This latest news is an update to C40's 2018 analysis which identified 30 cities across the global north that have hit their "peak" emissions before 2015, meaning they have since reduced their greenhouse gas emissions by an average 22 pct.
The 30 cities are: Athens, Austin, Barcelona, Berlin, Boston, Chicago, Copenhagen, Heidelberg, Lisbon, London, Los Angeles, Madrid, Melbourne, Milan, Montréal, New Orleans, New York City, Oslo, Paris, Philadelphia, Portland, Rome, San Francisco, Stockholm, Sydney, Toronto, Vancouver, Venice, Warsaw, and Washington, D.C. (Source: C40, City Lab, 9 Oct., 2019) Contact: C40 Cities, www.c40.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Emissions, C40,
Vehicles equipped with CNG fuel systems can interchangeably use RNG and conventional natural gas. UPS has agreed to purchase 230 million gallon equivalents of RNG over the next seven years, making the company the largest consumer of RNG in the transportation industry.
Over the past decade, UPS has invested more than $1 billion in alternative fuel, advanced technology vehicles and fueling stations to help meet its target of reducing its global ground operations greenhouse gas emissions by 12 pct by 2025. (Source: UPS, PR, 9 Oct., 2019) Contact: UPS, 404-828-6000, www.ups.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News UPS, Renewable Natural Gas, Compressed Natural Gas, RNG, CMG,
At its first carbon neutral plant in Klaipeda, Lithuania, PMI implemented multiple projects to optimize its energy usage and reduce carbon emissions: upgrading utilities equipment, such as chillers and compressors, and facilitating heat recovery to optimize fuel use for heating purposes; installing a biomass boiler; procuring certified renewable electricity and offsetting natural gas carbon emissions with biogas certificates. To offset the remaining carbon emissions, PMI invested in Gold Standard certificates from climate protection initiatives.
PMI is also pursuing initiatives to address the pressing climate challenge beyond its operations. For example, it is working with farmers and suppliers across its tobacco supply chain to lower the greenhouse gas emissions in the tobacco curing process by 70 percent by 2020 (vs. 2010) and to achieve zero-net deforestation of natural forest by 2025. PMI has also set and committed to science-based targets -- greenhouse gas emissions levels that science acknowledges as tolerable for the planet -- and to go beyond these in its operations by aiming for carbon neutrality by 2030.
Among its diversified portfolio, Philip Morris purchased General Foods Corp. in 1985 for $5.7 billion and Kraft Inc. in 1989 for $13 billion. Despite its move into foods, Philip Morris' tobacco business reportedly still accounts for 65 pct of its operating profit and 40 pct of its operating revenue.(Source: Philip Morris International, PR, 10 Oct., 2019} Contact: Philip Morris Int'l., Huub Savelkouls , Chief Sustainability Officer, +41 (0)58 242 5502, www.pmi.com/sustainability, www.pmi.com, www.pmiscience.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Emissions, Carbon-Neutral,
The report lays out how we can build the 100 pct Clean Future in two parts. First, it highlights successful climate action by governors and legislatures in nine states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico that have committed to 100 pct clean goals. CAP recommends building on that success at the national level by embracing three key pillars from some of those states: an ambitious 100 pct clean target; a worker-centered approach to ensure good paying, quality jobs; and a plan that is committed to reductions in legacy pollution that has disproportionately affected economically disadvantaged communities and communities of color.
The second part of the report considers emissions by sector and recommends achievable benchmarks to guide a sustained, concerted, and urgent policy program to achieve a 100 pct Clean Future by 2050:
CAP offers policy recommendations to accomplish these benchmarks and deliver additional emission reductions throughout the report, including a combination of sector-specific deployment policies, direct federal spending, a broad price on carbon pollution, and mandatory emissions reductions in communities historically overburdened by pollution.
Download the A 100 Percent Clean Future report HERE.
Download CAP fact sheet HERE.
(Source: Center for American Progress, PR, Oct., 2019) Contact: Center for Amercian Progress, Neera Tanden, CEO, Sam Hananel, 202-478-6327, www.americanprogress.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Center for American Progress, Climate Change, Clean Energy, Carbon Emissions,
The attached UNEP study analyses the position of Europe in the global race to develop new CCMTs, using data on patent applications, trade in CCMT capital goods, foreign direct investment in CCMTs, climate change policy stringency, carbon emissions and public expenditure on CCMT research and development activities, to investigate inventive and associated economic activity in CCMTs in Europe, according to the UNEP study introduction.
