The commercial air transport industry is targeting a cap of CO2 emissions through carbon neutral growth from 2020 and aims
to halve emissions by 2050, compared to 2005 levels, ensure the aviation industry's compatibility with the Paris climate agreement goals. (Source: International Air Transport Association, Biofuels Int'l, 24 June, 2019)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Aviation Biofuel news, Carbon Tax news, news,
By 2035 all of HP's global operations will be powered by 100 pct renewable electricity and the amount of recycled plastics used in HP personal computers and printers will hit 30 pct by 2025, according to the report.
HP also says its sustainable impact programmes drove almost $1 billion of new revenue in 2018 -- up 35 pct on 2017.
In addition, HP noted that it has an approved Science-Based Target (SBT) in place to cut its direct GHG emissions 25 pct by 2025, against a 2015 baseline, alongside a goal to cut emissions associated with the use of its products by a quarter by 2020.
The company also plans to cut its supply chain emissions by 10 pct by 2025, against a base year of 2015. (Source: HP, BusinessGreen, 15 June, 2019) Dion Weisler, HP's president and CEO www.hpe.com;
Science-Based Targets Initiative, www.sciencebasedtargets.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Green Energy, Science-Based Target , Renewable Energy, Carbon Emissions ,
As absurd and politically motivated as it may appear, the EPA's new rule could, by the agency's own admission, result in 1,400 more premature deaths by 2030 than the Obama-era plan it will replace.
The Obama Clean Power Plan, which was never officially implemented, would have prevented 3,600 premature deaths a year, 1,700 heart attacks and 90,000 asthma attacks, as well as cut greenhouse gas emissions by up to 32 pct compared to 2005 levels, according to analysis conducted by the Obama era EPA.
The Trump administration's plan is a shamefully thin- veiled move to support the coal industry, as promised in his election campaign. Environmental groups and several states who see Trump's action as detrimental to clean air and efforts to fight the climate crisis have already given notice of impending action against the Trump plan.
(Source: EPA, Various Media, 19 June, 2019)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Obama Clean Power Plan, Coal, Carbon Emissions,
The European Parliament and the EU's climate chief Miguel Arias Canete have called for the bloc to aim for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, saying legislation passed since the Paris Climate Agreement puts the EU on track to surpass its current emissions reduction target.
Poland and other EU member states that rely on coal for power production , along with Germany and its its powerful automotive sector, balk at deeper emission cuts.
(Source: Various Media, Reuters, CNBC, June, 2019)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Coal, GHGs, Carbon Emissions, EU,
The May 2019 deforestation is 25 pct higher than in May 2018, May, and twice that of May, 2017.
Earlier this year, Brazil's freshman President Jair Bolsonaro's administration was reportedly planning to follow US President Donald Trump's lead and pull Brazil out of the Paris Climate Agreement. In his first 5 months in office, Bolsonaro abolished the ministries that dealt with climate change, trimmed the remaining agencies' budgets and now wants to privatize vast areas of the Amazon rain forest for agribusiness, timber and mining interests. (Source: Various Media, Reuters, June, 2019)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Amazon Deforestation, Carbon Emissions, Deforestation,
If approved by the Senate, HB 2020 would raise gasoline prices by 22 cents per gallon by 2021 and by $3 a gallon by 2050.
The goal is to reduce emissions by least 45 pct below 1990 emissions levels by 2035 and to at least 80 pct below 1990 emissions levels by 2050.
(Source: Various Media, Willamette Week, 17 June, 2019)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Emissions, Climate Change,
The first rule sets a CO2 cap for the state's electricity generating sector at 18 million tons for 2020. The state's cap on carbon emissions will decline by 30 pct through 2030. According to the DEP, electricity generation produced 20.7 million tons of greenhouse gases in 2016.
The second rule focuses on how the Department of Environmental Protection will spend proceeds from the sale of RGGI power plant carbon allowances on environmental justice projects. As of Jan., 2018, RGGI auctions raised $2.7 billion that is being used to fund clean-energy and energy efficiency programs.
