| Sourced From Csrwire.com |

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 02 /CSRwire/ – Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) today announced that Green-e® Climate, the nation’s leading certification and verification program for retail greenhouse gas emission reduction (carbon offset) products, has certified “The CarbonNeutral Company Offset (China)” product, sourced from clean energy from a hydropower station in Yunnan Province, China. The CarbonNeutral Company is the first international provider of Green-e Climate Certified offsets, and the company’s offset product has met or exceeded Green-e Climate’s strict standards for project verification and measurement, consumer transparency, and truth-in-marketing claims. The CarbonNeutral Company has now been granted the use of the Green-e Climate Certified logo.

“We are pleased The CarbonNeutral Company can now offer its customers an offset product certified by Green-e Climate,” said Jane Valentino, manager of Green-e Climate. “These offsets are sourced from international renewable energy projects that have met some of the highest standards in the industry, and combined with the company’s commitment to transparency and quality, are an excellent choice for consumers who want to offset their contribution to climate change by supporting clean energy projects that wouldn’t have otherwise been built.”

The offsets are sourced from renewable energy projects certified by the Voluntary Carbon Standard, an independent nonprofit organization registered under Swiss law. By purchasing these offsets, business and consumers will aid the development of new renewable resources that wouldn’t have otherwise been built, leading to a reduction in the rise of emissions from fossil-fuel electricity generation worldwide.

Green-e Climate is a consumer-protection program requiring greenhouse gas emission reductions to be verified according to strict project-level certification programs that ensure the reductions have taken place, are permanent, and come from projects that would not have happened under a “business as usual” scenario. Sellers of certified offsets must provide customers with a product content label that explains where the reductions were sourced from, including the locations and types of projects. Sellers must also undergo a yearly audit to ensure their supply of offsets matches their sales, and comply with Green-e Climate’s consumer disclosure and truth in advertising requirements.

About Green-e Climate and Center for Resource Solutions
Green-e Climate is the nation’s first certification program for greenhouse gas emission reductions sold to consumers on the retail market. This consumer-protection program strengthens the voluntary market by providing credible oversight of and transparency to retail offset products. Green-e Climate is a program of the Center for Resource Solutions, a nonprofit that creates policy and market solutions to advance sustainable energy. Learn more about Green-e Climate at www.green-e.org/climate.

About The CarbonNeutral Company
The CarbonNeutral Company (www.carbonneutral.com) is a world leading carbon offset and carbon management business, working with over 300 major businesses and thousands of small and medium sized companies. Over the last ten years, it has purchased carbon credits from over 200 projects across six continents.

CarbonNeutral® is the registered trademark of The CarbonNeutral Company and is the leading brand mark and quality standard for action on climate change. Permission to display the CarbonNeutral mark is only given to clients when CO2 emissions have been measured and reduced to net zero through a program implemented in accordance with The CarbonNeutral Protocol. This Protocol assures quality of offset projects, carbon footprint assessments and communication and is regularly reviewed by an Independent Advisory Group. The “audit trail” includes an annual independent verification of CarbonNeutral programs-from contracts with carbon offset partners through to contracts with clients and everything in between.

The CarbonNeutral Company has two regional operating headquarters in New York and London, as well as an office in Singapore, and a network of affiliates in Japan, Canada, France and UAE. The CarbonNeutral Company is a founding member of The International Carbon Reduction and Offset Alliance (ICROA), which provides leadership and a unified voice advocating for rigorous industry standards www.icroa.org.

For more information, please contact:
Jeff Swenerton Communications Director
jeff@resource-solutions.org
Phone: 415-561-2100

For more from this organization:
Center for Resource Solutions
http://www.csrwire.com/members/profile/10606-Center-for-Resource-Solutions

Submitted by:Center for Resource Solutions

| Sourced From Premiumbeautynews.com |

L’Oreal has inaugurated the first European industrial process based on a sustainable energy. Located in Libramont, Belgium, the production site is supposed to be independent of the public electricity and natural gas grid and can provide in its own energy needs.

The project is the result of the co-operation between the Belgian developer of sustainable energy Bio Energie Europa, energy company Eneco and L’Oreal. The concept and state-of-the-art technology were developed over the past three years.

In practice, an industrial biogas plant was built close to the L’Oreal plant. Biomass, from local farmers and the agro alimentary industry, is collected in a hermetic sealed tank. In this tank bacteria convert the biomass into methane through the biological process of fermentation. This biogas is then transported through a 600 metre subterranean pipeline to the factory. The biogas bought by L’Oreal is used in three cogeneration engines that generate both green heat and electricity. Both the generated electricity and heat, which is converted into steam, are completely used by the factory. Moreover, more green electricity is generated than the site itself requires. The remaining power, which is enough to meet the needs of around 4,000 households, is injected into the public grid.

