Switchboard, from NRDC › Shravya Reddy's Blog

India Environmental News Compilation August 10th - August 16th, 2011

2011-08-18T20:56:48Z

Shravya Reddy, India Analyst, New York

Climate

India Protests to Prevent UN Stopping Supply of HFC-23 Carbon Credits

“India lodged a formal complaint to prevent the United Nations emissions market regulator from stopping issuances of credits derived from projects that cut hydrofluorocarbon-23 gas. “India considers such steps to be violative of the rights and obligations of parties under the Kyoto Protocol and has lodged formal protest with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Secretariat” in Bonn, according to a statement from Environment Minister Shrimati Jayanthi Natarajan.”

(Bloomberg, 8/16/11)

Climate change 'to increase malaria' in Indian Himalayas

“Climate change is likely to spread malaria to new areas in the Indian Himalayas, and lengthen the periods in which the infection is spread in a number of districts, according to projections from malaria researchers in India. In the eastern Himalayas, India, the window of malaria transmission will increase from 7–9 to 10–12 months in length. The region is humid and wet, with mild winters, which makes it "highly conducive for mosquito breeding, survival and transmission" of vector-borne diseases.”

(Alert Net, 8/15/11)

Energy

India to Top U.S. Lending With $575 Million in Solar Deals

“The U.S. Export-Import Bank expects India to become its biggest recipient of funding next year, led by loans for clean-energy projects including $575 million of solar deals. The Export-Import Bank’s lending plans won’t be affected by concern that the renewable energy industry may be vulnerable to a new global recession, said Craig S. O’Connor, director of the bank’s office of renewable energy. “This sector isn’t risky,” O’Connor said in an interview at a conference in New Delhi. “It’ll continue to grow.”

(Bloomberg, 8/12/11)

Relaxed norms to help wind power growth

“The central government’s decision to lift a restriction on wind power density is expected to boost capacity addition and help reach NAPCC targets. The Union ministry of new and renewable energy has removed the minimum requirement of a wind density of 200 watts per sq m at a hub height of 50 meters for wind power project development, taking into account advancement in turbine technology.”

(Financial Chronicle, 8/11/11)

India Plans to Relax Solar Rules

“India plans to make changes to its solar energy program, including relaxing timelines and increasing project sizes, in order to attract larger companies and boost investment in the sector, the renewable energy secretary said Wednesday. "Now we are working to relax a few norms and attract bigger players in the upcoming bids, which are likely to come up this month," Deepak Gupta said. The government plans to have 20,000 megawatts of solar energy-based electricity generation by 2022. As part of the first phase, it handed out 620 MW of projects in December and plans to call bids later this month for projects totaling about 300 megawatts.”

(Wall Street Journal, 8/10/11)

Solar mission delicately poised; needs more props

“The ambitious Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission – a program that is keenly watched by the world – is delicately poised at the moment. ”To be fair, the whole solar business is very new in India. You never know when the next step might land on a mine. Those who are in charge of shepherding this phase of the Solar Mission ought to be given fair latitude, any mistakes pardoned. But the authorities need to bring things back in control very quickly, say industry experts.”

(The Hindu, 8/8/11)

Environmental Governance and Compliance

India likely to see about 1 mn "green jobs" in next two years

“The fast-growing green energy sector is expected to create about one million new jobs in the country over the next two years, offering employment opportunities in diverse areas, feel experts. Increasing environmental awareness, growth of global carbon markets and the rise of green buildings and the like will eventually mean employment opportunities for lawyers, policy writers, carbon finance consultants, business risk analysts, architects and engineers adept in green building norms.”

(The Economic Times, 8/15/11)

FinMin clear green strategy for CBEC”

“The Finance Ministry today gave its nod to a new green strategy for the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) under which officers would be trained for monitoring international trade in environmentally sensitive goods. "The Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee has given his go-ahead to an 'Environment Strategy' for the CBEC that would change the way business is done by the Customs, Central Excise and Service Tax officials," an official statement said.”

(Business Standard, 8/16/11)

(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.

India Environmental News Compilation August 3rd - August 9th, 2011

2011-08-11T15:16:22Z

Shravya Reddy, India Analyst, New York

Climate

Hyderabad to host climate change meet

“The International Conclave and Exhibition on Climate Change (ICCC) will take place in Hyderabad from October 12 to 14. Themed ‘Clean Energy and Energy Security,’ the 3-day climate change conference will feature various countries, organizations and companies who will participate and exchange ideas for combating the global issue. ”

(Indian Express, 8/5/11)

Awareness on carbon emission at grassroot level on cards

“India today said it would generate forces at grassroot level to educate its people about carbon emission and its impact on the planet. Spelling out her 100-day programme as the new Environment Minister, Jayanthi Natarajan, said, "At the micro-level" she was looking at how to have "climate change fighters" in every panchayat and every district.”

(MSN News, 8/5/11)

Govt studies forecast less water, lesser yield

“With India expected to be warmer than estimated earlier, a new set of government-sponsored studies have predicted lesser availability of water and decline in agriculture production on account of climate change. The Indo-Gangetic plains, the food bowl of India, will have the maximum impact with a decline in water sources. Western Ghats and the coastal belt are highly vulnerable areas, with estimates of a huge fall in production by 2030”

(Hindustan Times, 8/7/11)

Energy

India Rejects Two Solar Projects; Solar Thermal Plants Pass

“India rejected two of 37 solar projects awarded in its first national auction, which aims to generate 20,000 megawatts of sun-powered capacity by 2022. The projects face no further deadlines before commissioning, Gupta said. The 140 megawatts of photovoltaic projects that have been accepted need to be completed by January. The solar thermal projects have until 2013.”

(Bloomberg, 8/8/11)

IDFC to invest 80 crore in Green Infra

“IDFC Private Equity will invest Rs 80 crore in Green Infra Ltd, a company it incubated in 2008 to set up renewable power capacity in India. Green Infra, focuses on power generation with a diversified portfolio such as wind, solar, small hydro and biomass.”

(The Economic Times, 8/5/11)

Bharat Renewable Energy Forms Alliance With SG Biofuels to Deploy Jatropha Hybrids for Biodiesel in India”

“Bharat Renewable Energy Ltd (BREL), a joint-venture of Bharat Petroleum, has initiated a program with SG Biofuels (SGB) to develop and deploy elite hybrids of Jatropha for the production of biodiesel in India. The program's first phase includes a crop development effort to produce high performing hybrid varieties of Jatropha adapted to unique growing conditions across the country. Additional phases include the deployment of more than 86,000 acres of Jatropha using SGB's JMax™ hybrid seeds.”

(PR Newswire, 8/9/11)

India wary of G20 energy roadmap move

“The government has turned wary of a move by the G20's sub-group on Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency, which is slated to present a roadmap on how to turn the country's power sector green and climate friendly. India has been cautious of letting the grouping (where developed countries still hold the upper hand) dictate terms on subjects handled under the convention on climate change and energy policy.”

(Times of India, 8/8/11)

Environmental Governance and Compliance

Two-phase plan for environment monitoring body likely

“India's road to "a complete change" in the environmental regulatory system could begin as soon as Cabinet approves the proposal to set up the National Environment Assessment and Monitoring Authority, or NEAMA. The new system will separate the functions of the appraising and monitoring from that of approval. While NEAMA will eventually take charge of both appraisal and monitoring, the ministry will continue to be the approval granting authority.”