Download the full UNEP, EPO report HERE. (Source: UNEP, Oct., 2019) Contact: UNEP, www.unep.org, www.epo.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News UNEP, Climate Change, Climate Change Mitigation,
The move is in keeping with the Governor's goal of reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 26 pct by 2025. The state Department of Environmental Protection will be tasked with drafting the proposed regulation.
The RGGI state include Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Four of those states are led by Republican governors.
Pennsylvania reportedly emits nearly as much carbon as the nine RGGI states combined. (Source: Pennsylvania Capital Star, 3 Oct., 2019) Contact: RGGI, www.rggi.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News RGGI, GHG, Greenhouse Gas, Carbon Emissions,
The legislation would encourage high-efficiency new home construction and efficiency improvements for existing homes, stimulate billions of dollars in economic activity and sharply reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the residential buildings sector.
The legislation would reinstate and reform two key energy efficiency tax credits that expired on 31st December 2017 -- the 25C credit for homeowner efficiency improvements and the 45L credit for new home construction. Under the reformed 25C legislation-- the Home Energy Savings Act -- homeowners could receive up to $1,200 in tax credits over their lifetime for installing home equipment and components that meet certain efficiency levels, including insulation, doors, windows, air conditioners, heat pumps, water heaters, boilers, and furnaces.
The 45L new home construction bill -- the New Home Energy Efficiency Act -- would give home builders a $2,500 incentive for building high-efficiency new homes.
(Source: Alliance to Save Energy, 3 Oct., 2019)
Contact: Alliance to Save Energy, 202.857.0666, www.ase.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Alliance to Save Energy, Energy Efficiency,
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,
California was ranked second among energy efficient states, followed by Rhode Island, Vermont, New York, Connecticut and Maryland in the top seven. Minnesota came in eighth, followed by Oregon and Washington to round out ACEEE's top 10. Wyoming, North Dakota, Louisiana and West Virginia are at the bottom of the list.
Download the 2019 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard HERE. Contact: ACEEE, www.aceee.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News ACEEE, Energy Efficiency, Carbon Emissions,
The airline industry's carbon emissions, which at 285 grammes of CO2 emitted per kilometre travelled by each passenger, far exceed all other modes of transport, according to the European Environment Agency.
Heavy duty transportation -- freight trucking, shipping and aviation -- represent more then 10 pct of global greenhouse gas emissions, says the World Resources Institute, a research body.
(Source: Air France, AFP, The Local, 1 Oct., 2019)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Aviation Emissions, Carbon Emissions, Climate Change,
The German system will be based on a trade in emissions certificates under the EU's emissions trading scheme (EU ETS).
Germany is on course to miss its 2020 target of reducing 1990 greenhouse gas emissions by 40 pct, according to the Times of Aman report.
(Source: Times of Oman, 22 Sept., 2019)
More Low-Carbon Energy News EU ETS, Carbon Tax, Climate Change, German Carbon Tax,
The Ecofining process converts inedible oils, animal fats, tall oils derived from forestry residues and other waste feedstocks into Honeywell Green Diesel which is chemically identical to petroleum-based diesel and can be used as a drop-in fuel. It also features up to an 80 pct lifecycle reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared with diesel from petroleum.
In addition to Ecofining technology, Honeywell has commercialized the UOP Renewable Jet Fuel Process™. Jet fuel produced by this process can be blended seamlessly with petroleum-based fuel. When used in up to a 50 pct blend with petroleum-based jet fuel, Honeywell Green Jet Fuel™ requires no changes to aircraft technology and meets all critical specifications for flight, according to Honeywell.
St1 Nordic Oy researches and develops economically viable, environmentally sustainable energy including waste-based advanced ethanol fuels and industrial wind power.
(Source: Honeywell, Chemical Engineering, 19 Sept., 2019) Contact: St1 Nordic, Bo-Erik Svensson, Managing Director, www.st1.eu;
Honeywell UOP, Bryan Glover, VP Petrochemicals & Refining Technologies, www,uop.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Honeyell UOP, Green Diesel , St1 Nordic ,
The report offers a road map for dramatically reducing energy waste and identifies ambitious but cost-effective and technically possible measures that would avert emissions of nearly 2,500 million metric tons of CO2 -- equivalent to all emissions from cars, trucks, homes, and commercial buildings in 2050.
