Waves of Renewable Energy Investment

Carnegie Wave Energy has pushed the button to build the first commercial wave energy project in Australia, while BP has signed a deal with Carbon Conscious to plant 10 million trees in Australia’s wheat belt. And industry superannuation funds have launched a A$1 billion-plus Clean Energy Fund to take a big stake in Pacific Hydro for renewable energy developments.

Rachel Donkin, in The West Australian (15 October 2009):

Carnegie Wave Energy has pushed the button to build the first commercial wave energy project in Australia.

The renewable energy hopeful, which has been working to commercialise its CETO renewable wave energy technology developed by Fremantle inventor Alan Burns, confirmed it would use a A$12.5 million grant from the State Government’s Low Emissions Energy Development Fund to help finance the 5MW project off Garden Island.

The project will produce enough power for 3500 homes, and Carnegie said yesterday it would create 30 jobs and save more than 500,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions over its lifetime.

In January, Carnegie announced a memorandum of understanding with the Defence Department to assess the feasibility of powering the department’s Garden Island operations. It has also conducted feasibility studies at other sites off WA as well as off the Victorian and South Australian coast over the past 12 months.

The group, which has also been shortlisted for a grant from the Federal Government’s $435 million Renewable Energy Demonstration Program, hopes to build a second, 50MW project which would produce enough electricity for 30,000 homes.

Carnegie shareholders last week signed off on a deal to buy the global rights to the CETO technology from AIM-listed shareholder Renewable Energy Holdings, of which Mr Burns is a director.

Shares in the West Perth-based group gained 1¢ to 23¢ at 12.33pm.

Source: www.au.news.yahoo.com and www.carnegie.com.au

Mathew Murphy in The Age (14 October 2009):

Petroleum giant BP has signed a deal to plant 10 million trees as part of a large scale bio sequestration project in Australia’s wheat belt.

The deal, struck with Perth-based Carbon Conscious, will see BP pay the Australian Securities Exchange-listed company $2.5 million plus licensing fees to plant Mallee Eucalypt trees across Australia over a 15-year period starting next year.

BP and Carbon Conscious will share in the value of the carbon offsets. BP has the added option of investing further for plantings in 2011 and 2012 once the Federal Governments Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme is finalised.

It comes three months after Carbon Conscious signed a deal worth up to $170 million with Origin Energy to plant millions of trees on less viable agricultural land in return for carbon permits.

Rajeev Suri, BPs regional director of emissions offsets, said the deal with Carbon Conscious was in a bid to secure capacity in the Australian carbon forest sink industry.

“We see this contract as potentially the initial stage or pilot of what could be a very significant part of BPs carbon management in Australia”, he said. This deal offers BP an investment structure and additional environmental benefits and it provides the foundation for an ongoing and mutually beneficial relationship with Carbon Conscious.

Source: www.theage.com.au

Rod Myer in Sydney Morning Herald (14 October 2009):

AUSTRALIA’S industry superannuation funds have launched a $1 billion-plus Clean Energy Fund that plans to take a big stake in Pacific Hydro and support future renewable energy developments.

Garry Weaven, chairman of Industry Funds Management, an umbrella management group for 36 industry super funds, said investors were being offered a substantial stake in Pacific Hydro through the new Clean Energy Fund. Industry Funds Management put up to 49 per cent of Pacific Hydro up for sale last month, managed by investment bank Lazard.

Initially it was expected the Pacific Hydro stake, valued at about $1 billion, would be taken up by foreign investors or those from the Australian power industry such as AGL and Origin Energy.

However, the move to launch the Clean Energy Fund means the asset could stay wholly or largely in the hands of the industry funds sector.

Mr Weaven said international investors would be influential in the Pacific Hydro sale regardless of the ultimate outcome. ”The global players will tend to set the price I think.” However, a range of Australian industry and public sector super funds which ”don’t have size to be large-scale direct equity investors but have a desire to be investors in renewable energy” would be able to buy in through the new fund, he said. The sale is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year.

Industry Funds Management put the Pacific Hydro stake on the market to help fund the renewable energy producer’s rapid growth plans. ”The company has got bigger and the project pipeline has got bigger and our capacity to keeping the funding up to it has been severely tested,” Mr Weaven said.

In 2005, after a bidding war with the Spanish infrastructure group Acciona, Industry Funds Management bought the 68 per cent of Pacific Hydro it did not own. Its final bid valued the company at about $950 million. At the time, Mr Weaven said IFM ownership would allow much faster growth because of the super fund’s massive and guaranteed annual inflows and its lack of a need to pay dividends to investors.

Pacific Hydro has invested $1.5 billion in Chile in recent years, including raising $200 million from the debt markets at the height of the global financial crisis.

That reflected the attractiveness of renewable energy investments to world markets, driven by the limited supply of good projects and regulatory support for the sector, Mr Weaven said.

The adoption of a 20 per cent renewable energy target in Australia and growth in the Chilean economy is expected to double Pacific Hydro’s generation capacity in both countries in the next few years.

Source: www.smh.com.au

Five Climate Change Champion Projects

Environment Business Australia’s CEO Fiona Wain has proposed that all countries develop a ‘five project’ approach alongside targets and timelines to deal with climate change, thereby recognising, championing and investing in the value that post-carbon economies offer.

By Fiona Wain, CEO of Environment Business Australia in the Gold Coast Business News (October 2009):

The challenge of climate change is immense. Combined with other converging economic and security issues, such as peak oil or ocean acidification, the problems can appear overwhelming. But according to the CEO of Environment Business Australia (EBA) Fiona Wain, it’s exactly why now is the time that Australia should be recognising, championing and investing in the value that post-carbon economies offer.

ENVIRONMENT Business Australia has proposed to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and the United Nations that each country develops a ‘five project’ approach alongside targets and timelines.

This has evolved from concerns here in Australia and internationally that what is on the drawing board to curb and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions is too little, too late to avoid an average global temperature increase of two degrees Celsius or more.

Climate scientists are saying that the ‘peak’ in atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases will be with us for the next 1000 years. Time is of the essence if we are globally to peak at the lowest possible concentration.

