Climate Change
Date: 2020-01-10
In the nation's capitol, U.S. Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-N.J.) has released the legislative framework of the draft Climate Leadership and Environmental Action for the (CLEAN) Future Act -- an ambitious new climate plan to ensure the U.S. achieves net-zero greenhouse gas pollution and 100 pct clean energy no later than 2050. The draft bill incorporates both proven and novel concepts, presenting a set of policy proposals that will put the U.S. on the path to a clean and prosperous economy. Specific to carbon emissions and climate change, the draft legislation:

Directs all federal agencies to use all existing authorities to put the country on a path toward net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. It does not stipulate which energy sources or strategies qualify, instead taking a technology-inclusive approach to reaching net-zero emissions by mid-century. To ensure federal agencies' collective efforts remain on track, the draft legislation directs the EPA to evaluate each agency's plans, make recommendations and report on progress each year.

Empowers the states to complete the transition to a net-zero economy, based on the existing federalism model in the (Obama administration) Clean Air Act. The bill sets a national climate standard of net-zero greenhouse gas pollution in each state by 2050. States are then granted flexibility to develop plans to meet the 2050 and interim standards based on their policy preferences, priorities and circumstances. Each state must submit a climate plan to EPA, which then reviews and approves or disapproves each plan.

Establishes a National Climate Bank to mobilize public and private investments in low- and zero-emissions energy technologies, climate resiliency, building efficiency and electrification, industrial decarbonization, grid modernization, agriculture projects, and clean transportation.

The draft legislation reduces transportation emissions, the largest source of GHG emissions, by improving vehicle efficiency, accelerating the transition to low- to zero-carbon fuels and building the infrastructure needed for a clean transportation system. The bill directs EPA to set new, increasingly stringent greenhouse gas emission standards for light-, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, including off-road modes of transportation. (Source: Office of Congressman Frank Pallone Jr., Jan., 2020) Contact: Congressman Frank Pallone Jr , Chairman, Energy and Commerce Committee, (202) 225-4671 (202) 225-9665 - fax, https://pallone.house.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News Net-Zero Greenhouse Gas,  Climate Change,  Carbon Emissions,  

Vermont Climate Change
Date: 2020-01-10
In Montpelier, the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, Department of Environmental Conservation is reporting the issuance of its Vermont Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Forecast: Brief 1990–2016 report. According to the report, while greenhouse gas emissions for Vermont in 2016 were down 4 pct from 2015 levels, they’re still 13 pct above 1990 levels.

The report notes that most of the state's GHG emissions reductions came from the residential, commercial, and industrial sectors, with small decreases in waste and agricultural sectors. Meanwhile, increases were seen from the industrial processes, fossil fuel industry and transportation sectors. To uphold the Paris Climate Agreement, the state needs to cut greenhouse gas emissions somewhere between 26 pct to 28 pct below 2005 levels by 2025, the report notes.

Download the report HERE. (Source: Agency of Natural Resources Department of Environmental Conservation, Rutland Herald, 8 Jan., 2020) Contact: Agency of Natural Resources Department of Environmental Conservation , Emily Boedecker, Commissioner, 802-828-1556, https://dec.vermont.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News Paris Climate Vermont Climate Change,  Agreement,  Carbon Emissions,  Climate Change,  

Netherlands,Climate Change
Date: 2019-12-23
At the Hague, the highest court in the Netherlands, the Supreme Court, is reported to have upheld a ruling requiring the government to cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 25 pct of 1990 levels by the end of 2020 -- a target that surpasses European Union emissions reduction targets. By the end of 2018, the country's emissions were down only 15 pct for a 10 pct shortfall on 1990 levels.

In June this year, the government announced plans to trim the country's GHG emissions by 49 pct by 2030 and phasing out coal-fired power generation starting in 2020. (Source: EU News, Various Media, BBC, 20 Dec., 2019)

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

Canada Climate Change,Environment Canada
Date: 2019-12-23
In Ottawa, the Liberal government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Environment Minister Hon. Jonathan Wilkinson is reporting the country's carbon emissions are expected to be 227 million tonnes below projected levels by the end of the next decade.

Canada expects to its greenhouse gas emissions to 603 million tonnes by 2030 -- well above the 511 million tonne target Canada committed to under the COP15 Paris Climate Agreement. To that end, the government plans to plant two billion trees, cut energy waste and support zero-emissions clean tech companies, and various other initiatives and measures. Unfortunately, Canada is reportedly warming at twice the global average and and three times the global rate in its extreme northern regions. (Source: Environment Canada, Various Media, Canadian Press, Dec., 2019) Contact: Environment Canada, Environment Canada, www.canada.ca/en/government

More Low-Carbon Energy News Canada Carbon Emissions,  Canada Climate Change,  Environment Canada,  

Broc Oil, REGI,B20
Date: 2019-12-20
In the Bay State, Haverhill-headquartered Broco Oil reports it has contracted to provide Renewable Energy Group (REGI) produced biodiesel-blended heating oil to Boston city-owned buildings and municipal facilities.

Under its contract, Broco will deliver an estimated 90,000 gpy of B-20 heating oil that will reduce the City's CO2 equivalent (CO2e) building emissions by 322,560 ppy -- equivalent GHG emissions of 357,728 passenger vehicle miles according to the U.S. EPA. (Source: Broco Oil, PR, 17 Dec., 2019) Contact: Broc Oil, www.brocoil.com: Renewable Energy Group, Marc MacLean, 603-812-1248, marc.maclean@regi.com, www.regi.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Biodiesel,  Biodiesel Blend,  B20,  Renewable Energy Group,  B20 ,  

California Green Innovation Index
Date: 2019-12-16
According to the California Green Innovation Index, the Golden State may miss its climate targets by more than 100 years -- despite the country's strictest vehicle fuel efficiency and emissions standards, broad climate change policies, and being the first state to adopt an economy-wide cap-and-trade program.

In 2018, California legislated 100 pct of the state's electricity come from carbon-free sources by the end of 2045. Additionally, the state's emission standards dictate that greenhouse gas emissions be cut 40 pct below 1990 levels by 2030 and to 80 pct below 1990 levels by 2050. But considering that the state's climate pollution only declined by 1.15 pct in 2017, California would only hit its 2030 targets by 2061 and its 2050 targets by 2157, the Index notes.

The California Green Innovation Index (CA GII) tracks the state's progress in reducing GHG emissions, generating technological and business innovation, and growing businesses and jobs that enable the transition to a more resource-efficient economy as California adopts innovative energy and emissions policies, according to its website. (Source: California Green Innovation Index, Epoch Times, 13 Dec., 2019) Contact: California Green Innovation Index, 650.235.8323, www.coecon.com/ca-gii.html

More Low-Carbon Energy News California Green Innovation Index,  Carbon Emissions,  California Emissions,  Climate Change ,  

Hydro-Quebec
Date: 2019-12-09
Hydro-Quebec operates some 60 hydroelectric generating stations, making it one of the largest hydroelectricity producers in the world. Decarbonizing the economy to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is one of the company's priorities.

