Sustainuance - September 2012

ED’s Note

SustaiNuance | | 03 September

One of the oft repeated statements that one hears in green seminars, boardrooms and interactions is the role played by the government. Depending on which side is speaking, there is either much praise or too much angst about the role played by the GoI. There are of course the firsts - the Ministry of New Renewable Energy headed by Farooq Abdullah is the first of its kind anywhere in the world. Also, there has been no paucity of planning commissions, national visions and other things. Purely from a policy front, India does not score too low. After all, even Barrack Obama could not bring about a green revolution, though he evangelised the same.

Yet, the sum of all the parts does not add up significantly, simply because it’s all scattered and being done in various silos. Let me share with you an instance. Sustainability as a practice and effort with an enterprise, at varying times, falls under the ambit of Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Ministry of Power, Ministry of Non-Renewable Energy, Ministry of Environment and Forests, and others depending on the efforts undertaken. To add to the conundrum, there are various governmental and inter-governmental departments that deal on different aspects. Like, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency that is meant to drive the uptake of energy star products and green buildings. And if this wasn't a khichdi (mishmash) enough, the federal structure of India ensures that there's much overlap on what is under the jurisdiction of the central government or state government. Little wonder then, some states in India are pioneers in terms of green while others are laggards. There is no parity among what one Indian state has achieved with that of another.

Much like the fabled Gordian Knot that held an ox-cart standing resting in the palace of the former kings of Phrygia at Gordium in ancient times, the policy framework on sustainability and CSR in India is all tied up too intricately to make sense of. For an outsider the complexity can be fairly perplexing. So what's the solution to this knotty affair?

In fact, the very legend of the Gordian knot also comes along with a solution as well. According to the same, the knot stood entangled for many centuries challenging one and all, till came along a young upstart from Macedonia, with visions to conquer the world. At first, he tried his hand at finding an end of the cornel bark and on not finding any, drew his sword and sliced it in half, thereby untying the knot. This is out-of-box thinking that challenges the norm and has the courage to strike at the status quo. We need modern days Alexanders who have a grand vision and the necessary wherewithal to achieve it, too. Let's look and analyse the ones around to check whether such a leader is there in our midst, and if not let's nurture a few; and encourage them to go through. Do we have such leaders? In this issue, we discuss threadbare the various government missions undertaken to promote the uptake of green and sustainability.

We have received fabulous response to our first edition; quite a bagful of suggestions and encouragement. You will see quite many of them being incorporated in the coming issues. In the meantime, let those mails keep coming, sharing with us your views, stories, suggestions or even criticisms.

Drop a mail on [email protected]. Till next time!

UntanglingGordian Knot

Sustainability's

The federal structure of India

ensures that some states in India are pioneers in terms

of green while others are laggards.

Shashwat DC Editor -in-Chief

CONTENTS

04 | September | SustaiNuance

NationalMissions

Solar Myths- Busted!

Why GoGreen?

Eight National Missions representing long-term strategies for achieving climate change goals.

People seem to harbour false beliefs

and doubts about solar power

It can give you operational benefits and better earnings

Blackout:a Call for Clean Energy?

10

17

24

18

SustainablityPortfolio

31

Mind yourGarbage!

20

Producing Energy from waste can be a notable source of renewable energy

SEPTEMBER 2012

CONTENTS


CDM has been ineffective:

Storage facility can boost renewable

IIT-Madras for domestic use

Sikkim to go by 2015

Solar power –

CSE

energy growth

developing new solar technology

‘fully organic’

as never seen before!

Apple's Green JobApple has been

thoroughly vocal about the aggressive steps it is

taking to become the greenest business it can

possibly be

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38

Shashwat DC

Sameer P Gore

Deepak Kumar

Jigna Khajuria

Pratima H

Saikat Nandi

Desiree LoboSailee KarnikNeha Kumari

Tanu Kaur

Shikha Das Shankar

Design Director:Nirmal Biswas

Senior Designer Graphic:Mahesh Walunj

IllustratorNitin Dhumal

Head Community:Jiten Doshi

Senior Manager Sales:Mahesh L Shetty

Asst. Manager Sales:Shoaib Shaikh

Ad Coordinator: Roshan Fernandes

Operations Manager: Rahoul Teli

Accounts & Admin Manager: Gajpal Rana

Assistant Manager (Subscription)Pooja Gondhalekar

Circulation Manager:Vishal Ladkat

Production Head:Riken Manseta

Chairman & Managing Director

Editor-in-Chief

Printer & Publisher

Consulting Editor

Content Manager (Web)

Special Correspondent

Senior Correspondent

Correspondent

Correspondent (USA)

Uday S Surve

Reproduction in whole or in part without the written permission

from Saaga Interactive Private Limited is prohibited. The views

and opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily

those of the publisher.

Copyright: All rights reserved.

Published and Printed by Sameer Pradeep Gore on behalf of

Saaga Interactive Private Limited. Published at 510, Western

Edge-1, Western Express Highway, Borivali (East), Mumbai -

400066. Printed at Amruta Print Arts, JR Boricha Marg, Opp.

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Editor: Shashwat Dinesh Chaturvedi

6 R’s to Green Earth 32

Sustainability Initiatives by Indian IndustrialSectors

35

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demand and price of carbon credits.

The panel wants every country – developed or developing – to increase their mitigation ambition and use carbon credits to meet their targets. This means rewriting the international climate convention and obliterating the difference between developed and developing countries.

CSE has urged the Indian government to reject these recommendations. “The recommendations are not only bad for the developing countries, they will also negate global efforts for fighting climate change,” said Narain. CDM was created under the Kyoto Protocol mainly to serve two purposes – to help developed countries to meet their commitments under the Protocol disintegrating. The Report included various he recommendations made in the in a cost-effective manner, and to support stakeholders such as civil society, Clean Development Mechanism sustainable development activities in policymakers and market participants in the (CDM) Policy Dialogue Report are developing countries.But experts say that it deliberations.totally inadequate to achieve any real has been reduced into just being a market

reforms on climate change, says Centre for “The report is singularly geared towards tool used by the Kyoto parties to write off Science and Environment (CSE) in a saving the ailing CDM and carbon markets, their targets with cheap offsets. It has failed critique of the Report. with not enough focus on how the social and in actually reducing emissions or promoting

environmental integrity of the mechanism The Report was released at the 69th CDM sustainable development in developing should be addressed,” said Sunita Narain, Executive Board meeting in Bangkok on countries.Director General, CSE.September 11, 2012.

Researchers are of the opinion that CDM has The CDM Policy Dialogue Report has a list The recommendations aim at how to reform been ineffective, and also a sort of carbon of 51 recommendations which focus on the CDM design and process, and how to accountancy fraud, a ‘cheap development saving the carbon market by increasing the prevent the global carbon market from mechanism’ promoting cheap offsets.

CDM has been ineffective: CSE

T

Address ing the media a t point of use as well as in off-grid sites. ‘Renewable Energy Conference – Obviously, technology would play a major Policy, Regulation, Technology role in such a scenario. Research has proved and Finance’, he said that grid that it is possible to forecast wind with an managers did not want renewable accuracy of up to half-an-hour, he said.energy due to issues of dispatch.

On financing for renewable energy sector, The most effective solution to that he said availability was not an issue but the would be storage of energy as it poor health of the public utilities was of would help streamline supply concern. The Ministry of Renewable Energy according to gird requirements. To has funded projects based on new acce lera te the growth o f technology which could translate into higher renewable energy, smart grids, efficiency. Talks are on with Spain for

he most important aspects of storage and forecasting would electricity storage through thermal and renewable energy are storage and become crucial, Majumdar said. It can be molten salt, Majumdar informed.d i s p a t c h , s a i d D e b a s h i s h stored in the form of heat, and in case of

Majumdar also added that by and large the Majumdar, Chairman and Managing solar, through thermal power.states’ policies on renewable energy were in Director, Indian Renewable Energy

Renewable energy can be generated at the sync with the Central norms.Development Agency (IREDA).

Storage facility can boost renewable energy growth

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Sikkim to go by 2015 ‘fully organic’

S

time-bound manner. A state-level apex body with the chief minister as its chair oversees the implementation,” an official said.

Over the years, Sikkim government has also promoted large-scale use of bio-fertilizers and has been providing farmers with organic manure as an alternative. For this, 24,536 rural compost units and 14,487 vermi-compost units were constructed in farmers’ fields till 2009. A bio-village program was also initiated in 2003 and around 400 villages were adopted by the state government till 2009 to benefit some 14,000 farmers and 14,000 acres of land.

Since the organic products sell at a higher price, the state governments hopes it will ikkim is all set to become a fully to 2009.benefit over 50,000 families in the state and organic state by 2015, an official

“Now our farming relies on techniques such promote organic agro-tourism.statement has said. Various state as green manure, compost, biological pest

agencies have been working in coordination According to latest data, Sikkim produces control and crop rotation,” Sikkim for the same. some 80,000 million tonnes of farm Agriculture Secretary Vishal Chauhan said.

products, including 45,890 million tonnes of The state started eco-friendly farming from The state government has stopped taking ginger, 3,510 million tonnes of large a small area of land in 2003. The their quota of chemical fertilizers offered by cardamom, 2,790 million tonnes of government set up the special Sikkim State the Government of India since 2006-07 and turmer ic, 4,100 mil l ion tonnes of Organic Board to promote better farm all sales points for chemical fertilizers in buckwheat, 3,210 million tonnes of urad techniques and prohibit the use of public and private sectors have been closed.daal and 20,110 million tonnes of mandarin manufactured synthetic fertilizers and

“We have also launched the comprehensive oranges. Significant portion of these pesticides. Around 8,000 hectares of land ‘Sikkim Organic Mission’ as a nodal agency products are already organic.was covered under this scheme from 2003 to implement and monitor the program in

IIT-Madras developing new solar technology for domestic use

P

domestic and agricultural use. The director also countered the belief that drawing solar power was expensive. He said

IIT-M director Bhaskar Ramamurthi said, the use of diesel generators hiked the cost

“Residential, commercial and agriculture to Rs15 per unit, which could go up to Rs30

sectors are most affected by power cuts. It’s a unit unless used optimally. Inverters are

crucial to remove or reduce basic electricity almost as expensive at Rs 14 a unit. In

needs from the grid. Schools and colleges contrast, over the last three years the

should all go off the grid and only use it as a generation of solar power, apart from land

back-up.”costs, is Rs 4.35 per unit. This is equal to the

The institute is working with three private generation of power from a thermal unit. drip irrigation companies on a technology Taking into account the cost of storage, the ower shortage is common in many that would integrate bore-well pumps with total cost could rise by another Rs4.parts of the country. It is but natural solar PV cells. Ramamurthi agreed that that the technological organizations

Former director of the Central Leather solar energy which cannot be stored is an would want to do something about it.

