Latest news with #NDC
CAF
a day ago
- Business
- CAF
Burkina Faso coach Balboné: 'We're ready to fight for our people'
Natural Diamond Council Delivers Facts on the Diamond Market's Trending Topic Jul 29, 2025 PRNewswireMumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 29: Natural Diamond Council (NDC), a global not-for-profit dedicated to promoting the integrity and appeal of natural diamonds, delivers facts through its report--the Laboratory-Grown Diamond Facts. This report is part of a series of reports that have been launched to empower retailers and educate consumers with fact-based perspectives.~Through theLaboratory-Grown Diamond Facts Report, NDC counters growing myths and greenwashing in the lab-grown diamond industry~Amid growing consumer confusion and greenwashed claims, these reports offer much-needed clarity. The Laboratory-Grown Diamond Facts Report cuts through misleading sustainability claims, revealing that over 70% of lab-grown diamonds are made in coal-reliant grids in China and India, often using mined materials and large volumes of water, sometimes in water-stressed regions. It also highlights how claims of being 'carbon-neutral' are often rooted in carbon offsetting, without reflecting the full life-cycle emissions. Additionally, key pillars of social sustainability like community development, are always missing from the lab-grown diamond narrative. While production costs for lab-grown diamonds have dropped by nearly 90%, their market prices have declined sharply, with 1.5-carat stones losing up to 86% of their value over the past about this report, Richa Singh, Managing Director, India and Middle East, Natural Diamond Council, says, "In India, where natural diamonds hold deep cultural and emotional significance, there is a growing need to address rising consumer curiosity and confusion. This report is part of NDC's ongoing efforts to provide retailers and consumers with clear, validated information they can trust. Laboratory-Grown Diamond Facts Report brings attention to important considerations that should not be overlooked when making a purchase. Honest, fact-based education helps every segment find its space, while also reaffirming the irreplaceable legacy of natural diamonds."Key Insights from the Laboratory-Grown Diamond Facts Report:This report provides critical context on how lab-grown diamonds differ from natural ones--across origin, terminology, sustainability claims, and market trends.1. How They're Made: Lab-grown diamonds are created in controlled factory environments over weeks, using two primary methods--HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature) and CVD (Chemical Vapour Deposition). These differ significantly from the natural formation process that occurs over billions of years underground.2. Clear Terminology Matters: As per ISO 18323 standards, correct terms include laboratory-grown, laboratory-created, or synthetic diamonds. Terms like real, natural, genuine, and precious are reserved exclusively for Earth-mined diamonds.3. Sustainability Claims Require Full Context: Generalised claims such as 'carbon-neutral' or 'eco-friendly' often rely on offsets and may not account for the full energy-intensive production process and supply chain impact.4. Rapidly Declining Prices: The market value of lab-grown diamonds has dropped sharply, falling 86% in a decade. A 1.5-carat lab-grown diamond that cost $10,750 in 2015 is priced at just $1,455 in a world shaped by endless choice, clarity becomes the true differentiator. Natural Diamond Council remains committed to cutting through noise with facts, helping people find meaning in what truly lasts. To explore the full reports, visit: About Natural Diamond CouncilNatural Diamond Council is a global not-for-profit organization committed to inspiring and educating consumers on the real, rare, and responsible values of natural diamonds and the positive global impact of the industry. NDC's Only Natural Diamonds consumer platform is the authoritative publisher on natural diamonds comprising themes such as debunking diamond myths, celebrities and pop culture, epic diamonds and trends, engagement rings and diamond buying guides and more. NDC provides marketing and educational materials to retail and industry partners to amplify the values and integrity of natural diamonds. NDC members' operations span four continents and ten countries including Canada, South Africa, and Botswana. Their operations collectively support the livelihood of 10 million people worldwide. NDC operates in New York, Shanghai, Mumbai, and Antwerp, with satellite teams in the UK and France. Photo: Logo: DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) CM Bhupendra Patel attends 'Sampurnata Abhiyan Samman Samaroh' in Gandhinagar Jul 29, 2025 Copyright © | Terms & Condition | Contact Us
