The Energy Conservation Amendment Bill has been tabled on the 13th day of the Monsoon session of the parliament as Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha convened at 11 am today.
The Bill was floored by the Minister of Power, New and Renewable Energy, Mr R.K Singh.
- The Bill aims to reduce India’s power consumption via fossil fuels, thereby minimizing its carbon footprint.
- To develop India’s Carbon market and boost the adoption of clean technology.
- India aims to meet its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), mentioned in the Paris Climate Agreement, before its 2030 target date.
Along with this, the bill proposes to:
- Define the minimum share of renewable energy to be consumed by industrial units or any establishment.
- This consumption may be done directly from a renewable energy source or indirectly via the power grid.
- Incentivise efforts to use clean energy by issuing carbon saving certificates.
- Strengthening institutions that were up originally under the Act, such as the Bureau of Energy Efficiency.
- Facilitating the promotion of green Hydrogen as an alternative to the fossil fuels used by industries.
- Considering additional incentives like carbon credits for the use of clean energy to lure the private sector to climate action.
- Including larger residential buildings under energy conservation standards to promote sustainable habitats.
As the Bill was floored in the House, the Opposition protested about the recent raids at the National Herald Newspaper’s building over alleged corruption and money laundering and subsequent questioning by the Enforcement Directorate of Rahul and Sonia Gandhi.
With too much commotion the House was adjourned until 2 pm today.