(Times of India, 8/6/11)

(Prepared by Sachi Singh, Claremont McKenna College)

India Environmental News Compilation July 26th - August 2nd 2011

2011-08-03T20:52:50Z

Shravya Reddy, India Analyst, New York

Climate

India thwarts move on new climate change mechanism

“India has thwarted a move by rich countries, led by Europe, to have a small group to decide uniform guidelines to implement climate change mitigation action review regime in each country. Instead, India convinced them that each country should submit its own version of guidelines for consideration at the next UN conference in Panama City in October.”

(The Hindustan Times, 8/2/11)

India threatens to move WTO against EU’s carbon tax

“India has threatened to move World Trade Organisation (WTO) against the European Union if it fails to withdraw carbon tax to be imposed on flights landing or taking off from European airports from January 2012. Even though the additional per passenger cost would be around six US dollars, Indians would be paying approximately about one billion US dollars a year to Europe. Indian environment minister Jayanthi Natarajan lodged a formal protest with the European Union this week terming the decision as “unfair” trade practice.”

(Hindustan Times, 7/28/11)

Billionaires’ Rise Aids India, and the Favor Is Returned

“Today, India is increasingly turning to the private sector to deliver the electricity needed to maintain rapid economic growth into the future. At a global level, this contrasts sharply with China, where huge state-owned enterprises dominate strategic industries and lead the country’s global expansion.”

(New York Times, 7/26/11)

Energy

Solar power to be supplied in trains soon

“India will soon be only the second country in the world to get supply of solar power in trains. The solar powered coaches will also reduce the load on the engine. Apart from solar power, the coaches will also be fitted with rechargeable batteries as a fall-back option.”

(Daily Bhaskar, 7/31/11)

ABB India bags Rs 16 crore order to supply solution for three PV solar power plants

“ABB India has won orders worth Rs 16 crore to supply turnkey power and automation solution for three photovoltaic solar power plants with a combined capacity of 11 megawatts (MW) in India. The orders comprise of two 5 MW photovoltaic (PV) solar power plants and one 1 MW photovoltaic (PV) solar power plant. When completed in October this year, the plants will have an annual generating capacity of up to17.6 Gigawatt-hours of electricity.”

(The Economic Times, 8/1/11)

Canadian Solar expands into India; bags 33 MW module supply deal

“Solar panel maker Canadian Solar Inc said it signed a sales agreement with Indian company Cirus Solar Systems Pvt Ltd to deliver 33 MW (megawatt) of solar modules, marking its foray into India. The modules will be utilized in a government-sponsored solar park in Gujarat, which will be completed by December this year.”

(Reuters, 8/1/11)

Environmental Governance and Compliance

India to become capital for lead poisoning?

“India’s quest for green and alternative energy can prove to be a double- edged sword. This boomerang can lead to environmental disasters which is capable of making India the worst hit lead poisoned country very soon. Dr Thuppil Venkatesh, Principal Advisor, Quality Council of India (QCI) and National Referral Centre for Lead Poisoning in India (NRCLPI) says that India will become the world capital of lead poisoning by next decade.”

(IBN Live, 7/31/11)

20% increase in tiger population

“India registered a 20 per cent increase in tiger population last year. The estimated population of 1, 706 individual tigers represents a 20 per cent increase from the last survey in 2006, which estimated a number of 1,411 tigers. The Ministry of Environment and Forests is also looking at amending and bringing in harsher penalties for those caught under the Wildlife Act.”

(The Hindu, 7/29/11)

(Prepared by Sachi Singh, Claremont McKenna College)

India Environmental News Compilation July 19th - July 26th

2011-07-28T20:36:29Z

Shravya Reddy, India Analyst, New York

Climate

U.S., India laud bilateral energy ties

“Washington is pleased with the progress made in the clean and renewable energy sector by India, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said. Clinton, in a visit to New Delhi, noted there were "extraordinary" efforts under way in the clean energy sector. "Our two governments have instituted a number of innovative programs for advancing of the cooperation in clean and renewable energy and energy efficiency," Clinton said. "We are pleased with our progress in this area.”

(UPI Asia, 7/20/11)

Plans afoot to divide India into green zones

“India is set to get a new environment protection framework wherein national institutions will frame and monitor zonal disaster management plans to be implemented by the state governments. The new framework is aimed at reducing burden of district magistrates in environmental regulation and has an effective system to prevent ecological degradation. This is the first major announcement after Jayanthi Natarajan took over as new environment minister.”

(Hindustan Times, 7/26/11)

India emphasizes importance of Kyoto Protocol

“In the run-up to the U.N. climate change summit to be held at Durban this December, India is once again emphasizing the importance of the Kyoto Protocol. In a meeting with the U.S. Special Envoy for Climate Change Todd Stern on Tuesday, Environment Minister Jayanthi Natarajan “brought out the Indian perspective about the balanced outcome on both the LCA and KP tracks.” Mr. Stern shared his views on what legal form the LCA process should result in — while some nations want a legally-binding treaty which would force all signatories to fulfill their commitment targets, others do not. Both sides agreed that the operationalisation of the decisions taken at the last major U.N. summit at Cancun in December 2010 should be the goal for the year-end meeting in Durban.”

(The Hindu, 7/20/11)

Energy

Eight new ‘smart grid' pilot projects to be taken up

“A high-level panel working on cutting-edge technological interventions to improve the management of load flows across the country's electricity grid has recommended that eight pilot projects be taken up nationwide. It has also suggested that low cost ‘smart meters' need to be developed to ensure that 100 per cent metering is achieved within distribution companies.”

(The Hindu, 7/19/11)

India to Seek Bids for Solar Projects

“India plans to call bids in August to set up about 300 megawatts of solar power plants as part of efforts to accelerate the development of renewable-energy projects. Debashish Majumdar, chairman of the state-run Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency, said that the 300 MW of projects are those remaining from the first phase of the national solar program. The agency operates under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, and provides funds to renewable-energy projects. ”

(Wall Street Journal, 7/21/11)

AP plans thrust to boost wind power generation

“The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Mr N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, directed the New and Renewable Energy Development Corporation of AP Ltd to prepare a comprehensive action plan to boost non-conventional energy resources, focusing special attention on wind power generation. Reviewing the progress of renewable energy sources, the Chief Minister wanted the State to target 10,000 MW of wind power during the next 5 years.”

(The Hindu, 7/20/11)

Environmental Governance and Compliance

India announces environment regulator

“India will set up an environment regulator to bring in a "complete change" in the process of granting clearances for industries. PM Manmohan Singh said the regulator would also ensure the compliance of "green norms" by industry. Announcing the setting up of the independent National Environment Appraisal and Monitoring Authority, Mr Singh said “…it is no longer acceptable to take it as given that a certain degree of environmental degradation and over-exploitation of natural resources in the cause of promoting growth is inevitable.”

