All of those wind energy projects, all the hot air expended by British politicians and all the promises of meeting carbon emissions targets and what do we see today? A mere 9,000 government buildings checked for energy efficiency are responsible for the equivalent greenhouse gas emissions that are being saved through the country's entire wind energy program.
Most embarrassing of all is that one of the offices involved is that of Ed Miliband, the energy and climate change secretary. His department's head office in Whitehall Place is one of the worst offenders.
So the ministerial pledges run along the lines that the government offices carbon emissions will be slashed by 30% over the next 12 years. When buildings and equipment are so pathetically inefficient to begin with the pledge now rings rather hollowly. Is that part of the plan? Bump up the carbon emissions to disgustingly high levels so that we're now a chance to meet our pledge guidelines?
The 11 million tonnes of carbon dioxide pumped out of the public buildings of England and Wales is said to be greater than the entire carbon footprint of Kenya. Staggering stuff.
The entire story can be read at The Guardian.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Australia's Carbon Footprint 2008
Here are some details about Australia's carbon emissions.
- Australia's net Greenhouse emissions totalled 576 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2006, or about 1.5% of world emissions.
- Emissions in 2006 were 4.2% higher than 1990 levels, despite a 47% increase from stationary energy.
- Australia emits 28.1 tonnes of carbon per person, one of the highest per-capita levels in the developed world and five times more per person than China, due to use of coal for electricity.
- Transport and Energy account for 69.6% of Australian emissions, or 400.9 million tonnes.
- Stationary energy, which includes electricity generation, petroleum refining and gas processing, accounts for 49.9% of emissions, or 287.4 million tonnes.
- Transport accounts for 14% of emissions, or 79.1 million tonnes. Road transport and passenger cars accounted for 12% of national emissions.
- Agriculture created 15.6% of emissions, or 90.1 million tonnes.
10.9% of Australian emissions, or 62.8 million tonnes, come from sheep and cattle, due to gases produced when they digest food.
- Land use and forestry account for 6.9% of emissions, or 40 million tonnes, down more than 70% from 96.5 million tonnes in 1990.
- Carbon dioxide represents 74% of Australian emissions (427.8 million tonnes), methane 20.5% (118 million tonnes), and nitrous oxide 4% (24.2 million tonnes).
- The energy sector is the main source of carbon dioxide (86%), while agriculture is the main source of methane (59%).
- Australia is the world's biggest coal exporter, with coal used to generate about 77% of Australia's electricity. Poland, China and South Africa also rely on coal for more than 75% of electricity generation.
- Australia has the world's largest reserves of uranium and is a major uranium exporter, but has no domestic nuclear power.
- Limited carbon trading already exists in Australia. The New South Wales state introduced a Greenhouse Gas Abatement Scheme in 2003, which forces electricity suppliers to meet Greenhouse targets by investing in projects to offset emissions. The Australian Capital Territory has a similar scheme.
The fact is, Australia is significantly behind the rest of the developed world thanks largely to the govenment's unholy alliance with the coal industry. The sooner those in power showed some balls and actually made some serious decisions about finding meaningful alternative energy sources as a replacement for coal-fired power plants, the more respect the rest of the world might have for the country.
- Australia's net Greenhouse emissions totalled 576 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2006, or about 1.5% of world emissions.
- Emissions in 2006 were 4.2% higher than 1990 levels, despite a 47% increase from stationary energy.
- Australia emits 28.1 tonnes of carbon per person, one of the highest per-capita levels in the developed world and five times more per person than China, due to use of coal for electricity.
- Transport and Energy account for 69.6% of Australian emissions, or 400.9 million tonnes.
- Stationary energy, which includes electricity generation, petroleum refining and gas processing, accounts for 49.9% of emissions, or 287.4 million tonnes.
- Transport accounts for 14% of emissions, or 79.1 million tonnes. Road transport and passenger cars accounted for 12% of national emissions.
- Agriculture created 15.6% of emissions, or 90.1 million tonnes.
10.9% of Australian emissions, or 62.8 million tonnes, come from sheep and cattle, due to gases produced when they digest food.
- Land use and forestry account for 6.9% of emissions, or 40 million tonnes, down more than 70% from 96.5 million tonnes in 1990.
- Carbon dioxide represents 74% of Australian emissions (427.8 million tonnes), methane 20.5% (118 million tonnes), and nitrous oxide 4% (24.2 million tonnes).