At EBA we believe there is commercial opportunity in this commercial project approach — in 2008 the global value of the low carbon and environmental goods and services sector was more than $6 trillion (UK Government report on low carbon and environmental goods and services sector) and recently the clean-tech market has surpassed IT.

Tackling climate change and re-establishing value in the global economy go hand in hand. Australia is better positioned than any other country to take an economic development perspective on tackling climate change because of our vast resources and stable economy.

By showing that an energy intensive economy can make the transition to new markets, Australia will open up new opportunities and can help developing countries at the same time. It’s not a question of either or.

But for solutions to be deployed in time and at sufficient scale requires a sensible price for carbon and regulated targets, timelines and standards for greenhouse gas emissions reduction. Without these key drivers and incentives it is unlikely that solutions will be unleashed quickly enough.

Corporate Australia must build new value and resilience into the economy. That is what will be on show and up for discussion at Carbon Market Expo on the Gold Coast from October 26-28.

I encourage everyone to participate in Carbon Market Expo, it is Australia’s biggest think tank and showcase of solutions where investors, bankers, consultants, policy makers, project developers and technology companies openly exchange cutting edge ideas and compare the benefits of new action. This compares with approaches that have been in use for many decades and have benefited from ‘artificially deflated prices’.

Negative impacts on society and the environment need to be properly priced if big visions and new technologies are to take their place in the market.

Last year’s event attracted more than 1100 people from 27 countries and in spite of the global financial crisis, participants have told us that millions of dollars of in deals were negotiated nationally and internationally because of contacts made at Expo.

This year sees fraught negotiations internationally in the lead up to the Copenhagen meeting in December. In Australia there is still much work to be done to get the emissions trading scheme passed in the Senate and the Waxman-Markey Bill still has to pass the US Senate. So this year’s Carbon Market Expo comes at a critical time in the decision-making process and points to ways that the market can help governments deliver real outcomes.

Five projects for Australia

1.         Energy, resources and materials efficiency –  implement systemic and economy-wide energy efficiency programs

2.         Major renewable energy projects linked  with a smart and HVDC grid – position  Australia as a regional hub for minerals  processing, manufacturing and electricity  supply using solar thermal, geothermal,  marine and wind energy that also provides base load electricity

3.         Drawdown ‘legacy’ carbon from the atmosphere – create terrestrial and biological carbon sinks to draw ‘legacy’ CO2 from the atmosphere, rebuild degraded soils and  improve agricultural productivity

4.         Capture and use CO2 emissions from large point-sources such as coal-fired power plants – with algae photosynthesis CO2 can be  turned from a pollutant waste into a valuable feedstock for biodiesel, animal meal, and fertiliser

5.         Smarter cities and better transport systems  – commercial scale roll-out of electric vehicle technology and re-development of public  transport systems; energy efficiency  standards for new commercial building and  retrofits.

Source: www.goldcoastbusinessnews.com.au and www.environmentbusiness.com.au

 It Takes Brains to be Energy Efficient

Since its launch last month, Australia’s Little Green Genie has won customers in 39 countries and has started a computer reseller program, which allows computer manufacturers, resellers and recyclers to sell carbon neutral equipment. And a study published in Science Journal reveals that our brains have the amazing ability to be energy efficient.

The creators of software that automatically purchases carbon credits to offset a computer’s emissions have extended a challenge to businesses to play a major part in cutting carbon emissions worldwide.

The Zero Carbon Computing Challenge (ZCCC), launched by the creators of the Little Green Genie, are encouraging businesses to spread the word about zero emissions computing in a bid to try and lower a portion of global carbon emissions.

Entrants in the ZCCC offset the emissions created through the manufacture and use of their computers, making them a zero carbon computer user. They then promote their own online competition page to their network that then take up the challenge to do the same.

Every company (and person) who offsets through an entrant’s page is then added to their carbon total allowing them to compete with others from around the world.

Australian politicians have already come out in support of the challenge including Queensland Climate Change and Sustainability Minister Kate Jones and Federal Shadow Minister for Climate Change Greg Hunt.

Ms Jones says the Queensland Government supports businesses that are making sustainable choices, because reducing our carbon footprint is everyone’s responsibility.

“The Zero Carbon Computer Challenge is a great way for companies to compete against each other for the title of ‘greenest’ computer user within their network,” Ms Jones says.

Spokesperson for Little Green Genie James Skinner says the challenge is a great way for industry sectors, companies and individuals to compete against each other to vie for the title of the most green computer user within their network.

“With two typical Internet searches using the equivalent energy of boiling an electric kettle (according to a Harvard University study) the benefits eclipse the small financial annual outlay,” Mr Skinner says.

“Computers, which are now critical to personal and business communications worldwide, account for around five percent of the world’s total carbon emissions, which is about the same as the airline industry.

“We believe some healthy competition between individuals and organisations is a great way to get the message across, and already we have major companies such as Audi on board.”

Little Green Genie is part of a growing number of social entrepreneur businesses that recognise a social problem and uses entrepreneurial principles to organise, create and manage a venture to make social change.

Enquiry about the program has already been received from over 78 countries including Bangladesh, Slovenia and Lebanon, with subscribers already on board from 39 countries, proving the broad international appeal of carbon offset initiatives.

As computers become more and more crucial to the running of our everyday lives, Mr Skinner sees the LGG as an excellent opportunity to keep the green message in front of people’s faces.

“We’re already seeing other by-products of the initiative such as users reporting that the program is causing them to look at improving their environmental behaviours in other parts of their life,” Mr Skinner says.

“The ZCCC will only further bolster the importance of the zero emissions message, whilst reinforcing the fact that we can all do something to help the planet.”

Source: www.littlegreengenie.com and www. zerocarboncomputing.com

Brain power goes green

Our brains, it turns out, are eco-friendly. A study published in Science and reviewed by F1000 Biology members Venkatesh Murthy and Jakob Sorensen reveals that our brains have the amazing ability to be energy efficient.

Brain cells generate and propagate nerve impulses, or action potentials, by controlling the flow of positive sodium and potassium ions in and out of the cells. Re-establishing the ion equilibrium after an action potential requires energy.

