Archive for July 2011
Uk Climate Change Act 2008 Facts
July 30, 2011 | 
Author FACT
“Section 85 Regulations about reporting by companies
(1) The Secretary of State must, not later than 6th April 2012—
(a) make regulations under section 416(4) of the Companies Act 2006 (c. 46) requiring the directors’ report of a company to contain such information as may be specified in the regulations about emissions of greenhouse gases from activities for which the company is responsible, or
(b) lay before Parliament a report explaining why no such regulations have been made.
(2) Subsection (1)(a) is complied with if regulations are made containing provision in relation to companies, and emissions, of a description specified in the regulations.”
Section 416 of the Companies Act 2006 states what company directors must include in their annual reports.
FACT
The Act places a requirement on the Government either to make Regulations dealing with reporting requirements by 6th April 2012 or report on why this hasn’t been done. This requirement is mandatory. It can only be repealed by a further Act of Parliament.
FACT
In January 2010, the environmental think tank, the Aldersgate Group, published an open letter to the Business Secretary for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, calling on the Government to introduce mandatory GHG reporting for all large UK companies as soon as possible. The signatories include over 50 MPs and a diverse range of companies (such as Aviva and United Utilities) and NGOs (such as Friends of the Earth and WWF).
FACT
When the Government does introduce mandatory reporting of GHG emissions, the drafting of the CA 2006 and the CCA 2008 suggests that all companies that prepare directors’ reports would be required to report on GHG emissions. This would go considerably further than current environmental reporting requirements under the CA 2006, which requires only quoted companies to provide enhanced environmental reporting, and exempts small and medium-sized companies from using environmental KPIs.
Opinion
Opinions are varied, in all probability the legislation will come in to being, what we are not sure of exactly, is to what extent it will affect businesses at the small to medium size. If we look at the facts, industry is actually requesting emissions reporting upon itself, we would need to be naïve to think that the government won’t introduce it, it’s just a matter of time. We’ve seen reports from the Carbon Trust suggesting that business still isn’t doing enough to meet our mandatory reduction targets, Lord Turner recently stated that the recent reduction in emissions is actually down to the recession and not anything that industry has done. Armed with these facts, the only realistic conclusion that can be drawn is that emissions reporting will need to be, and will be introduced.
Look out for supply chain compliance, this I believe is what will force the SME market place, infact I know it will as it is currently happening, to look at their actions and to implement a carbon reduction plan.
When all things are considered, we need to be looking at carbon reduction regardless of your business size, if we wait until we are forced, just around the corner, then we can have no complaint, we’ve known about the need to take action for a good few years now, it’s our fault that the government feels the need to force us to take action and reduce emissions.
Business Value of Strategic Corporate Social Responsibility
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is no new concept for companies that strive to achieve and sustain competitive advantage with moral management. If experts are to be believed, CSR will always be a vital part of the corporate agenda, regardless of any serious market fluctuations. According to them, the lack of sustainable business models and responsible behavior is a major cause of the current instability in the global economy. With CSR playing a key role in global business, it has become essential for all companies to integrate this concept into their core business activities.
There are different ways through which a business organization can integrate environmental as well as social perspective with strategic thinking. The primary aim should be the exposure of employees to the effects of sustainability and responsibility on business activities. More companies need to recognize the relation of these factors with competitiveness. Organizations that are willing to maintain a good reputation in the market and are here for the long term must align CSR with their everyday functioning. This is because the demand for environmentally friendly products is on the rise and many consumers are switching over to goods produced by socially responsible companies.
Besides a strong reputation and consumer base, CSR can offer several other benefits to companies. An excellent standing in the market will not only help firms recruit better employees but also attract investors willing to provide finance. Their involvement in activities with the local community will help them generate impressive press coverage. Once the companies realize the wide impact of their business, they can even come up with lucrative new products. CSR can make any business more competitive, thereby reducing the risk of damage to their reputation.
With the advancement in technology, many companies are talking about this innovative concept, through both online and traditional communications. According to a report by the Institute of Business Ethics, organizations with effective ethics policy and strong Corporate Social Responsibility plans, tend to be more successful in the long run. Since vital moral issues will turn into legislation inevitably, companies must ensure that their ethical practices are in place. This should be done in order to avoid high costs of litigation and compliance in the future.