For L’Oreal, completion of the project marks an important step towards achieving its goal of reducing its worldwide emissions of CO2 by over 50% by 2015. L’Oréal wishes to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels to an absolute minimum in order to prevent CO2 emissions. In this connection, a study is currently underway to enable the French plants to apply similar concepts.
See online : www.bioenergie-libramont.eu

MALE, Nov 2 (Reuters) – The Maldives could achieve its aim of becoming carbon neutral well before its 2020 target, the Indian Ocean island nation’s president said on Monday.

Continue Reading on AlertNet

| Sourced From RNW.nl |

Scientists recently warned us about how much our computer use is costing the planet, so it was inevitable that attention would turn to ways of making these machines a little bit more green. A Dutch student who helped pioneer the world’s first carbon-neutral computer room told Radio Netherlands Worldwide much of the project was simply based on common sense.

Ewoud de Kok is a fourth-year student in econometrics at the University of Amsterdam (UvA) who won a competition to help make the place more planet-friendly. After explaining his plan to cut carbon emissions he set about finding a few practical solutions.

Half the energy
The UvA’s new computer room features special lighting with LED bulbs, which use half the energy of the ones they replaced. But the other main change is what Ewoud calls ‘PC power management’, which basically involves making sure the 250 computers are on sleep-mode when nobody is using them. So far, so straightforward. But it was an idea, says Ewoud, that was hard to put in to practise.

“Actually, PC power management is really simple. But to do it on your laptop it takes five minutes, to do it in a whole university took one and a half years.”

Big impact
So, has something as obvious as changing the settings on a computer’s drop-down menu made a big dent on the UvA’s electricity bill? Ewoud says it is impressive how such a small change can have such a big impact.

“The energy use of this computer room was the same as that of 26 households per year and we reduced that to the equivalent of 12 households through PC power management and the new light bulbs. And then we generate the same amount of energy on a yearly basis that is being used.”

That energy is the third, and most ambitious, strand of Ewoud’s project and involves a series of solar panels on the UvA’s roof. The long tubes cover an area of 300m² and are suspended above a white surface that reflects the sun and helps them store power.

Attracting interest
There is currently only one computer room at the UvA that is CO²-neutral but other students have been inspired by Ewoud and are planning similar projects. Ewoud has also had interest from the universities of Maastricht and Tilburg in the Netherlands, which hope to follow suit. He says his success has been based on focussing as much on the financial benefits as saving the world.

“Economics students think of sustainability as a left-wing talk, and what I wanted to show them was that it’s really pure business. It’s business and it’s good for the environment, and these two things have to be married.”

And it’s an idea the University of Amsterdam clearly agrees with, as a spokesman told Radio Netherlands:

“The CO²-neutral computer room is a good example of the way the University of Amsterdam approaches the issue of sustainability. We have committed to this concept and will apply it to all aspects of our organisation.

“In the years to come we will work on upgrading our accommodation, we’re investing hundreds of millions of euros in this.”

| Sourced From Risk.net |

News and market analysis provider Point Carbon has lowered its price forecast for European Union Emissions Allowances (EUAs) for 2013 by €2 to €28 per ton of carbon dioxide. It has also lowered its 2016 price forecast by €3 to €37/tn. The original forecasts of €30 and €40 were made in May.

According to Point Carbon, challenges to international negotiations and a low likelihood of a legally binding agreement at the upcoming Copenhagen summit has contributed to the revision in market policies. The impact of the recession on emissions prices has also been cited as a contributing factor.

“The large difference between EU and US positions in the negotiations reduce the likelihood of a satisfactory agreement – from the EU’s point of view,” says Kjersti Ulset, head of European carbon analysis at Point Carbon. “This makes it harder for the EU to agree to a 30% reduction target, leaving a target in the 20–30% range increasingly likely.”

Analysts at Point Carbon forecast a 30% reduction target as the most likely outcome for the EU and have assigned this outcome a 50% chance of occurring. If the EU were to pledge itself to a 30% reduction, prices would be in the €30/tn to €60/tn region, but if the EU only agrees to a 20% further reduction of emissions, prices of EUAs would fall to between €20/tn and €40/tn.

Author: Katie Holliday

Source: Energy Risk

CANBERRA, Nov 2 (Reuters) – Australia’s government revised down forecast revenue from the future sale of carbon permits on Monday, and said there was now little room to offer more compensation in order to secure political support for the scheme.

Continue Reading on Reuters

| Sourced From Smh.com.au |

THE 22-hectare Barangaroo site at east Darling Harbour has been selected by the Clinton Climate Initiative’s climate positive development program, which aims to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions of large urban developments to below zero.

The State Government claims the redevelopment will produce more water than it uses and generate more renewable energy than it uses, while generating zero waste.

”Sydney’s new city waterfront precinct will join just 16 other developments around the world which are working with the Clinton Climate Initiative to be climate positive,” the NSW Planning Minister, Kristina Keneally, said.

In July the Government signed an agreement with the Clinton Foundation to speed up the use of low-emission technologies in government-owned buildings, as well as to seek sites for commercial-scale solar projects.

The optimistic targets for the environmental footprint of the site have emerged as the Government is faced with a large program to remediate heavily polluted parts of east Darling Harbour. Meanwhile, Cockle Bay remains one of the harbour’s most polluted areas, largely due to its long history as an industrial site.