The ACEEE report identifies 11 opportunities and related policies to achieve the necessary savings. Transportation, which will see a transition to electric vehicles, would deliver nearly half (46 pct) of the emissions reductions while buildings would deliver a third and industry a fifth. For energy savings, buildings would deliver 40 pct of the total, followed by transportation at 32 pct and industry 27 pct. The report also notes that government policies and programs alone would deliver about $700 billion a year in energy savings by 2050.
The report calls for scaling up energy efficiency measures, including:
The Halfway There: Energy Efficiency Can Cut Energy Use and Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Half by 2050 report is available HERE. (Source: ACEEE, Facility Exec., Sept., 2019) Contact: ACEEE, 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, ACEEE, Energy Efficiency Climate Chnage,
The Council will be commissioned to create a report advising Walz -- chairman of the national Governors' Biofuels Coalition -- and his cabinet on to how to expand the use of biofuels and increase their carbon efficiency. The Council will also look at using biofuels as part of the state's goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in transportation.
Walz's executive order mandates that the biofuels report be completed by November 2020. (Source: Office of Gov. Tim Walz, Star Tribune, 16 Sept., 2019)
Contact: Office of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, 651-201-3400, https://mn.gov/governor
More Low-Carbon Energy News Gov. Tim Walz, Ethanol, Minnesota Ethanol,
According to the filing, Trump's Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) rule undermines efforts already under way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by investing in renewable energy, electric vehicle infrastructure and energy efficiency and other clean technologies.
ACE allows states three years to devise their own plans to cut emissions mainly by encouraging coal-fired power plants to improve efficiency.
The coalition members include: Con Edison, Exelon Corp, National Grid, PG&E Corp, Public Service Enterprise Group Inc, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Seattle City Light, Sacramento Municipal Utility District and New York Power Authority.
(Source: Con Edison, Guardian, Reuters, 16 Sept., 2019)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Power Companies Climate Coalition, Obama Clean Power Plan, Affordable Clean Energy Plan ,
The government's plans are expected to include a broad range of issues such as extending grants for electric car buyers, expanding a network of charging stations, raising road taxes for polluting vehicles, improving building energy efficiency, raising a green surcharge on air travel and a possible carbon tax.
As previously reported, Germany is expected to miss its own emissions goals for 2020. (Source: DW, 15 Sept., 2019)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Climate Change, German Climate Change,
The Wood Pellet Association of Canada (WPAC) has been providing input to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) as it works to design and shape the CFS. And, upon review of ECCC's proposed regulatory approach, WPAC is seriously concerned that the government will not allow end-use fuel switching in the buildings/stationary fuel use sector.
WPAC believes it is unfair for ECCC to recognize fuel switching from gasoline to electricity or hydrogen in transportation, but not to recognize switching from heating oil to solid biofuels -- wood pellets or chips -- for Canada's second largest renewable energy product -- solid biomass heating. To that end, WPAC made the following representations to ECCC:
The Climate Action Plan will identify strategies and actions for reducing those greenhouse gas emissions generated by transportation and mobile sources, residential and non-residential energy consumption, water and wastewater treatment and its transport, and solid waste generation. The Plan will include a greenhouse gas inventory, forecast, reduction targets, and various reduction measures to achieve targets, and an implementation and monitoring strategy for continuous assessment, according to a City release.
The plan will benchmark the City's current status relative to statewide emission goals; provide a roadmap for achieving statewide greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets; create a plan that considers the City's needs and objectives; and provide guidance and measurable trigger points for the City to respond and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
Major strategies to reduce emissions will include increased energy efficiency, renewable energy, alternative forms of transportation, water conservation, urban forestry, natural light and ventilation, and programs to "reduce, reuse, and recycle" consumer goods.
A draft plan is expected by the first quarter of 2021. (Source: City of Coronado, Eagle Weekender, 6 Sept., 2019) Contact: City of Coronodo, Blair King, City Manager, (619) 522-7335, www.coronado.ca.us
More Low-Carbon Energy News Climate Change,
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The new rules could make less-efficient bulbs for certain fixtures more common, potentially contributing to man-made climate change by increasing greenhouse gas emissions. Politically, it's part of the Trump administration's efforts to roll back climate and other environmental regulations.
Energy conservation groups are expected to mount challenges to the Trump administration's move that is widely thought to border on "senseless." (Source: US DOE, NYT, 4 Sept., 2019)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficient Light, Energy Efficiency,
Neste MY Renewable Diesel is a cost competitive, low-carbon fuel produced from 100 pct renewable and sustainable raw materials that cuts greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80 pct compared to petroleum diesel. (Source: Neste, Various Trade Media, Biofuels Int'l, 29 Aug., 2019) Contact: Neste, +358 10 458 4128, www.neste.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Neste, Renewable Diesel,
Social Justice Ireland notes these subsidies effectively cancel out 80 pct of all tax revenues collected through environmental taxes -- the carbon tax -- and thus undermine any positive impact environmental taxes might have.