Another One bites the dust
A skip firm has been banned from moving waste after flouting waste laws, the Environment Agency said today (August 19).
Easy Skips (NE) has banned from transporting any more rubbish, after its waste carriers licence was taken away.
Its permit to run a waste transfer station in Hartlepool has also been taken away and the company must clear all the rubbish from the site.
The Environment Agency has also told the company it has just two months to remove all waste from the site.
The decision comes after the firm was convicted in November 2007 of illegally depositing and keeping waste on its site, at Casebourne Road in the town, without a permit.
The company was sentenced in August 2009 – after an investigation to confiscate any profits it made from the crimes – when company directors Kevin Brough and Andrew Benson were ordered to hand over £234,393.
At the time, this was the second-highest Proceeds Of Crime award ever obtained by the Environment Agency.
Easy Skips (NE) was given the opportunity to explain how it would comply with waste laws in the future, but it failed to do so said a spokesman for the Environment Agency.
Environment Agency north east environment manager, Julian Carrington, said: “Over many months Easy Skips (NE) has been collecting waste from people and dumping it at its two sites, transforming them into unsightly mountains of rubbish.
“By revoking Easy Skips waste carriers licence and its permit, we have made it illegal for the company to continue operating in the waste industry.”
How to offset carbon emissions and become carbon neutral
The new era of Emissions Awareness
The world’s leading scientists continue to stress the evidence supporting climate change grows stronger with new research.
Everyday, more people and businesses are becoming aware of the impact of the carbon emissions caused by their everyday activities on the environment. Some people are aware and doing something about it. But a lot of people think doing a little bit is enough. The truth is if you do a little you achieve a little. We need to make deep cuts in carbon emissions and help drive investment in low-carbon solutions.
But what can you do? An increasingly popular option is to offset carbon and become carbon neutral.
Offset Carbon and be Carbon Neutral
To carbon offset is to reduce or stop carbon emissions somewhere else in the world for some of the carbon emissions you are responsible in your daily life. If you offset carbon emissions equivalent to the carbon emissions of all your activities in one year, then you are carbon neutral.
You use a carbon credit to offset carbon emissions. A carbon credit generally represents one tonne of carbon emissions reduced in a carbon project somewhere else in the world.
However, there has been some concerns about the calibre of carbon credits available to offset carbon emissions.
Most carbon offset projects use carbon credits created from trees or renewable projects. While these sound attractive there are concerns about using them as carbon offsets. A third type of carbon credit, a carbon emissions credit from a compliance regulated scheme, overcomes these concerns and empowers you to proactively reduce global carbon emission credits. These alternatives are investigated in the article “What are the alternatives to carbon offset / become carbon neutral”.
A More Meaningful Solution – Carbon Emission Credits
Carbon emission credits work like this. Through a simple and powerful initiative, you access a compliance regulated market to buy and cancel carbon emission credits. Cancelling carbon emissions credits from the limited pool of credits in the European Emissions Trading Scheme means there are fewer credits available to be used by industry to emit carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. You are taking away the rights of industry to emit carbon dioxide.
Fewer carbon emission credits helps drive investment in low-carbon solutions such as energy efficiencies and renewable energy, as emitters can use the money from the carbon credits they sell to fund their investments in low-carbon solutions. They are rewarded for emitting less carbon dioxide.
Carbon emission credits have been referred to as the ‘most pure’ form of carbon emission reduction. We call it the Climakind alternative to offset carbon emissions because it helps ensure your carbon emissions reduction efforts are proactive, high quality and secure.
You help speed up the transition to a low-carbon future.
Making it Simple
You can make a difference
Whether you are a business or an individual you can help reduce carbon emissions.
Help make a difference. Act now to reduce global carbon emissions and encourage investment in low carbon-solutions.
You can have a meaningful impact in the transition to a sustainable future. You can make a difference.
Posted in Climate Change | 
Tags: become, Carbon Accounting, Emissions, Neutral, Offset | 
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Hydropower Renewable Energy – Fossil Fuel Replacement
Approximately ten percent of energy produced in the United States is from hydropower. In this process, water spins in turbines in generators.
Hydropower is one of the renewable energy sources being researched and implemented to replace fossil fuels, which are in the process of depletion. It does not produce carbon dioxide, as coal power stations do, making it a cleaner, as well as, cheaper alternate way to produce electricity. It is also renewable, with the help of rainwater for replenishment.
