University of Strathclyde
Date: 2020-06-29
In the UK, scientists from the University of Strathclyde, in cooperation with the City of Glasgow , are installing a network of 25 sensors to monitor CO2 and other greenhouse gases -- carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone and PM2.5.T -- as part of a trial to provide Glasgow City Council with real-time information on emissions sources and level citywide. Glasgow is aiming for carbon neutrality by 2030.

Results of the monitoring will be shared with the leaders of other global cities at a virtual conference in November, and will be presented at the COP26 environmental summit to encourage other cities to establish sensor networks.

The emission monitoring program is part of the Global Environmental Monitoring and Measurement (GEMM) project, a collaboration between the University of Strathclyde, Stanford University, the University of California at Berkeley (UC Berkeley), The Optical Society, the American Geophysical Union, the Met Office and the National Physical Laboratory. (Source: University of Strathclyde Glasgow, PR, 27 June, 2020) Contact: University of Strathclyde Glasgow, www.strath.ac.uk; Global Environmental Monitoring and Measurement (GEMM) project, www.gemminitiative.org/en-us

More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Emission,  GHG,  Greenhouse Gas,  

ePURE
Date: 2020-06-26
The European renewable ethanol trade association ePURE is reporting its member's production and use of renewable ethanol resulted in an average greenhouse gas savings of more than 72 pct compared to fossil fuels in 2019 -- an eight-year trend of annual improvements to the climate-change-fighting potential of EU ethanol.

Renewable ethanol produced by ePURE members is refined from European feedstock and works at scale in petrol engines, which still power the majority of new cars being bought in the EU and will be predominant on the roads for the next decades. Promoting ethanol use in the EU -- by adopting E10 or higher ethanol blends; by increasing ambitions for renewables in transport; by taxing energy based on carbon intensity instead of volume -- would help Europe achieve its Green Deal transport decarbonisation goals, according to the ePURE release.

ePURE's membership includes 19 producing companies with around 50 refineries in 16 EU Member States, accounting for about 85 pct of EU renewable ethanol production. (Source: ePURE, BioFuels, 25 June, 2020) Contact: ePURE, Emmanuel Desplechin, Secretary-General, +32 2 657 6679, info@epure.org, www.epure.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News ePURE,  Ethanol,  GHG,  Greenhouse Gas,  Carbon Emissions,  

Northern Ireland
Date: 2020-06-24
In the UK, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) recently released statistical bulletin on greenhouse gas emissions for Northern Ireland (NI) outlines slight decreases for period 1990-2018.

In 2018, Northern Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions were estimated to be 19.4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent -- a decrease of 2 pct compared to 2017. The longer term trend showed a decrease of 20 pct compared to the base year 1990.

The largest sectors in terms of emissions in 2018 were agriculture at 27 pct, transportation with 23 pct, and power generation at 15 pct. The largest decreases, in terms of tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e), were in the energy supply, waste management and residential sectors.

The decreases were driven by improvements in energy efficiency, fuel switching from coal to natural gas, which became available in the late 1990s, and the introduction of methane capture and oxidation systems in landfill management. Northern Ireland accounted for 4 pct of UK greenhouse gas emissions in 2018.

Details are HERE. (Source: DAERA, Farming Life,23 June, 2020) Contact: DAERA, www.dera-ni.gov.uk

More Low-Carbon Energy News GHGs,  Greenhouse Gas,  Climate Change,  

Institute of Agriculture & Trade Policy
Date: 2020-06-22
Thirteen of the world's largest dairy corporations combined to emit more greenhouse gases in 2017 than major polluters BHP, the Australia-based mining, oil and gas giant or ConocoPhillips, the U.S.-based oil company. Unlike growing public scrutiny on fossil fuel companies, little public pressure exists to hold global meat and dairy corporations accountable for their emissions, even as scientific evidence mounts that our food system is responsible for up to 37 pct of all global emissions, according to the attached report.

The report notes "the total combined emissions of the largest dairy corporations rose by 11 pct in just two years (2015-2017) since we last reported on them. Even as governments signed the Paris Agreement in 2015 to significantly rein in global emissions, these companies’ increase of 32.3 million tonnes (MtCO2eq) of GHGs equates to the pollution stemming from 6.9 million passenger cars driven in one year (13.6 billion litres or 3.6 billion gallons of gasoline). Some dairy companies increased their emissions by as much as 30 pct in the 2015-17 period."

Download the Milking the Planet Report HERE. (Source: Institute of Agriculture & Trade Policy (IATP), 15 June, 2020) Contact: IATP. www.iatp.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News GHGs news,  CO2 news,  Greenhouse Gas Emissions news,  

City of Winnipeg
Date: 2020-06-19
On the Canadian prairies, the city of Winnipeg (pop. 817,000) reports the launch of its Building Energy Disclosure (benchmarking) Project for commercial and institutional buildings. The free program enables building owners to better understand their building's energy and greenhouse gas (GHG) performance by tracking a building's energy and GHG performance on ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager as well as disclose key building profile and performance metrics for inclusion on a public disclosure map.

Program participants will receive a personalized scorecard highlighting their building's key energy and GHG performance metrics, access to free educational workshops offered by the city and the Canada Green Building Council and assistance with identifying key building metrics including the creation of an ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager account.

The program is made possible through a financial contribution from the Government of Canada's Department of Natural Resources.

Download Winnipeg Building Energy Disclosure Project Details HERE. (Source: City of Winnipeg, DCN-JOC News Services June 19, 2020) Contact: City of Winnipeg, www.winnipeg.ca/Sustainability/BEDP

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Benchmark news,  Building Energy news,  Energy Efficiency news,  

Dow
Date: 2020-06-17
Midland Michigan-headquartered Dow has announced aggressive new commitments and targets to address both climate change and plastic waste:

By 2030, Dow will reduce its net annual carbon emissions by 5 million metric tons, or 15 pct from its 2020 baseline. Additionally, Dow intends to be carbon neutral by 2050, in alignment with the Paris Agreement, and is committed to implementing and advancing technologies to manufacture products using fewer resources and that help customers reduce their carbon footprints.

By 2030, Dow will help stop plastic waste by enabling 1 million metric tons of plastic to be collected, reused or recycled through its direct actions and partnerships. The company is investing and collaborating in key technologies and infrastructure to significantly increase global recycling.

To date, Dow has reduced its GHG emissions by 15 pct; Incorporated a carbon price into its business planning; and invested in renewable power capacity -- Dow is the number one user of clean energy in the chemicals industry and ranks among the top 25 global corporations in terms of renewable power use, according to the company's Sustainability Report.

