The industries affected by the proposal include: Iron ore mining; man-made fiber manufacturing; copper production; preparation and spinning of textile fibers; organic basic chemicals manufacturing; nitrogen compounds and fertilizer manufacturing; and mining of chemical and fertilizer minerals.
In a statement, the European Commission defended the The new state aid guidelines are inline with the European Green Deal which aims to cut global warming emissions, according to the EC release.
(Source: EC, EURACTIV, 16 Jan., 2020)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Emissions, EU ETS, EC, EU,
"Yet human rights considerations still play a marginal role in climate negotiations. The outcomes of the Madrid climate talks (COP25) are just another proof of it. Following a year of school climate strikes and mass mobilization in many countries of the world, states were expected to act in line with the urgency proved by scientists and increasingly felt by people. Instead, most wealthier countries and other high emitting countries remained stuck in selfish and short-sighted considerations which prevented real progress.
"While the final COP25 decision recognized the urgency of enhancing climate action, it failed to set a clear obligation for states to come up with ambitious national climate plans in 2020 capable of keeping the global average temperature rise below 1.5 degrees C. This shows a complete disregard for the human rights of people who will be most affected by spiking climate impacts. For millions of people around the world, the formulation and, above all, the implementation of strong climate plans simply means a difference between life and death.
"Wealthy countries are responsible for the bulk of greenhouse gas emissions and have for years profited from them, while people in poorest countries are suffering most of the damages inflicted by the climate crisis. In Madrid, they had the opportunity to recognize this historic imbalance and accept their duty to pay for the devastation already wreaked by climate impacts such as cyclones, droughts and sea-level rise. Instead, they opposed the mobilization of new and additional resources to support affected people. This in practice means turning their back to the almost 4 million people who have lost their homes, livelihoods or access to public services in the two cyclones in Mozambique earlier this year, or to residents of Pacific islands in urgent need of relocation due to sea-level rise.
"Similarly, states were once again unable to reach an agreement on mechanisms allowing countries to trade emission reductions. Countries like Australia, Brazil and China continued to push for loopholes which would have ultimately resulted in weakening the effects of climate mitigation measures, in violation of the rights of those who stand most at risk from climate impacts.
"Also, worryingly, there was insufficient willingness from states to include explicit reference to human rights safeguards in carbon trading rules. Such guarantees are necessary to ensure that negative human rights impacts can be assessed and addressed prior to adopting climate mitigation projects and that people directly impacted by carbon market projects have a say in shaping such measures. This is a very strong demand from Indigenous peoples, as they too often have paid the price of ill-conceived climate projects, such as hydroelectric dams or biogas initiatives initiated without their free, prior and informed consent and resulting in forced evictions, water contamination, or permanent damage to their cultural rights.
"What came out of this last round of climate negotiations paints a grim picture. It was certainly a source of frustration at COP25, prompting civil society observers to take a massive direct action inside the negotiation venue on 11 December. This move was met with an unprecedented decision by UN security officers to expel more than 300 observers for the day.
"In 2020 we need to step up our game. We need to forge strong coalitions at national level to demand ambitious and human rights-compliant climate action that achieves a just transition away from fossil fuels. We need to mobilize like never before. The world's most important struggle needs the world's most powerful, diverse and united people's mass movement ever assembled. As the year ends, we can all start 2020 by making our new or renewed commitment to climate justice our New Year's resolution." (Source: Amnesty International, 17 Dec., 2019) Contact: Amnesty International, www.amnesty.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News COP25, Climate Change, Carbon Emissions, CO2,
"Some countries are championing double counting and pre-2020 rollovers... they are undermining environmental integrity” -- Grenada Environment Minister
"It's time to move on.
Countries that are serious about using carbon markets to increase ambition should move forward to set their own strong rules for high integrity international emissions trading." -- Nat Keohane, Snr. VP Climate, US Environmental Defense Fund.
(Source: Various Media, Montel, 17 Dec., 2019)
More Low-Carbon Energy News COP25,
Buildings are the EU’s biggest CO2 emitter. Our homes, offices and buildings are the EU’s biggest CO2emitters, as well as its single largest energy user. Decreasing and decarbonising the energy consumption to heat, cool and use buildings is crucial for the transition to a climate-neutral Europe by 2050 at the latest. Since most of the buildings that we will occupy in 2050 are already built, the main challenge is to renovate these 210 million existing buildings to make them less energy-hungry. At the current rate of renovation, it would take another century to achieve a decarbonised building stock, instead of the targeted30 years. Further inaction risks the EU missing its climate objectives by up to 400 million tonnes of CO21.Around 50 million people still live in energy poverty. Deep renovation of their homes would lower their energy bills and make their houses more comfortable and healthy. Well-insulated buildings moreover offer the flexibility to receive energy when it is available, thereby allowing the effective integration of renewables in the energy system during the entire year
.Integrating buildings in the EU ETS is complex and time-consuming. Urgent action on buildings is vital to overcome the climate and social crises facing Europe today. Integrating the building sector in the EU ETS is complex and likely to take at least several years. That is time we do not have, and which diverts attention from more effective short-term measures. The EU should instead prioritize a Green Deal for housing to unlock vast investments for building renovations, while creating local jobs and more energy-efficient and affordable housing.