Research Institute G Thyagarajan urged issue, but it can be overcome in some time if Concerned by the domestic power

institutions like CSIR and IIT to play a engineers worked on the technicalities. He consumption needs, the Indian Institute of

greater role in helping small industry called upon interested scientists to work on Technology (IIT) – Madras is developing

players to adopt safe practices.making the solar power project a success.technology to use solar photo voltaic cells for

NEWS



NEWS

The recent ‘Solarcon India 2012’ to generate 300 watt power each. emergency. For example, the company has conference brought to light the fact installed a 20KW plant at the Bombay Stock The compact Solartor is foldable, can be that boundaries of solar power have Exchange where data security is of utmost carried or airlifted to disaster sites. It can be

extended beyond heating and lighting. This importance and power failure even for a a boon for relief and rescue operations and infinite source of energy is leading to hitherto second can result in losses in terms of for fire-fighting personnel since it can be unheard of innovations. Water pumps, farm millions of rupees while trading is on.connected to lights, pumps, surgery operations, crematoriums, securing critical equipment or lifting machines. A single unit Vijay Deshpande, Managing Director, data stores and distillation and effluent plants would cost Rs. 4 lakh. Enertech, said lighting in passageways in are the newest examples of its uses. Gadgets certain facilities, CCTVs in airports or Farming can benefit a lot from the solar and equipment running on solar power servers in IT industries or police control water pumps. Several manufacturers have lessen the dependence on erratic grid power rooms are of critical importance. Huge begun producing such pumps with onsite which only depletes fossil fuels. structures which need security lights can solar power production facility. Thejaswi The latest gear on the solar scene is shift power loads to solar backups which Bhat, who heads Grundfos Pumps, says the Solarator, a solar alternative to the mobile provide 10 to 20 hours of uninterrupted company has already sold nearly 2,500 generator. The trailer-mounted equipment power supply.such pumps in the Indian market since was launched at Solarcon India 2012. It is 2006. The pumps allow water to be drawn Arun Kulkarni’s Motion Controls has made manufactured by HHV Solar, near from 200 meters below the ground and inventions in solar ceiling and pedestal fans. Bangalore, and can light up campsites, could also be integrated with wind turbine if His ceiling fans can operate with six-volt disaster sites or even construction sites with the wind conditions are conducive. inbuilt solar-powered batteries. Exposed to 2KWh output and 600 watt input. five hours of sunshine, they can run for five Arraytech Technologies, too, produces H.R. Vasuki, General Manager-Operations, hours. He has sold over 2,000 fans in the similar pumps. It has introduced second-HHV Solar, said the green power generator last four years.generation PV cells where more polluting can last for six hours. Its photo-voltaic cadmium has been replaced by thin PV Then there were solar caps with a tiny fan panels convert sunlight into electricity films made of an alloy of copper, indium and fitted under the shade of the cap, powered without causing noise or air pollution. A fully selenium. These pumps can work at lower by a PV cell film mounted on the upper side. sealed water-proof compartment at the sunshine level and can be found in the The caps, produced by Sunray Solar bottom of the trailer houses all electronic range of six to 12 HP. Systems, can be used by batsmen in cricket and electrical components to prevent a matches or construction laborers working Pune based Enertech generates solar short circuit. The generator’s two solar under the scorching sun. It is useful for power with big installations at areas which modules use mono crystalline silicon cells trekkers, walkers and joggers as well.are critical in terms of safety, security and

Solar power – as never seen before!

Red-tapism is a problem faced by all of us, quite often affecting important large scale schemes.

Nabam Tuki, the chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh has voiced similar concerns. Addressing a panel on Hydropower Projects in North East at New Delhi, he said that the state was facing delays in getting forest and environment clearances, in some cases taking years, for the proposed hydropower projects in the Himalayan state.

The CM pointed out that staff crunch and other factors are the main reasons behind these delays. The Central Electricity Authority (CEA), Central Water Commission (CWC) and the Geological Survey of India (GSI) are unable to speed up the issuance of Techno-Economical Clearance (TEC) despite their efforts to examine the DPRs and issue the clearances.

The chief minister highlighted the importance of hydropower, and said that it is a source of clean energy. It regulates the flow of water during rainy seasons, hence moderating floods and saving life, property and agricultural prospects in downstream areas. Tuki requested MoEF to have a more encouraging role in developing hydropower in Arunachal Pradesh, which has a potential of 40 percent of the country’s total hydro-power generation potential. Of the projected 60000 MW potential in the state, projects of almost 42000 MW installed capacity have already been allotted, while additional 10000 MW is likely to be allotted soon.

Hydro-power projects in Arunachal face clearance hurdles

The Ministry of New and Renewable long run. And since it is off-grid, the project Energy (MNRE) will be announcing developers don’t need to depend on the a strategy to assist in the economically frail state-run distribution

development of 10 MW solar photovoltaic companies.power facilities on the rooftops of buildings.

The National Solar Mission of the B. Venkateswara Rao, general manager Government of India handles the payment (Technical), Indian Renewable Energy part by merging the solar energy with Development Agency (IREDA), made this unreserved conventional power, thus statement during the solar industry’s increasing the one-sided average cost of conference, titled Solarcon 2012. the combined power. However, currently

that unreserved power, which is not This will be a rent-a-roof type of scheme

allocated for sales to any particular where any roof-owner will be able to lease

cus tomer under power purchase out his house roof to a project developer.

agreements, has dwindled.The project developer will build the solar power unit and will be free to sell the Some state governments have declared electricity generated to the grid. their own rooftop solar schemes recently.

The Karnataka Minister for Large and Mr. Rao added that the probable cities

Medium Industr ies, Mr. Murugesh where this project will be developed is yet to

Rudrappa Nirani, stated in the Solarcon be decided. They will most probably choose

2012 that the state had recognized 1,000 places where there are no concerns about

key buildings for the establishment of grid power.

rooftop solar projects of more than 100 kW Even though the power gained by rooftop each.project is expensive than the power

At present, the country has solar power generated by large scale MW projects,

facilities of 1,030 MW, of which 680 MW is commercial establishments are willing to

under the feed-in tariff-based program of purchase the scheme. Mainly because it

the Government of Gujarat.guarantees supply and is low-cost in the

MNRE planning to assist 10 MW rooftop solar scheme

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COVER STORY


BY NEHA KUMARI

India is emerging as the most rapidly developing economy and will be a powerful nation in no time. Accepted! But it also can’t be ignored that India is facing the challenge of sustaining its rapid growth while dealing with the global threat of climate change. And would it not? The whole of

accumulated greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere emanates through long-term on-going industrial growth and the high consumption lifestyles in developed countries. India needs to have a ‘National Strategy’ in the first place, before engaging itself with the international communities to collectively deal with this threat!

It’s obvious that climate change may alter the distribution and quality of India's natural resources and adversely affect the livelihood of its people. With an economy closely tied to its natural resource base and climate-sensitive sectors such as agriculture, water and forestry, India may face a major threat because of the projected changes in climate.

India has a wider spectrum of choices when it comes to chalking out a development pathway which is ecologically sustainable. This is mainly attributed to its early stage of development. It has a vision to create an economy which is self-sustaining, the ability to unleash creative energies of its people and successfully fulfilling the responsibilities towards present and future generations.

India will be engaging actively in the multilateral negotiations at the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, in a positive and constructive way. The objective is the establishment of an effective, cooperative and equitable global approach.

Gandhiji’s wise dictum “the earth has enough to meet people’s needs, but will never have enough to satisfy people’s greed” is indeed true. Our approach has to be compatible with our role as a responsible and enlightened member of the international community.

Our national efforts would be significantly enhanced if the developed nations affirm their responsibilities for accumulated greenhouse gas emissions. Also, they will have to fulfil their commitments under the UNFCCC.

COVER STORY


COVER STORY


The Way Forward: Eight National Missions

National solar mission

National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency

Dealing with the climate change is not a one day job! We must act on several fronts in a focussed manner simultaneously. The National Action Plan on Climate change was formally launched on June 30th, 2008. The Plan relies on the development and use of new technologies. Institutional mechanisms which suit the effective delivery of each individual mission’s objective will have to be implemented. This would also include public private partnerships and civil society action. The focus will be on promoting understanding of climate change, adaptation and mitigation, energy efficiency and natural resource conservation.There are Eight National Missions which form the core of the National Action Plan, represent¬ing multi-pronged, long-term and integrated strate¬gies for achieving key goals in the context of climate change. While several of these programmes are already part of our current actions, they may need a change in direction, enhancement of scope and effectiveness and accelerated implementation of time-bound plans.

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh launched the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission – Solar India in New Delhi on 11th January 2010. While addressing the audience, he said “This National Solar Mission has place of pride in India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change. Its success has the potential of transforming India’s energy prospects, and contributing also to national as well as global efforts to combat climate change. This Mission is one of the major priorities of the second term of our government.”It is noteworthy here that the importance of this Mission is not just limited to providing large-scale grid connected power. It has the potential to provide significant multiplier for the transformation of India’s rural economy. Already in its decentralized and distributed applications, solar energy is beginning to light the lives of tens of millions of India’s energy-poor citizens. The rapid spread of solar lighting systems, solar water pumps and other solar power-based rural applications can change the face of India’s rural economy. The country intends to expand such applications significantly through this mission. Technological innovations are and will continue to be a key factor in ensuring the success of this mission. Reduced space intensity of current solar applications, through the use of Nano-technology is to be sorted and planned. Cost-effective and convenient storage of solar energy beyond daylight hours will be critical to its emergence as a mainstream source of power. In the meantime, we may need to explore hybrid solutions, combining solar power generation with gas, biomass or even coal-based power.The national solar mission, which aimed to install 20,000 MW capacity of solar energy by 2020, has commissioned 89% of its allotted capacity in its first stage. Also, the government signed Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) with 28 solar power developers in 2011.