Dow will also collaborate with leading academics, NGOs, auditing experts, technology partners and others in industry to incentivize the development and commercialization of low-carbon products and technologies that ultimately lower global GHG emissions and to ensure that companies are able to account for those GHG reductions., according to its Sustainability Report.

Download the Dow 2025 Sustainability Goals report HERE. (Source: Dow Chemical, PR, 17 June, 2020) Contact: Dow Chemical, Mary Draves, VP Sustainability, Kyle Bandlow, 989-638-2417 , kbandlow@dow.com, www.corporate.dow.com/en-us.html

More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Neutral,  Carbon Emissions,  Dow Chemical,  

European Biogas Association ,Natural and Bio Gas Vehicle Association
Date: 2020-06-15
The attached document from the European Biogas Association (EBA) and the Natural and Bio Gas Vehicle Association (NGVA Europe) illustrates the current and potential uptake of biomethane in the transportation sector.

According to the document, 17 pct of biomethane is used today to fuel natural gas vehicles (NGVs) in 25 pct of Europe's refueling network, resulting in a 35 pct reduction of emissions when compared to conventional fuels -- the highest rate of emissions reduction compared to other fuels, with greater potential when coupled with renewable gas. The report notes 117 terawatt-hours of renewable gas could be distributed as transport fuel as bioCNG and bioLNG by 2030 -- 40 pct of the overall fuel consumption of NGVs, estimated at more than 13 million vehicles in 2030.

A higher uptake of bioCNG and bioLNG in the sector will result in an overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction of 55 pct . Up to one million jobs will be created to ensure the scale-up of biomethane in the coming decades. New CNG and LNG stations and vehicles must also be created and must be compatible with their renewable counterparts, the document notes.

Download the The European Green Deal -- In the Fast Lane with Biomethane in Transport report HERE. (Source: European Biogas Association, Website, June, 2020) Contact: www.europeanbiogas.eu; Natural & bio Gas Vehicle Association, www.ngva.eu

More Low-Carbon Energy News European Biogas Association,  Natural and Bio Gas Vehicle Association,  biCNG,  Biogas,  bioLNG,  

Ocean Renewable Energy Action Coalition
Date: 2020-06-12
The attached report from the Ocean Renewable Energy Action Coalition's (OREAC) Ocean Panel has found that ocean-based renewable energy, such as offshore wind, floating solar, tidal and wave power, could meet nearly 10 pct of the global annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions needed to remain on a Paris-compliant 1.5 degrees C pathway in 2050.

The report estimates that up to 85 pct of this decarbonization potential will come from offshore wind. 1,400 GW of offshore wind would power one-tenth of global electricity demand while saving over 3 billion tpy of CO2 -- equal to taking 800 million cars off the road.

OREAC is spearheaded by Orsted and Equinor, and includes other major players in the global offshore wind industry: CWind, Global Marine Group, JERA, MHI Vestas, MingYang Smart Energy, Mainstream Renewable Power, Shell, Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, TenneT, and GE Renewable Energy. Additional partner organisations include Global Wind Energy Council, World Resources Institute, UN Global Compact, the Chinese Wind Energy Association and Ocean Energy Systems.

Download the OREAC The Ocean as a Solution to Climate Change report HERE. (Source: OREAC, PR, reve, June, 2020) Contact: OREAC, www.oceanrenewable.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Ocean Renewable Energy Action Coalition,  Ocean Energy,  Renewable Energy,  Wave Energy,  Tidal EnergyCarbon Emissions,  Climate Change,  

Bureau Veritas
Date: 2020-06-05
In Paris, laboratory testing, inspection and certification services provider Bureau Veritas reports the signing of a global framework agreement intended to help global energy and petrochemicals giant Shell reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from operations.

Methane emissions are a major component of indirect greenhouse gas emissions generated along the oil and gas value chain. Shell has set a target to maintain methane emissions intensity below 0.2 pct by 2025. Bureau Veritas will provide support and help enable the company meet that target. (Source: Bureau Veritas, PR, 4 June, 2020 Contact: Bureau Veritas, Bruno Ferreyra, , Exec. VP., Delphine Doungouss, Media, +33 (0)1 55 24 70 95, Delphine.doungouss@bureauveritas.com, www.bureauveritas.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Bureau Veritas,  Shell Oil,  GHG,  Greenhouse Gas,  CO2,  Methane,  

Naturgy
Date: 2020-06-05
In Madrid, Spanish power and gas utility Naturgy Energy Group SA reports it is adapting its business to a more sustainable model focused on environment, social action and good corporate governance (ESG) as well as reducing its GHG emissions by at least 21 pct by 2022 compared to 2017. The utility also aims to cut CO2 intensity in power generation by 22 pct and to ensure that 34 pct of generation capacity is from renewable sources. (Source: Naturgy, Website,2 June, 2020) Contact: Naturgy, www.naturgy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Naturgy,  Wind,  Carbon Emissions,  Renewable Energy,  

Michelin
Date: 2020-05-27
French tire maker Michelin reports its CO2 emissions-reduction targets have been validated by Science Based Targets (SBT), a leading independent collaborative organisation in this field.

Michelin aims to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by +38 pct by 2030 from a 2010 base year and to reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions from fuel and energy related activities; upstream and downstream transportation and distribution; and end-of-life treatment of sold products by +15 pct by 2030 from a 2018 base year. Michelin also commits that +70 pct of its suppliers by emissions covering purchased goods and services will have science-based targets by 2024. (Source: Michelin Group. PR, 21 May, 2020) Contact: Michelin Group, www.michelin.com; SBTi, www.sciencebasedtargets.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Michelin ,  Carbon Emissions,  GHG,  

Iron Mountain
Date: 2020-05-15
Boston-based information management and storage specialist Iron Mountain Inc. reports it has cut its GHG emissions by 52 pct surpassing its original science-based target of 25 pct reduction by 2025.

The company is also on track to meeting its RE100 commitment of sourcing 77 pct of global electricity supply from wind, solar, and other renewable energy sources. The company also recently launched the Green Power Pass program to certify that 100 pct of the energy customers use at Iron Mountain's data centers comes from renewable sources and help businesses achieve their own emissions goals. (Source: Iron Mountain, Env. Energy Leader, 13 May, 2020) Contact: Iron Mountain Incorporated, (800) 899-4755, www.ironmountain.ca

More Low-Carbon Energy News GHG. Carbon Emissions,  

Natural Gas Futures
Date: 2020-05-15
Natural Gas Futures (NGF) is reporting a collaboration with FortisBC Inc., Seaspan Ferries Corporation, and Solaris Management Consultants Inc. to provide technologies for low-emissions engine systems, and quantitative emission characterization for inventory and policy development purposes.