(BBC News, 7/25/11)

(Prepared by Sachi Singh, Claremont McKenna College)

United States and India Reaffirm Commitment to Climate and Clean Energy Partnership

2011-07-20T19:51:26Z

Shravya Reddy, India Analyst, New York

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Indian Minister for External Affairs S.M. Krishna, who are meeting this week in New Delhi for the ongoing U.S.-India Strategic Dialogue, reaffirmed both countries’ commitment to address climate change, ensure mutual energy security, and build clean energy economies. They emphasized that steady progress is being made in implementing the 2009 Memorandum of Understanding to advance clean energy, energy security and climate change, and highlighted significant measures that are being taken in furtherance of this Green Partnership. While a reiteration of existing commitments is useful, we urge both governments to also share more information on concrete progress made since the inaugural Strategic Dialogue in June 2010 and since President Obama’s visit to India in November 2010, and a clear roadmap for the year ahead.

The United States and India are two of the world’s largest greenhouse gas (GHG) emitters, together accounting for a fourth (approximately 25%) of the world’s total GHG emissions. The U.S. is the world’s second largest energy consumer, and India is one of the largest markets for growth in energy demand. A successful partnership between these two countries to tackle the climate problem and create a low carbon energy future would have dramatic impacts on the rest of the world. This makes the Strategic Dialogue a crucial platform for strengthening Indo-U.S. bilateral relations on climate and energy (amongst other issues) and identifying opportunities for collaboration. Before the start of the Dialogue this year, India’s External Affairs Ministry spokesperson, Vishnu Prakash, noted that this year’s dialogue would be based on “five pillars which include strategic cooperation in defense and counter-terrorism, energy and trade.” It is encouraging that top leaders from the U.S. and India made energy and climate a part of their agenda on day one of the talks. They enumerated ongoing bilateral initiatives, including:

The Joint Clean Energy Research and Development Center: Under the research arm of the U.S.-India Partnership to Advance Clean Energy (PACE-R), both governments launched a $50 million research and development effort to fund breakthrough, collaborative projects in solar energy, energy efficiency in buildings, and second-generation biofuels.
PACE deployment grants: Grants by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) to smart grid and solar pilot projects; USTDA’s Energy Cooperation Program; U.S. Department of Commerce trade missions on renewable energy and low carbon technologies, including a planned mission in November 2011; and funding by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
Finance and Risk Insurance: The U.S. Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) announced two new private equity funds which will invest $350 million in Indian hydro, biomass, wind and solar projects. OPIC also launched a $300 million South Asia Clean Energy Fund, almost all of which will be invested in India. The U.S. Export-Import Bank (EXIM) has already financed $75 million in solar power in India, and plans to invest almost $500 million more in solar infrastructure.
Energy Security: Continued efforts by both countries towards a Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan oil pipeline and U.S. assistance to identify and explore natural gas reserves in India.
Climate change collaboration: Short-term mitigation efforts through the Global Methane Initiative; the U.S.-India Task Force on Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs); domestic black carbon research initiatives; and commitment to collaborate in the lead up to the UNFCCC year-end conference at Durban, including on technology transfer, adaptation and transparency.

We are pleased that the two governments accorded importance to climate change and clean energy at the start of the talks. However, we urge both India and the U.S. to provide additional information on each of the initiatives listed. Specifically, we encourage both countries to consider the following:

They could release a public progress report on bilateral programs, by jointly examining which elements of these ongoing initiatives have been successful thus far, which have underperformed, and identifying where a mid-course adjustment may be necessary;
More detailed news is required about Funding Opportunity Announcements under PACE-D, which have been in the pipeline for many months now. The two governments could release an initial description of areas of interest, to increase awareness and catalyze preparations amongst prospective applicants;
Similarly, more information on the HFC Task Force’s recommendations and next steps could be shared publicly, alongwith a commitment from both countries to engage cooperatively at the upcoming Montreal Protocol negotiations on HFCs;
Both governments could consider stepping up joint activities on climate adaptation. Adaptation has received relatively less attention under PACE but is critical for building resilience amongst vulnerable populations in both countries;
Both governments could identify the twentieth anniversary of the Earth Summit – Rio+20 – as a valuable opportunity to strengthen global environmental protection, and develop a joint work plan to lead the global community at the summit in 2012.
A joint roadmap could be released for the next year, identifying important milestones for ongoing initiatives. This will help guide implementing agencies in both countries, and also allow interested stakeholders to stay abreast with activities as they progress further.

Over the next few days, India and the U.S. have a real opportunity to craft climate and clean energy solutions together. Identifying ongoing efforts provides a welcome and positive signal that both are committed to these initiatives. However, the momentum of the past year must be kept up, and we hope to see more granular discussions take place on each of the efforts already highlighted in the Strategic Dialogue. We wish both delegations the best as they continue their talks, and look forward to big strides forward in this critical partnership between India and the U.S.

India Environmental News Compilation July 4th - July 12th, 2011

2011-07-14T20:47:04Z

Shravya Reddy, India Analyst, New York

Climate

India Removes Top Environment Minister

“Mr. Singh on Tuesday removed Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh, who has held up several major industrial projects that many viewed as vital to India's economic development. Mr. Ramesh, a hero among environmentalists who hailed his enforcement of the country's tough land-use laws, was reviled in corporate circles where he was viewed as arbitrary and unfair, in part because he questioned approvals of some projects that had previously appeared to receive the green light. ”

(Wall Street Journal, 7/12/11)

Hillary Clinton to visit India, nuclear waiver, AfPak top agenda

“Amid anxieties about new guidelines of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), India will press the US for the transfer of sensitive technologies to enable full civilian cooperation when secretary of state Hillary Clinton comes to New Delhi for a strategic dialogue July 18. Clinton will be on a three-day visit for the second strategic dialogue, with external affairs minister S.M. Krishna, said well-placed sources. Accompanying her will be heavyweights in the Obama administration, including Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner.”

(Economic Times, 7/8/11)

Carbon credits: UN panel for taking thermal plants off list

“In a move that can adversely hit India's low carbon approach, a United Nations panel wants energy efficient thermal power plants not to be considered under global carbon offsetting scheme—Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)—as claims on emission reduction were inflated. The panel sought suspension of carbon trading for super critical thermal plants as emission reductions claimed have been overstated by 25 to 50%. The panel found fault in baseline surveys conducted by respective countries to determine the efficiency levels of existing thermal powers plants in mid 2000, after the CDM board approved the technology, saying under-evaluation was done. "Extra caution should be given to ensure that the baseline emissions are estimated in a transparent and conservative manner," the panel said, while questioning the regime.”

(Hindustan Times, 7/12/11)

Energy

India among top 5 renewable energy capacity countries: Farooq Abdullah

“India has an installed renewable energy base of about 20 GW, which is around 11 per cent of the country's total power capacity and accounts for 4 per cent of the electricity mix, Minister of New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah has said at a forum in Abu Dhabi. Abdullah said India today stands among the top five countries of the world in terms of its renewable energy capacity. He also noted that India recently launched a unique and ambitious National Solar Mission, which seeks to facilitate the generation of 20,000 MW of solar power by 2022. Speaking on the challenges ahead, the minister said the current international economic and political situation continues to be unfavorable, particularly for developing countries.”

(The Economic Times, 7/11/11)

India calls for cooperation with Africa in solar energy

“India has offered to expand and strengthen its cooperation with the African countries in the field of Renewable Energy. "India is already assisting African countries for electrification of villages through solar energy and aims to set up 40 solar charging stations and 40 biomass gasifiers," said Dr Farooq Abdullah. In the recently concluded 2nd Africa-India Forum Summit held at Addis Ababa, Indian Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh had announced an offer of 5 billion US dollars for the next three years under lines of credit and 700 million US dollars as assistance to help Africa achieve its development goals. As part of these efforts, Dr. Abdullah announced over 250 training positions on Rural Electrification, Small Hydropower, Solar Energy and Wind energy for African learners and professionals.”

