Population growth

London faces a problem unique to the rest of Europe: its population is set to rise by 17% over the next 20 years. The discussion group highlighted the problems of balancing this expected population growth with goals to halve carbon emissions across the country by 2050. One participant explained:

“We are becoming a far more mobile society and as those demographic changes hit, we will be spending less time in our own homes and more time in public and social space. How we use energy and how we move around will be critical.”

The discussion group pointed to the issue that the public is currently not aware of the real cost of energy because prices have been ‘artificially supported’ by governments and utility companies. The group suggested that the public should be better educated about how they can contribute to saving energy and help green technology projects, such as the carbon credits schemes offered by Eco Global Markets.

Time of crisis

Although the UK continues to battle through tough economic times, the discussion group pointed out that investment in new technology is absolutely crucial to rebuilding the British economy and quality of life. One participant pointed out that the First and Second World Wars triggered new innovations in transport, as the industry was pushed to its limits. He pointed to the decision by the railways to develop a network of electric trains powered by batteries rather than wires proved this point:

‘Without the economic crisis I don’t think we would have been able to push this forward; in the mindset of the railway market it would have been seen as too much of a leap.’

High-speed energy links

The coalition government has faced stiff opposition to plans for a high-speed rail link between London and Birmingham. Yet the discussion group not only supported these plans, it also recommended that the government should install a utility corridor at the same time that could be developed over time. This could be used to control the distribution of renewable energy across the country. An orbital railway around London was also highlighted as an important step in building a freight network. Each train would take 60 lorries off the road, helping to take pressure of a congested road network and reduce carbon emissions significantly.

Resource

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sustainable-business/gsbq-feb-12-transport-discussion-group-write-up?newsfeed=true

A new YouGov poll found that 90% of those questioned wanted to see further government investment in clean domestic energy. Whilst just one in five people supported the use of gas power, nine in 10 people were keen to reduce the UK’s reliance on imported gas.

Campaign group Friends of the Earth also commissioned a survey to see which energy resources had the greatest amount of public backing in the UK. Of the 2,884 participants, around two-thirds wanted to see tidal, wind, wave and solar power developed over the next 10 years.

A separate Scottish YouGov poll found that 71% of the Scottish public backed investment in wind power, whilst an independent Ipsos MORI survey revealed that 67% of their UK participants also supported wind power as an energy resource of the future.

The collection of polls comes at a good time for the UK’s renewable energy sector. Only 9.5% of the country’s electricity is currently generated from renewable energy sources and many are concerned that the Government is placing too much emphasis on gas as the next major energy resource.

Craig Bennett, Friends of the Earth’s director of policy and campaigns, argues against this ‘dash for gas’:

‘The public has given a clear vote of confidence to clean British energy from our wind, sun and sea – it makes no sense for the government to pursue an unwanted, costly dash for gas that’s causing our fuel bills to rocket.

‘Ministers have a once-in-a-generation chance to transform our electricity market to help smaller businesses, schools and communities plug into clean and affordable power.’

Recent government estimates reveal that UK businesses could save around £23 billion a year with a small-scale investment in green technology and by using energy, water and raw materials more efficiently. New official figures have also shown that just under £4bn of investment in green technology over the last 12 months created nearly 14,000 new jobs.

Individuals and businesses can also help to shrink the UK’s carbon footprint by purchasing carbon credits from specialists such as Eco Global Markets. The money from carbon credits is ploughed into green projects across the world to help reduce carbon emissions and develop cleaner technologies.

Resource

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/apr/23/people-want-more-renewable-energy

http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?itemId=1096704170&type=RESOURCES

Businesses of all sizes are now coming under pressure to prove their ‘green credentials.’ From new Energy Performance Certificates for business premises, to mounting customer interest in a company’s carbon footprint, it’s time for businesses to start thinking about where they fit into the future of energy.

The easiest way to boost a company’s green credentials is to purchase carbon credits from specialists such as Eco Global Markets. This investment funds green projects across the world, such as reforestation and offshore wind farms, which all help to shrink the world’s carbon footprint. Carbon credits therefore allow companies to offset their own carbon emissions, which is particularly useful if it is too difficult or expensive to make changes to premises or infrastructure.

Microgeneration is another option for going green and can also help to generate additional cash in the long run. Solar panels, wind turbines, biomass systems and ground heat pumps can all generate enough electricity and heat to meet business energy needs. Any additional electricity generated is eligible for the Government’s Clean Energy Cashback scheme, which feeds the energy back into the National Grid and rewards business owners with reductions on their utility bill.

Solar Panels

Solar energy is available all year round, as photovoltaic (PV) panels require daylight rather than sunlight to work. A PV system requires a wall of roof free from any large shadows that faces 90 degrees south.

Wind Turbines

The UK benefits from around 40 per cent of Europe’s total wind resource. A wind turbine can tap into this virtually inexhaustible energy resource to generate electricity all year round, day and night. Turbines include additional electricity storage to provide power during low-wind conditions.

