Return to Today's Publications

 

Newsletter:
Date Range (YYYY-MM-DD) -
Company, Industry or Technology:
  Search Tips


ICAO Updates Carbon Credits from Offsetting Scheme (Int'l; Report)
International Civil Aviation Organization
Date: 2020-03-20
The UN affiliated International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) reports agreement on rules governing the eligibility of carbon offset programs for the initial pilot phase of the aviation industry's Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), which runs from 2021 to 2023.

Accordingly, the ICAO will allow airlines to purchase CO2 offset units from six programs under CORSIA in order to meet its emissions reduction targets up to 2023. The approved schemes include the U.N. Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), the Gold Standard and the Verified Carbon Standard. Carbon Offsets under the CORSIA mechanism are set to be established using total emissions for 2019 and 2020 as the baseline.. (Source: ICAO, GreenBiz, 18 Mar., 2020) Contact: ICAO, Secretary General Fang Liu, www.icao.in

More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Offset,  Carbon Credits,  Aviation Emissions,  CORSIA,  International Civil Aviation Organization,  


Carbon Terminology Refresher (Opinions, Editorials & Asides)
Carbon Emissions
Date: 2020-03-16
From the Land Down Under, The Fifth Estate has offered the following brief clarifications of the plethora of commonly used carbon emissions related terms:
  • Net Zero Energy -- There's two ways of looking at this. The first is based on simple math, and means a building, precinct, process or region generates as much energy within its own boundaries or site as it pulls in from elsewhere over a specific period -- most often a year. The other definition is a building or precinct or region that generates 100 per cent of its own energy needs on site or within its boundaries.

  • Net Positive Energy -- When a building or precinct generates more energy than it uses and shares that energy through either a local microgrid or by sending it into the main grid, it becomes energy positive.

  • Carbon Negative -- Carbon negative is used for larger scales than individual buildings, such as precincts, regions, businesses or even entire nations. It means absorbing more carbon than all combined carbon emissions within the specific area or operation.

  • Carbon Neutral -- Carbon neutral is basically a balancing act where a building, business or region sequesters or offsets as much carbon as it emits.

  • Carbon Offsets -- All offsets are not created equal -- there are dirt-cheap offsets sloshing around the global carbon market from questionable projects in far-flung places. But not only are they scientifically and ethically questionable, they also will not meet the standards required for formal third-party carbon neutral certification. The best offsets deliver co-benefits beyond just sequestering carbon, such as improving biodiversity, increasing water quality or catchment protection, generating social benefits, local economic benefits or supporting Indigenous cultural practices and knowledge.

  • Operational Emissions -- Most carbon accounting undertaken for the purposes of carbon neutral certification focus on carbon emissions generated by the operation of a building, business or region. It's not just emissions from energy or fuel use though. The Greenhouse Gas Protocol defines three "scopes" or categories of carbon emissions as follows -- Scope 1 emissions are direct emissions from "owned or controlled sources" such as a fleet of vehicles, a power plant or a manufacturing plant. Scope 2 emissions are indirect emissions from the generation of energy used within a building, plant or region. Scope 3 emissions are all the indirect emissions in a business, process or region's value chain both upstream and downstream. This would include something like methane emissions from waste sent to landfill, or the emissions from energy used to make the widgets that a business procures then retails.

  • Embodied Carbon -- Basically, almost everything we use from a smartphone to a building, has embodied carbon. Embodied or upfront carbon refers to the emissions released during the manufacture and transport of building materials, and the construction as well the end-of-life-phases of built assets. (Source: Fifth Estate Australia, Mar, 2020)

    More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon,  Carbon Emissions,  


    • Canada GBC Updates Zero-Carbon Building Standard (Ind. Report)
    Canada Green Building Council
    Date: 2020-03-11
    In Ottawa, the The Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) reports it is zeroing in on carbon reduction with updates to its Zero Carbon Building (ZCB) Standard. Launched today, Version 2 is designed to accelerate adoption of zero carbon building practices and help Canada meet its climate targets while spurring innovation and job growth.

    Canada's buildings are a top contributor to carbon emissions, and updates to the ZCB Standard reflect the urgent need for change. Today, building operations represent 17 pct of Canada's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, or closer to 30 pct when embodied carbon from construction and materials are factored in.

    CaGBC's made-in-Canada ZCB Standard provides the industry with a zero-carbon approach that works for any type of new or existing building. Version 2 draws on learnings from over 20 real-world ZCB-projects. These projects demonstrate that the industry is ready to raise the bar on expanded requirements for embodied carbon and energy efficiency. At the same time, Version 2 aims to get more buildings to zero, faster, by providing more options for different design strategies and by recognizing high-quality carbon offsets when necessary.

    These updates balance the rigour needed to meaningfully eliminate carbon, while also being flexible enough for zero-carbon buildings to reach the mainstream. Since the ZCB Standard launched in 2017, CaGBC has proven through real-world projects and research, that zero- carbon buildings are technically and financially viable today -- across a wide spectrum of building types including schools, offices, multi-residential, commercial, and even industrial buildings. The updates provide the guidance for more owners and developers to build to zero now and as part of their plans for the future.

    ZCB Standard v2 provides two pathways for any type of building to get to zero-carbon. ZCB-Design guides the design of new buildings, as well as the retrofit of existing structures. ZCB-Performance provides a framework for verifying buildings have achieved zero- carbon and must be revisited annually.

    ZCB Standard v2 updates focus on these key components:

  • Embodied Carbon -- Projects must now reduce and offset carbon emissions for the building's life-cycle including those associated with the manufacture and use of construction materials.

  • Refrigerants -- ZCB Standard v2 encourages best practices to minimize potential leaks of refrigerants that, when released, can have significant short-term impacts on climate.

  • Energy Efficiency -- ZCB Standard v2 promotes the efficient use of clean energy with more stringent energy efficiency and air-tightness requirements.
  • Innovation -- ZCB-Design encourages innovation by requiring projects demonstrate two innovative strategies to reduce carbon emissions.

    (Source: Canada Green Building Council, PR, Mar., 2020) Contact: Canada Green Building Council, Peter Whitred, Senior Manager, Green Building Programs, Thomas Mueller, Pres. and CEO, (866) 941-1184, info@cagbc.org, www.cagbc.org; Zero Carbon Building Standard, www.CaGBC.org/zerocarbon

    More Low-Carbon Energy News Zero-Carbon,  Canada Green Building Council ,  Energy Efficiency,  


    • AstraZeneca Investing $1Bn in CO2, Climate Change Fight (Int'l.)
    AstraZeneca
    Date: 2020-01-24
    Cambridge, UK-based British-Swedish pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca reports it will invest $1 billion to reach zero carbon emissions across its global operations by 2025, and ensure its entire value chain is carbon negative by 2030 -- as outlined in the company's just released Ambition Zero Carbonstrategy.