To reduce the climate impacts of transportation systems, several approaches have been identified through which greenhouse gas (GHG) emission can be reduced, primarily through CO2 emission reduction. These approaches include electrification of powertrains, bio-derived fuels, and fuels with lower carbon content. For large engine applications (e.g., marine, stationary power generation, remote applications), electrification is not yet realizable, and bio-fuels carry energetic penalties and may require significant engine modifications. For such applications, natural gas (NG) and natural gas from renewable sources (RNG) are attractive alternatives because of their lower CO2 and NOx emissions, and the significant North American NG reserves.

While natural gas is an attractive engine fuel to reduce these pollutants, it can also result in exhaust-stream CH4 emissions, which have a global warming potential (GWP) 28 times that of CO2 (on a 100 year timescale). Thus, all GHG emissions must be considered to ensure that the benefits of NG and RNG are realized, without also incurring unintentional increases in GHG or other emissions. The key objectives of this project are to:

Characterize in-use emissions and engine operation from NG engines, with a particular focus on CH4, CO2, PM, and NOX, under real-world operating conditions.

Develop strategies for GHG and other emission reductions, under the partner's operational constraints.

Provide data and guidance for policy development to support effective implementation of natural gas engines and ensure GHG reductions.

The project has received $356,566 in research grant funding. (Source: Natural Gas Futures, 13 May, 2020) Contact: Natural Gas Futures, University of British Columbia, 604 827 0790 ngf@cerc.ubc.ca, www.naturalgas.apsc.ubc.ca

More Low-Carbon Energy News Natural Gas Futures,  Carbon Emissions,  

US EPA
Date: 2020-05-13
According to the 2019 EPA Automotive Trends Report, the average estimated CO2 emission rate for all model year 2018 vehicles in the U.S. fell by 4 grams per mile to 353 g/mi and fuel economy increased very slightly by 0.2 mpg over 2017 levels to 25.1 mpg -- a record high. The reports notes that since 2004, auto CO2 emissions and fuel economy have improved in 12 out of 14 years and have repeatedly achieved new records.

Average estimated real-world auto CO2 emissions are projected to fall 6 g/mi to 346 g/mi and fuel economy is projected to increase 0.4 mpg to 25.5 mpg. All the large manufacturers -- with production of more than 150,000 in model year 2018 -- ended the 2018 model year in compliance with the GHG target program, the report noted.

Download the 2019 EPA Automotive Trends Report HERE (Source: US EPA, Auto Service World, 11 May, 2020)

More Low-Carbon Energy News EPA,  Vehicle Emissions,  Transportation Emissions,  

EPA
Date: 2020-05-11
In the nation's capitol, the EPA reports its first-ever proposed rule on aircraft greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have been sent to the White House Office of Management and Budget for review.

The proposed rule builds on the EPA's 2016 finding that aviation emissions endanger public health and welfare. Unfortunately, the new rules proposal comes at a time when the airlines are struggling because of the COVID-19 crisis and can ill afford potentially expensive new obligations.

Internationally, the UN International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has set its own GHG emissions reductions calling for an emissions freeze to be met through more energy efficient aircraft, increased use of biofuels and other "low-carbon" fuels, improved airline operations or the purchase of approved offsets.

The U.S., an ICAO member, has agreed to impose the freeze in 2021. The freeze, which becomes mandatory in 2027, is calculated on the average of 2019 and 2020, so the baseline is plummeting thanks to COVID-19. The industry now prefers that the baseline be based on 2019 alone, which is much more in line with their initial expectations.

Environmental groups claim ICAO provisions as too weak and oppose the baseline adjustments requested by the airlines and call for "technology forcing" EPA measures that go beyond ICAO. (Source: Competitive Enterprise Institute, 8 May, 2020)Contact: ICAO, Secretary General Fang Liu, www.icao.in

More Low-Carbon Energy News ICAO,  Aviation Emissions,  Carbon Emissiuons,  Climate Change,  

Rio Tinto
Date: 2020-05-11
In the Land Down Under, a recent meeting of London, UK-headquartered Anglo-Australian multinational metals and mining giant Rio Tinto shareholders found 37 pct of voting shareholders unsuccessfully called for a resolution that would require the company to set binding emissions targets.

While the resolution failed to pass, it attracted six times as much support as an identical one put up at the same meeting in 2019, according to the resolution's sponsor, environmental group Market Forces. Market Forces noted the vote "shows investors have woken up to Rio Tinto"s obfuscation and the huge risks to its business from climate change and transition." The resolution called on Rio Tinto to set science-based annual GHG emissions targets and disclose its performance against those targets. These would have included emissions classified as scope 3 -- those which are produced by Rio Tinto's customers. (Source: Rio Tinto, Guardian, 8 May, 2020) Contact: Market Forces, Julien Vincent, Exec. Dir., contact@marketforces.org.au, www.marketforces.org.au; Rio Tinto, www.riotinto.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Rio Tinto,  Carbon Emissions,  

Serbia
Date: 2020-05-06
Balkan Green Energy News is reporting the Serbian government has committed roughly €4.25 million for energy efficiency projects implemented by state authorities, local municipalities and other state agencies in 2020.

The money can be used for building thermal insulation, HVAC upgrades and modernization, solar energy installations and energy efficient interior lighting projects as well as for project design work and training.

The programs goals include: financing activities and measures for improving energy efficiency; realizing energy savings and rational use of energy by applying cost-effective technologies and products; increased use of renewable energy sources; reducing GHG emissions and increasing public awareness of the importance of energy efficiency. (Source: Balkan Green Energy News, 4 May., 2020)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency,  

New Climate Institute
Date: 2020-05-06
The Berlin-based New Climate Institute (ICAT) Buildings Efficiency Guidance provides guidance for assessing the greenhouse gas (GHG) impacts of buildings sector energy efficiency policies. The guidance provides a stepwise approach for estimating the effects of policy design characteristics and barriers associated with regulatory and financial support policies on GHG impacts.

This guidance specifically covers regulatory and financial support policies that address both new building stock and existing building stock with retrofit. Users are guided on how to estimate the impacts of these policies for the residential sector, although this guidance may also be used for the commercial and public sectors. The guidance focuses on the assessment of impacts from built-in energy loads, including space heating, cooling, lighting and hot water. The guidance does not assess the impacts of appliances that are unrelated to heating, cooling and hot water.

