East Midlands EXPO 2009 - Greening the Economy

The sessions will take place during the afternoon of the East Midlands EXPO and will be introduced and managed by a facilitator, who will provide feedback and provoke discussion to the audience throughout the afternoon.

Each talk will take place at a table seating around 10-12 delegates, with 4 sessions throughout the afternoon. If a presenter is only taking part in one session then anyone who wants to hear from that presenter will have to make that their priority.

For more information about the ‘15 Minutes of Fame’ sessions please visit the 15 Minutes of Fame webpage. This page includes information on how to reserve your place for the sessions.

Climate Change, Sustainable Development and the New Economy

Green Light Trust has arranged a very special event bringing together thought leaders in this important field, with guest speakers including Dr Alan Knight, OBE, Single Planet Living.

Dr Alan Knight, OBE, will talk about the strategically implications of climate change and other sustainable development challenges; shaping the opportunities that arise from embracing these issues into the core of the business.

He will be joined by an esteemed panel consisting of:

Simon Fineman, chief executive, Timbmet
Dr Michael Gells, managing director, Xanfeon
Dr David Hall, chief executive, Quotient Bioresearch
Steve Love, head of culture, Virgin Money
All are active participants of the new economy agenda and great supporters of Green Light Trust.

You will go away with:

• wider knowledge and understanding of the situation and how it affects you and your business
• skills, knowledge and the ability to make a significant difference
• better prepared to reach your C02 reduction commitments
• pledges on your engagement in transforming your businesses and support in fulfilling them.

Date and time

3.00pm, 13 July 2009

Location

Green Light Trust
The Foundry
Lawshall
IP29 4PJ

Register now

To register please contact Nigel Hughes, chief executive, Green Light Trust on 01284 830829 or at the following address:

Green Light Trust
The Foundry
Bury Road
Lawshall
Suffolk
IP29 4PJ

Fax: 01284 830845

Please note there are only 25 spaces available at £45 per person so you are recommended you book your place now.

Carbon-offset: the latest casualty of the recession

Once the ‘darling’ of British companies eager to address their environmental impact, carbon-offset projects are now becoming the latest casualty of the recession.

According to the environmental research firm New Energy Finance, sales of credits for voluntary offsetting projects plummeted 70% during the first two months of this year compared with the last two months of 2008. The price of these credits also suffered, falling 30%.

“Any project reliant on voluntary offsets is going to find it very difficult to move forward in the present economic climate”, said Jon Williams of Price Waterhouse Coopers.

The biggest threat is to small projects designed to improve the living standards of the world’s poorest communities - replacing cooking stoves or providing solar panels to rural villages without electricity, for example.

During the boom times, companies were keen to invest in “social good” projects because they fitted in with their broader pledges on social responsibility. But carbon-credit retailers now say feel-good projects could be the most affected by the economic downturn, as firms focus on projects that have the largest environmental impact.

Neil Braun, chief executive of the Carbon Neutral Company, a carbon-credit retailer said “there is likely to be more demand now to buy credits for large renewable projects such as wind and hydro, where the cost per tonne of emission reduction is less.”

Concern about the financial implications of the UK’s Carbon Reduction Commitment, which will come into effect in April 2010, is also reducing interest in carbon offsetting. Under the scheme about 20,000 British firms will be required to buy energy allowances. The government’s target is to save 4m tonnes of carbon dioxide a year by 2020, but companies are questioning whether they should buy carbon offsets as well.

The benefits of offsetting are not straightforward, said Neil Sachdev, commercial director of J Sainsbury. “It just passes the problem to a third party. It makes more sense to focus on energy efficiency, where there are clear economic and environmental savings.” Sainsbury offset the emissions linked to the construction of a new building about two years ago. “It only reinforced our belief that energy reduction is a more efficient way to spend our money” explained Sachdev.

Those companies that are still buying offsets are demanding projects show direct emission reductions. Several firms register projects whose credits are sold on the voluntary market, but the most widely accepted offset standards are the Gold Standard and VCS.

A perennial problem with voluntary carbon market is that it is unregulated. This has caused a lot of speculation about whether the pay-to-pollute method has any real impact on carbon reductions.

