Latest news with #NationallyDeterminedContribution
Sydney Morning Herald
30-07-2025
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
What's in a number? New carbon target sparks new climate warfare
Our free Environment newsletter is sent every second Wednesday. Below is an excerpt. Sign up to get the whole newsletter delivered to your inbox. Casual observers of federal parliament might this week have been startled by a sudden resumption of conflict over climate, but the timing was no accident. Australia, like the rest of the world, is due to set its 2035 carbon-emission reduction target under the Paris Agreement. As a result, Canberra is crawling with those who have an interest in influencing that target (or Nationally Determined Contribution, more on which shortly). Setting the scene for many turning their attention to parliament as it resumed for the Albanese government's second term, were Nationals MPs Barnaby Joyce and Michael McCormack, who introduced a private members' bill to have Australia abandon entirely the effort to cut emissions in line with the Paris Agreement. Also in Canberra this week was Simon Stiell, the UN's chief climate diplomat or, more properly, executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. He has been travelling the world urging nations to submit ambitious targets that will keep Paris Agreement goals within reach. Far too careful a diplomat to recommend an Australian target, he has been making the case that, on economic and security grounds, Australia should be ambitious. 'Bog standard is beneath you … Go for what will build lasting wealth and national security,' he said in a speech in Sydney before travelling to Canberra. 'Go for what will change the game and stand the test of time.' So, what's a Nationally Determined Contribution? When world governments signed the Paris Accord almost a decade ago they agreed that to halt climate change before catastrophic tipping points kicked in, warming needed to be arrested below 2 degrees and as close as possible to 1.5 degrees.
The Age
30-07-2025
- Politics
- The Age
What's in a number? New carbon target sparks new climate warfare
Our free Environment newsletter is sent every second Wednesday. Below is an excerpt. Sign up to get the whole newsletter delivered to your inbox. Casual observers of federal parliament might this week have been startled by a sudden resumption of conflict over climate, but the timing was no accident. Australia, like the rest of the world, is due to set its 2035 carbon-emission reduction target under the Paris Agreement. As a result, Canberra is crawling with those who have an interest in influencing that target (or Nationally Determined Contribution, more on which shortly). Setting the scene for many turning their attention to parliament as it resumed for the Albanese government's second term, were Nationals MPs Barnaby Joyce and Michael McCormack, who introduced a private members' bill to have Australia abandon entirely the effort to cut emissions in line with the Paris Agreement. Also in Canberra this week was Simon Stiell, the UN's chief climate diplomat or, more properly, executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. He has been travelling the world urging nations to submit ambitious targets that will keep Paris Agreement goals within reach. Far too careful a diplomat to recommend an Australian target, he has been making the case that, on economic and security grounds, Australia should be ambitious. 'Bog standard is beneath you … Go for what will build lasting wealth and national security,' he said in a speech in Sydney before travelling to Canberra. 'Go for what will change the game and stand the test of time.' So, what's a Nationally Determined Contribution? When world governments signed the Paris Accord almost a decade ago they agreed that to halt climate change before catastrophic tipping points kicked in, warming needed to be arrested below 2 degrees and as close as possible to 1.5 degrees.
Time of India
25-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Non-fossil power hits 50% of India's installed capacity; ₹4 lakh crore saved in 2024: Joshi
New Delhi: New Delhi: India's renewable energy capacity has exceeded 245 GW, comprising 116 GW of solar and 52 GW of wind power, Union Minister for New & Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi said, highlighting the government's strategic push for clean energy transition. He stated that over 50 per cent of the country's installed power capacity now comes from non-fossil sources, five years ahead of its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) deadline. Addressing the Mercom India Renewables Summit in the national capital, the minister outlined five key government priorities—strengthened power purchase agreements (PPAs), robust grid and storage infrastructure, domestic manufacturing, land-use optimisation, and improved access to finance. According to Joshi, these reforms are aligned with India's 2030 target of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based power capacity. Citing a recent International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) report, he said that India saved nearly ₹4 lakh crore in 2024 through reduced fossil fuel imports and health-related costs, which includes $14.9 billion in fossil fuel savings, 410.9 million tonnes of CO₂ avoided, and $31.7 billion worth of air pollution and health-related benefits. Rooftop solar, BESS and green hydrogen push The Minister said that the government's rooftop solar initiative, PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, has received over 58.7 lakh applications and led to 17.2 lakh installations so far. In parallel, a ₹5,400 crore Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme has been launched for 30 GWh of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), projected to attract ₹33,000 crore in investments. He informed that a comprehensive transmission plan has been drawn up in coordination with the Ministry of Power, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), the Central Transmission Utility (CTU), and POWERGRID for evacuating 500 GW of non-fossil power by 2030. PLI, ALMM and land-use reforms To boost domestic manufacturing, Joshi said that the ₹24,000 crore Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme is promoting Aatmanirbharta in solar and wind manufacturing. He also announced the expansion of the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM), with List-II for solar PV cells set to be implemented from June 2026. The Ministry is encouraging innovation in land utilisation by supporting floating solar, canal-top solar, agrivoltaic installations, and deployment in tribal and remote areas. MSMEs and startups are being supported to scale clean energy innovations. Green hydrogen mission rollout Joshi said the National Green Hydrogen Mission is progressing with an outlay of ₹19,744 crore. So far, 3,000 MW of electrolyser manufacturing capacity has been allocated and over 8.6 lakh tonnes per annum of green hydrogen production approved. The minister said the sector continues to benefit from enabling policy initiatives to support its long-term sustainability.