ICAT assessment guides help policymakers and other users assess the impacts of countries' climate policies and actions. They can play a critical role in providing the information needed for effective policymaking, for implementing the Nationally Determined Contributions and for preparing reports under the enhanced transparency framework of the Paris Agreement and on progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. (Source: ICAT, May, 2020) Contact: New Climate Institute, Carsten Warneke, +49 221 999 83 302 c.warnecke@newclimate.org , www. climateactiontransparency.org/icat-toolbox, www.newclimate.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News New Climate Institute ,  ICAT,  Paris Climate Accord,  Building Energy Efficiency,  

International Energy Agency
Date: 2020-05-04
The latest data show that the drastic curtailment of global economic activity and mobility during Q1, 2020 pushed down global energy demand by 3.8 pct relative to the same period in 2019. If lock-downs last for many months and recoveries are slow across much of the world, as is increasingly likely, annual energy demand will drop by 6 pct in 2020, wiping off the last five years of demand growth. If efforts to curb the COVID-19 pandemic and restart economies are more successful, the decline in energy demand could be limited to under 4 pct, according to the report. However a bumpier restart, disruption to global supply chains, and a second wave of infections in the second part of the year could further curtail growth.

Download the IEA Global Energy Review 2020 - The impacts of the COVID-19 Crisis on Global Energy Demand and CO2 Emissions Report HERE. (Source: International Energy Agency, April-May, 2020) Contact: International Energy Agency, www.iea.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News GHGs,  Greenhouse Gas Emisions,  Climate Change,  

GoodFuels,Stena Bulk
Date: 2020-05-01
Gothenburg, Sweden-headquartered marine tanker operator Stena Bulk is reporting the satisfactory completion of its Bio Fuel Oil (BFO) trial with GoodFuels in a typical commercial operation. The fuel, which GoodFuels launched in 2018, reportedly cuts greenhouse gas emissions by 83 pct and substantially reduces SOX emissions, according to GoodFuels.

Because it substantially reduces CO2 and SOX emissions, GoodFuels' Bio Fuel Oil further ensures marine shipping firms' compliance with the International Maritime Organisation's (IMO) 2020 Sulphur Cap, Greenhouse Gas (GHG) reduction requirements and upcoming regulations to reduce carbon intensity from shipping. The success of this trial also underlines sustainable marine biofuel's potential within the marine fuel mix. (Source: Stena Bulk, Manifold Times, 28 April, 2020) Contact: Stena Bulk, Erik Hanell, Pres., CEO, +46 31 85 50 00, info@stenabulk.com, www.stenabulk.com; GoodFuels, Dirk Kronemeijer, CEO, +31 88 021 5100, info@goodfuels.com, www.goodfuels.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News GoodFuels,  Marine Biofuel,  

Climate Change
Date: 2020-04-29
In Wisconsin, Dane County Executive Joe Parisi is touting the 2020 Dane County Climate Action Plan - Today's Opportunity for a Better Tomorrow (CAP) calling for a greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) reduction of 50 pct countywide by 2030 with the goal of carbon-neutrality by 2050. The plan's goal to reduce GHG emissions by 50 percent by 2030 exceeds the 45 percent worldwide reduction goal set by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to keep global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2030. CAP climate change emission reduction strategies include:

Increase electric vehicles sales (and transition heavy-duty trucks to electricity or renewable natural gas (RNG) vehicles.

Reduce vehicle miles traveled by shifting from driving alone to increase use of public transit, carpooling and biking.

Cut energy consumption by 2 pct per capita by 2030 by increasing the efficiency of old and new residential and commercial buildings.

Process 50 pct of livestock manure in anerobic digesters reducing GHG methane emissions, limiting phosphorus in area lakes and creating a new revenue source for farms.

CAP notes these actions will result in major economic and health benefits, lead to energy security and great resilience to the harmful impacts of a changing climate, and address racial and economic equality to ensure the benefits of carbon reductions are equitably shared.

In 2017, Parisi created the Dane County Office of Energy & Climate Change (OECC) to lead public and private efforts across the county to address climate change. The OECC led by its director, Keith Reopelle, created the Council on Climate Change -- a work group of 38 local governments, energy utilities, businesses, and environmental and community organizations that provided input into the development of the CAP to reduce GHG emissions across all 61 cities, towns and villages as well as the private sector. (Source: Dane County Office of Energy & Climate Change, Herald Independent, 26 April, 2020) Contact: Dane County Office of Energy & Climate Change, Keith Reopelle, Dir., www.daneclimateaction.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Climate Change,  Carbon Emissions,  CO2,  

Greenhouse Gas Emissions,EPA
Date: 2020-04-27
According to the just released US EPA 2020 Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks report on nationwide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, since 2005, national GHG emissions have fallen by 10 pct and power sector emissions have dropped by 27 pct -- even as our economy grew by 25 pct.

From 2005 to 2018, total U.S. energy-related CO2 emissions fell by 12 pct. In contrast, global energy-related emissions increased nearly 24 pct from 2005 to 2018. (Source: EPA, 25 April, 2020)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Greenhouse Gas Emissions,  GHG,  

Harvard College
Date: 2020-04-24
In Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard University is reporting a new pledge to reduce carbon and other GHG emissions by monitoring its $40,9 billion endowment investment portfolio with a view to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The net-zero pledge is a first among U.S. endowments. Harvard's is the world's largest educational endowment fund.

The university's governing body, the Harvard Management Company (HMC), which administers the endowment, plans to reach net-zero by 2050 through a collaboration with faculty and other experts and careful work with asset managers to examine their portfolio's transparency and emission levels. HMC expects to formulate detailed plans to achieve net-zero emissions before the year end.

Harvard's new pledge aligns with HMC's sustainable-investing framework, which was adopted in 2014 when Harvard signed on to the U.N.-sponsored Principles for Responsible Investment, a six-point outline for a global standard. (Source: Harvard Gazette, 21 April, 2020) Contact: Harvard Management Company, www.hmc.harvard.edu

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

Minship,GoodFuels
Date: 2020-04-22
Bavarian ship management company Minship and its subsidiary Minmarine reports its bulk carrier ship Trudy recently completed a trial bunkering in Rotterdam GoodFuels' sustainable Bio-fuel Oil MR1-100 -- a second generation sustainable biofuel produced from certified feedstock labelled as waste or residue.

For the 8-10 day trial, the GoodFuels biofuel will be the only fuel burnt in the main engine of Trudy. During the trial, 90 pct of the CO2 emissions produced will not be counted under existing regulations for measuring GHG emissions. The trial is part of Minshipseffort to address shipping emissions and climate change concerns.

GoodFuels is a leading supplier of bio-based bunker fuel for the shipping sector, notably a wood-derived HFO substitute it calls "bio-fuel oil" which, as previously reported, has been used by Boskalis, Norden, CMA CGM, Wartsila and Ikea. (Source: Minship, ShipinSight, 20 April, 2020) Contact: Minship GmbH, Markus Hiltl, +49 9622 84800, www.minship.com; GoodFuels, Dirk Kronemeijer, CEO, +31 88 021 5100, info@goodfuels.com, www.goodfuels.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News GoodFuel,  Marine Biofuel,  

Office of New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy
Date: 2020-04-22
In Trenton, the administration of New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) has earmarked roughly 75 pct of the estimated $80 million it will receive each year as its share of RGGI auction proceeds.