New Jersey was a founding member of RGGI, but Republican Gov. and former presidential hopeful Chris Christie pulled the Garden State from the agreement in 2012 on the grounds that it had "no discernible or measurable impact upon our environment." RGGI member states include Delaware, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
(Source: New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, NJTV News, 17 June, 2019) Contact: New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, www.nj.gov/dep; RGGI, www.rggi.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Cap-and-Trade, RGGI, GHG, Greenhouse Gas, Carbon Emissions,
The percentage of woodland cover in the UK remains at 13 pct; England has 10 pct, while Wales and Scotland have 15 and 19 pct respectively. All of this is part of the country's effort to battle climate change, with the increased number of trees being described as a "critical contribution to the global climate emergency."
Even so, studies show there's now so much CO2 in the atmosphere that an area larger then the entire US would have to be reforested just to capture 10 pct of the world's annual CO2 emissions.
The Woodland Trust is the largest woodland conservation charity in the United Kingdom concerned with the creation, protection, and restoration of native woodland heritage. It has planted over 43 million trees since 1972.
(Source: Woodland Trust, UNILAD News, 12 June, 2019)
Contact: Woodland Trust, www.woodlandtrust.org.uk
More Low-Carbon Energy News Woodland Trust , Climate Change, Carbon Emissions, Reforestation,
Students will receive workplace "on the job" training for jobs focusing on reducing carbon emissions from vehicles.
The program will be additional to the college's existing automotive technology program. (Source: Miramar College, City News Service, 14 June, 2019) Contact: Miramar College, www.sdmiramar.edu
More Low-Carbon Energy News California Energy Commission, Alternative Fuels,
Annual emissions have to reduce by 29-32 gigatonnes of equivalent carbon dioxide (CO2e) by 2030 to maintain a fighting chance to stay below 1.5 degree C -- a five-fold increase on current ambitions, the report notes.
According to the report, carbon offset schemes were set up to allow the largest polluters who exceed permitted emissions’ levels to fund projects, such as reforestation, that reduce CO2 in the air, essentially balancing out their emissions equation. The types of carbon offset projects that are implemented range from forestry sequestration projects to energy efficiency and renewable energy projects (which reduce future CO2 emissions in the atmosphere).
Carbon offsets are useful while infrastructure and industry make the transition to electric mobility, alternative energy and the new technology necessary for low- and zero-carbon lifestyles. Where there are no viable alternatives in the short term, an offset scheme promises to cancel out the emissions in one place with emission-reducing actions in another.
Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) credits have also come under fire with a 2016 study found 85 pct of the offsets had a "low likelihood" of creating real reductions, and the UN has struggled to reconcile its support for offsets with evidence that they are problematic.
Download the UN Carbon Offsets are Not Our Get-Out-of-Jail Free Card
report HERE; (Source: UN Environment, Pro Publica, 10 June, 2019) Contact: UN Environment, Niklas.Hagelberg, Niklas.Hagelberg@un.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News CDM, Carbon Emissions, Carbon Offsets,
Following the communities of Pownal, Randolph, Middlebury, and Swanton, RAMP is the fifth community participant in the Climate Economy Model Communities Program at the not-for-profit Montpelier-based Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD), which works to connect rural economic development to climate change responses.
The RAMP campaign encourages commercial building and homeowners to install solar panels, convert from fossil fuels to renewable electricity, weatherize their buildings and otherwise save money while saving energy and reducing emissions. (Source: The Bridge, 12 June, 2019)
Contact: Vermont Council on Rural Development, 802-223-6091, www.vtrural.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency,
According to the report, energy consumption growth was driven by natural gas, which contributed more than 40 pct of the increase. All fuels grew faster than their 10-year averages, apart from renewables, although renewables still accounted for the second largest increment to energy growth.
The report found the rapid increase in carbon emissions was at least partially due to the sharp increase in abnormally hot and cold days around the world, which in turn led consumers to use more energy for cooling and heating. China, the US, and India together accounted for more than two-thirds of the global increase in energy demand, with US consumption expanding at its fastest rate for 30 years.
Download the BP 2018 Statistical Review of World Energy HERE.
(Source: BP, Statistical Review of World Energy, Digital Journal, June, 2019) Contact: BP, www.bp.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News BP, Climate Change, Carbon Emissions,
Under the Paris Climate Agreement, the Netherlands committed to reducing CO2 emissions by 15 pct by 2020.
