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As Senate Stalls on Climate Legislation, New Report Shows Reductions Possible Using Existing Regulatory Tools

2010-07-26T15:59:00.007-04:00

Can the U.S. meet President Obama's commitment to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 17 percent? Franz Litz and Nicholas Bianco, with the World Resources Institute, have the answer in the following video.

Development Banks Must Embrace a Sustainable Future

2010-04-23T16:29:00.000-04:00

Despite the increase in sustainable energy initiatives by Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), a limited number of loans financed by the World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and Asian Development Bank (ADB) consistently support sustainable energy investments in developing countries.

Investing in Sustainable Energy Futures: Multilateral Development Banks’ Investments in Energy Policy, a report released today by the World Resources Institute (WRI), analyzes energy-related loan programs at the World Bank, ADB and IDB in addition to the newly created Clean Technology Fund (CTF). The report is being launched this week at the annual spring meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund.

“Over the last five years, MDBs have engaged countries on critical elements of sustainable energy and have launched several specialized initiatives to promote clean energy and low carbon technologies,” said Athena Ballesteros, manager of WRI’s International Financial Flows and the Environment Project. “However, if the development banks are going to finance climate change solutions in the future, they need to help developing countries put in place new, and more effective forms of oversight, pricing, and investment incentives that promote long-term investments in sustainable energy.”

Ballesteros added, “In most countries, policies and regulations currently tend to emphasize short-term costs and supply rather than the long-term benefits of clean technologies.”

The report finds that despite increased support for low carbon energy technologies, many loan programs do not address aspects of electricity policy, regulation, institutional capacity and governance that would enable investments in sustainable energy over the long-term. The findings are based on a framework developed by WRI that builds on the Electricity Governance Indicator Toolkit—a set of indicators benchmarking best practice and promoting accountability in the electricity sector.

The report makes the case for systematic attention to the following issues:

- Long-term Integrated Electricity Planning
- Policies and Regulations Encouraging Energy Efficiency
- Policies and Regulations Promoting Renewable Energy
- Pricing Structures Encouraging Efficiency and Reducing consumption
- Subsidy Reform to Reveal the True Costs of Fossil Fuesls and Promote the Viability of Sustainable Energy Options
- Executive Agencies’ Capacity for Sustainable Electricity
- Regulators’ Capacity to Oversee Implementation of Sustainable Electricity Policy
- Utilities’ Capacity to Promote Energy Efficiency and Renewables
- Transparency of Policy, Planning, and Regulatory Processes for Electricity
- Stakeholders’ Engagement in Policy, Planning, and Regulatory Processes

A relatively small number of MDB projects address the elements of sustainable energy listed above. Of the 31 World Bank loans reviewed, only 10 consider 5 of the 11 elements. The IDB considers at least 5 of the elements in 10 of 19 loans and the ADB considers more than 5 elements in 10 of 29 projects.

The report also reviews the investments made by the MDB administered Climate Investment Funds (CIFs), particularly the $4.73 billion Clean Technology Fund. While the Funds address some of these elements, the research concludes attention to them has been uneven. The CIFs represent more public finance than has ever before been dedicated to climate change.

Smita Nakhooda, a senior associate at WRI, said “A greater focus on institutional capacity and governance will be key to supporting developing countries to pursue low carbon energy options that effectively meet development needs without compromising the poor.”

Building Sector in South Asia Benefits from Going Green

2010-04-16T16:46:00.001-04:00

“Green” building retrofits or new construction can protect the Asian real estate sector from increasing environmental risks emerging in the region, according to a new report released by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and HSBC’s Climate Change Centre of Excellence.

The report, Surveying Risk, Building Opportunity, assesses the commercial building sector in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam and the financial impacts it could face from energy insecurity, water scarcity and climate change. The report finds that green building investments can alleviate these risks in addition to achieving a positive return for building owners in a few years.

“The environmental challenges and resource constraints these countries have been experiencing will intensify and can result in increased utility, operating and construction costs for building owners,” said Shally Venugopal, an associate at WRI and lead author of the report. “Incorporating green features into design and construction can save real estate companies money, especially for energy use, and can increase occupancy rates and even rent premiums.”

According to the report, electricity prices are expected to increase as demand continues to rise, particularly in cities with weak electricity infrastructure. Most of the energy used by commercial buildings in the region goes toward air conditioning and lighting. In India, for example, lighting accounts for 60 percent of the energy used in commercial buildings while 32 percent goes toward air conditioning.

The region’s water constraints will also cause utility costs to rise. India, in particular, faces severe water availability and quality constraints in many areas. One estimate by the World Bank suggests that India will exhaust all available freshwater supplies by 2050.

The other focus countries will see localized water scarcity near major cities due to population growth and changing rainfall patterns. In Vietnam, the amount of freshwater consumed has tripled and in Malaysia and India it has doubled in the last two decades. This will not only lead to increasing water costs but will also affect the electricity grid since power generation depends heavily on water resources.

Major Indian cities already see power outages weekly. During peak season, Bangalore loses power an average of 1.5 hours a day while Kanpur loses power an average of 7 hours a day. In addition to losing power, the price of electricity will also increase.

As part of the study, HSBC’s analysts conducted a case study on the Indian real estate sector and the materiality of environmental factors. They found that for a typical commercial building (300,000 square feet) in Mumbai, a 1 percent increase in electricity costs could increase annual operating costs by approximately Rs 2.8 million, or around USD 60,000.

Building owners could protect themselves from energy price hikes by investing in energy efficient lighting, such as targeted task lighting, that could reduce energy demand by 20 to 25 percent. HSBC estimates that a 10 percent increase in energy costs would only increase operating costs in a green building by as little as only half as much compared to a typical building.

As the region sees increased rains, flooding, storms and landslides, weather-related insurance premiums for buildings could also increase. Jakarta, where 40 percent of land is below sea level, is especially vulnerable. Flooding in 2007 caused building insurance premiums to increase by 25 percent in 2008.

Building owners can protect themselves from damage caused by extreme weather events by examining climate risks for prospective sites even before purchasing land. Buildings can be designed to minimize damage from floods and storms by incorporating features such as flood vents and barriers, water-resistant flooring (e.g., tiles versus carpeting), and landscaping and exterior features that incorporate storm water management (e.g. rain gardens).

“Green buildings can protect investors from volatile and increasing power prices,” said Nick Robins, head of HSBC’s Climate Change Centre of Excellence. Roshan Padamadan, a HSBC analyst at the Centre, said “Our analysis shows that the upfront investment can payoff in as little as 3 years.”

Though green buildings are gaining momentum in the region, barriers to growth exist, such as the availability of local green building materials and expertise. The report recommends that governments create appropriate market incentives and institute stricter building codes to enable the green building movement to flourish in South and Southeast Asia.

This is the last report in a three-part series. Weeding Risk, the first report, analyzes environmental trends on the food and beverage sector in South and Southeast Asia. The second report, Over Heating, analyzes the power sector in the region.

Asian Food and Beverage Sector Vulnerable to Climate and Water Risks

2010-04-16T16:41:00.000-04:00

Environmental trends could have significant financial repercussions for the $40 billion food and beverage industry in South and Southeast Asia, according to a report released today by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and HSBC’s Climate Change Centre of Excellence.

“The food and beverage industry is particularly vulnerable to climate change and water scarcity in Asia. The region is already struggling with increased water demand because of population and economic growth,” said Dana Krechowicz, a WRI associate and co-author of the report.

The industry’s dependence on agriculture, aquaculture and water resources for business operations makes it particularly susceptible in a region where climate change is projected to severely intensify water scarcity problems.

WRI’s report, Weeding Risk, examines the impacts these growing trends will have on seven economically important food and beverage sub-sectors in six countries – India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.

