In 2019 the Trudeau government imposed a $30 per ton tax on greenhouse gases from various sources. The provinces of Saskatchewan, Ontario and Alberta took exception to the tax and argued the Act was unconstitutional because Ottawa was stepping into provincial jurisdiction. All other provinces have a carbon-pricing system Ottawa deems to be the equivalent or better of the federal version and are thus exempted from the federal tax.
(Source: Various Media, 25 Mar., 2021)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Canada Carbon Tax, Carbon Tax,
Ontario, which initially opposed the federal carbon tax, does not impose a carbon levy on fuel purchases.
(Source: Various Media, Canadian Press, 10 Mar., 2021)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Tax, Ontario Carbon Tax, Energy Efficiency,
The EU's tax is intended to prevent "carbon leakage" -- carbon emissions that go offshore in response to carbon pricing -- rather than actually being cut. The EU tax will be imposed on carbon intensive imports and will be equivalent to what EU-based industry must pay under the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS).(Source: EU, European Parliment, Mar. 2020) Contact: EU, www.europa.eu
More Low-Carbon Energy News European Parliament, Border Carbon Tax, EU ETS,
The offset rules will be part of the 2018 Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act, which enabled a sweeping tax on emissions on everything from industrial pollution to home-heating fuel, and will support a domestic carbon trading market under Canada's carbon price for industry -- the Output-Based Pricing System (OBPS) -- under which regulated facilities that exceed their emission limits can provide compensation by purchasing federal offset credits -- an additional lower-cost option -- generated from activities not already incentivized by carbon pollution pricing.
Once established, the Federal Greenhouse Gas Offset System will stimulate demand for projects across Canada that reduce greenhouse gases and generate federal offset credits. The ability to generate and sell federal offset credits creates opportunities for farmers, foresters, Indigenous communities, municipalities, and other project developers to earn revenues from greenhouse-gas reductions and removals.
Protocols for high priority project types are currently under development in parallel to the regulation to give industries additional lower-cost compliance options. For example, under the Landfill Methane Management Protocol, which is currently under development, a municipality could install technology to collect methane that would otherwise be emitted into the atmosphere. The municipality could earn federal offset credits, which it could sell to industrial facilities regulated under the Output-Based Pricing System. Canada is aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050.
(Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada, Website PR, Mar., 2021) Contact: Environment and Climate Change Canada, www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change.html
More Low-Carbon Energy News Environment and Climate Change Canada , Carbon Credit, Carbon Tax, GHG, Carbon Offset,
The European Commission (EC) is expected to unveil its proposal for a carbon border tax in June as part of a package of climate laws aimed at cutting the EU's CO2 emissions by 55 pct by 2030. (Source: European Commissions, euractive, 10 Mar., 2021)
More Low-Carbon Energy News EU Carbon Tax, Border Carbon Tax, EUETS, Carbon Credits,
"This additional time would allow the regulated community an opportunity to clarify related issues including implementation procedures as well as adjust their business plans to account for the potential increased costs associated with Pennsylvania joining RGGI," according to the IRRC website release.
RGGI is a collaboration of states that began with Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont, and more recently added New Jersey and Virginia. (Source: Pennsylvania Independent Regulatory Review Commission, PR, Indiana Gazette, 19 Feb., 2021) Contact: RGGI, www.rggi.org;
Pennsylvania Independent Regulatory Review Commission, (717) 783-5417, www.irrc.state.pa.us
More Low-Carbon Energy News RGGI,
As previously reported, Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev has called for a EU carbon border tax to comply with international agreements on climate. "If the tax is imposed, there should definitely be an effort to keep it in compliance with the EU framework convention on climate and Paris Climate Agreement. We have to hold bilateral talks on this with the EU and via dedicated international platforms, such as the WTO, the agencies that deal with climate change and relevant conventions," Medvedev noted while speaking at a meeting on the potential impact of the tax on Russia.