Sixty percent of the RGGI proceeds will go to the New Jersey Economic Development Agency for clean electric transportation initiatives. The state Board of Public Utilities will each receive 20 pct and the state Department of Environmental Protection will receive 20 pct.

The EDA will establish a Green Bank to leverage funds and stimulate opportunities in the clean energy -- and the funding to capitalize the initiative -- brings New Jersey in line with other leading clean energy states and provides a critical public-private partnership to spur investment in clean energy technologies during a moment of severe economic contraction.

The NJ DEP will use its allocation to assist coastal communities in protection and enhancement of ecosystems such as salt marshes, tidal wetlands and seagrass beds, which are critical habitat for their ability to store and sequester carbon. The agency also will focus on projects to restore and improve the health of forests, which also store carbon. (Source: Office of New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, NJ Spotlight, April, 2020) Contact: Office of NJ Gov. Phil Murphy, twitter.com/GovMurphy; RGGI, www.rggi.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy,  RGGI,  Climate Change,  GHG,  Carbon Emissions ,  

Global Carbon Project
Date: 2020-04-22
The Global Carbon Project -- commissioned by the Guardian -- projects carbon emissions could fall by as much as 2.5 billion tons in 2020 -- the highest-ever -- an unprecedented reduction of pct of the total CO2 in the atmosphere.

There have been other significant drops in carbon emissions in the last century. Many have to do with various global recessions, with the second-largest drop of one billion tons occurring in conjunction with the early-1980s recession. Another substantial drop in emissions occurred after the end of World War 2, most likely due to a sudden end to the boom in factory military production. ( Source: Global Carbon Project, Electronics Weekly, 21 April, 2020) Contact: Global Carbon Project, www.globalcarbonproject.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Global Carbon Project,  GHGs,  Carbon Emissions,  

Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Maritime Institute
Date: 2020-04-17
In Singapore, Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI) are reporting release of their 12-month study covering the technological, environmental and economic considerations in adopting alternative fuels.

The comprehensive study evaluates the characteristics of liquefied natural gas (LNG), methanol, biodiesel, and hydrogen, and outlines ways to incorporate them into existing ship systems. The study also provides short-, medium- and long-term measures, for shipping companies to overcome challenges in incorporating alternative fuels into their value chain and outlines how companies can use alternative fuels to help meet the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) long-term greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets of at least 50 pct, compared to the levels in 2008.

Download the Alternative Fuels for International Shipping studyHERE.(Source: NTU, SMI, Sea News, 16 April, 2020) Contact: NTU, Dr. Prapisala Thepsithar , Professor Louis Phee, Dean of College of Engineering, +65 6791 1744, www.ntu.edu.sg; Singapore Maritime Insitute, +65 6270 2885, www.maritimeinstitute.sg

More Low-Carbon Energy News Maritime Alternative Fuel,  

Japanese Environment Ministry
Date: 2020-04-15
In Tokyo, the Japanese Environment Ministry reported the country's greenhouse gas emissions fall 3.9 pct in fiscal 2018 from the previous year, thanks in part to an increased reliance on nuclear energy.

According to the Ministry release, the equivalent of 1.24 billion tons of CO2 was emitted in the year ended March 2019, a fifth annual decline and representing a low among comparable data going back to fiscal 1990.

Emissions fell 12 pct compared with fiscal 2013, against its Paris Climate Agreement pledge for a 26 percent reduction by fiscal 2030, a target that Japan has itself said is not ambitious enough.

While many of Japan's nuclear reactors were taken offline in the wake of the 2011 Fukushima crisis, output from the nine active units doubled from the previous year, reducing the need for coal, an increase in renewable energy and low demand for household heating due to a relatively warm winter, all contributed to the drop in CO2 emissions. Meanwhile, Japan's emissions of ozone-depleting hydrofluorocarbons (HFC) rose 4.7 percent from the previous year. (Source: Japanese Environment Ministry, PR, 13 April, 2020) Contact: Japan Environment Ministry, +81-(0)3-3581-3351, www.env.go.jp/en/moemail, www.env.go.jp/en

More Low-Carbon Energy News CO2,  Carbon Emissions,  Paris Climate Agreement,  HFC,  

Shell Oil
Date: 2020-04-13
"All of society, from consumers, to businesses, to governments, recognised the need to accelerate global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions." -- Ben van Beurden, Shell Oil, CEO April, 2020)

More Low-Carbon Energy News SHell Oil,  GHGs,  Carbon Emissions,  

NOAA
Date: 2020-04-13
A preliminary estimate from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has found that levels of atmospheric methane, a relatively short-lived heat-trapping gas roughly 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide, have hit an all-time high.

In 2019, the concentration of atmospheric methane reached nearly 1875 ppb, the highest level since record-keeping began in 1983. 2019 also saw the second-largest single-year leap in two decades.

The NOAA analysis notes "methane emissions primarily come from natural sources, like wetlands, and man-made sources, like farms and oil and gas wells. In wetlands, microbes excrete methane, an issue that humans can do little about. On farms, cows and sheep belch methane -- a problem that people can address by raising fewer livestock. The easiest way to stem methane pollution, however, is to limit its release from oil and gas drilling sites."

Methane levels were more or less flat from the late 1990s to the early 2000s. They began to rise after 2006 thanks, at least in part, to more oil and gas drilling. Their recent uptick threatens the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement, as scientists had assumed that methane concentrations would stay level and then drop off when they projected how countries would meet their climate targets.

Download the NOAA Trends in Atmospheric Methane HERE. (Source: NOAA, Nexus Media, Jeremy Deaton, 12 April, 2020) Contact: NOAA, (301) 713-1208, www.noaa.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News Methane,  NOAA,  GHG,  Climate Change,  Atmospheric Methane,  

Applied Energy,Resources for the Future
Date: 2020-04-06
A recent study from a team of researchers at Energy Innovation and Resources for the Future has found that it is possible -- and critical -- to bring industrial greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2070.

The study assesses the range of technologies and policies interventions available to enable global industry decarbonization. The paper noted that the industrial sector was responsible for 33 pct of global GHG emissions in 2014 -- including process emissions and indirect emissions from purchased electricity -- and that cutting emissions from this sector is critical to meeting international climate goals, such as those set by the Paris Agreement.