The report’s findings suggest that the edible oils, starches, and sugar sub-sectors will be most vulnerable to increasing agricultural prices, while aquaculture, poultry, and dairy will be vulnerable to disease and contamination. As part of the study, HSBC’s analysis on an Indian sugar company shows that a sugarcane price increase of 1 percent can lead to a decline in profit of up to 10 percent.

The risks identified in the report are already affecting some food and beverage sectors. Drought during the monsoon season in India caused sugar prices to reach a 28-year high in 2009. This is particularly troubling considering experts estimate that by 2020, the demand for water in India will exceed all its sources of supply.

“Water stress is set to have a growing role in shaping the sector,” said Nick Robins, head of the Climate Change Centre of Excellence at HSBC. Roshan Padamadan, a HSBC analyst at the Centre stated, “The strategic choices made by a company along its value chain can mitigate these risks, making it important for investors to understand its sourcing, inventory, and operational performance.”

Weeding Risk is the first report in a three-part series. The second report, Over Heating, analyzes the power sector in South and Southeast Asia. Surveying Risk, Building Opportunity, assesses the environmental risks to commercial real estate in the region.

Water Shortages Put Asian Power Sector at Risk

2010-04-16T16:36:00.000-04:00

More than half of existing and planned power plants in South and Southeast Asia are located in areas currently considered water scarce or stressed, according to findings in a report released today by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and HSBC’s Climate Change Centre of Excellence.

The new report, Over Heating: Financial Risks from Water Constraints on Power Generation, analyzes water-related risks facing thermal and hydroelectric power plants in India, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. These plants require large amounts of water for cooling and generation.

WRI mapped the water stress level across the region and the location of more than 150 existing and planned facilities of the largest power-generation companies in the region. The analysis found that water shortages pose the highest risk for power generation companies in India.

“Water-related risks are hard to quantify, yet they present a growing risk to power generation,” said Piet Klop, acting director of WRI’s Markets and Enterprise Program. “The next step is to take our analysis to specific companies and their exposure and response to those risks. On the upside, investors have investment opportunities that can come from better understanding water-related risks.”

In India, approximately 62 percent of existing and 79 percent of planned thermal and hydroelectric power plants of the three largest power generation companies (NTPC, Tata Power, and Reliance Infrastructure) are located in water scarce or stressed areas. The country’s water demand is expected to outgrow supply by 50 percent by 2030 and estimates by the World Bank indicate that all available water supplies will be exhausted by 2050.

“The power sector investors and analysts are making long-term bets on water that, in the future, might no longer be reliable,” said Amanda Sauer, a senior associate at WRI. “They need to start assessing their exposure to water-related risks when considering long-term investment strategies.”

The report’s findings suggest that project delays due to water-permitting problems and general shortages may be costly. As part of the study, HSBC’s analysts found that a 12-month delay in commercial operation could lower the rate of return on investment by 1.5 percent. Furthermore, each 5 percent drop in power production due to water shortages could result in nearly a 0.75 percent drop in the project’s rate of return.

“The projected expansion of power generation - whether coal, hydro or gas – is exposed to growing water stress,” said Nick Robins, head of the Climate Change Centre of Excellence (C3E) at HSBC.

Roshan Padamadan, a HSBC analyst at the Centre said, “Investors need to understand how companies are managing these risks, including the specific steps to optimize water use at the plant level.”

Over heating is the second report in a three-part series. The first report, Weeding Risk, looks at climate change and water scarcity impacts on the food and beverage sector in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. The third report, Surveying Risk, Building Opportunity, assesses environmental risks to commercial real estate in the region.

Southern U.S. Forests At Risk of Disappearing

2010-03-08T21:35:00.004-05:00

The forests of the Southern United States are a vast local and national treasure. They provide hundreds of thousands of jobs, hunting and hiking opportunities and are part of the climate change solution. But according to new research by the World Resources Institute (WRI), these treasured woodlands are at risk of disappearing and their fate rests in the hands of private woodland owners.

Find out more by watching my first video. I still have a lot to learn, but you gotta start somewhere.

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The online tool featured in the video is the first step in a multiyear WRI project, Southern Forests for the Future, aimed at helping landowners, conservation organizations, and others to learn and appreciate the range of benefits, or ecosystem services, these forest provide.

“At a time when the world is concerned about climate change, freshwater availability, the economy and jobs, southern forests are part of the answer,” said Jonathan Lash, president of WRI. “The pattern of forest cover loss in this region has been acres here and acres there. Continuous but dispersed change often goes unnoticed. This new online system addresses that.”

Stretching from Texas to Virginia and from Kentucky to Florida, the southern U.S. forests are among the world’s most biologically diverse temperate forests. Though they comprise just two percent of the planet’s forest cover, they underpin hundreds of thousands of jobs and produce more pulp for paper by volume than any single nation – other than the entire United States. In addition, they supply other ecosystem services, such as watershed protection, recreation, and carbon storage.

“A lot of focus in global climate change discussions to date has been on tropical rainforests,” said Susan Minnemeyer, a WRI senior associate. “But U.S. forests are important too. When domestic forest acreage declines, the nation’s carbon sink shrinks.”

The future of these forests mostly rests in the hands of private landowners. Approximately 27 percent of southern forest acreage is held by companies and financial institutions while another 60 percent is owned by individuals and families. But three-quarters of these family forests are owned by people 55 years of age and older. A generational transfer is on the horizon.

“In many ways, the next 20 years will shape the fate of southern forests,” said Todd Gartner, manager of Conservation Incentives at the American Forest Foundation. “Surveys indicate that most families want to pass their forests on to the next generation. However, with increasing development pressure, market-based incentives are needed to ensure that private forests remain as forests.”

WRI’s new online mapping system can help forest landowners in the South see the history of their forests through satellite images and better understand the forces of change affecting their properties. It also showcases examples of successful approaches for owners who want to retain their forests.

“SeeSouthernForests.org will be really helpful when engaging a community and working with local landowners regarding forest conservation and sustainable management,” said Tom Bancroft, chief scientist at the Audubon Society. “If a picture is worth a thousand words, satellite images and a good map are worth 10,000.”

“We hope the site will raise awareness about the economic and environmental benefits of southern forests and put important information at people’s fingertips,” said Patricia Pineda of Toyota, which is sponsoring WRI’s work as part of the company’s commitment to the Clinton Global Initiative.

“We were thrilled that Toyota and WRI committed to launch SeeSouthernForests.org at the Clinton Global Initiative’s Annual Meeting last year,” said Robert S. Harrison, CEO of the Clinton Global Initiative. “We hope this site will empower more and more people to appreciate southern forests and the benefits they provide to people in the region and beyond.”

Check out the blog post on WRI...

China on Track to Meet Climate Goals, New Research Reveals

2009-10-27T22:47:00.007-04:00

China is making progress toward controlling greenhouse gas emissions, according to new research by the Word Resources Institute (WRI).

“In the last five years, Chinese leaders have embarked on policies to increase energy efficiency, using targets, quotas and a few taxes,” said Deborah Seligsohn and lead author of China, the United States, and the Climate Challenge. “While these policies may not provide the environmental certainty of a cap-and-trade system, our analysis shows they can control emissions and may be more suited to the current state of development of China’s financial markets and regulatory structure.”

China’s approach is founded on two main targets: reducing national energy intensity by 20 percent by the end of 2010 and to increasing renewable energy’s share of the national energy mix to 15 percent by 2020.

WRI’s analysis finds that China is on track to meet these two ambitious goals by enacting a broad range of measures. Chinese leaders have recognized that reducing energy intensity-the amount of energy used per unit of GDP-and expanding its energy portfolio improves energy security and air quality, as well as limiting greenhouse gas emissions.

“In 1979, China’s reform and opening policy began with a saying by Deng Xiaoping, ‘It doesn’t matter whether the cat is white or black as long as it eats mice.’ That also holds true for world efforts to control dangerous climate gases,” said Seligsohn. "Countries will use different approaches suitable to their particular circumstances.”

