The Climate Group

International Climate Stewardship Solutions Conference - North Dakota

2009-07-02T08:02:29Z

Preston Chiaro, CEO, Rio Tinto’s Energy Group and Michael Morris, CEO, American Electric Power called on policy makers to provide the coal and utilities industry with clear policy now in order to make carbon capture and storage a commercial reality especially for coal dependent states like North Dakota. Peter Head, Director, Arup provided a vision of a low carbon future, inspiring the audience and sharing stories from around the world. Michael Zarin, Vestas Wind Systems, shared Denmark’s success in separating economic growth from carbon dioxide emissions while capturing 20% of the nation’s electricity from wind power. Representatives from the embassies of Australia, China and The Netherlands shared their successful efforts to accelerate low carbon technology and climate policy and all guests called on North Dakota and the United States to join them.

Congressman Earl Pomeroy, Governor John Hoeven, Senator Kent Conrad and Senator Byron Dorgan also shared their vision for North Dakota’s energy future. Congressman Pomeroy heard from eleven international experts on coal, wind and climate policy in a dialogue session on the first day of the conference.

With one ten thousandth of the world’s population but two important Senate votes, North Dakota has a significant role to play in determining US climate policy and therefore, a global climate policy. The world recognizes this and made it clear this week at the International Climate Stewardship Solutions Conference. The Road to Copenhagen truly does run through Bismarck, North Dakota.

North American & European Regions Join Together on Climate Action at Green Week

2009-06-26T06:57:28Z

Premier Jean Charest of Quebec and Premier Gary Doer of Manitoba together with The Climate Group, hosted the Minister of Environment for Catalonia, Francesc Baltasar i Albesa, and the President of the Assembly of European Regions (AER), Michèle Sabban, in a state-regions breakfast event at the end of Green Week in Brussels.

The event marked a first formal relationship between North American and European regional leaders. It came on the heels of a Scottish state-regional event earlier in the week and a Midwest state officials visit to Germany - all clearly marking ever increasing international cooperation at the state and regional level.

The Premiers, as the founders of The Climate Group’s states and regions initiative in 2005, made it clear that they are continuing to advance leading actions in wind power, geothermal power, hybrid buses and cleaner cars, energy efficiency, clean energy grids and low carbon technology on the road to copenhagen.

International states and Regions Director at The Climate Group, Jane Gray noted that “Premier Doer and Premier Charest together with their European counterparts, agreed that it is federated states and regional governments that will do the “heavy lifting” to implement a new global climate change deal. They agreed that they would be ready, willing and able to cooperate across continents to get the job done.”

As a concrete example of their commitment, the two Canadian Premiers signed Letters of Intent with the United Nations Development Program to partner with developing country regions on climate action.

“This shows that in a time of economic storm these leaders are not only working to help their citizens through green economic development- they are reaching out to developing country regions to help them weather the longer term storms of climate change”, Ms. Gray concluded.

Greening India’s Budget

2009-06-26T06:56:10Z

Mr. V Raghuraman, The Climate Group’s Advisor in India, and Rajeev Palakshappa, Programme Manager, The Climate Group in India, report

Following an historic mandate achieved at the recent national elections, the Government of India is preparing its first budget for presentation to Parliament on 6 July. It remains to be seen whether the budget statements will provide funds to support the aspirations of the national action plan on climate change. It is also to be seen whether the fiscal stimulus envisioned by the Minister of Environment and Forests, Mr. Jairam Ramesh, would result in a green GDP oriented shift towards sustainable development.

The financial community is increasingly interested in green investment opportunities, with a recent United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report estimating that world-wide US$ 155 billion was invested in clean energy projects in 2008. Of this US$ 4.1 billion was invested in India, representing a 12% increase on the previous year.

This trend can continue and accelerate with the appropriate budgetary statements. The upcoming budget will set out key spending areas, with rural development, education and the social sector at its core. Climate change is a pervasive issue and will require a similarly pervasive approach to ensure fiscal policy supports a shift towards a low- carbon economy.

The budget not only provides an opportunity to signal medium-term aspirations to ‘green’ India, but due to the annual cycle provides an excellent review point. There is a need to rationalize energy taxes and direct subsidies to support weaker sections of the economy. This will help in stimulating a consumer shift to green products and services.

Some of the provisions for accelerated depreciation could be expanded to include clean technologies which are yet to be covered under the Income Tax Act. To avoid implementation delays, the temptation to justify proposals based on revenue neutrality (through balancing potential taxation losses in one area through gains in another) needs to be resisted and long-term positive effects of green growth factored in.

The Bureau of Energy Efficiency has come up with an energy labelling programme, which could support the up-take of energy efficient and renewable products through differential excise duty. The CDM revenues scheme, as well as energy efficiency trading incomes, should be given tax breaks. Innovative financing schemes need to be introduced to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy penetration.

Addressing a Joint Session of Parliament the President of India, Pratibha Patil, said that we “must leave behind the dreary sands of dead habit” and called for the next ten years to be declared the decade of innovation. The national solar mission and technological innovation centres propsed by India at the April Bonn conference could be kick-started with the incentives for venture capital to take care of the risks and encourage innovation.

