The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : U.S. trade mission coming

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Wednesday, Jul 01, 2009
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

U.S. trade mission coming

Special Correspondent

Exnora Environmental Standards Organisation launched

— Photo: S.R.Raghunathan

Launched: U.S. Consul- General Andrew T. Simkin launches the Exnora Environmental Standards Organisation in Chennai on Tuesday. (From left) P. Devanand, CEO, Exnora Environmental Certification Corporation, M.B. Nirmal, Exnora founder, and Ciaran Gillen, Managing Director, Biofuture Ltd., are in the picture.

CHENNAI: A U.S. trade mission on industrial energy efficiency is scheduled to visit Chennai in November to explore joint ventures with Indian partners, Andrew T. Simkin, U.S. Consul-General in Chennai, said on Tuesday.

Launching the Exnora Environmental Standards Organisation (EESO) that would certify organisations and individuals on energy-efficiency metrics, Mr. Simkin said the delegation, which would feature a dozen U.S. industrialists, would engage in “match-making and site visits” during the visit slated for November 18 and 19.

The Consul-General stressed the importance of backing up such macro initiatives with energy-saving measures vehicle-by-vehicle and person-by-person in everyday life.

According to Mr. Simkin, the U.S. Consulate here too had embarked on cost-cutting exercises which had assumed high focus following the economic meltdown. The steps ranged across switching to CFL bulbs at offices and eco-friendly windows at diplomats’ residences and sensitising staffers on individual electricity consumption, he said.

P. Devanand, CEO, Exnora Environmental Certification Corporation, said the organisation would undertake certification of industries based on a measurement of their carbon emission. Industries would be mentored to gain an ‘A’ rating on reducing carbon footprint by 20 per cent, ‘AA’ rating on a roll back by 30 per cent and a triple ‘A’ rating on cutting back by 40 per cent, he said.

EESO certification would also be handed out to individuals who had contributed a stipulated minimum of hours to the environmental cause. The certification that would provide formal recognition of environmental skills and expertise could also equip youth for “green jobs,” he said.

Ciaran Gillen, managing director, Biofuture Ltd, Ireland, gave an overview of the exciting work being done in extracting microbes from the environment for improved management and recycling of wastewater. He said some of the pioneering measures undertaken by the Irish government, such as the plastic bag tax and grants for eco-friendly residential installations, could be considered by other countries, including India.

M.B. Nirmal, Exnora founder, said the EESO would act as a catalyst in reducing the carbon footprint, or the aggregate carbon emissions, in a structured way.

K. Alwin Manohar, joint director, Petroleum Conservation Research Association, outlined various campaigns led by the organisation to raise awareness on energy efficiency among industry and the public.

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