The amount of energy needed for action potentials was previously estimated using a giant nerve cell from squid. Now, researchers at the Max-Planck Institute for Brain Research in Germany show that squid cell studies overestimated the amount of energy necessary to generate an action potential by almost a factor of four, suggesting human brains have the same potential to be energy efficient.

The researchers used a novel technique to record the voltage generated by nerve cells to “show that a rather subtle separation between the timing of sodium entry and potassium exit during action potentials can determine how much energy is expended to maintain the ionic gradients,” Murthy says.

Murthy goes on to say that “[these results] are important, not just for a basic understanding of brain metabolism, but also for interpreting signals detected by non-invasive brain imaging techniques.” Sorensen concludes that “the amazing thing is that we didn’t realize the result a long time ago!”

Source: www.eurekalert.org

Getting Houses & Ships Out of Hot Water

Global leader in the manufacture and distribution of renewable energy systems, Conergy is the first supplier to sign on to the Queensland Solar Hot Water Program – a key component of Queensland’s Renewable Energy Plan, while cutting CO2 emissions from ships will be easier and more profitable following the launch of The Funnel Exchange, a new carbon program for the international shipping industry.

Funnel seeks to exchange maritime carbon rights

Cutting CO2 emissions from ships will be easier and more profitable following the launch of The Funnel Exchange, a new carbon program for the international shipping industry.

Funnel Exchange Manager, Mr. Guy Lane, says that any technology that reduces a ship’s CO2 emissions may create saleable carbon rights.

Innovative technologies such as solar and wind assisted propulsion systems and techniques to reduce drag, not only reduce bunker consumption, but also deliver carbon savings.

The benefit of reducing bunker costs is well understood, however, until now, the financial value associated with the carbon savings has not been fully developed.

Using a proprietary methodology, Funnel seeks to purchase the rights to maritime carbon savings and convert them into saleable carbon credits.

These carbon credits are then made available to counteract the CO2 emissions from other ships – a process called voluntary carbon offset. 

“The parties that purchase Funnel carbon offset will be those who wish to develop capacity in carbon management, fulfil CSR obligations, or can see the marketing advantages of a carbon-neutral supply chain,” said Mr. Lane.

“In the shipping industry, there are pioneers developing innovative projects that deliver significant reductions in carbon emissions, plus, there are shippers seeking to reduce the carbon footprint of their cargoes.

“By connecting these two parties together, The Funnel Exchange rewards shipping innovators, provides a much needed carbon solution, and keeps the carbon financial resources within the shipping industry,” he said.

Following intensive industry-wide discussions, Funnel is on track to complete the first full-cycle transaction ahead of the UNFCCC meeting in Copenhagen in December.

The Funnel Vision is for international shipping to be carbon neutral by 2014 and fossil fuel free by 2019. 

Source: www.funnelexchange.com

Conergy Australia appointed to Queensland Solar Hot Water Program

Managing Director of Conergy Australia, Rodger Meads, has applauded the Queensland Government’s implementation of the Solar Hot Water Program which aims to support householders to install up to 200,000 solar hot water systems over the next 3 years.

“As a global leader in the manufacture and distribution of renewable energy systems, Conergy is proud to be the first supplier to sign on to the Queensland Solar Hot Water Program – a key component of Queensland’s Renewable Energy Plan,” Mr Meads said.

“We anticipate major growth within the Queensland solar hot water market and huge public interest as the Queensland Government’s Program will make it easier for households to reduce their carbon emissions and save real money.

“This appointment is certainly encouraging for Conergy’s continued growth and expansion in Australia, and in Queensland in particular,” Mr Meads said.

The Queensland Government have stated that this program is one of the largest and most complex industry transformation projects of its kind.

Queensland Energy Minister Stephen Robertson said “I thank Conergy for their support. It is through their innovation and vision in joining with the government that the solar industry has taken another step forward.”

“Under the Program, eligible participants will have access to a solar water heater at a more affordable price than what is currently available on the market,” Mr Meads said.

The Program encourages the replacement of energy intensive electric storage hot water systems with greenhouse friendly solar water heaters.

Installing a solar water heater will offer households’ energy savings of up to 25 per cent and cut household greenhouse gas emissions by up to 30 per cent every year.

“Already 40,000 Queenslanders have registered their interest in the program, which will make a considerable difference to the environment and their family budget – given that around 27% of electricity used in the average Queensland household is for heating water,” Mr Meads said.

Traditional hot water systems have been one of the highest single energy users and greenhouse gas contributors in Queensland homes.

Conergy AG is one of the leading solar enterprises in Europe, and with over 70,000 solar systems installed also a global market leader in the field of solar system integration. Listed since 2005 on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, the group pursues a global growth strategy: it produces, installs and plans solar systems for its customers in more than 20 countries. The Conergy Group is represented by branch offices on five continents.

Conergy Australia supplies a broad range of solar thermal, grid connect & off grid solar as well assmall wind power solutions for individual homes, small community projects or large commercial and industrial applications through a dedicated network of professional installers and dealers. With head office in Sydney and other sales and warehouse facilities located in Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth Conergy Pty Ltd offers the biggest range of quality renewable energy products through its comprehensive dealer and installer network around Australia.

Source: www.conergy.com.au

Allies To Make Energy Saving Count

As many Australians were already taking steps to reduce their own carbon emissions, these cuts should be made in addition to any cap set under a proposed carbon pollution reduction scheme (CPRS), while a group of organisations committed to progressing energy efficiency in Australia have created a new Australian Alliance to Save Energy (A2SE) modelled on the US-based Alliance to Save Energy. In addition, the Pew Center focuses on corporate energy efficiency.

The commitment of nearly a million households who voluntarily buy green power or install solar panels to reduce their emissions needs to be better recognised in the design of a national emissions trading scheme.

Clean Energy Council chief executive Matthew Warren said many Australians were already taking steps to reduce their own carbon emissions and these cuts should be made in addition to any cap set under a proposed carbon pollution reduction scheme (CPRS).

