100 Days to Copenhagen … counting down to the climate summit in December 2009.

 

The official launch of the TckTckTck campaign and global partner campaigns was launched 28th August. With 100 days until the most important meeting of our times, TckTckTck is here to show that the world is ready for bold climate action towards a fair, ambitious, and binding climate deal in Copenhagen.’

If you like you can add your name here in support of this campaign. See top of web page. Stay informed via any number of organisations supporting this campaign. WWF is just one.

As Katharine Ainger points out in her article in the Guardian the corporate lobbyists are working hard to water down the climate agreement being trashed out for December in Copenhagen. The very least we can do is add our support to the Tcktcktck campaign.

Corporate Europe Observatory is monitoring the cynical campaign of big business called ‘The Copenhagen Call’. This was put together by business members meeting at the World Business Summit on Climate Change. The main push business is making is for (quote) ‘The first steps to establishing a global market will be to enable linkage between national and regional carbon markets. An international agreement will help secure investor confidence in the carbon market, and national actions will help generate new financial flows for climate investment.’ They also ask for public monies to boost investment in low carbon technologies.

What the NGOs are concerned about is the carbon market initiative (started here in London) becoming a major loophole for big business to do really very little to change their ways. Effectively business can negate their responsibilities to reduce their operating emissions by buying carbon credits from elsewhere, normally the developing world. Business see the global carbon market as the solution, in which they buy and trade permits to pollute.

In other areas NGOs see PR ‘green’ campaigns masking business as usual, such as BP, who are extracting oil from Canadian tar sands, a process that produces four times as much CO2 as conventional drilling, and the World Coal Institute which promotes coal – with the highest carbon emissions of all – as a “progressive fuel”. One significant lobby group in the Climate Camp’s sights is Edelman PR, acting on behalf of the German energy firm E.ON, which is lobbying to build the UK’s first coal-fired power station in decades at Kingsnorth.

Well done if you got this far reading through this blog! Sign up and add your voice to the Tcktcktck campaign here. We must have a better Climate deal.

Funding for bees finally announced.

Article

On 21 April, the UK government announced that £10m will be spent on research for pollinators – bees, butterflies and other insects – to see if the decline in UK populations can be halted.

The government is contributing £2m with the rest coming from the Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Council, the Natural Environment Research Council, the Wellcome Trust and the Scottish Government.

The British Beekeepers’ Association (BBKA) welcomes the announcement that additional money is to be found to fund bee health research. BBKA has recently published its document “Honey Bee Health – Research Concepts” which identifies key research projects to be pursued, covering a range of work from Varroa to viruses, queen bee quality to bee breeding and husbandry to habitat loss.

This new funding will enable Research Institutes to make bids to fund the urgent research work needed to combat the threats facing honey bee health. The BBKA looks forward to playing a full part in identifying and prioritising the research projects to be initiated.

Separately, BBC Radio 4’s Farming Today programme has announced that it will get its own beehive to watch over this year. This will coincide with a series of programmes and reports regarding bees during 2009.

‘Velib extreme’ – the Paris cycle scheme update.

BBC Article

JCDecaux, the company that runs the cycle hire scheme, says it can no longer afford to operate the city-wide network.

Over half the original fleet of 15,000 specially made bicycles have disappeared, presumed stolen. They have been used 42 million times since their introduction but vandalism and theft are taking their toll.

The original contract gave the advertising company a 10-year licence to exploit 1,600 city-wide billboards in return for running the scheme, plus a share in the revenue, estimated at 20m euros for the first year of operation.

City hall has recently agreed to pay towards the costs of replacing the stolen or trashed bicycles but is refusing to bail out the company.

Remi Pheulpin, JCDecaux’s director general, says the current contract is unsustainable. “It’s simple. All the receipts go to the city. All the expenses are ours,” he said.

The costs, he said, were “so high that a private business cannot handle it alone, espcially as it’s a problem of public order. If we want the velib set-up to keep going, we’ll have to change the business model,” he told Le Parisien newspaper.

Velib extreme

Hung from lamp posts, dumped in the River Seine, torched and broken into pieces, maintaining the network is proving expensive. Some have turned up in eastern Europe and Africa, according to press reports.

Since the scheme’s launch, nearly all the original bicycles have been replaced at a cost of 400 euros ($519, £351) each.

The Velib bikes – the name is a contraction of velo (cycle) and liberte (freedom) – have also fallen victim to a craze known as “velib extreme”.