    To that end, AstraZeneca plans to cut carbon emissions to net-zero emissions within its own operations without relying on offset schemes, use 100 pct renewable energy, and reduce total energy consumption by 10 pct from a 2015 base, all by 2025. The pharmaceuticals maker is also planning a 50,000,000 tree reforestation initiative named AZ Forest which will launch in Australis this February. (Source: AstraZeneka, PR, BusinessGreen, 20 Jan., 2020) Contact: AstraZeneca, Pascal Soirot, CEO, +44 (0)20 3749 5000, www.astrazeneka.com

    More Low-Carbon Energy News Net-Zero Carbon Emissions,  Reforestation,  Carbon Offsets,  


    Bank of America Carbon Neutrality Ahead of Schedule (Ind Report)
    Bank of America
    Date: 2020-01-24
    Bank of America Corp reports it has reached carbon neutrality ahead of projections by cutting CO2 emissions, a commitment to 100 pct renewable energy and the purchase of carbon offsets. According to a statement, the banking giant cut its facilities emissions by half since 2010.(Source: Bank of America, Jan. 2020) Contact: Bank of America, www.bankofamerica.com

    More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Neutral,  Bank of America,  


    Etihad Targeting Net-Zero Carbon Emissions by 2050 (Int'l. Report)
    Etihad Airways
    Date: 2020-01-17
    The UAE national air carrier, Etihad Airways, reports plans to halve its 2019 net emission levels by 2035 and achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

    The airline plans to reach its goal through a combination of internal initiatives, collaboration with industry partners, carbon offsets and optimized fuel management. Etihad is also committed to sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) biofuelsand is supporting the development of sustainable jet fuel made from municipal waste in Abu Dhabi. (Source: Etihad Airways, Biofuels Int'l. 16 Jan., 2020) Contact: Etihad Airways, Tony Douglas, CEO, Groupwww.etihad.com

    More Low-Carbon Energy News Etihad Airways,  SAF Fuel,  Carbon Emissions,  Aviation Emissions,  


    JetBlue Going Green with Carbon Offsets and Neste (Ind. Report)
    FetBlue,Neste
    Date: 2020-01-08
    U.S. air carrier JetBlue reports as of July, 2020 it will offset jet fuel CO2 emissions from all domestic flights. The airline will also use sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) on flights departing San Francisco International Airport, beginning in July.

    JetBlue has run targeted offset programs since 2008, addressing a total of 2.6 billion pounds of emissions. The new program aims to offset 15-17 billion pounds each year.

    JetBlue will also continue to partner with Carbonfund.org -- a leading U.S. based nonprofit carbon reduction and climate solutions organization. Since 2008, JetBlue has offset more than 2.6 billion pounds of CO2 emissions in partnership with Carbonfund.org. JetBlue's new carbon offsetting partners now also include established experts in the space -- EcoAct and South Pole. JetBlue has also contracted with sustainable aviation fuel producer Neste to help fuel its fleet beginning in mid-2020. (Source: JetBlue, PR, BusinessWire, Jan., 2020) Contact: JetBlue, David Barger, President, CEO, (718) 286-7900, www.jetblue.com; ; Neste, +358 10 458 4128, www.neste.com

    More Low-Carbon Energy News JetBlue,  Aviation Emissio ns,  Carbon Offset,  Neste,  Aviation Biofuel,  


    AirCarbon Touts New Digital Carbon Credits Exchange (Int'l Report)
    Carbon Credit, AirCarbon Pte
    Date: 2019-11-01
    In Singapore, AirCarbon Pte Ltd. reports its newly launched global blockchain-based AirCarbon Exchange will provide a ready supply of credits (EEUs) to airlines and other corporate buyers wishing to acquire CO2 offsets for compliance and voluntary purposes.

    These credits, when approved, will be eligible under the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) regime. Each tradable token will be backed by one equivalent tonne of CORSICA-compliant, highly liquid and tradable carbon credits. AirCarbon is applying for the recognized market operator (RMO) licence from the Monetary Authority of Singapore, and aims for the exchange to be fully operational in 2020.

    AirCarbon also operates the AirCarbon Fund, an investment fund which invests in carbon-mitigating projects such as reforestation, methane capture and carbon emissions reduction. Through these projects, the fund intends to generate CORSIA-compliant tradable carbon offsets, which will then be listed on the exchange. (Source: AirCarbon Pte, Business Times, 30 Oct., 2019) Contact: AirCarbon Pte Ltd., www.aircarbon.com

    More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Credit,  EEUs,  Carbon Offset,  ICAO,  


    BP Invests in Carbon Off-Setter Finite Resources (Ind. Report)
    BP, Finite Carbon
    Date: 2019-10-30
    UK-based oil giant BP reports it has invested $5 million in Finite Resources, parent company of Wayne, Pennsylvania-based Finite Carbon, a forest carbon management company. The investment will enable Finite Carbon to grow a new line of business to incentivize forest management financed by businesses seeking to voluntarily offset carbon emissions, according to a Kallanish Energy reports.

    Finite Carbon, is the largest developer of forest carbon offsets in North America, with over 40 forest projects covering nearly 3 million acres. Finite Carbon has developed and transacted more than 60 million compliance offsets, valued at nearly $600 million for landowners. (Source: BP, Kallanish Energy, 29 Oct., 2019) Contact: Finite Carbon, Sean Carney, CEO, 484-586-3080, www.finitecarbon.com

    More Low-Carbon Energy News Finite Carbon,  Carbon Offsets,  BP,  Carbon Emissions,  


    Gulfstream Announces First Carbon-Neutral Flights (Ind. Report)
    Gulfstream
    Date: 2019-10-21
    General Dynamics subsidiary Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. reports the Gulfstream G650ER, Gulfstream G600, Gulfstream G500, Gulfstream G550 and Gulfstream G280 made the company's first carbon-neutral flights, traveling from Savannah, Ga., to Las Vegas using a combination of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and carbon offsets.

    The flights used a 30/70 blend of low-carbon, drop-in SAF and traditional, petroleum-based Jet A fuel. The emissions associated with using 70 pct Jet A were more than offset by the company's purchase, for a per-flight-hour fee, of verified emission reduction (VERs) credits through a third-party offset provider. The offsets represented more than 200 percent of the carbon emitted during the trip. (Source: Gulfstream Aerospace Corp., PR, 21 Oct., 2019) Contact: Gulfstream Aerospace, www.culfstream.com

    More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Credits,  VERs,  Carbon Neutral,  


    Fifty European Airports Now Carbon Neutral (Int'l. Report)
    ACI Europe, Airport Carbon Accreditation
    Date: 2019-10-18
    In Brussels, the European airport trade group ACI Europe reports European airports are delivering on their commitment to reach 100 carbon neutral airports by 2030 -- a major interim step towards their Net-Zero Emissions by 2050 vision & pledge. With the upgrade of six Lapland Airports to Level 3+ Neutrality of the global CO2 management standard, Airport Carbon Accreditation, there are now 50 carbon neutral airports in Europe.

    Carbon neutrality is the highest level of carbon management performance under Airport Carbon Accreditation. In order to reach it, airports need to reduce CO2 emissions from those sources under their control as much as possible, and compensate for the remaining residual emissions with investment in high-quality carbon offsets. Carbon neutral airports at Level 3+ of the Airport Carbon Accreditation have to provide evidence of undertaking all the actions required by the programme prior to investing in carbon offsets. (Source: ACI Europe, Travel Daily News, 17 Oct., 2019) (Contact: ACI Europe, Olivier Jankovec, Director General, www.aci-europe.org; Airport Carbon Accreditation, www.airportcarbonaccreditation.org

    More Low-Carbon Energy News Airport Carbon Accreditation,  ACI Europe,  Carbon Emissions,  Carbon Offsets,  


    Finger Lakes Climate Fund Touts Carbon Offsets Project (Ind Report)
    Finger Lakes Climate Fund
    Date: 2019-10-14
    In the Empire State, the Ithaca-based Finger Lakes Climate Fund is touting an online carbon offsetting calculator program that allows donors to estimate their carbon pollution and pay a corresponding amount to support local clean energy, energy efficiency and climate related projects.

    The Finger Lakes Climate Fund works to promote clean energy projects in the Finger Lakes area while strengthening the regional economy while offsetting greenhouse gas emissions from buildings or travel.

    Carbon offset donations are used for grants to fund energy efficiency projects and renewables that would not otherwise be possible in low-to-moderate income households in the Finger Lakes region. These grants help pay for insulation, air sealing, energy efficient heating equipment such as heat pumps and pellet stoves, solar panels, and other upgrades to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.

