Chitrakoot SDG Conference Calls For 10% Green Budgets To Combat Global Warming
Experts praise initiatives on energy efficiency in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Sukla along with Minister for Women & Child Welfare Government of Madhya Pradesh with Adviser Chandrasekhar Reddy, Southern States/UTs BEE Releasing BEEs Poster on Program of More Stars & More Savings in Chitrakoot Global Conference on Sunday
Vijayawada: Chitrakoot Global Conference on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has unveiled a transformative, three-pronged strategy to aggressively promote energy efficiency in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and other States.
The initiative aims to mitigate global warming, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and secure a sustainable future.
Experts at the conference emphasised that energy efficiency could contribute over 40 per cent of the global efforts needed to combat climate change. To maximise its potential, the conference proposed comprehensive energy efficiency policies, implementation of sector-specific policies targeting energy, rural development, transport, agriculture, housing, and urban planning and allocation of a minimum of 10 per cent of budgets for green funding. It also called for time-bound implementation of plans and establishment of high-level mechanisms for progress tracking and ensure widespread adoption of energy-efficient solutions and public engagement through robust communication.
It wanted to launch impactful campaigns across print, electronic, and social media to mobilize communities, particularly women and youth, in adopting sustainable practices. The conference spotlighted the Mission LiFE program, advocating for measures like adopting electric vehicles, energy-efficient appliances, and renewable energy. Citizens were urged to engage in conservation efforts, including water-saving practices and avoiding single-use plastics.
The conference highlighted key achievements, particularly Telangana’s exemplary efforts in adopting innovative programs of Bureau of Energy Efficiency and Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) in delivering measurable benefits to the environment and economy. The conference recognised Telangana’s impactful collaboration with EESL under various initiatives, including the implementation of LED street lighting projects across urban and rural areas.
The Telangana government has entered into agreements with EESL for retrofitting conventional streetlights with energy-efficient LEDs across all Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) on an ESCO model with a seven-year project period. The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) signed an implementation agreement with EESL to replace 5.48 lakh streetlights with LED variants, achieving annual energy savings of approximately 236.19 million units (MU), a reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 0.19 million tCO2, and monetary savings of Rs 191.31 crore.
The initiatives undertaken in AP came under praise at the conference. Several experts in energy efficiency acknowledged the direct involvement and continuous monitoring of path-breaking clean energy initiatives, including renewable energy and energy efficiency, by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.
