CARBON EMISSIONS

'Who did most harm to Ozone layer?': Piyush Goyal holds up the mirror to Europe on climate change

EU carbon tax: Piyush Goyal asks Europe not to 'invite disaster' or 'shoot themselves in the foot'

Goyal said the EU had accumulated around 75-77 regulations, arguing that repeated additions were increasing the compliance burden on businesses and making them less competitive in global markets.

Domestic cos need strategic approach to tap India-Europe FTA gains: FICCI

Indian companies must adopt a strategic approach to fully leverage the European free trade agreement benefits, as tariff concessions alone may not suffice. The focus should be on product quality, market penetration, and building significant relationships with European buyers. Compliance with European standards will be crucial for export success, particularly for small enterprises.

Delhi: Rooftop solar registrations cross 1 lakh mark; outskirts lead adoption

Delhi Power minister Ashish Sood said that the rising registration numbers were a milestone in clean energy. The adoption of solar energy shows distinct trends across different areas in Delhi, with city outskirts and industrial hubs like Bawana and Narela leading in registration numbers.

The world is falling further behind on climate action, and the US looms large

Humanity is heading towards a hotter world due to increasing carbon emissions primarily from the United States. The United Nations Environment Programme has updated its climate projections, indicating a potential rise of 1.2 degrees Celsius. The report notes that while most economies reduced emissions, the United States' emissions have surged significantly. These changes could lead to severe consequences for vulnerable communities and ecosystems globally.

World falling 'dangerously short' on climate action, warns UN

Global commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are insufficient, threatening to push temperatures up to 2.6C by 2100. The UN warns that current climate pledges will not meet the agreed Paris goals, with dire consequences expected. Major emitters must take immediate action to significantly lower emissions, as a leadership gap remains evident. Climate impacts are already being felt worldwide, affecting all countries, including the United States.

Iceland is turning 120,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide into stone. It is locking away the greenhouse gas underground to fight global warming

Scientists in Iceland are using volcanic rocks to turn captured carbon dioxide into solid minerals, locking the greenhouse gas underground instead of storing it as gas. The Carbfix project has stored more than 120,000 tonnes of CO2 in rock, with recent results showing that its Steingerður plant processed 99.6% of the CO2 entering the facility.

Devil's in the diesel, get E-truckin'

To wean India off its crude oil addiction or make any structural dent to air pollution, electrifying our freight fleets are a no-brainer. Niti Aayog says road freights alone accounts for more than a quarter of India’s oil-import expenditure. But E-cars or green city buses alone won’t charge the collective imagination for a once-in-a-lifetime EV push: We need to green our highways. But first distortions in the duties need to be fixed.

New draft steel policy targets 604 million tonnes capacity by 2047

India has unveiled a new draft national steel policy targeting 604 million tonnes capacity by 2047. The initiative also aims to increase exports to 45 million tonnes in two decades. Measures will focus on reducing carbon emissions and promoting technology indigenisation in steel production. Infrastructure development will be emphasized alongside research, safety, and workforce improvements.

India targets 604 MT steel capacity by 2047, plans to cut carbon intensity: Report

India's government has introduced a draft steel policy for public consultation, targeting a steel capacity of 604 million tons by 2047. The policy aims to reduce the carbon-emission intensity for crude steel production from 2.54 tons to 1.54 tons. It also plans to secure access to high-grade iron ore reserves through joint ventures and foreign assets. Coking coal demand is expected to reach 236 million tons, necessitating diversifying sourcing strategies.

Adani's Kutch Copper plans 115 MW renewable energy push at Mundra refinery

Kutch Copper Ltd, a part of Adani Enterprises, plans to integrate 115 megawatts of renewable energy into operations. The copper refinery in Mundra aims to expand from 500,000 tonnes to 1 million tonnes per annum. This expansion would make it the world's largest single-location custom smelter. Kutch Copper is committed to environmental stewardship by treating nearly all sulphur emissions and conserving water resources. The Adani Group has pledged USD 1.

Chengdu firm turns used hotpot oil into jet fuel feedstock

Chengdu-based Sichuan Jinshang Environmental Technology collects used hotpot oil from restaurants and refines it into industrial-grade oil for export. That material is then turned into sustainable aviation fuel. The company started the work in 2017 and produces up to 150,000 tonnes of the oil annually. It plans to open a facility that could make 300,000 tonnes of SAF per year.

