Page 2 - Sustainability

Tata International to nearly double sustainable leather production in 4 yrs

Tata International, the global trading and distribution arm of the Tata Group, on Monday said it plans to increase the production of sustainable leather to 50 pc in the next four years, from 27 per cent at present. The company launched Phoenix Leather, an eco-friendly product under its Earthcare Leather range, Tata International said in a statement. This has been developed through a patented collaboration with the Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI), which marks a significant advancement in sustainable leather technology, it added. "Tata International's Earthcare Leather range aims to lead the sustainable development of the leather industry. Despite lower demand post-Covid, we are now witnessing promising recovery with increased interest from key markets such as the USA, China, and Europe," said P Rajasekaran, Business Head - Finished Leather Business at Tata International. Tata International is one of the largest exporters of leather and leather products in India. "We are .

'No more mugs until thefts stop': Coffee brews trouble at Tesla plant

Tesla's Berlin Gigafactory confronts Ikea coffee cup thefts amid broader controversies over working conditions and environmental impact

Tackling congestion for growing population

The stress and fatigue of navigating congested streets exact a toll on individuals and communities alike. It is time we reimagined the way we move within cities

Sustainability has to be at core of development in 21st century: UNGA prez

UN General Assembly President Dennis Francis has said that there is no conflict between promoting sustainability and economic growth and development, underscoring that sustainability has to be the anchor for development in the 21st century. Francis will convene the UN's first-ever Sustainability Week' April 15-19 under the theme Paving the Way for a Sustainable Future' at the world body's headquarters here. The week will feature dedicated events focused on sustainability in critical sectors such as tourism, infrastructure connectivity, transport, energy and debt. The reality is that sustainability has to be the anchor for development in the 21st century. Since we are talking about prioritizing people and the planet, the sustainability dimension of things lies at the very heart of everything we are seeking to do developmentally in the UN, Francis, President of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, told PTI in an exclusive interview here. We have identified five key areas or .

Executives plan to invest more in GenAI for sustainability: IBM study

Nearly two-thirds of top executives surveyed believe that generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be important in their sustainability efforts while 76 per cent of executives plan to increase their investment in this emerging technology for sustainability, a study by IBM Institute for Business Value (IBV) said. Generative AI can be a game changer for data-driven sustainability, enabling organisations to turn trade-offs into win-wins, identify improvement opportunities, and drive innovation at speed and scale, the study said. While 63 per cent of executives surveyed agree that generative AI will be important for their sustainability efforts, 76 per cent say they plan to increase their investment in generative AI for sustainability. "With AI reshaping industries, integrating sustainability into core business practices add to the long-term value creation. The commitment of businesses to invest in Gen AI for sustainability signals a promising move towards a greener, more prosperous

Residential buyers willing to pay 5-10% more for green buildings: Report

Among corporate occupiers, over 85 per cent already lease green office spaces, motivated by energy savings and sustainability targets

Uber boosts eco-mobility, backs Indian startups with sustainovate challenge

Uber is committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2040 and has been continuously working with governments, partners, think tanks, and others to address global sustainability challenges, the company

NexGen Energia to invest Rs 1,000 cr for setting up EV unit in J&K

Sustainable energy solutions firm NexGen Energia on Monday said it will invest Rs 1,000 crore in setting up a manufacturing unit for electric vehicles (EVs) in Jammu and Kashmir. The Noida-based company said it is currently in talks with the authorities in the Union Territory and scouting for 100-acre land either in the Kathua industrial area or in the Kashmir Valley. The move comes soon after the company announced Rs 3,000 crore investment for setting up a Compress Bio Gas (CBG) plant in Gujarat. "Along with 'Make in India', we are on the way to fulfil the dream of self-reliant India. We will establish an EV plant in Jammu and Kashmir in collaboration with the government in which we will invest Rs 1,000 crore," NexGen Energia chairman Piyush Dwivedi told PTI. "The manufacturing unit will provide direct and indirect employment to about 1 lakh people and we aim to launch NGE's most affordable electric two-wheeler on April 15 next month for just Rs 36,900 from our Noida unit," Dwived

Govt starts 'Catch the Rain-2024' campaign to promote water sustainability

The Ministry of Jal Shakti on Saturday launched the Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain-2024' to optimise rainwater harvesting and other sustainable water management practices. Speaking at the launch of the campaign here in the national capital, Minister for Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Shekhawat emphasised the pivotal role of women in water management, conservation, and sustainability. The event themed Nari Shakti se Jal Shakti', which marked the fifth edition of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan, was held at the New Delhi Municipal Council Convention Centre. Under Nari Shakti se Jal Shakti', the campaign seeks to establish a strong connection between women empowerment and the sustainable management of water resources, Shekhawat said. Key highlights of the event include the screening of a documentary titled Jal Shakti Abhiyan 2019 to 2023'- a public-led movement marching towards water security' and unveiling of two books Jal Shakti Abhiyan: 2019 to 2023' and 101 Water Champions of Jal Jeevan ..