One key program, for instance, requires 1,000 of China’s largest state-owned enterprises to implement comprehensive reductions in energy intensity, and monitors their progress. This “Top 1,000 Enterprises Program” met its goals in the first year and exceeded its targets in 2007.

Another policy is to shut down small-scale inefficient facilities. In 2007, China closed 1,000 cement plants with a combined capacity of 50 million tons, 14.4 GW worth of small power plants, and plants producing 35 million metric tons of steel.In the electricity sector, China has steadily improved the efficiency of its power plants, and the government now requires all new coal-fired power plants to be state-of-the-art commercially available technology.

WRI’s analysis shows that the average efficiency of coal-fired plants is now higher in China than in the United States. China is also on pace to meet very ambitious renewable-energy goals. Installation of new wind power capacity since 2006 has consistently exceeded targets. By 2010, China will have at least 10GW of installed wind power capacity, rising to an expected 150 GW in 2020 - five times the current U.S. level. China’s solar reliance is also growing rapidly: ten percent of Chinese homes have solar water heaters and the number is growing at 20 percent per year.

“WRI’s research shows that China is making substantial progress in controlling its emissions of climate gases, and in monitoring emissions by major companies,” said Seligsohn. “The challenge for U.S.-China collaboration in climate change mitigation is for each country to understand the other’s approaches, and to find creative solutions when those approaches don’t align.”

The report suggests the U.S. could selectively issue free carbon allocations to protect some firms from overseas competitors that enjoy a lower carbon price. Carefully targeted measures can address differences in carbon policies without threatening global trade.

Top Companies in Brazil Report Greenhouse Gas Emissions for the First Time

2009-10-21T19:52:00.005-04:00

Petrobras, Ford Brasil, Wal-Mart Brasil, and Whirlpool are some of the first companies to voluntarily measure and publicly report their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions using the Brazil GHG Protocol Program, a project of the World Resources Institute (WRI).

Findings suggest nearly 30 companies that took part in the program are responsible for approximately 20 percent of Brazil’s energy and industry sector emissions, or 8.5 percent of Brazil’s total emissions excluding changes in land use and deforestation.

“The ability of developing countries to measure and verify GHG information is a major concern in international climate change talks and on Capitol Hill,” said Taryn Fransen, a senior associate with WRI’s GHG Protocol Initiative. “While Brazil’s inventory program is voluntary, it shows the industrialized world that companies in developing countries, such as Brazil, are serious about measuring and reporting their emissions, and our GHG Protocol programs are helping to build this capacity.”

Fransen added, “Voluntary reporting programs can pave the way for mandatory requirements in the future, as was the case in the United States, where the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently finalized a mandatory GHG reporting rule for U.S. companies.”

For instance, Rodrigo Rollemberg, senator of Brasilia, recently reintroduced a bill that would require all large public organizations and private companies to report their GHG inventories every two years. The bill would mandate use of the Brazil GHG Protocol Program’s methodologies.

Interest in voluntary GHG management among companies in Brazil continues to skyrocket and by early next year more than a hundred companies are expected to receive training in GHG accounting through WRI’s program.

“Brazilian companies recognize that climate change is a serious issue and are very aware of the need to transition to low-carbon growth to meet the demand of consumers. Based on the number of requests from new companies to join, we expect the program to expand significantly next year.” said Juarez Campos, program coordinator at the Getúlio Vargas Foundation, which implements the GHG Protocol’s work in Brazil. A list of all program members can be found on the GHG Protocol website.

Brazil, China and India have developed GHG inventory programs based on the GHG Protocol— an international accounting tool developed by WRI and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) that’s used by corporations and governments to understand, quantify and manage emissions.

[The picture was taken at the GHG Brazil Protocol Program commemorative event in Sao Paulo on October 8, 2009 when 27 companies released their GHG inventories to the public for the first time.]

Maps Link Clean Water, Sanitation, and Poverty for Uganda’s Development

2009-10-08T20:04:00.003-04:00

A new set of maps illustrating levels of clean drinking water, sanitation facilities, and poverty in Uganda will help guide national development planning.

"Limited access to clean water and sanitation threatens not only the health of Ugandans but also their education opportunities,” said Disan Ssozi, assistant commissioner at Uganda’s Ministry of Water and Environment, co-author of Mapping a Healthier Future: How Spatial Analysis Can Guide Pro-Poor Water and Sanitation Planning in Uganda - a new report released today in Kampala. “The maps and data in this report will help inform Uganda’s water infrastructure planners and protect the nation’s most vulnerable citizens.”

In 2004, Uganda’s central government set national targets to increase access to clean water and sanitation to 100 percent in urban areas and 77 percent in rural districts by 2015. So far, Uganda’s investment plans, which are expected to cost approximately US $1.4 billion, have helped improve drinking water coverage in rural sub-counties, from 25 percent in the early 1990s to 65 percent in 2009. However, work remains to be done to ensure that all areas meet national targets.

Mapping a Healthier Future finds that more than 14 million people live in 506 subcounties that are ahead of the interim target set by Uganda’s planners while approximately 11 million people live in 323 rural subcounties that have not kept pace with national progress on safe drinking water rates. These areas will require special attention and additional investments to keep pace with population growth.

“This report demonstrates that the supply of high quality data combined with analytical capacity can provide new information,” added John B. Male-Mukasa, executive director of the Uganda Bureau of Statistics, which supplied detailed, localized maps on poverty levels and sanitation.

“Increased use of and support for map-based analysis will strengthen policy planning and will help the government prioritize water, sanitation, and poverty reduction efforts and allocate resources more efficiently.”

Findings from the report also suggest that there is no clear spatial pattern between poverty rates and safe drinking water coverage rates, with past government investments targeting both poor and less poor areas.

There are, however, strong geographic patterns in improved sanitation coverage rates, with lower coverage in northern and eastern Uganda, and higher coverage in central and southwestern parts of the country. Data behind the maps show a direct correlation in Uganda between high poverty rates and low access to improved sanitation.

“Improved access to clean water is essential for Uganda’s continued development” said Francis Runumi Mwesigye, health planning commissioner at the Uganda Ministry of Health and co-author of the report. “Water- related illness reduces family members’ ability to work and earn a living, exacerbating the threat of poverty.”

Water-related diseases, such as hepatitis, typhoid, and cholera, caused eight percent of all deaths in Uganda in 2002. Young children are particularly susceptible. Water-borne diarrheal diseases account for 17 percent of the deaths of children under the age of five annually.

Runumi added, “Clean drinking water, sanitation facilities, and improved hygiene are proven weapons against such illnesses.”

“This report is the result of successful collaboration between national ministries in Uganda and international organizations,” said co-author Florence Landsberg, an associate at the World Resources Institute (WRI). “The maps and analysis presented show areas with similar poverty, water, and sanitation characteristics and will help national and local leaders coordinate their interventions to meet 2015 targets.”

The report is the result of collaborative efforts between the Uganda Ministry of Health, the Uganda Ministry of Water and Environment, the Uganda Bureau of Statistics, the International Livestock Research Institute, and the World Resources Institute.

Developed Country GHG Reduction Pledges Fall Short, New Analysis Reveals

2009-10-06T20:30:00.003-04:00

Commitments made by developed countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, when added together, fall short of stabilizing global temperatures at a level that averts dangerous climate change.

Comparability of Annex I Emission Reduction Pledges, a new analysis by the World Resources Institute (WRI), examines the pledges made by the European Union, Japan, Russia, New Zealand, Australia, Norway, Belarus, Ukraine and Canada as negotiations on a new global climate agreement near their climax in Copenhagen this December. Also included is the United States’s emission reductions based on the American Clean Energy and Security Act passed by the House of Representatives in June.

WRI’s analysis reveals that commitments by these industrialized country parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) would result in a 10 to 24 percent reduction of global emissions below 1990 levels by 2020. This is less than the 25 to 40 percent range of emission reductions that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) states would be necessary for stabilizing concentrations of carbon dioxide at 450ppm, a level associated with a 52 percent risk of overshooting a two degrees Celsius goal. Both the G8 and the Major Economies Forum - representing the world’s 17 leading economies - recently agreed to a goal of limiting average global temperature rise to two degrees Celsius over pre-industrial levels.