Ed Matthew, Friends of the Earth’s head of UK climate, said there is an upside to the downturn in the offset market. “It’s great that more companies are reaping the rewards of making their buildings energy efficient rather than falling for false solution of offsetting.”

GREEN IDEAS

Cooler Fridges

Commercial fridges and freezers are electricity guzzlers. Adande, a British company has come up with an easy way to cut their energy usage: smaller insulated compartments with their own doors. Rather than exposing the entire fridge cabinet to the warm air every time you open the door, Adande fridges keep most of the cold air in.

According to Adande, trials have shown electricity use can fall by 50% or more compared with conventional units. Food is also kept fresher in the fridges because the temperature is regulated.

From: http://www.timesonline.co.uk

Green light for carbon-capture power stations

The Government has given the green-light for a new generation of coal-fired power stations but insisted that they would be made to reduce their carbon emissions.

Ed Miliband, Energy Secretary, said that up to four new coal plants could be built before 2020, which he said was “important for our energy mix”.

However he said that at least a portion of each new power station must be fitted with the technology to trap and store their carbon dioxide underground.

His announcement to MPs followed a statement by Chancellor Alistair Darling that in his budget there would be funding for up to four projects which demonstrate the new carbon-capture technology.

Mr Miliband added later that a levy to raise money for fitting the carbon capture and storage technology (CCS), which has not yet been tested on a commercial scale, would add an estimated 2% on energy bills by 2020.

The new plants must show CCS on at least 300 MW output. If the technology works, the power stations would then have to have CCS fitted to cover 100% of their energy output by 2025.

The new “clean” plant scheme is “the most environmentally ambitious of any country in the world, and puts us in a world leadership position on CCS and coal” said the Environmental Secretary. He continued “there is no alternative to CCS if we are serious about fighting climate change and retaining a diverse mix of energy sources for our economy.”

The way that the CCS technology works is that it traps the carbon dioxide - the most common greenhouse gas - which is created when fossil fuels are burnt and stores it permanently underground.

CO2 output could be cut to 90% with this technology however it does reduce the efficiency of the plant due to the energy demands of trapping the carbon emissions.

Mr Miliband revealed that some of the coal that would power these plants would come from the UK, the rest imported from Russia. In 2008 coal power stations provided 31% of the UK’s electricity, with around a third of the coal coming from Russia.

Despite being the ‘grubbiest’ of fossil fuels, coal is expected to remain a widely-used source of energy because it is readily available, cheap and easy to extract, transport and store.

In a bid to tackle the climate emissions of coal, the Government is already running a competition to fund the building of one commercial scale, demonstration for a CCS plant, in which BP, E.ON, Peel Power and Scottish Power are the shortlisted candidates.

Now, the competition has been scaled up to as many as four power stations, while the new regulations revealed prevent any new coal plants being built without the CCS technology.

The hope is that the financial incentives and regulations together will ensure that the technology can be independently judged as economically and technically proven by 2020, with full installation then required within 5 years.

This announcement has been received favourably by unions who said that it had the potential to create thousands or jobs and avoid a shortfall in energy supply in the coming years.

Brendan Barber, TUC general secretary said: “This announcement finally puts serious money and political will behind clean coal.”

“These proposals will place the UK at the forefront of the development of a technology and industry that can delivery deep cuts in carbon across the globe.”

From: http://www.independent.co.uk

Norfolk in fast lane of electric dream

Norfolk has been urged to seize the moment and put Norwich in the fast lane of the government’s £250m vision of getting more drivers into electric cars.

Ministers unveiled radical plans to make electric cars a reality with drivers accessing grants of up to £5000 to buy one from 2011.

Electric cars can range from £10,000 for a two-seater My Car to up to £70,000 for a top-range Tesla Roadster but ministers want to do more to bring them into the price range of the average motorist because of the impact on carbon emissions.

The government is also seeking bids from places interested in becoming “electric cities” to showcase and promote the technology and pay for the installation of charging points - with a strong belief locally that Norwich could be the perfect location.

Around 200 electric cars would also be available in city centres for the public to test drive.

Norfolk engineering firm Lotus, which has helped developed the Tesla Roadster technology, urged transport chiefs to get behind a city bid, claiming one in five motorists in and around Norwich could be driving electric within a decade.