Jan De Nul Group provides maritime construction and maintenance services internationally.(Source: Jan DeNul Group, Wikipedia, Biofuels Digest, 12 June, 2019) Contact: Jan De Nul Group, +352 39 89 11,
+352 39 96 43 -- fax., info@dmmlux.com, www.jandenul.com/en
More Low-Carbon Energy News Drop-in Biofuel, Biofuel, Carbon Emissions,
The EU has also committed to reducing its GHG emissions by at least 40 pctt by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. EU directives require that logging activities relative to the tree population remain unchanged and EC has accordingly asked Finland to specify future logging amounts and assess whether its current calculations for wood use are appropriate in light of alarming rises in GHG emissions.
(Source: Finland Natural Resources Institute, Barents Observer, YLE News, 11 June, 2019) Contact: Finland Natural Resources Institute, Prof. Aleksi Lehtonen, +358 29 532 6000,
www.luke.fi/en
More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Emissions, Forest Carbon Sink,
In a statement the Manitoba Minister of Sustainable Dev elopement said; "We've removed the carbon-pricing (tax) element from our plan and are moving forward with getting real emissions reductions. (There are) several more initiatives to come that will help us transition to a low-carbon future without imposing a tax on Manitobans."<
In 2017,
the federal Liberal government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Manitoba's then proposed carbon tax was insufficient an demanded the province match the federal carbon tax of $20 a tonne rising to $50 per ton by 2022. To date,
Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario and New Brunswick have challenged the federal carbon tax plan.
(Source: Manitoba Ministry of Sustainable Development, CBC, Canadian Press, 10 June, 2019) Contact:
Manitoba Sustainable Development, Hon. Rochelle Squires, Minister, (204) 945-6784, www.gov.mb.ca/sd
More Low-Carbon Energy News Manitoba Carbon Tax, Canada Carbon Tax, Carbon Emissions, Climate Change,
According to the report, Taiwan should follow the mindset of the Deep Decarbonization Pathways Project (DDPP), a global consortium formed in 2013. Although Taiwan is not a member of the DDPP, it could study the various open-source research and policy recommendations to reduce annual carbon emissions per person to 1.7 metric tons by 2050, which is also a goal set by the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement.
Based on the progress of Taiwan's Greenhouse Gas Reduction and Management Act, it is likely that the country will only be able to reduce carbon emissions per person to 5.4-6 metric tons by 2050, which is far higher than the figure set by the DDPP, the white paper cautioned.
The study also recommends the government should revisit related government-led strategies concerning carbon trading, energy taxes and draft better incentives for industry and consumers.
The government should also push a more comprehensive climate act to serve as a national guideline, an create an open and transparent platform so that stakeholders from the public and private sectors can exchange climate change related information.
Academia Sinica, headquartered in Nangang District, Taipei, is the national academy of the Republic of China. It supports research activities in a wide variety of disciplines, ranging from mathematical and physical sciences, to life sciences, the humanities and social sciences. (Source: Academia Sinica, Focus Taiwan, June, 2019)
Contact: Academia Sinica, +886 2 2782 2120, www.sinica.edu.tw/en; Deep Decarbonization Pathways Project, www.deepdecarbonization.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Climate Change, Low-Carbon Economy,
The emissions trading programme incorporates continuous emissions monitoring systems to track industry emissions in real time. About 350 Surat area industries have installed continuous emissions monitoring systems, the data from which will be used to implement and carry out industrial pollution audits and set incentives to encourage compliance.
The Gujarat programme is the first in the world to regulate particulate air pollution, the single-largest threat to human health globally according to the Air Quality Life Index (AQLI).
(Source: Gujarat Pollution Control Board, livemint, 6 June, 2019) Contact: Gujarat Pollution Control Board, gpcb.gujarat.gov.in
More Low-Carbon Energy News Cap-and-Trade, Carbon Emissions,
The 2050 net-zero target was recently recommended by the Committee on Climate Change (CCC), the UK's independent climate advisory body which estimated that reaching net zero would come in at £50 billion a year. The UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy puts the figure at £70 billion, according to the FT.