Various videos have appeared on YouTube showing riders taking the bikes down the steps in Montmartre, into metro stations and being tested on BMX courses. See Velib Extreme video (idiots!).

Some facts from Velib;

20,000 bicycles

1,250 stations

Cost 400 euros each to replace

7,800 “disappeared”

11,600 vandalised

1,500 daily repairs

Staff recover 20 abandoned bikes a day

Each bike travels 10,000 km a year

42 million users since launch

Low Carbon Buildings Programme: funding

Low Carbon Buildings Programme: Phase 2

Key information

Funding area:

UK wide

Status:

Open for applications

Next Application Deadline:

30/06/2009

Full scheme details

Start date:

10/03/2008

Outline:

Charities and community organisations are being encouraged to apply for grants through the Low Carbon Buildings Programme.

Phase 2 of the Low Carbon Buildings Programme (LCBP2) supports the installation of microgeneration technologies for organisations in the UK public and not-for-profit sectors. Grants are available for the purchase and installation of: solar thermal hot water, solar photovoltaics, wind turbines, ground source heat pumps, automated wood pellet stoves and wood fuelled boiler systems. The LCBP grants are managed by Building Research Establishment Ltd (BRE) on behalf of the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR).

Total Fund Value:

£ 50,000,000

Grant Value – maximum:

£ 1,000,000

Grant Value – notes:

Organisations can apply for between 30% and 50% of the eligible costs for installing microgeneration technologies, over one year.

Extended Description:

Grants are available for the purchase and installation of any combination of the microgeneration technologies, at one or more properties within a site owned or leased by the applicant.

Types of microgeneration technologies that can be applied for include:

• solar thermal hot water (30%);
• solar photovoltaics (50%);
• wind turbines (30%);
• ground source heat pumps (35%);
• automated wood pellet stoves (35%);
• wood fuelled boiler systems (35%).

The percentage (%) indicates the maximum amount of eligible costs that can be applied for for each technology. Further information and a list of eligble costs for each technology is available in the Guidance Notes, which can be downloaded at the bottom of this page.

The supply and installation of microgeneration technologies will be carried out by “Framework Suppliers” (opens new window), who have been appointed by and are contracted to the BERR.

Latest Information:

New grant levels:
From 1st April 2008, organisations can apply for 50% of the cost for installing approved microgeneration technologies.

For more information, go to the Low Carbon Buildings website (opens new window).

Further Information:

The DEFRA scheme Bio-Energy Capital Grants supports the installation of biomass-fuelled heat and combined heat and power (CHP) projects in the industrial, commercial and community sectors. The scheme is now closed and is due to re-open in Spring.

See the ‘Appendix’ heading at the bottom of this page for a link to the scheme details.

Restrictions:

LCBP2 grants cannot be used for:

• work carried out prior to the grant offer letter;
• refurbished equipment;
• DIY installations;
• payment of VAT;
• warranty costs;
• non-associated costs e.g. roofing works outside the direct installation of the microgeneration system, vandal covers, asbestos removal, upgrades to the ring main, new radiators or other elements of the heat distribution system.

Please note: applicants are not entitled to apply for a grant if they receive any other funding from the national government or devolved administrations, in relation to the proposed technology and/or its installation at the property.

For further details, see the Terms and Conditions (opens new window).

Key Criteria:

The following general conditions of the scheme apply to all applications:

• supply and installation of the microgeneration technologies must be carried out by a certificated installer which could be either the Framework Suppliers (opens new window) – or one of their sub contracted installers;
• technologies must be chosen from the LCBP2 Product List (opens new window); all these are Certificated Products;
• only public sector and not-for-profit organisations are eligible. E.g. Local authorities, housing associations and trusts, hospitals, schools, universities and colleges, libraries, public service organisations, registered charities, environmental trusts or local community groups governed by written constitution;

Grants will be available for:

• installations of up to max 50kW electricity and 45kW heat per property;
• a maximum of three eligible technologies for each proposed building. Requests for additional technologies need to be agreed by BRE and BERR;
• the supply and installation of a renewable energy scheme at a permanent building located in the United Kingdom (excluding Isle of Man and the Channel Islands).

Eligible Expenditure:

Organisations can apply for between 30% and 50% of the eligible costs of installing microgeneration technologies. In general only costs directly related to the installed equipment and work are eligible. A list of eligible costs is set out in the Terms and Conditions (opens new window).

Application Procedure:

Applications for the LCBP2 are accepted on an ongoing basis. Before making an application, you should ensure that you have read the guidance notes thoroughly, investigated the microgeneration options for your project and received all necessary quotations and advice from a Framework Supplier.

