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abc carbon express is your weekly e-newsletter on climate change issues and opportunities: energy efficiency, renewable energy, carbon credibility and corporate sustainability. |
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Issue 123 24 - 30 August 2010 |
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| Upcoming Events |
- Clean Technology Investment World Asia, Hong Kong August 31 - September 3
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| Greetings! | |
Thinking Green Sprouts
Are decisive elections and Governments a thing of the past? Now Australia is in limbo with a hung parliament, as Britain was a few months ago. But there's some hope that with the influence of the energised Greens and some Independents, climate change action and a carbon price might well be on the cards. It's what Grant King of Origin Energy would like to see, while Giles Parkinson and Ellen Sandell give their views on what's possible.  India is advancing with its climate action commitment and Asia gears up with a clean tech showcase. Small business gets a look in with UK climate policy and green jobs are on the way. Social enterprise shows how it's done for renewable energy, while GE sets out the technology and investment for clean energy distribution. Some US states demonstrate that you can have cap & trade scheme even before the Feds decide to act, while the UN is facing up to improving the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). News of meetings and expos in Asia and Australia for Carbon Trading and Green Buildings, while Earthcheck and Travel Wild get together to showcase sustainable hotels and resorts. Even car service centres are cleaning up their act and the last word goes to greener funerals. To die for! - Ken Hickson |
| Profile: Grant King | |
Origin Energy CEO Grant King is naturally disappointed with both the political limbo in Australia and because there's no definitive commitment for the introduction of a carbon price. A carbon price clearly will cause fuel substitution, from more carbon intensive to less carbon intensive fuels - and that is the one shift that our economies have to make. Canberra might be in gridlock, but that isn't stopping Origin from snapping up enough renewable energy certificates at bargain prices to last them up to three years. Read More |
| A Well Hung Parliament for Climate Policy | |
 It is starting to look like a hung parliament might just be better for climate policy than the majority governments we've had in the past, says young environmental of the year and climate observer Ellen Sandell, while the TheGuardian (United Kingdom) observes that the independent MPs might insist on climate change action as a condition of any king-making deal with Labor or the Liberal-led coalition as horse-trading begins in the wake of Saturday's inconclusive Australian election. Read More
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| Farming, Forestry & Energy in NZ Style Trading Scheme? | |
 The very idea of an ETS, in any form, seemed inconceivable a week ago. But one focused on agriculture, and possibly the energy industry, could be a deal-maker, along with the broadband network. The great irony of this would be that agriculture was excluded from the ill-fated CPRS because the leading farming bodies couldn't get their mind around the matter. So says Giles Parkinson in Climate Spectator. Read More
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| Asia Invests in Clean Tech & Energy Efficiency | |
The Indian government has sanctioned US$6.4 billion to finance climate change mitigation plans,  including an energy efficiency certificate trading mechanism, where standards will be mandated for over 700 industries. If the industries fail they have to buy certificates to compensate. And with Asia emerging as a leading cleantech investment hub, Clean Technology Investment World Asia in Hong Kong next week, promises to attract attention from business through the region. Read More |
| Making Economic Sense of Going Green for Small Business | |
 A survey in the south west of England indicates that 'green energy' jobs could be the key to escaping the current economic downturn. Despite the recession, the number of people employed in the renewable energy sector grew to over 5,000 - a 78% increase. While the UK's Energy Security and Green Economy bill must include measures to help small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) cut carbon emissions, according to a report Making Sense of Going Green. Read More
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| Wind Drives Community Social Enterprise Investment | |
The prospect of a wind farm often generates a lot of heated debate in a community. But in country Victoria, Australia's first community-owned wind farm will begin generating heat of a different kind next winter. Simon Holmes à Court, chairman, Hepburn Wind says "we've unlocked a whole new class of investor - the community social enterprise investor." The report on ABC's Inside Business. Read More |
| Smart Grid & Clean Energy Solutions on Paris Agenda | |
 GE technology available today can be employed to create reliable, sustainable and more efficient energy networks. This is the message from GE to a major event in Paris this week which brings together members from over 80 countries to discuss electrical generation and transmission of high voltage networks. The energy industry is facing some significant challenges in order to deliver upon the European Union's ambitious commitments to fight climate change and promote renewable energy. Read More
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| States Can Go It Alone with Cap & Trade Plus Wind & Solar | |
States don't have to wait for Federal Government to mandate it. A cap-and-trade program already exists in the US. The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) involves 10 Northeastern states and a US$2 per ton on carbon emissions from power plants. Meanwhile, a Nobel Prize-winning US scientist says the world could soon enter an era in which renewable wind and solar power will be the globe's main sources of energy. Read More |
| Overhaul CDM for Carbon Credibility & Environmental Integrity |
 The European Union's top climate official this week called for a major overhaul of the UN's carbon credit mechanism amid concerns from environmental groups. The Clean Development Mechanism "has been successful in some aspects but has also given rise to criticism with regard to environmental integrity," European Climate Action Commissioner Connie Hedegaard said. CDMs and carbon trading are a major focus of the Carbon Forum Asia from 27 - 28 October in Singapore. Read More
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Focus on Singapore as Global Green Building Hub | |
For the first time, the World Green Building Council International Congress will take place in Asia in the lead up to World Green Building Day on 23 September. It is one of a trio of eco-events in Singapore next month to create Southeast Asia's biggest and most important gathering of 'green' builders and property developers ever organised. Meanwhile, Australia is putting renewed focus on greening existing building stock. Read More |
| Putting Green in the Spotlight for Viewers, Tourists & Drivers | |
 In an exciting new development for the sustainable tourism industry, EarthCheck has partnered with Travel Wild to launch a series of television shows that will air on the Discovery Travel Channel, highlighting tourist destinations that have taken sustainability to heart. And the Holden Service Centre Environment Award, sponsored by Double-E EnviClean, is the first environment award to recognise the achievements of car service centres in Victoria, providing leadership to achieve positive outcomes for the environment, waste reduction and improved safety. Read More
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| The Choice is Yours: "The ABC of Carbon" is in digital and print versions |
The price is US$24.95 plus $2 'transmission fee' to non-US customers, so Australian customers see it at US$26.95. The e-book can be purchased and downloaded for viewing/reading on your normal PC. Of course, the printed book is still available from good bookstores around the country and online. Orders for school, universities, libraries and businesses can be made directly through ABC Carbon. Click here to order from Sustainable Insights bookshop! |
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Lucky Last Word on The Greenest Way to Go
 The world's first water cremation centre on the Gold Coast is offering a liquid alternative to cremation and burial, using a process it hopes will revolutionise the funeral industry.
Aquamation Industries chief executive John Humphries says the service, at the Eco Memorial Park at Stapylton, appropriately near Dreamworld, is the first of its kind in the world.
``Aquamation is a more natural, ethical and environmentally friendly alternative to cremations and uses water instead of fire to return a body to nature, Mr Humphries said.
This has been reported in New Scientist and around the world, even in Queensland by the Courier Mail.
In my book "The ABC of Carbon", I've drawn attention to various ways to green up the end of life as we know it, from eco friendly coffins to eternal reefs. There's even advice on how to turn ash into diamonds! Have a look at Funeral Rights and Funerals Recycled. Read More |
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Ken Hickson
Editor, abc carbon express
Director, ABC Carbon
Author, "The ABC of Carbon"
Principal, Carinya Corporate & Commercialisation Pty Ltd Founder, Green Earth Communicators Organisation (GECO)
Governor, WWF Australia |
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