french-solar-park-inaugurated-in-punjab

French solar park inaugurated in Punjab

New Delhi, Feb 07 (ANI): A 21 MW solar park, which is set up in Punjab, was inaugurated by French Minister for Sustainable Development and Energy, Segolene Royal, and State's Renewable Minister Bikram Singh Majithia, in New Delhi. The solar park has been set-up by a French Solar company, Solairedirect, and is spread across 40 hectares in Fazilka city. Royal who is in India for the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit said that the park was an example of fine engineering. The rapidly falling cost of solar power, which is expected to reach parity with conventional energy by 2017, has ignited interest in its potential in India. Meanwhile, Royal said that the project was a win-win partnership. Feb 7, 2015
venkaiah-naidu-extends-support-to-transform-mumbai-into-a-global-financial-hub

Venkaiah Naidu extends support to transform Mumbai into a global financial hub

Mumbai, Feb 07 (ANI): Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu extended federal government's support to transform Mumbai into a global financial hub. The government of Maharashtra organised a 'Mumbai Next Summit' where industry titans like Tata Sons Ltd Chairman Cyrus Mistry and Reliance Industries Ltd Chairman Mukesh Ambani, along with Minister of State for Finance Jayant Sinha and legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan among others discussed Mumbai's future. 'Mumbai Next', is an initiative of state government to transform the country's financial capital into a global financial and entertainment centre. Naidu asked Maharashtra state government to focus on basics amenities to start with. Feb 7, 2015
india-hopes-for-positive-outcome-from-paris-climate-summit-says-javadekar

India hopes for positive outcome from Paris climate summit, says Javadekar

New Delhi, Feb 06 (ANI): Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar on Friday said that India is hoping for a positive outcome from Paris climate summit. Senior officials from almost 190 nations will meet from February 08-13 in Geneva to work on a draft UN deal to limit global warming. The agreement, built on national plans for curbs on rising world greenhouse gas emissions beyond 2020, is meant to be finalised at the Paris meeting in December. Javadekar also promised prior meeting among stakeholders to thrash out the differences. Javadekar said companies could be compensated for making critical technologies an open source. Feb 6, 2015
climate-change-providing-impetus-to-child-trafficking-kailash-satyarthi

Climate change providing impetus to child trafficking: Kailash Satyarthi

New Delhi, Feb 06 (ANI): Nobel laureate and child rights activist Kailash Satyarthi warned that children end up bearing the brunt of natural calamities caused by climate change as families get displaced, they are forced into child labour, prostitution and child trafficking. Satyarthi was speaking at the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit (DSDS) in the national capital. The DSDS, which is a global platform for experts to hammer out goals for 2015 climate talks, aims at discussing sustainable development goals with emphasis on energy and environment and clean energy for all. Thousands of children, mostly from poor rural areas, are taken to the country's cities every year by trafficking gangs who sell them into bonded labour or hire them out to unscrupulous employers, promising to send their parents their wages. Meanwhile, Chairman of UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Rajendra Pachauri said that the job of child rights activists like Satyarthi was only going to get infinitely more difficult with the impact of climate change. Feb 6, 2015
india-will-play-key-role-in-paris-summit-french-foreign-minister

India will play key role in Paris summit: French Foreign Minister

New Delhi, Feb 06 (ANI): India will play a pivotal role in the success of December 2015 Conference of Parties in Paris, said French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius in New Delhi. Fabius met Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar and said that major issues between the two countries needed to be tackled before the conference. Earlier in the day, Fabius attended the annual sustainable development summit and said that a global deal to curb carbon emissions must recognise each country's right to develop. He had said efforts to reach an agreement would fail if any country believed it would hurt their economic prospects. Fabius said he understood "the constraints of India" as it seeks to grow its economy. Meanwhile, Javadekar said India and France could meet ahead of the Paris talks to iron out differences between the two nations. Feb 6, 2015
french-minister-at-delhi-summit-says-climate-disruption-will-hamper-development

French minister at Delhi summit says climate disruption will hamper development

New Delhi, Feb 05 (ANI): French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius on Thursday said that efforts to reach an agreement, which is due at the United Nations summit in Paris in December, would fail if any country believed it would hurt their economic prospects. Speaking at the inaugural session of 15th Delhi Sustainable Development Summit (DSDS) along with former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and chairman UN Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change Rajendra Pachauri, Fabius said that rich and developing nation should work step-by-step against climate disruption. Lauding Modi's efforts, Schwarzenegger said the prime minister started a solar revolution. Meanwhile, Pachauri emphasised on implementing solutions. Feb 5, 2015
french-foreign-minister-laurent-fabius-meets-sushma-swaraj

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius meets Sushma Swaraj

New Delhi, Feb 05 (ANI): French Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development Laurent Fabius met External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj to discuss issues of mutual interest on Thursday. Fabius has been accompanied by a delegation of fellow dignitaries during his visit to India. Fabius is also scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, amidst indications that France is waiting for complete information on the Indo-US nuclear deal. Meanwhile, French Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy Segolene Royal, who is also part of the delegation visiting India, shall participate in The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) Delhi Sustainable Development Summit. Feb 5, 2015
experts-hammer-out-agendas-at-delhi-summit-for-paris-climate-talks

Experts hammer out agendas at Delhi summit for Paris climate talks

New Delhi, Feb 05 (ANI): Environmentalists and policy makers met at the 15th Delhi Sustainable Development Summit (DSDS) to set agendas for the 2015 climate change summit in Paris as India plays an influential role in UN climate talks. Paris could mark a shift away from two decades of climate diplomacy toward a more technocratic system that would allow national pledges for action to limit warming to be compared and toughened in coming years. Chairman of UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Rajendra K Pachauri, said that the three-day Delhi summit will be significant as far as the world's sustainable development goals were concerned. Feb 5, 2015