Asia Invests in Clean Tech & Energy Efficiency

The Indian government has sanctioned US$6.4 billion to finance climate change mitigation plans, including an energy efficiency certificate trading mechanism, where standards will be mandated for over 700 industries. If the industries fail they have to buy certificates to compensate. And with Asia emerging as a leading cleantech investment hub, Clean Technology World Asia in Hong Kong next week (Ipromises to attract attention from business through the region.

By Mridul Chadha for Ecopolitology on (25 August 2010):

The Indian government has sanctioned US$6.4 billion to finance the efforts to mitigate the perspective impacts of climate change on the environmentally sensitive and populous areas of the country.

These funds will be used to achieve the targets and goals mentioned in the National Action Plan for Climate Change released by the Prime Minister’s Council on Climate Change in 2008. The plan of action to mitigate the impacts of climate change have been subdivided into eight broad categories covering the most critical areas.

These areas include energy efficiency, solar energy, sustainable agriculture, water conservation, sustaining the Himalayan ecosystem and building a knowledge base for understanding climate change and its impacts better.

Answering a question in the Parliament, the Environment and Forest minster Mr. Jairam Ramesh said that India would be among the most gravely affected areas in the world because of the changing climate. He said that the government needs to be more responsible and should bear in mind the possible adverse impacts climate change while negotiating for an international climate treaty.

Flow of Funds

The government has announced several initiatives through which this multi-billion dollar fund would be constituted. The government will soon launch the energy efficiency certificate trading mechanism. Under this initiative, energy efficiency standards will be mandated for over 700 industries and if the industries fail to achieve the standards they would have to buy certificates to compensate for the exceedance.

Another initiative, the renewable energy certificate program would also be launched soon. The government has mandated states to buy a minimum amount of electricity generated from renewable energy sources failing which, they would have to buy renewable energy certificates from authorized renewable energy power projects. This would ensure a steady and partially self-sustainable growth of the renewable energy sector.

The Clean Energy Fund is yet another financial resource at the government’s disposal. From July 1, 2010, the government started levying INR 50 ($1.1) on every tonne of coal mined or imported. This year an estimated $650 million is likely to be generated which could increase to over $2 billion by 2015.

These funds would be simultaneously used for funding various clean energy, pollution control and environment management projects. Projects like the National Solar Mission, afforestation projects to increase the carbon offsetting capacities of the Indian forests, projects associated with coastline management to counter rise in sea levels, eco-restoration of sensitive areas in the Himalayan ecosystem, improving the condition of the water resources and switching to energy efficient lighting systems are some of the projects that will benefit from this climate change mitigation fund.

US based Ecopolitology features fresh news and critical analyses of the politics of energy and the environment. Founded by Timothy B. Hurst in 2007 as a creative outlet and informal repository for some of his graduate research ideas, ecopolitology has grown into a much larger project than he ever anticipated. After joining Live Oak Media in September of 2009, ecopolitology opened its doors to regular contributions from several talented writers bringing their diverse passions and perspectives to this little experiment in new media and environmental politics.

Source: www.ecopolitology.org

Clean Technology Investment World Asia

Venue: Kowloon Shangri-La, Hong Kong August 31, 2010 to September 3, 2010

Connecting Capital with Asian Clean Technology Innovations

Accessing Asian Clean Technology Investment, Licensing Rights, Partnerships and Capital with innovators, investors, governments and industry players

Clean Technology Investment World Asia is Asia’s definite platform where investors, financiers, energy users, governments, clean technology innovators and business leaders convene to identify investment opportunities, raise capital, access licensing rights to new innovative technologies and form strategic partnerships
This event will provide critical insights into how:

• Institutional investors, venture capitalist, private equity, asset & fund managers, corporate venture capitalist, large scale energy user, angel investors, family office executives and high net worth individuals can tap into the investment potential of innovative clean technologies in Asia
• Asian Clean technology companies can access capital from regional and global investors
• Corporate companies can access innovative patents through licensing and other partnership models, invest direct into new start-ups or nurture entrepreneurs to develop innovative clean technologies

Clean Technology Investment World Asia 2010 will accelerate your connection to global capital, Asian innovation and source for potential partners. A priority event for all senior executives looking to tap on Asian Clean Technology Innovation or Capital. 

Our Track Record with Investors, Government & Clean Technology Companies 

Following the success of the Australasian Clean Technology Forum now in its 6th Asia, overwhelming investor demand to tap on the clean technology innovation in Asia has lead to the birth of an encompassing platform in Asia showcasing Asian clean technology innovation – Clean Technology Investment World Asia

Source: www.greenbusinesstimes.com, www.terrapinn.com and www.wholesaleinvestor.com.au