The EC proposed climate legislation requiring the EU to become climate-neutral by 2050 as part of the European Green Deal. This follows the December 2019 EC decision to endorse the 2050 climate-neutrality objective. On 17 September, the Commission amended its proposal to incorporate a new 2030 emissions reduction target. (Source: EC, PR, Feb., 2021) Contact: EU, www.europa.eu;
European Commission, ec.europa.eu
More Low-Carbon Energy News European Green Deal, European Commission, Carbon Tax, Border Carbon Tax, Frans Timmermans,
"I talked to the Biden administration, and they were like 'Well, this seems too politically difficult' and I was like, 'Well, this is obviously a thing that should happen', and by the way, SpaceX would be paying a carbon tax too. So I'm like, you know, I'm like, I think we should pay it too. It's not like we shouldn't have carbon generating things. It's just that there's got to be a price on this stuff," Musk said.
"If we just put a price on carbon emissions, the market will react in a sensible way. But because we don`t have a price on it, it is behaving badly," Musk noted.
"It's either we have sustainable energy or civilization collapses. And so if civilization doesn't collapse we will have sustainable energy, it's just a question of how soon does that happen. Sooner is better," Musk elaborated. (Source: Elon Musk, DNA, 13 Feb., 2021)
Contact: Elon Musk (@elonmusk)
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The OYSTER project aims to produce hydrogen from offshore wind at a cost that is competitive with natural gas (with a realistic carbon tax), thus unlocking bulk markets for green hydrogen making a meaningful impact on CO2 emissions, and facilitating the transition to a fully renewable energy system in Europe. The project is expected to run from 2021 through 2024 and is a key first step on the path to developing a commercial offshore hydrogen production industry and will demonstrate innovative solutions with significant potential in Europe and beyond.
For the project, ITM Power is responsible for the development of the electrolyzer system and electrolyzer trials, while Orsted will lead the offshore deployment analysis and feasibility study of future physical offshore electrolyzer deployments, and support ITM Power in the design of the electrolyzer system for marinization and testing. Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy and Element Energy are providing technical and project expertise. (Source: ITM, Orsted, PR, Chem Engineering, 11 Jan., 2021) Contact: ITM Power, www.itm-power.com; Element Energy, www.element-energy.co.uk; EC Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking, www.fch.europa.eu
More Low-Carbon Energy News Hydrogen news, Offshore Wind news,
As previously noted, Norway -- western Europe's largest oil and gas producer -- aims to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 50 pct or more by 2030 compared with 1990 levels. (Source: Gov. of Norway, Ministry of Climate and Environment, Jan., 2020)
Contact: Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment,
Sveinung Rotevatn, Minister, +47 22 24 57 11, postmottak@kld.dep.no, www.regjeringen.no/en/dep/kld/id668
More Low-Carbon Energy News Norway Carbon Tax, Carbon Tax, GHGs,
Under the program, New Jersey bumped up its gas tax by 9 cents in October to 50.7 cents per gallon for regular gas. It was the latest increase following the 2016 state referendum, under then Gov. Chris Christie, that empowered lawmakers to raise the gas tax by nearly 23 cents in exchange for a requirement the additional money go to the state's Transportation Trust Fund.
The 2016 measure also included a formula that requires yearly reviews to ensure New Jersey raises a set amount of money -- roughly $2 billion a year -- potentially resulting in smaller annual increases.
Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and the District of Columbia all signed on to the Transportation and Climate Initiative Program, a cap-and-trade initiative initially proposed by the Georgetown Climate Center for 13 states and the District. (Source: WPG, 22 Dec., 2020)
Contact: Georgetown Climate Center, Pete Rafle, Communications, 703-268-3923, Peter.Rafle@georgetown.edu, www.georgetownclimate.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Cap-and-Trade, Carbon Tax,
The legislation calls for the creation of an outside 15-member advisory board composed of climate experts, scientists and Indigenous representatives, among others to advice the minister on setting targets and the best "sectoral strategies" that are "deemed effective" for achieving net-zero. The legislation also requires the minister to a plan in Parliament outlining how Ottawa will meet those targets as well as annual reports on the bill's progress.
Canada's carbon reduction target, set by the former Conservative government in May 2015, is to reduce emissions by 30 pct compared to 2005 levels by 2030. Current policies -- including the carbon tax, banning coal power plants and regulating methane emissions in the oil and gas industry -- will only get Canada about two-thirds of the way to its goal.
While the government describes this legislation as "legally binding," there would be no tangible penalty applied if the country fails to drive down emissions as promised. In short, bill C-12 appears to be little more than political window dressing.