This is an opportune time for the Indian Government to show leadership to usher in a green future that can provide jobs, generate skills and also tap a growing range of global opportunities. The finance minister needs to take the opportunity to present a ‘greener’ budget to lay down a green path for India.

Scotland passes Climate Bill

2009-06-25T15:17:06Z

The Climate Group co-hosted the Scottish Green Week event, “Power of the regions”, in Brussels with different representatives of key European regional governments and experts.

Timing couldn’t have been better with the groundbreaking Climate Change Bill voted on the same day in the Scottish Parliament.

Many States and Regions in The Climate Group’s Alliance have shown leadership, but Scotland now also leads the world with voting in a bill that sets a target to reduce greenhouse gases by 42 per cent by 2020 - the most ambitious target put into law in the world.

The Bill includes:

• all internationally recognised greenhouse gases;
• emissions from international aviation and shipping;
• a system of annual targets for cuts in emissions;
• an interim target of at least 34% emissions cuts by 2020, increasing to at least 42% if the European Union agrees to 30% cuts as part of a new global agreement on climate change; and
• a legally binding commitment on all future Scottish governments to deliver at least 80% cuts in emissions by 2050.

Luc Bas from The Climate Group office in Brussels said, “Scotland has clearly understood that setting ambitious targets for a quick transition to a low carbon economy is a huge opportunity and not a burden. One can only hope that Scotland’s example will change the mood of the parties negotiating an urgent global deal in Copenhagen this December. Instead of trying to push around responsibilities they may now sit up and take notice of the advantages that ambitious climate change policies create.”

Premier Jean Charest, Quebec, Canada said, “Congratulations to the Government of Scotland on the passage of this ground breaking legislation that will bind the current and future governments to ambitious reduction targets. Scotland proves once again that federated states and regions are implementing the concrete actions that support a Global Deal in Copenhagen.”

Premier Gary Doer, Manitoba, Canada said, “Scotland is leading the way in comprehensive legislation and climate actions to deal with emissions from all sectors of the economy. The ambitions set out in the legislation and focus on green energy,energy efficiency and forests, make Scotland a world leader in climate action.”

“Scotland’s ambitious and comprehensive targets encourage other nations to step up to the plate as we look toward an international agreement in Copenhagen, and it sends a message to the world that we must act now and must act swiftly,” says Governor Schwarzenegger whose State of California is a founding member of TCG.

The Climate Group celebrates five years at the forefront of a clean industrial revolution

2009-06-22T08:29:03Z

Members and supporters of The Climate Group came together in London on 18 June to celebrate The Climate Group’s fifth anniversary and to reflect on five years of progress in the global fight against climate change.

The evening event in London’s City Hall was attended by many partners and supporters, including BT, Duke Energy, the Dutch Postcode Lottery and HSBC.

Steve Howard, CEO of The Climate Group said: “Our successes to date have had many parents. Although the climate agenda has come a long way in the last five years, much work remains still to be done. We look forward to continuing to work with all our partners around the world in calling for a new global deal on climate change and supporting the development of the policies, technologies and networks that together will unlock the low carbon economy.”

Special messages of support were delivered by Climate Group partners from around the world:

Rt Hon Tony Blair, former UK Prime Minister, said: “The Climate Group’s progressive coalition has undoubtedly helped bring about a political tipping point where a global climate deal is increasingly popular and possible. I firmly believe that through The Climate Group’s international partnerships and efforts the world will be - and is going to be - a better place tomorrow.” Watch the video.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger of California told Climate Group staff: “It has been a terrific five years… I am very proud that California is a founding member of this great organisation. Together we have done fantastic work. You were instrumental in helping pass AB-32, California’s landmark greenhouse gas reduction law....Our leadership is now pushing the Federal government to act also. You all are ‘Emissions Terminators’…so let’s all continue working together!” Watch the video.

Kung fu legend Jet Li (watch the video) and Sir Richard Branson also sent messages of support.

Five years of progress

The Climate Group was launched five years ago, when climate change science was still a debate – largely misunderstood or ignored by many of the world’s politicians, business leaders and citizens.

The Climate Group was set up in 2004 to kickstart a new dialogue around climate change and mobilise cross sector support for industrial and political action to cut global emissions of greenhouse gases.

By working closely with politicians, business leaders and consumers, The Climate Group has helped shape the current climate change dialogue around low carbon economic opportunities; and is helping to encourage new low carbon markets, policies and technologies.

Over the last five years, The Climate Group has been at the forefront of a growing clean industrial revolution and has opened offices – and gained members – in seven countries around the world including Europe, North America, China, India and Australia.

Key Milestones (2004-2009)

• established a powerful international business coalition committed to leading cuts in global emissions and involving many of the world’s major brands, companies, and CEOs from Rupert Murdoch to the CEO of China Mobile

• launched a major international consumer campaign (www.together.com) that has so far helped UK, US and Australian consumers save well over two million tonnes of CO₂ and many millions of pounds and dollars on their household bills

• established an international group of cities, states and regions around the world (many of which are major economies in their own right such as California, Florida, London and New York) who are implementing practical policies and whose climate leadership is giving vital confidence to their own national governments to do the same.

