The ISA is an alliance of more than 120 signatory countries that aims to reduce the dependence on non-renewable sources of energy like fossil fuels…reports Asian Lite News
Chile became the new entrant in the International Solar Alliance becoming its 95th member, the Ministry of External Affairs informed on Monday.
Chile was handed over the ISA instrument during the meeting of Chilean Ambassador Juan Angulo and the Ministry of External Affairs, Joint Secretary (Economic Diplomacy) Abhishek Singh.
“Chile handed over the Instrument of @isolaralliance. Ratification during the meeting of Ambassador Juan Angulo of Chile with JS (Economic Diplomacy) Abhishek Singh in New Delhi today,” MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Chile becomes the 95th member of the International Solar Alliance.
Chile handed over the Instrument of @isolaralliance Ratification during the meeting of Ambassador Juan Angulo of Chile with JS (Economic Diplomacy) Abhishek Singh in New Delhi today. pic.twitter.com/3HhW58ypBV
The ISA is an alliance of more than 120 signatory countries that aims to reduce the dependence on non-renewable sources of energy like fossil fuels.
It was conceived as a joint effort by India and France. Currently, 116 countries are signatories to the ISA Framework Agreement,
“The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is an action-oriented, member-driven, collaborative platform for increased deployment of solar energy technologies as a means for bringing energy access, ensuring energy security, and driving energy transition in its member countries,” the ISA website reads.
Meanwhile, the sixth assembly of the International Solar Alliance was hosted at Bharat Mandapam in the national capital on October 31.
The event was presided over by the Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy, RK Singh in his capacity as the President of the ISA Assembly.
The ministers from 20 countries and delegates from across 116 Member and Signatory countries participated in the Assembly and multiple projects were inaugurated during the event.
Earlier in October, ISA Director General Ajay Mathur said that the investment in solar is expected to be 380 billion dollars this year as last year witnessed an investment of 310 billion. He also said that the ISA is supporting the growth of 9.5 GW of solar energy in projects across the world. (ANI)
Speaking at the G20 Development Ministers’ Meeting in Varanasi on Monday, Jaishankar said that it is a big step because when a country like Singapore which is so active and motivational for many, joins ISA fully…reports Asian Lite News
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday hailed Singapore’s ratification of the International Solar Alliance as a “big step.”
Calling it a big step, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday announced that Singapore has ratified the International Solar Alliance, signifying the decision to join collective efforts on climate action. “Singapore has ratified the International Solar Alliance. This is a big step because when a country like Singapore which is so active and motivational for many joins ISA fully, this is something very important,” the EAM said.
Speaking at the G20 Development Ministers’ Meeting in Varanasi on Monday, Jaishankar said that it is a big step because when a country like Singapore which is so active and motivational for many, joins ISA fully.
Taking to Twitter, Singapore in India wrote, “Today, Singapore Minister Dr Mohamad Maliki bin Osman deposited Singapore’s @isolaralliance (ISA) Instrument of Ratification with India EAM HE @DrSJaishankar, signifying our decision to join collective efforts on climate action. @PMOIndia #OWOSOG #ISA #Renewables.”
The International Solar Alliance (ISA), also called the International Agency for Solar Policy and Application is a group of 106 signatory countries (86 of which are members), the majority of which are sunshine countries that lie entirely or partially between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn.
The alliance’s main goal is to promote efficient solar energy use in order to lessen reliance on fossil fuels. This program was first presented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who co-launched it with French President Emmanuel Macron at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris.
International Solar Alliance is also the treaty-based agency responsible for implementing One Sun One World One Grid (OSOWOG), which aims to transfer solar power-generated energy to other areas and meet electricity demands.