“Many Australians voluntarily buy green power and install solar panels because they want to make a difference to Australia’s carbon emisisons. The danger is that the CPRS in its current form does not reflect the importance of these actions and properly account for them, eroding the incentive for customers to purchase clean energy,” he said.

GreenPower has been an important driver of additional renewable energy deployment since its introduction in 1997. The government’s current proposal only acknowledges voluntary GreenPower purchases above a baseline of 2009 sales, with a five year time lag in the tightening of caps.

Mr Warren said the CPRS cap should be tightened each year according to the amount of clean energy bought or generated by these consumers, regardless of the 2009 baseline. 

Mr Warren said further delays to the CPRS only served to increase uncertainty for businesses and investors.

“There is a lot of uncertainty in the clean energy sector at the moment as businesses watch and wait for clarity on the shape of the carbon market in Australia,” Mr Warren said.

“The CPRS is not perfect, but let’s get a system in place as soon as possible and we can improve it as we go.  The renewable energy target (RET) was a great example of collaboration between the two major political parties, but we need an emissions trading scheme to recognise the environmental cost of energy and drive instment in clean technology.

“We would like to see more of the bipartisan spirit that was evident in the passage of the RET to help address one of the defining challenges of this generation.”

The clean energy industry also wants to see a significant proportion of the revenue from the auction of carbon permits reinvested in research, development and demonstration for renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies, including infrastructure and grid upgrades.

For media enquiries please call Mark Bretherton +61 413 556 981

The Clean Energy Council, the peak body for the clean energy sector, is working with all Australian governments to ensure a secure and diversified energy sector; a reduction in energy waste including the take up of solar water heating and insulation and more clean energy sources in our stationary energy mix from solar, wind, geothermal, hydro, wave, bioenergy and gas.

Source:  www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au

A group of organisations committed to progressing energy efficiency in Australia have created a new Australian Alliance to Save Energy (A2SE) to further their shared goal of cost-effective greenhouse gas reductions through smarter energy use.

The new alliance is modelled on the US-based Alliance to Save Energy. The two alliances recently signed a memorandum of understanding stating their recognition “that Australia needs a stronger voice for energy efficiency that can advance the case for saving energy through nonpartisan, collaborative work”.

“Improving energy efficiency to cost-effectively reduce greenhouse emissions is a goal shared by all sides of government and many business leaders in Australia,” said A2SE interim CEO Mark Lister.

“A²SE is being formed because, despite this near universal recognition, the enormous potential of energy efficiency still lacks profile in the debate.”

Planned A²SE activities will include research, outreach activities, and the facilitation of stronger partnerships for energy efficiency, demand management and distributed energy activities among government, industry and the community.

Alliance to Save Energy President Kateri Callahan said “We are eager to work with the A²SE to raise the profile of energy efficiency in Australia, to advance energy efficiency in both of our countries, and to help address climate change, energy security and economic well being around the world.”

Private and public entities already involved in discussions on the formation of A²SE include members of the Australian business community, including Siemens and Schneider Electric, Australian government officials, members of Australia’s Federal Parliament from both sides of the house, and foundation representatives.

Australia’s Environment Minister Peter Garrett and Shadow Minister Greg Hunt both signed an endorsement letter for the formation of the new organisation in July. The A²SE plans to outline its program of first year activities and formally launch in November.

The new organisation’s website is already up and running.

The A2SE will follow the same model as the US Alliance to Save Energy – a coalition of business, government, environmental, and consumer leaders working together to inform and promote the efficient use of energy

Source: www.ecogeneration.com.au and www.a2se.org.au

About the Project

The Pew Center’s Corporate Energy Efficiency project is a multi-year research and communications effort to identify and highlight the most effective methods used by companies today to reduce their energy consumption and lower their related greenhouse gas emissions. The Pew Center will publish a report in early 2010 summarizing key findings, and additional materials will be posted on this web site. The project is funded by a three-year, $1.4 million grant from Toyota.

Particular emphasis is given to management approaches that companies have implemented to improve their energy performance across five categories: Internal Operations; Buildings; Supply Chains; Products and Services; and Cross-cutting Issues.

Project Activities

Project activities include a survey on corporate energy efficiency strategies, workshops, a comprehensive report, major conference, and this web portal to continuously inform on corporate energy efficiency strategies. To help guide the overall research effort, the Pew Center assembled an 11-member expert advisory committee.

About the Survey

In early 2009, the Pew Center distributed a 65-question survey to nearly 100 leading companies. The survey was designed to gather key quantitative data, identify trends, and gauge current activities in corporate energy efficiency.

About the Workshops

To help inform the report, the Pew Center held four workshops of its Business Environmental Leadership Council (BELC). The workshops brought together presenters from leading companies to discuss their efforts on different aspects of energy efficiency: Internal Operations and Facilities, Supply Chains, Products and Services, and Integrated Approaches.

About the Report

In April 2010, the Pew Center will publish a comprehensive report on best practices in corporate energy efficiency strategies. The report will summarize key findings from the survey and workshops, and will also feature six in-depth case studies of particularly effective company programs. The report is being authored by William R. Prindle, vice president at ICF International.

About the Conference

The Pew Center will release the report at a major conference in Chicago, April 6-7, 2010. Please check back for details on the conference, as well as additional events that will take place following April 2010. 

About the Web Portal

This web site is intended to be a portal to the best information available on corporate energy efficiency strategies. This is a compilation of resources for business leaders, policy makers, journalists and others interested in learning more about corporate energy efficiency. The web portal features a searchable database of energy efficiency strategies undertaken by companies in the Pew Center’s BELC, energy efficiency resources by topic, and information on relevant external reports, news and events. 

Source: www.pewclimate.org

 24 October – Day of Climate Action

More than 160 events – from a concert on the Sydney Opera House steps and divers on the Great Barrier Reef – are planned as part of Australia’s participation in the 350.org International Day of Climate Action on 24 October. “The ABC of Carbon” shares the stage with “The Age of Stupid”.