What is the EU ETS? The EUETS sets a cap on the total amount of greenhouse gases that can be emitted by installations from the power, industry and aviation sectors. The cap is reduced over time so that emissions go down. Within the cap, companies receive or buy emission allowances which they can trade with each other, thereby creating a carbon price. The building sector is already covered by a cap on how much greenhouse gases can be emitted as part of the Effort Sharing Regulation; the EU’s other climate legislation targeting sectors not included in the EU ETS.
Carbon pricing does not deliver more affordable, energy-efficient homes. According to the International Energy Agency2, most of the energy efficiency potential is available at a negative cost. This means that these efficiency measures already pay for themselves, even in the absence of a carbon price. The reasons why these measures, such as energy renovation, are not taken are usually not economic in nature, but rather the result of market-barriers and -imperfections. In the case of the building sector, these barriers include split incentives between those making investments (i.e. home-owners) and those paying energy bills (i.e. tenants), the inability to come up with high upfront costs and a lack of information on renovation opportunities and financing options. Including the building sector in the EU ETS would do nothing to overcome these barriers to make buildings more energy-efficient. Even worse, the introduction of a carbon price for the heating and cooling of buildings could lead to higher energy bills for tenants or homeowners who are not able to, or cannot afford to, renovate their homes.
Governments should remain responsible for the built environment. Extending the EU ETS to buildings would mean that governments are no longer accountable for introducing measures to decarbonise the building stock under the Effort Sharing legislation. Under the Effort Sharing Regulation, each Member State has annual climate targets that it needs to meet. By integrating buildings in the EU ETS, the sector would be taken out of the Effort Sharing Regulation, putting the responsibility of climate action instead on heating fuel suppliers. The integration of the building sector in the EU ETS could lead to the dismantling or shying away from more effective EU and national energy efficiency legislation, under the pretext that this would undermine the functioning of the carbon market. This would be dangerous as the decarbonisation of the building stock requires dedicated policies beyond a carbon price. It is up to governments to put in place programmes to accelerate renovation, to introduce minimum energy performance standards for buildings and to prioritize measures to alleviate energy poverty. These actions will not happen through the EU ETS, but by policymakers taking ownership of the transition to a climate-neutral built environment.
Green Deal for housing should be a key priority for Europe. Without urgent and accelerated action to renovate up to 97% of the European building stock by 2050, it will be impossible to meet the EU’s climate objectives. Fortunately, buildings’ operational emissions can be cut by 100%, mostly by using already commercially available solutions such as insulation. Including the building sector in the EU ETS distracts from taking effective measures to overcome the main barriers hampering the renovation of the EU building stock and the alleviation of energy poverty. The EU instead needs to put in place an enabling framework to ensure that the worst energy performing buildings are phased out over time, to guarantee quality homes for people and clear a pathway to climate-neutrality. The European Green Deal presents a perfect opportunity to deliver on comfortable, affordable and energy-efficient housing. This Green Deal can help unlock 130 billion euro per year to fill the investment gap for energy-efficient buildings3. Over 2 million jobs in Europe could be created throughsuch investments in energy efficiency –in particular in the deep renovation of buildings4.
(Source:EURIMA - European Insulation Manufacturers Association, Nov., 2019) Contact: EURIMA, Femke de Jong, femke.dejong@eurima.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency news, Insulation news,
More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency, Insulation,
The program offers financial assistance in the form of easement payments for specific conservation actions on private forest and tribal lands in Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky. Under the program, landowners develop a carbon forest project with TNC and get assistance with carbon credit development and marketing as well as some potential additional income from the sale of credits.
The program offers a 30-year term and permanent easement options for private landowners or a 30-year contract for tribal lands.
The USDA will pay 75 pct of the value of the land enrolled in 30-year easements plus 75 pct of the average cost of the approved conservation practices.
Landowners who select the permanent easement option can get 100 pct of the easement value of the enrolled property.
(Source: NRCS, Nature Conservancy,CBS 19, 13 Nov., 2019) Contact: Nature Conservancy,
Steve Lineman or Greg Meade, (276) 676-2209, (703) 841-5300, www.nature.org; USDA NRCS, Easement Program Manager Diane Dunaway, (804) 287-1634
www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/site/fl
More Low-Carbon Energy News Nature Conservancy, Reforestation, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service,
"It's up to each individual entity, but the innovation of taking advantage of low-carbon markets. I think if we can differentiate ourselves within the state of North Dakota, to take advantage of those and be long survivors in this industry." - Gerald Bachmeier, CEO, Red Trail Energy (Source: Red Trail Energy, West Dakota Fox, 5 Oct., 2019) Contact: Red Trail Energy, 701-974-3308, www.redtrailenergy.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News RFS, "Hardship" Waiver, Ethanol.Ethanol Blend, Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, Red Trail Energy,
The Index tracks the performance of the largest, most liquid and most accessible tradable carbon markets -- the European Union Emission Trading System (EU ETS), the California Cap-and-Trade Program, and the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). The index is calculated using OPIS data and carbon credit futures pricing in those markets.