The Barangaroo site will boast a water recycling unit which, along with reducing demand and maximising recycling, means it will be able to pump the excess water into the city water supply.

Brian Robins

| Sourced From Treehugger.com |

Hybrid trucks may cut carbon, and even slowing down road freight may save gas, but truckers still have a long way to go before they can beat the efficiencies offered by rail. But road freight does have its place—perhaps most notably in allowing perishable goods to be transported from farm to warehouse to store with minimal risk of delay. Traditionally, fruit and vegetables grown in Southern Europe and sold in the UK have been shipped by road for this very reason. Until now. But an iconic UK freight company is launching a first-of-its-kind refrigerated rail service that will dramatically cut the carbon footprint of imported veggies.

When I was a kid, the name Eddie Stobart was synonymous with big trucks belching fumes. But it turns out that the Stobart Group is a much more sophisticated multimodal logistics company, offering road, rail and sea freight as needed. Their latest venture, according to The Guardian, is a 30 container refrigerated rail service that will run between Spain and the UK, representing the first time that refrigerated rail freight has passed through The Channel Tunnel. The result will be a massive boost for rail transportation.

The service will initially run once a week, and even at that frequency is expected to save some 8,600 tonnes of carbon a year. But plans are afoot to expand, and by the end of next year it is hoped that as many as 5 trips a week will be undertaken. The logistics have not been easy, with assurances being sought that delays will be avoided, and containers will not be shunted aside and forgotten about. But perhaps the most important and encouraging fact about this whole development is that it seems to be customer led, which ultimately means that the consumer voice for greener goods is finally being heard.

As a Stobart representative told the Guardian “There has been a real change of attitude from the companies we deal with in recent months. Suddenly they all want to know if they can have their goods carried in an environmentally sensitive way and, in particular, if they can have them moved by train.”

by Sami Grover, Carrboro, NC, USA

| Sourced From PR-usa.net |

EcoloCap Solutions Inc. (OTCBB:ECOS), through its subsidiary EcoloCap Solutions Canada Inc. (’EcoloCap Canada’), today announced that it is conducting an analysis of MBT M-Fuels impact on the environment in relation to its carbon credit earning potential, and the economic significance for M-Fuel users.

EcoloCap Canada, having developed over a dozen Clean Development Mechanism (’CDM’) projects, is a leading provider of carbon credit origination and consultancy services to the world’s environmental and energy markets, and is providing ongoing advisory for all M-Fuel users.

MBT’s M-Fuel has been proven through laboratory tests and on site usage to reduce fuel costs by some 25%, depending on the cost of preprocessed fuel. In addition, it reduces the emission of greenhouse gases on an average of 60%, resulting in the creation of an important source of Certified Emission Reduction (CER) credits. Potential M-Fuel users such as, fleet operators of buses, trucks, boats, heavy equipment, and fixed machinery, will financially benefit not only from the considerable fuel cost savings, but from CER generated income as well.

An analysis being conducted by Dr. Tri Vu Truong, CEO of EcoloCap Canada, conservatively estimates that considering the existing projections, M-Fuel will produce several million CER’s per year. With CER’s presently trading at over $19 USD on the world market, the economic impact contributes significantly to the already promising proposition.

Dr. Truong cites the following example from his ongoing analysis: “A 55,000 horsepower ship traveling 12,000 miles roundtrip between Inchon, Korea and Los Angeles, USA uses approximately 945,000 gallons per trip of bunker oil at $1.54 USD per gallon. Based on an average of 5 trips per year, using M-fuel as an alternative, fuel cost would be reduced by $200,000 USD per trip or $1,000,000 USD annually. At the same time, CO2 emissions would be reduced by 220,000 tons per trip, generating $4,000,000 USD of Carbon Credits annually.”

Dr. Truong concludes: “We are thrilled with M-Fuels initial results and will continue to evaluate its impact on the environment in the form of Carbon Credits earned and its users overall financial benefits”.

Further information on EcoloCap Solutions Inc. and its subsidiaries may be found at, www.ecolocap.com. Requests to receive project materials, company updates, and product information should be sent to Info@ecolocap.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

About The Company: EcoloCap Solutions Inc. (OTCBB:ECOS) and its subsidiaries Micro Bubble Technologies Inc. (”MBT”), K-MBT Inc., and EcoloCap Solutions Inc. Canada are an integrated and complementary network of environmentally focused technology companies that utilize advanced nanotechnology to design, develop, manufacture and sell cleaner alternative energy. Their portfolio of products and services include MBT’s Carbon Nano Tube Battery (CNT-Battery), a rechargeable battery that surpasses the performance capabilities of any existing battery, MBT’s M-Fuel, an innovative suspension fuel for non-gasoline applications that surpasses all conventional fuels’ costs and efficiencies, and EcoloCap Solutions Inc. Canada’s comprehensive Carbon Credit Trading consultancy services. EcoloCap markets its products worldwide, directly and through agreements with distributors. For additional information, please visit the EcoloCap website, www.EcoloCap.com, or send an inquiry to Info@EcoloCap.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