160 Australian events planned in all states and territories for 350.org International Day of Climate Action

More than 160 events – from a concert on the Sydney Opera House steps and divers on the Great Barrier Reef to a mass bike ride in Melbourne and 350 Frisbees being tossed simultaneously in Brisbane – are planned as part of Australia’s participation in the 350.org International Day of Climate Action on 24 October.

Australia’s will join thousands of people and organizations in more than 150 countries aimed at

providing a public voice in the call for strong climate action at the next crucial United Nations

meeting in December in Copenhagen.

With the majority of expert scientists now calling for a reduction emissions from our current 385 parts per million (ppm) to 350 ppm, 350.org is calling for our political leaders to agree on a target of 350 ppm of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere.

By virtue of our time zone, the keystone Australian event at the Sydney Opera House will kick

off the global movement, followed by over 1,800 events around the world.

“Australian’s have really taken up the 350.org call with more than 155 events in the works in

communities across the country,” said 350.org CEO Blair Palese. “We are working with a wide

range of local, environmental, student and business groups who want to add their voices to the

call for a move to 350 ppm as we head toward Copenhagen.”

Some of the events taking place on 24 October around Australia include:

• Sydney ‐ Human spelling out of 350.org on the steps of the Sydney Opera House with expert speakers – ABC’s Robyn Williams and climate scientist Ann Henderson‐Sellers – music by Felix Riebl of the Cat Empire, The Beautiful Girls and the choir Café at the Gates of Salvation, 2PM.

• Sydney Harbour: 350‐masted tall ship will cruise after the Opera House Event, 3PM

• The bells of St Mary’s Cathedral will toll 350 times on the day to call for 350.

• Clovelly Beach: Lantern Walk spelling out 350 with lanterns on the beach, 7PM

• Newtown: Ice Sculpture at The Hub plus community climate festival – NOON

• Melbourne ‐ Critical Mass Bike ride of hundreds of cyclists through Melbourne

followed by huge human 350 sign in a local park, 10AM

• Brisbane ‐ 350 Frisbees flying in the air simultaneously with participation of University of

Queensland and Queensland Frisbee Association

• At Indooroopilly (Brisbane) from 2pm, author Ken Hickson give a talk about “The ABC of Carbon”, followed by a showing of ‘The Age of Stupid’ (1.5 hrs).

• Caloundra ‐ Kite flying event on the beaches of Caloundra with a huge variety of at least

350 kites

• Wagga Wagga ‐ 350 wind turbine display and other creative actions being coordinated

by local Wagga Climate Action groups

• Canberra – Comedian Rod Quantock to perform his comedic skit about climate change

on the steps of Parliament House

• Styx rainforest, TAS ‐ 350 banner in the rainforest to highlight the value of forests as

carbon sinks worth protecting

• Hundreds of others around the country.

350.org is an international climate change campaign calling for a strong global climate change

treaty. According to leading scientists, 350 ppm is the safe upper limit for greenhouse gases in

our atmosphere in order to avoid runaway climate change.

Source: www.350.org/australia and www.350.org

Philippe Reboul, a management consultant and president of the French Australian Chamber of Commerce in Queensland, is organising Australia’s first ever Conference on Electric Vehicles (in Brisbane 11 November), while images have appeared on the internet of a new baby brother to Audi’s R8 supercar – and it’s electric.

Electric Vehicles Conference 2009

Philippe Reboul, a management consultant and president of the French Australian Chamber of Commerce in Queensland, is organising Australia’s first ever Conference on Electric Vehicles (in Brisbane 11 November).

The Conference will focus on Vehicles, Infrastructure, Utilities, Policies

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: CAN WE MAKE THE TRANSITION?

Novotel Hotel, Brisbane

11 November 2009

• What is the status of the EV industry today and what vehicles are/will soon be on the market?

• What practical experience do we have?

• Is the local grid prepared for the extra load required from EV’s?

• What infrastructures and policies do we need?

• What will be the operating cost of an EV vs. current ICE vehicles?

• How far are we from V2G?

9:00am-11:00pm: EV industry, technology and manufacturers

Small or large, local or international, manufacturers are gearing up to market their EV’s. This session will set the scene by reviewing current EV development worldwide and several makers and technology providers will present their solutions, allowing the audience to assess performance and understand both cost and technology challenges.

11:00pm-12:30pm: Fleet Owners and Infrastructure

City Councils can play the dual role of fleet and infrastructure owners/operators through their parkings, streets, vehicle depots etc.. Although more and more cities are gaining experience with EV, moving to a large fleet of EV may be challenging. The speed of adoption of EV by the public is another unknown and will greatly influence infrastructure investment while some may expect incentives toward the use of EV to reduce urban pollution. This session will look at infrastructure needs and experience with EV’s around the country.

1:15pm-4:00pm: Utilities and policies

Even with sufficient charging points or battery swap stations, a key factor remains the capacity of the electricity network to deliver the required power at a given time with the costly risk of additional overloading at peak demand time. This session will present the viewpoints of Utilities and also attempt to discuss the policies that may be needed to support the arrival of EV’s.

Source: www.evconference.com.au

By Richard Blackburn in the Sydney Morning Herald:

Audi will build a production version of its e-tron electric supercar concept.

Web reports suggest the zero-emission sports car, to be called the R4, could hit the road as early as 2011.

And a report on UK website Auto Express says the R4, a smaller version of the R8 supercar, will also have petrol-powered versions.

It says the new car could share a platform with the next-generation Porsche Boxster and Cayman, given that Porsche is now part of the Volkswagen Group, which also owns Audi.

The R4 will slot in just above the TT coupe in the Audi range, and will most likely share some petrol engines with the TT.

Audi’s US boss Johan de Nysschen told US industry journal, Automotive News, that “running examples” of the R4 would be on the road in the next two years.

The low-slung, lightweight e-tron concept, unveiled at last month’s Frankfurt motor show, had electric motors at all four wheels and could sprint from 0-100km/h in just 4.8 seconds.

Its lithium-ion battery pack, which was positioned where the engine would go on petrol versions, could be recharged from a domestic power point in about eight hours and had a range of about 250km.

Audi is developing a rapid-charging option that can recharge the battery in about two-and-a-half hours.