• led practical market-based solutions such as the development of the popular and robust Voluntary Carbon Standard – the first global offset standard to underpin confidence in the growing voluntary carbon market.

• conducted leading research into low carbon technologies and economic opportunities around the world.

Despite these successes, there is plenty still to do.

Today The Climate Group’s work is supporting the formal UN climate talks by partnering a major international initiative with former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, Breaking the Climate Deadlock, which aims to deepen political understanding of key building blocks necessary to achieve a fair and effective global deal in Copenhagen. Although many issues remain to be agreed, the recent shift in China and US dialogue gives cause for optimism.

It is also leading important efforts with a group of progressive international airlines to include international aviation emissions in a global deal.

Over the next three years, The Climate Group will continue to work with key business sectors and government to speed up the introduction of low carbon policies to scale up the low carbon technologies of the future.

Steve Howard wins Entrepreneur Award

2009-06-18T09:32:22Z

Steve Howard, CEO of international NGO The Climate Group, has won an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2009 award for the London and South East region.

The award was presented by BBC broadcaster Jeremy Vine at a ceremony in London this week.

Steve was one of 21 winners from the region and was described as a ‘serial social entrepreneur’ combining vision with a broad understanding of climate, energy and business issues and an ability to work at the highest levels of government and business.

His name now goes forward to a national final in October with a chance to win the title Ernst & Young Overall UK Entrepreneur Of The Year.

Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world’s most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The unique award makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential, and recognises the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement.

UN climate negotiations in Bonn, 1-12 June: TCG reports

2009-06-16T17:24:20Z

Negotiations at Bonn saw a modest degree of progress but have, on all counts, left negotiators mountains to do if they are to deliver an ambitious global climate agreement this December that sets the world firmly on the path to a low carbon economy.

With six months remaining until COP15, the focus at Bonn was to try to reach agreement on draft negotiating texts for the Copenhagen meeting.

Discussion proceeded along the two tracks established by the ‘Bali Road Map’. Through the Ad-hoc Working Group-Kyoto Protocol, those developed countries party to the Kyoto Protocol must agree new commitments beyond 2012. Meanwhile, the Ad-hoc Working Group-Long-term Cooperative Action comprises all countries working together to strengthen the Convention beyond 2012.

How did each fare?

The AWG-Long-term Cooperative Action agreed on a 200-page draft text – essentially, a list of various options – tackling the five key areas of negotiation: mitigation, adaptation, technology transfer, financing and the so-called “shared vision”.

Over the next six months, this list must be winnowed to a size manageable for consideration at COP15. Countries will need to overcome considerable divisions that remain, largely along developed and developing country lines, especially on technology transfer and mitigation commitments. Financing represents another key obstacle, although the Mexico-proposed climate fund did see growing consensus.

The AWG-Kyoto Protocol was less successful. Failing to agree to a single draft text, countries have been forced instead to submit individual proposed amendments. This leaves negotiators a massive - although not yet insurmountable – task if they are to secure agreement in December.

What now?

The Climate Group’s Policy Director Mark Kenber said: “With less than six months to go, it is essential that negotiators start to narrow down options and find consensus on some of the key issues. Leaving everything to last moment will only lead to suboptimal outcomes.”

“A big part of the problem is that countries still see this as a negotiation about how to share out costs, with each government trying to give away as little as possible. If instead they saw the agreement for what it undoubtedly is - an opportunity to reignite the world economy, cut emissions, create jobs and drive innovation – then they could look at it as an opportunity for collaboration rather than mercantilist-like competition.”

Continued negotiations on the two tracks, as well as discussions in other fora, will determine whether we will see a successful global agreement, be it from Copenhagen or a subsequent 2010 meeting.

Much depends on the progress of the US domestic legislative processes. Without a Congressional mandate, US negotiators will have little to offer at Copenhagen, likely undermining any chance of securing a global agreement there.

The US-led Major Economies Forum, the UN High-level Event on Climate Change in September, and the on-going bilateral discussions between the US and China will be crucial to developing the high-level political support necessary to resolving the current deadlocks.

Strong business support will also help pave the way toward a successful agreement. The recent Copenhagen Call, issued at the World Business Summit on Climate Change, saw global businesses together calling for an ambitious and robust agreement that will provide clear short and long-term signals for low-carbon investment and help them avoid lock-in to high-carbon infrastructure. The Climate Group will continue to work with its members and partners to strengthen this message.

From Bonn: States & Regions Programme garners support for UN recognition of sub-national action

2009-06-11T15:59:11Z

The Climate Group, in partnership with NRG4SD and several state governments, has submitted language to the UNFCCC that would formally recognize the role of Subnational governments in the Long-Term Cooperative Action Agreement In Bonn this week. These amendments, along with the amendments of local governments, are being tabled by supporting national delegations as they make their way towards an international agreement in Copenhagen.

Recognizing that local and subnational governments are and will continue to be responsible for implementing up to 80% of mitigation and adaptation actions, the initiative in Bonn this week will go a long way to ensuring the road after Copenhagen will be a success.