The impoundment facility is the most common type of hydropower facilities. A dam is built on a large river or lake to store its water in a reservoir. When water is released from the reservoir through tunnels it flows through a turbine. Since the height of the water behind the walls is so great, the released water goes through the turbine with a great force of energy. As the turbine spins, it sets in motion a generator, which in turn produces electricity. The water then travels back into the stream or river below. Networks of transmission lines and facilities carry the electricity from the generator to users in a form they can use. The Hoover Dam is an illustration of the process just described. When it was initially built, it produced enough electricity for the entire city of Las Vegas. As Las Vegas grew, they turned to other energy sources
The pumped storage hydro plant facility is able to store power. It does so by pumping water from a lower reservoir to an upper reservoir during low energy demand periods. When needs increase, the water is released from the upper reservoir back to the lower reservoir for electricity generation.
Hydroelectric plants require a lot of land in order to build a dam and reservoir. This requires a great deal of money, time and construction. There are not many ideal places to put them and most of these have already been taken. The good thing is once constructed; the electricity is free to produce. Due to costs, the tendency will be to put up smaller hydro plants that are more economical.
Hydroelectric plants using dams have a negative effect on the environment. Through the construction of a dam, there is a blockage of the flow from upstream to downstream. This disrupts the migration pattern of fish. Fish can also be killed passing through the turbines. An advantage to hydropower is the ability to control energy release to meet changing demands.
The population is growing and so will its power needs. Fossil fuels are being used up and there will come a time when they will be depleted. We need to turn to renewable energy sources to meet our needs. Natural resources seem to be a natural solution. Hydroelectric plants can meet our power needs without worries of depletion or pollution. It is also the most reliable source available today. Research and development is ongoing to provide a solution to the damage a dam can do. The potential for hydroelectricity is within our grasp and we must find a way to make this work.
Climate Change and Poverty Reduction
Climate change or poverty- what according to you is a more grave issue? Experts believe that one issue cannot be dealt without addressing the other. While climate change has a direct impact on the poor, poverty in turn poses hindrance in combating the effects of climate change. Deforestation and flooding is causing maximum damage to the people in developing nations. It is also affecting the capacity of low income groups to deal with shortage of food and water.
Since the beginning of the century, global temperature has increased by .74 degree Celsius due to the greenhouse gas emission across the world. Climate experts are predicting a further increase of 2 degrees in the temperature if the emission is not reduced in this century. Due to the increase in frequency of natural disasters, people from underdeveloped countries are migrating for their livelihood. Climate change is posing several problems in the reduction of poverty across the world. Poor nations lack the resources to fight such challenges and their heavy dependence on natural resources makes them more vulnerable to natural disasters.
The present need is to adapt climate change into efforts related to poverty eradication. Rich countries should be encouraged to make sustainable investments in poor nations. By giving a fair share of climate adaptation cost to developing nations, rich countries can help them alleviate pressure on water, forest and land. If investments are made for the development of countries such as India and Africa, these nations will also be able to extend their support to combat pressing issues such as global warming and carbon footprint. Experts are of view that climate change is out there and it will continue to create havoc on poor nations. If the present condition exists, climate change will cause more shortage of drinking water and food in the coming years. This will result in negative effects on the health of poor people and a large part of foreign investment will have to be directed towards health care services instead of projects related to climate change reduction.
Home Energy Use: Save on Hot Water
Climate change, the price of oil and natural resource management top the list of concerns many individuals have in today’s fast-paced world. The price of oil has risen in dramatic fashion to reach record levels, peaking in the summer of 2008. Indications are that the high price of oil is here to stay as supply cannot keep up with demand. World scientists have been sounding the alarm bell for over two decades as analysis shows that greenhouse gases are being released into the atmosphere at a far greater rate than the planet can handle. Yet many governments continue to ignore the warnings and individuals either assume it is someone else’s problem or are too lacksidaisical. Natural resources such as fossil fuels and water are being consumed at an unsustainable rate and will likely leave future generations with no resources. With all this going on, what can we, as concerned individuals, do to reduce our ecological footprints?