- The energy sector is the main source of carbon dioxide (86%), while agriculture is the main source of methane (59%).
- Australia is the world's biggest coal exporter, with coal used to generate about 77% of Australia's electricity. Poland, China and South Africa also rely on coal for more than 75% of electricity generation.
- Australia has the world's largest reserves of uranium and is a major uranium exporter, but has no domestic nuclear power.
- Limited carbon trading already exists in Australia. The New South Wales state introduced a Greenhouse Gas Abatement Scheme in 2003, which forces electricity suppliers to meet Greenhouse targets by investing in projects to offset emissions. The Australian Capital Territory has a similar scheme.
The fact is, Australia is significantly behind the rest of the developed world thanks largely to the govenment's unholy alliance with the coal industry. The sooner those in power showed some balls and actually made some serious decisions about finding meaningful alternative energy sources as a replacement for coal-fired power plants, the more respect the rest of the world might have for the country.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Do the Bubbles From Coca Cola Contribute to the Carbon Footprint?
Is there a point where we can be considered to be taking the whole measurement of our carbon footprint just a little too far? I saw an article in today's paper that asked the question I've headed this post with - Does the escaping carbonation when you open a bottle of Coca-Cola contribute to global warming?
Sheesh, as if we haven't got enough to feel guilty about when we open a bottle of Coke, let alone our contribution to the amount of carbon that is released into the atmosphere by our reckless desire for a refreshing drink.
It is known that Coca-Cola is one of the biggest users of carbon dioxide in the world and that the operations emitted 1.9 million metric tons of carbon dioxide last year. Although it is not known what the figures are for the carbon dioxide that is injected into the beverage, the estimates are that it's larger than the figure disclosed above.
The fact is there are a lot of sodas consumed each year - 60 gallons for the average American, in fact - however, experts assure us that the carbon dioxide released through opening each bottle or can is a negligible part of the world's carbon footprint.
That's a relief - now, as long as the Coke isn't stored in a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) fridge all I have to worry about is the sugar content in each bottle.
Sheesh, as if we haven't got enough to feel guilty about when we open a bottle of Coke, let alone our contribution to the amount of carbon that is released into the atmosphere by our reckless desire for a refreshing drink.
It is known that Coca-Cola is one of the biggest users of carbon dioxide in the world and that the operations emitted 1.9 million metric tons of carbon dioxide last year. Although it is not known what the figures are for the carbon dioxide that is injected into the beverage, the estimates are that it's larger than the figure disclosed above.
The fact is there are a lot of sodas consumed each year - 60 gallons for the average American, in fact - however, experts assure us that the carbon dioxide released through opening each bottle or can is a negligible part of the world's carbon footprint.
That's a relief - now, as long as the Coke isn't stored in a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) fridge all I have to worry about is the sugar content in each bottle.
Consider DIY Wind Power
We’re all keen to reduce our carbon footprint but some of us may be running out of ways to lower carbon emissions. You may already have switched from traditional light bulbs to LED, you may no longer leave your DVD player or television on stab-by when you go out. You may even have converted to solar hot water and have a photovoltaic panel on the roof of your house.
What’s left to try? Why not consider making your own wind power? Even if you already make enough electricity from renewable resources through your solar electricity, you may be able to produce electricity to sell back into the grid. Not only will you be lowering your carbon footprint but you will be helping out others and lowering the carbon footprint of the country.
Residential wind power is not all that prevalent yet, but it’s an aspect of self sufficiency that is growing in popularity, is becoming more affordable and will continue to pay for itself in the years to come. It’s certainly something worth thinking about.
What’s left to try? Why not consider making your own wind power? Even if you already make enough electricity from renewable resources through your solar electricity, you may be able to produce electricity to sell back into the grid. Not only will you be lowering your carbon footprint but you will be helping out others and lowering the carbon footprint of the country.
Residential wind power is not all that prevalent yet, but it’s an aspect of self sufficiency that is growing in popularity, is becoming more affordable and will continue to pay for itself in the years to come. It’s certainly something worth thinking about.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Carbon Footprint Reduction Strategy : Eat Less
Here’s a novel approach to reducing your carbon footprint and, for the majority of us, it will also give you a bonus benefit by improving your health. The strategy is simple: eat less.
The fact is, the more you eat, the larger is your carbon footprint because of the added extras that come with producing the food you consume. Carbon emissions are attached to the manufacture of the products, the packaging that the products come in and the transportation to get them to the store.