The Chancellor and Under-Treasurer of Her Majesty's Exchequer, commonly known as the Chancellor of the Exchequer, or simply the Chancellor, is a senior official within the Government of the United Kingdom and head of Her Majesty's Treasury. The office is a British Cabinet-level position. (£1 = $1.27 US)
(Source: Financial Times, Carbon Brief, Various Media, June, 2019) Contact: The Rt Hon Philip Hammond MP - GOV.UK
www.gov.uk/government/people/philip-hammond; Committee on Climate Change, www.theccc.org.uk
More Low-Carbon Energy News Committee on Climate Change, Net-Zero Emissions, Carbon Emissions,
Forests can store large amounts of carbon and so monitoring photosynthesis is an accurate way to track global carbon levels and measure how much CO2 is being stored. For evergreen trees which remain green all year round, it’s challenging to measure photosynthesis and carbon uptake. In the new study, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers found a way to use solar-induced fluorescence (SIF) emitted by evergreen trees to monitor seasonal changes in photosynthesis and GPP. SIF occurs when chlorophyll levels return from a dormant state, and a photon is emitted which produces a faint “glow” not visible to the naked eye. Satellites can now detect SIF glow, and the researchers used scanning spectrometers to measure SIF in an evergreen forest in Colorado. The team found that fluorescence was a reliable indicator of seasonal chlorophyll changes matching the same patterns found in deciduous forests. Having a way to monitor GPP in both evergreen and deciduous forests will help researchers understand how climate change is impacting forests over a large scale.
“Ultimately, measuring the small fluorescent glow from plants will allow us to see exactly timing and magnitude of carbon uptake from the terrestrial biosphere. This will help us understand how forests are responding to climate change and suggest how they might respond to future climate change,” said Troy Magney, research scientist of the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory and a lead author of the study. (Source: University of Utah, earth.com, May, 2019)
More Low-Carbon Energy News CO2 Storage, Carbon Storage, Carbon Emissions,
More Low-Carbon Energy News CO2 Storage, Carbon Storage, Carbon Emissions,
More Low-Carbon Energy News CO2 Storage, Carbon Storage, Carbon Emissions,
Xcel Energy's annual Corporate Responsibility Report tracks non-financial performance and includes information related to environmental impact, safety, economic development, community giving and workplace programs.
Download Xcel Energy's Destination 2050: Building the Future --
2018 Corporate Responsibility Report
HERE. (Source: Xcel Energy, PR, BusinessWire, 29 May, 2019)
Contact: Xcel Energy Media Relations
(612) 215-5300, www.xcelenergy.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Xcel Energy, Carbon Emissions,
The card uses the Aland Index to quantify consumers' carbon footprint and compute offset costs using the World Bank's carbon price. Consumers can use the data supplied to either reduce their carbon footprint through behavior change, or to buy offset credits from UN-certified projects that reduce, avoid or remove GHG emissions.
Users can also directly compensate for their GHG emissions, through projects meeting the criteria of UN-certified green projects. To identify the carbon dioxide (CO2) impact of each transaction, the Do card uses the Aland Index, developed in 2017 by Bank of Aland in Finland.
Partnering with the Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the initiative encourages users to compensate their carbon footprints in UN-certified projects that reduce, avoid or remove GHG emissions. The projects are implemented in developing countries and are rewarded with Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) as well as Gold Standard. Ranging from cleaner-burning cook stoves to wind-generated electricity and clean waste disposal, all projects contribute to global emissions reductionsA savings product by the company offers an interest rate that includes investment in climate-friendly projects. (Source: UNFCCC Press Release, 30 April, 2019) Contact: UNFCCC, www.unfccc.int
More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Emissions, Climate Change, UFCCC,
Currently, CO2 emissions are measured by conducting "inventories" of fuel burning on a country-by-country basis which, while it can provide a workable estimate of global emissions figures, is affected by poor measuring and reporting protocols by a number of national governments. It is also limited by the scope of the observation equipment used on satellites presently used to measure emissions and track climate change. The new satellites will orbit the planet 14 times a day, passing over each individual source of CO2 emissions approximately every two to three days.
