The Energy and Resources Institute Creating Innovative Solutions for a Sustainable Future

A galaxy of leaders from governments, development organizations, community groups, business, academic and research institutions and international agencies say the world just isn't on track to meet the millennium development goals (MDGs) aimed at reducing poverty and hunger, improving lives and ensuring environmental sustainability. A Delhi Declaration at the end of the three-day Delhi Sustainable Development Summit organized by TERI regretted the lack of progress in meeting these goals and integrating them into national development plans.

Participants in the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit, 2006 have emphasized that peace should be acknowledged as a basic remise for development and the poor should be recognized as an integral part of global growth by designing low-cost and state-of-the-art technologies for meeting their needs.

TERI, Bangalore, bagged the award for its initiative towards identifying energy-saving potential and suggesting measures to help realize the savings identified.

India is doing well in the battle against poverty but needs more investment, both private and government, in public health, education and basic infrastructure. The advice comes from Jeffrey David Sachs, special adviser to the UN secretary-general and director of Columbia University's The Earth Institute. The economist, known best for his views on sustainable development, spoke on Challenges for the UN and Global Society at the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit 2006, organized by TERI in February 2006.

BP announced that it is to fund a $9.4 million project by TERI in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh to demonstrate the feasibility of producing biodiesel from Jatropha Curcas, a non-edible oil bearing crop.

The region's natural resources and environment will increasingly be the focus of partnership efforts, Dr Rajat Nag, Director General of ADB's Mekong Department, told the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit (DSDS) on its opening day

In rural India, solar lanterns are getting more popular, says Ms Ruchika Chawla of TERI. The government has clearly figured out the advantage of going green. Plans are under way to make solar panels mandatory for new constructions in Pune and Mumbai.

"In order to meet development goals, there is an urgent need to enhance finance and investment in human resources," Former Prime Minister Japan Ryutaro Hashimoto said in his valedictory address at three-day Delhi Sustainable Development Summit.

British Petroleum, on 2 February 2006, declared that it will fund a $9.4 million project in India to see if biodiesel can be produced from a non-edible oil bearing crop. The project by TERI in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh will study the feasibility of producing biodiesel from the crop Jatropha Curcas.

According to TERI, using energy efficient measures, emissions can be reduced by 40 percent. In their experiment with CII-Godrej Green Business Council, Ahmedabad, they were able to effect 35 percent savings in energy.