On Monday, Parliament passed a bill to require the use of nonfossil fuel energy sources like biomass, ethanol, and green hydrogen.
Rajya Sabha voted by voice on Monday to approve the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill 2022. Lok Sabha approved the legislation at its August session.
The bill includes penalties for violations by industrial units or vessels as well as penalties on manufacturers for vehicles that fail to comply with fuel consumption norms.
These amendments are also intended to encourage renewable energy and develop a domestic carbon market in order to combat climate change.
This bill also helps the country meet its international climate change commitments.
It will introduce new concepts like carbon trading and require the use of nonfossil resources to accelerate decarbonisation in India and ensure sustainable development.
R K Singh, Minister of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), responded to a debate about the bill. He stated that the bill was environment-friendly and would allow for carbon trading in the country.
He said that the environment is a precious resource for government and would take all necessary steps to ensure it. He also stated that India is now a leader in energy transition.
He said that currently, 24 % of energy consumption comes from the housing sector. The government has therefore targeted only large commercial establishments with a load capacity greater than 100KW.
He said that the state government was allowed to reduce the building load by up to 50KW.
“We are expanding green building.” It is becoming more sustainable. He said that it already has energy efficiency, and that we are adding renewable energy to this.”
The country also wants to be a leader in green hydrogen. The ministry has already developed rules, and the industry will invest to build capacity for 25 million tonnes.
He stated that the country would be able to generate more than 50% of its power from non-fossilfuels by 2030.