“Our analysis provides a preliminary picture of where the world is headed in the run-up to Copenhagen,” said Jennifer Morgan, director of WRI’s climate and energy program. “While emission reduction commitments by these countries could have an important and potentially substantial impact, they will not be enough to meet recommendations of IPCC’s Fourth Assessment Report. WRI therefore urges industrialized countries to bring forward more ambitious pledges to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.”

The report, which covers pledges by countries responsible for 98% of all developed country emissions, uses three metrics to compare country commitments - per capita reductions, emission intensity reductions, and absolute reductions.

The 10 to 24 percent reduction is based on the inclusion or omission of factors, such as changes in land use, forestry data and low vs. high pledges. Other key findings include:

- The choice of metrics used by countries (such as whether to include offsets, land-use change or forestry emissions) can alter their emission reduction calculations significantly.

- High regulatory standards and robust accounting rules will be critical to ensure that international emission reductions are real and additional.

Indicators Needed to Illustrate Benefits from Ecosystems

2009-09-22T19:44:00.007-04:00

Existing data and indicators inadequately measure the important benefits people derive from the services nature provides, according to a working paper released today by the World Resources Institute (WRI).

“Indicators, such as unemployment and poverty rates, are used in nearly every sector of the economy to simplify data, identify problem areas, and inform corrective action,” said Christian Layke, an associate at WRI and author of Measuring Nature’s Benefits: A Preliminary Roadmap for Improving Ecosystem Service Indicators. “At present, ecosystem service indicators are based on those originally developed for narrower environmental and economic fields - such as climatology or forestry - leading to conspicuous knowledge and data gaps.”

The world’s ecosystems provide an array of services to people, ranging from basic needs like food and water to less tangible benefits such as pollination and erosion control. According to the working paper, most ecosystem services, especially regulating and cultural services, are being degraded at an alarming rate.

For instance, the Chesapeake Bay’s water quality and ecosystem habitats have been drastically reduced in recent years, resulting in historically low levels of the bay’s oyster and blue crab populations. This degradation has not only threatened the livelihoods of regional fisherman, but has also jeopardized the recreational services that the Bay provides to millions of Americans.

WRI’s paper highlights the knowledge gaps that exist on the contributions ecosystems make to human economic and social well-being. Without this information, policy makers are limited in their ability to integrate ecosystem services into mainstream economic planning and development policy.

The paper also finds that indictors for regulatory and cultural services, such as crop pollination or recreation, lag far behind those for “provisioning services” like crops, livestock, and freshwater. The latter are more tangible and easily perceived by the general public; some are already tracked in many countries’ national economic accounts.

The research builds on the 2005 Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA), which found that an estimated 60% of the planet’s ecosystem services have been degraded. The MA highlighted the need for a robust set of ecosystem service indicators to inform decisions made in the public and private sectors. The WRI working paper represents an important step toward meeting that need.

“The next step is to develop consistent, effective indicators to help policy makers better understand the implications of their decisions on ecosystem services,” said Craig Hanson, Director of WRI’s People and Ecosystems Program. “In turn, this will inform and support policy changes to ensure that ecosystems continue to provide numerous benefits to people.”

Recommendations from WRI’s research suggest the need for a collaborative approach to developing and strengthening ecosystem service indicators, gathering data, and supporting their use by policy makers at the national level.

WRI, the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre, and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature are co-hosting an international experts meeting in Cambridge, UK September 22-23, 2009 to reflect upon current indicators and develop a collaborative framework from which to test and apply ecosystem service indicators on a global scale. The meeting will build on WRI’s research and momentum generated from other follow-up work to MA.

Residents of Maryland's Anne Arundel County Respond to Rising Teen Suicides

2009-09-20T20:23:00.004-04:00

The number of teen suicides in Anne Arundel County, Maryland is rising…

And as Jessica Forres reports…local residents are responding to what they are calling a crisis.

On the lawn of St. Paul’s church in Annapolis, Marsha Tonarelli
is taking part in the city’s first ever Out of the Darkness Community Walk…. She points to her t-shirt. It's a photo of her seventeen-year old son...

HE PASSED AWAY APRIL 15, 2009 FROM SUICIDE SO WE ARE GOING TO WALK FOR HIM TODAY….WE MISS YOU DEN..AND YOU SHOULD BE HERE...

Nancy Reynolds is with a local group called, Guiding Coaltion to Prevent Teen Sucide. She says the walk is meant to raise awareness and prevent teen suicide in the county. Since May 2008 thru April 2009, she claims there have been six deaths…putting Anne Arundel county on the high end nationally of teen suicides...

WHAT WE’RE FINDING IS THAT MANY OF THESE KIDS ARE NOT NECESSARILY DEPRESSED, THEY’RE NOT ON DRUGS OR ALCOHOL. THEY’VE JUST MADE THAT DETERMINATION. THEY’VE JUST MADE THAT DETERMINATION THAT THEY DON’T WANT TO LIVE ANYMORE AND THAT’S WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO SHIFT

Reynolds says suicide is the number three killer of fifteen to twenty-four olds in America today.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News

Residents of Anne Arundel County, Maryland are responding to a growing number of teen suicides in their community.

Jessica Forres reports…

More than a hundred men, women and teenagers gather on the grounds of St. Paul’s church in Annapolis. They are taking part in the city’s first Out of the Darkness Community Walk…Nancy Reynolds…with the Guiding Coalition to Prevent Teen Suicide… says Anne Arundel county is on the high end nationally of teen suicides...

THIS WALK AND THIS COALITION IS TO KIND OF DO A CULTURE SHIFT IN SOME WAYS IN THAT WE’RE REALLY ABOUT BUILDING LIFE, NOT TAKING IT AND THERE ARE LOTS OF REASONS TO KEEP ON GOING.

Pointing to her shirt, Marsha Tonarelli says she’s there for her son...

THIS IS MY SON DENNIS SMITH AND HE PASSED AWAY APRIL 15, 2009 FROM SUICIDE SO WE ARE GOING TO WALK FOR HIM TODAY.

The Coalition offcials say, suicide is the third leading cause of death among teens and young adults.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News

Fox’s 24, L.A. Clippers, Others Use Accounting Tool to Cut Climate Emissions

2009-09-01T17:38:00.000-04:00

The low-carbon diet is a growing trend in the sports and entertainment industries, where Fox TV’s 24 and pro basketball’s Los Angeles Clippers are using the Greenhouse Gas Protocol to cut their climate calories.

“Our goals are to fully understand our carbon and energy impact, to reduce that impact significantly, and inspire our employees to take action on this issue in their business and personal lives,” said Rachel Webber from News Corporation, the parent company of Twentieth Century Fox Television, which produces 24. “We have just begun this effort, and we hope it encourages others in the industry to do the same.”

“The GHG Protocol is considered the standard international accounting tool for government and business leaders to measure and manage corporate greenhouse gas emissions,” said Pankaj Bhatia, director of the GHG Protocol at the World Resources Institute (WRI). The GHG Protocol was established in 1998 by WRI and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development.

Bhatia added, “It’s thrilling to see the application of our GHG Protocol in the sports and entertainment sectors, and in television shows like 24.”

When the producers of 24, starring Kiefer Sutherland, started using the GHG Protocol to calculate emissions, they found the largest sources originated from vehicles, special effects, and onsite generators. By changing some of the production practices, such as switching to biodiesel and hybrid cars, emissions were reduced by 43 percent.

The show’s environmental commitment is part of News Corporation’s global energy initiative to address its impact on climate change and lower the energy use of its businesses.