The language is based on a previous submission tabled in April by the national delegations of Senegal and Uruguay, that was a collaborative effort with NRG4SD, California, Quebec, Catalonia and South Australia. This submission garnered the support of international networks from around the world - including FOGAR, the European Assembly of European Regions, Northern Forum and US State voices, amongst others - with a collective reach of hundreds of states and regions world-wide, as well as from subnational leaders who responded to a call for support from TCG’s States & Regions Chair, Premier Mike Rann.

Premier Gary Doer of Manitoba: “The States and Regions Network has played a crucial leadership role in engaging sub-national governments in international efforts to address climate change. Recognition of the role Subnational governments have played and will play in meeting the challenges of climate change will create an important connection between the UNFCCC and real, on-the-ground actions that state and regional governments around the world are taking.”

Rt. Hon. Alex Salmond MSP, First Minister of Scotland: “As you know, Scotland is also taking part in international collaboration through our active involvement in The Climate Group’s States and Regions Alliance. Scottish Ministers are therefore delighted to support your calls for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to recognise the important commitment and work of state and regional governments on climate change.”

Mr Jan Franssen, Queen’s Commissioner, Province of South Holland: “We strongly support the States and Regions network’s mission to obtain recognition of the role of states and regions in the UNFCCC Long-Term Cooperative Agreement on Climate Change.”

JUNE 10TH SIDE EVENT

Several members of The Climate Group’s States & Regions Network joined a side-event in Bonn to profile this initiative and to emphasize the importance – and success - of sub-national action in tackling climate change.

Michele Fournier, representing Quebec, noted that concrete actions at the subnational level are critical to implementing a global deal post-Copenhagen. Between 2003 and 2006, Quebec has reduced its emissions by 5% . The province’s climate action plan aims to reduce GHG emissions 6% under 1990 levels by 2012. Moreover, Quebec has joined 11 North American states and provinces aiming to implement a cap-and-trade system by 2012 at the subnational level and Quebec also seeks to expand markets for alternative technologies such as the electric vehicle.

California Secretary for Environmental Protection Linda Adams (by video) outlined California’s pioneering policies on cleaner cars, alternative fuels and energy efficiency.

Rainer van Loon, of North-Rhine Westphalia described his region’s innovative action on energy efficiency, biomass, alternative energy sources, co-generation plants, and carbon capture and storage.

Luc Bas, The Climate Group’s European Director, stressed the importance of securing UNFCCC recognition of sub-national actions and noted that panellists provided concrete examples of what policies will be needed to implement a global deal coming out of Copenhagen later this year.

Airlines set out global targets for aviation emissions reductions

2009-06-09T15:25:48Z

Airlines belonging to the Aviation Global Deal (AGD) Group have returned to Bonn with the next version of their proposal for how international aviation emissions should be dealt with under a new global deal on climate change.

The Group’s updated proposal sets out a range of emission reduction scenarios and targets for UN negotiators to consider. The AGD Group believes that negotiators should set a target for the international aviation sector as part of a broader global climate agreement that would cover all international flights.

Hosting a side event at the UN Negotiating Sessions in Bonn today, the AGD Group will emphasise the importance of reaching a global deal in Copenhagen in December that fairly and equitably addresses aviation CO2 emissions. They will present three scenarios based on differing emissions reduction targets for the sector.

The AGD Group has considered a ‘carbon neutral growth’ target, a 5% reduction and a 20% reduction in emissions through to 2020, using a 2005 base-year and estimated future carbon prices. These targets were chosen to reflect the range of government, industry and NGO views regarding the role international aviation should play in helping to address global climate change. Under all scenarios, the airlines would be active participants in international carbon markets in order meet their emission targets most cost effectively.

Under the AGD proposal a proportion of the sector’s emission allowances would be auctioned to generate revenues for climate change initiatives in developing countries. Based on the scenarios assessed, auction revenues of up to USD$5 billion per annum could be generated to support activities such as climate adaptation programmes and initiatives to combat tropical deforestation, a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. AGD members highlighted the critical role these auction revenues could play in delivering a fair and equitable deal in Copenhagen.

The AGD Group also presented, for consideration by UN negotiators, a draft text on international aviation for inclusion in the ‘Copenhagen Agreement’. In line with the Group’s proposal, the text suggests a range of possible emission targets and calls for a global sectoral agreement, developed through the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), and designed to ensure equal treatment of airlines and avoid carbon leakage.

Mark Kenber, Policy Director, The Climate Group, said, “The AGD approach reflects a business perspective on what is necessary to deliver a fair and equitable outcome for airlines, informed by an understanding of the political realities of the international climate change negotiations. The AGD proposal would ensure a robust environmental outcome, achieved at the lowest cost, while generating important financial flows for addressing climate change in developing countries. This is a solution that works for the environment, the aviation industry and critically the international climate negotiations.”

Virgin Blue Airlines Group became the first Australasian airline to join the AGD Group last week.

The AGD Group will continue to engage with the industry and negotiators on its proposal in the months leading up to the Copenhagen climate conference in December.