The paper finds that governments can accelerate research and development in sustainable manufacturing and incentivize new technology deployment and market scale-up through policy mechanisms such as R&D support, emissions standards, carbon pricing, and government procurement of low-carbon materials and industrial products. The paper also finds that, when used together, the right technologies and policies enable net-zero industrial GHG emissions by 2070. It particularly examines the role of the following technologies, innovation areas, and policy interventions that can be part of the emissions reduction strategy:

Electrification, use of hydrogen, energy efficiency, and carbon capture;

Material efficiency, longevity, re-use, material substitution, and recycling;

Specific technologies for iron and steel, cement, and chemicals and plastics:

Carbon pricing, research support, standards, government purchases, data disclosure. (Source: Resources for the Future, Applied Energy, Technology Network, 2 April, 2020) Contact: Resources for the Future, Dallas Burtraw, 202.328.5000, 202.939.3460 - fax., info@rff.org, www.rff.org; Energy Innovation, Jeffrey Rissman, 415-799-2176, www.energyinnovation.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Innovation ,  Net-Zero Carbon,  Carbon Emissions,  Resources for the Future,  

Inmarsat, IMO
Date: 2020-04-01
UK-based Global satellite communications provider Inmarsat has taken the role of a founding member in Asia's first decarbonising shipping initiative. The Singapore-based initiative is part of the Trade and Transport Impact (TTI) programme from venture development firm Rainmaking to bring global startups together to look into meeting UN targets on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Backed by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), the initiative expects to identify more than 1,000 projects offering models to tackle decarbonisation, with selected startups to be matched with maritime industry leaders willing to build collaborative pilot projects.

Other initiate participants include Cargill, DNV GL, Hafnia, Mitsubishi Corp's subsidiary MC Shipping, Vale, and Wilhelmsen.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is targeting a 50 pct cut in shipping GHG emissions by 2050, and average carbon intensity (CO2 per tonne-mile) reductions of 40 pct by 2030 and 70 pct by 2050 compared to 2008 figures. (Source: Inmarsat, Seatrade, Mar., 2020) Contact: Inmarsat, +44 (0)20 7728 1000 -- London, +65 6499 5050 -- Singapore, maritime@inmarsat.com, www.inmarsat.com; IMO, Stefan Micallef, Director of Marine Environment Division, +44 (0) 20 7735 7611, www.imo.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Maritime Emissions,  IMO,  Shipping Emissions,  ,  

Russian Ministry of Economic Development
Date: 2020-03-30
In Moscow, the Russian Ministry of Economic Development has, after extended procrastination and posturing, released a draft plan under which Russia, the world's fifth largest GHG emitter, would cut greenhouse gas emissions by one-third of 1990 levels by 2030.

Under the plan Russian emissions are projected to rise to the equivalent of 2.08 billion tons of carbon dioxide by 2030 - 67 pct of the 3.11 billion tons recorded in 1990.

By 2050, the draft plan projects emissions would fall to 1.99 billion tons -- 64 pct of 1990 levels -- and Russia would not become carbon neutral until much later than its original 2050 target.

Details of the draft plan are expected to be included in Russia's updated Paris Climate Agreement climate action plan to be submitted to the UN later this year. The Kremlin previously pledged a 25 pct cut in emissions. (Source: Russian Ministry of Economic Development, Bellona, Mar., 2020)

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

Independent Commodity Intelligence Services
Date: 2020-03-30
According to global commodities markets and data specialist Independent Commodity Intelligence Services ICIS) , European greenhouse gases (GHGs) as regulated under the EU Emissions Trading System (EUETS) will likely drop 24.4 pct in 2020 because of the widespread COVID-19 pandemic lock-downs.

Access the ICIS Early Impact Assessment HERE (Source: ICIS, Mar., 2020) Contact: ICIS, Anie Begum, Brand & Communications Manager +44 20 7911 3126, anie.begum@icis.com, (888) 525-3255 -- General Inquiries, clientsuccess@icis.com, www.icis.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Greenhouse Gas Emissions,  GHGs,  EUETS,  

UC Davis
Date: 2020-03-25
According to a study from the University of California-Davis, concrete production contributes 8 pct of global greenhouse gases and caused $335 billion per year in damages while strategies to reduce the concrete sector's global GHG emissions could, under some scenarios, increase local air pollution and related health damages.

While CCS technologies could reduce GHG emissions from concrete production by as much as 28 pct , the study found it could actually increase human health impacts from air pollutants unless the technology itself is powered by clean energy.

Cement production is responsible for about 32 pct of the total climate damages and 18 pct of health damages of making concrete. That is followed by aggregate production, which is responsible for 34 pct of health damages and 4 pct in climate damages.

To reduce these impacts, the study suggests the following readily implementable methods to reduce climate damages: cleaner combusting kiln fuel; increase use of limestone filler or other low-impact mineral additions to partially replace cement; clean renewable energy; amine scrubbing and calcium looping which could reduce climate damage costs over 50 pct and 65 pct respectively. They are not yet readily implementable but may become so in the future.

While the effectiveness of strategies varies by region, the study says that overall, a mixture of the strategies could reduce climate and health damages by 85 pct and 19 pct respectively. (Source: UC Davis, Nature Climate Change, Daily Democrat, UC Davis, Mar., 2020) Contact: UC Davis, Assist. Prof.,Frances Moore, UCD Department of Environmental Science and Policy, fmoore@ucdavis.edu, www.ucdavis.edu

More Low-Carbon Energy News Concrete,  Cement,  Carbon Emissions,  Climate Change,  UC Davis,  

Neste
Date: 2020-03-13
Espoo, Finland-headquartered biofuels and sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) producer Neste Oyi reports it is committed to reaching carbon neutral production by 2035. The commitment complements Neste's other strategic climate commitment of reducing customers' greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20 million tpy by 2030. To that end, the company:

Continues to focus on energy efficiency to optimize the use of fuel gas, electricity, hydrogen and steam in its production. The improvements in the turnaround at Porvoo refinery in 2020 will decrease production emissions by more than 100 kt CO2eq annually;

Increases the use of renewable electricity at its production sites. As an example of this, Neste has already agreed to start using wind power in Finland;

Increases the weight of greenhouse gas emissions in the investment calculations and business case evaluation;

Explores new, less emitting production methods, for example utilizing biogas or electrolysis for hydrogen production;

Has started a project for GHG emission reductions at the Porvoo production site, focusing on carbon capture and storage (CCS) and identifies reliable compensation models for the remaining part which cannot be achieved by emission reductions.

Neste is working on rolling out the detailed plan and timeline for implementing the initiatives aimed at carbon neutral production by 2035. (Source: Neste Oyi, PR, Mar., 2020) Contact: Neste Oyi, Salla Ahonen, VP Sustainability, +358 50 458 5076, media@neste.com, www.neste.com

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

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,  

Indonesia Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources
Date: 2020-03-09
In Jakarta, the Indonesian Industry Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources is reporting the implementation of its previously reported B30 biodiesel fuel blending program is expected to use 9.6 million kiloliters (KL) of domestic palm-oil biodiesel, reduce diesel fuel imports by e million kilolitersand, increase the added value of crude palm oil (CPO) to Rp13.81 trillion ($908 million) and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG)emissions by 14.25 million tons of CO2, or equivalent to gas emissions from 52,010 small buses, in 2020.