Business Standard
a day ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Natural Diamond Council Delivers Facts on the Diamond Market's Trending Topic
PRNewswire Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 29: Natural Diamond Council (NDC), a global not-for-profit dedicated to promoting the integrity and appeal of natural diamonds, delivers facts through its report--the Laboratory-Grown Diamond Facts. This report is part of a series of reports that have been launched to empower retailers and educate consumers with fact-based perspectives. ~Through theLaboratory-Grown Diamond Facts Report, NDC counters growing myths and greenwashing in the lab-grown diamond industry~ Amid growing consumer confusion and greenwashed claims, these reports offer much-needed clarity. The Laboratory-Grown Diamond Facts Report cuts through misleading sustainability claims, revealing that over 70% of lab-grown diamonds are made in coal-reliant grids in China and India, often using mined materials and large volumes of water, sometimes in water-stressed regions. It also highlights how claims of being 'carbon-neutral' are often rooted in carbon offsetting, without reflecting the full life-cycle emissions. Additionally, key pillars of social sustainability like community development, are always missing from the lab-grown diamond narrative. While production costs for lab-grown diamonds have dropped by nearly 90%, their market prices have declined sharply, with 1.5-carat stones losing up to 86% of their value over the past decade. Speaking about this report, Richa Singh, Managing Director, India and Middle East, Natural Diamond Council, says, "In India, where natural diamonds hold deep cultural and emotional significance, there is a growing need to address rising consumer curiosity and confusion. This report is part of NDC's ongoing efforts to provide retailers and consumers with clear, validated information they can trust. Laboratory-Grown Diamond Facts Report brings attention to important considerations that should not be overlooked when making a purchase. Honest, fact-based education helps every segment find its space, while also reaffirming the irreplaceable legacy of natural diamonds." This report provides critical context on how lab-grown diamonds differ from natural ones--across origin, terminology, sustainability claims, and market trends. 1. How They're Made: Lab-grown diamonds are created in controlled factory environments over weeks, using two primary methods--HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature) and CVD (Chemical Vapour Deposition). These differ significantly from the natural formation process that occurs over billions of years underground. 2. Clear Terminology Matters: As per ISO 18323 standards, correct terms include laboratory-grown, laboratory-created, or synthetic diamonds. Terms like real, natural, genuine, and precious are reserved exclusively for Earth-mined diamonds. 3. Sustainability Claims Require Full Context: Generalised claims such as 'carbon-neutral' or 'eco-friendly' often rely on offsets and may not account for the full energy-intensive production process and supply chain impact. 4. Rapidly Declining Prices: The market value of lab-grown diamonds has dropped sharply, falling 86% in a decade. A 1.5-carat lab-grown diamond that cost $10,750 in 2015 is priced at just $1,455 in 2025. In a world shaped by endless choice, clarity becomes the true differentiator. Natural Diamond Council remains committed to cutting through noise with facts, helping people find meaning in what truly lasts. To explore the full reports, visit: About Natural Diamond Council Natural Diamond Council is a global not-for-profit organization committed to inspiring and educating consumers on the real, rare, and responsible values of natural diamonds and the positive global impact of the industry. NDC's Only Natural Diamonds consumer platform is the authoritative publisher on natural diamonds comprising themes such as debunking diamond myths, celebrities and pop culture, epic diamonds and trends, engagement rings and diamond buying guides and more. NDC provides marketing and educational materials to retail and industry partners to amplify the values and integrity of natural diamonds. NDC members' operations span four continents and ten countries including Canada, South Africa, and Botswana. Their operations collectively support the livelihood of 10 million people worldwide. NDC operates in New York, Shanghai, Mumbai, and Antwerp, with satellite teams in the UK and France.