(Source: European Space Agency, Government Europa, 29 May, 2019) Contact: European Space Agency, Mark Drinkwater, +33 1 53 69 76 54, www.esa.int
More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Emissions, Climate Change,
More than 200 companies represent the global pharmaceutical market, yet only 25 consistently reported their direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions in the past five years. Of those, only 15 reported their emissions since 2012, the report notes.
According to the report, the total global emissions of the pharma sector amounts to about 52 megatonnes of CO2e in 2015, more than the 46.4 megatonnes of CO2e generated by the automotive sector in the same year. The reports calculates the value of the pharma market is smaller than the automotive market the pharma market is 28 pct smaller yet 13 pct more polluting than the automotive sector.
(Source: The Conversation, 27 May, 2019) (Contact: The Conversation, www.theconversation.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News CO2 Emissions, Carbon Emissions, GHGs,
Despite Australia's Paris Climate Accord pledge to cut its emissions by between 26 and 28 pct from 2005 levels by 2030 , Australia's carbon emissions have risen for the fourth consecutive year, according to the report.
(Source: Xinhua, China.org.cn, 30 May, 2019)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Australia, Carbon Emissions,
In reaching these levels, less coal was used for heat and electric power production but this was offset by higher industrial and transport emissions, the latter increasing for the fourth consecutive year.
The report notes EU GHG emissions have decreased since 1990 as a combined result of policies, economic and structural factors and, on average, milder winters. The largest emission cuts have been made in the energy sector, due to efficiency improvements, increased use of renewables and a less carbon intensive mix of fossil fuels. -- more gas, and less coal and oil. Energy efficiency and renewable energy will continue to play a key role in cutting future emissions and helping the EU achieve its 40 pct reduction target by 2030. (Source: European Environment Agency, Various Media, Eurasia Review, 30 May, 2019) Contact: European Environment Agency, www.eea.europa.eu.
More Low-Carbon Energy News European Environment Agency , Carbon Emissions,
Grants will be available to community organizations and housing developers through a competitive process and will fund up to 20-pct of a project's total cost. The city has reserved $10,000 for grants in 2019, but there is a resolution circulating among council members to add another $30,000.
The Backyard Solar program is an addition to the MadiSUN residential program, which helps homeowners put solar panels on their rooftops. The City also offers a program that includes $30,000 in rebates for businesses that install solar.
In 2017, Madison became the first city in Wisconsin to set a goal of 100 percent renewable energy and net-zero carbon emissions for both city operations and residents. (Source: City of Madison, 28 May, 2019) Contact: MadiSUN Program, https://madisunsolar.com; Renew Wisconsin, Heather Allen, program director for Renew Wisconsin, which administers the MadiSUN programs for the city, Tyler Huebner, Executive Director, (608) 255-4044, www.renewwisconsin.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Solar, Community Solar, MadiSUN, Renew Wisconsin,
To that end, CEMEX is focusing on Climate Change Mitigation (SDG 13) and Environmental and Ecosystem Conservation (SDG 15) and other goals that are directly connected with the company's business and represent a better opportunity to contribute to the UN 2030 Agenda.
(Source: CEMEX, PR, 27 May, 2019) Contact: CEMEX, Fernando A. González, CEO, www.cemex.com; United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News CEMEX, Climate Change, Carbon Emissions,
"We know that the Earth is warming; years ago it was covered in ice. Several times since it has gone through periods of being encapsulated in ice!!! Fifty-five thousand years old samples drawn from Antarctic core drills indicate the Earth was 2% warmer than it is today. The reason for this is that the proximity between the sun and the Earth is in a constant state of flux., "The United Nations has propagated an agenda that has a goal of establishing income equality between all countries. To reach that objective, they have decided on the 'Robin Hood' approach -- rob from the rich and give to the poor. Guess who the villain is -- that's right, the USA. How do they accomplish this? They develop a 'Chicken Little' narrative and generate a villain -- that rich country whose people live in luxury.
