News Digest 7 – 20 May 2009

EPA lays out biofuel increase plan

The US Environmental Protection Agency introduced a strategy this week to help America reach its goal of having a biofuel supply of 36 billion gallons by 2022. According to the EPA, an increase in renewable fuels will help the nation reduce its dependence on foreign oil by close to 300 million barrels a year, and by 2022 will be reducing greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 160 million tons every year. New categories for renewable fuels were also introduced, including cellulosic biofuels, biomass-based diesel, and advanced biofuels.

Owens Corning products certified green

Several products manufactured by Owens Corning received a “Green Approved” product seal from the National Association of Home Builders Research Center this week, including PINK Fiberglass Insulation, duct liner, and duct wrap. These products contain at least 40% certified recycled material, and another brand of insulation contains a minimum of 20%, and the award makes Owens Corning the first insulation and masonry veneer manufacturer to receive this product approval.

UK to support low-CO₂ vehicle technology

A report out today from the UK’s New Automotive Innovation and Growth Team sets out several recommendations to ensure the industry’s health and growth, including the establishment of a joint industry and government guidance council, and a renewed focus on low-carbon technology. The report suggests agreeing on a technology roadmap for low carbon vehicles and fuels, to make the UK a strong candidate for hosting development of these technologies.

Australia sets pollution reduction target

Australia agreed to cut its carbon pollution by 25% by 2020 if other nations are willing to join it in the commitment this week. In a statement, the environment and business lobby group, Southern Cross Climate Coalition said that this new stricter target gives Australia the best chance of helping achieve an international climate agreement, and that it clears the way for renewable energy legislation that would support investment in clean energy and other low-carbon industries.

US cities fighting climate change

Innovative ways in which 40 of the US’s largest cities are mitigating their carbon footprints are detailed in a new report out this week from Living Cities. According to the report, four of five big cities reported that sustainability goals are among their top five priorities, and over 75% of these big cities already have or are creating detailed plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Nearly all cities reported that they were investing in strategies to boost mass transit efforts, and were hoping to attract green-collar industries.

Obama supports sustainable energy

US President Barack Obama announced several measures last week to support research and commercialisation of biofuels, including the establishment of a Biofuels Interagency Working Group, and allocating additional recovery funds for renewable fuel projects. The group will work to create a marketing development programme for biofuels, as well as working with infrastructure policies that will affect the supply, transport, and distribution of biofuels.

Bill to fund climate change preparedness

A new bill introduced in the US Congress would support the development of an action plan to address the impacts of climate change on the health of US citizens, following the Environmental Protection Agency’s official finding that climate change endangers human health. If approved, the bill would authorise funding to research health effects of climate change and determine which greenhouse gas-reducing behaviours can contribute to public health, as well as support development of training programmes for health professionals.

UK waters could host marine energy

Lord Hunt of the UK’s Department of Energy and Climate Change spoke late last month about a screening exercise that will look at the potential for wave, tidal-stream, and tidal range energy technologies around the coastlines of England and Wales. Hunt said the government hopes to better understand a realistic timescale for installing and commissioning marine energy devices, and will also seek input from developers and utilities about their plans and preferred locations for commercial marine energy farms.

Study: forest tenure important

The regulation system for determining tenure over forest resources will become important for affecting the extent to which reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation could be effective, says a new report from the Institute for Environmental Development. The study says that as more mechanisms for these types of emissions reductions are considered on a global stage, tenure over land and trees needs to be given more attention since forest communities can be greatly affected.

UK debuts smart meters

By 2020, all British households will be fitted with high-tech “smart meters”, which will make Great Britain the first country on earth to undertake such an overhaul for both gas and electricity usage monitoring. With smart meters, readings can be taken remotely and provide homeowners with real-time data on their energy usage and help save money on bills.

GE to open NY battery factory

General Electric announced today that it will be opening a $100 million facility in New York State for manufacturing its advanced battery technologies. The plant will produce a high energy density sodium-based battery for use in GE’s hybrid locomotive (available commercially next year), and will be able to produce about 10 million cells each year when operating at full capacity, creating 900 megawatt hours of energy storage that could power 1,000 of the hybrid engines.

London Array wind project approved

DONG Energy, E.ON, and Masdar announced today that they will invest a collective €2.2bn in construction of the first phase of the London Array offshore wind farm, a 630MW installation that is expected to begin producing renewable energy in 2012. Upon completion, the London Array will be the world’s largest offshore wind farm, producing 1 GW of power and reducing close to 2 million tones of CO₂ each year.

Telecoms lacking sustainable solutions

A new report from Vertandix found that most of Europe’s telecommunications companies fail to offer their customers a wide range of sustainable options, even though they employ internal sustainability measure within their companies. The report also said that by 2010, BT, Deutsche Telekom, Telefonica, and Vodafone could be sustainable leaders within the industry, since they already demonstrate internal sustainability initiatives like carbon reductions and fuel-efficient fleets.

UK sets out industrial biotech vision

A new report from the UK’s Industrial Biotechnology Innovation and Growth Team lays out a plan for fully implementing industrial biotechnology across the UK’s chemical and chemical-using industries. According to the report, industrial biotechnology offers a sustainable and commercially viable mechanism for making the UK less dependant on fossil fuels.

US PV solar array powers up this week

A one-megawatt photovoltaic solar installation will be unveiled today on the roof of the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL, spanning a length of over 500 yards. The new $8.8 million system is the largest rooftop solar installation in the Southeast US, and will generate 1300 megawatt-hours of electricity each year.

UK calls for clearer compost labels

Hilary Benn, the UK’s environment secretary, called on garden centres and retailers to provide clearer labels indicating whether their compost includes peat. In Britain, peat dug up for use in garden composts releases nearly half a million tones of CO₂ into the atmosphere each year, and Benn urged consumers to ask retailers for peat-free alternatives.

Companies develop CO₂ management guide

A group of eight leading companies, along with the University of Cambridge Program for Sustainability Leadership, and Business in the Community, have published a report detailing carbon management practices for suppliers. The guide includes practical tools and strategic advice to help suppliers understand carbon management issues, and take action while saving time and money. Companies involved in the task force include BT Group, EDF Energy, and Marks & Spencer.

TH!NK certified highway safe

This week, Norwegian carmaker Think became the first automaker to receive an EU-wide homologation certificate, which will allow the zero-emission TH!NK City EV to be introduced in all European markets much more quickly. To receive the certificate of highway-safe approval, the vehicle underwent tests for over 40 specifications, including crash performance, brakes, lighting, emissions, and engineering.

US, Japan collaborate on climate issues

Representatives from the US Environmental Protection Agency, Japan’s Ministry of Environment, and Japan's Institute for Global Environmental Strategies met this week to discuss collaboration on key climate change issues affecting the two nations. Representatives from several NGOs were also present, as the delegates reviewed topics including emissions forecasts, economic modeling, land use and change; and greenhouse gas inventories, reporting systems, and trading. The EPA and Environment Ministry agreed to increase collaboration on the Methane to Markets Partnership, as well as on building capacity for inventories of greenhouse gasses.

Coca-Cola launches plant-based bottle

The Coca-Cola company unveiled a new bottle yesterday which is made partially from plants, relies less on non-renewable resources, and reduces carbon emissions compared with petroleum-based bottles. The new bottle is a blend of petroleum-based materials and up to 30% plant-based products from sugar cane and molasses, and a life-cycle analysis from Imperial College London found that the bottles offer reduced carbon emissions of up to 25% compared to petroleum-based PET.