(The Economic Times, 7/8/11)

Renewable certificate price revision may hurt fund flows

“The proposed downward price revision for renewable energy certificates (REC), if accepted, will jeopardize investment flow in green projects. The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission has suggested a six to 20 per cent price cut for RECs effective April 2012 for three years, intending to make trading attractive. Typically for green projects, an investor gives a weightage of around 30 per cent for the projected returns from RECs, and the rest for returns from preferential tariff. “With this uncertainty, I see the REC weightage going down to 15 per cent,” Mr Jaggi said. In the case of solar, the REC floor price on an average will be 300-400 per cent over the preferential tariff. ”

(The Hindu, 7/10/11)

Environmental Governance and Compliance

SC boost for Ramesh's bid to set up autonomous green clearance body

“The Supreme Court may have cleared the Lafarge mining case, but it has also ordered the setting up of an independent clearance authority. The move is a boost to Union minister Jairam Ramesh's plans to legislate an autonomous National Environment Appraisal and Monitoring Authority. The court also backed the ministry on its steps taken to integrate the two clearances it grants – forestry and environmental. It has stipulated that for mining projects and others beyond a certain size, the project developers would have to get clear proof to ensure that the land involved is not a forest land.”

(Times of India, 7/8/11)

New norms on corporate social responsibility to be unveiled

“Corporate social responsibility will get redefined under new guidelines set to be unveiled on Friday that aim to encourage ethical practices in all spheres of business operations, ultimately shifting the focus away from merely shelling out cash on social causes. The new guidelines, now being referred to as business responsibility norms, will replace the ministry of corporate affairs' voluntary directions on CSR introduced two years ago. While the norms would still be kept voluntary, a strict process of reporting has been devised that would be periodically reviewed by regulators. An independent evaluation mechanism of how a business is performing is also being devised through rating agencies.”

(Economic Times, 7/8/11)

India Environmental News Compilation June 29th - July 5th, 2011

2011-07-11T19:49:58Z

Shravya Reddy, India Analyst, New York

Climate

UN official lobbied for private biofuel firms during India visit

"Executive secretary Christiana Figueres is mandated by the UN Secretary General to steer tough climate negotiations and help build consensus among members of the climate convention. She told Ramesh that some of the leading companies in the field were looking for adequate land for planting jatropha. This she suggested was to produce low emission climate friendly fuel. But Ramesh outrightly rejected the suggestion and informed Figueres that jatropha would not be allowed to compete with foods in India. Ramesh was stating the well settled government policy on not pushing bio-fuels, wary about a controversy over "diversion" of land and crop for bio-fuels. He told Figueres that India did not have access to unlimited land and could not follow a model similar to one followed by Brazil.”

(Times of India, 7/2/11)

India needs USD 50 bn for incremental green investment

“India would require over USD 50 billion for "incremental green investment" to overcome poverty, increase food production to eradicate hunger without degrading land and water resources, and avert the climate change catastrophe, a senior UN official said today. The World Economic and Social Survey 2011 shows that governments across the world would need to invest USD 1.9 trillion within the next few years to address the combination of grave challenges, particularly for averting "the catastrophic impacts of climate change and environmental degradation. For India, the projection for new green investments is well over USD 50 billion, said another official in the UN economic and social affairs department"

(CNBC TV 18, 7/5/11)

Kyoto Protocol must be preserved: India

"India has said that the continuation of the Kyoto Protocol was essential to safeguard future of the global climate change negotiations process. New Delhi had clarified that while it recognizes the need for a global goal to limit emissions, it can't happen at the cost of the economic growth of developing countries. Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh outlined India's position on these key issues at the Petersberg Dialogue: "If the Kyoto Protocol dies, the entire climate change negotiating process will be delivered a fatal body blow. The Kyoto Protocol as a political and legal pact has great value and must be preserved.” He made it clear that the first order of business would be to ensure that Kyoto Protocol continues to be in existence. India is of the view that discussions on the quantum of emission cuts taken by developed nations should not result in a move that imperils the agreement.”

(Economic Times, 7/4/11)

Energy

OPIC Commits $198M To Two India-Focused Clean Energy Funds

“US government agency Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) is backing two clean energy private equity funds, with India as their key location and with a commitment of $198 million. OPIC said that it would provide $136 million for Aloe Environment Fund III and $62 million for Renewable Energy Asia Fund. Aloe Private Equity, which is raising its fourth fund and targeting $420 million, will invest in areas like renewable energy generation, recycling and energy efficiency. OPIC is also backing Renewable Energy Asia Fund, managed by Berkeley Energy, which will target renewable energy projects and project developers in Asia, primarily India and the Philippines. It focuses on mature renewable technologies, such as wind and small hydro.”

(Reuters, 7/1/11)

IFC Plans $15 Million India Wind Farm Investment

“International Finance Corp., an investment arm of the World Bank, plans to invest $15 million in Bhilwara Green Energy Ltd. to build a 51 megawatt wind power farm in western India. Bhilwara Energy plans to build the wind farm in the Satara district of the western state of Maharashtra under a contract with wind turbine maker ReGen Powertech Pvt. Ltd. The wind project is expected to cost about $71.5 million, of which IFC will provide up to $15 million in loans.”

(Wall Street Journal, 7/4/11)

Gujarat's wind power capacity grows 500% in six years

“With 2,175 Mw, Gujrat holds 15.36 per cent of India's total wind power generation capacity. In what can be called as a quantum leap for Gujarat's renewable energy sector, the wind power generation capacities have seen a sharp increase since 2006 from 338 Megawatt (Mw) to 2175.5 Mw in 2011. The share of Gujarat in the country's total wind power generation capacities has jumped from mere 6.32 per cent in 2006 to a respectable 15.36 per cent in 2011. A study by Center for Wind Energy Technology (C-WET) showed that India's gross potential for wind power generation stood at 48,561 Mw. Gujarat is believed to have a potential of 10,645 Mw, of which 2175.6 Mw of generation capacities have already been set up in the state.”

(Business Standard, 7/6/11)

India’s Large Solar Plants Exempted From Environmental Licensing

“India exempted developers of large solar-thermal power plants from environmental-permit requirements, potentially easing construction delays for companies such as Reliance Power Ltd. (RPWR) and Lanco Infratech Ltd. (LANCI) . The country’s State Pollution Control Boards should not demand permits for such plants, the Environment Ministry said in a website statement. Developers must still demonstrate that they’re not using protected land and have applied for water permits, according to the statement. The decision is aimed at preventing delays that have hampered planning applications in other energy and mining industries. India is investing in solar projects as economic growth boosts power consumption and the government seeks to bring electricity to remote areas with no access to the grid. ”

(Bloomberg, 7/1/11)

Environmental Governance and Compliance

National Green Tribunal starts functioning

“The National Green Tribunal (NGT), a judicial body aimed at expediting environment-related cases, began functioning on Monday, an environment ministry official said. "It is an important initiative and India is only the third country after Australia and New Zealand to have a dedicated (green) court. Anybody and everybody can approach the NGT for civil damages arising out of non-implementation of various laws of the environment," Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said during the launch of the NGT.”

