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NewsletterMay/June 2009EBA NewsContentsEBA newsEBA member news Australia news International news Welcome to new EBA members Diary of events EBA newsA delegation of more than 10 EBA member representatives attended the World Business Summit on Climate Change in Copenhagen on 24 to 26 May, hosted by the Copenhagen Climate Council. Australians Tim Flannery and EBA Chairman Robert Purves play prominent roles on the Copenhagen Climate Council - see www.copenhagenclimatecouncil.com. Global business leaders at the Summit issued "The Copenhagen Call" at the close of the Summit on May 26. Click here for the Call. Transcripts are now available of the special address by Cate Blanchett and opening address by Ban Ki-moon. On-demand video is available from all three days of the Summit.
EBA member newsViewlocity & CarbonView name change update Australia NewsAustralia: $4.5 billion Clean Energy BudgetThe 2009-10 Budget contains a $4.5 billion Clean Energy initiative to be delivered through the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism. This represents an investment of $3.5 billion in new money by the Australian Government in clean energy in this Budget. The Budget also contains $14.9 million over three years for the Australian Trade Commission to implement a Clean Energy Trade and Investment Strategy. The Budget includes $100 million for a smart grid energy network as part of a suite of Energy Efficiency measures. As part of the Clean Energy Initiative, the Government is establishing a new body, Renewables Australia, with an overall investment of $465 million, to support leading-edge technology research, development and demonstration projects. It will help bring renewable technologies to market at acceptable cost, advise Governments and the community on the implementation of renewable energies, and support growth in skills and capacity for domestic and international markets. Also under the Clean Energy Initiative, the Government will invest $1.5 billion in large-scale solar power generation projects under the Solar Flagships Program. The Solar Flagships Program will set a target to create an additional 1000 megawatts of solar power generation capacity in Australia. This is three times the size of the largest solar energy project currently operating anywhere in the world. The program will help position Australia to be a world leader in solar power generation capacity. It will support four power generation projects that demonstrate both solar thermal and solar photovoltaic technologies with capacity equal to or greater than a current coal-fired power station. The third element of the Clean Energy Initiative is the Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Flagships Program. The Government will invest $2 billion in industrial-scale carbon capture and storage projects to complement the Government's National Low Emissions Coal Initiative and Global Carbon Capture and Storage Initiative. Through the CCS Flagships Program, the Government will ensure Australia continues to be a world leader in the development of this technology by supporting the demonstration of large industrial-scale projects in Australia. The program will support the demonstration of two to four large industrial-scale projects in Australia, which may include a carbon dioxide storage hub. National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007 The NGER Act obliges corporations that meet certain thresholds to report greenhouse gas emissions, energy production and energy consumption. Corporations that meet the thresholds in 2008-09 are required to register with the NGER Act regulator by 31 August 2009 and to report their emissions and energy information by 31 October 2009. The Compliance and Enforcement Policy is on the web at: www.climatechange.gov.au/reporting/publications/pubs/NGER-Compliance-and-Enforcement-Policy.pdf An NGER fact sheet is available at: http://www.climatechange.gov.au/reporting/publications/fs-ngers.html Contact the Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Office on 1800 018 831 or email reporting@climatechange.gov.au Nominations open for 10th Green Globe Awards Small and large organisations within the public, not-for-profit and private sectors committed to environmental excellence in NSW are being encouraged to make a nomination for the 2009 Green Globe Awards. The Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW (DECC) is calling on nominations from individuals and organisations who can demonstrate significant achievements in the sustainable use of natural resources in NSW and leadership in tackling climate change. Nominations for the NSW Government's leading environmental awards are open until 5:00pm (EST) on Thursday 11 June 2009. Winners will be announced at an invitation only gala ceremony hosted by the Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, the Hon. Carmel Tebbutt MP, at NSW Parliament House on Tuesday 28 July 2009. $29.5m in grants to cut office emissions 20 May 2009. The Rudd Government announced 89 projects totalling $29.5 million from the first two rounds of its Green Building Fund program - to help commercial office buildings reduce their energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. "We predict that