Climate News Roundup: September 12 - September 18, 2008

Friday, September 12, 2008

AVIATION: U.S.-bound flight from New Zealand to showcase ways to save time and fuel. A major initiative to help cut airline flight times, burn less fuel, and reduce harmful carbon emissions is to be presented today by the FAA at the San Francisco International Airport. Los Angeles Times, California. 12 September 2008. [Registration Required]

CARBON MARKETS: World carbon standards to relax. World greenhouse gas markets probably will relax their notions of what constitutes a carbon credit to encourage more people to reduce emissions of planet-warming gases, the head of the Chicago Climate Exchange said. Reuters. 12 September 2008.

BANGLADESH: Bangladesh launches climate change action plan. Bangladesh, one of the countries most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, has launched a strategy to help the nation adapt to threats such as rising sea level, water-logged land and increased salinity. Nature. 12 September 2008.

GREENWASHING: MTV ad attacks 'greenwash' firms. MTV is launching a global marketing push to tackle climate change that includes a TV ad attacking businesses guilty of "greenwash" - deliberately misleading consumers about their eco-credentials. London Guardian, England. 12 September 2008.

Monday, September 15, 2008

INTERNATIONAL CLIMATE TALKS: Australia, China and US in climate talks. Australia has brought together the world's two major greenhouse gas polluters, China and the US, to search for common ground on cutting carbon emissions - including clean coal technologies - while protecting security of energy supplies. Sydney Australian, Australia. 15 September 2008.

CHINA - CARBON TRADING: Environment exchanges waiting for trading. On August 5, two environment and energy exchanges opened almost simultaneously in Beijing and Shanghai, the first of their kind in China. China Daily. 15 September 2008.

STATE POLICY (CO): Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission rules may be a model for other states. Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission members' tentative endorsement of several new rules may garner the attention of several states as they look to regulate the ongoing energy boom in the American West. Glenwood Springs Post Independent, Colorado. 15 September 2008.

GREEN CITIES - SOLAR: Berkeley council to vote on solar tax district. Berkeley is expected to make a major leap forward Tuesday in its first-in-the-nation plan to allow homeowners to pay for solar energy systems through their property taxes. San Francisco Chronicle, California. 15 September 2008.

GREEN CITIES - CFLs: DWP is poised to deliver energy-efficient light bulbs. In what appears to be the nation's largest giveaway of compact fluorescent light bulbs, the Department of Water and Power plans to hire crews to deliver 2.4 million bulbs to every household in Los Angeles. Los Angeles Daily News, California. 15 September 2008.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

STATE POLICY: States aim to cut gases by making polluters pay. Ten states are about to undertake the nation's most serious effort yet to tackle climate change, but there are worries that it may fail to reduce pollution. New York Times. 16 September 2008. [Registration Required]

CARBON REGULATION: Carbon regulation could hit 1 million U.S. firms: study. The prospect of U.S. regulation of climate-warming carbon dioxide has sparked a pre-emptive outcry from the Chamber of Commerce, which warned of bureaucratic gridlock if proposed limits are put in place. Reuters. 16 September 2008.

TARGETS: Carbon targets too low to ensure a stable, long-term climate, expert warns. Scientists may have to turn back time and clean the atmosphere of all man-made carbon dioxide to prevent the worst impacts of global warming, one of Europe's most senior climate scientists has warned. London Guardian, England. 16 September 2008.

CARBON TRADING: Lehman Brothers shuts carbon trading desk. Lehman Brothers shut down its carbon emissions trading desk after the bank filed for bankruptcy protection, putting a number of projects - mostly by small companies in developing countries - in jeopardy. Reuters. 16 September 2008.

ALGAE BIOFUELS: 'Huge interest' in algae biofuel. An algae biofuel developer is about to seek up to $20 million to fund international expansion after discovering it can make a crude oil substitute. Christchurch Press, New Zealand. 16 September 2008.

LEDS: LEDs May Be Ready To Take Off Thanks To Improved Technology 9/16/2008 - Using LEDs for general lighting may finally be a bright idea.  In the past few years, light-emitting diodes have made huge advances in energy efficiency. Industry sources and outside experts say LEDs are now the most energy-efficient lighting source available. They use far less energy than other bulbs, last a lot longer, and cost less to use over their lifetime.  For now, the lights still cost more than the average consumer is used to spending on a light bulb - a lot more. Prices for LEDs on the market today can be more than five times what an incandescent bulb costs.  However, the LEDs use about 85% less energy and last 30 times longer. They also use about half as much energy and last five times longer than compact fluorescent lights. For more read Clean Technology Insight 9/16/08

UK - TARGETS: Think Tank Says UK Will Miss 2020 CO2, Renewable Energy Targets  9/16/2008 - Independent think tank Cambridge Econometrics predicted that the U.K. will miss its targets on renewable energy and carbon emissions reductions. The group's report forecasts that by 2020, just 4.25% of U.K. energy consumption will come from renewable sources, far short of the 15% target agreed with the European Union earlier this year. It predicts the U.K. government will also miss its target of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 20% below 1990 levels by 2010, instead achieving only a 12.4% reduction. By 2020, the group says CO2 emissions are on track to be 14% below 1990 levels. This is largely because electricity generation from carbon intensive sources like coal- and gas-fired power plants will still make up a significant proportion of U.K. power generation up to 2020, the report said. For more read Clean Technology Insight 9/16/08

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

IMPACTS: 10 ways global warming could hurt your health. Scientists all over the globe have observed changes that are impacting individuals' health--and have also created models to predict where we might be headed. US News & World Report. 17 September 2008.