(The Economic Times, 4/7/11)

India Environment Ministry Denies Coal Block Clearance

“India's federal environment minister Tuesday denied forest clearance to a coal block given to Gujarat Mineral Development Corp. and has recommended the allocation of another deposit in the central state of Chhattisgarh. The minister has also sought the intervention of the prime minister's office to allocate the alternative Bhalumuda block to the Gujarat state-run company so that it is able to meet its supply commitments to the power plant, the first unit of which is scheduled to be operational by June 2012. The move from the environment ministry comes amid a series of ministerial panel meetings set up to improve domestic coal availability by permitting mining activities in restricted forest zones. “

(Wall Street Journal, 7/5/11)

India's Ministry Says No Green Nod For Vedanta's Bauxite Mine Project

“Vedanta Resources PLC's (VED.LN) bauxite mining project in eastern India hasn't received environmental clearance, the government said over the weekend. Reacting to a Times of India report that an environment panel has reviewed and cleared the project in Orissa state's remote Niyamgiri hills, India's ministry of environment said that--whatever the panel's recommendations might be--the project hasn't been given approval to cut forests for mining. It added that the ministry of environment has the right to reject any recommendation by the environmental panel.”

(Wall Street Journal, 7/4/11)

(Prepared by Sachi Singh, Claremont McKenna College)

Experts Call for More Government Support to Catalyze US-India Clean Energy Research

2011-07-06T21:51:44Z

Shravya Reddy, India Analyst, New York

On June 29, NRDC organized a roundtable discussion in New York with leading scientists, researchers, universities, corporations, investment firms and some non profits, all of whom are keenly interested in collaborative clean energy partnerships in India. The event aimed at familiarizing clean energy experts with a $50 million matching funding opportunity for joint Indo-US clean energy research and development (R&D). The discussion focused on the Joint Clean Energy Research and Development Center (JCERDC), coordinated by the US Department of Energy and the Government of India. NRDC’s roundtable was also a platform for participants to share perspectives on what the Indian and US governments could do to strengthen bilateral clean energy cooperation in the future. Experts emphasized that a higher degree of involvement by both governments is necessary to catalyze partnerships. Examples of how governments can provide more valuable support include assistance with connecting interested parties and facilitating secure information-exchange.

The Clean Energy Center’s goal is to catalyze game-changing R&D in three priority areas—energy efficiency in buildings, solar energy and second generation biofuels. The Center’s work will be initiated through three joint Indo-US consortia, one each on three priority areas. NRDC and our Indian partners - the Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI) and the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) - share the two governments’ objective of making the JCERDC funding opportunity a success.

The New York event was the second of our three workshops on this issue. Speakers included Vatsal Bhatt, Senior Energy Policy Advisor, Brookhaven National Laboratory; Radhika Khosla, Center for Market Innovation, NRDC; Susan Casey-Lefkowitz, International Program Director, NRDC; and Dale Bryk, Air and Energy Program Director, NRDC. Participants in the roundtable discussion included the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Columbia University, Carnegie Mellon University, Purdue, Rutgers, Pace, the City University of New York, Brookhaven and Pacific Northwest National Labs, Intel, Synapse Energy, Biodico, UTC Power, ICLEI and many others.

There was widespread interest throughout the group in clean energy projects in India – from research to deployment, and commercialization. All attendees welcomed the two governments’ efforts to spur breakthrough research in solar energy, biofuels and building energy efficiency. Most had prior experience working in India or were enthusiastic about working in India’s dynamic environment. Participants were eager to be a part of India’s unprecedented growth and to explore partnerships with Indian groups.

However, the discussion also highlighted the need for deeper involvement by the governments to engage leaders in the clean energy and clean technology community. Many expressed that official agencies involved could provide more information about the funding opportunity, and more process-related assistance to those seeking funding. We heard feedback that a three month deadline for proposals is extremely challenging, and that many interested parties would benefit from better information availability in this short timeframe. In particular, participants wanted more assistance from the two governments to connect with other interested parties; guests at the roundtable expressed eagerness to connect with potential partners, but underscored that concern for intellectual property and confidentiality constrains interaction with new entities. This is where the governments could play a valuable role by facilitating interaction with others. Other feedback was that the funding amount was not substantial enough; that the 50% cost-share criteria was intimidating, especially to smaller players; and that the award would be divided up between multiple consortia partners, eventually resulting in individual shares that would be difficult to put to meaningful R&D. However, it was also acknowledged that this funding is more in the nature of seed money to help partnerships get underway, rather than full funding of R&D. It is precisely because a major goal of this effort is to catalyze new partnerships that more involvement is needed from both the U.S. and Indian governments to help make the connections happen.

NRDC, ASCI and CEEW are working to ensure that the highest calibre of talent in both countries is drawn into the process. Our organizations are not applying for the JCERDC grants and are not affiliated with the government entities making the grant awards. We are independently facilitating engagement between relevant stakeholders and disseminating information to entities who can contribute to this innovative R&D model. Please find information on our web portal, which we will update weekly.

We will be connecting prospective applicants with one another upon request, consolidating feedback from stakeholders, and analyzing how the JCERDC process and future bilateral clean energy efforts can be strengthened. We will communicate our findings to the US and Indian governments to assist them. Please join us at our third and final roundtable discussion in Delhi on July 8 to share your input on how we can collectively encourage the growth of Indo-US clean energy partnerships.

(Co authored by Sachi Singh, Claremont McKenna College)

India Environmental News Compilation - June 17th - June 28th, 2011

2011-06-30T15:08:47Z

Shravya Reddy, India Analyst, New York

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)

India a hotspot for solar VCs

“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)

India - A Tough Nut to Crack: Review of India's Role at Bonn

2011-06-22T20:46:58Z

Shravya Reddy, India Analyst, New York

India made itself heard loud and clear at the recently concluded United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bonn, Germany (June 6-17). It championed the principle of equity, pushed for dialogue on intellectual property rights for green technology-sharing, chided secretariat staff for taking a partisan stance, and demanded that greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the West peak no later than 2012. Whether or not this bluster can be backed up by a constructive, results-oriented, non-partisan approach by India, in the lead up to the Seventeenth Conference of Parties (COP-17) at Durban, remains to be seen.

India led a group of developing countries in the demand that equity be brought back onto the agenda for COP-17. While India took on voluntary emissions intensity reduction targets at Copenhagen, it continues to advocate that each country is entitled to a quota of atmospheric “carbon-space” on a per capita basis. India’s concern about equity is based on the relatively large amount of carbon-space that the West occupies (as a result of historical emissions), in contrast to the developing world which needs to increase its share of carbon–space to raise millions out of poverty. Equity has now been provisionally included in the agenda for Durban.

India, joined by China, Brazil and other developing nations also urged that Annex I countries attain peak emissions no later than 2012. India and likeminded nations submitted a statement to the UNFCCC calling on developed countries to cut their emissions 50 percent below 1990 levels by 2020. The statement emphasized, “the time frame for peaking will be much longer in developing countries in order to ensure sufficient time for and equitable access to sustainable development, and bearing in mind that social and economic development and poverty eradication are the first and overriding priorities of developing countries.”