these projects will cut greenhouse gas emissions by almost 65,000 tonnes every year," said Innovation Minister, Senator Kim Carr. "Not only is this great news for the environment, it is great news for the economy because these grants will support a total investment of $96.8 million to retro-fit the buildings. The next round of the program will close on 30 June 2009. Further information on the Green Building Fund is available at www.ausindustry.gov.au or by calling 13 28 46. Murray-Darling 'loses 400 Sydney Harbours' www.abc.net/am. A new study shows drought has stripped the equivalent of 400 Sydney Harbours worth of water out of the Murray-Darling Basin. Using data from specialised climate satellites, a group of scientists have found the basin has lost 200 cubic kilometres of water over the past eight years. One of the key researchers, geophysicist Dr Paul Tregonning from the Australian National University, says his team used observations from the Grace satellite mission, which is two satellites orbiting the Earth at about 450 kilometres altitude. "We've applied this to a study of the drought in the Murray-Darling Basin, from which we have actually measured that since the beginning of the drought in 2001 there's been a loss of about 200,000 gigalitres of water across the entire basin," he said. Legacy Emissions removed from landfill Mr Greg Combet, Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change announced the Federal Government has removed Legacy Emissions caused by waste landfills from the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS). The removal of Legacy Waste Emissions from the Scheme has been widely supported by the landfill industry members and in particular, SITA. Managing Director of SITA Environmental Solutions, Mr Eric Gernath said, "This is a fair decision which reflects the common sense view that current waste generators should not have to pay CPRS permit costs for disposal activities of the past." "This decision brings the waste sector into line with all other covered sectors," said Mr Gernath Alice Solar City Consortium The Alice Solar City Consortium is seeking proposals from solar technology providers to develop iconic projects at Ilparpa (south of Alice Springs) and the Alice Springs Airport. Solar technology providers are invited to submit proposals for the projects by Monday 8th June. "The Alice Solar City Consortium is working closely with Alice Springs based renewable energy specialists, CAT Projects, to investigate technology providers capable of constructing a large scale solar power station", says Brian Elmer, Alice Solar City General Manager. "Part of the suite of large scale iconic projects for Alice Solar City, the solar power station at Ilparpa will be approximately 1 megawatt in size." Nation must take account of 'hidden costs' to optimise clean energy efforts The Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) is an independent body of 780 eminent Australian engineers and scientists which promotes technology, science and engineering for a better Australia. Australia needs to take account of all costs associated with alternate power sources as its moves to constrain carbon dioxide (CO2) and other missions in pursuit of climate change mitigation policies. Greater focus on the hidden costs (or externalities) of electricity generation, preferably quantified in monetary terms, will help Australia to gain maximum social and environmental benefit from the portfolio of electricity generating technologies it will use for meeting emission reduction targets. www.atse.org.au/index.php?sectionid=3D128 Liquefied Natural Gas could become a reality for heavy vehicle transport in Victoria 27 May 2009, More than 120 heavy vehicles in south-west Victoria may soon be running on Liquefied Natural Gas as part of a state-first $150 million project. The proposal would bring together industrial gas company BOC, the South West Sustainability Partnership and regional transport companies to establish Victoria's first micro LNG plant. Up to six refuelling stations would be built across the region to establish a commercial pipeline-to-truck fuel supply for heavy vehicle transport. BOC is a member of The Linde Group which supplies compressed and bulk gases, chemicals and equipment around the globe. The company develops safe, sustainable and innovative solutions for customers in many specialty sectors, heavy industry and medical environments. For more than a century the company's gases and expertise have contributed to advances in industry and everyday life, including steelmaking, refining, chemical processing, environmental protection, wastewater treatment, welding and cutting, food processing and distribution, glass production, electronics and health care. www.boc.com.au Green purchasing means green jobs Outdated government procurement polices are stalling opportunities to stimulate the growth of green jobs and protect Australia's environment, a major report released by the Total Environment Centre (TEC) said. TEC Director Mr Jeff Angel said that Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments have a major role to play in encouraging and stimulating the emerging green economy. "By using their massive purchasing power and choosing more environmentally friendly goods and