Being one of the key missions , National Mission For Enhanced Energy Efficiency has a staggering INR 74,000 crore energy efficiency opportunities, A very ambitious execution plan based on three pillars namely – Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT)

For an enhanced standard of living for such a vast majority of people, it is necessary to maintain a high growth rate and reducing the vulnerability to the impacts of climate change. In order to achieve a sustainable development path that simultaneously advances economic and environmental objectives, the National Action Plan for Climate Change (NAPCC) will be guided by the following principles:

• Protecting the poor and vulnerable sections of society through an inclusive and sustainable development strategy sensitive to climate change.

• Achieving national growth objectives through a qualitative change in direction that enhances ecological sustainability.

• Devising efficient and cost-effective strategies for end use Demand Side Management.

• Deploying appropriate technologies for both adaptation and mitigation of greenhouse gases emissions extensively as well as at an accelerated pace.

• Engineering new and innovative forms of market, regulatory and voluntary mechanisms to promote sustainable development.

• Effecting implementation of programmes through unique linkages, including with civil society and local government institutions and through public private-partnership.

• Welcoming international cooperation for research, development, sharing and transfer of technologies enabled by additional funding and a global IPR regime that facilitates technology transfer to developing countries under the UNFCCC.

PRINCIPLES

COVER STORY


Mechanism, which will assign energy efficiency improvement targets to the country’s most energy intensive industrial units, with the provision of allowing them to retain anything in excess of their target in the form of Energy Savings Certificates, called ESCerts. Then there is Energy Efficiency Financing Platform (EEFP), Market Transformation for Energy Efficiency (MTEE), and Framework for Energy Efficient Economic Development (FEEED) under the leadership of Bureau of Energy Efficiency.

• A market based mechanism to enhance cost effec¬tiveness of energy-intensive large industries and facilities, through certification of energy savings that could be traded.• Accelerating the shift to energy efficient appliances in designated sectors through innovative measures to make the products more affordable.• Creation of mechanisms that would help finance demand side management programs in all sectors by capturing future energy savings.• Developing fiscal instruments to promote energy efficiency

Expanding the use of the carbon market to help achieve market transformation towards energy efficient equipment and appliances is one more aim to meet. There is a need for the creation of two funds to help channel investment into energy efficiency projects. One of the funds, the Partial Risk Guaranty Facility, will provide back-to-back guarantees to banks for loans to energy-efficient projects. The other fund, a Venture Capital Fund, will support investment in the manufacturing of energy-efficient products and services.Another major goal of the Mission is the promotion of Energy Service Company (ESCO) based upgrades of energy-efficient buildings, municipalities and agricultural pump-sets. Through this business model, ESCOs are paid over several years from the resulting energy savings.

Promoting sustainability of habitats through improvements in energy efficiency is the objective of the mission on sustainable habitat. Buildings, urban planning, improved management of solid and liquid waste, shift towards public transport and conservation through appropriate changes in legal and regulatory framework for incorporating efficient energy. The mission aims at promoting energy efficiency as an integral component of urban planning and urban renewal through four initiatives.1) The Energy Conservation Building Code, which addresses the design of new and large commercial buildings to optimize their energy demand, will be extended in its application and incentives pro¬vided for retooling existing building stock.2) Recycling of material and Urban Waste Management will be a major component of ecologically sustainable economic development. India already has a significantly higher rate of recycling of waste compared to developed countries. A special area of focus will be the development of technology for producing power from waste. The National Mission will include a major R&D program, focusing on bio chemical conversion, waste water use, sewage utilization and recycling options wherever possible.

To enhance energy efficiency, four new ini¬tiatives will be put in place. These are:

National Mission on Sustainable Habitat

Expanding the use of carbon market to help achieve transformation towards energy efficient equipment is the National Missions’ aim

COVER STORY


3) Better urban planning and modal shift to public transport. Making long term transport plans will facilitate the growth of medium and small cities in ways that ensure efficient and convenient public transport.4) Improving the resilience of infrastructure, community based disas¬ter management, and measures for improving the warning system for extreme weather events. Capacity building would be an important component of this Mission.

The objective of this Mission is "conservation of water, minimizing wastage and ensuring its equitable distribution both across and within States through integrated water resources development and management". The Mission Document was drafted by the Ministry of Water Resources through consultative process with full involvement of State Governments, concerned Central Ministries, Non-Governmental Organizations, academicians and other stakeholders.

1) comprehensive water data base in public domain and assessment of the impact of climate change on water resources2) promotion of citizen and state actions for water conservation, augmentation and preservation3) focused attention to vulnerable areas including over-exploited areas4) increasing water use efficiency by 20%5) promotion of basin level integrated water resources managementA two-tier setup has been proposed, one at Central level and the other at State level for framing the policies and guidelines for implementation of the National Water Mission. On June 12, 2012 the Centre has decided to incentivise States that fast-track water sector reforms with liberalised funding criteria. The plan is to “grade” States as per the reforms process adopted by them. States that speed up reforms will get increased financial assistance from the Centre for water projects.

The Himalayan ecosystem is vital to the ecological security of Indian landmass. It provides forest cover, feeds perennial rivers that are the source of drinking water, irrigation, and hydropower, conserves biodiversity, provides a rich base for high value agriculture, and spectacular landscapes for sustainable tourism. Climate change may adversely impact the Himalayan ecosystem through increased temperature, altered precipitation patterns, and episodes of drought.It is accordingly, necessary to continue and enhance monitoring of the Himalayan ecosystem, in particular the state of its glaciers, and the impacts of change in glacial mass on river flows. Since several other countries in the South Asian region share the Himalayan ecosystem, appropriate forms of scientific collaboration and exchange of information may be considered with them to enhance understanding of ecosystem changes and their effects.It is also necessary, with a view to enhancing conservation of Himalayan ecosystems, to empower local communities, to assume greater responsibility. The National Environment Policy, 2006, provides the following

National Water Mission

Five goals identified in the National Water Mission

National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem

Recycling of material and Urban Waste Management will be a major component of ecologically sustainable economic development.

relevant measures for conservation of mountain ecosystems:- Adopt appropriate land-use planning and watershed management practices for sustainable development of mountain ecosystems- Adopt "best practice" norms for infrastructure construction in mountain regions to avoid or minimize damage to sensitive ecosystems and despoiling of landscapes- Encourage cultivation of traditional varieties of crops and horticulture by promotion of organic farming enabling farmers to realize a price premium- Promote sustainable tourism through adoption of "best practice" norms for tourism facilities and access to ecological resources, and multi stakeholder partnerships to enable local communities to gain better livelihoods, while leveraging financial, technical, and managerial capacities of investors- Take measures to regulate tourist inflows into mountain regions to ensure that these remain within the carrying capacity of the mountain ecology- Consider particular unique mountain scopes as entities with "Incomparable Values", in developing strategies for their protection

The Mission aims to increase the quantity and quality of forest area. The Mission will also focus on improvement of ecosystem services, including biodiversity, hydrological services and carbon sequestration, and aim to increase forest-based livelihood incomes for 3 million forest dependent families. In terms of carbon sequestration, the mission aims to reach an annual CO2 sequestration of 50 to 60 million tonnes by 2020, which will increase the share of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions offset by India’s forest and tree cover to around 6 percent as compared to 4.5 percent that would have been offset in the absence of the Mission. The Mission on Green India will be implemented on degraded forest land through direct action by communities, organized through Joint Forest Management Committees and guided by the Departments of Forest in state governments. An ini¬tial corpus of over Rs 6000 crore has been earmarked for the programme through the Compensatory Afforestation Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) to commence work. The programme will be scaled up to cover all remaining degraded forest land. The institutional arrangement provides for using the corpus to leverage more funds to scale up activity.

The Mission lays emphasis on four key functional areas and ten important dimensions. Through these, the mission seeks to target both; the imminent challenges from the likely impacts of climate change on Indian agriculture and the more fundamental ones in food security, equitable access to food resources, livelihoods and economic stability at the national level.The mission seeks to achieve those objectives through strategic interventions at the agro climatic zones ranging from improved crop seeds, livestock and fish culture to livelihood diversification. The mission rightly acknowledges that the likely adverse impacts of climate change on Indian agriculture can lead to a new class of community called ‘Climate Refugees’ comprising of people impacted by variable and extreme climate events. Agriculture will need to be progressively adapted to projected

National Mission for a Green India

National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture

It is necessary, with a view to enhancing conservation of Himalayan ecosystems, to empower local communities, to assume greater responsibility.

COVER STORY


COVER STORY


climate change and our agri¬cultural research systems must be oriented to moni¬tor and evaluate climate change and recommend changes in agricultural practices accordingly. Focus would be on improving productivity of rain fed agriculture. This will be supported by the convergence and integration of traditional knowledge and prac¬tice systems, information technology, geospatial technologies and biotechnology. New credit and insurance mechanisms will be devised to facilitate adoption of desired practices.