As you cut back on the food you eat, along with everyone else’s cutbacks, the demand will be effected which will flow back to a lower production requirement. With less demand to replace food on the supermarket shelves fewer products may be produced down the line.
Another great way to lower your carbon footprint through the foods we eat is by buying locally produced and organic products.
The simple 2 word strategy to combat an expanding carbon footprint could also combat an expanding waistline and will also save you money. How many incentives do you need to help the planet?
The fact is, the more you eat, the larger is your carbon footprint because of the added extras that come with producing the food you consume. Carbon emissions are attached to the manufacture of the products, the packaging that the products come in and the transportation to get them to the store.
As you cut back on the food you eat, along with everyone else’s cutbacks, the demand will be effected which will flow back to a lower production requirement. With less demand to replace food on the supermarket shelves fewer products may be produced down the line.
Another great way to lower your carbon footprint through the foods we eat is by buying locally produced and organic products.
The simple 2 word strategy to combat an expanding carbon footprint could also combat an expanding waistline and will also save you money. How many incentives do you need to help the planet?
Friday, December 5, 2008
Reducing Carbon Footprint by Bottling Wine In Plastic
A few weeks ago we had a look at the carbon footprint of a bottle of wine and saw that one of the contributors to the footprint was the shipping costs. These shipping costs are actually a major part of the carbon footprint of wine in the US because of the geographical position of the majority of the country’s winemakers.
One winemaker, Boisset Family Estates in France has taken a dramatic step to reduce their carbon footprint by choosing to export its Beaujolais Nouveau to the United States this year in plastic. This is a wine that is made to be consumed in the short-term rather than to be cellared.
The wine will be exported in recyclable PET bottles that are sealed with screw caps instead of corks. This will save up to 33 per cent on freight charges but it is the carbon footprint saving that the company is doing this for, with the company emphasising that the plastic bottles weight one-eighth as much as a glass bottle.
Wondering whether the consumer will accept wine in plastic bottles shouldn’t be an issue. The wine industry has been presenting wine in different containers for use from cardboard casks to cans and the consumer has been happy to adapt. Traditional glass and cork has already been largely replaced by the Stelvin closure without too much issue.
Bottled wine represents only a tiny percentage of annual carbon emissions worldwide. Nearly 0.1 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions annually is attributed to the production and distribution of wine, mostly the latter, according to the American Association of Wine Economists. That’s about the amount generated by 1 million passenger cars each year.
One winemaker, Boisset Family Estates in France has taken a dramatic step to reduce their carbon footprint by choosing to export its Beaujolais Nouveau to the United States this year in plastic. This is a wine that is made to be consumed in the short-term rather than to be cellared.
The wine will be exported in recyclable PET bottles that are sealed with screw caps instead of corks. This will save up to 33 per cent on freight charges but it is the carbon footprint saving that the company is doing this for, with the company emphasising that the plastic bottles weight one-eighth as much as a glass bottle.
Wondering whether the consumer will accept wine in plastic bottles shouldn’t be an issue. The wine industry has been presenting wine in different containers for use from cardboard casks to cans and the consumer has been happy to adapt. Traditional glass and cork has already been largely replaced by the Stelvin closure without too much issue.
Bottled wine represents only a tiny percentage of annual carbon emissions worldwide. Nearly 0.1 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions annually is attributed to the production and distribution of wine, mostly the latter, according to the American Association of Wine Economists. That’s about the amount generated by 1 million passenger cars each year.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
NREL Plans a Net Zero Energy Facility
If any organisation can come up with ways of reducing their carbon footprint it should be a place like the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and that's exactly what they are proposing to do with a new construction project that will give them a "net-zero energy" facility.
Plans for a new Renewable Fuels Heating Plant, a woodburning biomass plant, have been unveiled by the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) which will be used to heat NREL’s South Table Mountain Campus laboratory buildings. Among these is the Research Support Facilities building which is expected to be completed in summer 2010.
According to the NREL the biomass heating facility will offset about 4.8 million pounds of carbon dioxide each year. The woodchips that will be used will come from trees lost to the region's mountain pine beetle epidemic and waste wood.
The Renewable Fuels Heating Plant meets Denver's strict state air quality regulations because the combustion process is ultra-efficient, burning fuel with a low moisture content at very high temperatures to the point where they are gasified. The wood gases are mixed with air for complete combustion in the heat recovery boiler. The ash and soot residue is kept to an absolute minimum.