The IHS Markit Global Carbon Index was developed in consultation with Climate Finance Partners, a specialist in climate finance.
IHS Markit is also well known for its daily OPIS Carbon Market Report, national carbon policies database and for developing industry standard methodologies for greenhouse gas accounting and disclosures. Its research and expertise on carbon policy impact, low-carbon and cleantech technologies and carbon risk management guide companies in energy, petrochemical, automotive, shipping, agriculture and other sectors critical to the global economy.
(Source: IHS Markit , 25 Sept., 2019)
Contact: IHS Markit, www.ihsmarkit.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News RGGI, EU ETS, IHS Markit Carbon Market, Carbon Credit,
The first phase supported the creation of 262 MW of renewable power-generation capacity across the country, attracted four private international investors and supported a grid-strengthening project.
In addition to the EBRD funding, the Framework will be supported by concessional finance from the Green Climate Fund and benefit from a comprehensive technical cooperation programme, which will support competitive tendering for wind projects and the development of a carbon market in Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan's renewable energy target aims for 3 pct of power generation by 2020 and 50 pct by 2050.
To date, the EBRD has invested over €8.3 billion ($9.1 billion) through 262 projects in the economy of Kazakhstan. Over €2 billion of this funding has supported Green Economy Transition projects. The Bank is the largest international investor in the country's economy outside of the oil and gas sectors and has a wide presence in Kazakhstan. (Source: EBRD, kazinform, 15 Sept., 2019)Contact: European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, +44 (0) 207 338 6000, www.ebrd.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News EBRD, Renewable Energy,
TIST encourages subsistence farmers to improve their local environment and farms by planting and maintaining trees on degraded and/or unused land in India, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. As the trees grow, carbon captured is quantified and verified and certified greenhouse gas credits are sold in the global carbon market. More than 88,000 farmers in four countries have successfully planted 18 million trees and captured nearly five million metric tons of carbon dioxide to date.
Additionally, Delta is now piloting a program to build in carbon offsets for corporate accounts and is looking to expand. Since 2005, delta has cut its carbon emissions 11 pct as part of its goal of achieving carbon-neutral growth and reducing carbon emissions by 50 pct by 2050.
Since 2011 Air France reduced its CO2 emissions by 20 pct(g.CO2/passenger/km).
KLM is reducing CO2 emissions by investing in fuel-efficient aircraft, using sustainable fuel and by offsetting emissions and other initiatives.
For its part, Virgin Atlantic's "Change is in the Air" program primarily focuses on climate action, supply chain activities and nonprofit partnerships.
In 2007 Virgin targeted of 30 pct reduction in CO2 (by passengers and cargo carried) by 2021. (Source: DTNews, 5 Aug., 2019) Contact:
International Small Group and Tree Planting, www.tist.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Aviation Emissions, Carbon Emissions, Carbon Offset,
To that end, the company's strategic plan for the second half of fiscal year 2019 includes:
completion of the next round of funding for Entrex Carbon Markets and other partnerships;
moving from strategic startup phase to functional operating phase by Q4 2019;
recruiting the necessary executive leadership; take steps to develop first entry into Diversified Solar Utility;
formalize investor relations efforts to stay in front of news cycles and improve accountability to shareholders; and
target upgrading the stock from OTC Pink to OTC QB within the next 18 months. (Source: Universal Solar Technology Inc., PR, EIN, 12 July, 2019) Contact: Universal Solar Technology Inc., Paul D. Landrew,
(832) -229-7046, www.universalsolartechnology.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Universal Solar Technology, Solar,
In June alone, the trading at nine carbon markets across the country were up 81.3 pct and 38.3 percent month on month, respectively, Xinhua said.
(Source: China Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Xinhua, 11 July, 2019) Contact: China Ministry of Ecology and Environment, english.mee.gov.cn
More Low-Carbon Energy News China Carbon Market, China Cap-and-Trade,
Climate Change has been widely recognized as one of the greatest challenges for and threats to society. However, placing a cost on emitting CO2 has been limited to regional markets that are not interconnected, with the price paid by emitters being insufficient to incentivize investment in cleaner technologies.
Spark Change has created a transformational financial instrument, Spark, that integrates regional carbon markets into a single product, simultaneously allowing investors to gain exposure to a global carbon price and forcing emitters to invest in cleaner technologies and accelerate the reduction in emissions.
Spark Change's Cloud-based CTRM platform gathers live pricing information via regional integrations with exchanges across Europe, North America and soon China. Smart contracts are used to calculate a global carbon price using the weighted emissions per GDP of each of these regions, and the proceeds from every investment in Spark used to automatically execute the purchase of emission allowances from across the regional markets. The distributed ledger allows reconciliation of the number of Spark held by investors with the number of emissions allowances being held in reserve, creating a one-to-one asset backed financial instrument.
(Source: Spark Change; PR, May, 2019) Contact: Spark Change, Joff Hamilton-Dick, CEO, www.sparkchange.io; BJSS, www.bjss.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Climate Change, Carbon Emissions,
The report finds the Asia-Pacific region will occupy for more market share in following years, especially in China, also fast growing India and Southeast Asia regions. In North America, the he United States, will still play an important role which cannot be ignored. Any changes from United States might affect the development trend of Voluntary Carbon Credit Trading.