This Mission seeks to build a dynamic knowledge system that would inform and support national policy and action in addressing the climate change challenges while not compromising on the nation’s growth goals. This, it seeks to achieve through a combination of knowledge infrastructure, institutional inter-connections, capacity building and mission mode programs well supported by an inter-ministerial co-ordination mechanism.Among the key deliverables of the mission are:1. 10 thematic knowledge networks in the areas of climate science , climate modelling, adaptation across GDP critical sectors, energy generation technologies, emission inventories.2. 10-12 technical reports on sub-mission programs concerning Indian monsoon, glaciers melt, frequency and intensity of natural disasters such as floods, droughts, cyclones, earth quakes.3. Regional and disaggregated climate models.4. 50 Chair professorships in climate science and technology and about 200 trained specialist climate change researchers.5. At least 3 PPP programs in adaptation and mitigation technologies6. Technology Watch Groups across climate science, renewable energy, clean coal, sustainable habitats, solar, waste etc.7. Thematic reports on technology policy interfaces in the areas of per capita emissions at various GDP growth rates.8. Technology collaborations with the USA, EU, Japan, China on areas identified in the mission elaboration from time to time.The Mission has on its research agenda, socio-economic impacts of climate change including impact on health, demography, migration patterns and livelihoods of coastal communities. A Climate Science Research Fund would be created under the Mission to support research. Research to support policy and implementation would be under¬taken through identified centres. The Mission will also focus on dissemination of new knowledge based on research findings.

All the eight missions are being institutionalized by respective ministries. They will be organized through inter-sectoral groups which include in addition to related Ministries, the Ministry of Finance and the Planning Commission, experts from industry, acade¬mia and civil society. Building public awareness will be vital in supporting implementation of the NAPCC. This will be achieved through national portals, media engagement, civil society involvement, curricula reform and recognition/ awards, details of which will be worked out by an empowered group. The group will also consider methods of capacity building to support the goals of the National Missions.

National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change

Implementation of the missions

Adverse impacts of climate change on Indian agriculture can lead to a new class of community called ‘Climate Refugees’

COLUMN


We are running out of fossil fuels and that might affect a lot of our industries, production, transport and other facilities. The amount of pollution these fuels create is

alarming, not to mention the destructive greenhouse gases damaging our fragile ecosystem. In such a scenario, renewable energy is a ray of hope to save our earth from further damage.

In a sunny country like ours, solar Photovoltaics (PV) rooftop is a good option for energy and electricity demands. Even though people understand the need for solar power, they do not want to make the switch from fossil fuels due to some doubts and false beliefs they seem to harbour.

The first myth is that solar system is very expensive and you can’t really recover the installation cost. The truth is that the system eliminates electricity bill, which is why most people get the panels installed in the first place. Hence, the money saved this way typically pays the system off in a few years, depending on the usage and state.

Solar panels are delicate and difficult to handle. The panels are actually quite resilient. Because they are black, the snow melts off them quickly as well. In fact, NASA uses them for most of its spaceships and other projects out in space.

Solar energy will not give results in cool and cloudy climates. The fact is, solar panels work on UV rays of the sun which get through the clouds. Also, cold temperatures make the energy transfer easier and efficient.

Solar panels may add to global warming. The solar panels do not burn fossil fuels or harsh chemicals which release greenhouse gases associated with global warming. The only carbon footprint they make is when they are made and transported, which is minimum.

Solar systems can work on either batteries or grid. In modern day systems they are grid tied. It is cheaper for most families and also allows them to sell the excess produce to the electric company. This will earn them credit for the power that would otherwise remain unused in the batteries. It also allows them to not worry about storing energy for the night and bad weather days.

Regular maintenance is not necessary. The fact is, a rinse off once a year is recommended so that the solar panels remain clean. It would also be sensible to check for debris and clean it off as soon as possible.

Solar panels cannot lead to roof leak or collapse. One should make sure that everything is waterproof before actually starting the installation. Generally, companies install a rail across the roof and mount the panels on top of it.

Solar rooftop has become a necessity, especially where conventional electricity is difficult or too expensive to get. Converting solar radiation into direct electricity will save huge amounts of conventional energy, thus saving the precious resources for future generations.

Following are a few myths and realities about solar power:

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

7)

Solar Power is cheaper for most families and also allows them to sell the excess produce to the electric company

FEATURE


Someone rightly remarked that we haven’t received this world as an inheritance from our forefathers. It is a legacy we will leave to our grandchildren. It is then time to seriously think

what we want to leave behind – a world full of pollution, depleting resources, scarce water bodies and damaged ecology, or a sustainable world with enough resources and good living conditions.

As a businessman, you might want to take a more sustainable approach to business due to any of the factors like pure philanthropy, profits or cost saving. You may truly want your workers to be educated, reasonably paid and to have decent living conditions. Besides, being more sustainable brings tangible business benefits.

Even if the primary aim of a business is to concentrate on profitability, it doesn’t mean they can’t put in efforts into sustainability. In fact, following a sustainable route can aid you into achieving a ‘privilege to expand’ your business and gain benefits.

Secondly, there is the long-term need that makes sustainability the only logical approach. Just imagine, if you use up a natural resource faster than it can be replaced, there will be no resource left to make products out of. It is simple self-preservation. It becomes necessary to ensure that the raw materials for manufacturing your products continue to be available. You can do so either by reducing the demand, ensuring that resources are renewed or switching to a less scarce or renewable raw material.

Thirdly, customers are increasingly becoming aware of the environmental impact. Hence, they support more sustainability, and so do other stakeholders like shareholders, local community, government regulators and so on. They would appreciate if you are more environmentally friendly and more responsible in the treatment of staff, suppliers and community. You will particularly need to take sustainability as an integral part of your business if your company is either a big brand, is a regulated business, makes a big footprint, has a bad reputation of damaging the environment, makes heavy use of fossil fuels or is valued for ethics.

Any business involves risks. When you decide to go green, you will encounter two types of risks: those associated with making Risks:

Risks and rewards are part of any business, and taking a sustainable approach involves both.

FEATURE


changes to be more sustainable; and those that spring up if you do not take up the sustainable approach.

If you take a more sustainable approach, the risks would be mostly money-related. For example, increased expenses because of better pay and conditions for workers, increased cost of new manufacturing processes, increased cost of new packaging, increased cost of maintaining, monitoring and reporting on sustainability.

However, if you avoid sustainability, you can still face cost implications. But other risks can come from the following areas as well: 1) Employees: you might lose your best employees to other companies, or cause harm to employees with the potential for law suits and damages. 2) Customers: their increasing awareness can reduce the market for unsustainable products and services. 3) The media: it will expose companies undertaking unsustainable activities like using child labour to damaging the environment. It can lead to legal proceedings and great damage to reputation. 4) The industry: competitors who take a more sustainable approach can definitely put your business at risk. 5) Suppliers: don’t think that if suppliers act in an unsustainable manner, it is their problem. You will also face the consequences of their action and reputation. 6) Processes: your activities might bring health risk to employees and the local community, lead to legal action and fines, or environmental risk. 7) A product or service: examine the lifetime impact of a product, from raw materials in a product to disposal.

The cost factor is very important to any business. The costs incurred towards sustainability should be seen as a necessary operating cost rather than an added expenditure. It will have associated benefits in the form of financial gains from reduced waste, reduced energy use, better productivity and sales and improved image. Costs include the following:

1) Some sustainable raw materials are more expensive than regular ones. 2) Initial capital costs of setting up new plants or buildings. But it will lead to many years of improvements in running costs and other financial benefits. 3) Maintenance costs would mean keeping your plant and buildings operating well. 4) Better design of processes and products. 5) Extra costs from production to packaging and disposal. 6) Increased costs for salaries, better working conditions and bonuses for you workforce. etc.

Taking a sustainable approach to business has its own rewards including financial, operational and human. You can reap financial benefits in the form of increased revenues, lower costs (operational and capital), less administrative overheads, reduced cost of defence against litigation, improved stock market performance etc. Besides, it can give you operational benefits like better earnings from resources, reduced waste, higher productivity, better management of risk etc.

Undertaking a sustainability impact assessment can make clearer your needs for greater sustainability. It is important to realize that although taking a more sustainable approach has inherent costs, it can also result in cost savings and increased revenue. It is not enough to look at risks and added costs alone.

Costs:

Rewards:

FOCUS


India, the second most populous nation on earth, is on its way to becoming a global economic giant and upgrading the quality of life. But this dream faces severe challenges from rotting and

untreated garbage in most parts of the country. There is a big gap between services required and provided.

The Census of 2011 estimates India's total population at 1.21 billion (17.66% of the world population), which is also the combined population of Pakistan, Japan, Bangladesh, Brazil, Indonesia and USA. In 2001, India’s urban population was 285 million (greater than the total population of USA - 308.7 million), which increased to 377 million in 2011.

The 366 cities, representing 70% of urban Indian population, generates 130,000 tons of garbage per day (TPD) or 47.2 million tons per year (TPY) at a per capita waste generation rate of 500 grams/day. Thus, the total MSW (Municipal Solid Waste) generated by urban areas could be as much as 188,500 TPD or 68.8 million TPY. Therefore, the quantum of waste generated by urban India is 50 million TPY. The six metro cities Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai and Bengaluru produce 48,000 TPD (17.5 million TPY) of MSW.

Waste can be defined as those materials which are not useful in any way or do not represent any economic value for its owner. Waste is categorized into solid, liquid and gaseous depending on its physical

Solid Waste:

India is striving hard to achieve an industrialized nation status. With that the waste, too, is expected to rise significantly in the future.However, unavailability of appropriate funds and facilities makes it difficult to treat and dispose solid waste in metropolitan cities.

state. Solid waste can be categorized into municipal wastes, hazardous wastes, medical wastes and radioactive wastes.

is the industrial and hospital waste which contains toxic substances. It can be explosive, corrosive or highly inflammable. India produces around 7 million tonnes of hazardous wastes every year, most of which is concentrated in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

Hospital waste is generated during the diagnosis, immunization or treatment of human beings or animals. It can be in the form of cotton swabs, bandages, disposable syringes, human excreta, body fluids etc. These wastes are highly infectious and pose serious threat to human health.

is the waste generated from household, commercial and institutional activities and is generally not hazardous. Sources and types of municipal wastes are listed in Table no.1.