This press release may contain statements of a forward-looking nature regarding future events. These statements are only predictions and actual events may differ materially. Please refer to documents that EcoloCap Solutions Inc. files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a discussion of certain factors that could cause actual results to differ materials from those contained in the forward-looking statements.

| Sourced From Yorkshirepost.co.uk |

The UK is now legally committed to bringing down carbon emissions to 34 per cent below their 1990 level by 2020 by using three five-year-long budget periods where the reductions can be monitored.
Two weeks ago the Climate Change Committee, the official climate change watchdog, warned that a “step change” was needed in the pace of UK emissions reductions if we are to stick to these tough carbon budgets.

Its report indicated that annual cuts must increase by at least four times, from the recent rate of 0.5 per cent to two to three per cent. It stated the UK should slash emissions from the power sector by 50 per cent by 2020 by, inter alia, building 8,000 new wind turbines and effect an urgent overhaul of the national grid to accommodate new wind farms.

This emphasis on renewables means there will continue to be lucrative opportunities for landowners considering the option of diversifying into wind farm projects on their own or in partnership with a developer.

However, to be able to do so on a commercial basis will depend upon some key practical issues. Any site needs a suitable flow of wind consistent throughout the year but also needs to be one to be likely to gain planning permission.

The main planning criteria for wind farm developments are conservation, proximity of roads and houses, disturbance to air traffic and construction of new transmission lines.

Landowners are sensitive to conservation issues and will have followed closely the debate on the effect of wind turbines on bird and bat populations.

As a landowner you will know that in March the RSPB published a report notable for its open support for a managed increase in wind farms, in appropriate locations, and its recognition of a need to deploy renewables to combat climate change. However you will also be aware that a recent RSPB study, published in the Journal of Applied Ecology in September, suggests that numbers of several breeding birds of high conservation concern are reduced close to wind turbines and the findings showed they should not be sited near vulnerable bird populations.

Issues such as this, and conservation generally, will be a major concern if you are considering your own scheme or partnering with a developer.

If the latter the developer’s first step may be to request you enter into an exclusivity agreement giving it an exclusive right for a period of one or two years to carry out initial tests and inquiries.

You will need specialist independent advice to cover every relevant issue – seeking to manage this process and the documentation without this advice is a non-starter. Any developer will have a range of advisers whose role is to secure the best possible deal for the developer.

By Stephen Unwin

| Sourced From Steelguru.com |

Mining company UK Coal has been awarded the prestigious Carbon Trust Standard after taking action to reduce the carbon footprint of its operations. It achieved a 45% absolute reduction in its carbon footprint over the past three years which represents a greenhouse gas reduction of 980,000 t of CO2.

Mr Jon Lloyd CEO of UK Coal said that “The measures we have taken clearly demonstrate UK Coal’s full commitment to reduce our own carbon footprint and support for national objective of cutting emissions of greenhouse gases.”

Measures taken by the company include:

1. Using methane extracted from mines for safety reasons to generate electricity. Methane generation has increased by 119% over the last three years, from 75.8 GWh to 165.8 GWh, following a £15 million investment in gas turbines. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas with a global warming potential 21 times that of CO2

2. Upgrading the fleet of vehicles used in surface mining with engines which have improved fuel efficiency by 13.7%. Company cars are now fuelled by diesel rather than petrol

3. The installation of a new high efficient booster fan at Welbeck Colliery at a cost of £480,000 that almost doubled air ventilation flow whilst reducing energy consumption.

4. Installing variable speed drive motors on high-power coal cutting equipment and coal conveyance systems at mines to reduce energy consumption

5. Introduced a Teflon additive to greases and oils to prolong the life cycle of components, reduce frictional losses and achieve energy savings.

The Standard is awarded only to companies that pass rigorous, independent investigation into the measures they are taking that have a direct beneficial impact on reducing their carbon footprint and their environmental impact.

Mr Lloyd said that “We have made substantial investment in new technology and more energy efficient equipment over recent years, and will continue to do so to maintain supplies of coal produced in the UK and reduce the need for imported coal which has a significantly higher carbon transport footprint.”

He further added that “Coal today generates around one-third of all the electricity generated in the UK. The government has repeatedly stated that without coal, the lights would go out in parts of Britain. We and other coal producers fully support the wide range of initiatives being taken by the government to ensure coal remains an important part of our energy mix, consumed in a way which addresses the concerns over the environment and climate change. We continue to work with others to achieve that goal.”

| Sourced From Earthtimes.org |

VANCOUVER, Oct. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ – Carbon Friendly Solutions Inc. (TSX Venture Exchange: CFQ) (”CFS” or the “Company”) (http://www.carbonfriendly.com) is pleased to announce that it is increasing its previously announced (by way of news release dated September 23, 2009) financing from $1,000,000 to up to $2,000,000 by way of non-brokered private placement (the “Offering”).

