Monday, 22 October 2012

In this weeks news...


World's largest Carbon Neutral Fuel Cell Power Plant

Danbury, FuelCell Energy, Inc.  a global leader in the design, manufacture and service of ultra-clean, efficient and reliable fuel cell power plants, today announced the dedication and operation of a 2.8 megawatt DFC3000® stationary fuel cell power plant installation at a municipal water treatment facility in California that utilizes renewable biogas as a fuel source. FuelCell Energy, Inc. previously announced the sale of the power plant to Anaergia, Inc., a project developer and investor. Anaergia is selling the electricity and heat to Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA) under a twenty year power purchase agreement. The power plant is an integral and unique on-site fuel cell application to convert biogas, a harmful greenhouse gas, into electricity and usable high quality heat in a carbon-neutral fashion that emits virtually no pollutants. To read this article in full click here


Carbon credits out of Africa

A DUBBO, NSW, road haulage company has become the world's first to become carbon-neutral - but it had to go to Africa to get its first lot of carbon credits. Steve Fieldus, who owns Transforce Bulk Haulage, wants to clean up his business and show policymakers that road transport can have a lighter environmental footprint. Among other things, he hopes to promote a re-think about lifting the carbon tax amnesty on transport fuels, due to expire in July 2014. Unlike other transport companies' partial emissions reduction initiatives, Transforce has gone "boots and all", using the voluntary Carbon Neutral Program to offset the full 4000 tonnes per year emissions of its 11-truck fleet. Mr Fieldus says this is definitely a first for an Australian bulk haulage operation, and as far as he is aware, the world. But when he went looking for emissions credits, the only places he could find what he needed were Africa, China or India. To read this article in full click here


Harbour Air marks five years of going carbon-neutral

A Richmond-based airline is marking five years of flying the friendly skies carbon-neutral. Harbour Air became the first airline in North America to go completely carbon neutral in both flight services and corporate operations in 2007. Employees came up with the idea, and the now corporate policy keeps the environment at the forefront for everyone in the company, said Meredith Moll. All flights include a carbon offset that is used to mitigate the environmental impact of emissions associated with the flight. Carbon offsets are purchased from B.C.-based Offsetters, which invests in renewable energy projects on behalf of the airline. To read this article in full click here

John Lewis Partnership on target to cut emissions 

By training its buying teams the John LewisPartnership has implemented sustainable business practices and is now on track to deliver an overall 15 per cent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2020. The parent company’s 2012 sustainability report said Waitrose had identified a number of new sites to be included in the retailer’s ‘responsible sourcing programme’. As part of this, the first LED lighting system was installed in its Stratford-upon-Avon site, and other stores will now source all products from long-term, sustainable supply chains, working alongside suppliers in ‘alliance’ to maintain good relationships and deliver best value. By educating its buying teams, John Lewis has embedded new principles into day-to-day business practices, such as purchasing recycled or sustainable raw materials, implementing renewable energy systems and using responsible suppliers. To read this article in full click here


European Commission clears Green Investment Bank

The European Commission (EC) has granted permission for the world’s first Green Investment Bank (GIB) to go ahead, after stating that the creation of the bank is in line with EU state aid rules. Approval has been granted for a period of four years. Established to support environmentally friendly projects that cannot obtain sufficient funding from the markets, the GIB intends to further the UK's 2020 target in reducing carbon emissions and accelerate the development of a ‘green economy’. The Bank is set to begin operations in the next few weeks. Chairman of the UK GIB, Lord Smith welcomed the EC’s decision, saying: “This is excellent news and a very important milestone as we transition to a low carbon economy and work to boost investment across the industry. To read this article in full click here



EU Carbon for 2012 Rises to 5-Week High as Volume Reaches Record

European Union carbon permits for December rose to their highest level in more than five weeks as volumes traded set a record for the contract. The contract jumped 3.5 percent to close at 8.28 euros ($10.87) a metric ton on the ICE Futures Europe exchange in London, the highest since Sept. 7. United Nations Certified Emission Reduction credits rose at a slower pace, driving the EU premium over the offsets to a record 6.70 euros a ton. Traders appear to be betting the European Commission may have some success in dealing with a glut of supply through 2020, said Matteo Mazzoni, an analyst for NE Nomisma Energia Srl in Bologna, Italy. “The market tries to anticipate what’s going on in Brussels,” he said today by phone. “I’m quite surprised to see prices so high.” To read this article in full click here

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