The group classed fuel allowances for low income households as a potentially damaging subsidy because they could result in increased greenhouse gas emissions through the unnecessary use of fossil fuels. The group suggests the subsidies be spent on fuel allowances for low income households to refurbish properties through improved energy efficiency. The group is also opposed to indirect subsidies -- including tax revenues forgone by the imposition of lower excise duties on diesel, kerosene, gas oil, aviation fuel, so-called green diesel and other fuel oil -- and most farm related subsidies as being potentially environmentally damaging.
Also included in the €4 billion targeted by Social Justice Ireland are direct government subsidies such as the transfer of €115 million from electricity consumers through a PSO levy to subsidize the burning of peat for electricity to maintain jobs in the midlands.
(Source: Social Justice Ireland, RTE.ie Ireland's National Public Service Broadcaster, 3 Sept., 2019) Contact: Social Justice Ireland, +353 1 213 0724, www.socialjustice.ie
More Low-Carbon Energy News Climate Change,
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,
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The new rules could make less-efficient bulbs for certain fixtures more common, potentially contributing to man-made climate change by increasing greenhouse gas emissions. Politically, it's part of the Trump administration's efforts to roll back climate and other environmental regulations.
Energy conservation groups are expected to mount challenges to the Trump administration's move that borders on senseless. (Source: US DOE, NYT, 4 Sept., 2019)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficient Light,
The proposed rule will reverse standards enacted under President Barack Obama that require oil and gas operations to install controls on their operations to curb the release of methane at the well head and in their transmission equipment, including pipelines, processing and storage facilities.
Despite EPA estimates the proposed changes would save the oil and natural gas industry between $17 million and $19 million a year, Shell, Exxon, BP and other major fossil fuels players are opposing the proposed rollback and urging the current standards be kept in place.
(Source: EPA, Various Media, Wash. Post, 29 Aug., 2019)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Methane, EPA,
The Quito airport Operator, Corporacion Quiport, joined the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme in 2015 and has achieved carbon-neutral status through concrete actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce fuel consumption, increase energy efficiency, improve water management, maintain conservation areas for flora and fauna and more. The Quito Airport's 2018 carbon footprint was calculated at 3,273 tons of CO2 emissions, a 41 pct drop compared to 2014 as the base year (5,534 tons of CO2).
The airport offsets its direct emissions by buying certified carbon credits in sustainable projects including the MANOA REDD+ Project which works to preserve 74,000 hectares of forest in Rondônia State, Brazil. (Source: TASS, World Airport, 27 Aug., 2019) Contact: Airport Carbon Accreditation, +44 845 868 2708, www.airportcarbonaccreditation.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Neutral, Airport Carbon Accreditation,
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,
The improvements, part of an initiative by SUNY and the New York Power Authority, would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 28,000 tpy and save the university roughly $6 million per year in energy and maintenance costs, according to a release.
Funded energy efficiency upgrades include: lighting, HVAC, and building management systems in various campus buildings such as residence halls, science buildings and hospital.
The university previously received more than $500,000 in energy efficiency rebates from PSEG Long Island, according to the statment.
(Source: Stoney Brook Univ., Long Island Business News, Aug., 2019) Contact: Stoney Brook University, www.stoneybrook.edu
More Low-Carbon Energy News Stony Brook University , SUNY, New York Power Authority,
Velocys is leading the project and is supplying the central processing unit -- micro-Channel Fischer-Tropsch reactors with the proprietary Velocys Actocat catalyst.
The plant would process more than 500,000 tpy of non-recyclable household and commercial solid waste destined for landfill or incineration into more than 60 million llpy (15.85 million gpy) of cleaner-burning sustainable jet and road fuel. Velocys' technology will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 70 pct for every tonne of sustainable jet fuel that replaces a tonne of conventional fossil fuel.
Subject to planning, funding decisions and regulatory approvals, the plant is expected to break ground in 2021 for full production in 2024.
British Airways intends use jet fuel produced at the plant.
(Source: Altalto Immingham, Green Car Congress, 22 Aug., 2019) Contact: Altalto, www.altalto.com; Velocys Plc, David Pummell, CEO, +44 1235 841 700, (713) 275-5840 -- Houston Office, info@velocys.com, www.velocys.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Velocys, Altalto Immingham,
The retrofit program would be managed by Efficiency Manitoba, a crown corporation focused on energy conservation, which was created to take over Manitoba Hydro's Power Smart program.