Hydro-Quebec's Strategic Plan 2020-2024 identifies various applications for clean hydrogen, including renewable natural gas (RNG), carbon-neutral synthetic hydrocarbon fuels, and others Overall, GHG emissions from Quebec hydropower (run-of-river generating stations and generating stations with reservoirs) are similar to those from wind, five times lower than those from photovoltaic solar, 50 times lower than those from natural gas-fired plants and 70 times lower than those from coal-fired plants. (Source: HydroQuebec, Green Car Congress, Dec., 2019) Contact: Hydro-Quebec, Marc-Antoine Pouliot, (514) 289-5005, www.hydroquebec.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Hydro-Quebec,  Hydrogen,  Clean Hydrogen,  RNG,  Wthanol,  

Canada Green Building Council
Date: 2019-12-04
The Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) has released the results of its Disclosure Challenge, an initiative designed to champion the importance of energy bench-marking and data transparency in the Canadian commercial real estate market. The results have CaGBC and initiative participants, including QuadReal, Triovest Realty Advisors Inc., Concert Properties Ltd., Colliers International, and the Minto Group calling on federal and provincial governments to implement consistent building data disclosure regulations and requirements.

For Canada to reach its emissions reduction targets and transition to a low-carbon economy over the next decade it is essential that existing buildings achieve significant energy efficiency improvements. One of the barriers to meeting these goals is the current lack of publicly available data on commercial building performance in Canada.

While energy bench-marking regulations are in effect in Ontario, the Challenge marked the first time Canadian real estate owners have voluntarily disclosed their Canada-wide portfolio data. These five participants publicly disclosed available data for over 11 million square meters of space in buildings spread across the country from Victoria to Halifax including offices, warehouses, residential apartment buildings and retail shops. Insights from the Disclosure Challenge show:

In comparison with Natural Research Canada (NRCan) average site energy use intensity values, overall participant office buildings performed approximately 10 pct better than the average office in Canada, whereas participant multi-residential buildings were about even with the average.

Average energy use intensity for office and multi-residential buildings in the challenge were 286 kWh/m2 and 256 kWh/m2 respectively. As compared to high-performance efficiency standards for new office and multi-residential buildings in Canada coming into force in different jurisdictions (with a standard of 100 kWh/m2). Disclosure Challenge office buildings were approximately 65 pct less efficient and multi-residential buildings were 61 pct less efficient.

GHG Emissions intensity varied across the country and was generally correlated with the electricity supply grid intensity, so office buildings in Alberta were as high as 170 kgCO2e/m2 and apartments in British Columbia were as low as 24 kgCO2e/m2 .

View the full Canada Green Building Council Disclosure Challenge HERE. (Source: Canada Green Building Council, PR, Dec., 2019) Contact: Canada Green Building Council, Thomas Mueller, Pres. and CEO, (866) 941-1184, info@cagbc.org, www.cagbc.org

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

Moscow Idaho
Date: 2019-11-20
In Idaho, the city of Moscow -- pop. 26,000 +- -- City Council reports the city's 2010 Sustainability Initiative is expected to reduce the city's greenhouse gas levels 20 pct by 2020, based on 2008 levels.

The city's Sustainability Initiatives include water-conservation methods, replacing inefficient bulbs with light emitting diodes (LEDs), fleet clean fuel and fuel reduction strategies and other energy efficiency measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. (Source: Moscow-Pullman Daily News, 19 Nov., 2019) Contact: Moscow City Council, Tyler Palmer, Acting Public Works Director, 208-883-7097, tpalmer@ci.moscow.id.us, www.ci.moscow.id.us

More Low-Carbon Energy News GHG Emissions,  Sustainabiility,  

International Maritime Organization
Date: 2019-11-18
In London, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is reporting its Intersessional Working Group on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships has agreed on a draft strategy on the voluntary reduction of GHG emissions from ships. The resolution urges IMO member states to develop National Action Plans that could include:

improving domestic institutional and legislative arrangements for the effective implementation of existing IMO instruments;

developing activities to further enhance the energy efficiency of ships;

initiating research and advancing the uptake of alternative low-carbon and zero-carbon fuels;

accelerating port emission reduction activities; and fostering capacity-building, awareness-raising and regional cooperation;

facilitating the development of infrastructure for green shipping.

IMO noted that it has already adopted mandatory technical and operational measures to improve the energy efficiency of ships and reduce GHG emissions, including the energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) for new ships and the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) for all ships of 400 GT and above. (Source: IMO. Bunkerspot, Nov., 2019)Contact: International Maritime Organization, Stefan Micallef, Director of Marine Environment Division, +44 (0) 20 7735 7611, www.imo.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News International Maritime Organization,  

Paris Climate Agreement
Date: 2019-11-18
A new analysis from Changing America claims the climate plans of more than three-quarters of the world's countries are "totally insufficient."

To meet the Paris Climate Agreement (COP15)goal of limiting global warming to 2.7 F (1.5 C), countries must cut greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030.

Three-quarters of the 184 countries that signed the COP15 Paris Climate Agreement have climate plans that experts deem "totally insufficient" in a new report.

The small group of nations the report identifies as having sufficiently ambitious climate change plans includes the 28 EU member countries, Norway, Switzerland and Ukraine.

The world is on pace to warm by a catastrophic 5.4-7.2 F (3-4 C) by the end of the century if current trends continue. If the nations fail to cut GHG emissions in half by 2030, damages from climate change-fueled hurricanes, droughts, fires and floods will total an estimated $2 billion a day, the report notes.

The report also notes Russia, China, the US and India are responsible for half of all carbon emissions. (Source: Changing America, 15 Nov. 2019)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Paris Climate Agreement,  GHGs,  COP15,  Climate Change,  Carbon Emissions,  

United States Steel Corporation
Date: 2019-11-15
Along the banks of the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers, Pittsburgh-headquartered United States Steel Corp, (US Steel) is reporting plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions intensity across its global footprint by 20 pct, as measured by the rate of CO2 equivalents emitted per ton of finished steel shipped, by 2030 based on 2018 baseline levels.

The planned reduction will be achieved through various initiatives including: the development of electric arc furnace steel-making at U. S. Steel's Fairfield Works and at Big River Steel, the first LEED-certified steel mill in the nation; the introduction of state-of-the-art endless rolling and casting technology; and construction of a cogeneration facility at its Mon Valley Works; and implementation of ongoing energy efficiency measures, continued use of renewable energy sources and other process improvements. (Source: US Steel, PR 13 Nov., 2019) Contact: US Steel, Kevin Lewis, Inv. Relations, (412) 433-6935, klewis@uss.com, www.uss.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News US Steel,  Carbon Emissions,  United States Steel Corporation,  

American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
Date: 2019-11-13
In its 13th annual scorecard, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) ranks Massachusetts, Vermont and New York among the most energy efficient states in the country.

Massachusetts placed first for the ninth year in a row on the strength of its 2008 Green Communities Act and Global Warming Solutions Act calling for increased energy efficiency and an 80 pct reduction in GHG emissions statewide by 2050. The state also adopted the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code.

The ACEEE report reviews states' efficiency initiatives and policies on utilities, transportation, building codes, appliances, and combined heat and power. (Source: American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, Nov., 2019) Contact: American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, Steven Nadel, Exec. Dir., (202) 507-4000, (202) 429-2248 - fax, www.aceee.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy,  Energy Efficiency,  

Korea
Date: 2019-11-04
The Korean Times is reporting Korean companies consume over 50 pct of the electric power generated from coal-fired power plants and contribute 30 to 40 pct of the country's greenhouse gas emissions. The Times notes that Korean companies, the main consumers of electricity generated by the coal-fired plants, need to transition to renewables but to date have been largely noncommittal to dropping fossil fuels.