The report identifies Top manufacturers/players: Carbon Credit Capital, Terrapass, Renewable Choice, 3Degrees, NativeEnergy, GreenTrees, South Pole Group, Aera Group, Allcot Group, Carbon Clear, Forest Carbon, Bioassets, Biofìlica, WayCarbon, CBEEX, Guangzhou Greenstone. Market Segment by Type, applications (REDD carbon offsets, renewable energy landfill methane projects and others) and regions.
Report details are HERE.
Report Sample Copy HERE;
Browse Full Report HERE
(Source: Industry Research, Marilyn Coleman, 16 April, 2019) Contact: Industry Research, +1 424 253 0807 / +44 203 239 8187, sales@industryresearch.co
More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Credit Trading news, Carbon Market news,
More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Credit Trading, Carbon Market,
More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Credit Trading, Carbon Market,
More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Credit Trading, Carbon Market,
According to the Ministry release, beginning next year both institutional and individual investors will be allowed to trade. Quotas for trading on the platform will be set and allocated by the State Council, the country's cabinet, based on economic growth, the country's "energy structure" and "other factors." Each unit in trading quotas will represent 1 tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent.
China plans to include all its coal-fired power plants, accounting for about 3 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, in the ETS from the first stage of trade, making it the world's biggest market for carbon emissions.
(Source: China Ministry of Ecology and Environment, South China Morning Post, Reuters, 4 April, 2019)
Contact: China Ministry of Ecology and Environment, english.mee.gov.cn
More Low-Carbon Energy News China Ministry of Ecology and Environment, China Cap-and-Trade, China Carbon Market, Carbon Emissions ,
The fund also aims to offset the carbon footprint of the investment strategy, which is achieved through the use of Verified Emission Reductions certificates from the Kasigau Corridor REDD+ project, which is based in south east Kenya. The project protects more than 200,000 hectares of endangered dryland forest.
The launch of this latest Ucits funds is in line with BNP Paribas AM's Global Sustainability strategy, which includes the plan to reduce the environmental impacts of its operations.
Paris, France-headquartered BNP Paribas S.A. is the world's 8th largest bank by total assets and currently operates in 77 countries. (Source: BNP Paribas, CityWire Selector, 29 Mar., 2019) Contact: Bank BNP Paribas, Neven Graillat, Chief Sustainability Product Officer at BNP Paribas Global Markets said: ‘The management of risks relating to www.group.bnpparibas/en
More Low-Carbon Energy News BNP Paribas, Carbon Footprint, Carbon Markets,
In Switzerland, 54 companies in sectors like cement, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, refineries, paper, heating or steel are linked to the Swiss emissions trading system. In Europe, there are around 11,000 firms that offset their emissions under the EU ETS.
In Switzerland, companies have the right to emit a certain amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere for free. Those that reduce their CO2 emissions and do not use all their quota can sell them to others.
Companies that do not participate in the emissions trading scheme are subject to a CO2 tax which can be refunded if they undertake to reduce their emissions.
The coupling of the Swiss and EU emission trading systems will enter into force in 2020. It is part of the changes associated with the revision of the Swiss CO2 law. The agreement is for an indefinite duration and can be terminated with six months' notice by both parties.(Source: swissinfo.ch, 7 Mar., 2019)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Emissions, Carbon Market, EU ETS,
In Quebec, energy and industry produce a relatively small percentage of the province's overall emissions due primarily to the province's reliance on carbon-free hydroelectricity.
The transport sector is responsible for more than 40 per cent of the province's carbon dioxide emissions, according to the most recent figures available.
(Source: CBC, Various Media, 28 Feb., 2019)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Quebec Carbon Market, Carbon Tax, Carbon Market, Western Climate Initiative ,
According to the Minister, the EU would be keen to integrate the two carbon markets, despite the fact formal talks on the issue will not start until the UK has resolved the current parliamentary stand-off over the Withdrawal Agreement.
The UK is one of the largest participants in the continent-wide EU ETS which has been widely credited with helping to drive down emissions across the 28-member bloc.(Source: UK Energy and Clean Growth Minstry, BusinessGreen, 28 Feb., 2019) Contact: U.K. Energy and Clean Growth Minister, www.gov.uk/government/ministers/minister-of-state-minister-for-energy
More Low-Carbon Energy News Claire Perry, EU ETS, Aviation Emissions,
The country's sudden increase in carbon emissions could be linked to a wider slowdown in the economy, environmental, some analysts say. According to China's top planning agency three areas -- Liaoning in the northeast Rust Belt and the big coal-producing regions of Ningxia and Xinjiang in the northwest -- failed to meet their targets to curb energy consumption growth and improve efficiency last year due to the current economic downturn but, the agency noted, these areas were not representative of the whole country.
