In an effort to build a national ETS, the country has been piloting emissions trading at the regional level since 2011, covering seven provinces and cities including Beijing, Shanghai and Guangdong.
As previously reported, China aims to bring its carbon emissions to a peak before 2030 and become carbon neutral before 2060.
(Source: China Ministry of Ecology and Environment,
China Daily Global, Xinhua, 3 Feb., 2021) Contact: China Ministry of Ecology and Environment, english.mee.gov.cn
More Low-Carbon Energy News China Carbon Markets, China ETS,
The long-delayed scheme is expected to cover 2,267 power plants across China in its first phase and encourage firms to cut their greenhouse gas emissions through the purchase and sale of emission permits. Chinese President Xi Jinping has pledged to bring the country's carbon emission to a peak before 2030 and to reach carbon neutrality around 2060. Chine is presently the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases.
As reported in Dec., the China Securities Regulatory Commission is considering emissions trading futures to boost green development and help Beijing fulfill its promise to peak carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.(Source: China Daily, Various Others, Jan., 2020)Contact: China Securities Regulatory Commission, www.csrc.gov.cnChinese Ministry of Ecology and Environment, english.mee.gov.cn
More Low-Carbon Energy News China Carbon Markets, China ETS,
To that end, EU emissions trading market already seeks to put a price on the carbon emissions that drive climate change. The price of permits rose to an all-time high above €31 euros a tonne on expectations that the supply of permits would be cut, to force deeper emissions cuts. The target is a compromise between wealthier, mostly western and Nordic EU countries that want more ambitious action and eastern states with coal-dependent power sectors and energy-intensive industries, which wanted specific conditions attached to emissions cuts.
The final deal gives a commitment to address "imbalances" in carbon market funding that could leave poorer countries worse off. The leaders agreed to meet again next year to tackle the question of GDP-based emissions targets.
The Commission's proposals will speed a shift to electric vehicles and aim to mobilise investments in the huge low-carbon infrastructure that will now be needed - including a requirement for extra energy sector investments of €350 billion ($420 billion) per year this decade. (Source: EU, ET Auto, Dec., 2020)
More Low-Carbon Energy News European Union, European Commission, Carbon Emissions,
As previously reported, China has piloted emissions trading in seven provinces and cities, including Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, since 2011 to explore market-based mechanisms to control greenhouse gas emissions.
(Source: China Securities Regulatory Commission, China.org, Xinhua, 20 Dec., 2020) Contact: China Securities Regulatory Commission,
www.csrc.gov.cn
More Low-Carbon Energy News China Carbon Markets,
Climatetrade brings transparency and traceability into carbon markets with blockchain solutions services to large corporations. Climatetrade and its customers will be use Algorand as its primary infrastructure layer and leverage its carbon offsetting capabilities.
Climatetrade aims to help companies achieve their sustainability goals by offsetting CO2 emissions and financing climate change projects.
(Source: Cliamatetrade, Algorand Website PR, 2 Dec., 2020) Contact: Cliamtetrade, Francisco Benedito, CEO, www.climatetrade.com;
Algorand, www.algorand.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Climatetrade, Carbon Offset,
To date, 526 woodland creation projects have registered with the new Woodland Carbon Code, with 40 pct being in Scotland. This represents a doubling of projects compared to the past year alone and these registered projects are predicted to sequester over eight million tonnes CO2 over their lifetime.
"This new joint registry will support nature-based solutions to the climate and biodiversity crises. This builds on our existing support for the domestic carbon market, driven by our Woodland Carbon Guarantee scheme which provides landowners additional long-term income for capturing carbon through new woodlands.
Well-managed woodlands and healthy peatlands play essential roles in helping us to reach net zero, " according to Government Forestry Minister Lord Goldsmith.
(Source: UK Woodland Carbon Registry, FarmingUK, 30 Nov., 2020)
Contact: UK Woodland Carbon Registry -- Woodland Carbon Code,
www.woodlandcarboncode.org.uk; UK Peatland Code, www.iucn-uk-peatlandprogramme.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Emissions, Carbon Markets,
Carbon Cap recently launched the World Carbon Fund, a globally diversified fund investing in multiple liquid and regulated carbon markets. The fund pursues an absolute return strategy, seeking to deliver positive returns with a low correlation to traditional and alternative asset classes. It also seeks to have a direct positive impact on climate change.