As previously reported in Nov, 2019, Prime Minister Trudeau committed Canada to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 and to reduce CO2 levels by 30 pct by 2030. In December 2018, Climate Change Canada projected Canada's total emissions by 2030 are only on track to be 19 pct -- not 30 pct -- below 2005 levels. (Source: Environment Canada, Various Media, CBC News, 19 Nov., 2020) Contact: Environment and Climate Change Canada, (800) 668-6767, www.canada.ca › environment-climate-change
More Low-Carbon Energy News Environment Canada, Net-Zero Emissions, Climate Change, Trudeau,
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,
The carbon tax is intended to disincentivise the sale of combustion engine transportation. (Source: Delano.lu, 27 Oct., 2020)
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The new levy, which is higher than the current levy of $8 per tonne CO2 set to gradually increase to $200 per tonne by 2030, will fund a compensation of residual operational emissions through carbon removal projects. The reinsurer will also further curb its flight emissions with a CO2 reduction target of 30 pct in 2021, relative to the 2018 benchmark.
As previously reported, Swiss Re, a signatory of the Paris Pledge for Action and UN-convened Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance founding member, plans to gradually cut underwriting to the most carbon-intensive oil and gas industries by 2023. (Source: Swiss Re, Reinsurance News, 15 Sept., 2020) Contact: Swiss Re, Christian Mumenthaler, CEO, www.swissre.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Internal Carbon Levy, Carbon Tax,
In 2018, British Columbia's gross GHG emissions were 67.9 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e) -- an increase of 4.5 MtCO2e (7 pct) from 63.4 MtCO2e in 2007, the baseline year for our emission reduction targets. Net emissions in 2018, after including 1.0 MtCO2e in offsets from forest management projects not covered in the inventory, were 66.9 MtCO2e. This is an increase of 3.5 MtCO2e (6 pct) from 2007.
When the B.C. carbon tax was first hatched in 2008, its was pitched as revenue neutral and would stop at $30 per tonne, but presently stands at $40 per tonne and emissions are still rising. Over the past three years, stats show emissions rose by 4 pct for gasoline-powered cars; 19 pct for pick-up trucks; 46 pct for light-duty diesel trucks; and 51 pct for railways.
At $40 per tonne, the carbon tax costs an extra 8.9 cents per litre of gasoline and 10.2 cents extra for diesel. For natural gas, the carbon tax often costs residential customers more than the actual fuel.
(Source: Province of British Columbia, Climate Action Sec., Sept., 2020) Contact: British Columbia Climate Action Sec., ClimateActionSecretariat@gov.bc.ca, www2.gov.bc.ca
More Low-Carbon Energy News GHG news, Climate Change news, Carbon Emissions news, CO2 news,
MSCS's recommendations begin with the creation of a Montana Climate Solutions Network (MCSN), a broad affiliation of diverse stakeholders who would support planning and implementation of climate strategies in Montana.
Among the specific proposals to reduce the impacts of climate change are to work with communities to identify their highest-priority risks and vulnerabilities and implement hazard mitigation plans, promote agricultural research that will sustain production in higher projected temperatures and extreme water shortages, implement strategies to make communities more fire-resistant, and to encourage the development of cleaner energy production options such as wind, solar, decarbonized fuels from hydrogen and biomass, and micro-hydro electricity generation projects.
The Montana Climate Solutions Plan also calls for regularly updated energy efficiency standards for household appliances and for Investor Owned Utilities and rural cooperatives to implement on-bill energy efficiency financing programs. The plan also calls for a carbon pricing -- carbon tax -- mechanism at the state level in the event a national carbon tax is not implemented. To that end, the plan calls for Montana to track and influence the development of federal legislation through its Congressional delegation and through its membership in the U.S. Climate Alliance.
Download the Montana Climate Solutions Plan, HERE . (Source: Montana Climate Solutions Council, Website, Great Falls Tribune, 12 Sept., 2020) Contact: Montana Climate Solutions Council, deq.mt.gov/DEQAdmin/dir/Climate
More Low-Carbon Energy News Climate Change, Carbon Emissions,
EcoGauge helps remove the complexity inherent in greenhouse-gas (GHG) reporting and provides a near real-time view on GHG emissions and the effect of a manufacturing process change. EcoGauge generates an instant report that classifies emissions by source and calculates liability in terms of the Carbon Tax Act and carbon tax compliance.