The Offering is now expected to consist of the issuance of up to 7,407,407 units (the “Units”) of the Company, at a proposed subscription price of $0.27 per Unit, with each such Unit consisting of one common share and one common share purchase warrant (each a “Warrant”) of the Company, and with each such Warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one additional common share of the Company (each a “Warrant Share”) at an exercise price of $0.35 per Warrant Share for a period of two years following the closing of the Offering.
Finders’ fees may be paid in accordance with TSX Venture Exchange policies. Proceeds of the Offering will be used by the Company for general working capital.

About Carbon Friendly Solutions Inc.

Carbon Friendly Solutions Inc. (CFS) is a project proponent that provides solutions for companies, organizations and individuals looking to reduce or offset their global warming impact caused by greenhouse gas emissions while including the generation of carbon credits for sale in the global Voluntary and Compliance markets. Through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Global CO2 Reduction Inc. and CO2 Reduction Poland Sp. z.o.o., CFS is focusing on removing and offsetting carbon dioxide emissions from the completion of reforestation, biomass energy and renewable energy technology projects that are independently validated and verified to globally recognized standards and methodologies.

On behalf of the Board of Directors
Carbon Friendly Solutions Inc.

“Michael Young”
CEO and a director

Certain statements included in this News Release contain forward-looking statements, including disclosure concerning possible or assumed future results of operations of the Company. Forward-looking statements typically are preceded by, followed by or include the words – “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,” “plans,” or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. They involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions, and the Company’s results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements. The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

SOURCE Carbon Friendly Solutions Inc.

| Sourced From Theglobeandmail.com |

Costa Rica threw down a green gauntlet this week, announcing its plan to become the world’s first carbon-neutral destination.

At a sustainable tourism conference, the country’s ecotourism organization (CANAECO) and the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Telecommunications signed an agreement that puts in place a system to cover the offsetting of tourists’ flights.

Visitors to this tiny, tourism-dependent nation – only 51,100 square kilometres (compared with Canada’s 10 million) but home to 5 per cent of the world’s biodiversity – will be relieved of guilt, and operators will no longer have to ask them to offset, nor will they have to cover their offsetting costs. Instead, the program — opting in is voluntary for operators — will see the offsetting cost split among the various tourism providers who benefit from the visit, from the international tour operator booking the trip down to the small lodge housing visitors during their stay, making the ecological effort more affordable.

The program is designed to address the glaring lack of accountability in the area of international fuel: Though airline fuel is purchased in one country, no system is in place to assign responsibility for emissions released during international travel to either the country of departure or arrival.

“Beginning today, Costa Rica is on the way to becoming the first carbon-neutral destination in the world,” said Jurgen Stein of CANAECO.

Really, the plan has been designed for December’s Copenhagen climate-change conference, and is a part of Costa Rica’s commitment to become carbon-neutral over all by 2021. While the tourist receives a carbon-offsetting certificate, the money raised – ranging from around $10 to $30 per visitor – will go to the nation’s forestry financing fund (FONAFIFO) to plant what will basically be carbon-absorption forests. Most of the trees to be planted will be indigenous, and will have a 20-year lifespan – at that point, the trees pass their maximum carbon-absorbing ability and will be harvested, with the local farmer receiving the profit.

The monospecies aspect of the program (the planting of one particular type of tree in a set location) has raised concern among those who want the funds to be directed toward protecting biodiversity, by paying local farmers to resist lucrative offers to sell primary forest on their property to international logging interests.

This reforestation model, Stein says, was selected because it is easily understood throughout the world. “What we are doing right now is just the beginning. We believe, in CANAECO, that the biodiversity part will be the most important part,” he said. “But we are beginning with reforestation.”

Sarah MacWhirter

| Sourced From Calgarysun.com |

Reaching Ottawa’s carbon emission targets could lead to a massive wealth transfer and constrain economic growth, especially in Alberta, says a study commissioned by two of Canada’s major environmental groups.

If Ottawa adopts a carbon pricing policy and a reduces carbon emissions 20% by 2020, the federal government would rake in $45 billion per year by 2020 in revenues, says the study commissioned by the Pembina Institute and the David Suzuki Foundation.

Economic output in Alberta, as measured by gross domestic product, will be 8.5% less than without new regulations and emissions targets.

Across Canada, economic growth will be constrained 1.5%, the study says.

Premier Ed Stelmach denounced the plan as a money-transfer scheme.

“All these ideas coming forward, it’s all about sending money someplace else,” he said yesterday.

“There won’t be another wealth transfer to Ottawa under my watch, I can tell you that.

“Nobody’s talking about introducing technology so that we can share that technology with other jurisdictions that are producing a lot of carbon and protect the whole world.”

The report is the first to give a regional breakdown of the costs associated with a domestic cap-and-trade system and the federal emission reduction targets.

Alberta Environment Minister Rob Renner said his government hasn’t estimated how the province’s economy will be affected.

“Clearly, there is a cost,” Renner said. “That’s undeniable that there is a cost associated with CO2 mitigation. How that relates to GDP really is dependent upon what is the approach that’s taken.”