Quantifi's suite of integrated pre- and post-trade solutions allow market participants to better value, trade and risk manage their exposures and respond more effectively to changing market conditions. (Source: Quantifi, PR, 25 Nov., 2020)
Contact: Carbon Cap, Michael Azlen, Founder and CEO, +44204 5265 480, investorinfo@carbon-cap.com, www.carbon-cap.com;
Quantifi Solutions, Rohan Douglas, CEO, (212) 784-6815 -- NY,
+44 (0) 20 7248 3593 -- London,
www.quantifisolutions.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Market, Carbon Cap Management, Carbon Emissions, CO2,
The Ministry has proposed adding the carbon market -- carbon tax to the revised draft Law on Environmental Protection which is expected to be approved by at the upcoming 10th legislative session.
In 2012, Vietnam joined the Partnership for Market Readiness (PMR) which aims to establish carbon markets in developing, emerging countries like Vietnam. Vietnam became a member of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1994 and ratified the Kyoto Protocol in 2002.
Vietnam is one of five countries most affected by climate change. If sea levels rise by one meter, one-fifth of the country's population could become homeless and 12.3 pct of farmland could disappear, experts have warned./. (Source: Vietnam Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, VNA, 5 Nov., 2020)
Contact: Vietnam Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, (0243) 7956868, (0243) 8359221 -- fax, portal@monre.gov.vn, www.monre.gov.vn/English
More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Tax, Vietnam, Climate Change,
Launched in 2019, PCAF will offer a consistent approach to portfolio carbon accounting that provides financial institutions the information required to inform actions and strategy, set climate targets, assess climate transition risks, and disclose progress. This approach feeds into the work of other climate disclosure guidelines and reporting initiatives, such as the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), and CDP, according to the release.
As of December 31, 2019, Hannon Armstrong's investments have avoided 3.2 million metric tpy of CO2e. .
The company is the first U.S. public company solely dedicated to investments in climate change solutions, providing capital to leading companies in energy efficiency, renewable energy, and other sustainable infrastructure markets. With more than $6 billion in managed assets as of June 30, 2020. Hannon Armstrong's core purpose is to make climate-positive investments with superior risk-adjusted returns
(Source: Hannon Armstrong, Website, PR, Sept., 2020) Contact: Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials, www.carbonaccountingfinancials.com; Hannon Armstrong, Jeffrey W. Eckel, CEO, . (410) 571-6189, investors@hannonarmstrong.com, www.hannonarmstrong.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Hannon Armstrong, Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials, Carbon Market, Carbon Emission,
The new state-aid rules of the EU Emission Trading System will enter into force next year, targeting the sectors at risk of carbon leakage. Only 10 sectors will be eligible for this compensation.
Download new state-aid rules details HERE. (Source: EC. EUobserver, Sept., 2020) Contact: EC, www.ec.europa.eu
More Low-Carbon Energy News EU news, EU Carbon Emissions news,
SMARTFARM teams will work to design and develop systems to quantify feedstock production life cycle GHG emissions at the field level reliably, accurately, and cost-effectively. Selected projects are capable of delivering a positive return on investment when field-level carbon emissions reductions are connected to associated biofuel carbon markets. The program also focuses on potential economic benefits to feedstock producers and future carbon management markets, potentially complementing yield-based revenues with incentives for input efficiency and restorative practices. This focus will also help to lay the groundwork for market structures to shift away from national averages and toward lower uncertainty field-based estimates for incentivizing efficiency and other services.
Working to make the biofuel supply chain carbon-negative through the removal or sequestration of carbon would greatly improve biofuel's economic and environmental benefits. Achieving reductions in carbon emissions also encourages feedstock producers to adopt new technologies and practices to quantify their impact. SMARTFARM teams are working to develop robust quantification methods through these awards so that management practices can be linked to environmental and economic outcomes simultaneously.
