Southwest Energy Efficiency Project
Date: 2020-07-27
A new report from the Boulder, Colorado-based Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP) guides local governments through policy options and pathways to electrify new buildings -- a key strategy for meeting climate and public health goals. The report -- Building Electrification: How Cities and Counties are Implementing Electrification Policies -- with Adoptable Code Language -- provides insight to local governments seeking to encourage more all-electric buildings as a way to improve energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and cut GHG emissions in the built environment.

The report notes that with the electric grid increasingly powered by renewables and with advanced technologies like heat pumps and induction stoves now widely available, most experts agree all electric is the quickest way to zero-carbon buildings.

Cities and counties across the country, large and small, are evaluating, adopting, and implementing building electrification ordinances proving that electrification is not only necessary, but doable. Electrification policies range from simple incentives to all-electric requirements for new construction, with several intermediary options such as electric-ready or electric-preferred.

SWEEP is a public-interest organization promoting greater energy efficiency in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. (Source: Southwest Energy Efficiency Project, Website News Release, 27 July, 2020) Contact: Southwest Energy Efficiency Project, Jim Meyers, Buildings Program Director, 303.447.0078, info@swenergy.org, www.swenergy.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Southwest Energy Efficiency Project,  Energy Efficiency,  

Oil and Gas Climate Initiative
Date: 2020-07-22
The 12-member Oil and Gas Climate Initiative (OGCI) is reported to have agreed to reduce the average carbon intensity of their aggregated upstream oil and gas operations to between 20 kg and 21 kg of CO2 equivalent (CO2e) per barrel of oil by 2025.

OGCI members include: Saudi Aramco, ExxonMobil, BP, China's CNPC, Total, Chevron, Royal Dutch Shell, Repsol, Petrobras, Occidental Petroleum, Eni and Equinor. (Source: OGCI, July, 2020) Contact: Oil and Gas Climate Initiative, +44 (0)203 922 0853, www.oilandgasclimateinitiative.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Oil and Gas Climate Initiative,  Carbon Emissions,  

Sacramento Municipal Utility District
Date: 2020-07-20
In the Golden State, the publicly-owned utility Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) reports its 2018, 1,755,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions reflected a 50 pct reduction of 1990 levels -- equal to the removal of 377,000 vehicles from the state's highways.

In 2018, the utility adopted a plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040, five years ahead of California's goal. The plan included a $7 billion investment over 20 years in nearly 2,900 MW of new carbon-free resources, including 1,500 MW of utility-scale solar, 670 MW of wind and 560 MW of utility-scale energy storage. (Source: SMUD, Utility Dive, 20 July, 2020) Contact: SMUD, 888-742-7683, www.smud.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Sacramento Municipal Utility District,  GHG Emissions,  Carbon Neutral,  

Vodafone
Date: 2020-07-20
In the UK, Berkshire-based telecommunications firm Vodafone Group Plc reports it remains committed to improving the energy efficiency of its base station sites and in its data and switching centres, which together account for 95 pct of the company's total global energy consumption. During 2020, Vodafone invested €77 million in energy efficiency and renewable projects, which led to annual energy savings of 186GWh. In 2019, the company achieving a 38.5 pct reduction in the total amount of GHG emissions per petabyte (PB) of mobile data carried.

Vodafone's energy efficiency initiatives are focused on sourcing and implementing more efficient network equipment, reducing energy demand by installing lower-energy power and cooling technologies, and cutting energy use by decommissioning and replacing legacy equipment. Vodafone's energy efficiency initiatives include:

Smart energy meters that enable businesses, municipal authorities and households to monitor, manage and reduce their energy use. Worldwide, Vodafone has over 12 million smart meter connections using its IoT technology, saving an estimated 1.6 million tonnes of CO2e.

Smart cities networked intelligently to improve the efficiency of energy-intensive services such as public transport, public road networks and street lighting. For example, in the city of Guadalajara, Spain, 13,500 LED lights were connected to a central management system, reducing street lighting energy consumption by 68 pct.

(Source: Vodafone Group Plc, IoT Business News, July, 2020) Contact: Vodafone Group Plc., www.vodafone.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Vodafone news,  Energy Efficiency news,  

Cook County Illinois
Date: 2020-07-17
In Illinois, Cook County has released its 100 pct renewables by 2030 Clean Energy Plan and achieving a 45pct reduction in carbon emissions by 2030 and making County-owned facilities carbon neutral by 2050. To that end, the Plan calls for:

reducing carbon emissions through energy efficiency at County-owned buildings and maintaining the reductions through monitoring, education and other best practices;

renewing the County's electricity supply through on-site solar energy generation, procurement of renewable energy and energy storage; and

supporting the Clean Energy Plan action steps through policies such as new building standards for County facilities.

The County has begun implementing elements of the Plan and already reduced its GHG emissions by roughly one-third since 2010, primarily through energy efficiency. Solar installations are being designed for county buildings and lighting and a comprehensive building automation system upgrades are underway.

Download the Cook County Clean Energy Plan HERE. (Source: Cook County, IndiaPost, July, 2020) Contact: Cook County, Toni Preckwinkle, Pres., (312) 443-5500, www,cookcountyil.gov

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

IPCC,Kamloops,Climate Change
Date: 2020-07-13
In British Columbia, the city of Kamloops (pop. 90,200) city council reports it will this week begin considering a major community climate action plan to address greenhouse gas emissions from three major sources -- transportation, buildings and solid waste. Under the proposed plan, each sector 'must set a course to achieve zero-carbon emissions by 2050 to be congruent with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) direction.'