What this means is it makes little sense to calculate a cost unless Ottawa specifies what exactly the new regulations will be, he said.

“I think what this report points out is that a one-size-fits-all is clearly not an acceptable way for Canada to meet this challenge,” Renner commented.

In other words, Stelmach’s government is not keen on a cap-and-trade approach that would unduly penalize the oilsands, one of the province’s major carbon emitters, and its predominantly coal-fired power generators.

“There is more than one way for us to achieve the outcomes that we desire,” Renner said.

Alberta has earmarked about $2 billion to advance carbon capture and storage, a largely untried technology.

Industry groups could not be reached for comment yesterday.

By MARKUS ERMISCH, SUN MEDIA

MARKUS.ERMISCH@SUNMEDIA.CA

| Sourced From lowcarboneconomy.com |

10/30/2009
London’s low carbon economy could be boosted by the 22 million tonnes of rubbish the city produces each year, an environmental charity has claimed.

Comments from Friends of the Earth (FoE) followed a report from the London Assembly Environment Committee, which claimed that rubbish could be recycled and used to produce electricity for two million homes.

The London Assembly is correct to call for low carbon policies for energy production which do not rely on incineration, the eco organisation explained.

Jenny Bates, London campaigner for FoE, said: “To relieve pressure on the world’s finite resources and help tackle climate change we should be reusing and recycling as much as possible.

“The mayor must now focus on improving London’s recycling rate to cut waste, slash carbon emissions and create new jobs.”

Further findings from the London Assembly report showed that using non-recyclable rubbish to provide energy could help reduce the capital’s carbon emissions by 1.2 million tonnes.

Targets for London include reducing emissions by 65 per cent by 2025.

BOISE, Idaho–(Business Wire)– International food and agribusiness leader J. R. Simplot Company and leading emissions reduction project developer and offset marketer, Blue Source LLC, today announced the formation of a strategic alliance to assist American farmers interested in engaging in the carbon economy.

Continue Reading on Reuters

* European exchange sees no hurry to set up in Australia

* European Climate Exchange says political row needs to end

GOLD COAST, Australia, Oct 29 (Reuters) – The operator of world’s largest carbon market, European Climate Exchange (ECX), has shelved plans to expand into Australia, concerned that the nation’s planned cap-and-trade scheme had stalled.

Continue Reading on Reuters

| Sourced From Environmental-expert.com |

PE INTERNATIONAL recently became the first Accredited Partner for the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP). After undergoing a due diligence process PE´s SoFi Software was tested by the independent GHG Management Institute, resulting in the certification of PE INTERNATIONAL’s SoFi software to conduct corporate carbon footprints and reports for the CDP reporting process.

CDP is an independent not-for-profit organization holding the largest database of primary corporate climate change information in the world. It acts on behalf of 475 institutional investors, handling $55 trillion in assets under management and some 60 purchasing organizations such as Walmart, PepsiCo and Cadbury.

A study by Groom Energy recently confirmed PE as a market leader in Enterprise Carbon Accounting. Paul Baier, VP of Consulting at Groom Energy, stated “Today PE INTERNATIONAL has the most solutions for Enterprise Carbon Accounting implemented globally. The CDP software accreditation strengthens their leadership position.”

“We are excited about this partnership. It expresses our confirmed commitment to assist corporations in analyzing, reporting and managing greenhouse gas emissions. We just see huge potential in this partnership to contribute even more to industries and economies shifting toward better practices in sustainability” so Michael Betz, Managing Director of PE INTER NATIONAL.

More information about our solutions related to the carbon disclosure project:

* SoFi Software for Corporate Carbon footprints
http://www.sofi-software.com/sofi/corporate-carbon-footprint/

* Consulting Service Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP)
http://www.pe-international.com/consulting/carbon-footprint/carbon-disclosure-projecr/

* Carbon Disclosure Project
https://www.cdproject.net/en-US/WhatWeDo/Pages/Carbon-calculation-partners.aspx

| Sourced From Ecogeneration.com.au |

Greg Combet, Minister Assisting the Minister for Climate Change, opened the Australasian Carbon Market Expo 2009 on the Gold Coast, using the opportunity to highlight the need for the passing of the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS).

Mr Combet said that a clear direction on climate change policy was an economic, as well as an environmental imperative, and reminded delegates that both major political parties in Australia had gone to the last election committed to an emissions trading scheme.

“The Government is now looking forward to negotiating in good faith with the Opposition,” he said.

Outlining the time frame for CPRS negotiations, Mr Combet said that the legislation is being debated in the House of Representatives the week of the 26 October. Immediately following a successful vote in the lower house, the Government intends to introduce the legislation for debate in the upper house in late November.

He said that the Government has unashamedly campaigned for the passage of the CPRS as soon as possible, and that there is no need to wait, as the Opposition has suggested, until after the United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP15).

“There is nothing in the CPRS that is contingent upon COP15 outcomes,” he said, adding that the CPRS is the enabling mechanism for the setting of emissions reduction targets to be negotiated at COP15.