Rebates would apply to retrofit windows and doors, furnace conversions and appliances purchased to make homes and businesses emit less greenhouse gases.
It would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 135,000 tonnes over the next three years. (Source: Efficiency Manitoba, CBC, 17 Aug., 2019) Contact: Efficiency Manitoba, www.efficiencymb.ca
More Low-Carbon Energy News Efficiency Manitoba, Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency Rebate,
Founded in Germany for residential buildings, the standard, which helps designers design ultra-energy-efficient buildings by using passive heating and cooling systems that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help mitigate climate change.
According to the International Passive House Association, the Passive House standard is relevant and useful to any climate.(Source: International Passive House Association, Journal of Commerce, Facilitiesnet, 15 Aug., 2019) Contact: International Passive House Association, www.passivehouse-international.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Passive House, Energy Eficiency,
Wells Fargo claims it has cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 45 pct and has met its 100 pct global electricity needs with renewable energy since 2017. (Source: Wells Fargo, environmental LEADER, 16 Aug., 2019)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Wells Fargo, Sustainable Energy, Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency,
The coalition's policy statement includes 28 policy positions addressing statewide climate strategies, local climate strategies, energy generation, energy efficiency, transportation, fossil fuel extraction, and solid waste reduction. In 2018, the Boulder County Commission enacted 11 of the coalition's priorities including House Bill 1261, which codified statewide goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from 2005 levels by at least 26 pct by 2025, increasing to 50 pct by 2030 and at least 90 pct by 2050. State Senate Bill 96 requiring the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to collect data on greenhouse gas emissions and propose new emission standards that will allow the state to meet those reductions in greenhouse gas emissions was also enacted.
The coalition is also calling for the creation of a public process for evaluating retail energy options for local jurisdictions; accelerating the beneficial electrification of communities using renewable energy sources; expanding low-income energy efficiency and renewable energy programs; increasing funding for multi-modal and transportation alternatives; and fostering infrastructure to incentivize recycling and composting.
Jason Smith, executive director of Colorado Communities for Climate Action, said because the team does so much work on the front end making sure each member of the coalition approves the language, he expects the other seven members to approve the 2019-2020 policy statement in short order. (Source: Colorado Communities for Climate Action, Colorado Daily, Longmont Times-Call,
13 Aug., 2019) Contact: Colorado Communities for Climate Action, Tom Easley, (303) 887-4626, easley@rockymountainclimate.org, www.cc4ca.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Climate Change,
The Climate Stewardship Act will be presented in September.
The new trees will cover up to 64 million acres and will capture more than 13 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide by the end of the century -- equivalent to more than two full years of the country's current greenhouse gas emissions.
Approximately 400 million trees will be planted in urban areas to provide cooling effects on heatwaves and help urban residents to reduce their energy usage.
The Act will also establish a Reforest America cost-share programme, the Urban Wood initiative, the Stewardship Corps and provide funding to the US Forest Service and the Department of Interior.
(Source: Office of Sen. Cory BookerVarious Media, Smart Energy, 15 Aug., 2019)Contact: Office of Sen. Cory Booker, https://twitter.com/CoryBooker
More Low-Carbon Energy News Cliamate Change, Afforestation, Reforestation,
The National Carbon Capture Center serves as a neutral research and testing facility to advance technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions from fossil-based power plants.
Through the evaluation of over 60 technologies, the Center has already reduced the projected cost of carbon capture from fossil generation by one-third, according to the Center which is currently adding infrastructure to expand testing of carbon capture technologies for natural gas power plants.
National Carbon Capture Center partners include DOE and its National Energy Technology Laboratory, American Electric Power, ClearPath, the Electric Power Research Institute, ExxonMobil, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, Tennessee Valley Authority, Peabody Energy and Wyoming Infrastructure Authority.
The National Carbon Capture Center is operated by the Southern Company and to date has worked more than 30 organizations from seven countries to evaluate and scale up emerging carbon capture technologies. (Source: National Carbon Capture Center , PR, AAAS, 15 Aug., 2019)
Contact: National Carbon Capture Center, John Northington, Dir., Marc Willis, (202) 586-3628,
marc.willis@hq.doe.gov,
www.nationalcarboncapturecenter.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News TOTAL, National Carbon Capture Center, TOTAL, Carbon Capture,
The report will be a key scientific input into forthcoming climate and environment negotiations, such as the Conference of the Parties of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (COP14) in New Delhi, India in September and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference (COP25) in Santiago, Chile, in December.