According to EDS, "EcoGauge is an effective solution for companies shifting to a more carbon-conscious mindset, because the cost of ignoring climate change will be far higher than the cost of reducing emissions through legislation such as the Carbon Tax Act." (Source: EDS, PR, Creamers, 2 Sept., 2020) Contact: EDS, Eckart Zollner, Bus. Dev., www.eds.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News EDS Systems news, GHG Emissions news, Emissions Monitoring news, Carbon Tax news,
"If the tax is imposed, there should definitely be an effort to keep it in compliance with the EU framework convention on climate and Paris Climate Agreement. We have to hold bilateral talks on this with the EU and via dedicated international platforms, such as the WTO, the agencies that deal with climate change and relevant conventions," Medvedev noted while speaking at a meeting on the potential impact of the tax on Russia.
Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev is a Russian politician who is serving as Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of Russia, headed by Vladimir Putin. He served as prime minister of Russia between 2012 and 2020. From 2008 to 2012, Medvedev served as president of Russia. (Source: Sputnik, 26 Aug., 2020)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Tax, Border Carbon Tax,
In keeping with the study findings, the CERI study proposed the following to lower emissions:
The Calgary-based Canadian Energy Research Institute is an independent, not-for-profit research establishment created through a partnership of industry, academia, and government in 1975. CERI aims to provide relevant, independent, objective economic research in energy and environmental issues to benefit business, government, academia and the public and to build bridges between scholarship and policy,combining the insights of scientific research, economic analysis, and practical experience.
(Source: Canadian Energy Research Institute, PR, Western Standard, Aug., 2020) Contact: Canadian Energy Research Institute, (403) 282-1231, info@ceri.ca, www.ceri.ca
More Low-Carbon Energy News Canadian Energy Research Institute, ETS, Carbon Tax, Carbon Emissions ,
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 German and French governments urged the introduction of a carbon border tax in the EU in June and agreed to jointly explore ways to implement it. The tax has also been proposed by the EU Commission's (EC) Green Deal. Germany noted advancing climate action in Europe will be one of its priorities in its EU presidency during the second half of 2020. (Source: Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung, Clean Energy Wire, 13 July, 2020)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Tax, EU carbon Tax, Climate Change,
Both RGGI and a carbon tax are central to the governor's strategy to fight climate change. If Wolf's plan is successful, Pennsylvania would become the first major fossil fuel state to adopt a carbon pricing policy.
Proponents claim the RGGI cap-and-trade program would inject new life into Pennsylvania's economy by prioritizing energy efficiency and cleaner energies. (Source: Office of Penna. Gov. Tom Wolf, CBS Pittsburgh, AP, 9 July, 2020) Contact: Office of Penna. Gov. Tom Wolf, 717-787-2500, www.facebook.com › governorwolf, www.governor.pa.gov
More Low-Carbon Energy News RGGI, Carbon Tax, Tom Wolf,
In its ruling, the EC noted
the exemptions were "necessary and well-suited to stimulate production and consumption of domestic and imported biogas and bio-propane without distorting market competition." single market (Source: European Commission, EU Observer, Argus, 30 June, 2020) Contact: European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, Pres., Frans Timmermans, Climate Chief, www.ec.europa.eu/commission/commissioners/2019-2024/timmermans_en, www.ec.europa.eu
More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Tax, European Commission ,
The tax is expected to generate revenues of about CHF500,000 ($528.7 million) a year, half of which is to be refunded to Swiss citizens, according to a legal amendment under discussion in parliament. The legal amendment also includes a tax on fuel imports as well as the creation of a climate fund.
(Source: Swissinfo, 10 June, 2020)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Tax, SwissAir,
Energy Efficiency Alberta received funding from a provincial carbon tax on gasoline and heating fuels. The agency issued initiatives and rebates on everything from solar panels to energy-efficient appliances, windows, insulation, LED light bulbs and low-flow shower heads.
