Ambitious plans?

In a recent meet in Brussels, the European Union (EU) agreed to new emissions reduction targets, after a long tussle over renewable energy targets. On March 9, 2007, 27 EU member states agreed to a binding cut of 20 per cent in greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by 2020. It said it could even go for a 30 per cent cut if other developed countries followed suit. Within the same period, EU wants 10 per cent of its cars and trucks to run on biofuels and 20 per cent of its power to come from renewable energy sources.

US, Barzil agreement on biofuels

The us and Brazil, which account for more than 72 per cent of global ethanol production, recently finalised a pact to jointly research biofuels and develop standards for their global commercialisation. Presidents George Bush and Luiz Incio Lula da Silva signed the "strategic alliance" in Sao Paulo, though the us did not agree to drop tariffs on Brazilian exports of ethanol.

EU, California announces first-ever fuel standards

the European Union (eu) and the us state of California recently announced the first-ever fuel standards to regulate greenhouse gas (ghg) emissions.

Delayed report on Tripura toxic spill

a committee set up on March 5, 2007, to investigate a toxic spill by a paint manufacturing unit in south Kashipur near Agartala, submitted its report on March 22 after failing to meet the original March 15 deadline. The committee consisted of two members of the Tripura State Pollution Control Board (tspcb), an agency that was itself strictured for permitting the unit to operate.

EC wrath fuelled

The European Commission (ec) recently warned it is planning legal action against many eu states that have failed to implement rules to promote biofuels. The 25 eu nations had to turn eu rules on biofuel usage into national laws in 2004.

"We have completely ignored our biomass sector"

For a long time, India has had a system to promote renewables. What have we achieved? Is the ministry happy with the progress? Interviewee:  A M Gokhale