‘Well, at least that clears up the mystery. Over the past year I’ve been fretting over an intractable contradiction. The government has promised spectacular cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. It is also pushing through new roads and runways, approving coal-burning power stations, bailing out car manufacturers and ditching regulations for low-carbon homes. How can these policies be reconciled?’
News Roundup
The rich can relax. We just need the poor world to cut emissions. By 125% | George Monbiot | Comment is free | The Guardian
July 17th, 2009Institute Studies Clash Between Wind and Raptors | Green Business | Reuters
July 17th, 2009‘A new group is attempting to better reconcile high velocity wind power development with its impact on avian victims.’
via Institute Studies Clash Between Wind and Raptors | Green Business | Reuters.
China carbon capture costs worth paying: U.S. energy sec | Reuters
July 16th, 2009‘BEIJING (Reuters) – The huge costs required to capture CO2 emitted by China’s vast coal-fired power sector is a price worth paying to cut greenhouse gases to reasonable levels, U.S. energy secretary Steven Chu said.’
via China carbon capture costs worth paying: U.S. energy sec | Green Business | Reuters.
US, China Announce Clean Energy Research Center
July 16th, 2009‘BEIJING — The United States and China, the world’s biggest greenhouse gas emitters, announced plans for a joint clean energy research center Wednesday as the American commerce secretary appealed to Beijing to avoid imposing trade barriers on green technology.’
And an alarming factoid:
‘If China fails to use more renewable sources, the “amount of carbon
China emits in the next 30 years will equal all the carbon the U.S. has
emitted in the life of the country,” Chu said in a speech to students
at Beijing’s Tsinghua University.’
Wal-Mart index to rate products’ environmental impact | Reuters
July 15th, 2009‘SAN FRANCISCO Reuters – Wal-Mart Stores Inc, the world’s biggest retailer, will announce on Thursday the development of an index that will be used to measure the social and environmental impact of the products it sells in its discount stores.’
via Wal-Mart index to rate products’ environmental impact | Green Business | Reuters.
Global climate deal still possible: Brazil's Lula | Reuters
July 13th, 2009‘BRASILIA (Reuters) – Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Monday that a global climate deal could still be ready by a December summit in Copenhagen despite differences that resurfaced last week between rich and poor countries.’
via Global climate deal still possible: Brazil’s Lula | Green Business | Reuters.
Desertec to develop investment plans by 2012: DII | Reuters
July 13th, 2009‘MUNICH Reuters – The Desertec Industrial Initiative, the world’s most ambitious solar power project, will map out investment plans by 2012 to develop carbon-free energy that could supply up to 15 percent of Europe’s needs by 2050.’
via Desertec to develop investment plans by 2012: DII | Green Business | Reuters.
U.S. makes $3 billion available for renewable energy | Reuters
July 10th, 2009‘WASHINGTON Reuters – The Obama administration on Thursday unveiled guidelines that will allow companies to apply for some $3 billion in government funds to boost development of renewable energy projects around the country, creating jobs.’
via U.S. makes $3 billion available for renewable energy | Green Business | Reuters.
G8 makes scant progress to Copenhagen climate pact | Reuters
July 9th, 2009‘L’AQUILA, Italy (Reuters) – A G8 summit made scant progress toward a new U.N. climate treaty due to be agreed in December with some nations back-pedaling on promises of new action even before the end of a meeting in Italy.’
via G8 makes scant progress to Copenhagen climate pact | Green Business | Reuters.