The mandatory B30 program came into force Jan. 1, this year. Indonesia, the world's biggest palm oil producer and exporter, is recorded as the first country to implement the B30 mixed-fuel in the world. (Source: Indonesia Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, antaranews.com, 5 Mar., 2020) Contact: Indonesia Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita, Minister, +136 0 21 3804242, +136 0 21 3507210 - fax, klik@esdm.go.id, www.esdm.go.id/en

More Low-Carbon Energy News Indoneasia Biodiesel,  B20,  B30,  Palm Oil,  Palm Biodiesel,  

Eni S.p.A.
Date: 2020-03-04
is reporting plans to planning to have 55GW of installed renewable energy capacity by 2050. Under its Long-Term Strategic Plan to 2050, Italian oil and gas firm Eni S.p.A. is aiming to slash net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of its energy products by 80 pct by 2050 by using renewable energies, biomethane, hydrogen, carbon capture and storage (CCS), methanol and products from the recycling of waste materials.

According to a release, the Rome-headquartered company has "quantified our carbon footprint reduction targets giving ourselves a comprehensive method of calculating emissions, which includes both direct and indirect emissions deriving from the end-use of our products, whether from our own production or purchased from third parties." (Source: Eni S.p.A., Bioenergy Insight, Mar., 2020) Contact: Eni S.p.A., Claudio Descalzi, CEO, +39 06 598 21, +39 06 598 22141 - fax, www.eni.com/en-IT/home.html

More Low-Carbon Energy News Eni,  Biodiesel,  Green Diesel,  Biomethane,  

Hungary
Date: 2020-03-04
In the capital city of Budapest, the Hungarian Minister of State for Energy Affairs and Climate Policy is reporting plans to meet European Union climate change targets with a two-phase planned €55 billion investment in solar energy 2030, and up to €152 billion by 2050.

Hungary's combined energy and climate change plan targets a reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of 40 pct compared to 1990 levels, and a minimum 21 pct share of renewable energy sources in gross energy consumption by 2030. The country plans to increase its photovoltaic capacity, almost six times the current installed solar capacity to 6,000 GW while maintaining its wind energy capacity at 330 MW. (Source: Hungary Minister of State for Energy Affairs and Climate Policy, Budapest Business Journal, 29 Feb., 2020) Contact: Hungary Minister of State for Energy Affairs and Climate Policy, Peter Kaderjak, www.bruegel.org/author/peter-kaderjak

More Low-Carbon Energy News Solar,  

IEA Bioenergy
Date: 2020-03-02
"Bioenergy already plays an important role in the global energy economy, and it's expanded use is a critical element in future low carbon scenarios, where it can especially play an important role in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the transport sector. Decarbonising transport will require a range of bio-based transport fuels, and especially advanced low carbon fuels which are suitable for long-haul transport applications including aviation. A number of appropriate technologies to produce such fuels are being developed and commercialised. However so far, their production has only reached a limited scale.

"The costs of these advanced Biofuels are currently higher than those of the fossil fuels which they can displace and of more conventional biofuels such as ethanol from sugar or corn, or biodiesel. It is therefore important to consider what scope there is to reduce the production costs of a range o advanced biofuels, and to identify under what conditions they could become affordable."

Download the full IEA Advanced Biofuels -- Potential for Cost Reduction report HERE. (Source: IEA Bioenergy, Feb., 2020) Contact: IEA Bioenergy, www.ieabioenergy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News IEA Bioenergy,  Biomass,  Biofuel,  Bioenergy,  

City of Manchester
Date: 2020-03-02
In the UK, the city of Manchester (pop. 2.8 million), in keeping with its pledge to reach net-zero carbon by 2038, has issued a call to "collective action" on the climate crisis with proposals to halve its greenhouse gas emissions by 2025.

To that end, the city council wants to retrofit as many of the 350 city-owned buildings with more efficient technology, install solar and wind energy generation capacity on city owned housing sites and complexes, and complete the ongoing replacements of the city's street lighting with low energy LED lighting. The city will also invest roughly £10 million to replace diesel power fleet vehicles with alternative fuel and electric vehicles. City staff will also be incentivized to use cleaner transportation and to conserve energy.

The council also intends to plant 2,000 trees, hedge trees and four community orchards per year beginning this year. The city's existing tree coverage stores 124,330 tonnes of carbon, absorbs 4,980 tonnes and removes 84 tonnes of pollution, according to the city release.

Under the plan, the city council will work with and continue to fund the Manchester Climate Change Agency to establish community-wide climate change related engagement activities and to encourage businesses to reduce their carbon footprint and sign up to the zero-carbon ambition. (Source: City of Manchester, Manchester Evening News, Mar.,2020) Contact: Manchester Climate Change Agency, www.manchesterclimate.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Climate Change,  Energy Efficiency,  

York University
Date: 2020-02-26
Estimates of the technologically and economically achievable potential for energy efficiency improvements in Canada are significant. Modelling by the International Energy Agency for example, suggests that under ambitious policy scenarios, Canada's GHG emissions could be reduced by approximately 200 million tpy of CO2e -- 28 pect of current emissions -- and with cumulative savings of $1.1 trillion between 2017 and 2050

In addition to offering the potential to make major contributions to a low-carbon sustainable energy transition, energy efficiency improvements can reduce energy costs to consumers, avoid the adverse environmental and social impacts of new energy supplies, improve productivity, strengthen energy security and enhance the resilience of energy systems to the impacts of climate change.

Despite their benefits, energy efficiency initiatives have struggled to achieve their full technological and economic potential to reduce to energy demand. These failures have been due to a range of market, institutional, financial, policy, regulatory, behavioural and informational barriers.

In recent years, new challenges have emerged beyond these traditional and well-understood obstacles. Changes in policy direction, often flowing from changes in governments, have resulted in significant retrenchments, and in some cases wholesale dismantlings, of energy efficiency strategies in North America. The Government of Ontario's decision to terminate its "Conservation First" strategy in March 2019 was among the most dramatic of these developments, but far from unique.

This study seeks to understand the dynamics behind these developments and to identify potential strategies and design principles to inform the development of more effective and resilient governance structures for energy efficiency in Canada. Specifically, the study examines a series of cases in which commitment and consensus around energy efficiency faltered, threatening the stability and, at times, the existence, of energy efficiency programming in a variety of Canadian (BC, Alberta, Ontario, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick) and the U.S. (Maine, Connecticut and Indiana) jurisdictions.