Virgin Blue Group of Airlines backs aviation global deal to tackle emissions

2009-06-05T08:19:09Z

The Virgin Blue Group of Airlines is the first Australian operator to join a growing list of airlines and international non-profit The Climate Group, (collectively, the Aviation Global Deal Group), working to develop a way of tackling aviation emissions as part of a global deal on climate change.

The AGD Group is an expanding group of airlines seeking to develop a standardised, industry-based, recommendation on a mechanism for tackling CO₂ emissions from international aviation as part of a new global climate change deal to be agreed in Copenhagen in December.

The AGD Group’s proposal, which was shared with climate change negotiators at a UN side event in Bonn, Germany, in April, marked the first time that aviation sector companies have made direct recommendations to UN climate change officials on how their sector’s CO2 emissions should be accounted for. The AGD Group expects to release its draft proposal publically at the UNFCCC Climate Change Talks taking place in Bonn next week.

The proposal is gaining growing support from a range of aviation stakeholders, including those in developing countries who recognise the need for aviation to play its part.

The Virgin Blue Airlines Group believes that the AGD Group’s initiative is important in helping to support the industry-wide efforts of the International Air Transport Association (IATA); as well as the work of the UN’s International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), which has responsibility for developing an intergovernmental response for the sector.

Virgin Blue Airlines Chief Executive Brett Godfrey said his company which comprises Australian domestic carrier Virgin Blue, new Long Haul international airline V Australia, New Zealand based Pacific Blue, and Polynesian Blue, a joint venture airline with the Government of Samoa is committed to continuous improvement and sustainable aviation practices.

“Already we are pursuing initiatives across a wide range of our operations to offset the impact of our emissions and to limit emissions at source. We believe there is a limit to what individual airlines can achieve and it makes sense to work together globally with like-minded organisations to seek a uniform and integrated approach to international policy on aviation’s contribution to climate change.

“Aviation is a global cross-border industry. The last thing we need is a patchwork of national policies imposing conflicting or contradictory requirements on airlines,” he said.

Rupert Posner, Australian Director of The Climate Group, said: “It is extremely encouraging to see one of the leading players in Australia join the Aviation Global Deal Group. This announcement demonstrates the growing momentum that is building behind the group’s work.

“By coming to the table to discuss constructive ideas on how international aviation should be included in the next global climate deal, the Virgin Blue Group, along with the group’s other airlines, are demonstrating commendable leadership on this issue. This type of engagement will be essential in helping Australia and the world transfer to a low carbon economy.”

Virgin Blue will join existing AGD Group members – Air France - KLM, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Qatar Airways, Virgin Atlantic, airport operator BAA, and international NGO The Climate Group – when they make further recommendations to the UN in June.

The AGD Group has consulted various government, industry and NGO stakeholders on their proposals over the past months and has received wide-spread support for its approach.

Comment: Agriculture in US Midwest ‘critical’ to global climate agreement

2009-06-04T16:02:17Z

Agriculture is key both to securing a global deal and to helping reduce US emissions, writes Midwest Regional Manager Alison Hannon.

In a recent op-ed Robert Carlson, president of the North Dakota Farmers Union, writes: “The time is now to enact an effective and intelligent climate change policy. Agriculture needs to be an integral component of the policy solutions we already have at hand.” What’s more, he states, agriculture already “is well positioned to play an instrumental role in securing [those] solutions”.

Agriculture, which contributes around 14% of global greenhouse gas emissions, has always been important to solving climate change. The sector has a clear role to play in mitigating emissions.

But agriculture is also important because of its political and economic implications in US climate debates.

The political balance of power on national climate and energy issues lies in the Midwest, home to some 37% of US farmland. As Carlson notes, this farmland has a promising and profitable role to play as a solution provider to the rest of the country’s efforts to curb CO₂ emissions.

Through carbon sequestration, soil and land-use management, and biomass production, Midwestern farmland could generate potential revenue streams from low-cost forest and land-use offsets.

What’s more, such high-quality carbon offsets serve as an agreeable solution for both environmentalists and business, as they help achieve to emission reduction goals while keeping costs manageable.

This is yet another reason why the Midwestern US states are critical to securing a successful global climate agreement.

On June 29-30,The °Climate Group in partnership with the Great Plains Institute, the Prairie Climate Stewardship Network, the Great Plains Energy Corridor and Bismarck State College will hold the International Climate Stewardship Solutions Conference. This event will increase public understanding in the Northern Plains region about of the opportunities and benefits of addressing climate change. The gathering will focus on international examples of strategies, policies and technologies in other countries that have been effective in reducing greenhouse gas emissions AND achieving real benefits to key economic sectors.

Comment: The promise of LED lighting

2009-06-03T15:45:55Z

LED lighting can help us achieve deep emissions reductions, writesThe Climate Group’s Cities and Technologies Programme Director Phil Jessup. But it is up to city, state, and provincial governments to ensure their policies and regulations are able to take advantage of it.