    The Finger Lakes Climate Fund is also investigating other cost-effective local carbon offset projects such as soil carbon farming. (Source: Finger Lakes Climate Fund, Yale Climate Connection, Oct., 2019) Contact: Finger Lakes Climate Fund, www.fingerlakesclimatefund.org

    More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon OffsetsEnergy Efficiency,  Renewables,  GHG,  Climate Change,  


    Gov. Cuomo's "Green New Deal of New York" Adopted (Reg & Leg)
    Green New Deal,New York State
    Date: 2019-08-16
    New York State has adopted Gov. Andrew Cuomo's "Green New Deal of New York" -- the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) -- an aggressive carbon-emissions-reduction plan for the Empire State to derive 100 pct of its electricity from zero-carbon emissions sources by 2040.

    The CLCPA also commits New York to net-zero carbon emissions, economy-wide, by 2050, with an interim target of slashing emissions 40 pct below the state's 1990 emission levels by 2030. The Act also requires the state and industry to reduce their emissions by 85 pct , with the remaining 15 percent of the net-zero goal coming from carbon offsets.

    For oversight and administration, the act will create a 22 member commission a various advisory panels to deal with buildings and construction, industry, land use and zoning, local governments, transportation, and more. These advisory panels are required to consult with a climate justice working group composed of representatives from low-income communities and environmental justice groups. (Source: Office of Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D), Heartland Institute, 15 Aug., 2019) Contact: Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D), www.governor.ny.gov, www.governor.ny.gov/content/governor-contact-form

    More Low-Carbon Energy News Andrew Cuomo,  Green New Deal,  Climate Change,  Renewable Energy,  


    Delta, Air France, KLM, Virgin Atlantic Adopt Carbon Offsetting (Ind. Report, Int'l Report)
    Delta, Air France, KLM,Vigin Atlantic
    Date: 2019-08-05
    International Air carriers Delta, Air France, KLM and Virgin Atlantic report they will offset more than 1,800 metric tons of carbon emissions from more than 15,000 flights to and from Chicago during the 2019 GBTA airline industry trade show. Most of the carbon-offsets will be by way of purchases that fund the International Small Group and Tree Planting program (TIST).

    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,  


    European Airports Agree on Net-Zero Carbon Emissions (Int'l)
    Airports Council International Europe
    Date: 2019-07-01
    Airports Council International Europe (ACIE), which represents over 500 European airports, is reporting passage of a resolution committing the industry to becoming net-zero for carbon emissions under its control by 2050 at the latest , without resorting to carbon offsets. In addition, 194 non-ACIE member airports have individually committed to the same goal, according to ACI Europe.

    In 2018, Europe's airports handled a total of 2.34 billion passengers. The new net-zero commitment is expected to eliminate a total of 3.46 million tpy of CO2 emissions as of 2050, the organization says. In 2016 the industry committed to reaching 100 carbon-neutral airports by 2030 (Source: ACIE, Energy Manager, June 28, 2019 ) Contact: ACIE, www.aci-europe.org

    More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Emissions,  Aviation Emissions,  


    Armstrong Fluid Tech Inks Net-Zero Bldg Commitment (Ind Report)
    Armstrong Fluid Technology
    Date: 2019-06-28
    Toronto, Ontario-based international HVAC specialist Armstrong Fluid Technology reports it has signed on to the World Green Building Council Net-Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment positioning energy efficiency as a central component to achieving decarbonization across global portfolios. Signatories to the Net-Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment pledge to reach net-zero carbon operating emissions within their portfolios by 2030.

    To meet this commitment, Armstrong will: implement energy efficiency measures to lower electricity and fossil fuel consumption; generate renewable energy on-site; and procure renewable generated electricity and carbon offsets.

    The WGBC pledge calls for cities, states and regions to require all new buildings to operate at net-zero carbon from 2030, and all buildings, including existing buildings, operate at net-zero carbon by 2050. In addition to generating and obtaining renewable energy to meet reduced energy demand, the Commitment positions energy efficiency as a central component to achieving decarbonization. (Source: Armstrong Fluid Technology, PR, The News, 27 June, 2019) Contact: Armstrong Fluid Technology, Charles Armstrong, CEO, (416) 755-2291, info@armstrongfluidtechnology.com, www.armstrongfluidtechnology.com; World Green Building Council, Cristina Gamboa, CEO, World Green Building Council www.worldgbc.org/advancing-net-zero-status-report-2019

    More Low-Carbon Energy News Net-Zero Carbon,  Energy Efficiency,  World Green Building Council,  


    Notable Quote -- "Carbon Offsets Not Silver Bullets"
    Carbon Offsets
    Date: 2019-06-19
    "UN Environment supports carbon offsets as a temporary measure leading up to 2030, and a tool for speeding up climate action. However, it is not a silver bullet, and the danger is that it can lead to complacency.

    "The October 2018 report by the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change made it clear that if we are to have any hope of curbing global warming we need to transition away from carbon for good: by traveling electric, embracing renewable energy, eating less meat and wasting less food." -- Niklas Hagelberg, UN Environment Climate Specialist. Contact: UN Environment, Niklas.Hagelberg, Niklas.Hagelberg@un.org

    More Low-Carbon Energy News Climate Change,  Global Warming,  Carbon Offsets,  


    Carbon Offsets are Not Our Get-Out-of-Jail Free Card , says UN Report (Opinions, Editorials & Asides)
    Carbon Offsets,UN Environment
    Date: 2019-06-17
    According to the UN Environment's Carbon Offsets are Not Our Get-Out-of-Jail Free Card Report , buying carbon credits in exchange for a clean conscience while burning fossil fuels is under fire by private citizens, scientists and activists concerned with the way carbon offsets have been used by polluters as a free pass for inaction.

    Annual emissions have to reduce by 29-32 gigatonnes of equivalent carbon dioxide (CO2e) by 2030 to maintain a fighting chance to stay below 1.5 degree C -- a five-fold increase on current ambitions, the report notes.

    According to the report, carbon offset schemes were set up to allow the largest polluters who exceed permitted emissions’ levels to fund projects, such as reforestation, that reduce CO2 in the air, essentially balancing out their emissions equation. The types of carbon offset projects that are implemented range from forestry sequestration projects to energy efficiency and renewable energy projects (which reduce future CO2 emissions in the atmosphere).

    Carbon offsets are useful while infrastructure and industry make the transition to electric mobility, alternative energy and the new technology necessary for low- and zero-carbon lifestyles. Where there are no viable alternatives in the short term, an offset scheme promises to cancel out the emissions in one place with emission-reducing actions in another.

    Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) credits have also come under fire with a 2016 study found 85 pct of the offsets had a "low likelihood" of creating real reductions, and the UN has struggled to reconcile its support for offsets with evidence that they are problematic.

    Download the UN Carbon Offsets are Not Our Get-Out-of-Jail Free Card report HERE; (Source: UN Environment, Pro Publica, 10 June, 2019) Contact: UN Environment, Niklas.Hagelberg, Niklas.Hagelberg@un.org

    More Low-Carbon Energy News CDM,  Carbon Emissions,  Carbon Offsets,  


    Bates Achieves Carbon Neutrality Ahead of 2020 Goal (Ind. Report)
    Bates College
    Date: 2019-05-17
    In Lewiston, Maine, Bates College reports it has achieved carbon neutrality one year ahead of its own commitment. The college reduced its campus carbon emissions by 95 pct and will account for its remaining footprint through the purchase of carbon offsets.