“The passage of the CPRS legislation through Parliament in November will mean that Australia has a plan in place to meet its international commitments and has the capacity to meet those commitments in an economically responsible way.”

| Sourced From ABC.net.au |

BlueScope Steel has welcomed a move by the Federal Government which will see hot rolling attract free permits under an emissions trading scheme.

About three million tonnes or more than half the steel produced each year at Port Kembla is hot rolled.

The chief executive of Steel Manufacturing, Noel Cornish, says the concession is in line with what other countries have proposed.

But Mr Cornish says Australian steelmakers still will not be able to compete internationally under the current scheme.

“In the last few weeks there’s been a very large breakthrough with the activity definition modified to include hot rolling for steelworks, that was a very positive step in the right direction and I’m happy to acknowledge the hard work done by all including the local federal members to make that possible,” he said.

Cogeneration funding

BlueScope Steel is also calling on the Federal Government to help fund a billion-dollar cogeneration plant at the Port Kembla steelworks.

The company says the plant has the potential to significantly reduce carbon emissions, equivalent to taking 200,000 cars off the road each year.

The project is on hold due to the global financial crisis and the proposed emissions trading scheme.

Mr Cornish says the Government needs to find ways to encourage businesses to make large scale emissions cuts.

“The cogen plant can reduce greenhouse gases by one million tonnes per year which is very substantial but I think we need things like some tax incentives, maybe some accelerated depreciation or maybe some direct funding like what occurs for medium and small enterprise at the moment,” he said.

* Google: Climate bill creates millions of new energy jobs
* Democrats from coal states concerned about employment
* Sen Boxer says bill gives oil co’s enough carbon permits

WASHINGTON, Oct 28 (Reuters) – Leaders at companies that develop low-carbon energy told a Senate panel that climate legislation would create millions of new jobs, but lawmakers from fossil-fuel dependent states said the bill would hit employment in the traditional energy economy.

Continue Reading on Reuters

| Sourced From English.hani.co.kr |

It has been confirmed that the Presidential Committee for Green Growth (PCGG) had reduced the targeted amount of CO2 emissions reduction by inflating the anticipated amount of CO2 emissions and correspondingly curtailing the level of possible reduction.

Democratic Party (DP) Lawmakers Kim Jae-yoon and Kim Sang-hee revealed the document, which was created to coordinate differing Ministerial views, at the National Assembly’s Environment and Labor Committee and said, “The Lee administration has tried to curtail the possible levels of CO2 reduction by only considering the interests of the business community.”

The Presidential Committee for Green Growth announced in August three scenarios such as 8 percent increase, freezing, 4 percent curtailment of the CO2 emission (from 2005 to 2020). However, according to the document, the 10 percent curtailment will be possible during the same period.

According to the document, PCGG inflated the anticipated CO2 emissions by flatly accepting the data submitted by the business sector. For example, the committee anticipated that the ratio of manufacturing industry would increase to 34.4 percent in 2020 from 34 percent in 2007, reflecting fully the views submitted by the business society. However, PCGG admitted the possibility of a decreased manufacturing industry ratio in factoring in recent changes.

PCGG also anticipated that greenhouse gasses would rise 2.1 percent annually, while the rate of increase has already been reduced to 1 percent since 2005.

Lawmaker Kim said, “PCGG also created a scenario which incorporates a ten percent curtailment of CO2 emissions, however, did not include it when it announced three scenarios in August.” Kim added, “Taking a lead in CO2 reduction will be helpful for economic reform and to increase the nation’s competitive power.”

The final target for reduced CO2 emissions will be decided at the cabinet meeting on Nov. 17.

| Sourced From Koreaherald.co.kr |

Korea will consider either a freeze or a 4 percent cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 from 2005 levels, officials said yesterday.

The Presidential Committee on Green Growth yesterday proposed the two options for consideration ahead of a U.N. climate conference in Copenhagen next month.

The government will make a final decision on Nov. 17. But it is expected the country will opt for the 4 percent cut as the President Lee Myung-bak has urged policymakers to aim high in carbon cut goals at a cabinet meeting earlier in the week.

The country is the ninth-biggest carbon emitter among Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development member nations. Korea emitted 594 million tons of carbon dioxide in 2005.

The plan, however, is likely to face opposition from the country’s business circles.

The business community here has argued that the 4-percent target is too harsh for them, addressing concerns that the heavy costs involved would hurt their competitiveness, both in and out of the country.

Some point out that the Korea’s economy still depends on heavy-polluting industries and petrochemicals, while European countries have already made an industrial transition to services and technology. This will make it hard for Korean corporations to transition to greener industries, they say.

But other experts counter that corporations are making the standard “green is anti-business” complaints, even though many have been preparing for the government’s green initiative for years.

“Korean business may face difficulties in participating in the agenda, but I am sure they have also been preparing for this upcoming new industrial change for a long time,” Hur Man-yool, research fellow at the Industry Strategy Division of Hyundai Research Institute.