According to Kim Ji-seok, a climate and energy specialist at Greenpeace Seoul, "there are two ways for local companies to replace their energy sources with renewable energy. One is to build their own power plant and the other is to purchase the energy from a renewable resources power generator. However, the latter is not legal here. Besides, electric power generated by such plants accounts for only 3.5 pct of the total electricity used in Korea, which is way too small to meet market demand," Kim said.

The state-run Korean Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO), which controls the majority of the country's electric power generation, is reportedly slow to adopt renewables. Another major factor attributing to high rate of greenhouse gases in Korea is the auto industry with Hyundai and Kia Motors emitting 401 million gross tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) in 2018. (Source: Korea Times, Nov., 2019)

More Low-Carbon Energy News GHGs,  Korea Carbon Emissions,  Carbon Emissions,  Climate Change,  

Holland Michigan
Date: 2019-11-04
In Michigan, the city of Holland (pop. 35,000 +-) reports it is upgrading its Community Energy Plan -- the city's strategy to bring per capita GHG emissions down to 10 metric tons of carbon dioxide per capita over 40 years.

With the recent the decommissioning of the coal-powered James DeYoung power plant and the opening of the Holland Energy Park natural gas plant, the city has already cut emissions from 24 metric tons per capita in 2010 to an estimated 17 metric tons as of 2017. Moving forward the the city plans retrofitting all city buildings for better energy efficiency, replacing streetlights with LEDs to cut energy costs, further cutting the use of fossils fuels and increasing reliance on renewable energy sources, and refining its Energy Plan to include:

reaching a total of 1,000 homes retrofitted through the Home Energy Efficiency Retrofit program

growing capacity so that an additional 250 homes can be retrofitted annually

create local residential, commercial and industrial Energy Waste Reduction programs to replace expiring state programs

pilot and then study district heating at the Holland Civic Center to determine its effectiveness

achieve the highest rate of per-capita electric vehicle ownership in the state, twice the state average

draft a five-year plan for adapting the city's infrastructure for autonomous vehicles

secure a $3 million endowment for the Holland-Hope College Sustainability Institute.

If all interim goals for 2021 are met, the changes are predicted to bring CO2 emissions levels down to 15.75 metric tons per capita. With 82 percent of the city's electricity delivered to commercial or industrial facilities, Holland's business sector will be key to the continued progress toward its goals. (Source: City of Holland, Holland Sentinel, 3 Nov., 2019)

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

San Antonio
Date: 2019-10-18
In the Lone Star State, the San Antonio City Council reports the adoption of a Climate Action and Adaptation Plan aimed at slashing the city's GHG emissions to net-zero by 2050.

San Antonio is the second major Texas city to adopt the goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Austin passed a similar climate plan in 2014 and Houston and Dallas are working on their own climate planning efforts. (Source: City of San Antonio, Rivard Report, 17 Oct., 2019)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Net-Zero Emissions,  Climate Change,  CO2,  San Antonio,  

International Energy Agency
Date: 2019-10-14
In its Energy Efficiency 2018 report, the International Energy Agency (IEA) examines the ways global energy efficiency could be improved over the next two decades. It bases its estimates on a world with 60 pct more building space, 20 pct more people and a GDP that is double what it is today. Those increases will significantly affect energy demand, use and production, so energy efficiency will be critical in controlling their contribution to GHG emissions, according to the report.

The IEA report notes: energy efficiency gains could "allow the world to extract twice as much economic value from the energy it uses today"; efficiency would cut consumer energy bills by more than US$500 billion annually and, by 2040, provide 40 pct of the GHG reductions the world needs to meet Paris Agreement commitments.

Report details and free download HERE. (Source: IES, BIV, 14 Oct., 2019) Contact: EIA, www.eia.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News International Energy Agency,  Energy Efficiency,  

City of Santa Rosa
Date: 2019-10-14
As previously reported, in February the Santa Rosa City Council in Sonoma County, California appointed a climate action subcommittee to facilitate the implementation of a climate action plans. To that end, the subcommittee is now advancing significant policy changes focused on transportation, energy-efficient buildings, solid waste reduction and carbon sequestration.

Sixty percent of Santa Rosa's GHG emissions come from motor vehicles. As Sonoma County prepares to extend Measure M -- a quarter-cent sales tax that has leveraged $5 of state and federal funding for every $1 of local transportation tax revenue -- the city needs to take a critical look at reliable and frequent public transit.

With 29 pct of the city's emissions coming from inefficient building energy use, the subcommittee is recommending all city buildings join Sonoma Clean Power's "Evergreen" program, which delivers 100 pct renewable and local energy, promising an immediate 41 pct reduction in building emissions.

The subcommittee has also advanced a comprehensive zero-waste plan that could reduce the city's GHG emissions by up to 9 pct. The city also maximized its recyclabling and composting efforts. The city is also exploring . (Source: City of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Press Democrat, 13 Oct., 2019) Contact: City of Santa Rosa, www.srcity.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Climate Change,  

International CCS Knowledge Centre
Date: 2019-10-09
Tokyo-based Japan CCS Co., Ltd. and the Regina, Saskatchewan-headquartered International CCS Knowledge Centre are reporting a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) outlining plans to collaborate on accelerating the use and understanding of carbon capture utilization and storage (CCS/CCUS).

Japan CCS Co., Ltd. is conducting the Tomakomai CCS Demonstration Project to demonstrate the viability of full-chain CCS in Japan. The International CCS Knowledge Centre will share the experience and lessons-learned from the construction, operation and maintenance of SaskPower's Boundary Dam 3 CCS Facility - the world's first commercial scale, post-combustion CCS facility on a coal-fired power plant.

The International CCS Knowledge Centre was established by BHP and SaskPower with a mandate to advance the global understanding and deployment of large-scale CCS to reduce global GHG emissions. (Source: Japan CCS, International CCS Knowledge Centre, PR, 8 Oct., 2019) Contact: International CCS Knowledge Centre , Mike Monea, President & CEO, www.ccsknowledge.com; Japan CCS Co., Ltd., www.japanccs.com/en

More Low-Carbon Energy News International CCS Knowledge Centre,  CCS,  Boundry Dam,  Saskpower,  ,  

Ofgem
Date: 2019-10-04
In London, the UK energy regulator OFGEM is reporting the UK's progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions slowed in 2918, falling by 2.5 pct from 3 pct in 2017 -- the smallest reduction since 2012.

The country's GHG emissions have fallen by 42 pct since 1990, more than any other large advanced economy, due largely to the decarbonisation of electric power generation. Even so, the agency notes "significant" investment and policy intervention, particularly in renewables, would be needed to meet the UK's legal goals of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.