The rebates were cancelled last fall. (Source: Office of Alberta Environment Minister Jason Nixon , JWN, Canadian Press, 12 June, 2020)
Contact: Alberta Environment Minister Jason Nixon, 780-427-2711, www.alberta.ca/minister-of-environment-and-parks.aspx
More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency Alberta, Energy Efficiency ,
World wide, most countrys have halted carbon tax increases during the pandemic, as have most Canadian Provinces (Source: Various Canadian Media, Financial Post, 19 May, 2020)
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The latest proposal, which the government aims to turn into formal policy by September, is based on driving down energy storage costs to back up wind and solar power, electrifying industrial processes and scaling up hydrogen production. . Green groups, mining, energy and other big corporations oppose the plan for its continued reliance on fossil fuels, like gas and coal, and are calling for the imposition of a carbon tax to drive green investment.
The technology roadmap is designed to help Australia meet its Paris Climate Accord commitment to cut carbon emissions by between 26 pct and 28 pct from 2005 levels by 2030.
Although Australia is one of the world's biggest carbon emitters per capita Angus Taylor, the Minister of Energy and Emissions recently said it is not Australian government policy to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
(Source: Australia Ministry of Energy and Emissions Reduction, Hindustan Times, Reuters, 21 May, 2020)
Contact: Australia Ministry of Energy and Emissions Reduction, Hon. Angus Taylor, Minister, www.minister.industry.gov.au/ministers/taylor
More Low-Carbon Energy News Australia Climate Change news, Carbon Emissions news,
World wide, most countries have halted carbon tax increases during the pandemic, as have most Canadian Provinces (Source: Various Media Financial Post, 19 May, 2020)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Canada Carbon Tax ,
Such a mechanism could take the form of "a carbon price floor" that could be implemented either through the EU's emissions trading scheme (EUETS)or the energy taxation directive, which is up for review as part of the European Green Deal. The paper notes that structurally low electricity prices hinder investments in new low-carbon power generation capacity needed to meet the EU's decarbonisation goals.
Download the French position paper HERE. (Source: euractive, 27 April, 2020)
More Low-Carbon Energy News EUETS, Carbon Price, Carbon Tax, EU ETS,
The IMF noted that if this recovery is to be sustainable the fight against the climate crisis must be part ov the effort. To that end, "when governments provide financial lifelines to carbon-intensive companies, they should mandate commitments to reduce carbon emissions" should be part of the agreement. Additionally, financial firms should be required to better disclose climate risks in their lending and investment portfolios, the IMF notes/
The IMF also noted better ways of pricing in climate risk should be found and a substantially higher carbon price is needed to encourage climate-smart investment and to accelerate the shift to cleaner fuels and more energy efficiency.
IMF also notes the current global carbon price is only $2 per ton, way below the levels needed to keep global warming under 2 degrees Celsius, which the IMF estimated to be $75 per ton.
(Source: IMF, The Nation, 30 April, 2020) Contact: IMF, Kristalina Georgieva, Dir., www.imf.org
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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,
The grant covers up to 80 pct of the carbon tax that commercial greenhouse growers of eligible crops paid on the natural gas and propane they used for greenhouse heating and CO2 production in 2019. The province's floriculture and nursery industries grow more than 80 million greenhouse flowers and cuttings and produce approximately 50 million potted plants per year.
Down load information and eligibility criteria HERE. (Source: Gov. BB, HortiDaily, 8 April, 2020)
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As previously reported, the tax will raise $10 per tonne each year until 2022.
(Source: Various Media, 604NOW, April, 2020)
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South Korea, the world's seventh-largest carbon emitter as well as the third-largest public coal financier, is home to energy-intensive industries such as automotive and steel
and likely to remain heavily dependent on climate-wrecking coal in the immediate future.
(Source: Various Media, EcoBusiness, Mar., 2020)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Net-Zero Carbon, Carbon Emissions,
The top courts in Ontario and Saskatchewan rejected arguments by those provinces that the federal government lacks constitutional authority to impose a carbon tax in provinces that don't impose a carbon price that meets federal standards. The same provinces have appealed the provincial court rulings to the Supreme Court. ((Source: Various Media, Cdn Press, 17 Mar., 2020)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Canada Carbon Tax,
The council, which is the main independent adviser to the Danish Government on climate change, is recommending an increase from the present £20 per tomne to £174 per tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent.