A $1.5 trn ESG debt market bleeding clients, corporates began to walk away

Rachel Richardson, head of ESG at London-based law firm Macfarlanes, says this year might be "a bit of a crunch point for both borrowers and lenders" in the market for sustainability-linked loans

Competitiveness of apparel exporters ushered with sustainability: AEPC

Apparel exporters body AEPC on Wednesday said the industry is working on sustainability production practices as it would help enhance the competitiveness of the sector in the international market. Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) Chairman Sudhir Sekhri said the mantra given by prime minister Narendra Modi to boost textiles exports through 5F - Farm to Fiber, Fiber to Factory, Factory to Fashion, Fashion to Foreign - will energise the textiles export sector. Addressing a gathering after inaugurating Bharat Tex 2024, one of the largest-ever global textile events organised in the country, on Monday, the prime minister promised all support to the textiles sector, stressing that it will play a crucial role in making India a developed nation by 2047, when India will complete hundred years of independence. Sekhri said the expo will help promote the brand India in the international markets. "For such a long time we did not have an international show of such a global standard and ..

Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India launches Sustainability Garage

Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India (MBRDI) has launched the 'Sustainability Garage', an initiative for promoting innovation in sustainable mobility in association with Prayoga Institute of Education Research. A CSR initiative of MBRDI, the Sustainability Garage will serve as a hub for multidisciplinary research, focusing on developing eco-friendly materials with diverse applications to benefit society. It aims to foster collaboration between academia and industry, driving research and innovation in sustainable materials and technologies. Under this initiative, MBRDI has jointly developed specialised course material, and over 150 students from six universities in Karnataka -- Jain University, RV Institution, JSS Science and Technology University, Vijaya College, Nrupatunga Institution, and St. Joseph's University -- will participate in workshops and experiment with research equipment. "Researchers at MBRDI are deeply engaged in ensuring sustainability as a core priority f

India ranks 3rd in USGBC's list on green building certification for 2023

India ranked third in the US Green Building Council's (USGBC) annual list of top 10 countries and regions in the world for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification in 2023. The United States has not been included in the list. LEED is a green building rating system and the certification is a globally recognised symbol of sustainability achievement and leadership. The rating system is available for virtually all building types, thereby providing a framework for healthy, highly efficient and cost-saving green buildings, USGBC said in a statement. India has retained its third rank, while mainland China, and Canada held the first and second positions, respectively, it said. As per the statement, "248 projects, across both buildings and spaces, were certified for LEED in the country covering 7.23 million Gross Square Metres (GSM). China topped the top 10 rankings for 2023 with over 24 million GSM certified followed by Canada with 7.9 million GSM," it said. Whi

VECV, ITC partner to promote sustainable mid-mile logistics solutions

VE Commercial Vehicles on Monday said it has tied up with GMCG major ITC to promote sustainable and environment-friendly mid-mile logistics solutions. As part of the collaboration, ITC, through its vendor partners, will progressively deploy over 100 units of the 5.5-tonne electric vehicle, the Eicher Pro 2055 EV, for mid-mile transportation from ITC warehouses to customer locations. "This is very much in line with VECV's idea of providing modern solutions for modern logistics, focused on higher productivity and efficiency," VE Commercial Vehicles (VECV) MD and CEO Vinod Aggarwal said in a statement. ITC Ltd Divisional Chief Executive (Trade Marketing and Distribution) Sandeep Sule said building agile, resilient and green supply chains is an integral part of the company's next strategy which is aimed at shaping the next horizon of growth and structural competitiveness. "Towards this, we are partnering with various stakeholders for the deployment of EVs in end-to-end logistics ...