Debates on intellectual property rights for green technology-sharing, and disguised trade barriers under the guise of climate change mitigation measures continued to cause controversy. India was one of any countries that asked for these to be discussed and also for them to be placed on the agenda for Durban. In a concrete step forward, delegates at Bonn reached agreement on the setting up of a Climate Technology Center to boost global technology sharing. Progress was also made on extending carbon trading mechanisms, climate fund management and slowing deforestation.

India has considerable influence in multilateral climate negotiations, and has already demonstrated it can be a leader in resolving standoffs, for instance, the impasse on International Consultation and Analysis (ICA). At the same time, India has remained steadfast on certain contentious issues like equity, carbon-space and technology-sharing. Since Cancun, it has taken many positions in alignment with other developing countries, including at the recent BASIC countries ministerial, and made strong critiques of the developed world. While the ideological underpinnings of India’s negotiating position are valid, a more pressing concern is how to convert principles into concrete actions that can start delivering immediate and measurable results. Even as India continues to be the voice of the developing world, can it transcend the very partisanship it rebuked, and be a more universal leader at Durban? Despite the challenges inherent in the UNFCCC system, countries can still choose to play a constructive role at COP-17. We hope to see India rise to the occasion, as we’ve seen it do before at Copenhagen and at Cancun.

Stronger Focus on U.S.-India Energy Cooperation Needed on Capitol Hill

2011-06-14T20:18:33Z

Shravya Reddy, India Analyst, New York

Last week I had the privilege of attending a conference on the strengthening of the U.S.-India bilateral relationship in Washington, D.C. The conference was attended by several important players from both sides, including Indian Ambassador to the U.S. Her Excellency Meera Shankar, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Robert Blake, Deputy Chief of the Indian Mission Ambassador Arun Singh, as well as Co-Chairs of the Senate India Caucus, Mark Warner (D-VA) and John Cornyn (R-TX). The distinguished speakers all stressed the importance of the Indo-U.S. strategic relationship in today’s political and economic climate. While we were pleased to see some attention focused on the role of energy cooperation in strengthening the partnership, the event underscored the need for more emphasis by political leadership from both countries on the critical and promising issue of clean energy.

The half-day conference, “U.S. India Relations—A View from Capitol Hill”, hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies and the Senate India Caucus, was held in Washington D.C. on the 9th of June, 2011. The event featured keynote addresses by Senator Mark Warner and Senator John Cornyn. Both Co-Chairs of the Senate India Caucus emphasized the importance of economic development, education and workforce development, and defense cooperation. Unfortunately, clean energy cooperation and climate change mitigation and adaptation did not rank in their listed priorities for the partnership.

Their remarks were followed by Ambassador Meera Shankar and Assistant Secretary Robert Blake’s presentations on the trajectory of bilateral relations since the Obama-Singh Summit. Both identified energy cooperation as a crucial element of the Indo-U.S. partnership, and highlighted the establishment Joint Clean Energy Research and Development Center (JCERDC) as a historic step towards closer energy collaboration. Ambassador Shankar also said that India was focused on growing its energy efficiency basket, as the government wants to ensure universal access to commercial energy, across all towns and villages. She stressed that the need for more energy creation is enormous, but that that equal emphasis is also being placed on distribution and access. She noted that India is committed to reducing the cost of commercial energy, in particular solar energy, and that the goal of India’s new National Solar Mission is to make solar power affordable and competitive.

Assistant Secretary Blake drew attention to extraordinary progress that India and U.S. were making in terms of energy security. Referring to the JCERDC’s recent $50 million Funding Opportunity Announcement, he noted that this was the “single most comprehensive, well-integrated and significant bilateral clean energy research and development (R&D) effort in U.S. history.” In addition, he highlighted a $2.5 million Indo-U.S. dollar Science and Technology Endowment Fund that will make awards in the areas of health and digital communication technologies. He also mentioned that the U.S. had set up a new National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) monsoon desk in India to help get accurate weather information to Indian farmers during the monsoon season in India.

Additional insights on the security and defense aspects of the Indo-US relationship were provided by a panel comprising Richard Fontaine, Bruce Riedel, Raymond Vickery and Ambassador Karl. F. Inderfurth. The conference was attended by a wide array of both Indian and U.S. entities. The common thread through all presentations was the recognition of India and the U.S. as strategic partners, and the growing importance of this partnership in the next few decades. Various speakers emphasized why India and the U.S. were critical to each other in counterbalancing China’s rising power. Several of them noted that the U.S. must step up its ties with India and give it the same priority that China has received in the past. All the speakers made note of the commonalities shared by India and the U.S., including democracy, entrepreneurial spirit, the pursuit of knowledge, and common values as well as interests.

We were happy to see that thought leaders in both governments and in civil society are thinking about the strategic Indo-U.S. partnership and how both countries can work together more closely to address global challenges. One of the most significant of these, of course, is climate change. To successfully combat this, and ensure energy security and equitable energy access in both countries, leaders from both countries will have to identify clean energy cooperation as having a central role in the bilateral relationship. What we heard last week was a good start, but more voices need to advocate for this on Capitol Hill, more often, and in stronger terms.

(Co-authored by Sachi Singh, Claremont McKenna College)

Will India Take the Lead in the Race to Rio?

2011-06-06T21:14:40Z

Shravya Reddy, India Analyst, New York

This week, people the world over are celebrating World Environment Day (June 5). As an emerging global environmental leader, India officially hosted the UN’s World Environment Day celebrations this year, with the theme “Forests: Nature at Your Service”. This year is also the International Year of Forests, and many World Environment Day activities in India reflected this focus, including a biodiversity film festival, tree plantation, green walkathon, and release of a new UN Report, “Forests in a Green Economy: A Synthesis”.

World Environment Day (WED) is an annual event, but this year it has taken on a very special significance: it marks the point when we have exactly one year before the pivotal Rio Earth Summit 2012. This is the start of the “Race to Rio”, when countries have to take stock of their policies and actions to protect the environment, and need to step up their commitments in the face of ever more urgent challenges facing our planet. As emphasized by Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary General and UN Environment Program Executive Director, “WED 2011 comes precisely 12 months before the Rio+20 meeting in Brazil next year, where the world will come together to try and forge a new and more decisive response to the sustainable development challenge of the 21st century”.

Earlier Earth Summits have demonstrated that the biggest successes are achievable when developed and developing countries come together to create a common vision and join forces to turn that vision into a reality. At Rio 2012, we will be looking to India to reconcile divergent perspectives and demonstrate the kind of solutions-oriented leadership that India displayed at the UNFCCC’s Copenhagen and Cancun conferences. We’ll also be looking to India (and other countries) to come prepared to take additional steps to create a more sustainable future.

