CNG-fueled bikes? Why not, says the government

After autorickshaws, cars and buses, the government is now targeting the two-wheelers for CNG conversion. A pilot CNG-program under GAIL and Indraprastha Gas will test the suitability of CNG as a fuel for two-wheelers. Typically, natural gas is not considered an ideal fuel for smaller vehicles. However, given its low pollution footprint, the fuel was […]

India’s National Solar Mission gets off to a jump start, to exceed target this year

India is set to nearly double its solar power generation capacity in the ongoing financial year and comfortably exceed its target of adding 1.8 GW of extra capacity during the year. According to numbers obtained from various government sources, the country is all set to end the current financial year with a total solar power generation capacity of about […]

Tata Motors joins RE100 renewable energy group

Tata Motors Limited, India’s largest automobile manufacturer, has become the second Indian company to join RE100 – a global initiative of the world’s most influential companies committed to 100% renewable power. The company, which manufactures a range of commercial and passenger vehicles as well as defence and homeland security vehicles, has set itself the goal […]

Govt to raise benchmark costs for concentrating solar thermal projects in India

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), proposes an upward revision of the benchmark cost of Concentrating Solar Thermal (CST) Technologies Programme. The proposed revision in the benchmark will also accommodate increase in the cost of various components of CST systems, the government said. UPDATE: There is some confusion about whether benchmark costs have […]

India to give 30% subsidy for rooftop solar installations, target 4200 MW

In one of the boldest steps to be taken in the direction of clean energy in India, the central government has decided to provide a 30% subsidy for rooftop solar installations in the country. The move to provide blanket subsidies is unprecedented for India, and indeed for any low-income country, and has usually been found […]

Delhi High Court pollution order to affect some models – Mahindra & Mahindra

India’s biggest sports utility vehicle maker said the Delhi High Court’s order banning the sale of diesel vehicles with engine sizes over 2 liter could hit its sales by about 2%. “Honourable Court’s order today affects the sales of some of the Company’s products in NCR. The vehicles affected represent about 2% of the Company’s […]

CSE bats for putting clear limits on carbon emissions by countries

Centre for Science and Environment, one of India’s biggest environmental research and lobbying organization, has said that the current proposal to set a target of limiting temperature increase to 1.5 degrees could be a ‘hollow shell’ if no limits are placed on individual country emissions. Countries from across the world are negotiating in the Paris […]

Obama calls Modi on climate change targets

US President Barack Obama called Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to talk about the ongoing climate change talks, the Indian government said. “The conversation focused on the ongoing Conference of Parties (CoP21) in Paris. Both leaders underscored their strong commitment to address issues related to Climate Change being discussed in the Paris conference through constructive […]

India approves €1 bln German solar power program to combat global warming

The Indian Cabinet has approved a proposal by Germany — one of the pioneers in developing solar power in the world — to provide concessional loans of around 1 bln euro to develop the renewable energy source in the country. India has an ambitious, almost impossible, target of achieving 175 gigawatt of renewable energy capacity […]

Two-thirds of Indians could see temperature rise by over 2 degrees due to climate change

The impact of climate change on India would be more drastic than on many countries, according to a new paper released today by IIM Ahmedabad, IIT Gandhinagar and the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW). The country would need over $1 trillion from now until 2030 to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate […]

Greenpeace India sees leadership change after allegations

Greenpeace India, which has been under scrutiny by the Union Home ministry for “preventing economic growth in India” and on social media for the way it handled sexual harassment allegations, said it was changing its India leadership. “Greenpeace India’s Executive Director Samit Aich and Programmes Director Divya Raghunandan have bid adieu, and we graciously welcome […]

Japanese e-scooter, e-rickshaw brand Terra Motors to expand across India

Terra Motors, a Japanese maker of e-rickshaws and two-wheelers, will open dealerships across the country, the company said. The company is aiming at opening 80 outlets pan India by the end of next year. e-rickshaws are a growing category in India, spurred by the need to cut pollution in India’s big cities and the rising […]

Adani Group to set up India’s largest solar park in Rajasthan

Adani group has signed an agreement with the government of Rajasthan to set up a 10,000 MW solar park, which will emerge as the largest such integrated facility in India, a statement on behalf of the group said. The JV will be known as Adani Renewable Energy Park Rajasthan Ltd, will have a 50-50 equity […]

Report exposes dangers of e-waste from mobile phones, PCs and TVs in India

It is the underbelly of India’s electronics and e-waste industry, but a new study has shone some light on just how dangerous working with scrap electronics can be for Indians. “All recyclers and dismantlers are suffering from breathing problems such as asthma and bronchitis and have a detrimental effect on the respiratory, urinary and digestive […]