    Out of some 700 U.S. colleges and universities to sign a carbon neutrality pledge in 2007, Bates is one of only seven to date that have reached that goal. Bates cut its carbon footprint by: reducing energy consumption through efficiency measures; strengthening the culture of sustainability on campus and changing behaviors in concrete ways; and switching to renewable energy sources -- specifically, Renewable Fuel Oil (RFO), a wood-derived liquid that serves as the primary fuel for the college's central heating plant. (Source: Bates College, PR 16 May, 2019) Contact: Bates College, Marjorie Hall, (207) 786-8248, mhall@bates.edu, www.bates.edu

    More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Neutral,  Carbon Emissions,  Climate Change,  


    Communications Giant Aims for 2035 Carbon Neutrality (Ind. Report)
    Verizon
    Date: 2019-04-26
    NYC-headquartered telecommunications giant Verizon Communications Inc. is touting it plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035 through a program of direct emissions reduction, the purchase of renewable energy, carbon offsets and other measures. For 2025, Verizon aims for a 50 pct carbon intensity reduction.

    The company aims to neutralise its Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions -- all direct sources of emissions owned or controlled by Verizon, the main ones being fuel to power fleet, heat buildings and power back-up generators. Scope 2 concerns indirect emissions sources generated off-site but purchased by Verizon.

    As previously reported, in February, Verizon launched a $1-billion green bond to fund both new and existing environmentally friendly investments. (Source: Verizon, Renewables, 24 April, 2019) Contact: Verizon, Jim Gowen, Chief Sustainability Officer, www.linkedin.com/in/james-gowen-6b4619143, www.verizon.com

    More Low-Carbon Energy News Verizon,  Carbon Emissions,  Carbon Neutral,  


    BikeFlights Touts Carbon Offset Sustainability Initiative (Ind Report)
    BikeFlights
    Date: 2019-04-24
    Bicycle shipping specialist BikeFlights.com is touting the launch of a new sustainability initiative to reduce and offset the carbon emissions resulting from all of its shipments.

    Under its initiative, BikeFlights.com purchases high quality carbon offsets through its partner carrier UPS which then retires an equivalent amount of carbon offsets from verified carbon reduction projects. Target projects have included improved forest management, methane and landfill gas destruction and wastewater treatment.

    BikeFlights .com has also adopted other environmentally-friendly practices to be more sustainable, including helping to reduce the impact of customer travel, having a remote workforce, reducing its own materials consumption, sourcing boxes locally and recycling. It also works toward the sustainability of cycling as a sport. (Source: BikeFlights.com, PR, BikeBiz, 23 April, 2019) Contact: BikeFlights.com, Sue George, VP, (541) 705-2453, www.bikeflights.com

    More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Offsets,  Carbon Credits,  


    Avista Targeting 100 pct Clean Energy by 2045 (Ind. Report)
    Avista Utilities
    Date: 2019-04-22
    Last week in Spokane, Avista Utilities reported it is committing to 100 pct clean energy by 2045 and to have a carbon neutral supply of electricity by 2027. According to the company's website, "reaching this goal will require further improvements in costs and technology associated with clean electric generation and energy storage as well as regulatory support." About 60 pct of of the utility's power presently is drawn from renewable energy sources, according to the website which notes the company may acquire carbon offsets to reach its goal.

    Avista serves customers in eastern Washington, northern Idaho and northeastern Oregon. (Source: Avista Utilities, Lewiston Tribune, 19 April, 2019) Contact: Avisya Utilities, Dennis Vermillion, Pres., Heather Rosentrater, VP, www.avistautilities.com

    More Low-Carbon Energy News Avista Utilities,  Renewable Energy,  Clean Energy,  


    Voluntary Carbon Credit Trading Market (Report Available) Production Forecast from 2018 to 2023

    Date: 2019-04-19
    The newly released Global Voluntary Carbon Credit Tradin Market Report -- 2018-2023 report from Market Research covers market characteristics, sizes and growth, segmentation, regional breakdowns, competitive scenario, market share, trends and strategies, key players and other relevant issues.

    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,  


    Amazon Employees for Climate Justice Submit Open Letter to Jeff Bezos, Amazon Board of Directors (Opinions, Editorials & Asides)
    Amazon
    Date: 2019-04-12
    "To Jeff Bezos and Board of Directors:

    "We, the undersigned 4,520 Amazon employees, ask that you adopt the climate plan shareholder resolution and release a company-wide climate plan that incorporates the principles outlined in this letter.

    "Amazon has the resources and scale to spark the world's imagination and redefine what is possible and necessary to address the climate crisis. We believe this is a historic opportunity for Amazon to stand with employees and signal to the world that we're ready to be a climate leader.

    "Climate change is an existential threat. The 2018 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report predicts that a warming of 2 degree C, which we're currently on track to surpass, will threaten the lives of hundreds of millions of people and put thousands of species at risk of extinction. We're already seeing devastating climate impacts: unprecedented flooding in India and Mozambique, dry water wells in Africa, coastal displacement in Asia, wildfires and floods in North America, and crop failure in Latin America. Vulnerable communities least responsible for the climate crisis are already paying the highest price.

    "Amazon's leadership is urgently needed. We're a company that understands the importance of thinking big, taking ownership of hard problems, and earning trust. These traits have made Amazon a top global innovator but have been missing from the company's approach to climate change. For example: We (Amazon) haven't disclosed a company-wide plan to reach zero carbon emissions within the timeline required; Shipment Zero only commits to net carbon reductions; We have an AWS for oil & gas initiative devoted to helping fossil fuel companies accelerate and expand oil and gas extraction; We donate to climate-delaying legislators (Amazon has joined a variety of sustainability organizations like the Corporate Eco Forum and the American Council on Renewable Energy, we donated to 68 members of congress in 2018 who voted against climate legislation 100 pct of the time) ; and our sustainability goals lack context. "For example, we've set a goal of at least 50 solar installations in warehouse facilities by 2020. This represents only 6 pct of buildings in our global fulfillment network and a fraction of our overall carbon footprint .

    "Our customer obsession requires climate obsession. This necessitates an immediate company-wide plan addressing climate change that demonstrates the following principles: Public goals and timelines consistent with science and the IPCC report ; A complete transition away from fossil fuels rather than relying on carbon offsets; Prioritization of climate impact when making business decision; Reduction of harm to the most vulnerable communities first; Advocacy for local, federal, and international policies; Fair treatment of all employees during climate disruptions and extreme weather events.

    "In our mission to become 'Earth's most customer-centric company,' we believe our climate impact must be a top consideration in everything we do. We have the power to shift entire industries, inspire global action on climate, and lead on the issue of our lifetimes. We ask that you, as leaders responsible for our strategic direction, adopt the climate plan resolution and release a company-wide plan that incorporates the six principles above." (Source: Amazon Employees for Climate Justice, April, 2019)

    More Low-Carbon Energy News Amazon,  Climate Change,  Renewable Energy,  


    Panasonic Belgium, Japan Plants Reach Zero Carbon Status (Int'l)
    Panasonic
    Date: 2019-03-25
    Panasonic Group reported last week that two of its factories -- Panasonic Energy Belgium (PECBE) and Panasonic Eco Technology Center (PETEC) in Japan, simultaneously reached zero-carbon production status in February, 2019. The company is aiming for carbon-neutrality across all of its of its production facities worldwide by 2050.

    Carbon emissions reductions at the two plants were achieved by installing onsite wind turbines, switching to 100 pct procured renewable energy, using carbon offsets that comply with Verified Carbon Standards (VCS) and switching its boilers to energy-saving models. (Source: Panasonic, edie.met, 24 Mar., 2019) Contact: Panasonic Energy Belgium, +32 13 61 05 11, www.panasonic-batteries.com/en/about-panasonic-energy-belgium

    More Low-Carbon Energy News Panasonic,  Zero-Carbon,  


    PwC Joins RE100 Commits to 100 pct Renewable Energy (Ind. Report)
    PwC
    Date: 2018-10-22
    International accountancy and consulting giant PriceWatershouse Coopers (PwC) reports its commitment to cut carbon emissions, source 100 pct renewable energy for its electricity consumption, and to offset all business air travel has been reinforced with membership in the Climate Group and CDP lead RE100 initiative. The commitment applies to 21 of PwC's largest firms accounting for 88 pct of revenues in 2018.