Time of India
14-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
India achieves 50% non-fossil fuel power capacity, 5 years ahead of target
India has made a significant leap in its clean energy transition, achieving 50 per cent non-fossil fuel-based power generation capacity, five years ahead of its ambitious 2030 target under the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDCs). Union New & Renewable Energy Minister Pralhad Joshi announced this achievement on Monday, highlighting the nation's accelerated progress towards a sustainable energy future. Minister Joshi took the social media platform X and said, "Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a major climate commitment has been fulfilled.' India's total installed power capacity currently stands at 484.8 GW, with 242.8 GW now sourced from non-fossil fuels. This is particularly significant given India's international commitments to increase its non-fossil fuel-based power generation and its ambitious national target of establishing 500 GW of renewable energy-based electricity generation by 2030. Over the years, the government has launched a number of flagship programmes such as PM-KUSUM, PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, solar park development, and the National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy , which have laid a strong foundation for this transformation.
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
How the cement industry is moving towards a low-carbon future
Globally, infrastructure growth and development activities are impossible without the cement industry . However, cement production leads to a substantial carbon footprint, exacerbating the overall rise in global warming. This is because producing cement involves a complex procedure wherein clay, limestone and other raw materials must be heated to high temperatures to produce clinker, which represents the core component in cement. Decarbonising manufacturing processes This is an energy-intensive process primarily using fossil fuels that generate heavy carbon emissions . As a result, the cement industry contributes approximately 7 to 8 per cent of the overall CO₂ emissions worldwide. But decarbonising hard-to-abate segments like cement needs major emission reductions across levels. Comprehending the serious environmental outcomes, India's cement industry has been implementing varied measures to soften the production impact by shifting towards sustainable manufacturing practices . As the world's second-largest cement producer , with an installed capacity of 600 million tonnes (MT), the domestic cement industry's yearly output stands at 391 MT. By embedding sustainable practices across all the manufacturing processes, India's cement industry has enhanced its focus on environmental sustainability. Aligned with the country's Nationally Determined Contribution commitments, these actions aim to lower the emission intensity of its GDP to 45 per cent by 2030 against the 2005 baseline. This approach calls for the deployment of low-carbon technologies and the use of sustainable, substitute raw materials while raising energy efficiency and exploring CCUS (carbon capture, utilisation and storage) solutions. CCUS are indispensable for restricting the domestic cement sector's emissions to meet the net-zero goal by 2070. Herein, India harbours huge potential for CCUS in locations like the Deccan Traps and the Krishna-Godavari Basin, as well as mature oil & gas fields that offer tremendous CO₂ storage capacity. It's worth noting that India's cement industry has adhered to its Low Carbon Technology Roadmap in recent years, having willingly adopted this approach. Some of India's large cement producers are setting ambitious targets to limit direct CO₂ emissions. As per research estimates, more than 80 per cent of CO₂ emission reductions up to 2050 will be met via tech innovations. Role of energy efficiency and waste management Accordingly, cement makers have invested in energy-efficient technologies, maximising production processes while restricting energy usage. To capture and utilise excess energy, advanced kiln systems, preheaters and waste heat recovery mechanisms are being leveraged. This is helping cement producers manage energy and limit the need for additional energy. Artificial intelligence and machine learning tools are also maximising the usage of energy. Further, renewable energy sources like solar, wind and biomass have been crucial in limiting polluting fossil fuel usage. Clean energy sources have also been instrumental in allowing the industry to lower CO₂ emissions and reduce energy costs. Simultaneously, waste is managed and minimised efficiently in harmony with circular economy principles. For example, methods emphasising the use of industrial by-products and waste as raw materials or energy substitutes are preferred in the production process. Apart from controlling the consumption of natural resources, it minimises waste that can impact the environment badly. In adherence with circular economy practices, waste is also managed and curbed effectively. To elaborate, procedures based on the use of industrial waste and by-products as energy substitutes or raw materials are a preferred production process option. Besides curbing natural resource consumption, this limits waste that could badly affect the environment. Eco-friendly practices to promote a sustainable future When it comes to transporting raw materials and/or finished goods, eco-friendly logistics is used to ensure sustainability objectives are met. Keeping this in mind, organisations are steadily shifting their transport channels to clean alternatives. While EVs and CNG-driven vehicles are growing more popular, the railways and waterways are also being explored, thanks to their limited emissions. Additionally, the significance of managing supply chain emissions has been recognised. Therefore, only suppliers and vendors adhering to eco-friendly practices are being empanelled. In this context, it is imperative to mention how government policies can encourage the implementation of sustainable practices. For instance, companies are being incentivised by carbon pricing mechanisms to boost sustainability programmes that facilitate greener operations. Carbon pricing tools nudge firms to reduce emissions, thereby avoiding expenses that can be invested more productively later. Institutional incentives for investing in clean technologies have also helped in fast-forwarding the industry's transition towards sustainable production. Moreover, green building guidelines have hastened the shift towards energy efficiency and the use of sustainable materials during cement production. In this scheme of things, water conservation is pivotal as cement production remains extremely water-intensive. Due to this, cement firms are utilising water-sensitive practices in the manufacturing process, like smart wastewater management systems, rainwater harvesting and restoration of water sources. All these efforts are gradually bearing fruit. Propelled by a raft of eco-friendly practices, India's cement industry is slowly but inevitably moving towards its goal of becoming the global leader in sustainable cement manufacturing practices.
