Climate change: Finally, something happened in Durban

Dec 12, 2011

There were several hundred negotiators, each with dozens of conditions and thousands of opinions, but all agreed to one point: that the world is getting warmer, the environment’s resilience is depleting, and ‘something’ needs to be done on an urgent basis. The major

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Companies selected to complete first phase of India solar mission

Dec 6, 2011

About 22 alternate energy companies have been shortlisted to set up solar energy-based power plants in India by NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Ltd, a unit of state-run power utility NTPC Ltd. NTPC is entrusted to award the projects. France’s Fonroche Energy and Solairedirect Group are

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Climate change: BASIC stands by India at Durban

Nov 30, 2011

The four advanced developing countries Brasil, South Africa, India, and China (BASIC) have come together and put out a ‘same’ position at the negotiations at the Durban climate change summit. China, South Africa, and Brasil have come in support of India’s proposal to

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Climate Change: Who said what at Durban on day 1

Nov 29, 2011

Representatives of 194 countries finally arrived at Durban with their own agendas to find solutions to control escalating global temperatures. Before they all settled down to start negotiations, they presented their positions. Here is the stand of each influential country: USA The United States

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Climate change: Will it be a stalemate at Durban, too?

Nov 26, 2011

Again, over 10,000 officials from 194 countries will burn gallons of fuel to reach Durban, South Africa, on Monday to start conversations from the ‘negotiation’ point that was left ‘parked’ last year at Cancun, Mexico – that of renewing the current climate treaty,

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Renewable energy ministry wants Rs 40,000 crore to meet 2017 target

Nov 24, 2011

The renewable energy ministry has sought a 10-fold increase in fund outlay for the next five years. The ministry estimates that Rs 40,000 crore will be required to ramp up its capacity to 30,000 MW by 2017. India’s present renewable energy capacity is

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Companies copying environment clearance reports; ministry warns against plagiarism

Oct 6, 2011

Noticing that facts and data in environment impact reports (EIR) are being copied from the ones that have been already cleared, the union environment ministry has sternly warned environment consultants against plagiarism. If the ministry finds that submitted EIA reports are copied from others, the

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Avoid green protectionism in the name of green economy: Natarajan

Oct 4, 2011

‘Countries should avoid using environment concerns to further their economic interests. One should not pass on green protectionism in the name of green economy,’ said Minister of State for Environment Jayanthi Natarajan while addressing Delhi Ministerial Dialogue on Green Economy and Inclusive Growth.

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Green clearances processes to be simplified for faster approvals

Sep 13, 2011

In probably the first significant policy decision under the new minister Jayanthi Natarajan, the ministry of environment and forests has sought to ‘simplify’ the processes that are followed for obtaining environmental and forest clearances. The move is aimed at removing roadblocks in major

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Proposal to de-link environment, forest and wildlife clearances for highways

Sep 12, 2011

In a bid to fast-track highways projects, the ministry of road transport and highways (MORTH) has asked the government to de-link environment and forest clearances for such projects. According to the ministry, it takes about 12-15 months to seek environment clearance, another 1

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