Generally, MSW is disposed of in low-lying areas without any precautions or operational control, and that causes major health threats and environmental problems in Indian cities. Solid Waste Management (SWM) is associated with generation, storage, collection, transfer, transport, treatment and disposal of solid wastes. But Indian cities follow only four activities - waste generation, collection, transportation, and disposal. Unavailability of appropriate facilities to treat and dispose MSW in metropolitan cities

Hazardous Waste:

Medical Waste:

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW):


has become a critical issue. India is striving hard to achieve an industrialized nation status. With that the MSW, too, is expected to rise significantly in the future.

Indian cities produce eight times more MSW than they did in 1947 due to changing lifestyles and more urbanization. The rate of increase in MSW generated per capita is 1 to 1.33% annually. The generation rates are lower in small towns compared to metro cities. It was estimated that total generation of MSW by 217 million people of urban areas is 23.86 million t/yr. in 1991 and more than 39 million ton in 2001.

See Table no. 2 for per capita quantity of municipal solid wastes in Indian cities:

MSWM and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country are co-related to each other. Higher the GDP, higher the waste produced in the country. A number of studies have shown the co-relation between solid waste composition and socio economic factors. The socio economic trend in India has been changing with great speed. For example per capita income of India has changed from US$ 17.22 to US$ 253.78 and GDP from US$ 9382.67 million to US$ 238504.7 million during 1971–1995.

Municipal Solid Waste Management (MSWM) and Economy

(Courtesy: http://swmindia.blogspot.in/)

1951 1961 1971 1981 1991 2001 20110

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

1,400

Total Population (millions) Urban Population (millions)

FOCUS

FOCUS

Issues in MSW Management:

Opportunities in Waste Management:

f) To suppor t and improve waste management cost can be reduced. The management methods, availability of funds ‘residual waste’ can be majorly reduced by a) India faces the problem of unorganized is the most important factor. The local cropping down the treatment and disposal and unscientific methods of waste authorities are mostly in a crucial financial costs. segregation, excluding industrial waste. situation where they are not even in a • Producing energy from waste can be a Thus, there is no efficiency in segregation; position to carry out the basic job of waste notable source of renewable energy. the unorganized sectors prefer to segregate collection and disposal. But this sector Conversion of organic waste too can and give waste material in recycling largely remains neglected and not much provide cheap and renewable energy. markets due to high economic returns.efforts are made towards it. Waste components such as plastics and b) MSW is usually disposed without any

papers can be converted into fuel with due treatments, posing environmental and care for combustion related emissions.health risks.• This service is not dependent only on c) A substantial amount of cellulosic • Waste minimization or waste reduction is a government sector; private sector is also materials, clean plastics, glasses and component which boosts the concept of involved in it. They are engaged in recycling metals are recycled in India due to their competitiveness. Many industrial firms have industry as well as established industry huge quantity and attractive economic taken the initiative to minimize the based on recycled input material.returns. But in contrast to it, the organic generation of waste, not only for reduction of • Most of the developing countries aspire to waste, which is the largest proportion in the waste treatment and disposal costs but also empower the poor by employment waste stream, is neglected and disposed of for resource efficiency.generation. Waste management serves as rather than segregating and converting into • Due to rise in energy and material costs, a good employment opportunity for the bio-gas. Landfill gas, too, remains the recovery of energy and materials has poor.unutilized. been much more economically viable. A It is estimated that in the next decade India d) There are no policy frameworks to whole new industrial sector domain can be will generate a total of 920 million tons of encourage the waste minimization, based on recycling waste materials. The MSW in the landfills or it can openly dump recycling and transition of waste into Government of Gujarat has already planned 840 million tons of it and produce 3.6 million meaningful products. of setting up a ‘Recycling Industrial Park’. tons of mixed waste compost. It will also e) There is a need to concentrate on the Apart from price fluctuations and limitations generate 33.1 million TPY of potential technologies that help energy and material in raw material stocks, recycling industries refuse derived fuel (RDF).recovery from the waste. Developing will profit from cheap and perennial supply India needs act fast and innovate new countries need to build pilot demonstration of input materials.techniques to keep the nation hygienic, projects, which in turn is dependent on data • By designing the Waste Management clean and green.collection on waste characterization and Systems with stress on the concept of

quantification. reduce, reuse and recyle, the existent waste


OPINION


Wdifferent portion of ith the depletion of oil and other the property which can traditional sources of fuel, reserve or sell it. Whatever the company follow the sun across the sky with the help of providing enough energy has might do, the final benefit is that it saves the tracking mechanism. One of the benefits of become difficult in many countries. In such a energy cost.such mechanism is that it is easy for situation, solar panels play an important

But do keep in mind that going full-fledged cleaning and maintaining purposes and can role in cost-effectiveness and continuous solar might not be so easy. The monitoring route the electricity back to its place.supply of power. You will be surprised with of energy usage and avoiding the drainage

the solar panel’s low price and long term of batteries is of utmost importance here.

benefits, but still, the final verdict lies on the Now one of the main factors is the Before making a final decision, a trial period location of the power generation. installation cost of the solar power panels. would be much better. Many use the CFLs

Not only the natural resources and energy, The generation of energy through solar for conservation without strong panels. For but solar power, too, should be saved and panels relies heavily on the quantity of sun start, these CFLs can be used; if it shows that can be done by trying to make the home light falling on it. The stronger the light good result and you are comfortable with it, energy-efficient in most possible ways. The received, the more energy will be produced. then taking one step further would do no utility bills can keep updating us about the Ours is a tropical country with around 300 harm.per kilowatt hours utility in a month.clear, sunny days in a year, making it an

Solar power is a conscious and an excellent solar power reception center. From an investment perspective, solar ecological decision you can take to make

power is a long term one. But during the time your house energy-efficient. Selling of purchase, the systems sure are costly. To get the best results from solar power, an excessive power to company is the right Solar technology has reached such an ideal location is necessary. Especially, the choice you can make to cut down extra advanced stage where the whole control is southern or northern area of your location energy costs. These necessary changes with the electrical grid which can take the needs to be free from obstructions; it is the can sustain your lifestyle in every way and at charge of excessive energy and place it main downfall which blocks the sunlight a much cheaper rate.back into the grid. It can also make the meter from falling on panels. Another practical way run back. The power companies can take of making maximum use of the sunlight the initiative and hold the extra energy in would be to install panels on high poles of

The Cost Factor of Solar Power

Location is Important

RISE IN

FALL IN UTILITY BILLS

Solar panels play an important role in effective and continuous supply of power. But one also needs to take the location and cost factors into account before installing this high-return source of energy.

BY SAILEE KARNIK

COUNTER POINT


BY SAILEE KARNIK

A CALL FOR

Amessages. One, a third of India that goes most outrageous power cut left the without electricity can benefit largely from whole of North and East India community-level investments in wind, solar crippled in July 2012. It set the and other non-polluting energy sources; record as the largest power blackout in the second, the two-thirds who are connected history of the world, leaving 680 million to the grid will now be pleading their local people without electricity. Hundreds of and national governments to modernize trains and road traffic was hampered, India’s electricity system.leaving the commuters stranded and

making headlines in the newspapers all India was on a positive note in the solar over the world. market, exceeding 1 gigawatt installed solar

photovoltaic power. But this massive One such satirical newspaper ‘The Onion’ blackout eclipsed this significant victory of made a witty headline, “300 Million Without Indian solar market. Solar is one of the Electricity In India After Restoration Of reliable, accessible and cost effective Power Grid.” It carried two important

CLEAN ENERGY?

Solar is a reliable, accessible and cost effective energy source, but has a long way to go to fulfill the dream of an effective energy future.


energy sources across India, but has still a way. Measures like incentivizing off-grid 12th five-year-economic-plan is designed to long way to go to fulfill the dream of effective solar projects in rural areas and supporting increase the solar installations 20-fold by and bright energy future. High energy-using cheaper financing from risk-averse banks 2020. Last month it pulled back the target to appliances like air conditioners, electronic can prove beneficial. Promotion of new and 2015, with a hope to place 21 gigawatt of gadgets and water pumps are disrupting the advanced renewable technologies can solar power capacity, enough to supply supply of power to an ever-increasing bring down the level of dependency on coal whole Ontario.demand for energy in our country. plants.

This blackout crisis could catalyze a With energy efficiency measures, the Indian Checking our neighborhood, Japan has national commitment to blend the clean government can look forward to expand the started giving serious thought to the energy solutions with its plans for the renewable energy sources, especially solar renewable energy after the nuclear disaster development of national infrastructure. For and wind power. According to NRDC report, at Fukushima. It launched its own feed-in- India’s secure energy future, this is a time to ‘Laying the Foundation for Bright Future,’ the tariff program aimed at solar, wind and investment in clean energy market, National Solar Mission has moved ahead geothermal development to lower the embracing energy efficiency measures and with much proficiency, but with hurdles on its dependence on nuclear power. In China, the integration of renewable energy.

COUNTER POINT

OPINION


Supply and 2) Total Final Consumption of energy commodity.

Total Primary Energy Supply constitutes of total supply of coal, crude oil, natural gas, nuclear energy and renewable energies including imports, net of exports and stock changes. While some part of these resources is used directly, the rest are converted into electricity or other forms of energy resources. Final consumption is equal to the quantities of coal, petroleum products, natural gas and electricity used for consumption as the final product by the non-energy producing sectors. The Energy Commodity Balances further provide information on final consumption by various sectors.

External energy used per kilogram of product, or raw material processed, or on dry solids or some key component is one way to calculate Energy balances. What is interesting about the energy consumed in food production is that it includes a variety of sources. Direct energy is the fuel and electricity used in the farm, in transport in factories, in storage and selling etc. The indirect energy is yet another source which is used to actually build the machines, to make the packaging, to produce the electricity and the oil and so on.

One of the most important and major energy sources is the food itself. The energy balance in this case can be determined for animal or human feeding; balancing food energy input against outputs in heat and mechanical energy and chemical synthesis.

The world has seen the rise and fall of various Ages, like the Industrial Age, the Information Technology Age. And now the latest phenomenon to catch people's

interest, it seems, is the Energy Age. An Age that will probably ascertain a country’s richness on the basis of how it manages the demand and supply dynamics of energy needs.