Coal accounts for approximately 60 pct of China's total energy consumption, but the government hopes to bring it down to 10 pct by 2050 through
increased investment in renewables and green energy. China's carbon intensity declined by 46 pct by 2017 from 2005 levels. the Ministry of Ecology and Environment reported earlier this week. It had expected it would take until 2020 to reach the targeted 40-45 pct reduction. (Source: Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Dec., 2018) Contact: China Ministry of Ecology and Environment, english.mee.gov.cn
More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Emissions, Climate Change, China Carbon Market,
Funded by ADB, the Government of Germany, and the Swedish Energy Agency, the facility will provide technical, capacity building, and policy development support to help the DMCs meet Article 6 of the Paris Agreement under which countries voluntarily committed to lower their carbon emissions.
The Article 6 Support Facility is intended to help DMCs achieve expertise, draw lessons from pilot activities, and enhance their preparedness for participation in carbon markets beyond 2020, while contributing to international negotiations.(Source: ADB, Modern Diplomacy, 8 Dec., 2018) Contact: Asian Development Bank, +63 2 632 4444, www.adb.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Paris Climate Agreement, Asian Development Bank, Climate Change, Carbon Emissions,
China's pilot CO2 trading schemes cover the cities of Beijing, Tianjan, Shanghai, Chongqing and Shenzhen, and the provinces of Guangdong and Hebei. In 2017, the cities-regional schemes were replaced by a national scheme which has to date made limited progress, according to
the Ministry of Ecology and Environment.
(Source: China Ministry of Ecology and Environment, CemNet, Others, 26 Nov., 2018) Contact: China Ministry of Ecology and Environment, http://english.mee.gov.cn
More Low-Carbon Energy News China Carbon Market,
The agency noted that "China's carbon emission declined both in intensity and amount in the pilot carbon trading areas. The carbon market has fulfilled its role in controlling greenhouse gas emissions and promoting low-carbon development." The agency added that China will advance the construction of carbon trading market and gradually expand the number of industries, trading entities and categories that participate in the national carbon market which was launched in 2017.
The Chinese carbon emissions trading system includes power generation, iron and steel production and cement manufacturing sectors in seven provinces and municipalities.
Under the Paris Climate Agreement, China will cut its carbon emissions per unit of GDP by 60 to 65 pct by 2030 from the 2005 level.
By the end of 2017, China had cut CO2 emissions per unit of GDP by 46 pct from 2005 levels, fulfilling its commitment to reduce CO2 emissions by 40 to 45 pct from the 2005 level by 2020. (Source: Chinese Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Xinhua, 26 Nov., 2018)Contact: China National Development and Reform Commission, en.ndrc.gov.cn; Chinese Ministry of Ecology and Environment, english.mee.gov.cn
More Low-Carbon Energy News China Carbon Market, Cap-and-Trade, CO2, Carbon Emissions,
In 2017, China's carbon intensity, measured in kilograms of carbon emitted to produce $1 of gross domestic product, was 46 pct lower than in 2005, fulfilling the country's goal to cut carbon emissions by 40 to 45 pct by 2020.
The report notes that despite the gradual decrease, China's carbon intensity level is still higher than that of developed countries. The report also found China, followed by the United States, are the world's top carbon emitting countries among the world's major economies, producing around 2.77 and 1.45 billion tons in 2016.
According to the report,
more than 1,700 power companies, accounting for more than 3 billion tons of carbon emissions, had entered China's pilot carbon market by the end of 2017. The market allows the trading of carbon emission units between companies, encouraging them to limit or reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
(Source: ECNS, 17 Nov., 2018)
More Low-Carbon Energy News China Carbon Market, Carbon Emissions, China Carbon Emissions,
According to
the environmental commissioner, the government's decision could reverse the province's decade of progress in cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
(Source: Windsor Star, The Canadian Press, 25 Sept., 2018) Contact: Ontario Environmental Commissioner Dianne Saxe, (416) 325-3377,
commissioner@eco.on.ca, https://eco.on.ca
More Low-Carbon Energy News Ontario, Cap-and-Trade, Carbon Market, Doug Ford,
In August, the state released its Fourth Climate Change Assessment detailing new research on the impacts of climate change and providing planning tools to support the state's response.
Previously this year, Governor Brown issued executive orders to improve the health of the state's forests and help mitigate the threat and impacts of wildfire, and get 5 million zero-emission vehicles onto California's roads by 2030. Last year, the Governor signed landmark legislation to extend and strengthen California's cap-and-trade program and create a groundbreaking program to measure and combat air pollution at the neighborhood level.
Under Governor Brown, California has established the most ambitious greenhouse gas emission reduction targets in North America; set the nation's toughest restrictions on destructive super pollutants; and will reduce fossil fuel consumption up to 50 pct and double the rate of energy efficiency savings in buildings by 2030. Additionally, the state has met its 2020 target four years early, reducing emissions 13 pct while growing the economy 26 pct. From 2015 to 2016 alone, emissions reductions were roughly equal to taking 2.4 million cars off the road, saving 1.5 billion gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel.
Governor Brown has also helped establish and expand coalitions of partners across the nation and globe committed to curbing carbon pollution, including the Under2 Coalition, which includes 222 total jurisdictions on 6 continents, representing more than 1.3 billion people and $34 trillion in GDP. Members of the coalition have committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 80 to 95 pct below 1990 levels or to less than 2 annual metric tons per capita by 2050.