The sports industry is also striving to reduce emissions. The Los Angeles Clippers have teamed up with BeGreen, whose carbon offset methodologies are based on the GHG Protocol. To raise awareness of Earth Day 2009, the Clippers used a portion of their ticket sales from the game that day to reduce emissions from fan travel to and from the game and electricity usage at the Staples Center.

Also planning to use the GHG Protocol is Vancouver’s Olympic organizing committee. They hope to offset up to 300,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions from the games – equal to the annual emissions from 50,000 European homes.

Since the publication of the first edition of The Greenhouse Gas Protocol: A Corporate Accounting and Standard in 2001, more than 1,000 businesses and organizations worldwide are using the GHG Protocol, including some of the world’s largest companies. The 2007 Corporate Climate Communications Report of the Fortune 500 companies by CoporateRegister.com reported that 63 percent of those companies use the GHG Protocol.

Other companies from various industries using the GHG Protocol include Target, Ikea, Unilever, Gap, Shell, Caterpillar, Marriott, Starbucks, General Electric, BP, IBM, VW, Bank of America, Timberland, Sony, Nike, 3M, Ford, Alcoa, Frito Lay, Staples, Xerox, Astra Zeneca and Wal-Mart.

Climate Change Legislation: Myths and Reality

2009-08-26T22:05:00.004-04:00

Some quick “reality checks” on common misconceptions about climate change legislation in the United States.

By Jessica Forres and Polly Ghazi

Cap & Trade

Myth: Cap-and-trade will cost jobs

Reality: climate and energy policy will create renewable energy jobs. Putting a price on carbon will make clean energy industries, such as solar and wind power, more competitive and create jobs in these clean tech sectors. According to a WRI report, the Renewable Energy Policy Project suggests national demand for wind and solar power systems could create more than 30,000 new jobs and more than $10billion in total investment in the Southeast U.S. alone. Nationally, clean energy jobs have been growing at two and a half times the rate of the jobs overall.

Reality: climate and energy policy will create energy efficiency jobs. According to a WRI report, The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy estimates that a 20 to 30 percent gain in energy efficiency across the country could lead to a net increase of 500,000 to 1.5 million jobs by 2030.

Reality: climate and energy policy will help keep energy dollars within communities/regions. Using local renewable energy and investing in energy efficiency reduces the amount of energy we import from overseas. For example, the southeast spent more the $1 billion in 2006 on coal imports from Colombia, Indonesia, Poland and Venezuela, according to a WRI report. Greater use of renewable energy would keep those dollars invested in local economies.

Reality: climate and energy policy will produce home-grown innovation. The race to create breakthrough clean technologies has already started, and the U.S. is falling behind. Currently, only one of the world’s top five manufacturers for wind technology is American - General Electric. Only one of the ten largest solar panel producers, and two of the top 10 advanced battery manufacturers, are American. By comparison, China’s ambitious renewable energy targets will create 150,000 jobs through the deployment of 120 gigawatts of wind power by 2020 – an amount equivalent to today’s global total.

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Myth: Cap-and-trade will make the U.S. less competitive with other countries
Opponents of climate legislation argue that putting a price on carbon in the United States will affect some industries’ competitiveness and drive jobs overseas. In particular, there is concern that China will take jobs from the United States

Reality: China is examining and planning its transformation to a clean energy economy. Beijing is investing 10 times as much on clean power, as a percentage of gross domestic product, than the United States. According to several leading U.S. businesses, the real competitiveness issue is who will win the race to supply technology to tomorrow’s global clean energy markets. Without strong climate change legislation here in the United States, China will have a clear advantage by virtue of its ambitious clean energy policies. Already, four of the top five wind technology manufacturers and nine of the top ten of the largest solar panel producers is headquartered overseas.

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Myth: Cap-and-trade programs don’t work
Opponents claim that problems encountered early on by the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme indicate that cap-and-trade won’t work.

Reality: The United States has successfully operated cap-and-trade systems. The Federal Acid Rain Program employed a sulfur emissions cap–and-trade system that produced a 50 percent cut in emissions, at much lower cost and greater efficiency than predicted.

Reality: The first phase of the EU trading system did not have enough data to determine how many permits to issue or where to set the cap. As a result, it was over-supplied with permits (allowances) for the level of emissions. Current and future phases of the program include design changes to correct for lessons learned during the initial phase.

Reality: The West, Midwest and Northeast United States, covering more than 20 states and half of the U.S. population, are already discussing regional climate cap-and-trade programs. The Northeast Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, established a trading system that has been up and running since January 1, 2009.

The American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACESA)

Myth: ACESA will send your energy bills through the roof

Reality: The overall net impact on the average household—including the benefit of many of the energy efficiency provisions in the legislation—in 2020 would be 23-48 cents per day ($84-$175 per year), according to estimates by the U.S. EPA, DOE (EIA Basic case) and Congressional Budget Office.

Reality: ACESA has designed safeguards to help protect low income households. Over 50 percent of the value of allowances between 2012 and 2025 would be channeled into programs to assist income energy consumers through tax assistance for low-income citizens and natural gas, heating oil and electricity cost relief. In addition, state governments and businesses will receive millions of allowances to cushion the transition to a clean energy economy, which will benefit their citizens and preserve jobs.

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Myth: 85 percent of the allowances allocated will be given away to fossil fuel intensive industries

Reality: According to a WRI analysis on the distribution of emission allowances to aid industries and consumers affected by the transition to a clean energy, low carbon economy, 76 percent of the allowances are directed to consumer assistance and other public benefits between 2012 and 2025. The remainder is given to industry for free or after meeting certain technology deployment requirements.

Climate Change

Myth: Anthropogenic climate change doesn’t exist

Reality: The IPCC’s Fourth Assessment Report released in 2007—reviewed by thousands of climate science experts—confirms beyond any reasonable doubt that climate change is occurring, and to a significant degree is human-induced.

Reality: Climate Science: Major New Discoveries—a WRI compilation of scientific developments since the release of the Fourth Assessment Report in 2007—concludes that climate change impacts are already happening, and at a faster rate than previously projected. For example:
Melting rates for 30 mountain glaciers doubled between 2004 and 2006
More than 28,000 plant and animal species are changing habits due to new climatic conditions
From 1996 to 2006, the rate of Antarctic ice mass loss increased by 75 percent
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency in the Southeastern United States

Myth: Southeastern states don’t have enough renewable resources to meet clean energy and efficiency mandates

Reality: Findings from WRI’s research suggest that more than 25 percent of the Southeast U.S. region’s electric power could come from locally-available renewable energy supplies by 2025. Energy efficiency improvements could reduce electricity use more than 10 percent in the Southeast in the next six years

World’s Waters Choking from Meat Consumption and Other Human Activities

2009-07-21T17:19:00.002-04:00

Greater meat consumption and demand for fossil fuels worldwide are expected to cause increasingly more harmful algal blooms and dead zones in coastal and freshwater areas.

“Nutrient pollution in aquatic ecosystems, or eutrophication, is a rapidly growing environmental crisis,” said Mindy Selman, the lead author of a new report released today by the World Resources Institute (WRI). “Nearly 500 coastal areas already suffer from hypoxia. Our research indicates that number is expected to rise in the foreseeable future.”

Eutrophication: Sources and Drivers of Nutrient Pollution, the second report of a three-part series, finds that developing countries will see more nitrogen and phosphorus pollution in coastal and freshwater areas in the coming decades as a result of population and economic growth.

“More people and rising incomes will increase the demand for food, energy, land and other natural resources, which will ultimately lead to greater agricultural production and burning of fossil fuels to heat homes, power cars, and fuel industry,” added Selman, a senior associate and water-pollution expert at WRI.

According to the research, worldwide per capita meat consumption is expected to rise by 14 percent by 2030. When factoring in population growth, the rise equates to an estimated increase of 53 percent in total meat consumed globally.

Increased livestock production will have significant implications for the severity of nutrient pollution, particularly in countries without effective environmental regulations. For example, meat production in China has increased by 127 percent from 1990 to 2002, but fewer than 14,000 livestock operations have pollution controls.