The place to start is to cut back on home energy use. By doing so, less electricity and/or fossil fuels are generally required thus helping out in a small but necessary way. The first step is to have an energy assessment done on your home by a qualified consultant. The assessment will consider air leakage from your home and other factors such as furnace and air conditioner efficiency. In some areas, government grants are available to fix any deficiencies found as a result of the energy assessment.
Apart from the energy assessment and subsequent corrective actions, there are other ways of reducing home energy use, including reduction of energy required to heat water. Many people are unaware that the act of heating water typically accounts for up to 20% of total home energy use. There are several initiatives that can be taken to reduce your hot water demands, particularly if you have a hot water tank.
The most obvious improvement is to retrofit (or replace) your existing water heater with a solar water heater. In most cases this can be practically achieved with the expectation of eliminating 50% or more of your home energy use due to hot water. The main drawback is the high price of solar water heaters. Recovery of the initial cost can take 10 – 20 or more years depending upon your location and climate.
Another improvement, if not already implemented, is to install energy-efficient showerheads. This can cut your hot water shower use by up to 35%.
Check the insulation rating of your hot water tank. If it is R-10 or less and the hot water tank is located in an unfinished basement (or garage) then consider installing an insulation blanket around the tank. Call a professional if you are uncertain how to install the blanket. Make sure that the hot water pipe is insulated all the way from the tank until it goes up through the ceiling to the next floor. This will keep the water in the pipe hot or at least warm.
If you have a natural gas water heater then you should drain a pail of water from the hot water tank every three months or as recommended by the manufacturer. This will remove sediment that reduces heat transfer and lowers efficiency.
If you have an electric water heater then consider installing a water heater timer. The water heater can be turned on for periods of high use and off at other times. A manual switch allows water heating at any time. For frequently used taps consider installing a local on-demand water heater. This will reduce the waiting time for hot water, resulting in less energy and less wasted water.
Most residential hot water heaters are generally set at 60 C (140 F). There are many advocates suggesting that the temperature be lowered from 60 C down to 49 C. The advantages include less energy use and lower risk of injury due to scalding. The lower temperature has already been mandated in some countries.
Unfortunately, reducing the storage temperature to under 50 C significantly increases the risk of bacterial growth in the water tank, resulting in possibility of Legionnaires’ disease. If you wish to lower the temperature then don’t go below 54 C. The possibility of injury due to scalding can be minimized by following a set routine for turning on and off the hot and cold water and educating children in the safe use and dangers of hot water.
In conclusion, there are many hot water initiatives you can undertake to improve your home energy efficiency. One small but necessary step in the battle against climate change.
Steve Auger is the author of www.blogonsmog.com and the website www.goinggreenformychildren.com.
Scotch Whisky To Energy?
In Scotland, where the whisky is king, a relatively new environmental technology anaerobic digestion may soon partner with the age-old method of distillery to satisfy much of the isle’s energy needs.
Bruichladdich Distillery, located on the isle of Islay, plans to build two anaerobic digesters to convert thousand of tons of yeasty waste into methane gas. The methane gas will then be burned to create energy, with the help of Biowayste, a Northamptonshire firm that has installed five such plants.
The whisky industry’s carbon footprint is thought to be among the largest of all food and drink producers in the world. In addition to the cost needed to ship the heavy bottles from Scotland, the process of distillation is extremely energy-intensive. And in Islay, the thousands of tons of waste created by the industry is shipped to a pipeline at the Sound of Islay, where it’s disposed of in the sea.
Bruichladdich Distillery plans to market itself as a green whisky at home and abroad, and they’ve chosen anaerobic digestion as a natural first step.
We are going to install two anaerobic digesters on our site where the waste will be broken down to produce biogas, which can then be burnt to make electricity. In theory, it could meet all our power needs, says Mark Reynier, owner of the Bruichladdich Distillery.
At least seven other distilleries on the island are considering installing anaerobic digesters. Their combined efforts could in time, supply much, if not most, of Scotland’s energy needs.
âhisky has a very high carbon footprint, Reynier says. We have already cut it by using locally grown and organic barley rather than importing it, and these digesters will bring it down further.
The cost-benefit analysis also sweetens the deal. Reynier estimates that he spends $36,000 a year just to transport whisky yeast waste to the pipeline at the Sound of Islay. The digesters will also supply him with the electricity he needs to power the distillery at least $50,000 annually. Add government subsidies, and Reynier estimates that it will only take three or five years for him to recoup the capital costs of building the digesters.