Sweden keen to cooperate with India on sustainability solutions in aviation

Keen for stronger ties with India, Sweden is looking for cooperation with the country on sustainability solutions in the aviation sector as well as on electrification efforts in the auto space. Besides, Sweden is hoping for the resumption of direct flight services with India, Johan Davidson, Sweden's State Secretary for Infrastructure and Housing, said. In an interview to PTI, he said India is an important partner as it is also the world's fastest growing aviation market. While noting that he is impressed by the country's extensive investments being made in airports and aviation for expansion, he said, "there is a lot of interest in Indian growth and new business opportunities for Swedish companies". Sweden is a leading player in sustainable aviation. More than 80 Swedish companies are active in the sector, with expertise across the value chain and experience in implementing their solutions globally. Davidson, who was on a brief visit to India last week, also said the country is "

GDP growth in most countries neither sustainable, nor inclusive: WEF study

Most economies are growing in ways that are neither sustainable nor inclusive and are limited in their ability to absorb or generate innovation and minimise their contribution and susceptibility to global shocks, a new report said on Wednesday. The Future of Growth Report released here by the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2024 called for a new approach to economic growth that balances efficiency with long-term sustainability and equity, examining speed and quality together. High-income economies score high on innovation and inclusion, while lower-income economies on sustainability, said the report that took a holistic look at GDP alongside the quality of growth across 107 economies. Among the lower middle income economies, India and Kenya scored high on sustainability, Jordan on innovativeness; Vietnam on inclusiveness; and the Philippines on resilience. Common challenges preventing a stronger balanced growth performance of this group included technology absorption, lack of .

IIFCL plans to garner Rs 2,000 crore via maiden green bonds in 6 months

India Infrastructure Finance Company Ltd (IIFCL) is planning to raise Rs 2,000 crore through its maiden green bonds in the next six months to fund sustainable projects. It could be a mix of both domestic and foreign issuances, depending on the cost of funds, IIFCL managing director P R Jaishankar told PTI. The state-owned infrastructure financier said it is exploring options of yen-denominated green bonds, he said, adding, it may happen in this quarter or the first quarter of the next financial year. "Sustainable green bonds are one of our major lookouts and yen is one major currency that we are considering, and we are also looking at other currencies, but it will all depend on how cost-effective it is, including the hedging cost and the overall cost of borrowings," he said. "If the domestic environment gives us a better option then we will go with domestic. If yen gives a better return, we will go with yen." he said. This is part of the company's aim to diversify its borrowing ..

ICSI to prepare international standards on sustainability, says president

The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) is working on international standards on sustainability and will unveil them soon, its president Manish Gupta said on Wednesday. Speaking at the inauguration of the institute's third centre of corporate governance, research, and training in Kolkata, he said the decision to develop such international standards is in line with the growing global emphasis on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting. The centre, spread over 1.5 acres in New Town and built for Rs 35 crore, was inaugurated by West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose. It aims at serving as a hub for company secretaries' education, research, and training for professionals and businesses in the region. "We have begun the process to prepare international standards on sustainability and expect that it will take about six months to come out with the standards for reporting and audit. It will be exhaustive. Discussions will be held with the regulators and government

IATA expects sustainable aviation fuel production to rise in 2024

The production of sustainable aviation fuel will double to more than 600 million litres this year and rise further to 1.875 billion litres in 2024, according to the global airlines' grouping IATA. As the global aviation industry works on decarbonisation ways, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) will play a major role. At a recent conference hosted by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), stakeholders agreed to a global framework to promote SAF production in all geographies for fuels used in international aviation to be 5 per cent less carbon-intensive by 2030. Around 17.5 billion litres of SAF need to be produced to reach that level. On Wednesday, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said that in 2023, SAF volumes will reach over 600 million litres (0.5 million tonnes), which is double the amount of 300 million litres (0.25 million tonnes) produced in 2022. While making a presentation on SAF here, IATA's Director for Net Zero Transaction Hemant Mistry said

Looking forward to collaborations for sustainable future at COP-28: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said he was looking forward to meaningful dialogues and collaborations for a sustainable future at the COP-28 Summit here. Modi was welcomed warmly by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the venue here. Glad to join the COP-28 Summit, a pivotal platform for global climate action. Looking forward to engaging in meaningful dialogues and collaborations for a sustainable future, Modi said on X. I thank my brother Mohamed Bin Zayed and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for the warm welcome, he said. Modi reached here Friday night to a warm welcome by the Indian community in Dubai. Before leaving Delhi, the prime minister said he was happy to see that this significant event is being held under the Presidency of the UAE, an important Indian partner in climate action. "In keeping with our civilizational ethos, India has always laid emphasis on climate action even as we pursue social and .