Zawya
2 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Uganda Launches Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) 3.0 Process, Reaffirming Commitment to Climate Action and Ambition
The Government of Uganda, with support from the African Development Bank ( has launched the stocktake of Uganda's updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and initiated the commencement of the NDC 3.0 development process. The launch, held at an inception workshop at the Sheraton Hotel in Kampala on 15 July 2025, represents a major step in Uganda's climate action agenda, aligning national efforts with the outcomes of the first Global Stocktake under the Paris Agreement. It aims to strengthen Uganda's climate ambition while addressing key national priorities. A cross-section of stakeholders participated in the workshop, including senior government officials, development partners, civil society organizations, and members of academia. The sessions featured an overview of Uganda's NDC 3.0 roadmap, outlining the next steps: assessing the implementation of the updated 2021 NDC, identifying emerging priorities, refining targets, costing new commitments, and preparing bankable investment plans to support implementation. In her opening remarks, Dr. Josephine Ngure, African Development Bank Acting Country Manager for Uganda, emphasized the importance of inclusive stakeholder engagement in the NDC process. 'As we adopt the inception report to take stock of Uganda's updated NDC implementation and kick off the preparation for NDC 3.0, I am encouraged by the strong participation from government leaders, development partners, private sector actors, civil society, and academia. This inclusive approach is critical to ensuring that NDC 3.0 is ambitious, achievable, and finance-ready,' she said. Dr. Anthony Nyong, the Bank's Director of Climate Change and Green Growth Department, highlighted the significance of the event. 'Quality NDCs will foster credibility and transparency in raising ambition on climate finance and other means of implementation,' he noted. Strengthening the technical capacity of Regional Member Countries is at the core of the African Development Bank's Climate Change and Green Growth Strategy 2010-2030. The Stocktake of Uganda's Updated NDC is funded through the Africa Climate Change Fund Multi-donor Trust Fund. Dr. Alfred Okot Okidi, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Water and Environment, reaffirmed Uganda's leadership on climate action and the significance of developing an investment-grade NDC. 'We aim to develop an investment-grade NDC that is implementable and trackable. Our focus is on adaptation, creation of green jobs, and security for the future of the next generation,' he stated. He also urged the private sector to actively engage, citing the vast opportunities embedded within the NDC process.. Participants reviewed the draft inception report developed by the independent consulting firm HEAT GmbH and discussed a proposed set of national indicators to guide the stocktaking exercise. Discussions focused on tracking implementation progress, identifying data and capacity gaps, and aligning Uganda's climate targets with its long-term development aspirations. The workshop adopted the draft inception report, identified key areas for refinement, and recommended a vigorous campaign to raise public awareness about the NDC 3.0 process. Uganda reaffirmed its commitment to developing a robust, inclusive, and actionable NDC that integrates adaptation, mitigation, and financing strategies. With this launch, Uganda is taking decisive action toward submitting its third NDC under the Paris Agreement, reinforcing its commitment to a low-emission, climate-resilient future in line with Vision 2040. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB). About the African Development Bank Group: The African Development Bank Group is Africa's premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information:
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
India's climate action guided by national circumstances, MoEFCC tells Lok Sabha
New Delhi: India submitted its first Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)— the climate action plans that countries submit under the Paris Agreement— in 2015 and updated it in August 2022, and has already achieved 50% share in non-fossil fuel power electricity generation installed capacity, the union environment ministry told Lok Sabha on Monday. The ministry also said that the country is well on track to achieve its other quantitative targets. Kirti Vardhan Singh, minister of state for environment, made the statement in response to a question by Congress MP Harish Chandra Meena. (Sansad TV) Under the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)'s resolutions, all country parties are required to prepare and communicate their NDCs every five years based on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities (CBDRRC) and national circumstances, Kirti Vardhan Singh, minister of state for environment, said in response to a question by Congress MP Harish Chandra Meena. India's climate action is guided by its own national circumstances, NDC and the Long-Term Low Carbon Development Strategy (LT-LEDS) to achieve net-zero by 2070 and Initial Adaptation Communication, the minister said. Meena had asked: whether the Government defaulted in submission of its updated National Determined Contribution (NDC) by the February, 2025 deadline under Paris Agreement; if so, the reasons for the delay along with the new deadline fixed for the same; and if not, the details of latest climate action plan and the steps taken to fulfill international obligations? 