"Please humor me while we address the UN's narrative. They repeatedly reiterate that 97 pct of the scientists say that the earth is warming and it is caused by humans and the use of 'fossil fuels.' In 1988, The UN formed a committee, The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, (IPCC) 11,944 scientists were questioned. Of those, 66.4 pct (7,930) said they did not believe that was true. Of the other 4,014, 1,344 said they did not know leaving 2,670 that agreed, which is 22 pct, not 97 pct. That is the first big lie!!! The question I have is: How many of those 22 pct have a parochial interest in the warming equation? Bear in mind that our government spent $22 billion in 2016 to have this warming theory authenticated, with most going to academics.
"Next, let's address the fossil fuel cause. 70.9 pct of the Earth's surface consists of ocean water. The National Oceanographic Survey Department states that the average depth of the ocean is 12,100 feet, which means there are 351,600,000,000,000,000,000 gallons of water in the ocean.
"Salt water weighs 8.5 lbs. per gallon. One pound of water uses 1 BTU to raise the temperature 1 degree Fahrenheit. All countries combined in 2015 produced 9 billion tons of coal. The heat factor of the Pittsburgh seam of coal is 12,000 BTU. Using the 35/65 pct factor with 35 pct used to generate electricity and 65 pct lost to the stack gases, allowing for 0 pct dissipated to the land masses or the atmosphere, all heat being transferred to the ocean, it would take 21,610 years to raise the temperature of the ocean 1 degree Fahrenheit!
"We (the U.S.) are the only industrialized country that has cut CO2 emissions since 2005. Following is a list of coal-fired power plants in several other countries: Europe has 480 and is building 27 more; Turkey- 56 and building 93; South Africa-79, building 24; India- 589, building 446; Philippines- 19, building 60; South Korea- 58, building 26; Japan- 90, building 45; China- 2363, building 1171; and the USA- 359, building 0 . Totals: 4,075 existing and 1,892 under construction not including Russia, North Korea and Eastern Europe, with most of their electric generation being coal fired.
"My fellow Americans, the most outrageous hoax that has ever been attached to any group of people since the beginning of mankind is attempting to be heaped on the United States of America -- all in the interest of taxing this country into oblivion.
They are trying to do what two World Wars, communism and socialism could not accomplish, but it is being condoned and sanctioned from within by progressive liberals who apparently have had lobotomies, or missed a good chance, and our own politicians who gush with delight at the unending stream of $$$$ coming from this potential 'Cash Cow'"! (Source: WCWV, Exponent Telegram, 26 May, 2019) Contact: Exponemt Telegram,
Mr. Phil Southern, (800) 982-6034, www.wvnews.com/theet/news
More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Emissions, Coal,
Beginning June 1, 2019 to December 2022, the carbon tax rate will be 120 rand ($8.34) per tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e).
Allowable tax breaks will reduce the effective rate to between 6 rand and 48 rand per tonne of CO2, according to the National Treasury release. (Source: South African National Treasury,Citizen, Various Media, 26 May, 2019)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Tax,
The Council will use the funds for various schemes including the installation of solar panels, upgrading both interior and exterior lighting to LEDs for increased energy efficiency, and upgrading inefficient oil boiler systems. With the upgrades, the Council predicts that carbon emissions could be reduced by 1600 tpy for an annual savings of ,£ 600,000 on energy bills.
London-headquartered Salix Finance Ltd. provides interest-free Government funding to the public sector to improve their energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and lower energy consumption and costs. (Source: Highland Council, Energy North, SPP, May, 2019) Contact: Highland Council, www.highland.gov.uk; Salix Finance Ltd., +44 20 3102 6900, www.salixfinance.co.uk
More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency,
Xcel's broader energy plan includes extending the life of the Monticello nuclear plant, continuing to rely on natural gas power plants and increased focus on renewable energy sources.
(Source: Xcel Energy, MPR News, 22 May, 2019) Contact: Xcel Energy, www.xcelenergy.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Xcel Energy, Carbon Emissions, Coal,
SB19-236, which has passed the State House and Senate, directs all utilities in the state to set a goal of 80 pct carbon reduction by 2030, followed by 100 pct carbon-free electric power generation by 2050.
SB19-236 also allows electric utilities to use low-cost bonds to help refinance retiring fossil fuel generating facilities, a call for distribution system planning and plans to create new workforce and community transition opportunities.