There is a two-stage application process. The applicant must fill in a general application form and a second form, specific to the technology being applied for.

Applications should be made on-line at: www.lowcarbonbuildingsphase2.org.uk (opens new window). If for any reason this is not possible, a paper application may be downloaded and printed out from: www.lowcarbonbuildingsphase2.org.uk (opens new window).

Applicants are required to send copies of installer quotations and proof of not-for-profit status. For on-line applicants, a password-protected folder is made available for uploading these documents. If applying by post, these documents must be provided on CD-ROM or floppy disk.

The application will be assessed and the applicant contacted with the decision within 5-7 working days. Grant applications over £100,000 may require more detailed assessments, and therefore results may take longer.

If you have an enquiry about Phase 2 of the Low Carbon Buildings Programme, phone: 08704 23 23 13, or email: info@lcbpphase2.org.uk (opens new window).

Contact Information:

Low Carbon Buildings Programme – Phase 2
c/o BRE
Building 17
Garston
Watford
WD25 9XX

Phone:

08704 23 23 13

Email:

info@lcbpphase2.org.uk

Web:

http://www.lowcarbonbuildingsphase2.org.uk

---

Documents and Links

Appendix

Bio-energy Capital Grants Scheme: Biomass for Heat

LCBP2 Framework Suppliers

LCBP2 Product List

Application Form

Application Form

Guidance

LCBP2 Guidance Notes

LCBP2 FAQs

Terms and Conditions

Useful Links

BERR’s microgeneration homepage

Community Renewables Initiative

Carbon Trust

Energy Saving Trust

Micropower Council

Biomass fuel suppliers

Dr Steven Chu at the National Energy Summit 2008

Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs);changes proposed.

 
Image: Severn tidal barrage a step closer to reality?

Article

ROCs are issued to electricity generators, which need to have certificates to cover a growing percentage of their electricity generation and are currently handed out uniformly to all renewable technologies.

That’s about to change if draft proposals put forward by the energy minister, Mike O’Brien, go through.

Marine energy, biomass and offshore wind are set to qualify for greater subsidies according to draft proposals released by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC).

“We have taken the necessary powers in the Energy Act 2008 to deliver this,” he is quoted as saying. “In particular, to band the Renewables Obligation to allow it to bring on the wider range of technologies, such as offshore wind and biomass, that we need to be more cost-effective.”

The announcement came as the industry gathers in London today with DECC to discuss the Renewables Obligation Order 2009 currently being drafted by the government.

New Energy Focus has learnt that under the new proposals, wave energy, tidal energy – including tidal stream and tidal barrage – and solar photovoltaics will be eligible for two Renewables Obligation Certificates (ROCs) per MWh of electricity produced, while biomass and offshore wind would be eligible for 1.5 ROCs per MWh.

Hydro and onshore wind would remain the same at one ROC per MWh, while landfill gas energy would be “banded down” to a quarter of a ROC per MWh.

Last month Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling extended the RO by 10 years from 2027 to 2037 . The mechanism allows renewable energy producers to sell ROCs for the electricity they produce.

Created in 2002, the ROC provides financial support to renewable energy producers as they develop their technology, and provides the security necessary to secure investment.

The new RO Order seeks to establish a banding system to financially support less developed and more high-risk renewable technologies.

The proposed bandings;

Generation type	ROCs/MWh
Hydro-electric	1
Onshore Wind	1
Offshore Wind	1.5
Wave	2
Tidal Stream	2
Tidal Impoundment – Tidal Barrage	2
Tidal Impoundment – Tidal Lagoon	2
Solar Photovoltaic	2
Geothermal	2
Geopressure	1
Landfill Gas	0.25
Sewage Gas	0.5
Energy from Waste with CHP	1
Pre-banded gasification	1
Pre-banded pyrolysis	1
Standard gasification	1
Standard pyrolysis	1
Advanced gasification	2
Advanced pyrolysis	2
Anaerobic Digestion	2
Co-firing of Biomass	0.5
Co-firing of Energy Crops	1
Co-firing of Biomass with CHP	1
Co-firing of Energy Crop with CHP	1.5
Dedicated Biomass	1.5
Dedicated Energy Crops	2
Dedicated Biomass with CHP	2
Dedicated Energy Crops with CHP	2

China suggests ‘west’ keeps up technology transfers to tackle climate change.

Article

The slowdown in the global economy caused by the financial crisis should not be allowed to hamper efforts to deal with global warming, said Wen Jiabao, the Chinese premier, and more technology should be transferred to poorer countries.