It's a high-tech process that also deals with left-over particulates which normally get emitted into the air. In this case a separator deals with 85% of these particulates which are captured in dual cyclones that spin the dust particles from the gas where they are hurled against the wall of the chamber and allowed to fall into a hopper.
Plans for a new Renewable Fuels Heating Plant, a woodburning biomass plant, have been unveiled by the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) which will be used to heat NREL’s South Table Mountain Campus laboratory buildings. Among these is the Research Support Facilities building which is expected to be completed in summer 2010.
According to the NREL the biomass heating facility will offset about 4.8 million pounds of carbon dioxide each year. The woodchips that will be used will come from trees lost to the region's mountain pine beetle epidemic and waste wood.
The Renewable Fuels Heating Plant meets Denver's strict state air quality regulations because the combustion process is ultra-efficient, burning fuel with a low moisture content at very high temperatures to the point where they are gasified. The wood gases are mixed with air for complete combustion in the heat recovery boiler. The ash and soot residue is kept to an absolute minimum.
It's a high-tech process that also deals with left-over particulates which normally get emitted into the air. In this case a separator deals with 85% of these particulates which are captured in dual cyclones that spin the dust particles from the gas where they are hurled against the wall of the chamber and allowed to fall into a hopper.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
An Inspirational Carbon Footprint Blog - Our Green Year
If you’re looking for dedication to reducing your personal carbon footprint, or at least inspiration, you can’t go past the efforts of Craig and Layla Baird at Our Green Year. So far the blog is up to Day 224 as the choices and ways in which they are going about the task of reducing their carbon footprint is chronicled each day.
Since April 2008 Craig has made daily postings which now serve as a wonderful (dare I say, invaluable) database of ideas that is available for anyone searching for ideas to use to reduce their own carbon footprint.
The blog starts off strongly with Ten Ways To Save The World and continues on as the Bairds scrap the use of plastic bags (Day 3), retire the petrol lawn mower for a push mower (Day 23), swapped the weed whacker for a sickle (Day 85) and detail for 2 days a boycott of companies with poor environmental records – Food Chains (Day 161) and Retailers (Day 162).
Rather than have me pick the eyes out of the site I suggest you make your way over to Our Green Year, but be warned, you will lose hours at this site because Craig writes with purpose, passion and engaging ease. The ideas to reduce your carbon footprint are well presented, widely varied and in most cases, easily implemented.
We could all use this as an instructional guide for our own carbon emissions.
Listed in the sidebar of the blog is the carbon footprint reduction so far. Craig lists the carbon emission tonnage when the blog started and the carbon emissions now. The savings have been nothing short of staggering.
Since April 2008 Craig has made daily postings which now serve as a wonderful (dare I say, invaluable) database of ideas that is available for anyone searching for ideas to use to reduce their own carbon footprint.
The blog starts off strongly with Ten Ways To Save The World and continues on as the Bairds scrap the use of plastic bags (Day 3), retire the petrol lawn mower for a push mower (Day 23), swapped the weed whacker for a sickle (Day 85) and detail for 2 days a boycott of companies with poor environmental records – Food Chains (Day 161) and Retailers (Day 162).
Rather than have me pick the eyes out of the site I suggest you make your way over to Our Green Year, but be warned, you will lose hours at this site because Craig writes with purpose, passion and engaging ease. The ideas to reduce your carbon footprint are well presented, widely varied and in most cases, easily implemented.
We could all use this as an instructional guide for our own carbon emissions.
Listed in the sidebar of the blog is the carbon footprint reduction so far. Craig lists the carbon emission tonnage when the blog started and the carbon emissions now. The savings have been nothing short of staggering.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Government Carbon Footprint Initiatives
Governments around the world are busy coming up with different ways to reduce the carbon footprint in their local or wider communities. Here are a few recent initiatives and suggestions announced over the last week or so that are aimed at reducing the carbon footprint either of the government department itself or the wider community.
In South Africa an IFP Member of Parliament has called on the government to reduce its carbon footprint by phasing out glossy publications. The idea is to make use of eco-friendly printing methods to produce the Annual Report and Strategic Plan documents.
In England there have been recent announcements of a green technology sector stimulus to the tune of £100 for insulation incentives to help home owners improve energy efficiency in their mones. The Town and Country Planning Association welcomed the move. Additionally, the government there agreed to include carbon emissions from aviation in its calculation of the national carbon footprint. Acknowledging the problem is often the first step in solving the problem.