Selman added that “one swine operation in the Black Sea region that is now closed had more than 1 million pigs and generated sewage equivalent to a town of 5 million people.”

The manure from these operations is often applied to fields as fertilizer and then leaches and runs off into nearby waterways. According to the report, 80 percent of the nitrogen used in swine production is excreted as manure or lost to the environment during the production of animal feed.

The report also suggests that the demand for energy will increase eutrophic conditions worldwide. Total global energy consumption is expected to rise by 50 percent by 2030 and a majority of that will be in the developing world.

“Though renewable energy sources are being developed, fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas, are expected to continue meeting 86 percent of global energy needs,” said Selman. “When fossil fuels are burned, they release nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere, which are then deposited to land and water through rain and snow.”

Some studies have found that atmospheric sources of nitrogen are a significant source of coastal pollution, particularly in industrialized countries with high NOx emissions. In the Chesapeake Bay, atmospheric deposition accounts for 30 percent of the nitrogen pollution found in the watershed.

“Because there are so many pathways, sources, and drivers of nutrient pollution, the policies that address eutrophication cannot be limited to traditional environmental regulations,” said Selman. “Instead, policymakers must look more broadly at agricultural, energy, land use, and public health policies and find ways that these policies can be designed to mitigate nutrient pollution.”

The third report in the series will focus on the types of institutions, actions and policies that are critical for addressing eutrophication. The first report, Eutrophication and Hypoxia in coastal Areas, is a survey of where coastal eutrophication is occurring worldwide.

Gas Stations Disappearing in the Washington Region

2009-06-28T22:16:00.003-04:00

Nearly a thousand gas stations have shut down in D-C, Maryland and
Virginia in recent years.

And as Jessica Forres reports... that number is expected to rise.

A chain-link fence surrounds what used to be a gas station in downtown
Bethesda, Maryland. The gas pumps have been ripped out and all that
stands is a boarded-up convenience mart. There's a popular sports bar
next door. Rob Benning is the manager. He says the station has been closed since
January.

IT WAS SURPRISING BECAUSE I THOUGHT, I MEAN I DON’T KNOW HOW MANY
PEOPLE STOPPED IN THERE FOR GAS, MAYBE THAT WAS THE PROBLEM.

Abandoned gas stations line South Capitol Street near the Nationals
Ball Park. Stanley Bradley lives in the neighborhood.

THERE WAS ONE BP UP THERE, THEY SHUT THAT DOWN, THERE WAS TWO EXONS,
ONE BP, ONE SHELL STATION ON M STREET AND UP FURTHER AS YOU GET TO
11TH STREET WAS AN EXON, THEY SHUT IT DOWN.

Jeff Lenard is with the National Association of Convenience Stores.
He says the closings are an acceleration of a national
trend spanning more than a decade.

NUMBER ONE GAS MARGINS ARE VERY THIN, TYPICALLY YOU NEED ABOUT 12
CENTS TO BREAK EVEN SELLING THE GAS PER GALLON. THE MARKUP THE FIRST
HALF OF THE YEAR HAS BEEN ABOUT 10 CENTS PER GALLON AND RETAILERS
HAVE REALLY TAKEN A POUNDING FROM THIS. THE OTHER FACTOR IS THE
LIQUIDITY CRISIS. YOU’RE HAVING BANKS PULLING BACK ON LOANS. LOANS
THAT THEY WERE PERFECTLY WILLING TO MAKE LAST YEAR, THEY’RE NOT
MAKING NOW AND IT’S PUTTING A SQUEEZE ON SOME OF THE SMALLER BUSINESS
THAT DON’T HAVE ACCESS TO CAPITAL. AND PUTTING A REAL SQUEEZE.

More than 30-thousand gas stations have closed in the U.S since 1995.

______________________________

Gas stations continue to disappear from the Washington region.

And as Jessica Forres reports...some local residents are not happy about it.

A chain-link fence surrounds the lot of what used to be a gas station
in Bethesda, Maryland. Rob Benning is the manager of the sports bar
next door. He says the gas station, which closed in January, was there
one day and gone the next…

THERE WAS A BRIGHT LIGHT AND NOW IT’S KIND OF EMPTY OVER THERE. YOU
DON’T GET THE SAME LIKE FOCUS OF LIGHT. SO YOU WALK OUT AND YOU
DEFINITELY MISS IT. IT’S LIKE ONE OF THOSE THINGS, LIKE THE EXONN USED
TO BE THERE.

The scene is much the same on South Capitol Street in D-C., where we
counted three abandoned gas stations. Stanley Bradley lives in the
neighborhood.

WELL IT’S A LITTLE ROUGH FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD. PEOPLE WHO HAVE CARS WE
ALL HAVE TO GO UP TO 11TH AND WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH THAT.

Since 2001, more than a thousand gas stations have closed in D-C,
Maryland and Virginia. Jeff Leonard...with the National Association of
Conveniece Stores... says it's a nationwide trend..

I THINK WHAT WE’RE SEEING NOW WITH A NUMBER OF STORES CLOSING IS
REALLY AN ACCELERATION OF WHAT WE’VE SEEN FOR MORE THAN A DECADE…. IN
1995 THERE WERE ABOUT 200-THOUSAND FUELING LOCATIONS IN THE U.S.
TODAY THERE’S ABOUT 160-THOUSAND THAT’S A FAIRLY SIGNIFICANT DROP
AND I THINK THAT DROP HAS BEEN CONTINUED BY THE LIQUIDITY CRISIS THAT
RETAILERS FACE IN GETTING CAPITAL. THE CONTINUING SQUEEZE ON MARGINS
AND IRONICALLY THE COMPETITION FROM BIG BOXES.

He says

Jessica Forres

Caribbean Community Members Want Representation on 2010 U.S. Census

2009-06-28T22:09:00.004-04:00

Some member of Caribbean community are urging the U.S. Census Bureau to add a
Caribbean-American race category to the 2010 census.

Jessica Forres reports…

Hundreds of local residents are celebrating D-C’s 17th annual
Caribbean Carnival at Banneker Recreation Park. Among the vendors is
the U.S. Census Bureau. Representatives with the agency are passing
out information about the 2010 U.S. Census.

Chris Toussaint is originally from Trinidad and Tobago, but he’s lived
in the U.S for more than twenty years. He believes American-Caribbean race
category should be added to the census.

IT’S NOT THAT WE’RE TRYING TO SEPARATE OURSELVES FROM BLACK-AMERICANS
BECAUSE WE ALL BLACK PEOPLE, BUT WE WANT TO SAY YES AMONG THESE BLACK
PEOPLE, THIS PERCENTAGE IS FROM THE CARIBBEAN.

Judith Martin…who was born in the U.S.… disagrees. Her grandparents
are from Jamaica and Antigua, but she considers herself
African-American.

I FEEL WE’RE ALL ONE YOU KNOW THAT WE ALL BLEND IN AS ONE. I DON’T
CONSIDER US AS SEPARATE EVEN THOUGH WE’RE FROM THE CARIBBEAN.

Alison Assanah-Carroll is a spokeswoman for the Bureau. She urges
residents to fill out "other" if they don’t identify with a particular
group.

BY DOING SO IT CAN ACTUALLY ESTABLISH A GIVEN PATTERN AND HELP TO
DESIGN FUTURE QUESTIONAIRES RELATIVE TO HOW WE SEE THE DATA BEING
TABULATED OR REPORTEDBY PERSON’S WHO ARE SELF-IDENTIFYING WHEN THEY
RESPOND TO THE QUESTIONAIRE.

More than 300-billion dollars of government funding are awarded to
states and communities based on census data.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 news.

Local Residents Celebrate Carnival in D.C.

2009-06-27T22:04:00.001-04:00

Thousands of local residents are celebrating D-C’s 17th annual Caribbean Carnival...