Economic and human development share a strong two-way relationship with energy consumption. The development of an economy is directly proportionate to the availability of cost-effective and clean energy sources. Similarly, economic development has been observed to be dependent on energy demand.

To judge a country’s potential for meeting its future energy need, it is necessary to calculate proper information on the reserves of non-renewable sources of energy and the potential for generation of renewable energy sources. The energy scene of India contains both non-renewable (coal, lignite, petroleum and natural gas) and renewable energy sources (wind, solar, hydro, biomass, cogeneration bagasse etc.).

A lot of research and development has been done in discovering the new reserves of resources and the pace of their exploitation. It’s helpful in a way of devising effective conservation and enhancing management strategies for optimal utilization of these resources. Two major components of the energy balance statistics are 1) Total Primary Energy

BY NEHA KUMARI

THE BRAND NEW AGE OF DEVELOPMENT!India is fully committed in the development and expansion of its energy market.The usage of latest technology in the energy segment will contribute a lot to this sector.

OPINION


This energy commodity balance is where the production and consumption is given in thousand tonnes of oil equivalent (ktoe) on a net calorific value basis. Non-availability of data for all types of fuel that are being used in India - both purchased and free - is the main bottle neck in arriving at a balanced energy balance. In a country like India, which is home to 1.2 billion people and over 17% of the world’s population, energy is proving to be an unquenchable thirst. The country is focused towards 10% economic growth rate with incorporated sustainability over 10-15 years.

Technology has always been an important part of all policy-making and strategies. Therefore, usage of latest technology

in the entire energy segment contributes a lot to this sector. Mostly, the development of energy sector has happened under government-controlled organization.

There has been a lot of encouragement in private investments, particularly in petroleum, natural gas and power. India is fully committed in the development and expansion of its energy market. It is equally interested to safeguard the environment.

Besides its constant efforts towards “Energizing”, India will have to give appropriate priority to both- supply side management and demand side management.

STRATEGY


BY JIGNA KHAJURIA

EFFECTIVE STEPS TO

It is best when embedded - and is not an overlay - across functions and people in the

organization. How?

Going green is the new mantra. People are becoming more aware of the hazards our actions pose for the environment. The common man is trying in small ways to contribute towards making this earth a better

place, by not using plastic bags or bottles, reusing things as much as possible and by not littering around.

For a business organization, going green would require similar efforts, but obviously on a much larger scale and in a precise, legal manner. Every organization, big or small, commercial or non-profit, today wants to be seen as following a sustainable business practice. A dilemma often is: where does one start?

There can be no one right way to develop a more sustainable approach. Different businesses may adopt different approaches to going green, as the strategy would need to be tailored to suit the given business and its environment. It would be important to take into account the opportunities and the risks that the business faces.

The framework for developing various strategies, however, may remain the same, typically employing the following six steps:

STRATEGY


As said, attitude is more important than the circumstances. So the first questions to be asked are: how does your company

see the environment and the society? How is sustainability viewed by both the management and the staff? Is there any interest in working more sustainably at the grass-root or executive levels? Next, it is important to understand what the company culture is at the moment. Understand how your organization reacts to change, or deals with new ideas, and how responsive and flexible it is.

Finally, take into account existing sustainability projects within your organization. Have these efforts been successes or failures? Is there any expertise that can be tapped into? Also assess the external factors and consider how you treat your stakeholders—both customers and employees. Audit how your business operations affect the environment and the society. Does it lead to pollution, and produce waste or cause damage? Or does it enhance the environment in any way? Studying the risks is also a fundamental aspect. Can your business cause any damage to the environment or society if things go wrong? What penalties would you face due to the damage?

SUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENT:

It is important to take into account the schemes, certifications and information systems that are available for your operations.

Consider how they can benefit the customers and other stakeholders. Another important aspect is to keep an eye on how your competitors are doing in areas of sustainability. Consider their strengths and weaknesses. Look at other industries for lessons as well.

Consider aspects like climate change, use of natural resources and employees’ rights. Do these aspects of the environment and society have a direct impact on your business? Regulations and their impact on business can be strong. Does your organization follow the environmental, social or sustainability regulations and standards that apply to your business? How do you make sure you comply? Lastly, have a clear picture of your supply chain—all the way back to the raw materials. What are the other stakeholders in your supply chain doing about being sustainable?

ENVIRONMENTAL EVALUATION:

MOTIVATION:t usually works top-down. If you are in a top role like

a CEO, you need to be driving this concept down; if not, make sure your CEO is on board and he puts the message across, both within the organization and outside. Find support within organization. Resistance at the beginning of a new project is certain. Be prepared for this by trying to get wide support from all parts of the organization.

Make sure your suppliers are aware of your sustainability goals and look for ways in which they can help. Making it clear that sustainability will be an important factor in your purchasing decisions will also lead suppliers to support. Networks are very impor tan t ; bus inesses and b igger organizations can come together to help develop knowledge and to share best practice in sustainability. Try to improve your supply of information and build up knowledge.

To follow the best sustainable practice, it would be a good idea to involve your customers at the inspiration stage. This way you can achieve more transparency and benefit more. Ask their feedback on what you could do better or what they regard as best practice for the sustainability drive. The more involved the customers are, the more they will feel a commitment to your new sustainably focused enterprise. Similarly, having a good relationship with your local community is an essential part of taking on the social aspect of sustainability. Their suppor t can be immensely valuable in case of regulatory problems or industrial accidents.

Understand ‘why’ you want to become more requirements for the sustainability schemes. Starting sustainable. Is it due to some internal and external up would be a major step. Be sure whether it’s going to pressures or due to a moral necessity? Understand be a complete overhaul of your business practice or an ‘what’ the costs and benefits of operating more incremental change. Decide if this is about changing sustainably will be. What will be the risks and the your product, services, el iminat ing some impact on your stakeholders and on your reputation? unsustainable activities or taking on new ones? Team Understand ‘how’ to practically apply your ideas. What effort is necessary in any organization. It would be best will be your framework or tool for the work? Decide to appoint a temporary team dedicated to the new task what kind of mechanism you want to use. in case of a major change in operations. But later you

need to establish how the effort will be distributed and Understand the finance part. There are likely to be

among which staff. start-up costs. Determine your budget and resource

PLANNING:

STRATEGY


Using sensible business processes, break down the large projects into manageable tasks. Make

sure you have measurements in place to track progress and fix things if they are going astray. Be aware of critical paths. A clear, well-presented strategy is essential. You should have answers if someone asks, “Why are we doing this? What is this meant to achieve?” or “How will this benefit the company?” Share your strategies with the employees and after feedback, modify them if necessary.

Label your priorities clearly and manage them. Since one can’t do everything at once, have a clear roadmap for getting things done. Treat sustainability like any standard project management.

The area of sustainability can benefit by the use of models and pilot schemes, because you are often breaking a new ground for the organization. Regard experimentation and failure as an essential part of the process for learning. Have clear ownership within your conventional business structure; it is best not to set up a whole sustainability bureaucracy with its own organizational hierarchy. Bring sustainability into your systems. This would mean incorporating sustainability targets into performance management or even ensuring that your financial systems include appropriate environmental and social data in their reporting, alongside the financials. You will probably need to train your staff and management to help them understand the importance of sustainability. Don’t go alone; work with other companies with a similar vision of sustainability, or simply share experiences and methods.

EXECUTION:

Keep a track of work. It is essential to spot failures early on and to make corrections

in the process in order to keep things on track, especially with trial schemes and models. Involve the staff and communicate. You will need to keep stressing upon the strategy and its importance, to make all a part of it. Keep the flow of communication going with your stakeholders, and be it suppliers, customers or communities, don’t hold back from mentioning problems. Your annual reporting process will definitely begin to contain a significant proportion of sustainability information, as should your website, press releases and other formal communications.

Marketing is crucial for any aspect of business. Make sustainability a central part of the way you market your products or company. But it has to be done in a way that maintains trust with the consumers. If some things work, build on those and spread to different parts of the organization. If some schemes fail, learn the lessons. It is impossible to bring sustainability into an organization without being innovative, and it is impossible to innovate without failing sometimes.

Don’t stop after achieving a few targets, as new opportunities will keep coming. Technologies, environment and even your competitors will change, so you will constantly need to revise your approach and goals. Keep improving continuously.

EXPANSION:

Green your WorldComing soon on the iPad

COLUMN


Companies are very much interested profits. Use this list as a take-off point to to get a tag of “sustainable” to their highlight companies that you might want to image and publ ic relat ions research further.

nowadays. Investors also want to do their bit for the environment and are looking for ‘green’ enterprises and products. But you,

Now that you have identified and noted as a well-meaning investor, will have to

down potential companies worth your distinguish between corporate green-

investment, hunt on the internet for any un-washing and actual damage-minimizing

displayed offence. Mainly, read news efforts.

related to that company. Find what its It might be a little cumbersome to go through employees have to say. Don’t just rely on the the sustainable reports of the company you company’s official website and press want to invest in, but it is a time well-spent. releases. Chances are that there will be a To give you an example, even something as negative take on a company’s policies or simple as eggs have tags like ‘cage-free’, past actions. For example, it might not have ‘free-range’, ‘vegetarian’ and ‘organic’. How reported its greenhouse gas emissions.to make sense of all these jargons? How, as

Whi le some compan ies take no an investor, can you get a clearer idea

accountability for the damage they’ve through this corporate fog of a socially

caused to the society or environment, responsible business? Below are a few

others will be more in a grey area. simple methods to start with:

Remember, as an investor, you can only minimize the damage that you do, and not

Check out surveys or research papers to change the scenario.help you get a broad collection of potential investments. These surveys publish an

Read the quarterly letters of the company annual ranking of various companies that

and look at what firms it has invested in. With score well on several different criteria, like

more research resources at its disposal, a waste or water management and energy

mutual fund that you trust can be a good productivity, average worker pay, taxes

source of information. Of course, you should paid, safety etc. See if the company

use these holdings as a start, as the fund provides health care for employees, gives

could have bought in or sold out anytime in part of its profits to community and non-

between disclosures.profit organizations, or whether it buys renewable-energy credits. Other means of highlighting a company

would require more in-depth and hands-on Of course, these survey results might not be

analysis, like learning about a founder’s perfect. They don’t take into account factors

beliefs, looking at resource certifications, like land-grabbing, violation of labor laws in

and actually talking to employees. To be foreign countries, contamination of

more discerning, take any sustainable ecosystems, underhanded lobbying tactics,

claims with a pinch of salt; make your own among other things. But the rankings are

enquiries. Both investors and firms still helpful in getting an overall picture of

committed to the green cause will have to how a company functions, its values and

find better ways to communicate.