California and 17 other states collectively representing more than 40 pct of the U.S. auto market sued the U.S. EPA earlier this year to preserve the nation's uniform vehicle emission standards that save drivers money at the pump, cut oil consumption, reduce air pollution and curb greenhouse gases. (Source: Office of California Gov. Governor Edmund G. Brown, 17 Sept., 2018) Contact: California Governor Edmund G. Brown, (916) 445-2841, (916) 558-3160 - fax, http://gov.ca.gov
More Low-Carbon Energy News Jerry Brown, Climate Change, California Cap-and-Trade, California Carbon Market,
The CEA currently processes approximately 500,000 lpy of biofuel from locally sourced used cooking oil The organization hopes to set up a second bio-fuel station at a cost of approximately $100,000 and to that end has applied to North Cowichan's Climate Action & Energy Plan for $30,000 in grant funding. The municipality is supplying $20,000 in funding.
The CEA was founded in 2008 as a non-profit organization focused on providing energy and greenhouse gas emissions inventories and planning services, renewable energy feasibility studies and implementation, and leading community carbon offsetting initiatives through the Community Carbon Marketplace.
(Source: Cowichan Energy Alternatives, Lake Cowichan Gazette, 28 Aug., 2018) Contact: Cowichan Energy Alternatives, (250) 597-1491, www.cowichanenergy.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Biofuel, Biodiesel,
The Carbon Tracker Initiative is a team of financial specialists making climate risk real in today's capital markets.
The EU ETS is the 28-member trading bloc's flagship emissions reduction tool. According to Carbon Tracker the EU ETS has been the hottest commodity market in the world over the last 16 months, with the price of European carbon allowances (EUAs) up 310 pct since May 2017, 120 pct since the start of the year.
Carbon Tracker expects that, as a reaction, carbon prices are likely to rise to levels that trigger fuel-switching from coal to gas in Germany, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands, following in the footsteps of the UK.
(Source: Carbon Tracker, EURACTIV, 20 Ag., 2018)Contact: Carbon Tracker, www.carbontracker.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News EU ETS, Carbon Tracker, Carbon Emissions, Carbon Credit,
Benchmark carbon prices had been trading well under €10/t for years due to an oversupply of allowances primarily caused mainly by the 2007-2008 financial crisis.
(Source: Various Media, Montel, 13 Aug., 2018)
More Low-Carbon Energy News EAU, Carbon Market, Carbon Permits,
On a weekly basis, the Zero Carbon Project will purchase 30 units, equivalent to the annual carbon emissions from around 10 typical households. This purchase will help reduce the 30 tonnes of carbon emissions from entering the atmosphere. Purchases and the projects they support will be announced to the Zero Carbon Project community, accompanied by an explanation of the different issues and aspects involved in the carbon market.
The Zero Carbon Project carried made it first purchase and cancellation of CERs using the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) website platform, known as Climate Neutral Now.
(Source: Zero Carbon Project, AZO CleanTech, 13 Aug., 2018) Contact: Zero Carbon Project, Derek Meyers, CEO, www.zerocarbonproject.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Credit, Carbon Tax, Zero Carbon Project,
The Province of Quebec's regular Carbon Market
Cap-and-Trade Auction Notices and Results are
HERE. (Source: Province of Quebec, 6 Aug., 2018)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Market, Quebec , Quebec Carbon Tax,
According to the report, the CCS market is predicted to grow at a CAGR of 9.18 pct. up to 2021.
View report details HERE.
Request a report Sample PDF HERE.
(Source: Absolute Reports, July, 2018) Contact: Absolute Reports, www.absolutereports.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News CCS, Carbon Dioxide, CO2, Carbon Market, Carbon Tax, Carbon Sequestration,
"The 2018 edition of the report focuses exclusively on data and information on the evolving initiatives that put a price on carbon, in terms of their most current status and emerging trends. It includes an expanded discussion on what the trends are telling us about the underlying motivations of and the direction the world is moving in when it comes to carbon pricing.
"The growing momentum for carbon pricing and the increasing prevalence of the topic in climate change discussions in recent years take us in a new direction for the report. More national and sub-national jurisdictions and private sector entities are adopting carbon pricing.
"This report also includes a reflection on the engagement of non-state actors on climate action and carbon pricing -- a development that characterizes the implementation phase the world has embarked on since the adoption of the Paris Agreement. The inclusion of internal carbon prices in business operations, and how this is incentivizing action on climate change, has raised the need to expand the focus to include an important discussion on how carbon pricing is considered in other economies and the indirect measures taken to provide a carbon price signal."
Download the World Bank Group State and Trends of Carbon Pricing 2018 report at www.openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/29687.
Download an online dashboard to complement the publication HERE. (Source: World Bank Group, May, 2018)Contact: World Bank Group, www.worldbank.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News World Bank, Carbon Price,
In late 2015, Chine, the world's biggest emitter of climate-warming greenhouse gases, had already met several objectives it promised to fulfil by 2020, including cutting its carbon intensity by 40 pct to 45 percent three years early, Xie Zhenhua added.