Download SMARTFARM projects funding recipients and details HERE (Source: ARPA-E, Website PR, Sept., 2020) Contact: ARPA-E, Lane Genatowski, Dir., www.arpa-e.energy.gov
More Low-Carbon Energy News ARPA-E, Biofuel, Renewable Fuels,
The Taskforce will work to take stock of existing voluntary offsetting schemes and identify key challenges to scaling them up while helping businesses meet their own commitments and to align with legally binding climate targets in the markets where they operate. It is also hoped the Taskforce will play a role in boosting carbon prices which stood at a global average of $2 per ton in Oct., 2019.
According to Carney , the current market for offsets will need to grow by at least 15-fold by 2030 if the private sector is to align with the Paris Agreement's 1.5C trajectory by 2050. Carney noted it may need to be up to 160 times bigger than in 2020, should corporates rely on offsetting rather than emissions reductions.
(Source: IIF, Taskforce on Scaling Voluntary Carbon Markets, edie, PR, Sept., 2020) Contact: Institute of International Finance, Taskforce on Scaling Voluntary Carbon Markets, info@iif.org, www.iif.com/tsvcm/Main-Page/Publications/ID/4061/Private-Sector-Voluntary-Carbon-Markets-Taskforce-Established-to-Help-Meet-Climate-Goals
More Low-Carbon Energy News Institute of International Finance , Carbon Emissions, Carbon Markets,
GreenCollar has more than 200 hundred projects covering over 6 million hectares under the Australian Federal Government's Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF), accounting for approximately 50 pct of delivered abatement across the Australian carbon market to date. With its landholder partners, GreenCollar develops land-based carbon projects and facilitates the sale of the resulting credits to private and public organisations to offset their environmental footprint. (Source: GreenCollar, Mirage, 1 Sept., 2020)
Contact: GreenCollar, James Schultz, Co-Founder and CEO, +61 2 9252 9828, www.greencollar.cp.au
More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Farming, Climate Change, Carbon Emissions, Carbon Credits,
According to the IEA, Thailand's experience of carbon market mechanisms began in 2007, when the government established TGO to implement and manage GHG emissions projects. In 2103, the public body launched the Thailand Voluntary Emission Reduction programme, a baseline and credit programme. By 2020 it had 191 registered projects that are due to reduce emissions by 5.28 Mt CO2-eq annually and the Thailand Carbon Offsetting Program which encourages public and private organisations to calculate their carbon footprint and buy carbon credits to offset their unavoidable emissions.
In 2015 TGO launched the Thailand Voluntary Emission Trading Scheme to serve as a pilot, setting up the infrastructure to develop a national emission trading system and identify gaps and opportunities. The first phase (2015-17) established and tested the market's design features and the measurement, reporting and verification system. During the second phase (2018-20) TGO aims to encourage wider participation and develop participants' trading capabilities.
Thailand is aiming to reduce GHG emissions to 20.8 pct below the business-as-usual level by 2030. (Source: IEA , New Europe, Aug., 2020)Contact: IEA, Fatih Birol, Exec. Dir., +33 1 40 57 65 00, www.iea.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Tax, IEA,
The EU carbon market is the 28-member trading bloc's flagship policy for cutting greenhouse gas emissions, which it does by forcing power plants, factories and airlines to buy permits to cover some of the pollution they emit.
The EU carbon market covered just shy of 1.6 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) last year. The Swiss carbon market coveredless than 5 million tonnes of CO2e from industrial facilities in 2019.
(Source: European Commission, europa.eu, Reuters, Aug., 2020)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Market, EU ETS, Carbon Trading,
The bill creates a certification program at USDA so that farmers and forest landowners can better participate in voluntary carbon credit markets that can help land managers pay for conservation practices, which in turn could help to store carbon in soil, trees, and ecosystem restoration projects.
The bill's lead sponsor, Senator Mike Braun, (R-IN) serving on the Senate Agriculture Committee, is joined by Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), along with Lindsay Graham (R-SC) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI.) The American Farm Bureau Federation, National Farmers Union, National Milk Producers Federation, Environmental Defense Fund, World Wildlife Fund, McDonald's, and Microsoft are among the bill's supporters. (Source: Daily Yonder, 7 July, 2020)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Credit, USDA, Carbon Credit Market,
The British ETS would have a £15 per tonne of CO2 fixed auction reserve price, including a cost containment mechanism to prevent price spikes.