Jessica Forres took in some of the festivities…

Music blares as Micah James and her family walk around the baseball field in Banneker Recreation Park …. where vendors are selling Caribbean food and reggae music. She lives in Maryland, but is originally from the island of Grenada. She says carnival is a celebration of her culture.

WE HAVE CARNIVAL IN GRENADA AROUND AUGUST WHICH IS UPCOMING AND YOUKNOW IT ALSO CONNECTS US WITH BEING BACK HOME.

Chris Toussaint is originally from Trinidad and Tobago. He helped organize the two-day festival....starting with a parade down Georgia Avenue.

FOR THE FOLKS WHO LIVE IN THIS COMMUNITY, THEY HAVE GROWN TO LOVE ANDSOMETIMES HATE THE CARNIVAL BECAUSE WHEN WE COME DOWN THE AVENUE ITTENDS TO CREATE A LITTLE BIT OF TRAFFIC.

He says the festivities end at 7pm.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News

Smart Policies Can Cut Emissions By Delivering 24/7 Power

2009-06-17T20:00:00.012-04:00

Concentrating solar thermal (CST), a renewable energy technology that can provide electricity around-the-clock, has the potential to replace traditional fossil fuel-based power sources and become a central part of the U.S. power supply.

“Now, while Congress works on climate and energy legislation, is a good time to focus on CST and what is needed to fully realize the potential of this attractive renewable energy option,” said Britt Staley, the lead author of a new report by the World Resources Institute (WRI). “State and federal support for developing renewable energy sources and increased federal oversight of the transmission grid are needed.”

The authors of Juice from Concentrate argue that CST is different from many renewable energy technologies that provide power intermittently. When combined with thermal storage, CST can generate electricity on demand, not just when the sun is shining. It can also be integrated with other kinds of backup power.

Electricity from other renewable sources can be stored in batteries, but these are inefficient and expensive. CST power can be stored as heat in tanks - like coffee in a thermos - and used to produce electricity when needed. CST’s ability to provide electricity on demand and around-the-clock could enable utilities to meet baseload power instead of relying on coal-fired power plants.

If CST displaced new coal plants built in the United States today until 2030, carbon dioxide emissions could be reduced by 5 billion tons cumulatively - offsetting the annual emissions from electricity consumption of 35 million homes over that period.

“Even though there are 9,000 megawatts on the drawing board worldwide, several barriers exist to solar thermal power development,” Staley said. “Up-front investment for CST is high compared to that associated with coal plants. Federal and state policy support can help bring down costs over time to make CST competitive with coal.”

For instance, a 30 percent Investment Tax Credit for CST projects constructed before 2017 has helped spur investment in the U.S. Generous feed-in-tariffs have supported development in Spain, where electric utilities are obligated to purchase solar thermal power at a fixed, above-wholesale price for the electricity.

Water usage is another barrier highlighted in the report. One CST plant uses roughly the same amount of water per kilowatt hour of output as a coal plant. This can create a problem in arid regions, such as the Southwest U.S., where solar conditions are favorable, but water resources are scarce.

“Alternative cooling systems are available and can reduce water requirements, but these systems can increase project costs,” Staley added. “Creating investment incentives for plants to incorporate these technologies will be important to the long-term sustainability of CST.”

Truly taking advantage of CST’s potential will mean building a more complete infrastructure to bring power from sunny deserts to urban centers. The authors suggest that greater federal oversight of the electricity grid and improved coordination between grid operators are necessary.

WRI Applauds Midwestern Effort to Fight Climate Change

2009-06-08T20:55:00.003-04:00

Climate experts at the World Resources Institute (WRI) applaud the six Midwestern governors and Manitoban premier who have released today recommendations for a regional cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“The Midwestern governors recognize the need to tackle climate change while simultaneously growing the economy,” said Franz Litz, senior fellow at WRI who advised the region. “In the absence of federal climate legislation, regional partnerships are vital to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, spurring energy innovations, and creating green jobs.”

Signed by the governors of Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin and the premiere of Manitoba, Canada, the recommendations are the result of an 18-month process that began in 2007 when the governors formed the Midwestern Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord.

Following other regional carbon-trading agreements in the western and northeastern U.S., this is the first to address the unique climate challenges faced in America’s heartland.

In the Northeast, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) caps carbon-dioxide emissions from large electric utilities in 10 eastern states with a goal of reducing emissions by 10 percent by 2018. The Western Climate Initiative (WCI) is a cap-and-trade program covering various industries in seven western states and four Canadian provinces. WCI released its design last fall.

The Midwestern program’s design will focus on promoting carbon sequestration through good agricultural practices, investment in carbon capture and storage, and energy efficiency.

“If a cap-and-trade program can work for the midwestern, northeastern and western regions, it can also work for the entire country. These agreements should form the basis of a federal greenhouse gas emissions market under the Obama administration,” Litz said. “WRI’s climate policy experts will continue to work with both state governments and federal policy makers to develop a program design that works nationwide.”

The governors of Indiana, Ohio, South Dakota and the premier of Ontario will observe the recommendations for now.

Land Management for Corporations on Agenda at Upcoming Conference

2009-06-04T21:18:00.000-04:00

WHAT:Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) and the World Resources Institute (WRI) will host the first annual Ecosystem Services on Corporate Lands conference. Representatives of government, industry, conservation, and community groups will host panel discussions and workshops. These will explore how companies can reduce their costs, generate new revenue, and improve their reputation by managing ecosystems on lands they own. Other areas of discussion will include ecosystem services markets - such as water quality trading - that companies can take part in and regulatory information on habitat management.

WHEN:
Thursday, June 11, 20098:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Friday, June 12, 20098:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

WHERE:
Crowne Plaza Hotel8777 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20910
(Red line to Silver Spring Metro Stop)

WHO:
Lafarge North America, U.S. Department of Agriculture, World Business Council for Sustainable Development, Constellation Energy, Business and Biodiversity Offsets Program, Ducks Unlimited, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Environmental Banc & Exchange, Exxon Mobil, Rio Tinto, ENTRIX Inc., NOAA, BP, Virginia Department of Forestry, US Forest Service, Defenders of Wildlife, Kinder Morgan, Inc.

2009 National Summit on Transport and the Environment to be Held in Brasilia

2009-05-20T22:43:00.000-04:00

WHAT:

The Center for Sustainable Transport in Brazil (CTS-Brasil), a member of the World Resources Institute’s EMBARQ Network, the National Confederation of Transport, and the British Embassy will host the 2009 Brazil National Summit on Transport and the Environment. About 60 representatives from government, the private sector and the public will attend the one-day event focusing on policies aimed at reducing carbon emissions from the urban transport sector in Brazil.

WHEN:

Thursday, May 28, 2009
9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

WHERE:

Headquarters of the National Confederation of Transport (CNT)
SAS, Quadra 1, Bloco J
Brasilia - DF BRAZIL

WHO:

Luis Antonio Lindau, director, CTS-Brasil
Rejane D. Fernandes, communications coordinator, CTS-Brasil
Marilei Menezes, special projects coordinator, National Confederation of Transport
Patricia Boson, environment consultant, National Confederation of Transport
Luiz Andrade, climate change program manager, British Embassy
Raissa Ferreira, support officer of climate change program, British Embassy

WHY:

The goals and policy recommendations developed at the summit will be submitted to the federal government when Brazil’s National Plan on Climate Change comes up for revision in 2010.

Energy Demands Drain Water Resources in Southeast U.S., Policies Needed

2009-05-13T22:50:00.003-04:00

Stressed water supplies in the Southeast United States could be relieved by introducing energy and water conservation policies outlined in a report released today by the World Resources Institute, Southface and Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance.