The report notes that better land management can contribute to tackling climate change, but is not the only solution. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from all sectors is essential if global warming is to be kept to well below 2 degrees C, if not 1.5 degrees C.
The IPCC assessments provide all levels of government with scientific information that can be used to develop climate policies and in international negotiations to tackle climate change.
The IPCC, the world body for assessing the state of scientific knowledge related to climate change, its impacts and potential future risks and possible response options.
Download the UN IPCC Land is Part of the Climate Solution report
HERE. (Source: UN IPCC, 8 Aug., 2019) Contact: IPCC, www.ipcc.ch
More Low-Carbon Energy News IPCC, Climate Change, Global Waming, Carbon Emissions,
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, ,
The study notes state-wide almost 94 pct of the power owned or contracted for by Municipal Light Plants come from sources that do not emit greenhouse gases. When including the market purchases, the MLP portfolio is about 75 pct non-emitting compared to the New England region at 57 pct and the Massachusetts investor owned utilities at only about 47 pct.
According to Hudson Light General Manager Brian Choquette, "this study is critically important as it shows that MLPs, with local control at the municipal level, are leading the way in achieving the State's Greenhouse Gas goals."
(Source: Analysis Group, Wicked Local Hudson, 6 Aug., 2019)Contact: Analysis Group,
www.analysisgroup.com; Municipal Electric Association of Massachusetts, www.meam.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Emissions,
Among the slate of bills Mills signed is one requiring Maine's electric power providers, who are currently required to obtain 40 pct of their electricity from renewable sources, to provide 80 pct from such sources by 2030 and 100 pct by 2050. Presently, Maine has the 11th highest average electricity cost in the U.S..
Another climate-related bill Mills signed establishes a Maine Climate Council charged with developing plans to reduce the state's greenhouse gas emissions by 45 pct by 2030 and 80 pct by 2050. Mills also signed legislation creating new incentives to install energy efficient heating systems and to increase the number and size of solar power projects in the state.
A study by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago shows seven years after a state imposes a renewable energy mandate (REM) a 1.8 pct increase in renewable energy generation results in an 11 pct increase in electricity prices, and after 12 years a 4.2 pct increase in renewable power produces a 17 pct rise in the cost of electricity. The link between REMs and higher prices is confirmed by U.S. Energy Information Administration data showing electric power prices in the 29 states with REMs are 26 pct higher than in states without REMs.
(Source: Heartland Institute, 1 May, 2019) Contact:
Gov. Janet Mills (D-ME): www.maine.gov/governor/mills/home, www.maine.gov/governor/mills/contact; Heartland Institute, www.heartland.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Heartland Institute, Renewable Energy, Climate Change,
One of the bills Mills signed into law establishes a Maine Climate Council charged with developing plans to reduce the state's greenhouse gas emissions by 45 pct by 2030 and 80 pct by 2050. Mills also signed legislation creating new energy efficiency incentives and a stiffer state renewable enrghy standard for utilities and power generators.
(Source: Heartland Institute, 1 May, 2019) Contact: Gov. Janet Mills (D-ME): www.maine.gov/governor/mills/home, www.maine.gov/governor/mills/contact; Heartland Institute, www.heartland.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Heartland Institute, Climate Change, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Maine Climate Change,
The legislation establishes a $1 billion, 10-year grant "GreenWorks" program to fund clean energy, energy efficiency, and climate change resiliency measures that cut greenhouse gas emissions, fortify infrastructure and reduce municipal costs. The legislation also invests $325 million in other municipal green projects including:
The Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs will administer the program, which is funded through the issuance of bonds.
The bill was forwarded to the Senate for approval. (Source: Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, Wicked Local Beverly, 29 July, 2019) Contact: Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, www.mass.gov/orgs/executive-office-of-energy-and-environmental-affairs
More Low-Carbon Energy News Climate Change, Mass GreenWorks,
In the survey, 71 pct are very worried about a future of more severe wildfires as a consequence of climate change and think the state's future is at risk due to climate change.
Accordingly, Californians generally favor the state's work to curb greenhouse gas pollution and support state targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent below 1990 levels by the year 2030.
(Source: Public Policy Institute of California, July, 20190 Contact: Public Policy Institute of California, 415-291-4400, www.ppic.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Public Policy Institute of California, Climate Change,
The project, which will demonstrate and evaluate Inventys' CO2 Capture System and LafargeHolcim's various carbon utilization technologies, is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2020. Subject to the pilot's success, the project will be scaled up to determine how it could be used at other LafargeHolcim plants.