OFGEM has made decarbonizing the economy a priority in its new corporate strategy and has promised to set out more detail on this early next year. "OFGEM's latest state of the market report shows the progress made so far to decarbonise the economy but much more needs to be done. We want the UK to remain a global leader in bringing down greenhouse gas emissions, and our major objective is to help the country rise to the challenge of cutting emissions to net-zero by 2050 at the lowest possible price to consumers", OFGEM chief economist Joe Perkins said. (Source: OFGEM, Isle of Wight County Press, 3 Oct., 2019)Contact: OFGEM, Chris Lock, +44 0207 901 7225, www.ofgem.gov.uk

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

Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials
Date: 2019-09-25
In the EU, more than 50 banks and other financial institutions representing nearly $3 trillion in assets are reporting they will assess and disclose the impact their loans and investments will have on climate change through the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF), an industry-wide effort to standardize how companies measure the carbon footprints of their investments.

PCAF is a global partnership of financial institutions that work together to develop and implement a harmonized approach to assess and disclose the GHG emissions associated with their loans and investments. PCAF enables transparency and accountability and will develop an open-source global carbon accounting standard for financial institutions, according to a Reuters report. (Source: PCAF, euronews, Reuters, 23 Sept., 2019) Contact: Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials, Giel Linthorst, Executive Director, +31 6 1136 6935, info@carbonaccountingfinancials.com, www.carbonaccountingfinancials.com

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

World Biogas Association
Date: 2019-09-20
Following on from the recent publication of its Global Potential of Biogas report, which demonstrates that biogas could rapidly reduce world GHG emissions by 12 pct, the World Biogas Association (WBA) has issued recommendations to world governments, financial institutions and other key decision makers to support the industry becoming a key player in meeting Paris Agreement commitments and developing a low carbon circular economy.

The WBA emphasizes the need to move away from fossil fuels and invest in the infrastructure and incentives required to build a powerful anaerobic digestion and biogas industry that will provide a stable and flexible source of clean energy, as well as bio-fertilisers for agriculture and a potent waste management and sanitation solution. The key recommendations focus around:

National pledges to reduce GHG emissions, including the removal of fossil fuel subsidies, through their Paris Agreement Nationally Determined Commitments, energy plans, net-zero targets by 2050 and increases in renewable energy production and consumption over the next decade.

The inclusion of AD into these pledges and at the core of circular economy strategies, with targets set for the production of biogas, AD included in all incentive policies and AD nominated as the preferred method of treatment for all biodegradable wastes.

Policies to increase biodegradable wastes capture, including the provision by local governments of separate food waste collections in both urban centers and rural areas, and mandatory food waste collection and treatment for businesses of a certain size, combined with increased AD capacity to process the new waste stream.

The development of a robust infrastructure to enable the collection and processing of feedstock in large communities as well as remote rural areas, its treatment through both large and small scale facilities, and distribution through a network of refueling points for biomethane as a transport fuel and injection points for gas going into the grid.

The management of digestate and implementation of regulations and standards for its safe trading and use.

Measures to ensure land is managed with due diligence to environmental impact and energy crops are integrated into production in the most sustainable way.

The World Biogas Association is the global trade association for the biogas, landfill gas and anaerobic digestion (AD) sectors, dedicated to facilitating the adoption of biogas globally. It believes that AD and biogas technologies provide multifaceted opportunities to produce clean, renewable energy while resolving global issues related to development, public health and economic growth.

Download the Global Potential of Biogas report HERE. (Source: World Biogas Association, PR, 19 Sept., 2019) Contact: World Biogas Association, David Newman, Pres., www.worldbiogasassociation.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News World Biogas Association,  Biogas,  Methane,  

Renewable Energy
Date: 2019-09-06
In Hartford, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D) has announced plans to eliminate the state's dependence on fossil fuels by 2040. The governor put forward this goal in his third executive order since taking office in January. The executive order requires the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to develop strategies to achieve a 100 pct zero carbon -- renewable energy -- target for the state's electric power sector by 2040.

The Governor's Council on Climate Change (GC3) was created by an Executive Order in 2015 and tasked with formulating strategies to help the state meet its 2008 Global Warming Solutions Act and the 2018 Act Concerning Climate Change Planning and Resiliency.

The first act set out to reduce GHG emissions to 10 pct below 1990 levels by January 2020 and to 80 pct below 2001 levels by January 2050, while the second act aimed to reduce GHG emissions by 45 percent from a 2001 baseline by 2030, based on a GC3 recommendation. According to the newest executive order, the GC3 will be responsible for monitoring the execution of its proposed strategies and will submit a report to the administration on its implementation progress by Jan. 15, 2021. The GC3 will also develop a climate adaptation strategy in consultation with other state agency. (Source: Office of Gov. Ned Lamont, Yale News, 5 Sept., 2019) Contact: Office of Gov. Ned Lamont, twitter.com/GovNedLamont

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City of Brampton
Date: 2019-09-04
In southern Ontario, the city of Brampton -- pop. 594,000 +- -- reports the release of its strategy for lowering greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy conservation, and the city's goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 20 pct by 2024. The Brampton Energy and Emissions Management Plan 201-2024: A Zero Carbon Transition outlines how the city plans to achieve a zero-carbon transition for new and existing corporate facilities over the next five years. The plan focuses on minimizing emissions intensity, minimizing energy consumption, and maximizing cost recovery.

Brampton is aiming foe a 30 pct emission reduction by 2030 and 80 pct by 2025. The interim target has been set to reduce GHG emissions by 20 per cent by 2024.

In a release, the city notes has recovered $5.8 million in costs through energy-efficient programs, third-party funding, energy procurement and water rebates since 2014 and has introduced more than 13 renewable energy projects implemented 50 energy conservation projects in its effort to address emissions and climate change. (Source: City of Brampton, Brampton Guardian, 3 Sept., 2019) Contact: City of Brampton, 905.874.2130, www.brampton.ca

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

Green Climate Fund
Date: 2019-08-28
The Environmental Journals is reporting the UK will spend £1.44 billion over the next four years to help developing countries reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. The UK contributed £724 million between 2014 and 2019.

Over 40 countries are currently funding similar projects through the Green Climate Fund (GCF) which has provided a total of $5.2 billion and mobilized over $13.5 billion of private sector and other co-investment for projects to reduce emissions and protect and preserve natural habitats in the developing world. GCF projects are expected to remove the equivalent of 1.5 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. (Source: Environmental Journal, Thomas Barrett, 27 Aug., 2019) Contact: Green Climate Fund, +82 32 458 6059, info@gcfund.org, www.greenclimate.fund

More Low-Carbon Energy News GHG,  Green Climate Fund,  Carbon Emissions,  Climate Change,  

LBNL, US DOE
Date: 2019-08-21
The US DOE Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) and an international team of researchers addressing the "Amazon Forest Response to CO2 Fertilization Dependent on Plant Phosphorus Acquisition," has raised the issue and asked the question, "How long will the Amazon rainforest continue to act as an effective carbon sink?"

The study, published August 5 in the journal Nature Geoscience, found that accounting for phosphorus-deficient soils reduced projected CO2 uptake by an average of 50 pct in the Amazon, compared to current estimates based on previous climate models that did not take into account phosphorus deficiency. The Amazon Basin is critical to help mitigate climate change due to its trees absorbing around a quarter of the CO2 released each year from the burning of fossil fuels.