Use web for more in-depth research

Make a list of companies

Read the fund reports

HOW TO CHECK OF A COMPANY

SUSTAINABILITY PORTFOLIOInvestors want to do their bit for the environment and are looking for ‘green’ enterprises and products. How to get a clearer idea of a socially responsible business?

As an investor, you can only minimize the damage that you do, and not change the scenario.

BY JIGNA KHAJURIA

GREEN TAKE


Be it 3R’s or 6R’s, the first step would be to reduce the excessive use of materials and energy. It can start from the consumers' shopping list. The customers should try to buy only those products which have utmost importance in their present life as well as in future. As mentioned by Daniel Goleman in Ecological Intelligence, the customer should be well-informed about the product from its manufacturing process till its marketing and most importantly about its impact on the environment and health. The customer should reduce the consumption of those products which cannot be recycled or reused and are hazardous for our planet. Reduction of such unwanted products can bring a great change in our environment as well as in our budget. From the manufacturer's side, they should make an effort to reduce manufacturing of goods to an appropriate number. The companies should boycott those raw materials which are not eco-friendly. They should not only think from business point of view, but also from an ecological point of view.

1 Reduce:

It is the need of the hour to take into consideration all information regarding the products. The customer should be well aware and alert. There are some websites like GoodGuide which provide relevant information of products and their companies. Those goods which have undesirable impact on all spheres of life are toxic and are against the recycling practice should be avoided under any circumstances. Detailed research of things you buy should be considered as it can help you to get all necessary information of the brands and its contribution towards a green and clean environment. The designers should also research for designing earth-friendly goods.

2Research

GREEN TAKE


This mantra clearly defines the avoidance of harmful toxic materials and asks the customers to be responsible enough to care for our planet and select only eco-friendly materials. Designer Ashlie Mauldin has given a good example of organic cleansing materials which are toxin-free. This technique guides the manufacturers to avoid raw materials which lead to harmful emissions and are responsible for global warming and climate change. Before adopting any techniques, materials or substances, the designer should carry out a study about the process and make sure about its eco-friendly status.

3Refuse

This one suggests the most valuable habit of reusing the materials. This is part of the recycle program. The consumers, if possible, should opt for those goods which can be reused in everyday life, such as carrying the same sustainable shopping bag repeatedly rather than asking for new plastic bags which contaminate the ecological system with its toxic substances. The companies should also support by participating in the reuse practices. For example, the tyre retreading in auto world.

4Reuse

The sixth concept to save our planet is repairing the disabled or malfunctioning machines and goods. The dumping of good and working products, which leads to over purchasing of new materials, should be avoided if possible. Instead, repairing and reusing the goods is a better way to go green. The manufacturing units should repair the malfunctioned machines instead of buying new ones; this practice can turn eco-friendly as well as pocket friendly over time. Consumers should repair the old goods instead of over-purchasing and pressurizing the budget and thereby adding to the waste material.

6Repair

Recycling simply means to mold the waste materials into new useful products. It is the most efficient way to curb emissions of hazardous substances and reduce the garbage dump as well as e-waste. Most simple example to explain this concept is the recycling of plastic bottles and paper, thus practicing a better way to save trees.

5Recycling

BY SAILEE KARNIK

In the past, three mantras were quoted for green and clean environment; they were “Reduce, Reuse and Recycle”. These 3 R’s were the main factors followed for cleaning our planet. But as the years passed, need was felt for adding new mantras or new R’s seeing the need of the new generation. With increasing pollution and global warming, the expansion in 3 R’s became necessary. This theory, if followed, can have a phenomenal impact on the environment, creating a clean and healthy atmosphere to live in.

TO GREEN EARTH

Seeing the rise of sincerity of consumers as well as manufacturers towards our planet, there is a clear possibility of increasing the number of R’s in this concept. At present these 6 R’s, if followed diligently by all, will be a dream come true for the environmentalist and people for a cleaner and greener environment.

INDUSTRIAL

OPINION


R

spending nations on construction in the world. We manufacture more than 250 million tons of cement and are only second to China. A recent report called "Global Construction 2020" estimates that India will be the third largest global construction market after China and USA.

In order to improve the standard of living of the common man, one of the key challenges that India is facing today is to overcome the infrastructure bottlenecks. Consequently, the federal government announced the 11th five-year-plan which allocates 9% of the GDP to infrastructure projects. The National Planning Commission of India has estimated an allocation of $515 billion which is equivalent to Rs.23 trillion to infrastructure sectors over the next five years. This includes construction of roads, highways, airports, bridges, ports, railways as well as water supply and sanitation amongst few others. The 12th five-year-plan projects an investment of 10% of the national GDP into infrastructure which equates to a staggering $1 trillion or Rs.45 trillion.

ecent studies and surveys have shown that sustainability Companies say that regulatory requirements are now a more legislation and initiatives will impact Indian industrial important factor driving the sustainability initiatives in the corporate sectors, which includes power generation, construction, world, while the competitive advantage provided by such initiatives

textile, financial and automobile industries the most. are viewed as less important. The most important driver behind corporate initiatives is the business value provided by them, as cited India's construction sector is assessed at approximately Rs.4000 by 29% of respondents. In a previous survey in 2008, 28% noted billion.As a result of government spending, private investments as business value as a major driver. The textile industry has emerged as well as foreign direct investment, India is among the top ten the most impacted sector due to one or more such regulations, followed by power generation, construction and real estate, chemical, automobile and pharmaceuticals among others. Apart from compliance requirements, regulatory initiatives will also lead to cost escalation as much as offer means for newer revenue streams for industries.The second driver was compliance with regulatory requirements (27%). In 2008, it was chosen by only 11% of those surveyed. The change, the report notes, is partially due to the US Environmental Protection Agency's mandatory greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reporting, along with the expectation that the US will eventually have formal carbon regulations.

The third main driver was the competitive advantage, which was chosen by 33 % of those surveyed in 2008.

One more factor that has to be taken care of is the finance schemes. These are found to be among the next most prevalent initiatives because of their concentration on three sectors - power generation, financial institutions and renewable technology. Schemes are

BY INDIAN FEATURE NEHA KUMARI

OPINION


introduced in the form of both soft loans and subsidies and aimed at leveraging entrepreneurial and private capital’s role in India’s power generation sector. Most of these are also tied to Indian government’s ambitious target of electrification and renewable power generation in the coming years.

Energy conservation and improving efficiency in the Indian power sector requires special attention since the sector has been suffering from a chronic supply shortage, lack of capital investment for additional capacity and environmental problems associated with coal-based power plants. The issues that strike the largest challenges to companies are their carbon footprints and sourcing renewable energy, reducing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. The most noticeable action being taken by companies is the carbon emissions reduction (51%). Many companies are also purchasing more green electricity (24%) and carbon credit offsets (19%) than in past years. The top area where companies are seeking energy efficiency improvements is in building management (53%) followed by manufacturing process re-engineering (39%). not a destination. The more we try to embed it in our work, the more

the world would become a pleasant place for all. The demand for One more important aspect when it comes to industrial going green and achieving success is difficult, but the potential sustainability is market differentiation. Differentiated Green rewards can be very enriching. Those companies whose leaders companies pursue sustainability in a strategic way throughout the approach sustainability from an inclusive strategic perspective of value chain of the business. The term “differentiated green” means cost competitiveness and value creation will open the doors to a companies who pursue green strategies beyond just the clearing of more profitable future.negative PR hurdles, and cost saving and creating a larger and more

loyal customer base. The transition to Differentiated Green is an evolutionary process. Typically, companies that are pursuing Differentiated Green strategies are already practitioners of Efficient Green. They are successfully reducing their costs and environmental impact with green programs — thus gaining internal and external credibility. Going for green requires significant investment of time, effort and capital, which may not make sense for all companies. But more companies are moving in this direction by going beyond Efficient Green objectives and initiatives.

For example one such company is Kaiser Permanente (healthcare company based in Oakland, California, US). It is practicing Differentiated Green in the way it is building new hospitals. It is spending more on materials such as rubber flooring (instead of vinyl) and PVC-free carpeting, to construct health care facilities that are actually healthy. The company expects to obtain long-term paybacks in terms of more efficient operations, a healthier patient population and increased market share. Sustainability is a journey,

SECTORS

FEATURE


BY NEHA KUMARI

A FAD?

