The Modern India's Podcast

Our built environment is also one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and drives a significant  amount of air pollution in our cities.

The ‘Clean Construction’ approach promotes the reduction of air pollutants from construction activities. The Government of India launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), in 2019, that aims to reduce air pollution levels by 20-30% by 2024.

In this episode we have invited a guest who represents the private sector: Kristin Sæterøy. She has hands on knowledge on clean construction.

Kristin Sæterøy is the Managing Director of Aneo Build.

This is how we attempt to drive the transition towards clean construction.

OSLO-the first city in the world that began with the first zero-emission urban
construction by using only electrified construction equipment. Oslo is also leading the Clean Construction Forum @ C40.

New C40 research reveals that fossil gas use contributed almost as much as coal power plants to premature deaths in 2020 and current NDCs would result in 776,000 more premature deaths in C40 cities by 2050, compared to a 1.5oC scenario. In contradiction with their own inadequate NDCs, key nations are undertaking a gas expansion that will add 86% to gas use capacity in and around C40 cities by 2035, while a 1.5oC scenario would require a 30% decrease.

While in the seven years since world leaders signed the Paris Agreement, no nation has developed 1.5°C-compatible plans, 62 C40 cities have done so, with more in the works. 

Three quarters of C40 cities are reducing emissions faster than their respective nation states. Thanks to the work of cities around the world, air pollution is down 5%.

In this episode, we have with us Andre Aasrud, Senior advisor for the C40 Clean Construction Programme.

Do listen to this latest informative episode of The Modern India Podcast!

Norway India Sustainabilty Dialogues

We have with us: 
Kristin Skofteland, Chief Commercial Officer & Legal Counsel for Beyonder AS
&
Soumya Kukreti, CEO of Midwest Energy Private Limited.

Beyonder designs and manufactures safer battery solutions based on Norwegian sawdust, with high power, fast charging and a long lifetime. Produced without cobalt and nickel using clean energy and energy-efficient methods, Beyonder batteries have the smallest environmental footprint possible. Beyonder´s high power battery cells can be fully charged and discharged in just a few minutes and is designed as power storage for renewable energy grids, heavy transportation and offshore energy infrastructure. 

Midwest Energy is engaged in  developing solutions to resolve the current impediments faced by the electric mobility and aid acceleration in its adoption bids to March towards Decarbonizing the environment with an aim to positively impacting the businesses and transforming lives.

Beyonder and Midwest Energy have entered into an agreement to start planning giga scale battery production in India, based on Beyonder's unique and patented technology. The agreement was signed at Beyonder's Battery Centre in Sandnes, Norway a few weeks back. 

Listen to this informative episode!

Save Soil is a global movement launched by Sadhguru to address the soil crisis, by bringing together people from around the world to stand up for Soil Health. Furthermore, it supports leaders of all nations to institute national policies and actions toward increasing the organic content in cultivable Soil.

Agriculture, deforestation, and other factors have degraded and eroded topsoil at alarming rates. Globally, 52% of agricultural land is already degraded. The planet is in crisis. If current rates of soil degradation continue, this would cause the end of life as we know it.

We are happy that 250+ people enjoyed the debate we had at Arendalasuka. This was the first time we streamed an event from Arendalsuka. 

For this debate we have with us: 
•Heidi Bade, Norad
•Katrine Sund-Henriksen, CEO, Norwegian Forum for Development and Environment
•Torleiv Næss Ugland, CEO, Terramarine AS
•Ashish Sahu, Marketing Manager, Cambi AS

The Panel discussion is led by Rina Sunder.

We are extremely proud that we had with us Sadhguru JV and Erik Solheim at Arendalsuka. Listen to their conversation in episode #39 Saving Soil where Sadhguru was interviewed by Erik Solheim, published on India’s Independence Day, 15th August, 2022.

This episode is the speech by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar at the International Climate Summit 2022 held in Bergen on 30-31st August.

International Climate Summit 2022 is an initiative of the Indo-Norwegian partnership with a special focus on exploring ‘Opportunities for Green Hydrogen in India’. It aimed to present the next-generation opportunities for Bi-Lateral Trade, Joint Ventures, Technology Transfer, and International funding across the green hydrogen industry value chain in India.

Greenstat, Arena H2Cluster, Det Moderne India and the Norwegian Hydrogen Forum represented the Norwegian Partnership, together with the Indian side represented by PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Invest India.

Welcome to the Moderne India Podcast. 

The guest for this episode is Knut Linnerud, CEO of Greenstat Asia.

Knut Linnerud is an experienced serial entrepreneur with many years of management experience.

In less than four days Norway will expect a larger business delegation than we had during president Pranab Mukherjees state visit to Norway.