According to Berkeley Lab research scientist and study co-author Jennifer Holm, "Most predictions of the Amazon rainforest's ability to resist climate change are based on models that have outdated assumptions; one of those is that a sufficient supply of nutrients such as phosphorus exist in soils to enable trees to take in additional CO2 as global emissions increase," said . "But in reality the ecosystem is millions of years old, highly weathered, and therefore depleted of phosphorus in many parts of the Amazon."

Agriculture, forestry, and other types of land use account for 23 pct of human-caused GHG emissions, yet at the same time natural land processes absorb the equivalent of almost a third of CO2 emissions from fossil fuels and industry, according to the recently released International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report on land and climate interactions. (Source: DOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, PR, Eureka Alert, 20 Aug., 2019) Contact: US DOE Office of Science, energy.gov/science; LBNL, Jennifer Holm, Research Scientist and Study Co-author, www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-holm-265600b, www.lbl.gov

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Waterloo
Date: 2019-08-12
In Ontario, the Regional Municipality of Waterloo reports it is aiming to join other regional centers -- the cities of Guelph and Markham -- in reaching Net Zero Carbon by 2050. To that end, in 2013 Waterloo developed Climate Action WR, a Climate Action Plan aimed at cutting the municipality's GHG emissions by 6 pct from 2010 levels by 2020 and 80 pct by 2050.

Waterloo's 2015 emissions breakdown identified the transportation sector is the largest emitter of CO2 at 49 pct, followed by industrial, commercial, and institutional work places at 27 pct, residences at 18 pct, agriculture emitted 5 pct and waste management picked up the remaining 1 pct.

Between 2010 and 2015 the Climate Action WR plan spearheaded 5.2 pct reduction in GHG emissions, the equivalent of 235,935 tonnes of CO2 emissions or 58,000 cars removed from the roads.

Th meet its transportation-related GHG reduction goals, Waterloo has instituted a community bike and car share program, a light rail electric transit system and reduced bus traffic in the city. The municipality also established "green" building and energy efficiency standards, retrifited street lights to LED which are expected to reduce GHG emissions by 920 tpy. (Source: Municipality of Waterloo, Alternatives Journal, 3 Aug., 2019) Contact: Sustainable Waterloo Region, Tova Davidson,Executive Director, Samantha Tremmel, Acting Climate Action Manager, (519) 603-2223, www.sustainablewaterlooregion.ca

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

Chevron
Date: 2019-08-09
In the Land Down Under, Perth-based energy major Chevron Australia Pty Ltd. and its JV partners at the Gorgon LNG project, in Western Australia, are reporting the launch of the Gorgon carbon dioxide (CO2) injection system -- the world's largest greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation project. When fully operational, the CO2 injection facility will cut Gorgon's GHG emissions by about 40 pct or more than 100-million tonnes over the life of the project.

The Gorgon facility incorporates features aimed at maximizing energy efficiency and minimizing GHG emissions, and in steady-state operations, is anticipated to have the lowest GHG emissions intensity of any LNG project in Australia. (Source: Chevron Australia, Mining Weekly, Creamer Media NZ, 8 Aug., 2019) Contact: Chevron Australia Pty Ltd, +61 8 9216 4000, www.chevron.com/about/contact

More Low-Carbon Energy News LNG,  Chevron,  Carbon Storage,  CO2,  

UK National Grid
Date: 2019-08-09
According to the UK National Grid's latest Future Energy Scenarios (FES) report, Great Britain could reach net-zero carbon in its electricity grid by 2050 -- if "immediate action" is taken across all key energy technology and policy areas, such as increased energy efficiency and carbon capture and storage (CCS), and "at a significantly greater scale than assumed."

The report outlines five "credible pathways and scenarios for the future of energy" over the next 30 years. Two of the scenarios meet the country's old 2050 target of an 80 pct reduction in GHG emissions by 2050, and a new "standalone sensitivity analysis on how net-zero carbon emissions could potentially be achieved by 2050."

The report notes that achieve net-zero, British homes would need to use at least one-third less energy for heating by 2050 than today, while the electricity system would need to operate using only zero-carbon generation, and the power sector would need to deliver negative emissions, using technologies like biomass and carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS).

Report details HERE. (Source: UK National Grid, July, 2019) Contact: UK National Grid, Kayte O'Neill, Head of Strategy and Regulation, www2.nationalgrid.com/uk

More Low-Carbon Energy News UK National Grid,  Net-Zero Carbon,  CCUS,  CCS,  CO2,  

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Date: 2019-08-07
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in cooperation with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reports it has identified ways to reduce agricultural GHG emissions under various climate conditions using isotopic techniques.

When farmers apply fertilizer to their crops, plants convert the fertilizer into the nutrients the plants need to flourish. Some of the by-products related to these processes are released as GHGs -- nitrous oxide (N2O), carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) -- and the overuse of fertilizer is leading to the release of excessive amounts of GHGs. According to the FAO, agriculture, forestry and other land use make up close to a quarter of GHGs, and the use of synthetic fertilizers accounts for 12 pct of total agriculture GHG emissions.

These gases trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming and thereby altering the conditions under which food crops grow, affecting not only crop yields, but also food quality and food security. The release of N2O is particularly worrying because it's 300 times more powerful than CO2 in trapping heat, and 16 times more powerful than CH4 and can therefore greatly contribute to climate change mitigation strategies.

Nuclear techniques offer substantial advantages over conventional techniques for measuring GHG emissions. By adding nitrogen fertilizers labelled with stable isotope nitrogen-15 as a tracer, scientists can track the isotopes and determine how effectively the crops are taking up the fertilizer. The isotope is also used to quantify the amount of nitrogen that crops can acquire from the atmosphere through biological nitrogen fixation process.

The carbon-13 stable isotope technique, using the natural abundance of carbon-13 in the environment, allows researchers to evaluate soil quality and sources of carbon sequestered in the soil. This helps identify how various combinations of crop rotation, tillage and ground cover can enhance productivity and improve the efficiency with which increasingly scarce resources, such as water and chemical nutrients, are used. Carbon-13 is tracked to determine the movement and origin of carbon dioxide and methane. (Source: International Atomic Energy Agency, UN Food and Agriculture Organization, 6 Aug., 2019) Contact: UN Food & Agriculture Organization, www.fao.org; International Atomic Energy Agency, www.iaea.org

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

SocalGas,Calgren
Date: 2019-07-31
SocalGas, the largest natural gas distribution utility in the US, reports the completion of the Calgren dairy renewable natural gas facility in Pixley. The natural gas facility, developed in partnership with Calgren Dairy Fuels, is the first of its kind in California. SocalGas has provided Calgren with a $5 million incentive, authorised by the California PUC to support the project.

Calgren will collect cow manure from four dairy farms and process it using an anaerobic digesters to produce methane emissions which will then be used to produce transportation fuel. The digesters in the Calgren project are partially funded under California's Dairy Digester Research and Development Programme, which aims to reduce GHG emissions from manure generated at state dairy farms. California currently has about 30 operational dairy RNG projects and 50 under development.