(Source: Colorado PUC, Various Media, PV Mag, May, 2019) Contact: Colorado PUC, (303) 894-2000, www.colorado.gov/pacific/dora/puc
More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Emissions, Renewable Energy, Carbon Neutral,
The ComEd Energy Efficiency Program offers assessments, rebates, discounts, and recycling programs that have saved customers more than 35 million mWh of electricity -- equivalent of eliminating approximately 44 billion pounds of carbon emissions from the atmosphere or removing over than 4 million cars from the road for a year.
The ComEd program also helped drive the purchase of more than 130 million energy-efficient light bulbs and provided more than $956 million in energy-efficiency improvements.
(Source: ComEd, PR, 23 May, 2019)
Contact:, ComEd, Jane Park, Snr, VP,(312) 394-3500, www.comed.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Commonwealth Edison, Energy Efficiency,
Joining WattTime in the carbon tracking initiative are non-profits Carbon Tracker, a financial think tank that analyses the economic impacts of the energy transition and the first organization to pioneer satellite-based power plant monitoring; and World Resources Institute (WRI) which maintains a comprehensive global power plant database.
(Source: WattTime, PR, 20 May, 2019) Contact: WattTime, Gavin McCormick, Executive Director , (510) 201-9877, www.watttime.org; World Resources Institute, Dan Lashof, U.S. Director,www.wri.org; Carbon Tracker, www.carbontracker.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Tracker, Carbon Emissions, Power Plant Emissions, WattTime, Google, World Resources Institute,
Japan's government has set a goal of cutting domestic emissions by 80 pct by 2050. The Tokyo Metropolitan government has gone a step further and plans for effectively zero emissions in Tokyo by 2050. The strategy will include a 40 percent reduction in incinerated plastic waste by 2030.
Koike announced her plans to representatives of 26 of the world's major cities at the Urban 20 Mayors Summit now underway in Japan.
Urban 20 (U20) is a new diplomatic initiative, convened by C40 Cities and UCLG, to help cities develop collective messages and inclusive solutions for global issues such as climate action, the future of work and social integration, and related information.
(Source: U20 Mayors, NHK World Japan, 21 May, 2019) Contact: Urban 20 Mayors, www.urban20.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Emissions , CO2,
Through a variety of strategic initiatives, the company will cut carbon emissions across its global production sites from nearly 2 million tons recorded in 2017 to 960,000 tons by the end of 2030. To that end, the company is looking to expand its high-efficiency facilities and technologies targeting greenhouse gas reduction and alleviating the creation of carbon emissions during the production process.
Additionally, through the expansion of its Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects, LG plans to secure UNFCCC Certified Emission Reduction (CER) credits. (Source: LG, PR, May, 2019)
More Low-Carbon Energy News LG, CDM, Carbon Emissions,
In its Global Citizenship report, FedEx highlights the fact that it will be adding 1,000 Chanje V8100 electric vehicles to its express fleet in California and
will obtain 30 pct of jet fuel from alternative fuels by 2030. In reaching its goals, the company noted it is ahead of plan for its FedEx Cares goal of investing $200 million in more than 200 global communities by 2020.
(Source: FedEx, PR, 20 May, 2019)
More Low-Carbon Energy News FedEx, Carbon Emissions,
The move is intended to reduce carbon emissions and promote recycling of waste amongst farmers. Kenya has targeted a 30 pct reduction in carbon emissions by 2030.
In 2017 the Sistema.bio Kenya office secured financing from the Kenya Climate Ventures, Factor[e] and
the Shell Foundation to start up its Kenyan operations.
(Source: Sistema.bio, Soko Directory Team, 18 May, 2019)Contact: Sistema.bio, Alex Eaton, CEO, Co-Founder, http://sistema.bio/ke
More Low-Carbon Energy News Biogas, Biodigester,
According to ICS Secretary General Guy Platten, the ICS is "keen to see further progress on developing more short term measures to help the existing fleet reduce its emissions and are optimistic that IMO Member States can agree some additional regulations, during 2020, combining prescriptive and goal based approaches that will deliver further GHG reductions before 2023."