China launched the first phase of its nationwide carbon market last December after months of delays. It currently covers only the power sector but will be extended to other emitters at a later stage. (Source: New Stage, Various Media, Reuters, 27 May, 2018)
More Low-Carbon Energy News COP21, China Carbon Market, China Carbon Emissions, Climate Change, Carbon Emissions,
The report notes there are currently 51 carbon pricing initiatives around the world, consisting of 25 emissions trading schemes and 26 carbon taxes. These initiatives cover 20 pct of all global greenhouse gas emissions.
The World Bank estimates that receipts from carbon pricing now amount to $33 billion -- a 50 percent increase on the previous year.
(Source: World Bank, Climate Action, Other 22 May, 2018) Contact: World Bank, Marcene Broadwater
Global Head,
Strategy and Business Development, (202) 473-1000,
mbroadwater@ifc.org; John Roome, Senior Director for Climate Change, www.ifc.org
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The program provides homeowners $1.00 per watt for residential solar panels with a cap at 10kW (AC). The program adds $0.50 per watt, to make it $1.50 when they couple solar panels with an energy storage installation. Homeowners wishing to go completely off-grid get $3.00 per watt for a solar panel plus energy storage installation.
The program provides businesses $0.75 per watt for commercial solar panel installations with a cap at 500 kW (AC). Only existing detached homes, townhouses or semi-detached homes qualify to participate in this new solar rebate program which is expected to launch this summer.
Download solar rebates program details are HERE. The program is funded through proceeds from Ontario’s carbon market. (Source: Green Ontario, (888) 728-8444, www.greenon.ca
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ClimeCo has registered more than 15 million carbon offsets across 172 reporting periods. The company's offset volume stems from reducing greenhouse gas emissions through several project types, to include N2O Abatement, Destruction of Ozone Depleting Substances, Agricultural Methane Capture, and Organic Waste Composting.
ClimeCo is a developer, broker and advisor of both voluntary and compliance grade environmental commodity market products across numerous project types, with specialized expertise in California cap-and-trade, voluntary market advisory and transactional services, and project financing of internal CO2 abatement systems. (Source: ClimeCo, PR, 6 April, 2018) Contact: ClimeCo, Bill Flederbach, President & CEO (484) 415-0501,
nmarshall@climeco.com, www.climeco.com; Climate Action Reserve, www.climateactionreserve.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News ClimeCo, Carbon Emissions, Climate Action Reserve, Carbon Offsets,
From 2005 to 2015, China's economy grew by 1.48 times, and at the same time, the carbon intensity dropped by 38.6 pct. In 2016, the rate continued to fall by 6.6 pct year on year. Under the Paris Agreement, China will have to cut CO2 per unit of GDP by 60-65 pct by 2030 from the 2005 level.
China's carbon emissions trading system was initiated in 2011 and includes power generation, iron and steel production and cement manufacturing sectors in seven provinces and municipalities including Shanghai, Xie said.
To date, 200 million tonnes of carbon emissions quotas had been transacted via the platform by the end of 2017, with total turnover hitting 4.7 billion yuan (751 million U.S. dollars).
The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) launched a nationwide carbon emissions trading system in the power generation industry in December last year.
Under the scheme, enterprises are assigned emissions quotas and those producing more than their share of emissions are allowed to buy unused quotas on the market from those that cause less pollution. (Source: NDRC, Xinhua, 27 Mar., 2018)Contact: China National Development and Reform Commission, en.ndrc.gov.cn
More Low-Carbon Energy News China Carbon Market, China Carbon Emissions, CO2, NDRC,
The permits were distributed to companies free during the first phase (2015-17). Companies eligible to join the auction are those with a bidding price equivalent to or higher than the minimum set by the environment minister each month.
The list of industrial categories required to purchase permits will be announced this June. The permit cap for each category will be decided in September. These are the preliminary steps before Seoul's launch of the bidding system the following year.
The ministry's latest carbon permit measures are part of the revised greenhouse gas emission trading scheme laws.
(Source: South Korean Ministry of Environment Korea Times, 9 Mar., 2018) Contact: South Korean Ministry of Environment, eng.me.go.kr
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The program fits within Ontario's Climate Change Action Plan and is funded by proceeds from Ontario's cap on pollution and carbon market system.
The funding will help reduce the university's carbon footprint by covering the cost of modernizing lighting, roofing and insulation, as well as other retrofits, upgrades and construction projects.
(Source: Carlton Newsroom, 9 Mar., 2018) Contact: Carleton University, (613) 520-2600, www.carleton.ca
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Construction is expected to get underway early this year for start-up in spring of 2019. The facility will feature heat and power generation from waste wood, high protein distillers dried grains (DDGs), cellulosic ethanol production from corn kernel fiber and advanced corn oil production.
The project's ethanol output is expected to be marketed in California and other emerging low carbon markets. (Source: The Andersons, ICM, Mar., 2018) Contact: The Andersons Inc, (419) 893-5050, www.andersonsinc.com; ICM, (316) 796-0900, www.icminc.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Dry Mill Corn Ethanol, The Andersons , ICM, Ethanol,
The auction was administered by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change, the Quebec Ministere du Developpement durable de l'Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques and the California Air Resources Board, using services contracted by the Western Climate Initiative (WCI) Inc., with oversight from an independent market monitor to ensure the integrity of the process.
