ENS ECONOMIC BUREAU

Hyderabad, Aug 17: The Ministry of Environment and Forests has granted host-country approval to the proposed biodiesel project at Chautuppal in Andhra Pradesh by Southern Bio Technologies Ltd, Hyderabad under terms of the' clean development mechanism of Kyoto Protocol.

According to a release, the approval would make it easier to sell certified emission reductions to global carbon purchasers under the terms laid down by the United Nations Framework Convention of Climate Change.

R K Sethi, director, climate change, Ministry of Environment and Forests, stated in a letter that "the project actively assists in achieving sustainable development goals of the Government and was therefore accorded host country approval," the release said.

Managing director of Southern Bio Technologies Ltd N Satish Kumar said, "we are delighted that the Government has granted host country approval," adding: "A consortium of German companies, the World Bank and other private goups have showed interest in purchasing carbon from the company."

A detailed report presented to the Government by consultant Zenith Energy states that greenhouse gases equivalent to 27,000 tonne of carbon dioxide will be processed avoided each year from the prodection of 30 tonne of biodiesel per day. The biodiesel will be processed from the raw oils of pongamia, jatropha and other sources at a plant to be located at Chautuppal.

The project is the brainchild of Satish Limar and Emmanuel D’Silva, a former environment official of the World Bank, who works with tribal communities in Adilabad.