A 2016 study by the University of California, Davis found California has the potential to produce approximately 90.6 billion cubic feet (bcf) per year of renewable natural gas from dairy, landfill, municipal solid waste, and wastewater treatment plant sources alone -- sufficient to meet the annual natural gas needs of around 2.3 million California homes. According to the U.S. DOE the U.S. currently produces 1 trillion cubic feet of renewable natural gas every year, and that number is expected to increase to 10 trillion by 2030. (Source: SocalGas, SmartEnergy, 30 July, 2019) Contact: Calgren Renewable Fuels, Walt Dwelle, Principal Owner , Lyle Schlyer, Pres., (559) 757-3850, lschyler@calgren.com, www.calgren.com; Southern California Gas Company, Sharon Tomkins, VP customer solutions and strategy. www.socalgas.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News SocalGas,  Calgren,  anaerobic digester,  RNG,  Renewable Natural Gas,  

Fairbanks Climate Action Coalition
Date: 2019-07-29
In Alsaska, the Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly reports passage of Resolution 2019-29 establishing a Climate Change Task Force to develop a plan to address the impacts of climate change.

The Climate Change Task Force will look at how community can adapt to the climate change impacts that are already happening -- wildfires,ice storms and other winter weather aberrations -- are going to be getting worse, as well as looking at reducing GHG emissions and climate change mitigation efforts . The resolution also calls for a joint borough and community climate change task force and an initial public meeting by November 15, 2019. (Source: Fairbanks Climate Action Coalition, Various Media, 27 July, 2019) Contact: Fairbanks Climate Action Coalition, Tristan Glowa, Coordinator, www.fairbanksclimateaction.org

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

Canadian Natural Resources
Date: 2019-07-26
Calgary, Alberta-based Canadian Natural Resources, Canada's largest oil and gas producer reports it is aiming to achieve zero emissions in its oil sand operation by procuring innovating technologies, but has not indicated when or how it intended to achieve its goal.

The company also noted it was one of the biggest carbon capture players in the market ranking fifth when it comes to carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) capacity. The also noted it cut its GHG emissions by 20 pct in the year 2014 and has stopped venting at primary heavy oil operations in Alberta by 72 pctt since 2014. (Source: Canadian Natural Resources, OilPrice, Industry Journal Pro, CBC News, 25 July, 2019) Contact: Canadian Natural Resources, Steve Laut, https://twitter.com, www.cnrl.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News GHG Emissions,  Net-Zero Carbon Emissions,  CO2,  CCS,  

Carbon Tax,South Africa
Date: 2019-07-19
In Johannesburg, South Africa, the Southern Courier is reporting that country's recently enacted carbon tax is now fully in force. The 120 Rand ($8.63 US) per tonne carbon tax is intended to penalize large South African emitters of greenhouse gase and thus help . minimize the climate risks that hydrocarbon fuels present, being a major cause of air pollution and global warming.

According to the International Monetary Fund, carbon tax is the best way to cut greenhouse gas emissions as it allows for a reduction in energy consumption. (Source: Southern Courier, 18 July, 2019)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Tax,  GHG Emissions,  CO2,  South Africa Carbon Tax,  

UK National Grid
Date: 2019-07-17
According to the UK National Grid's latest Future Energy Scenarios (FES) report, Great Britain could reach net-zero carbon in its electricity grid by 2050 -- if "immediate action" is taken across all key energy technology and policy areas, such as increased energy efficiency and carbon capture and storage (CCS), and "at a significantly greater scale than assumed."

The report outlines five "credible pathways and scenarios for the future of energy" over the next 30 years Two of the scenarios meet the country's old 2050 target of an 80 pct reduction in GHG emissions by 2050, and a new "standalone sensitivity analysis on how net-zero carbon emissions could potentially be achieved by 2050."

The report notes that achieve net-zero, British homes would need to use at least one-third less energy for heating by 2050 than today, while the electricity system would need to operate using only zero-carbon generation, and the power sector would need to deliver negative emissions, using technologies like biomass and carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS).

Report details HERE. (Source: UK National Grid, ReNew Economy, July, 2019) Contact: UK National Grid, Kayte O'Neill, Head of Strategy and Regulation, www2.nationalgrid.com/uk

More Low-Carbon Energy News UK National Grid,  Net-Zero Carbon,  

Advanced Biofuels Canada
Date: 2019-07-17
Vancouver-based Advanced Biofuels Canada (ABC) reports the release of its Biofuels in Canada 2019 report prepared by Navius Research Inc. (Navius). Advanced Biofuels Canada is a national industry association established to: promote the production and use of advanced biofuels in Canada; collaborate with other stakeholders to expand market access for sustainable low-carbon biofuels in Canada, and; collaborate broadly to de-carbonize transportation.

This 2019 analysis updates the Biofuels in Canada 2016, 2017 and 2018 reports, and is intended to evaluate and communicate the impact of renewable and low-carbon fuel policy in Canada by: quantifying the volumes of renewable transportation fuels consumed in each Canadian province(i.e. biofuel), characterized by fuel type, feedstock, and CI. The biofuels include ethanol, biodiesel and hydrogenation derived renewable diesel (HDRD); estimating their impact on GHG emissions and; estimating their impact on energy costs, now with an additional focus on how fuel taxes affect these costs.

View the Biofuels in Canada 2019 report HERE (Source: Advanced Biofuels Canada, July, 2019) Contact: Advanced Biofuels Canada, Ian Thompson, Pres., (604) 947-0040, ithomson@advancedbiofuels.ca, www.advancedbiofuels.ca

More Low-Carbon Energy News Advanced Biofuels Canada,  

Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG)
Date: 2019-07-01
In the Garden State, Newark-based power producer Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) is touting its record as having one of the lowest carbon emissions rates of the nation's largest power producers, according to Benchmarking Air Emissions of the 100 Largest Electric Power Producers in the United States , a recently released report by M.J. Bradley & Associates, Bank of America, CERES, Entergy, Exelon and NRDC. According to the report:

In 1993, PSEG became the first electric utility in the U.S. to volunteer to participate in the Climate Challenge Program; PSEG successfully met this goal and stabilized carbon dioxide emissions from its New Jersey plants to 1990 levels by 2000.

In 2002, PSEG joined EPA's Climate Leaders program to reduce the six greenhouse gases covered under the Kyoto Protocol. Under this program, PSEG committed to reduce its CO2-equivalent GHG emissions on a pound-per-mWh basis by 18 pct from 2000 levels by Dec. 31, 2008. PSEG surpassed this goal by achieving a 31 pct reduction, due primarily to the fact that more than half our power comes from nuclear generation.

In 2009, PSEG established a new goal of reducing company-wide GHG emissions by 25 pct from 2005 levels by 2025. PSEG met this goal 14 years ahead of schedule. PSEG achieved this goal through implementation of energy efficiency programs, deployment of renewable energy, increasing nuclear output and building clean, efficient natural gas generation.

Since 2010, PSEG has invested approximately $400 million in energy efficiency initiatives that reduce emissions in hospitals, multifamily housing and buildings occupied by nonprofits and government agencies.

In 2018, PSEG announced its new goal of eliminating 13 million metric tons of CO2-equivalent by 2030 from 2005 levels. The new goal expands upon previous reduction goals, including efficiency upgrades of existing combined-cycle natural gas fleets and the retirement of the company's New Jersey and Connecticut coal plants.

PSEG has invested $1.7 Billion in 625 MWs of solar, including 211 MWs in New Jersey and 23 projects in 14 states totaling 414 MWs. PSEG is New Jersey's leading developer of solar energy resources and is an active supporter of efforts to develop offshore wind facilities.