“It took developed countries several decades to solve the problems of saving energy and cutting emissions, while China has to solve the same problem in a much shorter period. So the difficulty is unprecedented,” Mr Wen said at a United Nations-sponsored conference in Beijing on climate change.

“Developed countries shoulder the duty and responsibility to tackle climate change and should alter their unsustainable lifestyle,” he said.

The comments reflect the more assertive tone that China has been taking in discussions about climate change, especially given the expectation that a Barack Obama administration will shift the position of the US.

With several research institutes calculating that China has overtaken the US to be the biggest emitter of greenhouse gases – even though it is still well behind on a per capita basis – the government is worried that its record could become the focus of negotiations.

A senior European diplomat visiting Beijing said: “Everyone is waiting to see what the new US administration does but China very much does not want to become a pariah on this issue. You will see them being more constructive and also trying to shift the argument much more.”

Although Beijing has been reluctant to sign up to agreed targets for reduced emissions, Chinese scientists have become more worried about the impact of climate change on the country’s agriculture.

Independently of the international negotiations, China has set ambitious goals to improve energy efficiency by 20 per cent by 2010, although officials admit that emissions will continue to increase for some time because of China’s dependence on coal as its main source of energy.

The Greenwich ecohouse

Greenwich Council has refurbished a two-bedroom house in Plumstead to showcase some of the most up-to-date methods of saving energy.

The Council deliberately selected an existing 80-year-old home, rather than a new-build property, to show that bringing an existing home up to good environmental standards need not cost a lot.

A £50,000 grant, from the Thames Gateway London Partnerships (Action for Excellence programme), has enabled Greenwich to turn the empty Plumstead house into a model of excellence with the smallest possible carbon footprint.

Some features of the Eco House include:

• cavity wall insulation, loft insulation and dry lining – all designed to keep the warmth in, and made of ‘green’ materials wherever possible
• energy-efficient central heating installed with an ‘A’ rated condensing combination boiler and inexpensive radiator panels
• eco-organic paints throughout
• low-energy light fittings, energy-efficient oven, fridge and washing machine, water-saving taps
• shower and low-flush toilet
• disabled access at front and rear
• removable 20-litre recycling bins built into kitchen units – with flaps in the kitchen work surface leading directly to the bins
• dining room big enough to work from home
• cycle shed
• water butt.

You can also learn about:

• home insulation
• gauges to check your power usage
• sustainable cleaning products
• where to buy Fair Trade drinks and groceries
• and ‘green’ ways of travelling.

See this link for visiting details.

Virtual government; going web 2.0

Whatever country you’re from you’ll know how expensive it is to run a government. The person representing your area has to travel a lot for sessions at the centre of power. And what do they do when they get there?; shout & argue with each other for one!

Here we’re asking you to think about running things differently; by virtual government (or utilizing Web 2.0 technology). Each constituency gets a fully kitted out media centre where your representative hooks up to the government debates as needed. The best bit; you and other voters get to go along too, reminding your representative just who he/she is working for.

Vote above. Make your vote count.

PS. Of course we’ll let them meet up occassionally – just so they can catch up on power gossip and remember who their friends (and enemies) are.

Clean Development Mechanism failure.

image: govt says ‘up yours’ to the public over environment policy direction

It is estimated that between 20% and 60% of CDM projects do not save additional CO2 this BBC article reports. This comes as the UK government is looking for the right to buy its way out of half its CO2 reduction targets, according to a leaked document.

European nations are currently expected to make around 70% of their carbon reductions on home turf, leaving 30% available for trade. Reducing that domestic obligation to 50% could allow an extra billion tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere, according to WWF.

The dispute centres on the credibility of the system used for trading international carbon permits – the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) – arranged under the Kyoto Protocol.

It allows rich countries to offset some of their emissions reductions by purchasing carbon credits which help developing countries get clean technology. In practice the CDM is under fire because some investors are obtaining credits for clean energy projects in countries like China and India that would have been built anyway, meaning that no CO2 is saved overall.

The leaked document (a so-called “non-paper”, discussed between government departments but not yet stated policy) argues:

“Environmentally it does not matter where emissions reductions take place. [The CDM] provides member states with a cost-effective means to meet their obligations and is an important flexibility mechanism.”

This proposal comes as countries around the world are tightening their belts and holding cash for essentials. In the UK at least that appears to signal that the poor investment record for renewables is about to get a whole lot worse.