India has already taken many steps recently that will help it take up the leadership mantle at Rio in 2012:

On May 25, 2011, India launched the UN Biodiversity Decade for Asia and the Pacific, and Minister of Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh stated that conservation is a national imperative for India, since lives and livelihoods of millions of rural and urban people are dependent on the sustainable use of natural resources.
On May 12, 2011, at the 19th Ministerial of the UN Committee on Sustainable Development (of which India is a member), Minister of Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh stated that India is committed to equitable access and benefit sharing of natural resources and reiterated that there is a gap in funding flow from rich to poor countries for technological leapfrogging.
On May 11, India’s Ministry of Environment and Forests appointed an Expert Panel to provide a roadmap for Green National Accounting (GNA) and examine the impact on the environment of a 9% GDP growth rate. The aim is to evolve a mechanism so GDP reporting will incorporate environmental costs by 2015. The panel will be chaired by economist Partha Dasgupta.
On May 9, 2011 India released an interim report on low carbon strategies for inclusive growth. The report signaled India’s intention to balance economic growth of 8-9% with a low carbon development pathway.
On May 5, 2011, Deepak Gupta, Secretary of India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy announced that India will add 17,000 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy by 2017, at an additional cost of 33.6 billion.
On April 1, 2011, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency’s Perform, Achieve, Trade (PAT) program was supposed to go into effect within eight high energy-consuming industrial sectors, with nearly 500 Designated Consumers. PAT implementation has been delayed , but the scheme is expected to become operational this summer, and is expected to prevent the emission of 23 mMTCO2e by 2014.
On March 29, 2011, MoEF launched an ambitious Black Carbon Research Initiative, a joint effort involving government agencies and scientific institutions. The study aims to produce definitive research on the global warming potential of black carbon aerosols, assess their albedo effect, determine what warming is caused by black carbon in the South Asia region (including Himalayan glaciers) and conduct modeling on glacial melt due to black carbon.
On February 24, 2011, India’s Prime Minister approved the National Mission for a Green India, which aims to double India’s afforested areas by 2020, adding an additional 10 million hectares. The plan’s objective is for forests to absorb 50-60 million tons of CO2 annually, offsetting about 6% of India’s annual emissions.
On February 18, 2011, MoEF launched a large study for valuation of natural capital and ecosystem services. The study aims at accurately monetizing natural capital and biodiversity in India, and includes formulation of a Green GDP and Green State GDP.
India also announced that it will host its first National Forestry Congress later this year, with the theme “forests in a changing world”. It will bring together a wide range of stakeholders to discuss and create advances in forestry approaches.

NRDC has been closely studying many of India’s actions to move towards a low-carbon economy. In this coming year, as the “Race to Rio” intensifies, we look forward to India implementing even stronger actions. India has shown it can launch myriad progressive plans and policies, but in the coming year it should focus on achieving concrete results on the ground. The lead-up to Rio is an opportunity to do just that. India clearly shares the goal of the Rio Earth Summit: progress towards a green economy, and pathways towards sustainable development and poverty eradication. This is no small feat, but we hope India, the U.S. and other countries will rise to the challenge.

BASIC Leaders Call for Stronger Action by Developed Nations in Lead-up to COP-17

2011-06-03T21:58:59Z

Shravya Reddy, India Analyst, New York

The seventh BASIC Ministerial Meeting on Climate Change took place in South Africa, near Durban, from 28 to 29 May 2011. The BASIC countries – Brazil, South Africa, India and China – were joined by Argentina as an observer. At the conclusion of the Ministerial, the countries released a statement recognizing the need to work constructively towards the UNFCCC seventeenth Conference of Parties (COP-17) at the year-end in Durban, and underscored that a great deal of work is needed in the next few months to ensure a comprehensive and balanced outcome at COP-17.

India was represented by Secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, J.M. Mauskar. India recommended three additional items for inclusion in the agenda for COP-17 at Durban: equity and sustainable development, trade measures and climate; and mitigation, adaptation actions and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR).

The Ministers underscored the centrality of the negotiations under the UNFCCC framework and the Kyoto Protocol, and stressed that a second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol, starting after 2012, is “absolutely critical”. They also demanded results on the “fast start finance” promised by developed countries in the Copenhagen Accord. In this context, they urged the UNFCCC Secretariat to publish information on funding already disbursed, so that there would be international tracking and accountability to these commitments.

The BASIC leaders emphasized the need to stick to the Bali Road Map, which includes:

A shared vision for long-term cooperative action, including a long-term global goal for emission reductions;
Enhanced national/international action on mitigation of climate change;
Enhanced action on adaptation;
Enhanced action on technology development and transfer to support action on mitigation and adaptation;
Enhanced action on the provision of financial resources and investment to support action on mitigation and adaptation and technology cooperation.

Ministers from the BASIC countries urged Annex-I countries to undertake their commitments in an appropriate legal form, stating that this is consistent with respecting the principle of common but differentiated responsibility. The group also highlighted that an appropriate balance is needed between mitigation and adaptation needs, especially for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs). Ongoing work on creating a framework for equitable access to sustainable development was reviewed at the BASIC Ministerial, and will be refined further in preparation for COP-17.

Leaders at the meeting reaffirmed the commitment of BASIC countries to continue working to strengthen the G-77, as well as rebuilding trust in the multilateral system as a whole. The next BASIC Ministerial will take place in August 2011 in Brazil. We hope that at that meeting, not only will BASIC countries identify actions that must be taken by Annex-I countries, but that in addition, they will also lay out a concrete, voluntary action plan for the BASIC nations themselves. By doing so, BASIC countries will position themselves as leaders in the global climate fight and go into Durban with considerably strengthened bargaining power. Given the ever growing urgency of climate change, especially in terms of impacts within BASIC countries, we look to them to rise to the challenge, be proactive, and demonstrate what true leadership looks like.

Can Indian and U.S. Ingenuity Lead the World to Clean Energy Solutions?

2011-05-24T21:11:46Z

Shravya Reddy, India Analyst, New York

Last week, India and the United States crossed another significant milestone in their efforts to create a clean energy future for their citizens and the rest of the world. Both countries announced an unprecedented funding opportunity for joint, collaborative research in three critical fields: solar energy, second-generation biofuels, and energy efficiency in buildings. Together, India and the U.S. are contributing $50 million across these three fields, over five years, to fund transformative, cutting-edge research and development (R&D). Another $50 million is expected in matching funds from participating entities, raising the total level of funding to $100 million. This is a much larger sum than many X-Prize awards! Thus, the money for game-changing clean energy science is out there and ready to be awarded – what is needed now is interest and initiative from the scientific community in both countries. Let’s spread the word.

The transformative research will be facilitated by the U.S.-India Joint Clean Energy Research and Development Center, which was established in November 2010 by U.S. President Barack Obama and Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. It will be conducted by leaders in science from both countries – including national laboratories, clean tech entrepreneurs, private sector companies, academics, non-governmental organizations, industry groups and others - drawn together into three consortia (one for each of the three fields). Public-Private partnerships have been increasingly successful business models in recent years, but the coming together of multiple public and private entities from two countries, including potential competitors, for the purpose of undertaking basic R&D is a unique and creative element of the Clean Energy Center.

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is a first-of-its kind effort by India and the U.S., but is a natural venture by two nations known for their prodigious scientific output. Both countries have a rich history of academic rigor, technological innovation and the kind of business enterprise that allows new ideas to move rapidly from germination to deployment. Both countries are also keenly focused on energy security – from a view to reducing their own dependence on foreign oil, and to lead the world in the fight against climate change. The three priority areas for this research have been well-chosen, since solar energy, biofuels, and building energy efficiency have extremely high potential for scalability and market-transformation in India and the U.S. They also have the potential to create new green jobs in both countries, providing a welcome boost to both economies.

