One of the most important steps would be to have a mandatory fuel efficiency standard – a move, which was opposed by the industry steadfastly.
The government will legislate for mandatory fuel efficiency standards for vehicles by December 2010, he said.
At the moment there is no such standard and what the automobile companies do are purely voluntary. Once the legislation is in place, there will be star-ratings – now seen in air conditioners and refrigerators – for vehicles as well.
A model building code suggesting how to construct energy efficient buildings will be brought out. “We will recommend to state and municipal bodies on implementing mandatory green building code,” Ramesh said.
One of the most polluting industries – coal-fired power plants – will be specifically targeted to lower the sector’s total carbon load.
Clean technology
The government plans to have “supercritical” clean-coal technologies for all 50 per cent of all the new power plants, which will significantly cut down the carbon dioxide emissions.
The energy conservation act will be modified so that the Bureau of Energy Efficiency can issue energy efficiency certificates to many polluting industries, Ramesh said, adding that action plans would be brought out for transportation, building and power sectors.
“We will separate domestic responsibilities from international obligations. I will be aggressive on domestic front and proactive in the international situation,” the minister said, adding that a series of policy measures would be undertaken.
The National Action Plan on Climate Change has eight specific missions, which if implemented properly would herald a low carbon economy. The plan is go on a low carbon trajectory from the 12th plan period beginning in 2012.
One of the missions under the NAPCC – the national solar mission that aims to generate 20,000 MW of electricity by 2022 – has already been approved by the Union Cabinet.