A recent New York Times article identifies LED technology as one of the “stopgap measures that could limit global warming.” The article shows how city governments are leading the way in switching to LED lighting, with cities in China, the US, Europe and Canada all exploring - and in some cases, already using - the technology for outdoor spaces and indoor parking garages.

There is a huge opportunity to use LEDs in these applications to achieve the deep emissions reductions cities and corporations need. If we could cut electricity use for outdoor lighting globally by 1/3 we would free up enough electrons to charge roughly 25 million electric vehicles without adding any new power plants to the grid.

However, for significant scale up to occur in municipal outdoor applications, state and provincial regulations governing luminance levels will need to be changed to allow the light wavelengths that LEDs produce to be better recognized in our statutes.

Roadway and parking area lighting, which specifically account for 93% of outdoor lighting, serve as example. At present, roadway lighting standards are based on how the eye sees during the day, rather than at night. Updating the standards alone will realize additional energy savings of 25–35% because objects illuminated with LEDs at night actually appear brighter than when they are lit with conventional lamps, energy consumption being equal.

With the policies, LED lighting can help cities and corporations cut emissions greatly. If all of the world’s light bulbs were replaced with energy-efficient LEDs for a period of 10 years, researchers say it would reduce global oil consumption by 962 million barrels, reduce the need for 280 global power plants, reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 10.68 gigatons, and ultimately result in financial savings of $1.83 trillion.

The politics of climate change

2009-06-02T16:39:55Z

The Politics of Climate Change:
From economic crisis to business revolution

5 June 2009
London, UK
Event website: http://politicsofclimatechange.wordpress.com

About the event

This conference, organised by Policy Network in association with the LSE’s Centre for the Study of Global Governance, will bring together leaders of the highest rank from the worlds of politics, academia and business.

The aim of the event is to discuss how the present economic crisis can lead to a business revolution in low-carbon industries and how the state can best play an active, incentivising and facilitating role in this process. Combining interactive plenary and roundtable discussions, the conference will also address how in the global recession policymakers and business stakeholders can build long-term political support for a low-carbon transition, mitigate serious energy security concerns, and ensure that a low-carbon society does not precipitate and entrench new inequalities.

Confirmed speakers

Confirmed keynote speakers to date include:

Peter Mandelson,

Ed Miliband,

Jonas Gahr Støre,

John Podesta,

Terry Leahy,

Matthias Machnig,

Stelios Haji-Ioannou,

Adair Turner,

Richard Lambert,

David M Cote,

John Monks,

Tony Blair calls the event “a must”

For more information, visit the event website.

COMMENT: India’s climate change agenda, post elections 2009

2009-06-02T10:38:18Z

By The Climate Group’s India Director Preeti Malhotra & Advisor, V Raghuraman

In April this year, India held its 15th Lok Sabha Elections (House of the People, the directly elected Lower House of the Parliament of India) -the largest democratic election in the world (an electorate of 714 million voters). On 16 May, the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) conceded defeat, and acknowledged that they could not be the single largest party or a single largest alliance.

Dr Manmohan Singh (of the Indian National Congress led United Progressive Alliance-UPA) became the first Prime Minister of India since Jawaharlal Nehru in 1962 to win re-election after completing a full five-year term. The result not only meant defeat of the BJP led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), but it also brought out one of the worst performances by the Left Front (led by the Communist Party of India), who had been hoping to form a non-Congress, non-BJP government.

With a stable Government in New Delhi, India is likely to pursue along with G77 + China multilateral negotiations expecting an ambitious and equitable outcome at Copenhagen in accordance with common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities.

India will reiterate its stand that the mandate of Copenhagen is to enhance long term co-operation on climate change under the Bali Action Plan with sufficient finance and technology transfer from developed to developing countries. Also, that the Copenhagen package must include global action on Adaptation in addition to action on GHG abatement and reduction.

The new Environment Minister, Jairam Ramesh, a Chemical Engineer from IIT Bombay has already set the ball rolling articulating his immediate priorities.

One of the three issues that Prime Minister Singh has asked him to address on a priority basis includes giving a leadership role to India in global negotiations on climate change without compromising on growth. The Minister is quoted in media reports that if India has to achieve 8-9 per cent growth rate, its energy consumption would increase by 6-7 per cent and coal would be a major resource. For this, India will have to focus on clean coal technology, better investment decisions and environmental mitigation measures.

The other immediate priority for the new Minister is to have a more ‘business like, transparent and time bound regulatory system’. Having been the Minister of State for Power prior to taking on the Environment portfolio in the current government; the new Minister is likely to have a better understanding of the regulatory barriers to power projects. Capacity addition is the clear focus of the Power Minister for this Five Year Plan ending 2012.

The National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) launched by Prime Minister Singh in 2008 will now continue to define the national strategy to tackle climate change. With its eight missions; NAPCC is India’s domestic plan for sustainable development; the specific projects under each mission with targets wherever possible. This is distinct from binding international commitments as India believes that subjecting national aspirational efforts to an international compliance regime may result in lower ambitions.

India is likely to roll out an ambitious Solar Mission Programme, the Energy Efficiency Trading Certificates and Renewable Energy Certificates under the Energy efficiency mission. These offer good promise for international cooperation and engagement. The proposal put up by India at the April Bonn deliberations of establishing Global Innovation Centers has met with appreciation.