Is your used kitchen oil the future of aviation? Kelantan innovators turn UCO into sustainable jet fuel

Your used kitchen oil can also power a jet! These Malaysian innovators are now turning waste into renewable energy - Meet Arjuna Dharma Global co-founders Muhammad Arif Arman Suddin and his friend Mohammad Azhan Shamsu Anuar who're converting used kitchen oil into aviation fuel, and turning it into a successful business.

As AI threatens to overload the power grid and America faces an electricity crunch, here’s what tech giants are betting on to keep the power flowing

U.S. electricity consumption grew by less than 0.5% annually. Now, AI data centers, factories, robotics and wider electrification are pushing power needs higher. Nuclear energy is gaining attention because it can provide steady, low-carbon electricity at scale.

No cement, 450 homes, Rs 7 lakh each: How Gujarat couple turned factory waste into bricks, cutting construction time to just 30 days

In a groundbreaking innovation, Gujarat couple Vedant and Aditi Gandi have pioneered a pioneering technique to fabricate bricks utilizing industrial waste. Their venture, Co2ncrete, specializes in cement-free materials and notably reduces carbon emissions. With a vision to offer cost-effective housing that remains cool in warmer climates, they have remarkably completed over 450 prefabricated homes throughout Gujarat, leveraging their vast expertise in urban infrastructure and policymaking.

The business case for climate action

The former IKEA CEO and Earthshot Prize chair argues that climate change and nature loss have become immediate business risks, not future concerns, amid geopolitical tensions, volatile energy prices, supply-chain disruptions and extreme weather.

In 1990, Switzerland crushed an old A13 road and reused 66% to 100% of it in new concrete; 20 years later, every recycled test mix was still rated good or very good

New research highlights the impressive durability of Swiss highways built with recycled concrete over several decades. The A13 motorway took the lead, using up to 100 percent recycled materials while matching the performance of virgin concrete. While American states are beginning to experiment with recycled aggregates, implementation has not yet matched Switzerland's extent. This successful model could reshape future infrastructure investments in the U.S.

In 2015, Bill Gates backed a Seattle-based company that turned human waste into drinking water and Electricity. Now it has secured $500 million from investors, and earns nearly $100 million a year

The Omniprocessor, developed by the Seattle-based Janicki Bioenergy with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, came to the limelight in 2015, when it successfully transformed human waste into drinking water and electricity. Capable of processing up to 14 tonnes of waste daily, the innovative system separates water and dry waste, burns the latter for energy, and generates clean, healthy water, ready for consumption.

CBAM can help India build a greener, competitive export sector

The EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism is set to reshape global trade dynamics by prioritizing carbon intensity. Indian exporters must strategize for compliance that extends beyond the current focus on iron and steel. The Indian government is actively supporting small and medium enterprises in achieving these new sustainability benchmarks. To navigate this transition successfully, enhanced funding for carbon accounting and technological advancements is essential.

Bezos Earth Fund’s $26 million FireSat could detect 15-by-15-foot fires anywhere on Earth within 20 mins: Lauren Sánchez Bezos says, ‘I watched friends and family lose everything’

FireSat is a new satellite network designed to detect wildfires early and provide timely data. This constellation, backed by Jeff Bezos, aims to identify fires as small as 15 feet globally with approximately 50 satellites in orbit within 20 minutes anywhere on Earth. Jeff Bezos' wife Lauren Sanchez said FireSat is an investment worth betting on to safeguard communities and preserve nature.

Fashion promised to go green. Here’s how the New York Climate Week, behind closed doors, exposed the challenges of transforming the industry

Fashion is grappling with the dual challenges of rising fibre production and complex supply chain requirements. Sustainable alternatives exist, but they struggle to compete with established materials. The Climate Pledge Fashion Coalition aims to address these issues by improving material sourcing and production processes. Discussions during New York Climate Week emphasized the need for cooperation within the industry.

Essar-backed Mesabi Metallics to set up $15-billion steel plant in US

Mesabi Metallics will use iron ore for the Iowa plant from its mine in Minnesota, which was recently operationalised. The company has invested nearly $3 billion in this iron ore mine at Nashwauk in the state, which is the first new mine in Minnesota in five decades. This combined $18 billion investment is the largest single-location investment for steel in the country.

India to soon release new steel policy, eyes 600 million tons capacity by 2047, secy says

India's government will soon unveil a new national steel policy aimed at boosting steel production. The production capacity is expected to reach 600 million metric tons by 2047. This policy will emphasize premium products and reducing imports to strengthen the domestic market. A separate policy on steel scrapping is also being discussed among various ministries.