Meanwhile, speaking at the G20 Development Ministers’ Meeting in Varanasi, the External Affairs Minister said, “We have approved unanimously two outcomes- one is a G20 Action Plan on Accelerating Progress in the Sustainable Development Goals, and the second is G20 High-Level Principles on Lifestyle for Sustainable Development.” (ANI)
The Cochin International Airport became the first ‘green airport’ in the world, for which it was awarded the Champions of Earth award 2018, United Nations’ highest environmental honour. The airport fully operates on solar power, which meets all its electricity requirements
One of the prominent challenges of the 21st century is how to make aviation sustainability a reality in the face of the industry’s high global footprints. In this modern world, transportation by air has become a necessary evil as more and more people and industries rely on it, creating a dilemma between the economy and the environment.
The aviation sector, if it were a country, would be one of the top 10 carbon-polluting nations in the world. To put that in perspective, the top 10 countries together emit more than two-thirds of all carbon emitted each year. It is also one of the highest and fastest-growing sources of individual emissions. A single international trip taken by one person emits more carbon than someone living in Paraguay for a year.
Solar panel fields at Kochi airport
Ground operations, mainly performed at the airport form a major aspect of the sector. Airports act as the interface between landside access to airspace and airside access to the ground. Further, airports are not just transport hubs anymore, they are full-fledged industrial hubs, becoming bustling centres of businesses, hotels and other transport connectivity. It is no surprise that areas in and around airports are fast developing and expanding, now being referred to as ‘airport metropolises’. This is fast becoming a problem as the number of emissions from ground operations is researched to be as deadly, if not more as it tends to have an added and more direct impact on the local air quality. Creating sustainable airports, therefore, becomes essential to creating a more sustainable aviation sector.
A big contribution in this direction comes from India. The Cochin International Airport became the first ‘green airport’ in the world, for which it was awarded the Champions of Earth award 2018, the United Nations’ highest environmental honour. The airport fully operates on solar power, which meets all its electricity requirements. This is no small feat as the Cochin airport stands to be one of the most important airports for not just India but the rest of the world. It is the largest airport in Kerala and the seventh largest in India in terms of passenger traffic. It has one of the longest runways, measuring up to 3.4 km, equipped to handle the largest of aircraft. It is also the first ever airport in India to be developed under Public-Private Partnership.
Installing the first solar photovoltaic power station plant on the rooftop of the Arrival Terminal Block way back in 2013 turned out to be a trendsetter. Since then, it has not looked back, adding several more solar power units to maximise energy production and produce enough for all its needs. A sum total of Rs 7 crore was spent on the solar power units, which might already have been recovered from the massive saving of Rs 7-8 lakh per month on electricity bills.
Solar panel fields at Kochi airport
In fact, the most recent news on the Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) confirmed that it has become a power surplus, having achieved power neutrality way back in 2015. This means, CIAL now has a negative carbon footprint. Rather than adding to the global carbon emission, it is making a significant contribution to off-setting emissions done elsewhere. It is also now the second-largest energy producer in the Indian state of Kerala after the State Electricity Board (KSEB). CIAL has a culture of cost-effectiveness. The entire construction of Cochin airport can be considered a marvel gave the low-cost of mere Rs 303 crore at which it was constructed. This sense of cost consciousness is probably what motivated the sustainability drive.
Becoming energy positive might be the most important of its achievements but it by no means is the only one. The airport is also engaged in scalable agro-photovoltaic activities, putting to efficient utilisation the vacant spaces between the solar panels within the CIAL solar plant, which has by far produced close to 90 metric tons of pesticide-free vegetables. This is mainly in line with the Indian government’s general push in the direction of organic and zero-budget natural farming. The solar project pioneered by managing director VJ Kurian has motivated CIAL to take up several more solar and hydropower projects in the rest of the state.
Since the success of the Cochin International Airport, the government of India has every airport in the country to produce at least 2 MW of solar energy. Despite having a large population leading to a low per capita GDP when compared to the global powers, India has engaged itself proactively in global environmental initiatives, being on track with its international commitments, and coming up with several great initiatives of its own, the International Solar Alliance being one of its major initiatives. In a world where global climate action is witnessing stagnation, India’s environmental leadership is inducing hope for a better and sustainable future.
Solar panel fields at Kochi airportSolar panel fields at Kochi airport