"While short term measures are important, ICS continues to assert that IMO needs to move quickly onto considering the critical long term measures that will help the industry to deliver the very ambitious target of a 50 percent total cut of GHG emissions by 2050 regardless of trade growth. This can only realistically be achieved with the introduction of commercially viable zero -- or near zero -- CO2 emitting propulsion systems, which means that accelerated research and development programs have to be at the center of the IMO strategy," Platten added. (Source: International Chamber of Shipping, Various Media, MarEx, 18 May, 2019) Contact: IMO, Stefan Micallef, Director of Marine Environment Division, +44 (0) 20 7735 7611, www.imo.org; International Chamber of Shipping, Secretary General, Guy Platten, www.ics-shipping.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News IMO, International Chamber of Shipping, Maritime Emissions, Carbon Emissions,
The tracking system will make it possible to hold polluting plants accountable to environmental standards as well as enable advanced new emissions reduction technologies.
Joining WattTime in the carbon tracking initiative are non-profits Carbon Tracker, a financial think tank that analyses the economic impacts of the energy transition and the first organization to pioneer satellite-based power plant monitoring; and World Resources Institute (WRI), a global research organization that maintains a comprehensive global power plant database.
(Source: WattTime, PR, 20 May, 2019) Contact: WattTime, Gavin McCormick, Executive Director , (510) 201-9877, www.watttime.org; World Resources Institute, Dan Lashof, U.S. Director,www.wri.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News World Resources Institute , Carbon Emissions, Google,
To that end, both cities have set targets exceeding the Scottish government's 2045 net-zero target and that set by the UK government's Committee on Climate Change of 2050.
Achieving net-zero status involves more than reducing emissions, it also involves offsetting greenhouse gases released with initiatives such as planting trees.
Glasgow City Council is working with Scottish Power, the energy provider in charge of the UK's largest onshore wind farm near Glasgow. Glasgow's energy sector is dominated by wind power and continued investment in the electricity grid has allowed the city to focus on other parts of the economy such as transport and heating.
Edinburgh's carbon emissions have fallen by about a third since 2005, and the city council aims to continue that momentum by boosting renewable energy, making the city centre a low-emissions zone and encouraging low-carbon design for construction projects.
The city also has schemes in place to reduce waste and increase recycling.
Additionally, cyclists, pedestrians and public transport will have better access to the city centre, which will be off-limits to most cars to help cut emissions. (Source: World Economic Forum May, 2019)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Net-Zero Emissions, Carbon Emissions,
Distilled biodiesel is a lower cost fuel than diesel, reduces particulate emissions by 90 percent and significantly reduces carbon emissions. (Source: Aemetis, PR, 20 May, 2019)Contact: Aemetis, Eric McAfee, CEO (408) 213-0940, emcafee@aemetis.com www.aemetis.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Aemetis, Biodiesel,
(Source: Office of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, 14 May, 2019)
Contact: Office of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/statement/2019-05-14/secretary-generals-remarks-the-pacific-islands-forum-delivered
More Low-Carbon Energy News Green Economy, Carbon Emissions ,
Out of some 700 U.S. colleges and universities to sign a carbon neutrality pledge in 2007, Bates is one of only seven to date that have reached that goal. Bates cut its carbon footprint by: reducing energy consumption through efficiency measures; strengthening the culture of sustainability on campus and changing behaviors in concrete ways; and switching to renewable energy sources -- specifically, Renewable Fuel Oil (RFO), a wood-derived liquid that serves as the primary fuel for the college's central heating plant. (Source: Bates College, PR 16 May, 2019) Contact: Bates College, Marjorie Hall,
(207) 786-8248, mhall@bates.edu, www.bates.edu
More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Neutral, Carbon Emissions, Climate Change,
According to Tech Wire, the last time the planet came close to matching the climate of today was during the Pliocene Epoch when the Arctic was covered in trees instead of ice and sea levels were roughly 20 meters higher than today.(Source: Mauna Loa Observatory, Various Media, Journal Pioneer, 14 May, 2019) Contact: Mauna Loa Observatory, (808) 933-6965, www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/obop/mlo
More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Emissions, CO2, Climate Change,