The Kamloops community climate action plan proposes the following:

Car-light community -- By 2050, 50 pct of trips in Kamloops to be active transportation and transit. Policy options could potentially include low-emissions "superblocks" prioritizing low-emissions vehicles , cycling and walking networks.

Zero emissions transportation -- By 2050, 85 per cent of kilometres driven by Kamloops-registered passenger vehicles owners to be zero-emissions vehicles. Immediate actions could include adopting an EV-ready bylaw, planning and budgeting for publicly accessible EV charging and policy review and financing for retrofitting buildings for EV charging.

Zero-carbon homes and buildings -- By 2030, all new and replacement heating and hot water systems to be zero emissions. Policy options could include setting targets for zero-carbon new buildings, encouraging low-carbon new buildings, calling for provincial zero-carbon building regulations, incentives for energy efficiency, incentives for energy efficient building materials and a retrofit program for existing buildings.

Zero-waste/circular economy -- Kamloops to be a zero-waste community by 2040. Policy options include: creation of a zero-waste research and innovation centre, collection and processing of organic waste, investigation into biofuel production from local organics for city uses such as for heating of civic facilities or fuel for vehicles, requirements for diverting waste and materials from construction and demolition sites. Immediate actions could include a feasibility study for biogas capture from organics collection and policy review to require or encourage building deconstruction and materials be reused.

Renewable energy (No target identified) -- Policy options could exploration of community and neighbourhood scale renewable energy systems and storage, support for related R&D. Immediate actions could include exploration of renewable energy opportunities with partners and renewable energy utility opportunities.

Zero-carbon civic operations -- Strive to reduce carbon emissions from municipal operations by 40 pct by 2030 and 100 pct by 2050. Policy options could include a corporate energy review, phasing out of fossil fuels in buildings and fleets, support for green commuting, internal carbon pricing and a creative community engagement and marketing plan. Immediate actions could include a corporate energy review, committing all new city buildings to zero carbon, transitioning buildings and fleets to electric/zero emissions and incentives for staff for e-bikes and transit passes.

Healthy urban ecosystem -- Increase the city's urban forest canopy cover to 20 pct by 2030 and 30 pt by 2050 to increase forests' carbon storage capacity and support biodiversity, The plan also calls for carbon off-setting linked with biodiversity and conservation and integrating green technologies with infrastructure upgrades.

The city notes that, in addition to emissions reductions actions already in place, the above efforts could potentially reduce GHG emissions by 538,000 to 556,000 tonnes of CO2 by 2050. In 2019 the city committed to maintain a 1.5 C temperature increase, as set out in the Paris Agreement as well as IPCC targets for emissions to be reduced by between 40 and 60 pct by 2030 or sooner. (Source: City of Kamloops, Civic Web, July, 2020) Contact: City of Kamloops , www.kamloops.civicweb.net; IPCC, www.ipcc.ch

More Low-Carbon Energy News Climate Change,  IPCC,  

Ampyr Energy
Date: 2020-07-10
Climate Fund Managers (CFM), the manager of the Climate Investor One (CI1) financing facility, reports it is partnering with Singapore-headquartered Ampyr Energy for the development, construction and ownership of the 138 MW Balenahalli onshore wind farm project in Karnataka State, India. The project is expected to generate sufficient power for more than 145,000 persons and avoid roughly 130,000 tpy of GHG emissions.

The Climate Investor One (CI1) is the inaugural facility managed by CFM, focused on providing capital to renewable energy projects in developing countries. CI1 has a focus on Africa, South & Southeast Asia, and Latin America, and uses a whole-of-life financing approach intended to reduce implementation timelines.

AMPYR provides lower cost energy to large electricity users through renewable energy assets designed and developed specifically for its customers. The company develops, finances, owns and operates renewable energy projects with no capital outlay and no ongoing maintenance cost, according to its website. (Source: Climate Fund Managers, Ampyr Energy, Saur, 9 July, 2020) Contact: Ampyr Energy, info@ampyrenergy.com, www/ampryenergy.com; Climate Fund Managers, +31 (0)70 204 5205, info@climatefundmanagers.com. www.climatefundmanagers.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News India Wind,  Wind,  

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,  

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,  

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,  

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,  

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,  

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,  

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,  ,  

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,  

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,  

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,  

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,  

National Biodiesel Foundation
Date: 2020-01-22
The impacts of U.S. biofuel policy on deforestation in Malaysia and Indonesia are found to be insignificant, according to the latest research from leading economic modeling experts at Purdue University. The study looked at concerns from renewable fuel opponents claiming that biofuels are to blame for increased agricultural activity in southeast Asia.

Previous analysis published by U.S. EPA, California Air Resources Board and Argonne National Laboratory have quantified the benefits of using biodiesel in place of fossil fuel because of its significant reduction in GHG emissions. With a quantified reduction in CO2 emissions between 50 and 86 pct lower than petroleum, biodiesel and renewable diesel are experiencing increased use under federal and state policies.

Download the U.S. Biofuel Production and Policy Implications for Land Use Changes in Malaysia and Indonesia study HERE. (Source: Purdue University,National Biodiesel Foundation, Jan., 2020} Contact: National Biodiesel Foundation, 573-635-3893, 573-635-7913 - fax, www.biodieselfoundation.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News National Biodiesel Foundation,  Biodiesel,  

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,