services they can drive change toward more sustainable production methods and the use of recycled materials," he said. The TEC report highlights the fact that despite polices that support sustainable procurement, Australian governments are failing to walk the talk. www.greencapital.org.au, www.tec.org.au By 2050, Australia Can Be "Clean Energy Superpower" By 2050, Australia could be generating enough low greenhouse gas emission electricity to power not just itself, but Southeast Asia and China as well. This would be achieved through building out large-scale concentrating solar power fields, ramping up geothermal power and building onshore and offshore wind farms. DESERTEC-Australia's "2050: Australia-Clean Energy Superpower" provides a visionary roadmap to solving both Australia and Asia's climate change mitigation challenge. Contact rtaylor@desertec-australia.org First Solar to Supply Modules for Australia's Largest Solar PV Installation Project at Adelaide Showground will highlight advanced photovoltaic technology. First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSLR) announced that it will supply photovoltaic (PV) modules to Solar Shop Australia, Pty Ltd., (Solar Shop) for a 1 megawatt (MW) DC rooftop project. The solar power system, installed on six separate buildings at the Adelaide Showground in South Australia, will be the largest PV installation in the country. The rooftop system is being commissioned by the Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society of South Australia. First Solar is the world's largest manufacturer of thin film solar modules. The Company recently announced that it has produced 1 gigawatt of its PV modules since beginning commercial production. In addition, First Solar has the lowest manufacturing cost in the industry, having broken the $1 per watt price barrier by reducing its manufacturing cost to 98 cents. www.firstsolar.com About Solar Shop Solar Shop Australia is the largest provider of grid-connected solar systems in Australia, having installed 25 percent of all systems in 2008. Using quality components sourced globally and locally, the company has helped thousands of Australian homeowner's realise the benefits of solar energy over the last ten years. Solar Shop Australia is now using this knowledge and experience to develop large scale commercial projects Australia wide. For more information please visit www.solarshop.com.au Corporate Responsibility Index (CRI) Awards Senator Nick Sherry, Minister for Superannuation and Corporate Law, presented the Corporate Responsibility Index (CRI) Awards at the 10th National Business Leaders Forum on Sustainable Development at Parliament House in Canberra. The winners were EnergyAustralia (Best Performance), Sensis (Best New Entrant) and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (Best Progress). Overall, the top five companies in order of performance were EnergyAustralia, Boral Ltd, Minter Ellison Lawyers, ANZ and Foster's Group Ltd. The CRI is a strategic management tool designed by business for business, ensuring a systematic approach to managing, measuring and reporting the various impacts that companies have on society and the environment. International NewsRajendra K. Pachauri, IPCC new Board Chairman of IRI Welcome to new EBA membersRedd Forests Pty LtdRedd Forests Pty Ltd was incorporated in December 2008 as a "profit for purpose" business designed to apply commercially viable methodologies to replace activities that degrade or destroy the world's forests. Recognising the value in native forests by using them to store CO2 is a practical and meaningful way of combating the effects of climate change. Redd Forests seeks to acquire the logging and carbon sequestration rights from landowners (including Governments) of native and old growth forests which are under threat from rapacious logging or conversion to monoculture plantations. We calculate the carbon value of these forests both as standing stock as well as their future carbon sequestration potential and then seek to finance that carbon value in the international carbon market either through bonds or carbon credits. Where this value exceeds the income potential from traditional forestry activities we believe it is logical that landowners will turn to protecting their land rather than degrading it. As carbon increases in value as a commodity it naturally follows that protecting these forests will become more financially viable than degrading them leaving logging and the extraction of wood products to existing plantations and plantations grown on already degraded land. Contact: Stephen Dickey, Managing Director, Carbon Depository and Registry Services Pty Ltd. 11 Renfrew Street, St Andrews, NSW 2566, T (61) 421 670 567 stephen@reddforests.com, www.reddforests.com Celtec Engineering Celtec is a leading designer of automatic twistlock systems for securing ISO containers on railway wagons as well as supplier of casting components for railway bogies and wagons. Celtec presents a unique mix of industry knowledge, innovation and technical know-how in combination with personal commitment to meet the markets specific needs and requirements. Celtec is an advocate of changing transport policies and increasing the usage of rail by providing outstanding