(Source: Danish Council on Climate Change, Mar., 2020) Contact: Danish Council on Climate Change, Peter Mollgaard,www.klimaraadet.dk/en/about-danish-council-climate-change
More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Tax, Carbon Emissions, Climate Changee Change,
To address the issue, CFIB recommends the federal government::
exempt natural gas, propane, and aviation fuel used by farmers for farming activities such as drying grain, heating livestock facilities, or spraying crops from the federal carbon tax, including those farm expenses from 2019;
end the practice of charging GST on the federal carbon tax;
stop further increases in the overall tax burden (e.g. CPP and carbon tax) on farmers; and
work to improve Canada's overall tax and regulatory competitiveness in the agriculture sector. (Source: CFIB, Weyburn Review, 26 Feb., 2020) Contact: CFIB, Marilyn Braun-Pollon, VP Western Canada and Ari-Business, 416-222-8022,
844-242-4400,
416-222-4337 - fax, www.cfib-fcei.ca
More Low-Carbon Energy News Canadian Federation of Independent Business, Carbon Tax, Canada Carbon Tax,
BP is dropping the Western Energy Alliance because its interests did not aligned on federal regulation of methane in the US, and the Western States Petroleum Association and American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers over carbon pricing positions.
As previously reported on 14 Feb., BP plans to:
BP's current worldwide greenhouse gas emissions from its operations stand at 55 million tpy of CO2 equivalent (MteCO2e), and the carbon in the oil and gas that it produces is equivalent currently to around 360 MteCO2e emissions a year -- both on an absolute basis. Taken together, delivery of these aims would equate to a reduction in emissions to net zero from what is currently around 415 MteCO2e a year, according to the BP release.
(Source: BP Website, 26 Feb., 2020) Contact: BP Press Office, +44 (0) 20 7496 4076, bppress@bp.com, www.bp.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News BP, Climate Change, Carbon Emissions,
BP's current worldwide greenhouse gas emissions from its operations stand at 55 million tpy of CO2 equivalent (MteCO2e), and the carbon in the oil and gas that it produces is equivalent currently to around 360 MteCO2e emissions a year -- both on an absolute basis. Taken together, delivery of these aims would equate to a reduction in emissions to net zero from what is currently around 415 MteCO2e a year, according to the BP release. (Source: BP, PR, Feb., 2020) Contact: BP press office, +44 (0) 20 7496 4076, bppress@bp.com, www.bp.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News BP, Climate Change, Carbon Emissions,
The deal still needs to be approved at a Greens party congress. (Source: Various Media, DW, Jan., 2019)
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According to Politico, potential carbon tariffs were discussed at the United Nations COP25 climate conference in Madrid where it was thought inevitable that governments will turn to trade barriers in the effort to fight climate change.
The European Union currently imposes a €25 per metric ton carbon tax on oil refineries, steelmakers and paper producers and other major carbon emitters.
(Source: Vestnik, Politico, 15 Dec., 2019)
More Low-Carbon Energy News COP25, EU, EU ETS, Carbon Emissions, Carbon Tax,
Germany aims to cut its greenhouse gas emissions to 55 pct of their 1990 level by 2030. (Source: Reuters, Various Media, 17 Dec., 2019)
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The ADC aims to spend $5 million on an initial lobbying campaign to win support for the tax, said , senior vice president at the group.
PAC is looking to build legislative support for its carbon tax. It proposes an initial $40 a ton tax on carbon dioxide that would increase over time, with the money raised to be returned to consumers.
The PAC has raised $1 million each from Exelon Corp, First Solar Inc and the American Wind Energy Association and expects to reach its goal of a $5 million in coming months. (Source: Exxon,
Denton Daily, Reuters, 8 Dec., 2019)
Contact: Climate Leadership Council, Greg Bertelsen, www.clcouncil.org; Americans for Carbon Dividends, www.afcd.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Climate Leadership Council, Exxon, Climate Change, Carbon Emissions,
The Case for Carbon Pricing at the NYISO, puts forth clear arguments in favor of Carbon Pricing:
ACENY is a broad coalition dedicated to promoting clean energy, energy efficiency, a healthy environment, and a strong economy for the Empire State, and is New York's premier advocate for the rapid adoption of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. (Source: ACENY, Dec., 2019) Contact: ACENY, Anne Reynolds, Executive Director, 518.432.1405 x222 (o), 518.248.4556 (m), areynolds@aceny.org, www.aceny.org; NYISO, www.nyiso.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Alliance for Clean Energ, NYISOy New York, Carbon Price, Carbon Tax,
"Some may debate how this happened, but that doesn't change the need to address it. Although our collective use of fossil fuels for energy has enabled remarkable economic development, the use of fossil fuels has also resulted in substantial emissions of carbon dioxide, and the cost of these emissions has not been reflected in the price of energy. As a matter of policy, this should change.