Download the York University Unpacking the Climate Potential of Energy Efficiency study HERE. (Source: York University, Sustainable Energy Initiative, Feb., 2020) Contact: York University, sei.info.yorku.ca, www.yoku.ca

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency,  Climate Change,  

Climate Change, Global Warming
Date: 2020-02-24
In Montpelier, the Vermont House of Representative voted 105 to 37 in support of the Global Warming Solutions Act requiring Vermont to cut emissions 26 pct by 2025, compared to 2005 levels. The bill also allows private citizens to sue the state if it fails to deliver on the emissions cuts.

The bill now goes to the Senate for a approval then on to the office of Republican Gov. Phil Scott for signing into law. (Source: Vermont Public Radio, 21 Feb., 2020)

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

Finnish Environment Institute
Date: 2020-02-21
The Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE) is reporting from Helsinki that only 16 of Finland's 310 municipalities failed to lower their GHG emissions by an average of 15 pct between 2005 and 2017.

On the high end of the reductions scale, Finnish Lapland is estimated to have lowered its emissions by 121 percent, while emissions grew in Ilomantsi in North Karelia, far eastern Finland.

The SKYE emissions figures are calculated according to standards set by the Carbon Neutral Municipalities Network which is backed by SYKE and the EU as part of a six-year climate project called Towards Carbon Neutral Municipalities and Regions.

Finnish emissions must still be slashed by 70-80 pct if to country is to reach its goal of carbon neutrality by 2035. (Source: Finnish Environment Institute, YLE News, 19 Feb., 2020) Contact: Finnish Environment Institute, Johannes Lounasheimo, +358 29 5251000, www.syke.fi › en-US

More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Emissions,  

International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT)
Date: 2020-02-21
A new report just released by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) concludes that using LNG for maritime bunkers (martine fuel) may have little positive impact on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

The ICCT analysis compares LNG, marine gas oil, very low sulphur fuel oil and heavy fuel oil used in marine engines in the LNG tanker and cruise sectors. However, results varied widely depending on engine technology. High-pressure dual fuel (HPDF) machinery came out top but the ICCT estimates that only 90 of the 750-plus LNG-fuelled ships in service use these engines. Moreover, using a 20-year global warming potential model and taking into account upstream emissions, combustion emissions and methane slip, there is no climate benefit from using LNG, regardless of engine technology, the analysis concludes.

The ICCT's findings come as a serious blow to those who have advocated LNG as an interim fuel on the path to low- and zero-carbon propulsion technologies.

Download the ICCT Climate Implications of Using LNG as a Marine Fuel report HERE. (Source: ICCT, Stand Earth.com, Seatrade, 29 Jan., 2020) Contact: International Council of Clean Transportation, twitter@theicct.org, communications@theicct.org, www.theittc.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News LNG,  Alternative Fuel,  GHG,  Carbon Emissions,  

Airport Council International
Date: 2020-02-19
In Germany, Munich Airport reports the Airport Council International (ACI Europe), the umbrella organization of European airports, has again recognized the airport for its continuous efforts to reduce its CO2 emissions.

The Munich Airport reduced its directly attributable CO2 emissions from approximately 3.4 kg per passenger in 2009 to around 2.2 kg per passenger in 2018 -- a drop of 35 pct.

The airport documents its emissions in accordance with the internationally recognized Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG), the most widely used international accounting tool for government and business leaders to understand, quantify, and manage greenhouse gas emissions.

The airport plans to achieve additional emissions reductions through innovative technologies, without purchasing carbon certificates, and to achieve ACA certified carbon "neutrality" by 2030. (Source: Munich Airports, PR, 18 Feb., 2020) Contact: Munich Airport, Jost Lammers, Pres., CEO, +49 811 5522128, www.munich-airport.com; Airport Council International (ACI Europe), the umbrella organization of European airports, Airport Council International, www.aci.aero; Greenhouse Gas Protocol, www.ghgprotocol.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Aviation Emissions,  Carbon Emissions,  Greenhouse Gas Protocol ,  

UPS, Kinetrex Energy, TruStar Energy
Date: 2020-02-05
Atlanta-based logistics giant UPS reports it has entered into multi-year renewable natural gas (RNG) agreements with Indianapolis-headquartered LNG specialist Kinetrex Energy and White Plains, New York-based compressed natural gas (CNG) and renewable natural gas fuel specialist TruStar Energy which together will supply as much as 80 million gallon equivalents (GEs) of RNG to UPS over the terms of the agreements.

Kinetrex will supply UPS with up to 52.5 million GEs of RNG over the life of the contract to be used in its tractor trailer vehicles throughout the Midwest. TruStar Energy will supply UPS with up to 27.5 million GEs of RNG over the life of the contract to be used in California. The RNG will be used to fuel UPS's CNG-powered trucks in both Visalia and Moreno Valley, Calif.

Over the past decade, UPS has invested more than $1 billion in alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles and fueling stations in an initiative to cut its absolute greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 12 pct across its global ground operations by 2025. (Source: UPS, PR, Feb., 2020) Contact: UPS, Mike Whitlatch, VP, 404-828-6000, www.ups.com; Kinetrex, Aaron Johnson, CEO, 317-886-8179, www.kinetrexenergy.com; TruStar Energy, www.trustarenergy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News LNG,  CNG,  UPS,  RNG,  Kinetrex,  TruStar,  

Global Fire Emissions Database, Global Carbon Project
Date: 2020-01-27
The Global Fire Emissions Database is reporting fires in Australia's New South Wales and Victoria states in have emitted around 400 million tons of COs so far, "pushing country-level estimates for all of 2019 to a new record in the satellite era" of about 900 million tons of carbon dioxide.

In 2018, Australia emitted 421 million tons of carbon dioxide, making it the 16th-largest emitter worldwide, ranking just above the UK, according to the Global Carbon Project, a group of 76 scientists in 15 countries.

2019 was the hottest and driest year on record in Australia, and December saw the country shatter its record for the hottest-ever day nationally. (Source: Global Fire Emissions Database, The Independent, 25 Jan., 2020) Contact: Global Fire Emissions Database, www.globalfiredata.org; Global Carbon Project, www.globalcarbonproject.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Global Carbon Project,  GHGs,  Carbon Emissions,  Australia Carbon Emissions,  

Carbon Emissions
Date: 2020-01-24
In response to and compliance with the COP15 Agreement, the following governments have set a global goal and committed to reaching net-zero emissions in the second half of the century:

Bhutan, California, Chile, Costa Rica, Denmark, The European Union, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, the Marshall Islands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, The UK and Uruguay. (Source: Various Media, Climate News, Jan., 2020)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Net-Zero Carbon,  GHGs,  Carbon Emissions,