Green marketing, which was once first phase was called ‘Ecological’ green marketing started spreading around. Like everybody’s mission and a means marketing. It was concerned in dealing with any new marketing phenomena, it was soon to gain more popularity among the environment problems and providing the subject of a great deal of market

consumers, was probably just a fad. With remedies for it. The second phase, known research. A survey by a reputed research the considerable fall in the prices of Certified as the “Environmental” green marketing, body showed that the consumer interest in Emission Reduction (CER) certificates, focused on clean technology that involved green products was increasing and they Indian companies are bracing themselves designing innovative new products which were willing to pay for green features. for tough times ahead. The brokers involved would take care of pollution and waste Stories of companies such as the Body in CERs have downsized their carbon desk issues. The third phase was the Shop, Ecover, Volvo, 3M and McDonald’s and the ones who are holding these are “Sustainable” green marketing, which came were quoted more in the green business hunting for buyers. into prominence in the late 1990s and early literature to ascertain how and why green

2000. marketing initiatives could pay. ‘Green is in, What does a CER mean actually? Well, a

no question about it’ was the phrase that CER is a generic term for any tradeable Resources being limited and the human

many writers were using then.certificate or in simple terms, a permit that needs rising beyond limits, it becomes a represents the right to emit a tonne of severe responsibility of the markets to utilize Despite this optimistic picture, by the mid-carbon dioxide or the mass of another the resources efficiently and also achieve 1990s new market survey data began to greenhouse gas equivalent to a tonne of the organization’s objective simultaneously. emerge which was less clear about the carbon dioxide. Green marketing is a term Growing interest of consumers all over the growth of green consumerism. The follow-used for companies positioning their world regarding protection of the up report on the environment recorded only products as environmentally friendly or environment is changing their behaviors. So a very slight increase in green consumers energy efficient. Many different brands in a green marketing, which speaks of since 1990, and identified a significant gap wide range of industries use green sustainable and socially responsible between concern and actual purchasing – a marketing as a way of standing out among products and services, seems inevitable. p ic ture rep l icated in subsequent competitors. One of the main focuses of management research. The frequency and green marketing is customer benefits. But if prominence of green claims was also found

But what has happened to green marketing these products are priced very high, then it to be declining. There was a sharp downfall

in recent times? Despite so many efforts by will lose its market acceptability. in green marketing in the latter half of 2008.

companies as well as consumers, it still With brands - sustainable or not - jumping

remains an underachieved field. It received on the ‘green’ bandwagon in late 2007 and

Green marketing has evolved throughout some attention in 1970s, but it was really early 2008, the fever-pitch of claims and

these years and involves three phases. The only in the late 1980s that the idea of green

Downfall of green marketing:

Evolution:


counter-claims was bound to hit a wall. goods with environmental concern have composition on goods can control the Companies that bl ind ly assumed realized a competitive advantage over firms amount of hazardous wastes produced by consumers would purchase anything that marketing environmentally non-responsible the firms.proclaimed green, natural, organic, earth- options. There are numerous firms which

Reduction in the friendly were in for a surprise. h a v e s t r i v e n t o b e c o m e m o r e

production of harmful waste may lead to environmentally responsible. For instance,

Green marketing till today remains a niche substantial cost savings. Many firms attempting to satisfy their consumer needs

activity. Most of the product suppliers have maintain a symbiotic relationship whereby better, Surf Excel detergent advertised with

opted out since it isn’t making any real waste generated by one company is used the message ‘do bucket paani roz bachana’.

difference as such. There is no significant by another as a cost-effective raw material.shift in the kinds of goods and services Many firms have

Efforts are made by individuals and firms to companies are selling. And it definitely is not now started realizing that they belong to a

reduce their climate footprints at city, state, doing any good to the climate change, water much wider community and therefore must

regional and global levels. Among these are and food security, bio-diversity and energy behave in an environmentally responsible

the commitments of governments to reduce prices. fashion. They must achieve not only green

emissions through the 1992 United Nations objectives, but also profit related objectives

The real problem it seems is a lack of Framework Convention on Climate Change of the organization. The HSBC became

standardization to authenticate the claims (UNFCCC) and its 1997 Kyoto Protocol.known as the world’s first bank to go carbon-

of being green. It is found that only 5% of the neutral last year. Other examples include India comes under the third category of

market ing messages f rom green Coca-Cola, Walt Disney World in Florida, signatories to UNFCCC. India signed and

campaigns are entirely true! The investors which has an extensive waste management ratified the Protocol in August, 2002 and has

and the corporate companies need to view program and infrastructure in place. emerged as a world leader in reduction of

environment as a major long term greenhouse gases by adopting Clean

investment opportunity. The marketers Certain Development Mechanisms (CDMs) in the

need to analyze the benefits from this new government regulations relating to green past few years.

green movement. marketing are designed to protect consumers in several ways. Reducing the Until ‘green’ becomes a standard for production of harmful goods or by-products, products and processes, and until or unless modifying consumer’s and industry’s use is consumers themselves take initiatives, the

About 25 per cent of the enforced on the marketers. Apart from term will only remain in picture as a consumers in India are ready to pay for these, ensuring that all types of consumers competitive differentiator.green products. Nowadays, firms marketing have the ability to evaluate the green

iv) Cost reduction:

ii) Social responsibility:

iii) Government pressure:

Here are a few reasons why one should adopt green marketing.

i) Opportunity:

FEATURE

OPINION


Steve Jobs wanted to make an impact on the world, In the closing statement, Jobs said, “Apple is already a and he unquestionably did so by introducing leader in innovation and engineering, and we are applying ‘Apple’, which was no less than a treat for so many these same talents to become an environmental leader.”

gadget-loving people around the globe. The presence of Here are some actions that Apple has taken to remove

Apple has done wonders to the entire electronics sector. toxic chemicals from their products:

Everyone remains excited to know what new product Apple is going to launch and when they will get access to it. Apple wants people to know that it is taking aggressive Beautifully designed products, from iPad to iPods to steps to become the greenest business it possibly can. computers, Apple has it all! So far so good. But is Apple The official website was then updated with the inclusion of also maintaining a green touch to all of its technologies? special section devoted exclusively to its green initiatives,

environment achievements and overall carbon footprint. In 2007, Jobs himself answered this question in a six-page statement called “A Greener Apple.” He said, “Upon It is noteworthy here that the company was at some point investigating Apple’s current practices and progress, I was criticized for its use of toxic chemicals. Apple Inc., surprised to learn that in many cases Apple is ahead of considered by some to have the world’s top supply chain, most of its competitors in these areas.” Apple has failed to is also the title holder of a somewhat more dubious communicate the things they have done well, he distinction – that of the world’s dirtiest high-tech company. concluded. Answering these allegations, Apple assured the world that

OPINION


it was using fuel cells from Bloom Energy, which consume iMac is more powerful, with a much larger screen than the methane generated by rotting waste in landfills, to power a first-generation, 15-inch iMac, yet it has 50 percent less data centre. But it promised that its next data centre would material and generates half the emissions. Another be powered purely by renewable energy. example: the iPad became 33 percent thinner and up to 15

percent lighter in one generation, generating 5 percent Now the products of Apple came not only in black and

fewer carbon emissions.white but green! “Apple reports environmental impact comprehensively. We do this by focusing on our products: Also, other than eliminating toxins, the company has taken what happens when we design them, what happens when steps in designing products with highly recyclable we make them, and what happens when you take them aluminium enclosures. It works with environmentally home and use them,” says the company’s environmental conscious materials including recycled plastics, recycled web page. paper, biopolymers, and vegetable-based inks. It has also

found ways to reengineer secondary materials to the high standard of designs.

The company paid much attention to its total carbon footprint, which was estimated to be Reduction approximately 14.8 million metric tons of greenhouse gas in material implies less emissions in 2010. It soon realised and understood that 98 packaging and thereby percent of its carbon footprint is directly related to its r e d u c e d e m i s s i o n s products, adding to which is the emissions generated from produced in transportation. the manufacturing, transportation, use, and recycling of its Apple gives a clear example products plus the emissions generated by its facilities. For for this in the packaging for the past three years, Apple has used a comprehensive life the iPhone 4: it is 42 percent cycle analysis to determine where the greenhouse gas smaller than for the original emissions come from. iPhone shipped in 2007.

That means that 80 percent Wanting to improve the product’s

more iPhone 4 boxes fit on performance, Jobs led the development of smaller,

each shipping pallet, more thinner, lighter products with a touch of green. The devices

pallets fit on each boat and were more eco-friendly. For instance, today’s 21.5-inch

What makes Apple differentCarbon footprint:

Transportation:

Manufacturing:

Apple has been thoroughly vocal about the aggressive steps it is taking to become the greenest business it can possibly be

OPINION


plane, and fewer boats and planes are used, resulting in built-in battery in MacBook Pro line up is a perfect fewer carbon emissions. This helps alleviate the example. Other notebook batteries can be charged only

greenhouse gas emissions from 200 to 300 times. The MacBook Pro battery can be transporting. Apple products charged up to 1,000 times. And because this battery lasts account for 6 percent of the up to five years, MacBook Pro uses just one battery in company’s carbon footprint. about the same time a typical notebook uses three. That

saves users money, produces less waste, and increases A significant

the lifespan of the product.contribution towards energy efficiency comes from its design of Apple’s willingness to reveal information about its yearly products. which account for 45 carbon emission proved to be an incredible tool for its p e r c e n t o f A p p l e ’s t o t a l success. This is something that other competitive greenhouse gas emissions. The companies have never done before. Apple has made Mac mini uses as little as one-fifth public information in several categories including life cycle the power consumed by a typical impact, product usage impact, and product environmental light bulb—even less power than a reports.single 13-watt CFL light bulb,

“Designing green according to Apple. Moreover,

products includes considering the environmental impact Apple claims that its products not

of the materials used to make them. From the glass, only meet but exceed the US

plastic, and metal in our products to the paper and ink in E nv i r o n m e n t a l P r o t e c t i o n

our packaging, our goal is to continue leading the industry Agency’s strict Energy Star

in reducing or eliminating environmentally harmful guidelines for efficiency.

substances.” Design stage is the

The new data centre of Apple, situated in Maiden, North one where Apple creates

California has earned the coveted LEED Platinum compact, efficient products that

certification from the US Green Building Council. Some require less material to produce.

huge projects like building the US’s largest private solar Materials like arsenic-free glass, high-grade aluminium,

arrays and the largest operating non-utility fuel cell and strong polycarbonate are used which are reclaimed

installation is surely to give Apple bigger strides in by recyclers for use in new products.

sustainability! The company tries to make longer-lasting products. The

Product use:

Apple’s homepage says it all:

Recycling:

While eliminating use of many toxins from products, the company is also designing products with highly recyclable and environmentally conscious materials

From CNETTo show how things like packaging can affect the environment, Apple compares the 2006

13-inch MacBook to that of the 2009 13-inch MacBook Pro. The end result: “By reducing

our packaging over 40 percent between 2006 and 2009, we ship 50 percent more boxes in

each airline shipping container. That saves one 747 flight for every 32,000 units we ship,”

according to Apple.

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