There is no likelihood of any dramatic shift in India’s stand in climate change negotiations; the NAPCC would continue to represent India’s resolve to deal with the issue for which road maps are being evolved. It would expect developed countries to take on deep and significant cuts in emissions as fulfillment of their historic responsibility. It will seek recognition of India’s statesmanship on the issue by putting a cap on its emissions by not allowing its per capita GHG emissions to exceed the average per capita emissions of the developed countries.

India is likely to get a stronger voice at Copenhagen with continuity in thinking and approach to multilateral negotiations post elections. Discussions with India presents a huge opportunity as India believes that investment in addressing Climate Change, especially in renewable energy, could create new industries, new jobs and spur technological innovation. Developed countries participation in enhancing the effectiveness of the efforts can count on India as a part of the solution.

ScottishPower joins The Climate Group in CCS knowledge partnership

2009-05-29T08:40:24Z

ScottishPower and The Climate Group have entered a unique agreement to fight climate change together by sharing knowledge about the introduction of carbon capture and storage (CCS)
technology.

A consortium led by ScottishPower is today launching the a prototype carbon capture unit as part of its plans to develop the UK’s first commercial scale CCS project at its Longannet Power Station in Fife, Scotland by 2014. The unit represents the first time emissions have been captured from a working UK coal-fired power plant.

The partnership with The Climate Group - which works with businesses and governments around the world to accelerate a low carbon economy - will ensure that the intelligence ScottishPower gathers about making CCS a commercial reality, reaches developing nations such as China, India and Brazil.

ScottishPower and The Climate Group are both convinced of the urgent need to prove the viability of CCS technology, and see knowledge sharing as a vital tool in breaking down barriers to global CCS demonstration. Recognising that CCS is not just an energy issue, but a technology that can make a major contribution to reducing global CO₂ emissions, The Climate Group will work with ScottishPower to bring a vital environmental perspective to their CCS project learning, and actively share knowledge amongst its global coalition of leading business and Governments committed to working towards climate change solutions.

It is hoped the collaboration, which is thought to be the first of its kind anywhere in the world, will also provide a route map for other energy providers as they search for market-based solutions to combat climate change caused by CO₂ emissions.

Nick Horler, Chief Executive of ScottishPower, said: “We are determined to make the UK a Centre of Excellence to help accelerate the deployment of full-scale Carbon Capture and Storage. We are delighted that The Climate Group has recognised the value of our work in this area and agreed to partner with us to share and shape the vital learning we will gain as we progress our work on understanding CCS.”

Steve Howard, CEO of The Climate Group said, “Unabated, coal has no role in a low carbon future. We need to know sooner rather than later whether CCS can be a viable large scale solution for reducing global emissions. ScottishPower understands this urgency and is at the forefront of developing practical technology solutions to meet the challenge. We are delighted that ScottishPower is joining our global business coalition and fully support its ambition to share CCS knowledge internationally.”

Postcode Lottery Green Challenge Seeks Climate Change Breakthrough

2009-05-27T13:53:01Z

The Postcode Lottery Green Challenge 2009, an international creative competition, seeks to engage creative, innovative people prepared to instigate change.

Its sponsor, the Dutch Postcode Lottery, urges people around the world to send in innovative ideas for products and services that would reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The judges welcome any product or service that would contribute to an eco-friendly lifestyle, directly reduce emissions, and score highly on convenience, quality and design.

The person with the best invention will win €500,000 to make his or her plan reality, and two other brilliant ideas could win €100,000.

To learn and to enter, please visit the Green Challenge 2009 website

Global business leaders issue “Copenhagen Call”

2009-05-26T11:48:46Z

As the World Business Summit on Climate Change drew to a close, business announced that a new global climate treaty must set bold targets for emissions reductions by 2020 and 2050, limiting the global average rise in temperature to a maximum of 2 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels. This requires immediate and substantial action leading to an abatement of around 17Gt versus business-as-usual by 2020, they said.

Emissions reduction at this scale will profoundly affect business but the ‘Call’ states that business leaders stand ready to make those changes and support ambitious political decisions that support economic recovery and safeguard the planet.

“Economic recovery and urgent action to tackle climate change are complementary – boosting the economy and jobs through investment in the new infrastructure needed to reduce emissions,” the Call further states.

This and further recommendations form the basis of the ‘Copenhagen Call’ – a concise statement, which sets out the elements business believes are required for an effective new global climate treaty to be forged.

“The ambition of the Copenhagen Call shows that business need not be a conservative voice on climate change. Many of the businesses represented at this significant event in the lead up to COP15 want brave decisions that will tackle this most wicked of problems,” says Tim Flannery, Chair of the Copenhagen Climate Council.

Steve Howard, CEO of The Climate Group, says: “Business wants a global deal on climate change that is long, loud and legal: Climate policy must create clear long-term certainty on incentives, targets and timelines for unleashing the private sector strategies and investments needed to make a low-carbon economy possible.”