    In addition to joining RE100, PwC has also committed to offsetting unavoidable emissions linked to air travel by investing in a range of voluntary carbon offsets. PwC network firms will select from a portfolio of offsetting projects to reflect their local priorities. Amongst the project portfolio are a biodiversity reserve in Borneo, a wind farm in Turkey, a cook stove project in China and a landfill gas project in New York state generating electricity for 18,000 homes and creating 420 acres of new wetlands. (Source: PWC, The Financial, 17 Oct., 2018)Contact: PricewaterhouseCoopers, www.pwc.com; RE100, www.thre100.org; CDP, www.cdp.net

    More Low-Carbon Energy News CDP,  RE100,  PwC,  Carbon Emissions,  Renewable Energy,  


    Apple Supporting Carbon Sequestration through Mangrove Restoration (Ind. Report)
    Mangrove, Apple
    Date: 2018-09-17
    Smart Phone juggernaut Apple reports it is investing an undisclosed sum in a project in Colombia to restore mangroves and sequester as much as 17,000 metric tons (18,739 tons) of carbon dioxide in two years. That’s equal to the emissions that the fleet of vehicles updating Apple Maps will produce over the coming decade, according to the Apple release.

    Beyond cutting the amount of carbon dioxide we put into the atmosphere, scientists show that we will also need to pull carbon dioxide from the air to avoid catastrophic climate change. There are six so-called “negative-emissions technologies” that can help us get there: afforestation and reforestation; enhanced weathering (using minerals that capture carbon dioxide); soil carbon (tweaking the crops and forests we currently grow to absorb more carbon); biochar (using a special kind charcoal as to trap carbon dioxide); BECCS (bioenergy with carbon capture and storage, which requires capturing carbon dioxide produced by burning biomass like wood and then burying it underground); and DAC (direct air capture, which involves the use of machines that are essentially trees on steroids to suck carbon dioxide from the air and bury it underground).

    Among those negative-emissions technologies, mangrove restoration would be classed as reforestation. The Conservation International project would cover an area of 17,000 hectares (42,000 acres) in the Sinu river delta. The NGO will use the money raised for the project to help the 12,000 people in the community who use the mangroves for food, firewood, and livelihoods. Conservation International believes the carbon offsets will provide financial security to the region and develop sustainable ways to support tourism and fisheries.

    (Source: Apple, PR, Sept., 2018)

    More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Sequestration news,  Apple news,  Mangrove news,  



    Date: 2018-09-17
    Apple’s newest smartphones may not have received all-round praise, but its latest environmental initiative surely should. On Friday (Sep. 14), the world’s most valuable company said it is investing an undisclosed sum in a project in Colombia to restore mangroves and sequester as much as 17,000 metric tons (18,739 tons) of carbon dioxide in two years. That’s equal to the emissions that the fleet of vehicles updating Apple Maps will produce over the coming decade.

    “Mangroves live at the edge of the land and sea, providing local communities with coastal protection, habitat for their fisheries, and a wealth of biodiversity,” according to Conservation International, an NGO that’s leading the mangrove restoration project. “These and other ocean wetlands store up to 10 times the carbon per unit area as terrestrial forests, making them a vital ally in the fight against climate change.” A 2016 study of 3,000 deforested mangrove patches found that most of them were being cut down for the use of growing rice, palm trees, or expanding fisheries.

    Beyond cutting the amount of carbon dioxide we put into the atmosphere, scientists show that we will also need to pull carbon dioxide from the air to avoid catastrophic climate change. There are six so-called “negative-emissions technologies” that can help us get there: afforestation and reforestation; enhanced weathering (using minerals that capture carbon dioxide); soil carbon (tweaking the crops and forests we currently grow to absorb more carbon); biochar (using a special kind charcoal as to trap carbon dioxide); BECCS (bioenergy with carbon capture and storage, which requires capturing carbon dioxide produced by burning biomass like wood and then burying it underground); and DAC (direct air capture, which involves the use of machines that are essentially trees on steroids to suck carbon dioxide from the air and bury it underground).

    Among those negative-emissions technologies, mangrove restoration would be classed as reforestation. The Conservation International project would cover an area of 17,000 hectares (42,000 acres) in the Sinu river delta. The NGO will use the money raised for the project to help the 12,000 people in the community who use the mangroves for food, firewood, and livelihoods. Conservation International believes the carbon offsets will provide financial security to the region and develop sustainable ways to support tourism and fisheries.

    Earlier this year, Apple also announced that all of its electricity use in 45 countries is powered by 100% renewable energy. Some of the success of such environmental shifts are down to the lower cost of renewable energy, but much credit also goes to environmental campaigns like Greenpeace’s Click Clean that hold tech companies to account on their sustainability promises. That said, there’s still a long way to go if Apple plans to cut emissions from all its energy use. (Source: Apple, PR, Sept., 2018)


    Co-op Promotes Reforestation to Offset CO2 Emissions (Ind. Report)
    Coop Carbone
    Date: 2018-08-31
    In Quebec, the Arbre-Evolution co-op reports it is partnering with Coop Carbone to develop carbon-offsetting projects. Coop Carbone works with enterprises to identify, develop and fund carbon-offsetting projects.

    Arbre-Evolution's pioneering approach to carbon offsetting focuses on the "social aspect of planting trees." Arbre-Evolution selects and supports projects from ideas put forward by businesses and community groups seeking to offset their carbon footprints through community tree planting and reforestation projects on publicly or collectively owned land.

    In addition to its partnership with Coop Carbone, Arbre-Evolution is working with the Forest Stewardship Council of Canada. The co-op's approach enables communities and companies to be part of the process rather than simply purchasing carbon credits. (Source: Coop News, 28 Aug., 2018) Contact: Arbre-Evolution, (514) 207-3686, (418) 607-0697, info@arbre-evolution.org, www.arbre-evolution.org; Coop Carbone, Jean Nolet, Pres., http://coopcarbone.coop

    More Low-Carbon Energy News Coop Carbone,  Carbon Offsets,  Carbon Emissions,  Reforestation,  


    Vermont Forest Reserve to Offset Calif. CO2 Emissions (Ind. Report)
    Nature Conservancy Vermont.
    Date: 2018-07-16
    In the Green Mountain State, the Vermont Nature Conservancy is reporting that 5,400 acres (2,185 hectares) of forested land around Burnt Mountain will be the first Vermont site eligible for California's regulatory compliance market. Under the program, California businesses are required to reduce most carbon emissions or to purchase credits to offset their remaining emissions. The Nature Conservancy estimates that the credits will have an approximate value of $2 million over a 10-year period.

    The forest, which is located across five northern Vermont communities, was previously part of a 26,000-acre (10,500-hectare) holding by the Vermont Land Trust and The Nature Conservancy. In 2016 the two groups began separating the holding into 12 parcels, the majority of which will be working forestland.

    The Nature Conservancy acquired the Vermont Land Trust's half-interest for the Burnt Mountain forest which conserved 11,000 privately owned acres. The Nature Conservancy plans to keep the site open for non-motorized recreation activities. (Source: Nature Conservancy,PR, 14 July, 2018) Contact: Nature Conservancy Vermont, Jim Shallow, Director Strategic Conservation Initiatives, Nature Conservancy Vermont, (802) 229-4425, www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/vermont/index.htm?src=r.v_vermont.local.na.vt

    More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Offsets,  Nature Conservancy,  


    C4COIN Raises $450,000 in Seed Funding (Ind. Report)
    C4Coin
    Date: 2018-05-25
    In the Big Apple, carbon negative blockchain technology developer C4Coin reports the closing of a $450,000 seed funding round led by Miles O'Brien. The funds will be used to grow the company's team and to advance foundational partnerships.