Simon Wood, its technical director, said both city and region were perfectly placed to take advantage of the scheme and government grants to get motorists to buy electric were “exactly the right answer”.

He said it would bring business benefits to the wider region and boost the use of “ultra low carbon” cars which could also include those powered by biofuels.

“I think it would be fantastic for the city,” he said. “It just seems so obvious. As a regional centre it has got well defined boundaries and a good park-and-ride network.

“There are lots of people who live in or just outside of Norwich who commute daily. That’s really where the electric car wins, and £5,000 off one of the lower price cars is probably enough to make people have a look at it.

“If the city and county councils were really positive they could say no-one could come into the city centre unless they had an electric car - otherwise they could leave their car at the park and ride.”

Currently electric car owners can get free parking permits in Norwich, while Chapelfield Shopping Centre car park is the only one locally where drivers can charge up.

The plans would also allow areas access to £20m to improve infrastructure such as charging stations and other types of infrastructure.

Brian Morrey, Norwich city council’s executive member for sustainable development, said: “It sounds like a good idea if they are willing to put the money in.”

But he said with council funding tight it would be down to the government to find most of the cash, adding: “I would like to know more of the details because I don’t want it to become another one of these things that’s going to cost us an arm and a leg.”

Marcus Armes, of the Carbon Reduction Initiative (Cred), said he was planning to talk to bosses at UEA, which is developing a renewable power plant capable of supplying electricity to the cars, to see if they would support the idea.

“I don’t think it’s a panacea, but electric cars have really got a part to play - 60pc of journeys are under 25 miles, and there is a lot of commuting going on in Norwich, so it would be a sensible idea for the city,” he said.

Adrian Gunson, cabinet portfolio-holder for planning and transportation at County Hall, said he would be happy for Norwich to look at the electric city idea but feared vehicles would not be viable in rural areas. And he was against banning traditional cars from the city centre.

“Anything that reduces pollution in the city is a good idea and well worth looking at, but for rural areas there are questions about whether the technology has reached the point to encourage people to go to the extra trouble of having one,” he said.

But Rupert Read, Green Party transport spokesman at City Hall said the investment would only work if supported by a “massive shift” towards renewable energy.

The AA welcomed the initiative and said while cities like London and Manchester could be in pole position for the electric city roles, Norwich could also be well placed because it had a car club, where electric cars could be used.

Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon, who took a spin in an electric car with Lord Mandelson, said cutting road transport CO2 emissions was a “key element” to tackling climate change.

“The scale of incentives we’re announcing will mean an electric car is a real option for motorists as well as helping to make the UK a world leader in low carbon transport,” he said.

 From: http://www.edp24.co.uk

2008 Car CO2 emmision figures down 4.2% against 2007

CO₂ emissions from new cars fell by their biggest ever margin in 2008 with the average model now emitting just 158.0g/km - 4.2% less than the 2007 figure and 16.8% down on the 189.8g/km base level in 1997.

The figures, revealed in the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders’ (SMMT) annual New Car CO₂ Report, showed that while the number of cars on the road and the distance travelled has increased, their share of totalUK emissions continues to fall. Cars now account for just 11.5% of the country’s total CO₂ emissions, largely as a result of new technology, improved fuel consumption rates and better consumer awareness.

CO₂ emissions have fallen across all market segments with the larger end of the market making some of the biggest improvements. In addition, increased consumer awareness and changes to vehicle taxation have resulted in a move towards ‘best in class’ choices with most consumers opting to buy a model with CO₂emissions within the bottom quarter of their preferred segment’s range.

“The motor industry has made enormous progress in its work to cut the environmental impact of its products but more must be done if the tough targets set by European legislation are to be met,” said SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt. “Maintaining a steady rate of fleet renewal is vital to this success so the recent fall in new car registrations presents more than an economic challenge. Again, we urge government to implement a scrappage incentive scheme to take older, high-emitting cars off the road and boost the new car market.”

The adoption of the new car CO₂ regulation in December 2008 set a phase-in target for vehicle manufacturers to ensure their average fleet emissions do not exceed 130g/km by 2015. In the UK, there are already 236 models emitting less than 130g/km on the UK market but for the target to be met, an annual improvement of 2.5% per year must be maintained.

