and climate change said at the National Movement of U75: Net Zero Workshop for NE Region at the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati (IITG), here on Tuesday. "With the rise of electric vehicles, infrastructure, and energy efficiency, India is making strides in reducing carbon emissions and achieving G20 targets", he said. As custodians of the environment, Javadekar urged everyone to prioritise watershed development, advocating the mantra, 'save water, generate water; save electricity, generate electricity.' He praised initiatives such as the climate-tracking app for universities and the net-zero workshop as demonstrations of collective commitmen
The world's most valuable carbon market, the EU's ETS, was worth around 770 billion euros last year, up 2% from the previous year and representing 87% of the global total
Developing countries need more carbon space for economic growth, Union Minister R K Singh said on Friday as he emphasised that 77 per cent of the legacy carbon dioxide load has been caused directly by the developed countries. India aims to reduce its carbon emission intensity by 45 per cent by 2030. "Now, what is the present status on our planet? You have some countries that are developed and their average per capita income as per IMF figures is about USD 58,700 per year," Singh said at the World Sustainable Development Summit 2024 in the national capital. Singh, who is in charge of the power as well as new and renewable energy ministries, said there are developing countries where the average per capita income is USD 6,770 per year. "Just imagine the disparity. Now these developed countries (became) developed using fossil fuels and you know 77 per cent of the legacy carbon dioxide load on our planet earth was caused directly by them... that has led to this global rise in temperatur
Celebrating TERI's 50 years since it was established, Dr Vibha Dhawan, Director General, TERI said that the institution has tirelessly dedicated efforts to mainstream sustainability
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde signed Green Hydrogen Policy MoUs with seven companies. A move that has now made Maharashtra the first state to promote green hydrogen, he said.Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde said, "Green Hydrogen Policy- MoUs have been signed with seven companies. This is a big achievement. Ours is the first state to promote Green Hydrogen. In this investment worth Rs 2.76 lakh crore is being made. Seven big companies are working on it. It is a flexible & liberal policy. 60,000-70,000 people will get employment through it."He further said that this was the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi."This is a huge step by the state government. Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis has also attended several meetings. ArcelorMittal and Nippon has today signed MOUs worth an investment of 40,000 crores today. More than 20,000 people will get jobs. Maharashtra is industrial-friendly state. When I went to Davos, MOUs worth 3.53 lakh crores were signed," the CM said.He further
Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda on Monday launched a framework to promote the Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM) in the farm sector and said this will encourage small and medium farmers to avail benefits of carbon credit. Introducing farmers to the carbon market will not only benefit them but also accelerate the adoption of environment-friendly agricultural practices, the minister said. He launched the 'Framework for Voluntary Carbon Market in Agriculture Sector' and 'Accreditation Protocol of Agroforestry Nurseries' here, according to an official statement. He requested cooperation from the ministries concerned of the Centre and the states and other organisations to promote the carbon market in the interest of farmers. "Global challenges like global warming are in front of all of us; hence we have to move ahead with caution," the minister said. Munda said the Accreditation Protocol of Agroforestry Nurseries will strengthen the institutional arrangements for the production and .
Vedanta Aluminium on Monday said that it is prioritising higher resource efficiencies, greater use of renewables in energy mix and converting waste into wealth as part of steps to reduce its carbon footprint. The company is forging enduring tie-ups with its communities for inclusive development, Vedanta Aluminium CEO John Slaven said in a statement. "We have embarked on a transformative journey where our commitment to sustainability goes beyond business compliance to focusing on how we can make a positive impact on the environment. Securing the top rank in the S&P Global CSA recognises our commitment to fully embed sustainability practices across every facet of our value chain, from sourcing to product delivery," he said. The company is committed to achieving Net Zero by 2050, adopting a two-fold strategy of reducing and offsetting its carbon footprint. In terms of reduction, the company is focused on increasing the quantum of renewables in its energy mix, enhancing its ...
India's government has several proposals it will raise with the EU, according to the people
The five airlines in the world that emit the fewest pollutants per passenger are all low-cost carriers, according to data from carbon-reduction advisory firm Envest Global
The vision to make India a developed nation by 2047 includes a major shift towards electric vehicles, supported by tax incentives, production linked incentive schemes, and the mandatory provision of charging infrastructure, a top government official said on Monday. Secretary in the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) Rajesh Kumar Singh said that the development and adoption of Electric Vehicles (EVs) play a pivotal role in India's transition to a low-carbon economy. "The comprehensive vision for 2047 includes a substantial shift towards electric vehicles across various segments, supported by tax incentives, Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes, and the mandatory provision of charging infrastructure," Singh told PTI. He said that a shift in the modal share of freight from road to rail will be an effective lever to decarbonise the freight transport sector. He added that the government's authorisation of 100 per cent Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for
Only zero emission cars can contribute towards a reduction in air pollution, cutting burgeoning fuel imports and attaining net zero targets, according to Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Managing Director Shailesh Chandra. Amid demands from a certain section of the industry to cut taxes levied on hybrid cars, Chandra said that such vehicles do not align with the key national objectives of achieving net carbon-zero target, improving air quality levels, and reducing fossil fuel imports. He noted that hybrid and CNG technologies in cars help in improving fuel efficiency and meeting emission-related regulatory compliances but cannot be compared with pure battery electric vehicles. In an interaction with PTI, Chandra said that the government already supports hybrid vehicles in terms of lower taxation and there is no need to bring those at par with electric vehicles. He noted that hybrid cars cannot be compared with EVs as they essentially run on polluting "fossil fuel". Chandra said that
Deloitte India on Wednesday unveiled an Enterprise Conscious Code initiative for sustainable, inclusive, and accessible software development that aims to cut up to 30 per cent of the emissions attributed to software alone. Launching the Code here on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2024, Deloitte India said this initiative marks a significant leap towards sustainable and responsible software development, supporting global efforts to reduce carbon footprint, increase energy consciousness, and ensure accessibility for everyone. "The Enterprise Conscious Code (ECC) combines everything a company needs - the triple Ps of the bottom line - people, planet, and profits," it said. The Code offers ways to build eco-friendly software, promoting the use of techniques that contribute to a greener planet. Currently, about 3 per cent of the world's carbon emissions are attributed to the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector, equivalent to roughly 1.58 bill
"This is a major step towards meeting the government's commitment to reduce global warming and emission of gases harmful to the environment," he added