    Founded in 2017, C4Coin will reward eco-conscious activities that generate verifiable carbon offsets. Users creating these offsets will receive carbon credit tokens called CO2KNs. These tokens can be retired through an innovative consensus protocol to earn a traditional crypto-asset called C4Coin.

    The company plans to launch its blockchain in Q4 2018.

    The name C4Coin stems from the biological process of carbon fixation. Plants take CO2 and inorganic Carbon 4 and break them down into organic, useable carbon and oxygen. (Source: C4Coin, PR, 24 May, 2018) Contact: C4Coin, Harrison Perl, CEO, www.c4coin.org

    More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Offset,  Carbon Credits,  Carbon Trading,  


    ClimeCo Awarded Project Developer of the Year Honors (Ind. Report)
    Climate Action Reserve
    Date: 2018-04-09
    Philadelphia-based ClimeCo Corporation reports it has been selectd as Project Developer of the Year by the Climate Action Reserve, in recognition for the Most Registered Carbon Offset Projects in 2017. The Climate Action Reserve (CAR), North America's premier carbon offset registry, presented the 2017 Project Developer of the Year Award for the Most Registered Projects, to ClimeCo Corporation during CAR's Navigating the American Carbon World (NACW) annual conference. Award recipients were recognized for leadership to advance climate solutions and strengthen carbon markets through the development of successful carbon offset projects and permanent emissions reductions.

    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,  


    Convenience Stores Cut Emissions with Carbon Offsets (Ind. Report)
    Tri Star Energy
    Date: 2018-03-16
    In Tennessee, fleet fuel services provider Tri Star Energy, the owner of Twice Daily convenience stores, reports it is partnering with GreenPrint, the Arbor Day Foundation, and GROW Enrichment, to offer THRIVE.

    The THRIVE program, which is set to launch in April, will reduce consumers' tailpipe emissions on all grades of fuel through certified carbon investment projects such as tree plantings, renewable energy development and others. In addition to the carbon offsets, the THRIVE program will plant 25,000 trees in Middle Tennessee with the Arbor Day Foundation. The program has also partnered with Nashville-based GROW Enrichment, a non-profit organization focused on community development through urban agriculture and nature conservation education. (Source: Tri Star Energy, Convenience Store Decisions, 13 Mar., 2018) Contact: Tri Star Energy, Steve Hostetter, CEO, www.tristartn.com; GreenPrint, (404) 207-1947, info@GreenPrintCorp.com, www.greenprintcorp.com; Arbor Day Foundation, www.arborday.org

    More Low-Carbon Energy News Vehicle Emissions,  GreenPrint,  Transportation Emissions,  Carbon Offsets,  Arbor Day,  


    Saskatchewan Still Rejecting Ottawa's Carbon Tax (Ind. Report)
    Canadan Carbon Tax
    Date: 2018-03-14
    In Ottawa, the Canadian federal government reports it has rejected the Province of Saskatchewan's requested exemption from the Liberal Gov. of Justin Trudeau's carbon pricing plan.

    Saskatchewan's Prairie Resilience: A Made-in-Saskatchewan Climate Change Strategy doesn't include an explicit carbon tax and lowers the threshold of what is considered a "heavy emitter" from 50,000 tpy of emissions to 25,000 tpy. The provincial plan also calls for carbon offsets to be purchased by heavy emitters as well as a best performance credit for companies demonstrating low emissions or investments in reducing their emissions. The provincial government is refusing to accept the Canadian federal government's planned imposition of a carbon tax. (Source: Saskatchewan Environment Minister, Regina Leader-Post, 12 Mar., 2018) Contact: Saskatchewan Environment Minister, Hon. Dustin Duncan, (306) 787-0393, https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/government-structure/cabinet/honourable-dustin-duncan

    More Low-Carbon Energy News Canada Carbon Tax,  Carbon Emissions,  


    Ontario Developing Carbon Offset Protocols (Ind. Report)
    Ontario,Carbon Offsets
    Date: 2018-03-02
    At Queens Park, the government of Ontario reports it is developing 13 proposed carbon offset protocols in cooperation with the province of Quebec and will work with the province's Environmental Commissioner (ECO) to address its concerns linked to several of the proposed offset methodologies.

    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,  


    New Carbon Neutral Mortgage Offsets Home Ownership Carbon Footprint (Ind. Report)
    Carbon Credit Capital ,Residential Home Funding Corp. of America
    Date: 2018-02-14
    NYC-headquartered Carbon Credit Capital (CCC) and Residential Home Funding Corp. of America (RHF) report the offering of a new "Carbon Neutral Mortgage" where the fees borrowers typically pay to banks and underwriters upon closing their loans are instead put towards carbon offset projects to fully mitigate the projected carbon footprint of owning and operating the home, for the life of the loan.

    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


    SEAL Awards Announces Carbon Research Grants (R&D, Funding)
    SEAL Awards
    Date: 2017-12-20
    The SEAL (Sustainability, Environmental Achievement & Leadership) Awards is reporting the opening of its 2018 Environmental Research Grant program. In 2017 SEAL awarded grants to 8 researchers studying forest carbon offsets, carbon capture through salt marshes, corporate greenhouse gases, the politics of environmental policy, and the public health impacts of climate change. Institutions represented included Harvard, Marine Conservation Institute, MIT, and UCLA.

    The SEAL Awards launched in 2017 is an awards-driven environmental advocacy organization that believes environmental progress requires leadership, leadership deserves recognition, and recognition is a form of accountability,

    SEAL Awards information and grant applications are HERE. (Source: Seal Awards, PR, 19 Dec., 2017) Contact: Seal Awards, Matt Hamey, Founder, (619) 878-9015, wwwsealawards.com

    More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Emissions ,  Forest Carbon,  CCS,  


    Carbon Tax Nixed in Sask. Climate-Change Plan (Reg & Leg.)
    Saskatchewan Environment Minister
    Date: 2017-12-06
    In Regina, the Saskatchewan Environment Minister, the Hon. Dustin Duncan, notes that although the proposed provincial climate-change strategy calls for performance standards on facilities that emit more than 25,000 tpy of carbon dioxide equivalent and doesn't include a carbon tax, it "will achieve as much, if not more than, a carbon tax ever would."

    Under the proposed strategy, facilities that exceed their emissions limit will be able to buy carbon offsets from farmers or foresters, a carbon credit from another company with emissions under its allotment or pay into a provincial fund.

    According to the Minister, emissions standards are to be be developed but will recognize investments companies have already made to reduce their emissions. The provincial strategy does not yet outlined or defined the goals, targets nor estimates of the volume of greenhouse gas emissions are expected to be reduced. Transportation, agriculture, home heating, commercial and industrial energy use emissions are largely exempted in the proposed program which is expected to finalized and in place in 2018. (Source: Office of Saskatchewan Environment Minister, CTV, Canadian Press, 4 Dec., 2017) Contact: Office of Saskatchewan Environment Minister, (306) 787-0393, env.minister@gov.sk.ca, www.saskatchewan.ca/government/government-structure/ministries/environment

    More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Emission,  Carbon Tax,  Climate Change,  


    Planet Alpha Offering Forest Carbon Securities to Reverse Deforestation (Ind. Report)
    Planet Alpha
    Date: 2017-12-01
    Cambridge, Mass.- based Planet Alpha Corp. (PAC) reports it is offering up to 5,000,000 Non-Voting Series A Preferred shares, at $10 per share, to develop world-wide forest carbon projects supporting communities and forest restoration. There is no minimum investment, allowing purchase of a single share ($10) by accredited and non-accredited investors alike. The proceeds will be used develop forest carbon sequestration projects in ecologically diverse locations around the planet.