Supplying more than 90 pct of the state's emissions-free power, PSEG's Salem and Hope Creek nuclear generating plants play a key role in supporting New Jersey's clean energy goals.

Download the Benchmarking Air Emissions of the 100 Largest Electric Power Producers in the United States report HERE. (Source: PSEG, CSRWire 28 June, 2019) Contact: PSEG, PSE&G, PSEGPower, www/investor.pseg.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Emissions,  CO2,  Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG),  Carbon Emissions,  

CDP
Date: 2019-06-26
A Sea Change, a new report from the London-headquartered environmental non-profit and investment research provider CDP notes the world's maritime shipping majors are not investing in key technologies to reduce their carbon footprint, and that the sector is at risk of missing the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) targets to reduce GHG emissions by 50 pct by 2050.

The report ranks 18 of the largest publicly listed shipping companies, representing $62 billion of market capitalization, on business readiness for a low-carbon transition. CDP's analysis finds maritime innovation trends currently focus on technologies and fuels that only deliver marginal improvements; the shipping sector has poor rates of disclosure with only 5 companies completing CDP's 2018 Climate Change questionnaire; and board level oversight of climate issues is very low with only 3 companies having board level climate committees.

According to the report, shipping accounts for up to 3 pct of global emissions and 10 pct of transport emissions while transporting around 80 pct of the world's trade in physical goods. (Source: IMO, CDP, 25 June, 2019) Contact: CDP, Carole Ferguson, Head of Investor Research, www.cdp.net; IMO, Stefan Micallef, Director of Marine Environment Division, +44 (0) 20 7735 7611, www.imo.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News International Maritime Organization,  IMO,  Maritime Emissions,  CDP,  

EPA,Ethanol
Date: 2019-06-26
In response to the Trump administration EPA's rejection of calls to update GHG calculations based on technological advancements in ethanol production, a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators led by Chuck Grassley (R. Iowa) and Dick Durbin (D. Ill.) -- both members of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry -- issued the following statement urging the EPA to update an outdated environmental analysis on ethanol in order to "improve foreign sales opportunities."

"During the past five years, ethanol has been the fastest-growing agricultural export. As more nations adopt policies for lower-emission vehicle fuels, domestically produced ethanol can provide an immediate solution for their goals. We assert that there is little justification for EPA to maintain such an outdated calculation that otherwise could be easily corrected with existing, available analysis -- and straightforwardly address an unnecessary obstacle to international trade," the Senators wrote.

"Peer-reviewed science conducted by the USDA has affirmed that U.S. ethanol lowers greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 39-43 pct versus gasoline. EPA has rejected all calls to update these calculations, instead using nearly 10-year-old data, which ignores the technological advancements in ethanol production", the Senators said.

The Senators called for the EPA to adopt the scientific model Greenhouse Gas & Regulated Emissions & Energy Use in Transportation (GREET) developed by the DOE Argonne National Laboratory, after studying 100 fuel production pathways and 85 vehicle systems to measure the life-cycle carbon emissions of vehicle fuels. More than 30,000 organizations worldwide use the updated GREET model, including the FAA, NASA, Ford and GM, BP and others. EPA does not use the updated model. (Source: Office of Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa),Feedstuffs, 25 June, 2019) Contact: Office of Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), www.grassley.senate.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News EPA,  Chuck Grassley,  GHGs,  Ethanol,  

New York State
Date: 2019-06-24
Last Thursday in Albany, New York state legislators passed the Climate and Community Protection Act, one of the nation's most ambitious plans to slow climate change by reducing GHG emissions to zero by 2050. If signed into law by Governor Cuomo, the legislation would make New York the nation's second state -- after California -- to pass carbon-neutral economy legislation.

The New York act mandates reducing emissions by 85 pct from 1990 levels by 2050, and offsetting the remaining 15 pct , making the state carbon neutral. The Act calls for reducing emissions by 40 pct by 2030 and using only carbon-free sources such as solar and wind to generate electricity by 2040. (Source: Business Day, Various Media, Reuters, 20 June, 2019)

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

HP,Science-Based Target
Date: 2019-06-21
In its latest Sustainable Impact Report, San Jose, California-headquartered computing and business machine giant Hewlett Packard (HP) has announced a portfolio of environmental pledges.

By 2035 all of HP's global operations will be powered by 100 pct renewable electricity and the amount of recycled plastics used in HP personal computers and printers will hit 30 pct by 2025, according to the report. HP also says its sustainable impact programmes drove almost $1 billion of new revenue in 2018 -- up 35 pct on 2017. In addition, HP noted that it has an approved Science-Based Target (SBT) in place to cut its direct GHG emissions 25 pct by 2025, against a 2015 baseline, alongside a goal to cut emissions associated with the use of its products by a quarter by 2020. The company also plans to cut its supply chain emissions by 10 pct by 2025, against a base year of 2015. (Source: HP, BusinessGreen, 15 June, 2019) Dion Weisler, HP's president and CEO www.hpe.com; Science-Based Targets Initiative, www.sciencebasedtargets.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Green Energy,  Science-Based Target ,  Renewable Energy,  Carbon Emissions ,  

Carbon Emissions,Pentgon
Date: 2019-06-14
Cost of War, a recently released study from the Watson Institute at Brown University has found that the Pentagon emits more GHG in one year than several industrialized countries, including Sweden and Portugal.

The Defense Department -- the Pentagon -- is the world's single largest consumer of oil and 55th largest GHG emitter, releasing 59 million metric tons of CO2 and other GHGs into the atmosphere in 2017 alone.

The report notes the majority of the Pentagon's energy consumption is related to maintaining 560,000 buildings at 500 military installations and the jet and diesel fuel used to move soldiers and weapons.

Download the Brown University Cost of War study HERE. (Source: Brown University, The Week, June, 2019)Contact: Brown University, 401-863-1000, www.brown.edu

More Low-Carbon Energy News GHGs,  Climate Change,  Carrbon Emissions,  

Finland Natural Resources Institute
Date: 2019-06-12
In Helsinki, Finland's Natural Resources Institute (Luke)reports it has revised its benchmark assessment of target carbon sink levels and now says Finland will need to raise its carbon sink sequestration numbers by another 10 percent -- lowering forest logging volumes by another 1-2 million cubic metres for a ceiling of 81-82 million cubic metres for the 2012-2025 period. Luke says its previous calculation amounted to 3 million tonnes of CO2.

The EU has also committed to reducing its GHG emissions by at least 40 pctt by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. EU directives require that logging activities relative to the tree population remain unchanged and EC has accordingly asked Finland to specify future logging amounts and assess whether its current calculations for wood use are appropriate in light of alarming rises in GHG emissions. (Source: Finland Natural Resources Institute, Barents Observer, YLE News, 11 June, 2019) Contact: Finland Natural Resources Institute, Prof. Aleksi Lehtonen, +358 29 532 6000, www.luke.fi/en

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

Manitoba Carbon Tax
Date: 2019-06-12
In Winnipeg on the Canadian Prairies, Manitoba's Progressive Conservative government reports it aims to reduce annual emissions by one megatonne of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) by 2022 -- less than half of the previous government's 2017 targeted reductions. To that end, the provincial government announced it is reducing GHG emissions and eliminating a possible carbon tax.

