India
CRITICS SAY INDIAN FOREST CONSERVATION BILL WOULD IGNORE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
08/08/2016
Update Volume
46
Update Issue
22

On July 28, India's upper house of parliment passed a bill that, if enacted, would give state governments $895 million per year towards conservation and protecting wildlife and forests. While the Minister of State of Environment Anil Madhav Dave stated that it is a good bill that would help concentrate reforestation efforts, analysts and activists are saying that this law ignores the importance of indigenous people in conserving land and disregards their rights.

INDIA AIMS TO JOIN PARIS CLIMATE AGREEMENT IN 2016
06/13/2016
Update Volume
46
Update Issue
17

India stated on June 7 that it plans to work towards joining the 2015 Paris climate accord this year. India joins the United States and China with this commitment, providing momentum to the international push to curb climate change. U.S. President Barack Obama welcomed Indian Prime Minister Narenda Modi to the White House, highlighting the strong relationship between the leaders of the world's two largest democracies.

WTO RULES AGAINST INDIA IN SOLAR CASE
02/29/2016
Update Volume
46
Update Issue
6

On February 24, the United States won a ruling against India at the World Trade Organization after challenging rules on the origin of solar cells and solar modules used in India's national solar power program. In a statement, the U.S. Trade Representative's office called the ruling a significant victory that would hasten the spread of solar energy across the world and support clean-energy jobs in the United States.

INDIA STOPS IMPORT OF POTASH DUE TO DROUGHTS
02/22/2016
Update Volume
46
Update Issue
5

India halted potash imports and postponed negotiations around next year’s imports until June 2016 due to weak demand caused by drought. Potash is a crop nutrient that is used to fertilize farmland. This is India’s first halting of potash imports in years and comes alongside decreased demand from China and Brazil as well. India’s major suppliers of potash include Uralkali, Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan, and Arab PotashCo. Even with this decision, India has 1.1 million tons in potash inventory, which highlights the crisis that India’s farm sector is experiencing.

INDIA'S SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS BAN ON SALE OF DIESEL CARS IN NEW DELHI
01/11/2016
Update Volume
46
Update Issue
1

The Supreme Court of India upheld a temporary ban on selling large diesel cars in New Delhi. This ban aims to counter toxic smog conditions in India's capital city. New Delhi is one of the most polluted cities in the world, with air quality worse than in Beijing. Proponents of the rule would like to see the ban extended to smaller diesel cars and other cities in India. The Supreme Court stated that it was considering expanding the ban to diesel cars with engine capacity of less than 2,000 cc but planned to seek industry input first.

FRANCE AND INDIA LAUNCH INTERNATIONAL SOLAR ALLIANCE AT ONSET OF COP21
12/07/2015
Update Volume
45
Update Issue
34

French President Francois Hollande and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched an international solar alliance at the onset of the Paris COP21 climate summit. The alliance includes more than 120 countries and was described by Modi as “the sunrise of new hope, not just for clean energy but for villages and homes still in darkness, for mornings and evenings filled with a clear view of the glory of the sun.” The goal is to bring clean and affordable solar energy to everyone. The majority of the countries involved are tropical, solar-rich nations.

INDIA TO BAN 15-YEAR-OLD TRUCKS DUE TO POLLUTION
12/07/2015
Update Volume
45
Update Issue
34

Beginning in April 2016, India will not allow commercial trucks that are more than 15 years old on the road. This is an attempt by the Indian government to limit air pollution, as India is home to 13 of the 20 most polluted cities on the planet. Commercial vehicles, particularly when badly maintained, are one are the largest contributors to air pollution nationally.

INDIA CANCELS GREENPEACE INDIA’S REGISTRATION
11/16/2015
Update Volume
45
Update Issue
32

On November 4, 2015, the Indian Government canceled Greenpeace India’s registration after it determined that Greenpeace India had been “fraudulently” conducting business, falsifying balance sheets, and violating the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act of 1975. The order was passed down without a hearing, and Greenpeace India announced that it planned to challenge the cancellation in court. This follows a year during which Greenpeace India and the Indian government have continually been at odds with one another.

INDIAN HIGH COURT STAYS ORDER BARRING GREENPEACE FROM ACCEPTING FOREIGN FUNDS
09/28/2015
Update Volume
45
Update Issue
27

On September 17, 2015, the Indian Madras High Court temporarily stayed a demand from the Indian government that prohibited Greenpeace India from accepting foreign funding. Earlier this month, the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs canceled the group's registration under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, which allows the organization to receive funds from abroad. Approximately 30% of Greenpeace India’s funds come from foreign sources. The government alleges that Greenpeace India’s financial accounts are riddled with inconsistencies, while Greenpeace India denies the claims.

INDIA AND CHINA PRESENT UNITED FRONT ON CLIMATE CHANGE
05/18/2015
Update Volume
45
Update Issue
14

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang issued a joint statement on May 15 pledging that the two countries will work together to develop plans to reduce carbon emissions in a lead up to global negotiations in December. Though no new targets were set, the leaders committed the countries to collaborate on clean energy and energy efficiency technology.

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