Fossil Fuels & Flood Fears
Mayor of Gold Coast Ron Clarke admitted he was most concerned about the repercussions of climate change on his city when he welcomed delegates to the Carbon Market Expo and the Climate Change Summit, while the world’s first global trade exchange with an efficient end to end electronic process for carbon credits was launched at the Expo.
Mayor of Gold Coast Ron Clarke has expressed concern at the Carbon Market Expo that so many people in Australia, in this state and this city don’t realise the serious repercussions of Climate change. And the Gold Coast is one particular part of Australia most at risk.
We have 70 kilometres of coastline. We have 50,000 homes built on flood plains. We also have 500 kilometres of canals where houses are located. Rising sea levels are a great threat to us.
We need solutions. We need politicians to realise the importance of action. This city is committed to become carbon neutral by 2020.
This is a very serious subject with high repercussions.
We have a city that is highly reliant on the private car and fossil fuels. Our public transport infrastructure is behind the times. We have a lot to do.
As Mayor of Gold Coast City, I’m delighted to welcome you all to the Carbon Market Expo Australasia 2009, the premier event of its kind held in Australasia.

High-profile events like this are of tremendous importance to the Gold Coast as contributors to both our regional economy and our increasing prominence an international corporate and convention venue.

Our vibrant and diverse region offers convention and accommodation facilities that are second to none, as well as a unique range of natural and built attractions that make a wide range of activities available as part of the pre- or post-expo program.

As well as our famous 70 kilometres of pristine coastline, the Gold Coast region is also home to 100,000 hectares of World Heritage-listed rainforest and more waterways than Venice and Amsterdam combined, including 500 kilometres of canals. And we’re only too aware of the importance of protecting these precious environmental assets for future generations to enjoy.

Accordingly, the Gold Coast City Council aims to become carbon-neutral by 2020, and see the staging of events like the Carbon Market Expo Australasia 2009 as a sign that we’re not alone in seeking such an outcome. And as we all know, it’s information sharing and positive collaboration that will deliver the best overall results in this regard.

Our city supports numerous renewable energy and clean-tech businesses, and is ideally placed to become a regional hub for carbon market activity as this sector develops within Australia and across the broader Asia-Pacific region.

As well as this, our tertiary education sector provides access to cutting-edge research networks and a steady supply of highly skilled graduates with specialised learning in this exciting new realm, while Business GC, the city-funded economic development agency can help potential investors to facilitate access to funding, location selection and networking opportunities. In short, the Gold Coast is the place to be if you’re looking to move into professional carbon market operations.

In closing, I would I wish you the very best for a successful expo, which I’m sure will be an informative and inspiring experience.

Coinciding with the Carbon Market Expo, the Gold Coast City Council organised a one day Climate Change Summit bringing together community, business and Government representatives to explore and come up with principles that would provide the basis for ongoing action to address climate change mitigation and adaption.
Queensland Minister of Climate Change and Sustainabiity, Kate Jones spoke at the conclusion of the event telling of her state’s moves on climate change and urging serious consideration of the principles for further action by all attending.
Ken Hickson (ABC Carbon) was a participant in the Summit, as well as a delegate at the three day Carbon Market Expo.
Source: www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au
Launched at Carbon Market Expo was the world’s first global trade exchange with an efficient end to end electronic process for carbon credits has arrived.
Carbon Trade Exchange (CTX), will commence online trading in early 2010.
Established using the award winning software and trading platform developed for the world’s largest credit (or non cash) trading platform in the world – Bartercard, Carbon Trade Exchange comes with a great track record and credentials having facilitated over 15 million transactions or an estimated 50 Billion Credit Units valued at over $20 Billion in 20 Currencies.
By using the same end to end electronic process of Bartercard, the Carbon Trade Exchange will aid the growth and transparency of the global carbon market.
Carbon Trade Exchange will enable carbon buyers and sellers from around the world to trade every major voluntary carbon standard in an efficient end to end electronic process. This B2B and B2C exchange has a front-end trading platform supported by back-end administration processes that can accept all major international currencies, and can be plugged into any developing or existing market. It will interface and transact with all carbon industry participants and embrace the existing broker network, eliminating the need for over the counter transactions.
It will initially transact voluntary credits, however work has also now commenced to support carbon trading within the regulated market.
The Carbon Trade Exchange will provide the technology that links the industry, provides transparency and grows the market. Join today to gain the many benefits of membership.
Source: www.carbontradexchange.com