Press release - June 10, 2015
New Delhi, 10 June, 2015: Environmental action group Greenpeace India launched its report on clean electricity prepared in partnership with National Institute of Urban Affairs today. On receiving interim relief from the Delhi High Court, Greenpeace had stated that it will soon launch its campaign on clean air and clean electricity. The report proposes a creative solution for Delhi to make its streets safe for women and children by lighting up dark spots using solar street light systems. AAP led Delhi government had identified finding solutions to the dark spots in the city as a priority. The NIUA Report commissioned by Greenpeace lays out a blueprint on how the government can deliver on this.
“India's developmental challenges do not need repetitive rhetoric, it needs creative solutions. Greenpeace's sustainable street lighting proposal is a creative solution that not only addresses the issue of women’s safety, but also helps Delhi save taxpayer money in the long run, and adopt a non-polluting pathway,” said Pujarini Sen, Climate and Energy Campaigner for Greenpeace India.
Talking about the nuances of the report, Ms. Sen explained that “Implementing solar street light systems in all of the 700 dark spots will cost the government less than 10 crs. In addition, the program will help meet Delhi’s renewable purchase obligation target by over 6 percent. This design can be replicated for central government’s smart cities plan.”
The AAP Government has proposed solutions in terms of deploying women security forces in the dark spots. However, the effectiveness of women security force would be lost without adequate lighting.
In 2013, Greenpeace launched a successful solar rooftop campaign titled ‘Switch on the Sun’. With massive support from residents of Delhi (RWA’s) it was able to get DERC publicly launch its Net Metering policy last year. “The Solar Rooftop Policy for Delhi has been in the pipeline for the last 2 years, due to 2 elections and changing Governments. We hope to see the current Delhi Government release this policy soon,” added Ms. Sen.
Greenpeace had submitted its report to the Delhi Dialogue Commission on the 27th of April 2015. On 9th of April, Ministry of Home Affairs had suspended Greenpeace India’s FCRA licence and blocked its national accounts. The constant clampdown from the central government has been a roadblock in taking the work forward because of the lack of funds. After the recent relief given by the High Court allowing Greenpeace India to use its fund has given opportunity to take the work of clean electricity forward. Greenpeace calls on the Delhi government to implement the promise it made in its manifesto.
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Note to the Editor
1- Summary of the report - http://www.greenpeace.org/india/Global/india/2015/SSL/SSL_summary.pdf
2. Briefing paper of the report - www.greenpeace.org/india/Global/india/2015/SSL/SSL_Briefing_paper.pdf
3 - Full report - http://www.greenpeace.org/india/Global/india/2015/SSL/FinalReport_SSLP_NIUA.pdf
4 - Link to Delhi manifesto - http://aamaadmiparty.org/sites/default/files/Action%20Plan.pdf
5 - Switch on the Sun report - http://www.greenpeace.org/india/Global/india/report/2013/Rooftop-Revolution.pdf
Please contact:-
Pujarini Sen, Energy Campaigner, Greenpeace India; +91 8586016050
Madhulika Verma, Communication Specialist, Greenpeace India; +91 9971137736