"IBM is no newcomer to the realm of climate change. In 2017, we reaffirmed our support for the 2015 Paris Agreement to limit global warming to below 2 degrees C above pre-industrial levels. Our commitment to the Paris Agreement builds on a long history of leadership in this space. In 1992 IBM helped the U.S. EPA launch the ENERGY STAR program. In 1994 we began to voluntarily disclose carbon dioxide emissions associated with IBM's consumption of energy and have done so annually now for 26 years. And in 2015, IBM was one of the first signatories to the American Business Act on Climate Pledge to demonstrate our support for the Paris Agreement.
"Performance is a key measure of commitment. IBM has reduced the carbon dioxide emissions associated with our consumption of energy by 32 pct since 2005. We are on track to achieve our goal of a 40 pct reduction by 2025, a rate consistent with what scientists say is needed to limit warming to between 1.5 and 2.0 degrees C. Energy conservation has been -- and remains -- a key ingredient for this. IBM continues to rigorously conserve energy equal to at least 3 pct of its annual consumption, something we have done for decades. Reducing consumption, when possible, is preferable to purchasing offsets.
"Responsible companies should also make transparent commitments regarding their consumption of renewable energy. Today, 38 pct of the global electricity IBM consumes comes from renewable sources, and we aim to increase this to 55 pct by 2025. Importantly, IBM does not rely upon the purchase of unbundled Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) to offset its consumption of electricity from fossil fuels and thereby claim the company is a certain 'percent renewable.' Transparency matters in the transition away from carbon-based fuels, which is why our reporting about the use of renewables reflects our actual physical and matched consumption of renewable electricity.
"Climate change is real, and that is why IBM supports a responsible plan to tax carbon emissions. It is also why IBM supports the Paris Agreement and is on track as a company to reduce emissions associated with our consumption of energy consistent with what scientists say is needed. And it is why we are making transparent our own use of renewable energy and aiming to increase that use substantially.
"The enormity of the challenge requires more than business as usual. Putting a price on carbon emissions requires a plan in which economies will keep growing, but in a way that addresses the risks of a changing climate. We believe the Climate Leadership Council plan is the best way to secure agreement for action, and IBM will work to build support for it with elected officials, corporate colleagues, and our fellow citizens." (Source: IBM-The Weather Company (an IBM company), 2 Dec., 2019)
More Low-Carbon Energy News IBM, Carbon Tax, Climate Change,
The ISO's comments were in response to a letter from a group of New England senators upbraiding ISO for failing to support the region's renewable energy goals, and preserving the fossil fuel status-quo.
ISO countered
that the integration of renewable resources has always been one of the organization's goals when existing fossil fuel generators are retired.
Setting a system-wide price on carbon-emissions would be the most effective way to move that ahead, the ISO said. (Source: IOS New England, Maine Public Radio, 26 Nov., 2019) Contact:
ISO New England, Gordon Van Welie, CEO,
www.iso-ne.com
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The Swiss-EU agreement regulates the mutual recognition of emissions rights from the two ETS systems, each with its own legal basis. From January 2020, emissions from civil aviation and fossil fuel power stations will be included in the Swiss ETS, as is currently the case in the EU.
The EU ETS operates in 31 countries -- the EU's member states, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. A single, EU-wide cap applies, and auctioning is the default method for allocating allowances. The Swiss ETS is also based on the cap-and-trade principle.(Source: Swiss Federal Council, SwissInfo, TaxNews.com, 15 Nov., 2019)
Contact: Swiss Federal Council, www.admin.ch/gov/en/start/federal-council.html
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