Biomass Systems

Biomass Systems burn organic matter, such as wood, to heat a business premises. The CO2 emitted from these systems is equal to the amount absorbed by the plant as it was growing.

Ground Source Heat Pumps

A ground source heat pump uses a network of pipes to absorb heat from below your business building. A compressor then uses this energy to heat the building.

Commercial energy suppliers can provide microgeneration and support, whilst many independent companies also offer a variety of energy solutions. Contact the Energy Saving Trust to see whether your company is eligible for a green loan or grant.

Critics say some government actions are actively delaying the environmental progress. The government of Stephen Harper is stuck in the past being showed in Vaughan’s report and it noted that there is no plan in Ottawa to limit emissions from the second largest emitter of greenhouse gasesGases in the earth’s atmosphere that absorb and re-emit infra-red radiation. These gases occur through natural and human-influenced processes. Carbon dioxideA naturally occurring gas and one of the most abundant greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is also a by-product of industrial processes, burning fossil fuels and land use changes., methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulphur hexafluoride are the 6 GHGs subject to emission reduction in the Kyoto Protocol., the oil and gas sector.

“We know that emissions from that sector are among the fastest-growing in the country. Emissions from the oil sands are expected to triple … by 2020,” Vaughan told a news conference. “So given all those challenges, as well as the time it takes to put these regulations in place, we’ve said it doesn’t look like they’re going to get from here to there because the numbers don’t add up.”

Ottawa has already announced plans to control emissions from autos and heavy trucks in the transport sector, the largest emitter. Yet, the regulations for the electricity sector, the third largest emitter, will not come into effect until 2015.

The EU in Durban said the reason it preferred an eight-year commitment period is it has already set domestic targets for 2020, but the islands say a longer one would delay action by the U.S., China, Japan and Russia, leading no target under Kyoto’s next phrase. Citing the Kyoto’s second commitment period and a failure to accept more ambitious mitigation targets, Marlene Moses, chairwoman of the alliance and Nauru’s ambassador to the United Nations, expressed, “The EU is resisting elements key to the environmental integrity of the climate treaty”.

The reducing emissions target by the bloc itself is open to increasing from 20 to 30 percent depending on the action of other nations. European Climate Action Commissioner Connie Hedegaard said that it will be “very, very challenging” for such target before the next ministerial-level talks in Doha, Qatar, in November.

Isaac Valero-Ladron, and EU climate spokesman, said by phone that an eight-year commitment period makes sense due to the existing European laws that have targets for 2020, and the Bloc has a “strong willingness” to keep working with the island nations. “That doesn’t mean we’re not going to fight for more ambition,” he said.

Reasons for the ban

Over the past year the use of industrial gas offsets has provoked heated debate that, in January 2010, culminated in the European Commission banning these credits form the EU ETSAn EU-wide ‘cap-and-trade’ system for reducing CO2, which commenced in January 2005. as of 1st May 2013.

There were a number of concerns surrounding these credits, including:

• Distorting the geographical distribution of CDMClean Development Mechanism - a mechanism for project-based emission reduction activities in developing countries (non-Annex B countries). Carbon credits (CERs) are generated from these projects. projects away from most vulnerable countries.
• Lacking any sustainable development benefits for the local community
• Providing no value for money for Europe.
• Creating perverse incentives to continue to produce or even increase levels of production of ozone depleting gas HCFC-22 in order to destroy the waste gas, HFC-23.
• Undermining the Montreal Protocol which was established to accelerate the phase-out of ozone depleting gasses, including HCFC-22.

Banning industrial gas offsets is a step in the right direction in terms of ensuring the environmental integrity of the EU ETSAn EU-wide ‘cap-and-trade’ system for reducing CO2, which commenced in January 2005.. Nevertheless, this ban does not address the use of such credits in the current phase of the system.

Source: http://www.sandbag.org.uk/site_media/pdfs/reports/Sandbag_2011-05_HFC-N20_2010.pdf

Emitters covered by the programme – the largest carbon market in the world – used 255 million offsets to cover their 2011 EU ETSAn EU-wide ‘cap-and-trade’ system for reducing CO2, which commenced in January 2005. emissions, according to data released by the European Commission today. These include 179 million certified emission reductions (CERs) .

“It came in slightly above expectations,” said Trevor Sikorski, an analyst at Barclays Capital in London. On average, analysts had been forecasting 240 million offsets to have been used – already a 75% increase on last year’s 137 million units.

This has probably helped support CERCertified Emission Reduction - A tradable credit generated and issued from a CDMClean Development Mechanism - a mechanism for project-based emission reduction activities in developing countries (non-Annex B countries). Carbon credits (CERs) are generated from these projects. project that represents GHG emission reductions equivalent to one tonne of CO2e. prices.

However, Sikorski told Carbon Finance that “the [CER and ERU] issuance figures are much more important for prices”, rather than when the credits are used.