During the first phase the partners will work on purifying the cement flue gas in preparation for CO2 capture. The second phase will focus on the separation of CO2 from flue gas using a customized for cement version of Inventys' carbon capture technology at pilot scale. As part of the final phase, the captured CO2 will be prepared for reuse and support the economical assessment and demonstration of CO2 conversion technologies onsite, such as CO2 injected concrete and flyash.
The $ 28 million (Cdn) system is expected to replace up to 50 pct of fossil fuel use with LCFs. It could also result in a 20 pct reduction of combustion emissions and divert approximately 100 000 tpy of waste from local landfills.
The project is a partnership between Lafarge Canada, Inventys in Burnaby BC, and Total.
(Source: LafargeHolcim, Lafarge Canada, World Cement, 25 July, 2019) Contact: LafargeHolcim, Rene Thibault, Region Head North America, www.lafargeholcim.com; Lafarge Canada, www.lafarge.ca/en; Inventys, (604) 456-0504,
www.inventysinc.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News LafargeHolcim, Carbon Emissions, Cement, Climate Change,
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,
The report notes that key greenhouse emissions resulting from human activities, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O) and hydro fluorocarbons (HFCs), were driven by a surge in the demand for water and energy due to the emirate's rapid economic and population growth.
The report projected that sustainable development strategies in the emirate will help to achieve significant reduction in emission indicators by 2030.
The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment is currently collaborating with the local authorities to develop a comprehensive inventory map of GHG sources and concentrations across the UAE with the aim of identifying emission hotspots and supporting mitigation actions. (Source: Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi, MENAFN - Khaleej Times, 13 July, 2019) Contact: Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi,
Sheikha Al Hosani, Exec. Dr., Environment Quality Sector, +971 2 693 4444, www.ead.ae/SitePages/home.aspx
More Low-Carbon Energy News GHG, Climate Change, COs, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Abu Dhabi,
Ordinances slated for review include two options for builders of new construction to reduce natural gas consumption within their developments. By either building an all-electric structure at the minimum efficiency required by the state's energy code or designing a mixed-fuel building using natural gas and electricity at a higher efficiency level, developers can meet the proposed reach code for electrification, according to a staff report.
For single-family and duplex projects, builders can either construct all-electric buildings or design a mixed-fuel building 15 pct above the state code's energy efficiency requirement, which officials estimate could save builders $5,300 in construction costs as compared to a mixed-fuel home. An all-electric design for homes is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 to 50 pct in most cases as compared to a mixed-fuel design, according to the report.
The proposed ordinance for office buildings would require builders to design an all-electric building or a mixed-fuel development 10 pct above the state code's energy efficiency requirement, which could involve using windows less prone to heat, natural sunlight and occupancy sensors. An all-electric office building designed to meet the 2019 state code is estimated to cost $57,300 less to construct compared to a comparable mixed-fuel building, according to the city council's report.
If adopted by the San Mateo city council and the California Energy Commission, the new codes will come into force Jan. 1, 2020. (Source: City of San Mateo, Daily Journal, July, 2019)
Contact: City of San Mateo, Andrea Chow, Sustainability Analyst, www.cityofsanmateo.org/477/Building
More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency, Green Building,
The Keeling Curve Prize recognizes ideas in the areas of Carbon Capture & Utilization (CCU), Energy Access, Transportation, Finance, and Social & Cultural Impacts, that either effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions or increase carbon uptake, according to a June 28 Keeling Curve Prize press release.
The Opus 12 team was one of the Carbon Capture & Utilization winners, and the NEX/CalCEF team was one of the Finance winners. The Opus 12 award-winning device takes CO2 and water and produces high-value chemicals and fuels that are conventionally made with petroleum. The technology diminishes emissions and produces the "critical products that are the building blocks of modern civilization." The process can generate 16 different products, including ethylene, a precursor for most plastics, methane and syngas, according to the Opus 12 website.
The NEX/CalCEF team developed a "qualified clean energy opportunity zoning fund" which supports energy entrepreneurs, according to the Keeling Curve Prize website.
The NEX/CalCEF team developed a "qualified clean energy opportunity zoning fund" which supports energy entrepreneurs, according to the Keeling Curve Prize website.
