O is for Oceans of Opportunity, Ocean Recovery, Orkney Islands  & Offshore Renewable Energy

Oceans of opportunity was the theme and Jose Ramos Horta was the star attraction at The Munakata Eco-100 International Forum in Japan in June. The former President of East Timor, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and Co-Chair of the forum, delivered a speech of his mission in Guinea-Bissau, how we are damaging the earth’s resources and immorally polluting the oceans. Indonesia is looking to draw of its offshore wealth as its accepts that blue is the new green. Ocean Recovery is also concerned about what we are dumping in our oceans, so Doug Woodring thinks it would help if there was a price on the polluting plastic. With some of Europe’s best wave and tidal resources, Orkney is playing a global role in the development of marine renewable energy and offshore renewables are starting to figure prominently in helping the UK switch from a fossil fuel dependence. Read More

http://www.responsiblebusiness.com/news/blue-is-the-new-green-for-maritime-indonesia/

Scots renewable energy displaces a million tonnes of CO2 every month

12 December 2014

Almost 12 million tonnes of CO2 emissions were displaced by green energy in Scotland in the most recent year for which data is available, figures released today show.

The reduction – an average of around a million tonnes a month – is the highest ever recorded in Scotland.

The statistics were published in response to a Parliamentary Question tabled by Eilidh Whiteford MP and answered by UK Energy Minister Amber Rudd MP.

Ms Rudd revealed that Scotland’s renewable electricity industry displaced 11.9 million tonnes of CO2 in 2013, an increase of over 14 per cent on the 10.4 million tonnes of CO2 displaced in Scotland by the sector in 2012.

Joss Blamire, Senior Policy Manager at Scottish Renewables, said: “This means that not only are renewables now the number one source of electricity in Scotland, but we have achieved this milestone while preventing a record amount of harmful carbon emissions from being released into our atmosphere.

“Renewable energy in Scotland is doing exactly what it was designed to do: creating jobs, securing our energy supplies and, most importantly, reducing our carbon emissions to help limit climate change.”

Speaking from the UN’s Climate Change Conference in Lima, where he is an observer, WWF Scotland director Lang Banks said: “That renewables in Scotland are now helping to displace almost a million tonnes of climate pollution every month is fantastic news, and proof that a renewable power sector is the foundation of a truly low carbon economy – keeping the lights on, creating jobs and cutting emissions.

“Right now, governments from almost 200 countries are meeting in Peru to agree how they will reduce global emissions and prevent the worst impacts of climate change. The growing success of renewables in helping to cut emissions both in Scotland and across Europe is exactly what is needed right now to help encourage other countries to secure a good deal on climate.”

Source: http://www.scottishrenewables.com/news/scots-renewable-energy-displaces-million-tonnes-co/
Charting a successful passage for Marine Renewables

With some of Europe’s best wave and tidal resources, Orkney is playing a global role in the development of marine renewable energy.

As the home of EMEC, the European Marine Energy Centre, more wave and tidal energy devices have already been deployed in Orkney waters than at any other single site in the world.

Organisations like EMEC, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Orkney Islands Council are working closely with Orkney companies to foster the evolution of this new industry as it moves towards the commercial deployment of wave and tidal technologies.

An impressive supply chain of local businesses is geared up to support wave and tidal developers. Many have invested in specialist vessels. All are pro-active in their backing for marine renewable energy.

Source: http://www.orkneymarinerenewables.com/supply-chain.asp