The Copenhagen Call was presented by the Copenhagen Climate Council, informed by discussions with the World Business Council on Sustainable Development; 3C; the World Economic Forum Climate Change Initiative; the UN Global Compact and The °Climate Group, and deliberations among participants at the World Business Summit on Climate Change, May 26 2009.

The Copenhagen Call

“As global business leaders assembled at the World Business Summit on Climate Change, we call upon our political leaders to agree an ambitious and effective global climate treaty at COP15 in Copenhagen. Sustainable economic progress requires stabilizing and then reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Success at COP 15 will remove uncertainty, unleash additional investment, and bolster current efforts to revive growth in a sustainable way.... “

Read the complete Copenhagen Call text.

12:30pm BST: Watch the “Copenhagen Call” live from the WBSCC

2009-05-26T10:25:56Z

Global business leaders will gather today at the final session of the World Business Summit on Climate Change to present the “Copenhagen Call” to the Danish hosts of COP15.

Watch the live webcast at May 26th, 12:30pm BST.

Video highlights from the three day Summit will also be available on the site.

About the WBSCC
The World Business Summit on Climate Change brings together global business leaders with the world’s top scientists, economists, civil society, media leaders, government representatives and other leading thinkers to put forward recommendations for the next international framework on climate change.

UNDP and The Climate Group to work together to promote regional climate partnerships and solutions

2009-05-25T18:48:47Z

The Climate Group and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have signed an important MOU committing to help subnational governments, in both developed and developing countries, take ambitious climate action.

This collaboration will focus its efforts on forging partnerships between developed and developing country regions to implement actions in energy efficiency, renewable energy, technology transfer, and adaptation across continental borders.

The signing of the MOU fulfills one of the commitments the Statement of Action which State and Regional Leaders delivered to the UNFCCC in December 2008.

Steve Howard, CEO of The Climate Group, welcomed the partnership: “The Climate Group works with leading States and Regions around the world to accelerate practical low carbon policy solutions; from mandating innovative energy efficiency programs and renewable energy use to introducing clean car standards.

“Our new joint commitment with the United Nations Development Program is significant and will ensure that progressive action and best practice in emissions reduction can be transferred between developed and developing country regions around the world to speed and concert global efforts to combat climate change.”

The signing took place at a side-event on international cooperation amongst sub-national governments just prior to the 2009 World Business Summit on Climate Change. The event also included presentations on subnational climate leaders from members of The Climate Group’s States and Regions network, including Minister Jane Davidson of Wales and MP Chloe Fox of South Australia.

The Climate Group convenes WBSCC carbon markets work stream

2009-05-25T08:10:19Z

Day 2 of the World Business Summit on Climate Change – a gathering of top business leaders, policy makers, negotiators, experts and scientists – was dominated by the working group sessions focusing on the means to achieve a rapid transition to a low carbon economy.

The carbon markets work stream, developed by The Climate Group with the International Emissions Trading Association (IETA) and the Carbon Markets and Investors Association (CMIA) drew high level participation. Expert speakers included policy-makers such as Jos Delbeke, Deputy Director-General for the Environment at the European Commission; financiers such as Caio Koch-Weser, Vice Chairman, Deutsche Bank and; CEOs such as Jim Rogers of Duke Energy and Zhengrong Shi of Suntech Power.

The discussions began with the good, the bad and the ugly of current carbon market regimes: carbon markets have resulted in quantifiable emissions reductions in the EU, and a price on carbon has induced a change in corporate boardroom decision-making processes. Carbon markets have been successful for the deployment of existing technology but less effective at stimulating innovation and capacity constraints in the Clean Development Mechanism have hindered projects coming on line.

Looking forward, robust emissions data is essential to set stringent caps and create scarcity of allowances in the market. Businesses require more predictability and transparency of future carbon market arrangements, with clarity on auctioning, offsetting and institutional arrangements. This will allow them to make longer term decisions on investment. An aim for the next UN Climate Change Conference in December will be to set a framework to enable regional emissions trading schemes to link and create a global carbon market.

The discussions from the work streams helped inform the Copenhagen Call – a statement by the global business community on the elements business believe are required for an effective new global climate treaty. The recommendations from the working groups will also be fed in to the next round of UN climate change talks starting on 1 June in Bonn.

The speakers for the carbon markets working group were:

Abyd Karmali, Global Head of Carbon Markets, Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Jos Delbeke, Deputy Director-General for the Environment, European Commission
Koen Coppenholle, Head of European Affairs, ArcelorMittal
Mahesh Babu, CEO, IL&FS Ecosmart
Tracy Wolstencroft, Global Head, Centre for Environmental Markets, Goldman Sachs
Henry Derwent, President and CEO, International Emissions Trading Association
Ian Marchant, CEO, Scottish and Southern Energy
James E. Rogers, Chairman, President and CEO, Duke Energy
Zhengrong Shi, CEO, Suntech Power
Caio Koch-Weser, Vice Chairman, Deutsche Bank

Samuel A. DiPiazza, CEO PricewaterhouseCoopers chaired the sessions and Mark Kenber, Policy Director, The Climate Group, was rapporteur.