    PAC projects are developed and implemented in collaboration with local, community-based organizations that rely on cultural knowledge to manage forest ecosystems. PAC's "measurement-to-monetization" services are provided at no cost to landowners. PAC services are available to verify emission reduction for Paris Agreement signatories.

    PAC aims to reduce CO2 emissions and greenhouse gases by restoring nature. The company deploys carbon measurement infrastructure on forest lands to accurately measure carbon offsets for sale as carbon securities and carbon products. (Source: Planet Alpha Corp., PR, PRZen, 28 Nov., 2017) Contact: Planet Alpha Corp., D.V. Marino, CEO, https://planetalphaforest.earth

    More Low-Carbon Energy News Deforestation,  Planet Alpha,  Fotest Carbon,  Carbon Credits,  Carbon Sequestration,  


    Germany Offsetting COP23 Carbon Footprint with CERs (Int'l)
    COP23
    Date: 2017-11-10
    Reporting from Bonn, Fiji's Ambassador to the European Union and COP23 Climate Ambassador Deo Saran says the German government will calculate the carbon footprint of COP23 and offset emissions with the purchase of certified emissions reduction credits (CERs) from the Clean Development Mechanism projects (CDM), with a preference for CERs registered in Small Island Developing States, including Fiji.

    Fiji, which is the presiding President of the COP23 conference now underway in Bonn to 17 Nov., says COP 23 brings a sense of urgency as several Pacific islands are threatened by rising sea level and could soon disappear underwater. (Source: Fiji Times, 6 Nov., 2017) Contact: COP23 President Fifi, www.cop23.com.fj

    More Low-Carbon Energy News CDM,  Carbon Emissions,  Carbon Offsets,  Carbon Footprint,  


    UN Entities Achieve Climate Neutrality (Ind. Report)
    UN
    Date: 2017-11-08
    According to the UN's Greening the Blue report the UN emitted 1.90 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2eq) in 2016 -- an average of 7.18 tCO2eq per capita. The UN headquarter offices in New York, various field offices and warehouses, accounted for 46 pct of the total, air travel accounted for 42 pct and other travel made up the balance.

    The organization offset 37 pct of its total reported emissions through the purchase of carbon credits. and is is on track to 100 pct climate-neutrality by 2020, according to the Greening the Blue According to the report 39 of the UN's 69 agencies achieved climate neutrality in 2016 The climate-neutral UN entities include UN Environment (UNEP), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), UN Women, the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), the UN Postal Union (UPU), and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and others.

    Download the full report HERE. (Source: UN, Greening the Blue, IISD, 2 Nov., 2017) Contact: Greening the Blue, www.greeningtheblue.org

    More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Emissions,  Carbon Offsets,  Carbon Footprint,  Carbon Neutral,  


    Terrapass, Lyft Partner on Transport Carbon Offsets (Ind. Report)
    Terrapass,LYFT
    Date: 2017-10-09
    Houston-headquatered Terrapass, a member of the retail energy provider Just Energy Group, reports it is partnering with Lyft, the fastest growing ride-share on-demand transportation service in the US, to offset carbon emissions associated with travel for all University of Michigan football games for the 2017/2018 season.

    Football fans traveling via Lyft will have their travel to and from Michigan State stadium balanced with carbon offsets purchased by Terrapass. The carbon offsets will be sourced from the South Kent Landfill in Byron Center, MI.

    Just Energy specializes in electricity and natural gas commodities, energy efficiency solutions, and renewable energy options in Canada, the UK, Germany and the U.S. The company serves approximately 1.5 million residential and commercial customers. (Source: Just Energy Group. PR 6 Oct., 2017) Contact: Just Energy Group Inc., Morgan Smith, (713) 881.8641, mpsmith@justenergy.com, www.justenergy.com; Terrapass, www.terrapass.com: Lyft, www.lyft.com

    More Low-Carbon Energy News Terrapass,  Carbon Offsets,  


    Morgan Stanley Plans Carbon Neutrality by 2022 (Ind. Report)
    Morgan Stanley
    Date: 2017-09-25
    New York-headquartered multinational financial services giant Morgan Stanley reports will seek to source 100 pct of its global electric power requirements from renewable energy sources under a plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2022. To that end, the company plans to cut overall energy consumption by 20 pct from 2012 levels, improve energy efficiency and consider power purchase agreements, renewable energy credits and carbon offsets. Morgan Stanley will also join the Climate Group and CDP RE100 Initiative comprised of companies committed to power 100 pct of their operations with renewables.

    Since 2006, Morgan Stanley has lowered its carbon footprint by 36 pct and met its previous goal for cutting carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions earlier than planned.(Source: Morgan Stanley, Renewables Now, Other Media, 22 Sept., 2017) Contact: Morgan Stanley, (212) 761-4000, www.morganstanley.com

    More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Neutral,  CDP,  RE100,  


    Biogas Project Included in Carbon Inv. Fund Portfolio (Ind. Report)
    Carbon Trust,California Bioenergy
    Date: 2017-09-22
    U.S.-based private investment fund Climate Trust Capital, an independent entity of the Climate Trust, reports it will invest more than $862,000 of Climate Trust Capital's Fund I in a covered lagoon digester -- its first carbon investment in the biogas sector.

    The project will destroy methane and produce carbon offsets under California's cap-and-trade system. The investment is based on the anticipated ten-year value of carbon credits from a livestock digester project located at West-Star North Dairy farm in California's San Joaquin Valley. Visalia-based California Bioenergy LLC (CalBio) is partnering on the digester project which is expected to begin generating carbon offsets in January 2018 with initial cash flow from the sale of these offsets in 2019.

    Climate Trust Capital's Fund I is focused on investing in high-quality, U.S.-based carbon offset projects. Fund I will be the first in a series of Climate Trust Capital-led investment funds built to appeal to institutional and impact investors. The West-Star North project will be developed in accordance to the California Air Resources Board (ARB) Compliance Offset Protocol for Livestock Projects. (Source: Climate Trust Capital, 21 Sept., 2017) Contact: California Bioenergy Inc., (559) 667-9560, info@calbioenergy.com, www.calbioenergy.com; Climate Trust Capital, (5030 238-1915 x211 , www.climatetrust.org

    More Low-Carbon Energy News California Bioenergy,  CalBio,  Carbon Trust ,  


    BlueSource, Haliburton Forest Tout GHG Partnership (Ind Report)
    Bluesource Canada
    Date: 2017-09-18
    In Ontario, the 100,000-acre Haliburton Forest and Wildlife Reserve reports it has partnered with GHG carbon offsets developer Bluesource Canada to leverage the value generated by the Ontario carbon market to commit to long-term stewardship that maximizes CO2 emissions sequestered by the forest.

    The privately-owned Haliburton Forest, which has pledged to undertake sustainable forest management practices that will generate 75,000 tpy of additional GHG reductions over the long-term, currently sequesters an estimated 8 million tpy of CO2 and will continue to sequester amounts that significantly exceed what would have occurred through common-practice forest management.

    The long-term commitment to reducing GHG emissions will be made in the context of a GHG offset protocol being developed by the Ontario Government as part of the cap-and-trade program. The impending forest management protocol will create binding obligations on Haliburton Forest that provide the security that the GHG reductions will be permanent. (Source: BlueSource Canada, 15 Sept., 2017) Contact: BlueSource Canada, Jamie MacKinnon, VP of Environmental Solutions, (416) 427- 4888, info@bluesource.com, www.bluesource.com; Haliburton Forest, Malcolm Cockwell, Managing Director, www.haliburtonforest.com

    More Low-Carbon Energy News Ontario Carbon Market,  Carbon Sequestration,  Ontario Cap-and-Trade,  Bluesource,  Forest Carbon,  Carbon Sequestration,  


    Burning Coal Methane for Carbon Credits Proposed (Ind. Report)
    Global Carbon Strategies Corp.
    Date: 2017-09-08
    Lakewood, Colorado-based Global Carbon Strategies Corp. (GCS) reports it plans to "flare" up to 400,000 million btu of vented coal mine methane gas per year from 6 "gob" mines in Utah under a five-year contract with Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration.