Freshwater in the Southeast U.S. The above chart, based on U.S. Geological Survey data, shows that about 65 percent, or nearly 40 billion gallons, of water is withdrawn each day for thermoelectric power in the Southeast United States. Water and Watts, the third report in a three-part series about energy issues in the region, notes that approximately two out of every three gallons of freshwater withdrawn in the Southeast U.S. are sent to thermoelectric power plants, which are mostly coal-fired and nuclear. These plants require about 40 billion gallons of freshwater each day - nearly equal to the total daily freshwater withdrawals required to meet public supply needs for the entire U.S.

“Reducing electricity demands is not only critical to addressing our energy challenges, but also to meeting regional water needs,” said Ben Taube, executive director at the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance and a co-author of the new report. “Lawmakers at the federal, state, and local levels should consider policies that create incentives for the efficient use of both water and energy, especially in light of recent droughts.”

Water availability has become a more common source of conflict between states in the region. Alabama, Florida, and Georgia have fought over control of the Apalachicola/Chattahoochee/Flint River Basin and similar issues arose in North and South Carolina over the Catawba River.

Looking ahead, population growth in the Southeast could lead to a 30 percent increase in thermoelectric power generation by 2025. Without policy action to encourage efficiency and water-efficient power production, this higher electricity demand could further exacerbate water scarcity problems.

“Building more thermoelectric power plants that run on nuclear and coal is simply not sustainable,” said Dennis Creech, executive director at Southface, another report co-author. “Fortunately, we see that efficiency upgrades and conservation efforts can reduce demands on both energy and water resources, while saving consumers money on utility bills.”

The report notes that the average household in the region is spending about $250 each year on energy to heat the water they use for dishwashers, clothes washers, showers, and other needs. Upgrading just half the households in the Southeast with WaterSense labeled faucets or faucet aerators, for one example, could save residents an estimated $40 million on their water bills and another $80 million on their energy bills.

Any water efficiency improvements also help reduce demands on city water and wastewater treatment facilities. The energy needed to operate these facilities can amount to as much as 30 percent of a city’s total energy bill.

“These relationships between energy and water should not be overlooked in the Southeast,” said Eliot Metzger, an energy expert at WRI and co-author of the report. “Policymakers should take steps to promote water and energy savings, starting with near-term actions that make good economic and environmental sense.”

Policy and investment opportunities highlighted in the report focus on realizing both energy and water benefits. To start, state regulators must evaluate the impacts of new electric power supplies upon water, and prioritize options, including efficiency, with minimal or no water requirements.

Strong leadership is also needed with energy and water efficiency requirements for public buildings. Several states - including Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, and Virginia - have policies that encourage efficiency in state buildings. Additional policies and procurement guidelines for high efficiency products, like those bearing the ENERGY STAR logo or the U.S. EPA’s WaterSense label, can lead to additional energy, water and cost savings.

Financial incentives can help promote options like solar water heaters, which use heat from the sun to provide 40 to 80 percent of water heating needs. These systems can save homeowners $150 or more in energy costs each year. State tax incentives and additional federal tax credits can help encourage more homeowners to install solar hot water systems.

Finally, states and utilities can also lead information and awareness campaigns to help educate homeowners and businesses about the connections between energy and water use.

Policies Needed to Improve Energy Efficiency, Revive Economy in Southeast U.S.

2009-05-07T23:14:00.000-04:00

Energy efficiency policies in the Southeast U.S. can help reduce electricity use by more than 10 percent over the next six years - saving the same amount of power generated by more than 30 coal-fired power plants, according to a report released today by the World Resources Institute (WRI), the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA), and Southface.

Projected Southeast Electricity Consumption This chart shows near-term energy efficiency potential in the Southeast, compared to DOE projections for electricity consumption through 2015. The region can save more than 10 percent of total electricity use, which amounts to 80 percent of the expected growth in demand over that period.

“Most buildings in the Southeast needlessly waste energy,” said Dennis Creech, a co-author of the report and executive director at Southface. “Though our region has shown progress in recent years, there remains immense potential to make homes and businesses more energy efficient. Our analyses in Georgia suggest that a 1 percent annual improvement in efficiency would save households $700 million over the next decade with lower electricity and natural gas bills.”

According to Power of Efficiency, the second report in a three-part series about energy opportunities in the Southeast United States, energy efficiency savings can be captured in the near future with prompt policy action by states. For instance, updating and enforcing energy codes for residential and commercial buildings will save consumers money and drastically reduce energy demands.

“Immediate investment in energy efficiency can pay significant dividends for years to come,” according to Ben Taube, a co-author and executive director at SEEA. “Our core mission and efforts show that a regional focus on efficiency will help meet future electricity needs, enhance our economy, and protect the environment.”

Several examples from the region offer good starting points for broader efficiency efforts. One example noted in the report is a program in Virginia that offers a tax credit for developers who construct high-efficiency buildings for low-income residents. Data and billing information showed that these residents reduced their energy costs by more than 25 percent and saved an average of 15 percent on total monthly utility bills.

The authors found that tax credits, loan programs or other financial incentives that reward both utilities and consumers for energy savings are some of the best methods to relieve initial cost hurdles and provide long-term economic savings.

The report notes that a national energy savings target would help accelerate action, citing a recent analysis by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy that shows projected impacts of a federal Energy Efficiency Resource Standard. Such a policy could create more than 50,000 new jobs across the region and save consumers nearly $40 billion over the next 10 years.

“Southeast states have a huge opportunity with energy efficiency,” said Eliot Metzger, an energy expert at WRI and also a co-author of the series of reports. “It’s the cleanest, cheapest energy option on the table and abundant throughout the region.”

New Report Shows Strong Potential, Economic Benefits for Renewable Energy in Southeast U.S.

2009-04-30T23:22:00.000-04:00

More than 25 percent of the Southeast U.S. region’s electric power could come from locally-available renewable energy supplies by 2025, according to findings released today by the World Resources Institute (WRI), Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE), and Southface.

State-by-state renewable energy potential, as a percentage of 2006 total electric power salesPrompt policy action to develop these resources can also create tens of thousands of new jobs, attract more regional energy investment, and help protect regional air and water resources.

“The Southeast has a strong portfolio of renewable energy resources that offers several economic and environmental advantages over traditional electric power generation,” said Eliot Metzger, a project manager at WRI and an author of Local Clean Power, the first in a three-part series of reports about energy opportunities in the Southeast United States.

The report estimates that investments in local renewable energy resources - like biomass, solar, wind, and hydropower - can meet more than a quarter of future electricity needs in the region by 2025. That amount would be sufficient to meet national renewable energy targets currently being discussed as part of upcoming federal energy legislation.

The expansion of current renewable power production from its current level of about five percent will be a critical step towards meeting future electricity needs with cleaner supplies and increasing energy independence.

Stephen Smith, executive director at SACE, another research partner, added, “Right now we are depending on other regions of the country, and foreign countries like Columbia and Venezuela, to supply us with coal. Doesn’t it make more sense to be producing cleaner power, closer to home? Our research suggests we certainly have sufficient resources. It’s just a matter of recognizing and capitalizing on these home-grown energy supplies.”

Renewable power potential is well distributed throughout the region, though differences in total electricity sales mean that states like Mississippi and Alabama can meet much more than 25 percent of electricity needs with renewable resources (see table). Some electric power utilities are starting to develop renewable resources in the region, but additional policy action is needed to drive investment and carefully manage the transition to new energy resources.

“A focus on developing our own renewable energy resources will create good-paying jobs that cannot be exported from our region,” said Dennis Creech, executive director at Southface, which was a partner on this research. “However, we need public policy to remove market barriers and encourage these investments in the Southeast.”

“Additional policy action and investment in a clean energy future translates to new growth opportunities - which for us means the creation of more jobs,” noted Tim Blackwell, president of OneWorld Sustainable, a company specializing in efficiency and renewable energy in the Southeast.

The report offers several recommendations for policies that can advance renewable energy development in the region, including: firm targets for renewable power production; flexible incentives to advance local investments in renewable resources; and comprehensive state-level resource assessments, economic analyses, and regulatory guidance to integrate renewable power into the electricity grid.