Knut have been heading the planning of the International Climate Summit the past moths. We are so happy to have him with us! We have the following questions answered by Knut in this episode:

1. Today, there are three main colours of hydrogen: brown, blue, and green. Why green hydrogen? 
2. Why can we just not take in use H2? What are the hurdles for using H2?
3. Hydrogen has historically played an important role in industries in Norway, starting with fertilizer. What is the hydrogen energy’s current role in the international marketplace and how will grow?
4. A question that’s often posed to those of you working in hydrogen is which green technology will win out: battery or hydrogen?
5. Now over to the biggest happening of the year: The International Climate Summit in Bergen. What are his expectations? Where does he see the N-I collaboration in the future?

DMI is a co-host at the International Climate Summit 2022 in Bergen on 30-31st August.

We welcome all of our listneres to the Summit. This is a summit where the participants can learn more about Norwegian businesses, and network with other people and companies operating in Norway and India. We are looking forward to host all of you in Bergen. Together we all can be the change we want to see.

Save Soil on India’s Independence Day!!

DMI and Norad are hosting a Save Soil debate at Arendalsuka.
DMI is celebrating India's 75th Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav Independence Day at Arendalsuka to discuss Save Soil - a global movement launched by Indian spiritual leader Sadhguru JV. 
 
Sadhguru is a yogi and a mystic a man whose passion spills into everything he encounters. Named one of India's 50 most influential people, Sadhguru's work has touched the lives of millions worldwide through his transformational programs. Sadhguru has a unique ability to make the ancient yogic sciences relevant to contemporary minds, acting as a bridge to the deeper dimensions of life. His approach does not ascribe to any belief system, but offers methods for self-transformation that are both proven and powerful.

Do listen to this insightful and informative talk where Sadhguru is interviewed by Erik Solheim, Board Member of DMI.

Sustainability Dialogues 

Make in India is an initiative by the Government of India to make and encourage companies to develop, manufacture and assemble products made in India and incentivize dedicated investments into manufacturing. 

The Make in India initiative was launched by Prime Minister Modi in 2014.

• Cochin Shipyard Ltd has built two autonomous electric vessels for ASKO Maritime AS, Norway.
• The two vessels are central to ASKO’s passion for sustainability and for driving business efficiency. It currently has a fleet of some 700 trucks and trailers and aims to become carbon neutral in 2026.
• The construction project is partially funded by the Norwegian Government with the aim of setting up an emission-free transport of goods across the Oslo fjord.
• Plate cutting ceremony for both the vessels was held at Cochin Shipyard Limited, Kochi in the end of June.

Do want to know more?
Listen to this episode!

Sustainability Dialogues 

The Klemetsrud CO2 capture and storage project will be the world’s first waste-to-energy plant with full-scale CCS by 2026.

Our guest for this episode of Norway India Sustainabilty Dialogues is Jannicke Gerner Bjerkås.

So much is happening in the Carbon capture landscape!

(ONGC) Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Equinor ASA, the Norwegian state-owned multinational energy company, for energy exploration and climate change mitigation options in March this year.

And just a week back, Celsio - Oslo’s district heating company - who is also heading the Klemetsrud project secured its funding.

Jannicke is Director CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) in Celsio,

Jannicke is heading the full-scale carbon capture project at Norway’s largest waste-to-energy plant since 2018.

Please find the following addressed in this episode:

• Norway’s largest waste-to-energy plant has secured the funding. How did this happen?
• Let us take a step back. What is Carbon Capture and why is CCS important to Norway?
• What does it mean to be full scale CCS. How will you enable capture and storage of 400 000 tonnes of CO2 in practice?
• The City of Oslo plans to slash greenhouse gas emissions by 95 per cent by 2030. The Klemetsrud waste-to-energy CCS project provides a blueprint for cities across Europe on how to best deal with non-recyclable waste, while producing heat and electricity for city inhabitants.  What is it like to be a pioneer? Why waste-to-energy with CCS?
• Across the world, waste is an increasing problem, causing both local pollution to soil and groundwater and a climate issue as landfills are emitting large amounts of methane, contributing to climate change.  The carbon capture project in Oslo provides a range of innovative solutions that can be exported to other countries. Please elaborate.
• How do you collaborate with other countries and cities for knowledge sharing in regard to CO2 capture and storage?
• What does the carbon capture project means for Oslo’s climate targets - and what can cities like Mumbai learn from this project?

Stay tuned!!

Sustainability Dialogues

Cities form networks, engage in dialogue with counterparts, facilitate public diplomacy, share best practices & encourage collaboration.

Find answers to the following in this podcast-

• About C40 and its work.
• How does C40 use city diplomacy to help cities meet their climate ambitions? 
• Cities earn their membership through their actions and both of you work with two very different cities - Mumbai and Oslo 
•  The kind of work being done by Mumbai to address the issue?
•  What are the key lessons that Mumbai can share with the world?
• What does Oslo do to align with C40's requirements? 
• What climate budgeting means? How does C40 facilitate this peer-to-peer knowledge sharing on climate budgeting, based experiences from Oslo
• What do you see as a priority for C40 in the coming years? 
• Where do you see C40 in the year 2050?

Did you know that 3% of the total surface of the #planet is occupied by cities, and that they are home to more than half of the world's #population?