It’s also working on a home-based wireless charging system where the car starts re-charging as soon as it is driven into the garage.

The concept car’s top speed was limited to 200km/h, but the production version is tipped to have a slightly higher top speed.

Photos posted on Auto Express show a canvas-roofed “Targa” version of the R4, although a convertible is also believed to be on the cards.

Audi will use a lightweight aluminium frame and carbon fibre components to keep the car’s weight down, while it will also have regenerative brakes, which capture kinetic energy usually lost when a car slows down.

The e-tron has a similar weight distribution to the R8 on which it is based, with weight split 42:58 front to rear.

By default, 70 per cent of the e-tron’s drive goes to the rear wheels, while 30 per cent is applied to the rear wheels.

But in keeping with Audi’s Quattro four-wheel-drive heritage, the drive can be sent to the wheels with the most grip to improve traction.

And the car takes advantage of the electric motor at each wheel to enhance handling.

The on-board computer can deliver microsecond-long bursts of either power or braking force to individual wheels to eliminate understeer.

No pricing information is available on the R4, but with the most expensive TT costing about $100,000 and the cheapest R8 going for $260,000, there’s plenty of room for the R4.

The R4 isn’t the only electric German supercar on the drawing board.

Mercedes has an electric version of its new SLS AMG “Gullwing” in the pipeline, while Porsche has committed to hybrid and electric versions of its sports cars.

Source: www.smh.com.au

Soros Comes Clean to Shell Out One Billion

Billionaire George Soros’ is getting in on the climate saving act, with plans to invest US$1 billion in clean energy technology and another US$100 million to fund the newly-created Climate Policy Initiative, while Royal Dutch Shell Chairman Jorma Ollila is urging the US Senate to make clear progress on legislation capping greenhouse gas emissions before international climate change negotiations in December.

Mark Scott in Business Week (12 October 2009):

The upcoming climate talks in Copenhagen are less than two months away, and everyone is looking to throw in his/her two cents. On October 10, it was billionaire George Soros’ turn to get in on the act.

Giving a speech in Denmark, the man who famously ‘broke the Bank of England’ in the early 1990s now plans to invest $1 billion in clean energy technology. Another $100 million — doled out in $10 million increments annually over ten years — will fund the newly-created Climate Policy Initiative, a foundation targeted at environmental policy.

That’s a sizeable amount of cash, though Soros didn’t specify where the $1 billion would be spent other than saying ‘stringent conditions’ will be used to evaluate potential investments. And in an ironic twist, Soros, who made a sizeable chunk of his fortune through currency speculation, put his support behind carbon taxes, not cap-and-trade systems. His reason? Financial investors can too easily manipulate carbon markets.

Soros is wise to keep his cards close to his chest. With so much money on the table, potential deals could be given a ‘Soros premium’ if the billionaire focuses on a too-narrow clean energy brief. But some of his likes/dislikes are already known. Soros, for instance, has invested in clean coal technology, including Portsmouth (NH)-based Powerspan Corp that specializes in carbon capture technology.

Yet before we start speculating too much on where Soros will spend his cash, a word of caution is merited.

Other high-profile figures, such as T. Boone Pickens, have made similar promises of multi-million dollar investments. Often, though, their plans have come to nothing. That obviously doesn’t mean Soros won’t go ahead with his $1 billion scheme. But until concrete plans are announced, I’ll reserve judgment. As Rod Tidwell (from Jerry Maguire fame) once said: ‘show me the money.’

Indeed, the more important figure — for me — is $25.9 billion. That’s the amount of moneyinvested in green energy projects in the third quarter of 2009, according to New Energy Finance. After a shaky start to the year, investors are now more willing to fork out for clean energy projects. The gradual thawing of the credit markets certainly has helped. So have government-sponsored funds — like renewable feed-in tariffs or other subsidies for green technologies — that were included in global stimulus packages.

So with investment returning to the sector, maybe Soros has picked a good time to buy in. Other investors will keep a close eye where he puts his money.

Source: www.businessweek.com

From Hearst Newspapers (16 October 2009):

WASHINGTON — Royal Dutch Shell Chairman Jorma Ollila on Thursday urged the U.S. Senate to make clear progress on legislation capping greenhouse gas emissions before international climate change negotiations in December.

Although the House has passed broad legislation to limit carbon dioxide emissions, the prospects are murkier in the Senate where Democratic leaders have signaled that the issue may not be debated until next year.

In remarks at the National Press Club, Ollila suggested that Senate inaction could undermine negotiations on a global climate change pact.

“As the world prepares for climate negotiations in Copenhagen, we must see American leadership, backed by its own domestic actions on climate legislation,” Ollila said.

Ollila noted that “the U.S. is an important player” in the negotiations and that world leaders will be closely studying the Obama administration’s approach — as well as that of developing countries such as China and India.

The United Nations Climate Change Conference, set to begin Dec. 7 in Copenhagen, will consider plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions blamed for global warming.

The Obama administration had hoped it would have more leverage in the international negotiations with a congressional mandate for greenhouse gas reductions in the U.S.

U.S. businesses generally have said they want to see developing countries agree to similar greenhouse gas emissions cuts as part of any international agreement. Without similar commitments from China and India to impose limits and a price on carbon dioxide emissions, they fear, U.S. companies could be put at a competitive disadvantage.

Ollila said he has been encouraged by “a lot of very positive signals” from the leaders of India and China.

Ollila acknowledged that his comments — and Shell’s support of greenhouse gas emissions cuts — put him at odds with some lobbying by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce against climate change legislation.

In recent weeks, several companies, including Exelon and Pacific Gas & Electric, have severed ties or limited their connection with the chamber over the issue. Shell remains in the group, though Ollila noted that there was “a disagreement” over climate change.

Source: www.timesargus.com

Business Eco Warriors, Walkers & Surfers!

What’s coming up for business eco warriors, walkers and surfers? Business Eco Forum in Brisbane 28 October, Surfriders debate on “why climate change will be good for surfers” in Tweed Heads 7 November and Walk Against Warming in Brisbane 12 December.

Come one – come all – rally together to share your ideas and promote your sustainable businesses.