ELECTRIC CARS: Chevy Volt's unveiling sparks questions about financing. GM executives acknowledge that the $25 billion the industry is seeking in federal loan guarantees would help subsidize the hybrid car's development and production. Los Angeles Times, California. 17 September 2008. [Registration Required]

ELECTRIC CARS: All-electric vehicles no magic bullet - US scientist. A future of all-electric cars coasting along streets and highways may be illusory, given that their range may be cut in half by aggressive drivers speeding along with the air conditioning blasting, US scientists said on Monday. Reuters. 17 September 2008.

FORESTS - OPINION: The Sierra forests can prevent Global Warming. Judging by recent statements, it isn't clear whether the state recognizes the outsize role California's forests play in naturally absorbing carbon emissions, or the quantity of carbon dioxide released when these forests are irresponsibly clear-cut. San Jose Mercury News, California. Opinion, 17 September 2008.

EMISSIONS TRADING - JAPAN: Japanese Trading Houses To Act As Brokers For Emissions Trades  9/17/2008 - The Japanese government will allow trading houses and financial institutions to act as intermediaries in emissions trading trials, which are to begin next month, The Nikkei learned Tuesday.  The market for trading global warming gas emissions provides an opportunity for companies that have exceeded their reduction targets to sell their surpluses and for firms missing their goals to make up the shortfalls by buying credits.  To realize a viable trading system, it will encourage a wide variety of companies to participate. Nippon Steel Corp. (5401) and other major steelmakers have already decided to come onboard.  For more read Clean Technology Insight 9/17/08

Thursday, September 18, 2008

CO2 STORAGE: Emissions may be stored under sea. Parts of the sea-bed between Northern Ireland and Scotland could become a storage facility for carbon dioxide, according to a new study. BBC, United Kingdom. 18 September 2008.

GREEN CITIES - SOLAR: Berkeley, Calif. approves city-backed solar loans. The California city has approved a new financing scheme for loans to homeowners who install rooftop solar panels, a landmark programme that could inspire other US cities to follow suit. London Guardian, United Kingdom. 18 September 2008.

STATE POLICY (CA): Tackling greenhouse gases would boost California's economy, air board study says. Taking strong measures to reduce greenhouse gases to combat global warming would help California's economy, boost employment and increase household savings and personal income, according to a new analysis. San Francisco Chronicle, California. 18 September 2008.

ELECTRIC CARS: Tesla Motors to build plant, headquarters in San Jose. Tesla Motors Inc., aiming to be the first high-volume maker of electric cars, plans to build a $250-million plant to produce sedans in San Jose and move its headquarters to the same facility. Bloomberg News. 18 September 2008.

FEDERAL POLICY - RENEWABLE ENERGY: Senate Energy Tax Deal Trims Credits On Renewable Energy 9/18/2008 - Senate negotiators made significant cuts in proposed extensions of tax credits for wind and other forms of renewable energy in order to reach a bipartisan compromise that is expected to pass the Senate this month.  The new Senate energy tax legislation, details of which were released Wednesday afternoon, would extend tax credits for wind energy production for one year only, through 2009. Tax credits for geothermal, biomass and other renewable energy sources eligible for the production credit would be extended for two years, through 2010.  The solar energy investment tax credit would be renewed for eight years through 2016, as would tax credits for residential solar projects. The Senate deal would make the residential solar credit much more generous by removing the $2,000 cap, which covers just a small fraction of what a typical residential solar-electric system would cost. For more read Clean Technology Insight 9/18/08

NEW TECHNOLOGY - GREEN BUILDING:  European Steelmakers, Rio Tinto Partner On Low CO2 Project 9/18/2008 - European steelmakers and diversified miner Rio Tinto PLC have agreed to collaborate on building an environmentally friendly steel plant that uses new technology to reduce CO2 emissions. A consortium of 48 European companies and organizations from 15 European countries, including the world's largest steelmaker ArcelorMittal and Germany's ThyssenKrupp AG have formed a group called the Ultra-Low Carbon Dioxide Steelmaking Group, or ULCOS, to cooperate on creating new technology to reduce steelmaking CO2 emissions by at least 50%. ULCOS has partnered with Rio Tinto to use the miner's technology along with its own to build a pilot plant in Voelkingen, Germany, near the French border. For more read Clean Technology Insight 9/18/08

CARBON OFFSETS: GE/AES Venture Partners With Google On Carbon Offset Projects 9/18/2008 - A joint-venture between AES Corp. and General Electric Co. will develop projects with Google Inc. to offset greenhouse gas emissions, with the search engine giant using most of the reductions to erase its own carbon footprint.  Greenhouse Gas Services announced the agreement Wednesday, saying the first project will be in North Carolina. GE and AES launched Greenhouse Gas Services about a year ago to develop offsets projects and sell the credits they produce to companies looking to meet climate change goals.  The Google partnership will likely develop a handful of projects in the U.S. and abroad to start, with Greenhouse Gas Services keeping a fraction of the emission offsets for resale, said Mauricio Vargas, chief executive of Greenhouse Gas Services.  For more read Clean Technology Insight 9/18/08