“The sharp increase [in offset usage] over 2010 probably reflects the looming qualitative restrictions on the use of offsets and attractive CERCertified Emission Reduction - A tradable credit generated and issued from a CDMClean Development Mechanism - a mechanism for project-based emission reduction activities in developing countries (non-Annex B countries). Carbon credits (CERs) are generated from these projects. project that represents GHG emission reductions equivalent to one tonne of CO2e./ERUA tradable credit generated and issued from a JI project that represents GHG emission reductions equivalent to one tonne of CO2e. prices since the beginning of H2-2011 relative to EUAs,” said Mark Lewis, Paris-based analyst at Deutsche Bank.

Looking ahead to 2012 compliance, Sikorski said he expects 400 million offsets to be used next year, as it is the last chance for industrial gas credits to be used in the EU ETSAn EU-wide ‘cap-and-trade’ system for reducing CO2, which commenced in January 2005., while Gray forecasts usage at 320 million and Lewis around 300 million.

Source:  http://www.carbon-financeonline.com

The UK has some 40% of Europe’s total wind resource, making it a seriously windy country. As a nation we’ve been harnessing this renewable power for a very long time, using windmills to power machinery to crush grain and pump water. Modern wind farms convert wind power into electricity for use in our businesses and houses.

Currently only 1.6W of electricity is generated by off-shore wind farms, with high costs significantly slowing down growth in this area. The Government’s Renewable Energy Roadmap however, predicts that if a coordinated approach was adopted in the development of new wind farms, this capacity could be increased to between 11 and 18GW by 2020. This would also reduce the cost of off-shore wind farms by 8-15%, which is equivalent to £0.5 – £3.5 billion. Companies and individuals can reduce their own emissions and invest in the future of wind power by purchasing carbon credits from companies such as Eco Global Markets, which develops and funds renewable energy projects.

But aside from large-scale projects, is wind power really a cost effective energy resource for homes and businesses on a day-to-day basis? Let’s take a look at the most important factors when it comes to small-scale wind power.

1. When are the benefits?

Wind power is practically inexhaustible and available all year round. It is therefore a reliable buffer against rising gas and electricity rates. Wind turbines are normally installed with extra electricity batteries to store additional power to be used during low-wind conditions.

2. What are the costs vs. savings?

A typical 1kW building mounted wind turbine costs about £2000 to install, which includes connection to the national grid. Larger buildings such as business premises will require a 2.5kW system or higher, which start from £15,000.

A wind turbine can both save you money on your electricity bills and earn you cash through the Government Feed-in-Tariff (FIT). Any extra electricity generated by your system is fed back into the national grid and paid for by the government. Your total savings will depend on local wind conditions, with homes and businesses based by the sea or in the countryside generally seeing more savings than those in city centres. Based on an export rate of 3p/kWh and a generation tariff of 26.7p/kWh, a 6kW turbine could save you £3,200 a year. At those savings, it would take you 7 years to pay off the initial cost of the wind turbine. With regular maintenance, wind turbines are expected to last for over 20 years.

3. Is my building eligible?

The Government has built a useful wind prediction tool to help you work out whether wind power could be a suitable energy source for your home or business. An anemometer will provide a more detailed analysis of your wind conditions, but it’s recommended that you collect data over 12 months or more.

Resources

http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Resources/Publications/Renewables/A-buyer-s-guide-to-wind-power

http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/news/pn12_014/pn12_014.aspx
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/feb/29/wind-power-british-industry

The UK government is now launching a competition to help drive growth in these green projects. £20 million has been set aside to fund innovations in Carbon Capture technology (CCS). The competition invites bids to develop more efficient and cost-effective CCS systems and components, with the aim of building a pilot scale demonstration.

The development of CCS is essential to helping the UK government meet the EU targets for energy and carbon emissions reduction. The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) currently estimates that the CCS industry will be worth as much as £6.5 billion a year by 2029. This new funding could help to boost the industry even further, with any innovations to be incorporated in the UK supply chain to help reduce the future cost of commercial CCS deployment.

Energy Secretary Edward Davey comments:

‘Carbon Capture and Storage will play a vital role in ensuring we develop a low carbon energy mix. We are helping to create a new industry in the UK and are well placed to become a world leader.’

The UK’s first carbon capture pilot opened at Ferrybridge in 2011, incorporating parts and services from more than 20 UK based companies. The Government now hopes to build upon this successful project to encourage growth and generate more jobs in the CCS industry.

Edward Davey continues:

‘By supporting research and development, this £20 million competition is an important step towards making cost competitive CCS a reality by the 2020s.’

All registrations for the CCS competition must be made by 13th April 2012 and interested parties can register their bid by emailing occs@decc.gsi.gov.uk. The £20 million competition is part of a four year Government-led CCS development programme, which is worth £125 million and will be delivered by the DECC, the Technology Strategy Board, the Energy Technologies Institute and the Research Councils.

Resource

http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/news/pn12_022/pn12_022.aspx