For more, please download the full report

£10m Grand Challenge To Make Housing Greener

The Technology Strategy Board is to launch a new £10m competition for innovative solutions to improve the energy efficiency and environmental performance of the UK’s housing stock.

The competition, announced today by Prime Minister Gordon Brown, will invite proposals for suppliers to design and install new high performance solutions to dramatically improve the energy efficiency of houses.

The competition, labelled Retrofit for the Future, will be launched in March. Companies will be invited to bid for contracts to work with social housing providers, refurbishing example buildings and evaluating their environmental performance.

Richard Miller, Low Impact Buildings Innovation Platform Leader with the Technology Strategy Board, said “We have to act now to meet this challenge. The UK has a target for an 80% cut in carbon emissions from buildings by 2050 - yet well over half of the homes we will be living in by then already exist today.

“Current technology does not have all the answers. This demonstration programme will encourage and support companies large and small, giving them fully-funded contracts to develop innovative solutions which can dramatically increase the environmental performance of our existing homes.”

Iain Gray, Technology Strategy Board Chief Executive, said “In the current difficult economic climate, innovation is more important than ever. This competition is part of our drive to help business meet the major challenges of our day and build new markets through innovative technology.’

The competition and demonstration programme, to be launched in March 2009 under the Low Impact Buildings Innovation Platform, will aim to deliver a minimum of 50 demonstration prototypes and will be managed by the Technology Strategy Board in collaboration with social landlords.

For an information leaflet about the competition please click here.

UK’s Climate Change Body To Unveil Emissions Cut Plans

LONDON - Britain’s chief climate change adviser will recommend today how the government can meet tough targets to pare planet-warming carbon emissions, including what role coal should play in the country’s energy future.

In its first report, the Committee on Climate Change will weigh how Britain can meet ambitious goals to slash planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions while taking account of the economic downturn, energy security and volatile fuel prices.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown set up the committee to advise ministers on what his government describes as the world’s greatest environmental challenge.

Britain and other countries say climate change will cause extreme weather, leading to food and water shortages, rising sea levels and flooding and outbreaks of disease.

Energy and Climate Minister Ed Miliband has already accepted the committee’s proposal to sharpen a b

inding national target to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, to an 80 percent cut from 60 percent.

Now the committee chaired by Adair Turner — also head of Britain’s financial watchdog — has the job of advising how the government can achieve this, possibly recommending the end of unconstrained emissions from coal plants.

COAL

Coal is one of the world’s cheapest and most accessible forms of energy, but also one of the main contributors to climate change.

The committee will advise on constraints on new coal-fired power plants which may include attaching expensive carbon-cutting technologies which would dramatically dent coal’s competitiveness.

German utility E.ON AG plans to build a new coal plant in Kingsnorth in Kent, in south-east Britain. Climate protestors scaled the security fences in August in an attempt to disrupt output at an existing plant there, due to close by 2015.

The government wants any new coal plants to demonstrate plans for fitting, in the future, technology called carbon capture and storage (CCS) which traps carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and buries them underground.

The committee may set a clear date for when CCS should become mandatory on such new build coal plants.

Utilities say fitting CCS will cost around $1 billion extra per plant and cut efficiency by about one quarter.

They are also concerned that there will be a power generation gap between 2015 and 2020 which will have to be filled by gas-fired plants, because there is too much uncertainty in the government’s stance on coal.

“Government policy towards coal needs to be clearer and firmer before people will go ahead,” said David Porter, chief executive of the Association of Electricity Producers.

Turner’s group is also expected to advise how achievable is Britain’s target to get 15 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2020 versus 1.3 percent in 2005.

Investors in renewable energy like wind and solar power hope that if the report’s proposals are implemented by the government, there will be more clarity.

“Broadly speaking it ought to be welcome to investors because it should set a playing field against which investments can start to be made with a medium-term perspective,” said Ian Simm, chief executive of Impax Asset Management.

The report comes as 190 countries meet in Poznan, Poland, in Dec. 1-12 talks to review progress in a two-year drive to agree a new global climate treaty by the end of 2009.