Posted in Carbon accounting | Tags: Alternative, Energy, Famed, Industry, Looks, Scotch, Scotland’S, Whisky | No Comments »
CSR – What Does It Actually Mean?
More and more business are talking about ‘Corporate social responsibility’, it’s definitely the buzz word of the moment… but what do they actually mean and is it something we all should be doing?
Corporate social responsibility or CSR is a concept where companies consider the interests of society and take responsibility for the impact of their activities on their employees, stakeholders and customers and also the environment.
Organizations take steps to improve the quality of life for employees and their families as well as for the local community and society at large.
Discounted gym membership, cycle to work schemes, childcare vouchers and healthy food in the office are all examples of schemes a company might offer to their employer to make the working environment a better one. A happier work environment makes for happier staff and happier staff are more likely to work harder and work more efficiently.
Companies might also want to help the environment. Shutting down computers at the end of the day, turning lights off, switching off plugs at the mains are all examples of the small things we can do every day in our office. We can also recycling paper and card, drinks cans and plastic bottles.
Corporate social responsibility is not just about what we do in our office and what our employer offers us….it is also what we can give back. Helping out local charities, holding events, taking a day out a year to help a charity, school, youth club or another local business are all ways that we can make a positive contribution to the communities we work in.
Although this might seem like obvious steps that we should all be taking in our offices and homes, the practise of CSR is subject to much criticism and debate. Some critics think that the government should be helping the communities more and that it shouldn’t be up to local businesses, other say that CSR distracts from the fundamental economic role of businesses. Some of these arguments may very well be true but it doesn’t hurt us all to do our bit, and everyone is more likely to help and make an effort if they are encouraged to by their employers. If you are encouraged to recycle at work, you are likely to start making an effort recycling at home, the same applies to being energy efficient.
CSR is being adopted by more and more companies and there is now a huge place in the market for CSR specialists. Many businesses will employ a CSR specialist to come into their work place and help them develop their strategies whether it is demonstrating how they can be more energy efficient or how they can get in touch with and how they can help with schemes in their local community.
Companies Benefit From Energy Asset Management
Data gathered by companies from its energy systems will be used to analyze energy efficiency to help decision makers take action on improving its energy facilities and procedures. With the Climate Registry pressuring companies to reduce energy use, carbon emissions will be reduced to eventually help reduce global warming potential (GWP).
Facilities, companies, municipalities and organizations across North America, its’ states, provinces, territories and native sovereign nations, participate in a voluntary agreement. The Climate Registry works towards a common goal to identify, track and record greenhouse gas emissions. This is an ongoing effort to help in the reduction of global warming.
A key component under the Climate Registry is emissions reporting. This procedure pushes companies to take action in identifying emissions and to prepare methods that would curtail and manage such. Current and future greenhouse gas emissions can be managed, with the goal of reducing the company’s carbon footprint.
Within an electrical distribution grid, energy asset management covers all sources — distributed generation of energy, energy storage devices and renewable energy sources. As constant, real-time monitoring of indirect and direct sources is required, asset management software is indicated as these programs can best handle multiple sources and locations around the world.
In addition to tracking real-time energy use, greenhouse gas emissions from specific energy related assets can be tracked by efficient energy asset management. Included with this are HVAC systems, refrigeration, lighting, vehicle and transport, among many other types of equipment. Energy reduction efforts can be tracked in this way.
Protocols are provided by the Climate Registry to assist in energy asset management programs. These guidelines include an in-depth analysis of asset specific attributes linked to energy use. Automated programs will be very helpful in generating accurate measurement of harmful gas emissions and energy sources. Automated programs will be able to monitor and record hourly energy consumption per asset.
Short and long-term objectives are defined through energy asset management with regards to energy consumption. This reveals opportunity to play from and it will be beneficial to plan ahead of time. The goal is to improve operational performance and reduce energy risk, as energy is a major expense for any company. Energy risk factors associated with design and operation can be identified as part of a comprehensive plan to manage all energy sources.
Elements which create practical opportunities for companies can be combined with any asset management program which can help monitor and save on energy use. Several things are achieved, including energy reduction, cost control and for all environmental health.
Posted in Carbon accounting | Tags: Asset, Benefit, Companies, Energy, from, Management | No Comments »