'It (India's climate strategy) provides the overarching framework for all climate actions and comprises of missions in specific areas of solar energy, enhanced energy efficiency, sustainable lifestyles based on the precepts of Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) sustainable habitat, water, sustaining Himalayan ecosystems, Green India, sustainable agriculture, human health and strategic knowledge for climate change,' it said. 'All these Missions are institutionalised and implemented by their respective Nodal Ministries/Departments, Further, thirty-four States/Union Territories (UTs) have prepared their State Action Plans on Climate Change (SAPCC) in line with NAPCC taking into account the State specific issues relating to climate change. The responsibility of the implementation of the SAPCCs rests with the respective States. In addition, the Government of India has launched various schemes and programs to scale up India's climate action. The Government has taken various steps, and stands committed to fulfil its international obligations,' he added. India's overarching goal of Viksit Bharat 2047 (becoming a developed country by 2047) is of paramount importance and the country's climate actions should align with that, Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav said in an interview to HT on June 5, explaining India's stand on climate change negotiations in the midst of geopolitical disruptions. India is currently in the process of formulating its first comprehensive National Adaptation Plan (NAP), a strategic initiative to enhance the country's resilience to climate change. NAP represents a major step forward in aligning adaptation planning with India's national development priorities and global climate commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement. The core objective of the NAP is to protect lives, ecosystems, and livelihoods by supporting: understanding of current and future climate risks and vulnerabilities ; identifying medium- and long-term priorities for climate adaptation ; and establishing systems, policies, measures and capacities to ensure strengthened adaptation planning, budgeting and implementation, he said.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Non-fossil power hits 50% of India's installed capacity; ₹4 lakh crore saved in 2024: Joshi
New Delhi: New Delhi: India's renewable energy capacity has exceeded 245 GW, comprising 116 GW of solar and 52 GW of wind power, Union Minister for New & Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi said, highlighting the government's strategic push for clean energy transition. He stated that over 50 per cent of the country's installed power capacity now comes from non-fossil sources, five years ahead of its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) deadline. Addressing the Mercom India Renewables Summit in the national capital, the minister outlined five key government priorities—strengthened power purchase agreements (PPAs), robust grid and storage infrastructure, domestic manufacturing, land-use optimisation, and improved access to finance. According to Joshi, these reforms are aligned with India's 2030 target of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based power capacity. Citing a recent International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) report, he said that India saved nearly ₹4 lakh crore in 2024 through reduced fossil fuel imports and health-related costs, which includes $14.9 billion in fossil fuel savings, 410.9 million tonnes of CO₂ avoided, and $31.7 billion worth of air pollution and health-related benefits. Rooftop solar, BESS and green hydrogen push The Minister said that the government's rooftop solar initiative, PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, has received over 58.7 lakh applications and led to 17.2 lakh installations so far. In parallel, a ₹5,400 crore Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme has been launched for 30 GWh of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), projected to attract ₹33,000 crore in investments. He informed that a comprehensive transmission plan has been drawn up in coordination with the Ministry of Power, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), the Central Transmission Utility (CTU), and POWERGRID for evacuating 500 GW of non-fossil power by 2030. PLI, ALMM and land-use reforms To boost domestic manufacturing, Joshi said that the ₹24,000 crore Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme is promoting Aatmanirbharta in solar and wind manufacturing. He also announced the expansion of the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM), with List-II for solar PV cells set to be implemented from June 2026. The Ministry is encouraging innovation in land utilisation by supporting floating solar, canal-top solar, agrivoltaic installations, and deployment in tribal and remote areas. MSMEs and startups are being supported to scale clean energy innovations. Green hydrogen mission rollout Joshi said the National Green Hydrogen Mission is progressing with an outlay of ₹19,744 crore. So far, 3,000 MW of electrolyser manufacturing capacity has been allocated and over 8.6 lakh tonnes per annum of green hydrogen production approved. The minister said the sector continues to benefit from enabling policy initiatives to support its long-term sustainability.