solutions to support Australia meets its climate change and environmental goals. One of those products is the Flexiwaggon™ it will assist in dramatically reduce the carbon dioxide emissions and create a better future. Celtec Rail, PO Box 452, South Yarra 3141 VIC, Australia. Ph: + 61 3 9827 5755 Fx: + 61 3 9827 5799 www.celtec.com.au Concordia Pacific Concordia Pacific is a Sydney-based law firm, whose practice is focused on pollution issues. The firm has a wealth of experience, both in Australia and internationally, in environmental regulation, including air and water pollution, contaminated land, as well as resolution of enforcement litigation with governmental bodies. Concordia Pacific, Level 8, 70 Castlereagh Street, Sydney, NSW 2000. T: 02 9233 4914 www.concordiapacific.com.au Diary of Events2009 Country Energy Primex, 11-13 June 2009, Casino, NSW www.primex.net.auGreen Capital. The Waste Revolution? 11 June 2009, Four Seasons Hotel, Circular Quay, Sydney, green.capital@tec.org.au 2009 Queensland Sustainable Industries Awards, 12 June 2009. Brisbane Convention Centre, www.epa.qld.gov.au/siawards 2nd Berlin Climate Law Conference. On the Road to Copenhagen: Legal Aspects of the Post-2012 Debate. Berlin. Monday, 15 June 2009. www.lexxion.eu/conferences/climateconf09 Climate and Clean Energy Week, Manila, 15-19 June 2009. Including 4th Asia Clean Energy Forum 2009, Asian Development Bank, preceded by a High-Level Dialogue on Climate Change in Asia Pacific. register online - mms.adb.org:8000/form/event.php?id=22 2009 International Energy Workshop, 17-19 June, Venice, Italy http://www.iccgov.org/iew2009/ Green Building/Green Cities Expo, in conjunction with the China Ministry of Construction's 14th Annual Trade Show and Conference - 18-20 June 2009, Beijing International Exhibition Center. Email info@ecoexpo.com or see www.ecoexpo.com Carbon Markets Asia. Kuala Lumpur 23-24 June 2009. The 5th annual Carbon Markets Asia. www.greenpowerconferences.com/carbonmarkets/carbonmarkets_asia09.html Changing Climate - Changing Laws, Legal Responses to the Climate Crisis, 25 June 2009 The Environmental Defenders Office (SA) Inc in association with the University of South Australia. Allan Scott Auditorium, Hawke Building, University of South Australia, City West Campus. visit www.edosaconference.org.au Wind Power Asia - 8-10 July 2009. Beijing, China www.windpowerasia.com Clean Energy Expo China - 8-10 July 2009. Beijing, China www.cleanenergyexpochina.com The Financial Review Cutting Carbon Conference 2009: Managing business into a cleaner economy. 23 July 2009, Hilton on the Park Hotel, Melbourne. www.afr.com EBA Forum - Wednesday 29 July, Sydney or Brisbane 2009 North American Biochar Conference, 9-12 August 2009, co-sponsored by the International Biochar Initiative (IBI). Boulder, Colorado. Online registration is available at cees.colorado.edu/ibi_2009.html EBA Forum - Wednesday 19 August, Sydney CO2 Introductory Training course: 20 August 2009, Sydney. Point Carbon. www.pointcarbon.com Clean Energy Expo Asia, 16-18 September 2009, SUNTEC Singapore - www.riversymposium.com Climate Change Adaptation Information Sharing Forum, 22 September 2009, Canberra. Call for presentations open until 30 June 2009. Email admin@securityresearch.org.au, homelandsecurity.org.au/files/Events/Climate_change_adaptation_forum.pdf EBA Forum. Wednesday 23 September, Melbourne. Carbon Markets India conference - Mumbai, 29-30 September. www.greenpowerconferences.com/carbonmarkets/index.html EBA Forum. Wednesday 21 October, Sydney. CARBON MARKET EXPO AUSTRALASIA 2009, 26-28 October (TBC), Gold Coast, Queensland co-sponsored by EBA. CSR Asia Summit 2009. Kuala Lumpur 27-28 October 2009. www.csr-asia.com EBA Annual General Meeting, Wednesday 4 November, Sydney. Global Eco Asia Pacific Tourism Conference, 9-11 November 2009. Alice Springs. Towards an Action Plan for Energy Efficient Housing in the UNECE region. The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) in cooperation with the City of Vienna and CECODHAS (the European Liaison Committee for Social Housing) - Second Workshop on Energy Efficiency in Housing, Vienna, 23 -25 November 2009. www.ee-housing.org, www.energy-housing.net UNFCCC, Conference of the Parties COP 15, Copenhagen. 7-18 December 2009. Disclaimer: This newsletter is only for general information and is not to be taken as a substitute for specific advice. We accept no responsibility for any person who acts on the contents of this newsletter. |
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"The Copenhagen Call," a powerful and concise statement that sets out the elements business believes are required to forge an effective new global climate treaty explains that a new global climate treaty must set bold targets for emissions reductions by 2020 and 2050, limiting the global average rise in temperature to a maximum of 2C compared to pre-industrial levels. This requires immediate and substantial action leading to an abatement of around 17Gt versus business-as-usual by 2020. Emissions reduction at this scale will profoundly affect business but the "Call" states that business leaders stand ready to make those changes and support ambitious political decisions that support economic recovery and safeguard the planet.