Details on eligibility, application procedures, team arrangements, award size, cost sharing and other requirements are available on the U.S. Department of Energy’s website, as well as on the website of the Indian coordinating agency, the Indo-U.S. Science and Technology Forum. Entities that wish to team up into a consortium and apply for the grants must do so by August 16, 2011. NRDC, alongwith the Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI) and the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) Initiative will be working encourage the best talent in both countries to maximize this opportunity.

In the past, the coming together of Indian and U.S. scientific expertise resulted in Nobel Prizes in the fields of medicine, physics, mathematics and chemistry. Today, this new, innovative model for joint R&D has the potential to catalyze similar breakthroughs in clean energy science and give India and the U.S. a firm lead in the race for low carbon economic growth. May the best minds apply!

India's Low Carbon Growth Strategies Report Shies Away from Demanding Aggressive Climate Action

2011-05-14T12:50:11Z

Shravya Reddy, India Analyst, New York

This week, the Planning Commission of India released a long-awaited interim report of a government-appointed expert panel on low carbon strategies for inclusive growth. The report indicates that with aggressive action, including new policies and technologies, India can achieve both 8% economic growth through the year 2020, as well as a reduction of emissions intensity by nearly 35%. This is consistent with the Indian government’s commitment to incorporating climate mitigation into its economic growth model. Unfortunately, the report falls short of advocating for the most aggressive scenario and increased action by the government to achieve the maximum reduction.

The panel, chaired by former Planning Commission Member Dr. Kirit Parikh, was constituted in January 2010 by the Prime Minister’s Office to study how India could meet its Copenhagen commitments. Its findings are supposed to inform the Planning Commission as it develops and finalizes India’s Twelfth Plan (2012-2017). The interim report considers both an 8% GDP growth rate for India as well as 9% GDP growth rate until 2020, and within each scenario looks at what can be achieved on a sectoral basis through “determined” measures (vigorous and effective implementation of policies that are already in place or current being contemplated by the government) and “aggressive” measures (implementation of current policies plus design and implementation of new policies, along with significant deployment of new technologies and increased innovation) . In these scenarios, the projections for emissions intensity reductions by 2020, over a 2005 baseline, vary from as low as 23.88% (9% growth rate and determined effort) to 34.40% (8% growth rate and aggressive effort).

The report gives a great deal of attention to reaffirming India’s position about its low historic contribution to climate change, its low per capita emissions, its relatively low rate of growth of emissions in comparison to the United States, China and the EU, and underscores that India’s commitments at Cancun are strictly voluntary. It declares that “India has already achieved commendable emission intensity reductions since the early 1990s”, with a 24.9% reduction in emissions intensity of GDP between 1994 and 2007. Chapter one of the report is thus very careful to stick to India’s international negotiating position on climate change, and does not offer any surprises.

The report recommends various sectoral strategies for reducing emissions intensity, keeping in mind the 8-9% growth scenarios through 2020. It is curious however, that for some sub-sectors like appliance energy efficiency and buildings energy efficiency it clearly identifies two separate approaches (determined and aggressive), but for others it lists possible policy measures but does not distinguish whether a given approach would be considered determined or aggressive. It will be useful if the final report remedies this inconsistency.

Some highlights of the sectoral recommendations are:

POWER: Appliance energy efficiency (determined effort: 70% of all appliances in 2020 to be highly energy efficient; aggressive effort: 65% of all appliances in 2020 to be super efficient and 25% highly efficient);supply side enhancement and efficiency (super critical thermal power plants, integrated coal gasification combined cycles plants, carbon capture and sequestration, natural gas, limited growth in hydro power, high growth in wind power, rapid and significant growth in solar power and nuclear power).
TRANSPORT: “Avoid-shift-improve paradigm”, including increasing the share of rail in freight transport (completion of freight corridor already underway); increasing or retaining current modal shares of public and non-motorized transport in urban passenger transport; improving fuel efficiency of current vehicle fleet and its operation (labeling, defining minimum fuel efficiency standard, periodically tightening corporate fleet fuel efficiency standards, up-front tax on personal vehicles, equal pricing for petrol and diesel to get rid of price distortions and allow consumers to choose more efficient option).
INDUSTRY: Improved efficiency in the iron and steel sector (through blast furnace-basic oxygen furnaces, electric arc furnaces and induction furnaces, coke dry quenching, cold rolling, slab casting, corex and finex smelting and pulverized coal injections); improved efficiency in the cement sector (increase in blending percentage, fuel substitution through usage of waste materials, cogeneration); improved efficiency in the oil and gas sector (reduction of gas flaring, and reduction of waste in processing and transportation).
BUILDINGS: Improved efficiency in residential buildings (primarily through appliances like efficient ceiling fans and redesigning buildings to reduce heating and air conditioning load); improved efficiency in commercial buildings (design efficiency and daylighting, insulation, plugging of leaks, use of natural ventilation, better implementation of the currently voluntary Energy Conservation Buildings Code (ECBC)and other green ratings systems like GRIHA and LEED India). In the buildings sector, the report distinguishes what can be accomplished through a determined effort (10% of new buildings to be built by 2020 to surpass ECBC and save 50% energy from current baseline, 10% of new buildings to meet ECBC requirements and save 70% energy from current baseline, and 10% of existing buildings and 30% of new buildings will have energy performance comparable to a retrofitted building and save 18% energy from current baselines) and an aggressive effort (15% of new buildings to surpass ECBC and save 50% energy from current baseline, 35% of new buildings to meet ECBC requirements and save 70% energy from current baseline, and 20% of existing buildings and 50% of new buildings will have energy performance comparable to a retrofitted building and save 18% energy from current baseline).
FORESTRY: Effective implementation of the National Mission for a Green India (double the area for afforestation by 2020 and raise total forested area to 20 million hectares (ha), enhance resilience of current forest areas, increase greenhouse gas (GHG) removal by India’s forests to 6.35% of India’s annual GHG emissions, restore 4 million ha of degraded forests, restore 2 million ha of scrub forests, restore 0.20 million ha of mangroves, restore 0.10 million ha of wetlands, create critical wildlife corridors etc.).

On the one hand, the report is a positive sign that India is committed to addressing climate change and will factor in climate change in its pursuit of rapid economic growth. However, it disappoints on several counts, and has come in for criticism by several environmental groups. For instance, it is unequivocal that coal-based generating capacity needs to increase by 230 gigawatts (GW) by 2020 to “ensure energy security”, instead of emphasizing a shift away from coal and towards renewables. It also indicates that the gains from efficiency in residential buildings would be negligible, and thus does not make a detailed analysis of this sub-sector, even though there is potential for gains here. Instead of underscoring the urgency of taking the most aggressive mitigation actions, the report concludes by stating that if India has to sustain 8-9% GDP growth through 2020, despite improvements in energy intensity, the total GHG emissions will be at least double the absolute levels in 2007, and that this carbon space must be made available to India to achieve inclusive growth and eliminate poverty. But perhaps the biggest shortcoming is that the report fails to address the deleterious impacts of climate change on India’s GDP and economic growth (including food insecurity, extreme weather events and health impacts), and lacks a robust calculation of how the goal of inclusive growth will be hampered by climate change (such as the Stern Report model). We hope that the final report, expected in January 2012, will incorporate such crucial calculations, and demand aggressive action.