Emissions :: EnergyPortal.eu

"Don’t pass climate finance back to private sector"

Wednesday, 01 September 2010 15:48

Image: www.freefoto.com

Ministers meeting on climate finance in Geneva this week should stick to financial commitments made in Copenhagen to help developing countries reduce emissions and cope with climate change impacts. While the Copenhagen climate conference ended with disappointingly little result, the Copenhagen Accord stipulated at least a set of concrete promises by different countries, including setting out levels of climate finance to be delivered by developed countries. Ministers and representatives from more than 30 countries are gathering at the invitation of the Swiss and Mexican governments to discuss key climate finance issues in the lead-up to the next UN climate conference in Cancun, Mexico, from 29 November to 10 December 2010. "By transparently mobilising public sector finance to meet the commitments made in Copenhagen, ministers can help set the scene for progress at climate talks in China and Mexico," said Gordon Shepherd, Leader WWF Climate Initiative.

Tags

See All Tags

Under sea CO2 storage licensing plans published

Monday, 30 August 2010 15:21

Image: www.freefoto.com

The Government today set out how it will license the storage of carbon dioxide under the sea bed, following responses to its recent consultation on the geological storage of CO2. During the consultation, developers, industry bodies and other interested parties gave their view on potential plans for the broad structure of the proposed licensing system. This includes a proposal for having a license which would cover all phases of such developments. Publishing the Government's response to the consultation, Charles Hendry MP, Minister of State for Energy said: "Carbon capture and storage is essential for mitigating climate change while maintaining energy security. There is enough potential under the North Sea to store more than 100 years worth of carbon dioxide emissions from the UK's power fleet and we need to make the most of that. "I am pleased that investors and experts who will take this exciting and crucial technology forward are happy with our approach, and that we can take our next steps without delay". DECC will now lay the regulations in Parliament in order to comply with European rules on the underground storage of carbon dioxide and these will come into effect on 1 October.

Source: U.K. Department of Energy and Climate Change, Image: Freefoto.com

Tags

See All Tags

CCS United Kingdom carbon capture and storage license sea

U.S. agency votes to finance giant coal plant in India

Friday, 27 August 2010 19:13

9053_us_agency_finances_coal_plant_india

Image: www.freefoto.com

After bowing to political pressure to reverse its rejection of the 3,960 MW Sasan coal-fired Ultra Mega Power and Mine Project, the United States Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im Bank) voted on Wednesday to provide a "final commitment" and send the project to Congress for final review. The move marks the last step before final approval of U.S. subsidies for one of the world's largest point sources of carbon dioxide emissions, and yet another strategic misstep for the global climate and the clean technology export sector in the United States. Sasan is one of nine "Ultra Mega Power Plants" (UMPP) being pursued by the Indian government. Each UMPP is roughly the equivalent of eight average U.S. coal fired power plants. Sasan alone will be responsible for 26 to 27 million tons of carbon dioxide annually - one fifth of all proposed coal fired power plants in the United States combined. With India averaging some of the highest transmission losses in the world of 25-40%, as well as facing an increasing need for imported coal, which leads to price instability for end users, many question the ability of these plants to deliver India's much needed boost in energy supplies.

Tags

See All Tags

India United States coal plant emissions

Last Updated on Friday, 27 August 2010 19:18 Read more...

Factory sees obligation to shift to CO2 neutral production

Tuesday, 24 August 2010 15:18

Image: www.freefoto.com

The Danish based Linak group, which specialises in electronic actuator systems, plans to spend DKK 15.3 million to convert its factory in southern Jutland to green production, reports financial daily newspaper Børsen. The company is also changing all its products so that they consume little or no electricity when on standby. Bent Jensen, the MD of Linak who owns the group together with his family, says: "I think we have an obligation to do something for the sake of the climate. Just look what is currently happening to the weather around the planet. We also have to acknowledge that for many years we have discharged a lot of CO2 in connection with our production."

Tags

See All Tags

CO2 neutral Denmark Linak group climate change

Last Updated on Wednesday, 25 August 2010 16:03 Read more...

Businesses in the U.K. get 50 days to register with carbon cutting scheme

Monday, 23 August 2010 15:40

9045_united_kingdom_carbon_cutting_scheme

Image: www.freefoto.com

With just 50 days to go until the end of registration for the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme (CRC), Greg Barker is calling on the remaining organisations to register now. Currently 1229 of the organisations required to register have done so. Launched in April 2010 the CRC requires large public and private sector organisations to register with the Environment Agency by 30th September 2010. Greg Barker, Energy and Climate Change Minister, said: "This new Coalition Government wants to boost energy efficiency in business because we know that saving energy saves money. The CRC will encourage significant savings through greater energy efficiency and importantly will make carbon a boardroom issue for many large organisations. My message to businesses today is to register now. I understand the original complexity of the scheme may have deterred some organisations and I want to hear suggestions as to how we can make the scheme simpler in the future."