In a statement the Manitoba Minister of Sustainable Dev elopement said; "We've removed the carbon-pricing (tax) element from our plan and are moving forward with getting real emissions reductions. (There are) several more initiatives to come that will help us transition to a low-carbon future without imposing a tax on Manitobans."<

In 2017, the federal Liberal government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Manitoba's then proposed carbon tax was insufficient an demanded the province match the federal carbon tax of $20 a tonne rising to $50 per ton by 2022. To date, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario and New Brunswick have challenged the federal carbon tax plan. (Source: Manitoba Ministry of Sustainable Development, CBC, Canadian Press, 10 June, 2019) Contact: Manitoba Sustainable Development, Hon. Rochelle Squires, Minister, (204) 945-6784, www.gov.mb.ca/sd

More Low-Carbon Energy News Manitoba Carbon Tax,  Canada Carbon Tax,  Carbon Emissions,  Climate Change,  

UNFCCC
Date: 2019-06-03
Swedish financial company Doconnomy is touting a new credit card that allows consumers to track and offset the emissions related their purchases.

The card uses the Aland Index to quantify consumers' carbon footprint and compute offset costs using the World Bank's carbon price. Consumers can use the data supplied to either reduce their carbon footprint through behavior change, or to buy offset credits from UN-certified projects that reduce, avoid or remove GHG emissions.

Users can also directly compensate for their GHG emissions, through projects meeting the criteria of UN-certified green projects. To identify the carbon dioxide (CO2) impact of each transaction, the Do card uses the Aland Index, developed in 2017 by Bank of Aland in Finland.

Partnering with the Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the initiative encourages users to compensate their carbon footprints in UN-certified projects that reduce, avoid or remove GHG emissions. The projects are implemented in developing countries and are rewarded with Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) as well as Gold Standard. Ranging from cleaner-burning cook stoves to wind-generated electricity and clean waste disposal, all projects contribute to global emissions reductionsA savings product by the company offers an interest rate that includes investment in climate-friendly projects. (Source: UNFCCC Press Release, 30 April, 2019) Contact: UNFCCC, www.unfccc.int

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

The Conversation
Date: 2019-05-31
A recent study from The Conversation, an Australian not-for-profit media outlet that uses content sourced from academics and researchers, notes that the "global pharmaceutical industry is not only a significant contributor to global warming, but it is also dirtier than the global automotive production sector."

More than 200 companies represent the global pharmaceutical market, yet only 25 consistently reported their direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions in the past five years. Of those, only 15 reported their emissions since 2012, the report notes.

According to the report, the total global emissions of the pharma sector amounts to about 52 megatonnes of CO2e in 2015, more than the 46.4 megatonnes of CO2e generated by the automotive sector in the same year. The reports calculates the value of the pharma market is smaller than the automotive market the pharma market is 28 pct smaller yet 13 pct more polluting than the automotive sector. (Source: The Conversation, 27 May, 2019) (Contact: The Conversation, www.theconversation.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News CO2 Emissions,  Carbon Emissions,  GHGs,  

European Environment Agency
Date: 2019-05-31
According to the European Environment Agency's (EEA) Annual European Union Greenhouse Gas Inventory 1990-2017 and inventory report 2019 the EU's total greenhouse gas emissions -- including international aviation -- rose by 0.7 pct in 2017 compared with 2016. From 1990 to 2017, the EU reduced its net GHG emissions by 21.7 pct and is therefore still exceeding its 20 pct Paris Climate Accord reduction target set for 2020.

In reaching these levels, less coal was used for heat and electric power production but this was offset by higher industrial and transport emissions, the latter increasing for the fourth consecutive year.

The report notes EU GHG emissions have decreased since 1990 as a combined result of policies, economic and structural factors and, on average, milder winters. The largest emission cuts have been made in the energy sector, due to efficiency improvements, increased use of renewables and a less carbon intensive mix of fossil fuels. -- more gas, and less coal and oil. Energy efficiency and renewable energy will continue to play a key role in cutting future emissions and helping the EU achieve its 40 pct reduction target by 2030. (Source: European Environment Agency, Various Media, Eurasia Review, 30 May, 2019) Contact: European Environment Agency, www.eea.europa.eu.

More Low-Carbon Energy News European Environment Agency ,  Carbon Emissions,  

Vail Colorado
Date: 2019-05-29
In Eagle County Colorado, the Vail Town Council reports it will purchase 100 pct of its municipally-used electricity from renewable sources supplied by Holy Cross Energy.

The initiative is in keeping with the town's self-imposed goal of cutting its greenhouse gas emissions by 25 pct of 2009 levels by 2025. To that end, Holy Cross Energy is recommending the installation of a solar array at the town's public works shops. The city's purchases from Holy Cross will come from wind, solar or hydroelectric generation and will not count toward the town's existing greenhouse gas reduction goals. (Source: Vail Daily, 27 May, 2019) Contact: Town of Vail, Kristen Bertuglia, Env. Mgr., www.vailgov.com; Holy Cross Energy, www.holycross.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Renewable Energy,  Solar,  Holy Cross Energy,  

International Chamber of Shipping
Date: 2019-05-20
In Bonn, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), a maritime shipping industry group, reports it remains confident that shipping will improve its carbon efficiency by at least 40 pct by 2030 compared to 2008, in line with the IMO targets to reduce shipping greenhouse gas emissions.

According to ICS Secretary General Guy Platten, the ICS is "keen to see further progress on developing more short term measures to help the existing fleet reduce its emissions and are optimistic that IMO Member States can agree some additional regulations, during 2020, combining prescriptive and goal based approaches that will deliver further GHG reductions before 2023."

"While short term measures are important, ICS continues to assert that IMO needs to move quickly onto considering the critical long term measures that will help the industry to deliver the very ambitious target of a 50 percent total cut of GHG emissions by 2050 regardless of trade growth. This can only realistically be achieved with the introduction of commercially viable zero -- or near zero -- CO2 emitting propulsion systems, which means that accelerated research and development programs have to be at the center of the IMO strategy," Platten added. (Source: International Chamber of Shipping, Various Media, MarEx, 18 May, 2019) Contact: IMO, Stefan Micallef, Director of Marine Environment Division, +44 (0) 20 7735 7611, www.imo.org; International Chamber of Shipping, Secretary General, Guy Platten, www.ics-shipping.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News IMO,  International Chamber of Shipping,  Maritime Emissions,  Carbon Emissions,  

Netherlands National Institute for Public Health and the Environment
Date: 2019-05-10
In Bilthoven, the Netherlands National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) is reporting the Netherlands cut its greenhouse gas emissions in 2018 2 pct -- 4.2 million tonnes -- compared with 2017, as coal-fired electric power generation fell out of favour.

The Netherlands is aiming for a 25 pct reduction by 2020 compared with 1990, but new RIVM figures put the drop at only 14.5 pct by 2018. At the same time, the amount of greenhouse gasses per head of the population is 34 pct above the European average. (Source: RIVM, DutchNews, 9 May, 2019)Contact: Netherlands National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, +31 (0) 30 274 9111, info@rivm.nl, www.rivm.nl/en

More Low-Carbon Energy News GHGs,  Carbon Emissions,