According to the Net Zero Economy Index, South Africa recorded a 1.3 pct increase in carbon intensity for the second consecutive year compared to a 2.4 pct fall globally in 2019.
The index compares the amount of CO related emissions from a country to the gross domestic product (GDP) of the country for the year.
South Africa saw the lowest economic output in terms of GDP per ton of CO that it emits, across the economy.
Currently, over 90 pct of South Africa's energy is generated by relatively low quality coal. The country's Integrated Resource Plan 2019 commits to cutting coal fired power generation by 43 pct of the total energy supply by 2030.
(Source: PWC, IOL, 7 Feb., 2021) Contact: PWC South Africa, www.pwc.co.za
More Low-Carbon Energy News Pricewaterhousecoopers, Carbon Emissions, Carbon Intensity,
Xi also reaffirmed China's commitment to striving to peak carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. Xi noted "China has put in place the world's biggest clean energy system, and will pursue clean, low-carbon, safe and efficient use of energy and accelerate the growth of new energy and green industries to promote greener economic and social development in all respects."
Xi added China supports deepening G-20 cooperation in reducing land degradation, conserving coral reefs, and cleaning up plastic from the ocean.
While 19 of the G20 member country leaders were listening to Xi, the soon-to-be former U.S. President Donald Trump was tweeting and playing golf! Enough is Enough.
(Source: G20, MINT, Various Media, 23 Nov., 2020)Contact: G20, www.g20.org; UNFCCC, Monique Nardi, mnardi@unfccc.int, www.unfccc.int
More Low-Carbon Energy News G20, Climate Change, Paris Climate Agreement, UNFCCC,
According to the G20, the CCE "4Rs" will advance stable and secure energy markets and energy access for all while holistically managing emissions and advancing cleaner and more sustainable future.
The G20 presented the CCE Platform that includes the CCE Approach, Accelerator and Guide -- a toolkit of opportunities and recommended options to be utilized by G20 members, each according to their different national circumstances, needs, and priorities.
Collectively, G20 members represent roughly 80 pct of the world's economic output, two-thirds of global population and three-quarters of international trade.
(Source: G20, Ritz Herald, 30 Oct., 2020)
Contact: G20, www.g20.org
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The technology runs thousands of simulations based on different design parameters such as heating, glazing and insulation and different construction assumptions into a web app that enables architects and engineers to integrate energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emission targets into the early stages of the design process.
The method, which was developed by Building2050, a team based at EPFL's Smart Living Lab in Fribourg, draws on the latest advances in building physics, environmental science, mechanical engineering, data science, statistics and data visualization.
The company recently completed a funding round that €1.6 million for marketing in France and is
planning a series B funding round in 18-24 months for a wider European marketing campaign.
(Source: EPFL, Mirage, June, 2020) Contact: EPFN, +41 21 693 11 11, www.actu.epfl.ch
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Data for the year showed a 26 million tons (MtCO2), 4.4 pct fall in emissions from 579 MtCO2 in 2017 to 553 MtCO2 in 2018.
The results moved Saudi Arabia up from fourth to the third-fastest reducer of emissions from fuel consumption among the top-five G20 group of countries, behind Brazil and France and in front of Germany and Japan.
According to Dr. Nicholas Howarthat the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC), "the new data shows that the impact of energy efficiency and energy price reforms in reducing wasteful energy use has been even greater than expected."
(Source: KAPSARC, Arab News, Feb., 2020)
Contact: KAPSARC, +966 11 225 1064, info@kapsarc.org, www.kapsarc.org
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Climate Transparency is an open global consortium with a shared mission to stimulate a 'race to the top' in climate action through enhanced transparency. For this purpose, comprehensive, comparable and credible information about government climate action is spread by bringing together the most important actors in assessing and communicating climate action for the benefit of key influencers and decision makers.
According to its website, he Climate Transparency consortium produces the Brown to Green Report every year, providing a comprehensive overview of how the G20 countries are doing on the transition to a low-carbon economy. The report draws on the latest emissions data and covers over 80 indicators on decarbonisation, climate policies, finance, and vulnerability to the impacts of climate change. Providing country ratings, it identifies leaders and laggards of climate action in the G20. Additionally, a country profile is produced for each of the G20 countries.
(Source: New Climate Institute, Nov., 2019) Contact: New Climate Institute, www.newclimate.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Climate Change, Carbon Emissions, Climate Institute,
The G20 nations account for 85 pct of global economic activity and in 2018 produced 80 pct of all greenhouse-gas emissions. About half the G20 members -- 19 countries with advanced economies plus the European Union collectively -- are on track to meet their current targets for cutting emissions by 2030 but those targets are much too mild. If every G20 member does not drastically scale up its targets, the G20 overall will produce more emissions in 2030 than it does today, according to the report.
Climate Transparency is a global partnership with a shared mission to stimulate a "race to the top" in G20 climate action and to shift investments towards zero carbon technologies through enhanced transparency. (Source: Climate Transparency, Nov., 2019) Contact: Climate Transparency, www.climate-transparency.org
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"For the first time in recent history since 2010, Saudi Arabia's carbon footprint has slowed down significantly," the study said, citing a host of successful energy efficiency policies that involve transport, industry, buildings, and energy price reforms for the fall in emissions.
The Kingdom's carbon emissions decreased by 1.1 pct in 2017 and 3.4 pct in 2018, while global carbon emissions increased by 1 and 2 pct, respectively. From 2015 to 2018, Saudi Arabia's carbon emissions decreased by 2.7 pct, the study claimed.
(Source: Asharq Al Awsat, 24 Oct., 2019)
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Out of 32,314.20 million tonnes of emissions in the world in 2016, G20 nations contributed around 27,000 million tonnes -- roughly 80 pct.
(Source: G20, The Hindu, Money Control News, 28 June, 2019) Contact: G20, www.g20.utoronto.ca; OCED, : +33 1 45 24 82 00, www.oecd.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News CO2Carbon Emissions,
The U20 Communique was signed by the mayors, or governors of Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels-Capital Region, Buenos Aires, Chicago, Christchurch, Durban, Hamburg, Helsinki, Houston, Jakarta, Johannesburg, London, Los Angeles, Madrid, Mexico City, Milan, Montreal, New York City, Osaka, Paris, Port Vila, Rio de Janeiro, Rome, Rotterdam, Sao Paulo City, Seoul, Sydney, Tokyo and Tshwane.
(Source: U20, Japan Today, 23 May, 2019)
More Low-Carbon Energy News G20, Climate Change,
At current decarbonization levels, the global carbon budget for 2 degree C would run out in 2036.
Each year the global economy failed to decarbonize at the required rate, the 2 degree C goal would become more difficult to achieve. The gap between current decarbonization and that needed to limit global warming to 2 degree C was 6.4 pct a year, the PwC report added.
London, UK-headquartered PricewaterhouseCoopers is a multinational professional services network of firms in 158 countries and 743 locations.
(Source: PwC, The Australian, Graham Lloyd, Environment Editor, 7 Oct., 2018) Contact: PricewaterhouseCoopers, www.pwc.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News PricewaterhouseCoopers, Climate Change, Carbon Capture, CCS,