“They are actually ready for the climate change act,” he added.

Experts also noted that the 4 percent target is much lower than what has been set by other advanced countries.

Japan, a active proponent of lowering greenhouse gasses, announced that it aim to cut CO2 emissions by 30 percent from 1990 levels, while Germany, Sweden and Norway plan for 40 percent reductions by 2020.

But Korea’s 4 percent cut doesn’t even stack up to some developing countries’ proposals.

Indonesia, for example, recently announced that it will cut greenhouse gases by 26 percent by 2020.

During the committee meeting yesterday, the government also outlined plans to develop “green cities, buildings and transports.”

The Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs said in a report that it would make it mandatory for building owners to reduce energy consumption by 2017. The government will consider limiting energy use by the new buildings to be constructed next year, and requiring owners and buyers of buildings to have certificates that show the volume of energy consumption.

One million public apartment units to be provided by the government will also adopt the latest green technology – which would cut energy use up to 30 percent by the year 2018.

“I firmly believe that this kind of initiative from the government is extremely important. It is a crucial foundation to make positive change in Korea and to make the Korean people aware of the need to go green, save natural resources and improve their quality of life,” David G. Moore, executive vice president of Gale International Korea, said.

Gale International is developing the world’s first green city, Songdo, some 30 kilometer west of Seoul.

The ministry will also push ahead with developing eco-friendly transportation systems by promoting the use of bicycles and plug-in cars. The ministry also plans to reduce carbon emissions by the transport sector by 33-37 percent by 2020. (christory@heraldm.com)

By Cho Chung-un

BRUSSELS (Reuters) – European Union lawmakers approved a list on Wednesday of EU industries that stand to receive help with meeting the cost of permits to emit carbon dioxide.

Continue Reading on Reuters

| Sourced From Prisonplanet.com |

In a new development that is potentially devastating to the agenda to introduce a global carbon tax and a cap and trade system, Al Gore admits that the majority of global warming that occurred until 2001 was not primarily caused by CO2.

Before we get too excited, Gore is not backing away from his support for the theory of man-made climate change, but his concession that carbon dioxide only accounted for 40% of warming according to new studies could seriously harm efforts to tax CO2, that evil, life-giving gas that humans exhale and plants absorb.

“Gore acknowledged to Newsweek that the findings could complicate efforts to build a political consensus around the need to limit carbon emissions,” reports BB News.

Yesterday we reported on how Gore was set to become the first “carbon billionaire” on the back of vast profits from companies invested in the “green revolution” that the former vice-president has a hefty stake in.

We also highlighted how the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) has direct ties to both Al Gore and Maurice Strong, two figures intimately involved with a long standing movement to use the theory of man made global warming as a mechanism for profit and social engineering. Gore’s investment company, Generation Investment Management, which sells carbon offset opportunities, is the largest shareholder of CCX.

Gore stands to make windfall profits from his stake in carbon trading systems that would be used to manage the cap and trade system currently being readied for passage in the Senate, but his admission that CO2 is far less of a threat than global warming alarmists have been claiming could be a terminal blow for such a proposal.

As Andrew Bolt writes in today’s Australian Herald Sun, his flip-flopping “Suggests not only that was Gore wrong to claim the science was “settled”, but that the hugely expensive schemes to “stop” warming by slashing carbon dioxide emissions will be less than half as effective as claimed.”

“Over the years I have been among those who focused most of all on CO2, and I think that’s still justified,” Gore told Newsweek . “But a comprehensive plan to solve the climate crisis has to widen the focus to encompass strategies for all” of the greenhouse culprits identified in the Nasa study.”

Gore now blames soot and methane for the majority of global warming, leaving the door open for a tax on livestock, a tax on meat, a tax on milk, and on and on until he changes his mind again and blames another culprit so that too can be taxed.

In another indictment of Gore’s accuracy in warning about climate change, he has now virtually abandoned scientific “facts” in favor of characterizing his Inconvenient Truth presentation in the context of a religious sermon.

“Simply laying out the facts won’t work,” admits Gore.

That’s right, the church of environmentalism has come full circle with Gore’s intention to deliver his widely debunked presentation with spiritual overtones, a move that will shock most hard-headed empirical scientists.

“I’ve done a Christian [-based] training program; I have a Muslim training program and a Jewish training program coming up, also a Hindu program coming up. I trained 200 Christian ministers and lay leaders here in Nashville in a version of the slide show that is filled with scriptural references. It’s probably my favorite version, but I don’t use it very often because it can come off as proselytizing,” Gore tells Newsweek.

In a new book Gore has been working on, he attempts to address the rapidly growing skepticism towards global warming alarmism not with science, but by blaming people’s own thoughts, a Kafkaesque cop-out if ever there was one.

According to the book’s press release, “Among the most unique approaches Gore takes in the book is showing readers how our own minds can be an impediment to change.”

“Our own minds are the enemy! Don’t free the minds – imprison them!,” scoffs Tim Blair.

Paul Joseph Watson
Prison Planet.com