Great networking opportunity to meet like minded people and businesses.

Wednesday, 28 October

Baci Lounge, 283 Given Tce, Paddington, Brisbane

5.30 pm Start -

We have lined up three guest speakers who are experts in their own field. People well worth meeting and hearing from:

Philippe Reboul – is a management consultant and president of the French Australian Chamber of Commerce in Qld. He is organsing Australia‚ first ever Conference on Electric Vehicles (in Brisbane 11 November).

David Hood – a Brisbane-based consulting engineer, who is the founder and chairman of the Australian Green Infrastructure Council. He is a well-known supporter of all things green and has been running the Greenhouse Solutions lecture series at QUT.

David Toomey – is the founder of Super Green Me, a social network site for all people and groups who are thinking and acting green. See www.supergreenme.com

All are welcome to attend Business Eco Forum, which is now run in association with the Brisbane Inner West Chamber of Commerce.

‘ECO’ Raffle Prizes to Win !!

$5 cover charge will include Light Snacks + ECO Door Prize Ticket

Please put in your diaries the date for the November Business Eco Forum, which moves to the second Wednesday of the month, 11 November.

BREAKING NEWS

The Business Eco Forum has the support of:

Lynne Brown – Brisbane Inner West Chamber of Commerce

Ken Hickson – ABC Carbon

Justin Graham – Huxbury Quinn

Source: www.bus-eco-forum.com

Surfriders Promote Change Change Debate

7 November – Surfrider Foundation Climate Change debate, Southern Cross University, Tweed Heads 10am;

The idea behind the title of this debate “Climate change will be good for surfers” was to come at this enormous problem from a completely different angle, and to stretch our grey matter in a humorous but thought provoking way. The public education value of the debate has been highlighted by the results of a recent survey, showing that climate change has slipped from number one concern of the Australian public.

The team for the positive will have their work cut out for them trying to convince us that climate change will be good for surfers. We know that climate change will have overwhelmingly negative impacts, and appreciate the complete mind flip necessary for this task?
Adjudicator

Wendy Harmer

Wendy Harmer is one of Australia’s best-known humourists. She has enjoyed a highly successful thirty-year career in journalism, radio, television and stand-up comedy.

She has written for newspapers, been a regular columnist for magazines and is the author of five books for adults, two plays, three one-woman stage shows and a libretto for the Australian Opera. Her bestselling children’s book series “Pearlie in the Park” has been translated into ten languages and is the subject of an animated television series.

Wendy lives on Sydney’s Northern Beaches with her husband, two young children, and (at last count) fifteen chickens and three ducks.

1^st speaker for the negative

Narelle Sutherland, from the Office of Climate Change, Department of Environment & Resource Management

2nd speaker for the negative

Darrell Strauss, Griffith Centre for Coastal Management, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus

3rd speaker for the negative

Tim Baker, is the author of four best-selling books on surfing, including  ”High Surf” (Harper Collins, 2007).

1^st speaker for the positive

Colman Ridge is the organiser of Greenfest, Australia’s leading free and green public festival

2nd speaker for the positive

Liz Cantor, a keen surfer, files weekend beach and surf reports for Television Seven News Brisbane.

3rd speaker for the positive

Ken Hickson, is author of The ABC of Carbon and founder of ABC Carbon, climate change consulting

Source: www.surfridergct.org

Important Walk Against Warming Announcement

Walk Against Warming is Australia’s largest day of community action on climate change! This year Greenfest will assist Queensland Conservation Council organize the Walk Against Warming in Brisbane on Saturday 12th December at 10am in the Brisbane CBD.

This year’s walk coincides with a very important day of global action on December 12th, aimed to influence our leaders to agree to a safe climate future at the UN Climate Change Negotiations in Copenhagen.

“350 Leadership For a Safe Climate!” is the call to action for Walk Against Warming and also the new target Al Gore called on leaders to “toughen our goal” towards to avoid catastrophic climate change. This safe climate benchmark of 350 parts per million (CO2) by 2050 (view more information on background to targets at www.350.org) is the call to action target for rallies around the world on Saturday December 12th.

We are in the midst of rallying support for the walk, all expressions of interest from schools and universities to individuals and business are welcome by return email. You may choose to organize a group at work or school, volunteer to organize or sponsor the Walk Against Warming for Brisbane, please just reply to offer assistance.

Mark in your diary “Walk Against Warming 10am Saturday 12th December Brisbane CBD.” The exact details of place, route, ways of participating and exciting support festival around the Walk Against Warming will be confirmed next week.

Make Saturday 12th December your day of action for a safe climate!

Source: www.qccqld.org.au and www.greenfest.com.au

Careless about Climate Change?

Is it true that Australians care less about climate change than two years ago? Not according to Ken Hickson. What does he think about the Lowy Institute poll as reported in the media? And what are some people saying about his book “The ABC of Carbon”.

Australians are becoming less concerned about the threat of global warming, pushing environmental issues down the list of threats. That’s if you believe the findings of a poll by the Lowy Insitute and as reported in the nation’s media.

Here’s how News Limited papers reported it:

Climate change is no longer rated the top foreign policy issue for the Federal Government, a Lowy Institute poll will reveal today.

It was top of the list in 2007 but now is ranked seventh out of 10 policy priorities. Out of 12 possible threats, Australians rated global warming the fourth most critical, the survey found.

However a significant majority of Australians, 76 per cent, still saw climate change as a problem.

Read the full report available on the Lowy Institute website.

Source: www.news.com.au and www.lowyinstitute.org

Ken Hickson wrote this letter to The Australian and the Courier Mail, which has not to date been published:

Sir

I’m not surprised the Lowy Institute poll shows ‘global warming’ is now viewed as the seventh most important  of 10 foreign policy goals by the Australians surveyed. But let’s see it in perspective. According to the complete survey document, this was only one of many questions asked during telephone interviews with 1003 people between 13 and 25 July 2009.

If you were to ask the many hundreds of national, state and community groups around the country actively campaigning for climate change action, you would get a totally different picture. At the grass roots, I sense there is as much concern and interest in the issue than ever. I have very closely followed this issue over the past two years – so much so that I have written a book on the subject (“The ABC of Carbon: Issues and opportunities in the global climate change environment”) – and I have found increasing interest over this period from business as well as the community at large.