    Under federal legislation, mine operators are permitted to vent mine methane without penalty. GCS' proposal qualifies under California's cap-and-trade system.

    GCS will pay a 12.5-cent royalty per million btu flared, plus $5,000 per year per mine in rent. Carbon offsets are currently selling for $5.80 per ton of carbon dioxide equivalent.

    According to the EPA, coal mines represent 12 pct of all human-caused methane emissions and are the nation's second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions after CO2. Even so, methane emissions from mines are exempted from regulation under the Clean Air Act because the gas has to be vented from underground coal deposits to prevent lethal explosions.

    To calculate the carbon offsets the methane destruction is worth, GCS is relying on Salt Lake City-based consulting firm Bluesource, which will register the offsets with the Climate Action Reserve. They could then be issued California Air Resources Board (CARB) which has authorized 7 mines to join the offset program. (Source: GCS, CARB, Salt Lake Tribune, Sept., 2017) Contact: Global Carbon Strategies, C. Kennedy, VP, 1885 Denver West Court, Lakewood, Colorado, 80401, -- phone and email not presently available; Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration, (801) 538-5100, https://trustlands.utah.gov; CARB, (800) 242-4450, helpline@arb.ca.gov, www.arb.ca.gov; Bluesource, www.bluesource.com

    More Low-Carbon Energy News Bluesource,  California ARB,  ,  Global Carbon Strategies,  Methane,  Carbon Credit ,  


    Iceland Organizing Forestry Carbon Offset Program (Int'l)
    Carbon Offset
    Date: 2017-09-01
    In Reykjavik, Icland's national broadcasting service RUV reports that visitor to Iceland will soon be able to offset emissions associated with their travel as part of a partnership with the Iceland Forestry Department and Landsskogar ehf., a private company that will plant and manage a forest paid for by the sale of carbon offsets. The location of the forest and the source of the trees has not yet been determined but is still in the organization stage.

    Under the scheme, travelers will be able to book a flight, tour, car rental or other tourism services and be able to add on trees to offset the environmental impact. (Source: Iceland Forestry Department, Lonely Planet, Aug., 2017) Contact: Iceland Forestry Department, www.skogur.is/english

    More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Footprint,  Carbon Offset,  


    Mansfield Intros ZERO™ Reduced Emission, Carbon Offset Program (Ind. Report)
    Mansfield Energy
    Date: 2017-06-23
    Gainsville, Georgia-headquartered Mansfield Energy Corp, through a partnership with GreenPrint, is announcing the launch of its turnkey, ZERO™ reduced emissions program. Participating Mansfield Energy clients will have their diesel fuel's carbon dioxide emissions automatically offset through proportionate investments in certified CO2 reduction projects such as reforestation, alternative energy, planting trees locally, and more.

    ZERO™, which requires no capital expense, no new fuel, and no new hardware to install, automatically calculates CO2 emissions based on current diesel usage, reduces the associated emissions through investments in certified, verified carbon offset projects, and then provides turnkey certified emissions and sustainability reporting that companies can use for supply chain reports, RFPs, cause marketing, and annual reports.

    GreenPrint is a technology and service company enabling companies to practice sustainability in a turn-key way. Blending transaction processing software with climate science, the company's patent-pending products reduce emissions on vehicles for municipalities and commercial fleets. Working with over 42,000 corporate clients in 8 languages across 12 countries, GreenPrint reduces emissions on almost 500 million gpy of fuel. (Source: Mansfield Energy, GreenPrint, 21 June, 2017) Contact: Mansfield Energy, Doug Haugh, President and Chief Strategy Officer , (800) 695-6626, www.mansfield.energy.com, www.zerofuel.com; GreenPrint, http://GreenPrintCorp.com

    More Low-Carbon Energy News Mansfield Energy ,  Carbon Emissions,  Carbon Offsets ,  


    Bullfrog Power, Less Emissions to Reduce Canada C3 Carbon Footprint (Ind. Report)
    Bullfrog Power
    Date: 2017-06-02
    Toronto-headquartered green energy provider Bullfrog Power and its sister company Less Emissions Inc. are announcing an environmental partnership with Canada C3, an expedition that aims to engage millions of Canadians from across the country, both virtually and on board the Canada C3 ship.

    Through the agreement, Bullfrog Power will provide green electricity for the Canada C3 "Ship t' Shore" events across the country as well as green fuel for the first leg of the Canada C3 Expedition. This will be the first time that Bullfrog's green fuel has been used to reduce the impact of ship travel in Canada. The impact of the remaining legs of the journey will be addressed by high-quality offsets from Less Emissions Inc. Bullfrog Power's producers will inject renewable energy into the grid to match the amount of conventional electricity used during the "Ship t' Shore" events, which will be occurring throughout the 150-day journey. Bullfrog's green electricity comes from a blend of wind and low-impact hydro power sourced from new Canadian renewable energy facilities.

    For the remaining legs of the Canada C3 expedition, carbon offsets will be provided by Less Emissions Inc. to offset the remaining carbon emissions that will created by the ship's travels. Less Emissions is Canada's highest quality offset provider as ranked by the David Suzuki Foundation and the Pembina Institute. Less' Canadian-based offsets are sourced from projects that have achieved certification under the internationally recognized VER+ Standard. (Source: Bullfrog Power , PR , 30 May, 2017) Contact: Bullfrog Power: Jon McKay, Corporate Communications Manager, (416) 360.3464 ext. 239, jon.mckay@bullfrogpower.com; www.bullfrogpower.com; Canada C3: Mireille Sylvester, (613) 513-6424, mireille@canadac3.ca, www.Canadac3.ca; Less Emissions Inc, www.less.ca

    More Low-Carbon Energy News Bullfrog Power,  Carbon Emissions,  Emissions Credits,  Green Power,  


    SP&G Launches Green-e Certified Natural Gas Offset and Wind REC (Ind. Report)
    Spring Power and Gas,Center for Resource Solutions
    Date: 2017-05-03
    In San Francisco, the Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) is reporting that Maryland and New Jersey natural gas and electricity retailer Spring Power and Gas (SP&G) has launched two Green-e certified products: "Zero Gas" -- a natural gas product paired with Green-e Climate certified carbon offsets; and "Wind REC", a Green-e Energy certified renewable energy certificate (REC) product. Both are available to new Spring Power and Gas customers in MD and NJ.

    SP&G's Zero Gas product is the first Green-e Climate certified carbon offset natural gas program for residential customers in Maryland and New Jersey. Zero Gas matches a customer's natural gas usage with Green-e Climate Certified carbon offsets to ensure that 100 pct of the carbon emissions caused by a customer's gas usage are offset.

    Through the Spring Green program, Spring matches 100 pct of the electricity used by its electricity customers, and matches it with nationally sourced Green-e Energy certified wind RECs.

    Green-e Climate is the global retail standard for high-quality carbon offsets and an independent, third-party certification for gas offset programs. Green-e Energy is the leading renewable energy certification and verification program in North America. A program of the nonprofit Center for Resource Solutions, Green-e is North America’s leading independent consumer protection program for the sale of renewable energy and greenhouse gas reductions in the retail market. (Source: Spring Power & Gas, Center for Resource Solutions, 3BL Media, 27 April, 2017). Contact: Center for Resource Solutions, (416) 561-2100, https://resource-solutions.org; Spring Power & Gas, www.springpowerandgas.us; Green-e, Richard Booth, Pres., www.green-e.org

    More Low-Carbon Energy News Center for Resource Solutions,  Carbon Offset,  

    Showing 1 to 50 of 50.