CitiesGoGreen.com has reported that in San Francisco next year, all new buildings and renovation projects in San Francisco will be held to environmental regulation under an encompassing green building rating system design to dramatically reduce its carbon footprint. The idea involves a GreenPoints rating system. The expectation is that the new code will eliminate 60,000 tons of CO2 and save 220,000 MWh as well as a list of other benefits. Story here.
The council at Carmarthenshire in Wales plans to reduce its carbon footprint by 10% over the next three years by making changes to its fleet of more than 1000 vehicles. The first Green Car Day in the county is also going to be held at the Nant-y-Ci Showground with the council proposing to add 2 new vehicles to its fleed, a Volkswagen Polo 1.4 TDI Blue Motion and Totota Prius Hybrid. Hopefully what the article meant to say was that the council were going to replace 2 existing cars with these new ones.
In South Africa an IFP Member of Parliament has called on the government to reduce its carbon footprint by phasing out glossy publications. The idea is to make use of eco-friendly printing methods to produce the Annual Report and Strategic Plan documents.
In England there have been recent announcements of a green technology sector stimulus to the tune of £100 for insulation incentives to help home owners improve energy efficiency in their mones. The Town and Country Planning Association welcomed the move. Additionally, the government there agreed to include carbon emissions from aviation in its calculation of the national carbon footprint. Acknowledging the problem is often the first step in solving the problem.
CitiesGoGreen.com has reported that in San Francisco next year, all new buildings and renovation projects in San Francisco will be held to environmental regulation under an encompassing green building rating system design to dramatically reduce its carbon footprint. The idea involves a GreenPoints rating system. The expectation is that the new code will eliminate 60,000 tons of CO2 and save 220,000 MWh as well as a list of other benefits. Story here.
The council at Carmarthenshire in Wales plans to reduce its carbon footprint by 10% over the next three years by making changes to its fleet of more than 1000 vehicles. The first Green Car Day in the county is also going to be held at the Nant-y-Ci Showground with the council proposing to add 2 new vehicles to its fleed, a Volkswagen Polo 1.4 TDI Blue Motion and Totota Prius Hybrid. Hopefully what the article meant to say was that the council were going to replace 2 existing cars with these new ones.
Monday, December 1, 2008
The Onus On Companies To Reduce Carbon Footprint
A recent survey in Australia has shown that consumers are prepared to pay a little extra for products that are made by companies who are actively minimizing their carbon footprint. This survey covered 1,000 people and the result showed that 85% of respondents had already made changes to their lifestyle in an effort to reduce their carbon footprint. When you consider that 5 years ago just about no-one even knew about carbon emissions or the need to reduce them, this is a very encouraging figure.
The report that this survey was performed for was in L.E.K. Consulting’s Carbon Footprint Report, Carbon and the Consumer: Are Consumers Ready to Pay?
What all of this means for companies is that there will be more of an onus on them to not only become more conscious of their carbon footprint and the emissions produced during their business operations but they will have to demonstrate what they are doing to reduce them. It will also be important that when they make an announcement about the carbon savings they will be making, that they actually follow through and deliver on their promises.
The report has gone on to say that those companies who have done some analysis on their carbon footprint have often been surprised to find that there are many simple opportunities for carbon reduction either in their immediate production or along the supply chain. Finding these simple savings often drives business leaders to seek further changes and so the progression goes.
It will be up to consumers to follow through on their assertions in the survey to favour those businesses that have made the effort to reduce their carbon emissions.
The report that this survey was performed for was in L.E.K. Consulting’s Carbon Footprint Report, Carbon and the Consumer: Are Consumers Ready to Pay?
What all of this means for companies is that there will be more of an onus on them to not only become more conscious of their carbon footprint and the emissions produced during their business operations but they will have to demonstrate what they are doing to reduce them. It will also be important that when they make an announcement about the carbon savings they will be making, that they actually follow through and deliver on their promises.
The report has gone on to say that those companies who have done some analysis on their carbon footprint have often been surprised to find that there are many simple opportunities for carbon reduction either in their immediate production or along the supply chain. Finding these simple savings often drives business leaders to seek further changes and so the progression goes.
It will be up to consumers to follow through on their assertions in the survey to favour those businesses that have made the effort to reduce their carbon emissions.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)