(Source: Keeling Curve Prize, PR, Daily Californian, 11 July, 2019)
Contact: New Energy Nexus/California Clean Energy Fund, hello@newenergynexus.com,www.newenergynexus.com; Keeling Curve Prize, Jacquelyn Francis, Dir., director@kcurveprize.org, www.kcurveprize.org; Opus 12, www.opus-12.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News CCU, CCS, CO2, Carbon Dioxide, Climate Change,
In 2018, Better Buildings Initiative partners and allies saved 1.38 quadrillion BTUs and $8.4 billion in total energy costs. These organizations are leading the U.S. in energy efficiency by adopting emerging technologies, advancing the American workforce, and sharing their innovative approaches to energy and water efficiency.
The Better Buildings, Better Plants Waste Reduction Pilot was launched to address the 2.7 billion tons of industrial solid waste and more than 260 million tons of municipal solid waste the U.S. generates annually. By reducing waste, organizations also save energy. Manufacturers, companies, schools, and governments across the country can strengthen their competitiveness and sustainability by setting and realizing robust waste reduction goals. DOE will work with organizations who have signed up for the pilot to determine the appropriate metrics, goals and opportunities for different sectors.
Through the Better Buildings Initiative, DOE aims to make commercial, public, industrial, and residential buildings 20 pct more energy efficient over the next decade. Greater energy efficiency saves billions of dollars, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and creates U.S. jobs.
Download the Better Buildings Progress Report HERE. (Source: US DOE, PR, 10 July, 2019) Contact: Better Buildings Solution Center., betterbuildingssolutioncenter.energy.gov
More Low-Carbon Energy News US DOE, Building Energy Efficiency, Better Buildings Challenge,
According to the GCF release, Ecuador the second country to receive financial resources from the GCF for having successfully reduced its deforestation and corresponding greenhouse gas emissions. The funding is expected to help in reducing emissions by 20 pct from the forest and land-use sector by 2025.
Bhutan, the Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI) and Timor-Leste -- among the Asia-Pacific region's most vulnerable countries to climate change -- received grants for climate adaptation initiatives. In Bhutan, with GCF funding over 118,000 people are expected to benefit from more sustainable land and water management, more climate-resilient agriculture and reliable climate-resilient irrigation schemes. In Timor-Leste, GCF funds will be used to "climate-proof" key rural infrastructure and improve policies and planning for a national response to the impacts of climate change.
With the approval of the four new projects, UNDP has supported a total of 23 countries to access more than $785.7 million in GCF finance for full-sized climate change projects.
The GCF supports developing countries efforts to respond to the challenge of climate change, limit or reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, adapt to climate change, and promote low-emission and climate-resilient development.
(Source: UN Development Programme, PR, July, 2019) Contact: UNDP, Pradeep Kurukulasuriya, Executive Coordinator and Director, Global Environmental Finance, www.undp.org; Green Climate Fund, www.greenclimate.fund
More Low-Carbon Energy News Green Climate Fund, UNDP, Climate Change, Climate Change Mitigation, CO2, Climate Change Adaptation,
Charlottesville is the first city in the Commonwealth of Virginia to announce this ambitious goal of community-wide carbon neutrality, affirming its commitment to addressing the impacts of climate change and to mitigate the most significant consequences of a warming planet.
Other Virginia cities including Alexandria, Richmond, and the Town of Blacksburg, have set aggressive goals of reducing 80 pct of their community-wide greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Outside of Virginia, only nine US cities have reported community-wide carbon-neutrality goals.
The Charlottesville Climate Collaborative aims to build a Charlottesville culture of climate action through community-wide collaborations and programs that reduce climate pollution and advance the city's identity to include climate leadership. (Source: Charlottesville Climate Collaborative, Blue Virginia, July, 2019) Contact: Charlottesville Climate Collaborative, Susan Cruse, Exec. Dir., (434) 202-7993, www.cvilleclimate.org
According to RIBA, the built environment is responsible for around 40 pct of the UK's total carbon footprint, and shifting to lower or zero carbon buildings is seen as critical for reducing the country's net greenhouse gas emissions to zero by mid-century.
The Ethics and Sustainable Development Action Plan will aim to drive rapid improvements in industry standards and practice, government and intergovernmental policy and regulation, and in RIBA's own carbon footprint, the industry body said.
Proposed green metrics include developing the whole-life net zero carbon standard for a building, as well as standard reporting metrics for energy and performance evaluation "where guidance is available.”
(Source: RIBA, Business Green, 1 July, 2019)Contact: RIBA, Bew Derbyshire, Pres., +44 118 987 4900, www.architecture.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Green Building news,