Now there are many hundreds of businesses, who want to become carbon neutral or more ‘sustainable”. Every week, there is at least one conference and/or exhibition on climate change or the low carbon economy somewhere in the nation, involving hundreds of participants. In 2007, there was only one or two national “climate change” events in country.

Businesses and householders are keen to get ready for a low carbon economy. State and Local governments are actively encouraging this. I can only concur with Professor Ross Garnaut – the same man hired by the States and the Federal Government to advise on how to develop a coherent climate change policy – when he described the carbon pollution reduction scheme as “one of the worst examples of policy making we have seen on major issues in Australia”.  

If the public is seemingly bored or indifferent to global warming/climate change, they are sick and tired of the political bickering and wavering. We can fairly blame the Government – not the Opposition parties – for its mishandling of the debate and the implementation of policies. This issue and this opportunity needs leadership from the top.

It is more than having a Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme. It is about having a total strategy to deal with climate change, including realistic energy efficiency and renewable energy incentives and investments. As a nation we have become bogged down in arguing about a weakened trading scheme that will fail to deliver a fraction of the emission reductions needed to meet even the lowest international target.  

Ken Hickson

What some important people are saying about “The ABC of Carbon”:

“The ABC of Carbon—in one concise place—opens a window on the world of Climate Change. Demystify in a paragraph or delve deeper via the weblinks. But whatever you do, learn more about this most important issue!”     Greg Bourne, Chief Executive Officer; WWF-Australia

 “The ABC of Carbon is my favourite read … it inspires me to keep going in my efforts to create great leaders in sustainable organisations! Ken has brought together some of the best ideas on reducing carbon and treating the earth more respectfully. It is an amazing book and it really opens your eyes as to the possibilities! If you are keen to save the earth but, like me, sometimes feel like you need inspiration…definitely buy a copy of this book.”  Louise Metcalf, Pax Leader Labs

“The timing of The ABC of Carbon couldn’t be better as the media noise over climate change and carbon pollution is now a virtual constant. There’s little doubt that grave concerns over climate change have resulted in the rapid rise of a new lexicon and Hickson’s book covers the lot, with many businesses at both ends of the issue profiled.   The ABC of Carbon is a reference book that doesn’t just guide you through the basis of life, but the basis of arguably the greatest challenge civilisation has ever faced.”                                                     Graham Readfearn, Green Blog and Courier Mail

“Ken has captured and made accessible a wealth of insights and information on the critical issue for mankind – climate change.  If knowledge is the key to action, then this book is a vital tool in helping everyone know how they can contribute.”  Freddy Sharpe, Chief Executive Officer, Climate Friendly

“Are we living in the Carbon Age? Author Ken Hickson thinks so and sets out in his 580 page book “The ABC of Carbon” why he thinks we should acknowledge the overwhelming role that carbon plays in the world today. But it is not a doomsday scenario that Hickson portrays in his climate change book. He chronicles a comprehensive collection of practical solutions recommended or being carried out by countries, companies and individuals around the world, aimed at significantly reducing damaging greenhouse gas emissions.” Carolen Barripp,  www.sustained.com.au

“The ABC of Carbon provides a holistic picture of the state of our climate and a speculative look at the opportunities and risks afforded by what is the greatest global challenge of our lifetime.  I have already introduced our business clients to ABC of Carbon and intend on using the book as an integral means for informing people about what is otherwise a challenging topic.” Mike Duggan, Managing Director, FWR Group Pty. Ltd. 

“Ken has delivered a handbook that cuts through the jargon and lofty language of the climate debate and gives everyone the power of knowledge. The ABC of Carbon methodically lays out the challenges and the opportunities for the years ahead.  A must for every citizen, the lonely planet for a carbon reduced future.”   Andrew Bradley, Senior Consultant, Australian Public Affairs 

 This wide-ranging, encyclopaedic approach is not only a great read, but is a fantastic reference tool for everyone to better understand climate change. I welcome Ken Hickson’s insights and enthusiasm for conservation and the environment.  I also agree with Ken’s view that when it comes to climate change research, mitigation and adaptation programs Queensland is the ‘centre of the universe’.   I am positive his ecological fervour will inspire and educate generations of ‘green’ thinkers.”   Hon. Kate Jones MP, Minister for Sustainability & Climate Change, Queensland

 “Carbon and the carbon cycle are the basis of life on Earth. Now human interference with the natural carbon cycle – by burning huge amounts of stored carbon at an unprecedented speed, is perhaps the greatest challenge of our time. In this sense our current era can be called the Age of Carbon – the age when how we manage our use of carbon will define the future of humanity. This is the premise of Ken Hickson’s new book, “the ABC of Carbon”, which features everything from definitions of the new terminology of the Age of Carbon,  biographies of individuals and companies who are leading the change to a low-carbon future,  and descriptions of materials, products and processes  that are, or will be important, in this great transformation.”    Richard Cassels, Director, Climate Leadership

“Ken Hickson has created a carbon primer, giving readers the ability to intelligently understand, and therefore engage in, one of the most crucial dialogues of our time. This compendium is neither dry nor dull: the topics are short, concise, and couched in everyday language.”       Allison Balas, Eco News

“A reference guide to carbon and carbon dioxide, and the consequences of both for the climate and the environment overall.  A fusion of his interest in the environment and his skills as a man of words. Ken Hickson might not be the next Al Gore, but he’s doing his bit to make sure that as many people as possible are aware that every time they start the car or turn on the air-conditioning, it stands to affect the climate and the future of the world.”            Janine Hill, Style Magazine

“The ABC of Carbon is a must have reference for anyone interested in understanding climate change science, technology, politics, and history. This comprehensive guide will be a great resource for business people, politicians, academics, students and others who are generally wanting to learn more about climate change and the new carbon market.”   Grant Axman-Friend, Sustainable Insight

 For where to get your copy of “The ABC of Carbon, visit the website.

Source: www.abccarbon.com