Download a summary report of the results HERE.
(Source: Ontario Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, PR, 28 Feb., 2018)
Contact: Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Chris Ballard, Minister, Anna Milner, (416) 314-6736, Anna.Milner@ontario.ca; WEstern Climate Initiative, www.westernclimateinitiative.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Ontario Cap-and-Trade, Carbon Market, Climate Change, Carbon Emissions,
ECO has recommended scrapping at least three of the protocols including additionality, permanence, mitigation potential and leakage. The ECO also recommended that forest management, afforestation and reforestation projects be ineligible to generate carbon offsets for use in the province's carbon market.
Ontario and Quebec -- two of the three WCI member jurisdictions -- are jointly developing the 13 protocols, with California-based Climate Action Reserve tasked with authoring them.
(Source: Province of Ontario, Carbon Pulse, 20 Feb., 2018)Contact: Ontario Environmental Commissioner, https://eco.on.ca
More Low-Carbon Energy News Ontario, Carbon Offsets,
Since 2005, the share of global emissions capped by an ETS has tripled to almost 15 pct covering more than seven gigatons of carbon dioxide. Major ETS reforms have lifted carbon prices in the EU, California, New Zealand and the US Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) and ensure these systems drive decarbonization post 2020.
The report also notes efforts to price carbon are progressing in Latin America and subnationals in North America and Mexico will start piloting a mandatory ETS later this year.
Download the full report HERE.
(Source: ICAP, 27 Feb., 2018) Contact: ICAP, Jean-Yves Benoit, Dir. Carbon Market, www.icapcarbonaction.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News ICAP, Carbon Emissions, Climate Change, Carbon Market,
Funded improvements will include upgrades to energy-efficient HVAC systems, windows, lighting and insulation. The renovations will also improve the living conditions for low-income tenants and the long-term sustainability of buildings, according to a release. (Source: Green Ontario Fund, DCN News Service, 21 Feb., 2018) Contact: GreenON Fund,
GreenON Social Housing, (888) 724-8444, www.greenon.ca
More Low-Carbon Energy News GreenON Social Housing,
The OECD study concluded that there was little change in energy taxation levels between 2012 and 2015, and that only 0.3 pct of emissions are taxed at a level that is equitable to the cost to the environment. The report also notes that coal taxes are few and far between, even though coal accounts for nearly 50 pct of carbon emissions in the 42 countries studied in the report. In only five countries does coal taxation exceed €5 per ton of CO2.
Carbon pricing is emerging as one of the main tools used by governments to limit emissions. China started to roll out its own carbon market this year and it will be the world's biggest by the time it is fully operational
An update to the EU's own Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) was given the seal of approval by the European Parliament last week and the price of carbon has continued to climb ever since a draft deal was agreed in November.
(Source: OECD, EURACTIV, 15 Feb., 2018) (Contact: OCED, www.oecd.org
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CCC and RHF put together a package of carbon credits for borrowers equal to the estimated amount of carbon emitted by a similarly sized house over the course of one year, and subsequently, the life of the loan. Calculations are based on square footage and state energy data. The Carbon Neutral Mortgage is currently available in New Jersey, and is expected to expand to more states later this year.
When borrowers close a Carbon Neutral Mortgage, they receive acknowledgement, personalized certification and have a specified number of carbon offsets removed from circulation in the global carbon markets and “retired” in their name — meaning that they, and only they, can ever get credit for reducing those emissions.
The carbon credits included in each package are vetted by Gold Standard, Voluntary Carbon Standard and the Clean Development Mechanism.
Each RHF Carbon Neutral Mortgage amounts to an estimated 100 - 350 metric tons of CO2 emissions. Through the new partnership, CCC and RHF expect to deliver tens of thousands of tons of CO2 emission reductions every year.
(Source: Carbon Credit Capital, Sustainable Brands, 13 Feb., 2018)Contact: Carbon Credit Capital, (212) 925-5697, info@carboncreditcapital.com, www.carboncreditcapital.com; Residential Home Funding Corp. of America, (888) 763-3500, www.rhfunding.com
The EP also approved two funds to help foster innovation and spur the transition to a low-carbon economy. A modernization fund will help to upgrade energy systems in lower-income EU member states. MEPs tightened up the financing rules so that the fund is not used for coal-fired projects, except for district heating in the poorest member states. An innovation fund will provide financial support for renewable energy, carbon capture and storage and low-carbon innovation projects.
The law also aims to prevent "carbon leakage" , i.e. the risk that companies might relocate their production outside Europe due to emission reduction policies. The sectors at the highest risk will receive their EU ETS allowances for free. Less exposed sectors will receive 30 pct for free.
(Source: European Parliament, PR, Feb., 2018) Contact: European Parliament, Baptiste Chatain. +32 228 40992, baptiste.chatain@europarl.europa.eu, eurooparl.europa.eu
More Low-Carbon Energy News European Parliament, Carbon Emissions, EU ETS,