The roughly 1,000 UK factories and plants presently covered under the EU ETS will be covered by the UK system, The
British government also noted it would consider a mutually beneficial a link between a UK ETS and the EU ETS . (Source: Financial Post, Various Media, Reuters, June, 2020)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Market, EU ETS, Carbon Trading,
Under the EU ETS, airline flights between European countries are required to purchase permits to cover some emissions from these trips. ICAO wants the EU to remove these flights from its carbon market so that CORSIA can be the only market-based measure tackling international aviation emissions.
With the UN planning a 2021 launch of CORSIA, its global scheme to help airlines offset their carbon emissions, some EU lawmakers and environmental groups want assurances that the European Commission will not remove aviation from the EU ETS.
CORSIA plans to use a system of offsetting to cap emissions from international flights at 2020 levels. From 2021, airlines would be required to buy carbon offset credits to cover any emissions above the 2020 baseline.
Critics say this would allow aviation emissions to keep rising, if airlines bought enough offset credits to cover the increase. (Source: ICAO, Pineville Voice, 2 June, 2020))Contact: ICAO, Secretary General Fang Liu, 514-954-8219, 514-954-6077 -- fax,
icaohq@icao.int, www.icao.int; CORSIA, www.icao.int/environmental-protection/CORSIA/Pages/default.aspx
More Low-Carbon Energy News Aviation Emissions, ICAO, CORSIA,
On December 13, 2019, the Company announced an Emissions Reduction Benefits Management Agreement (ERBMA) with Lac Seul to develop forest carbon sequestration opportunities in the First Nation's territory in Northwestern Ontario. Under the terms of the ERBMA, AurCrest is the sole and exclusive agent for LSFN to manage and develop projects within LSFN traditional territory to harvest ERBs. AurCrest entered into the CDMA with Bluesource to provide the expertise associated with development and monetizing the carbon offsets.
Bluesource helps forest owners evaluate opportunities and generate value in diverse carbon markets by developing and monetizing offsets on their behalf.
(Source: AurCrest Gold Inc., PR, 11 May, 2020) Contact: AurCrest Gold Inc., Christopher Angeconeb, Pres., CEO, (807) 737-5353,
christopherangeconeb@gmail.com,
Ian Brodie-Brown, Dir. Bus. Dev., (416) 844-9969, ianbrodiebrown@gmail.com, www.aurcrest.ca; Blue Source Canada, (403) 262-3026, www.bluesource.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News AurCrest Gold, Blue Source Canada, Carbon Offset,
The new ICE Global Carbon Futures Index is made up of prices from the EU ETS, the California-Quebec Market and RGGI markets which together represent some of the largest regional economies in the world.
To date, 46 nations and more than 30 cities, states and regions have imposed a price -- carbon tax -- on carbon emissions.(Source: ICE, 23 April, 2020) Contact: ICE Global Carbon, www.theice.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News ICE Global Carbon, Carbon Market,
"All of society, from consumers, to businesses, to governments, recognised the need to accelerate global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions," -- Ben van Beurden, CEO,Shell Oil, April, 2020
More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Market, EU ETS,
The Family Forest Carbon Program offers a practice-based approach, where landowners are given incentive payments to implement science-based sustainable forest practices guaranteed to produce additional carbon sequestration. This unique, practice-based methodology takes into account the constraints of small forest ownership, yet is more credible and scalable, to allow small landowners to contribute at a landscape level. The program also provides a range of co-benefits that address biodiversity, forest health, water quality, ecosystem resilience and related issues.
Download Family Forest Carbon Program details HERE .
(Source: American Forest Foundation, Sustainable Brands, Mar. Apr., 2020) Contact: Family Forest Carbon Program, Tom Martin,
President & CEO, 202-765-3472,
tmartin@forestfoundation.org,
www.forestfoundation.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News American Forest Foundation, Carbon Credits, ,
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
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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
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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
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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
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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)
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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)
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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)
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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
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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
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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
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