Posted by Yan Yan on October 30th, 2007
GE is creating a home dashboard to help people manage their power and water consumption. Sadly, it’s only for the US right now, and only for December–meaning some lucky folks are in for a nice Christmas surprise.
The panel is designed to show ratepayers how much money they would save if, for example, they pre-cooled or pre-heated their homes before electricity prices went up during periods of peak load, typically in the early evening. They also could set the panel to turn up the air conditioning, or run the clothes drier only when the power price gets below a certain level.
“This allows homeowners to make decisions on whether they would like to change their behavior to be more green,” said de Bedout. “It gives them a tool set.”
It sounds like a fancy version of the various smart meters Greenbang’s seen popping up all over the place, but it doesn’t mean we don’t want one…
Posted by Yan Yan on October 30th, 2007
The Royal Society has kicked off a new personal carbon trading scheme, called CarbonLimited.
Here’s how they explain it:
Personal carbon trading is based on the concept that each citizen should be allocated with an equal ‘carbon allowance’ as part of a ‘cap and trade’ scheme designed to control carbon emissions. The ‘cap’ (the total body of emissions allowed under the scheme) would initially be set at current emissions levels and gradually be reduce to meet the long-term carbon emission reduction goals. These carbon allowances, more likely to be called ’carbon credits’ would be issued at no cost to individuals and surrendered electronically when purchasing fuel and electricity. People using less than their share could sell the surplus to people or businesses using more than their allotted share, via a market. In this way, it would provide an incentive for every individual to take steps to reduce their ‘personal emissions’, in other words, the emissions for which they are directly responsible.
All very intriguing, Greenbang will be watching…
Posted by Greenbang on October 30th, 2007
It is actually the older generation that is leading the way. According to SimplySwitch research, almost 57 percent of over-55s have installed energy efficiency measures, far more than in other age-groups. For example, while 72 percent of under-34s ‘try to be as energy efficient as possible’; just 35 percent had actually installed energy-saving devices.
Posted by Greenbang on October 30th, 2007
Fuel-cell technology company Intelligent Energy has hired Thomas Bennett as general counsel.
Why is this important?
Well, Intelligent Energy recently unveiled a prototype hydrogen fuel cell motorcycle developed in collaboration with Suzuki. It’s called the Crosscage.
Mr Bennett has quite a CV.
He was previously senior treasury counsel and assistant group treasurer at Rolls-Royce Group plc. And he was a director of AirTanker Holdings Limited, the EADS, Thales, Vosper-Thorneycroft and Cobham joint venture, and was responsible for taking the multi billion pound FSTA PFI government contract to the financial markets.
Thomas Bennett qualified as a solicitor in 1995 and trained as a finance lawyer in the City of London. Previous firms include Denton Wilde Sapte and Allen & Overy.
Posted by Greenbang on October 30th, 2007
CHINA WATCH
Greenbang is not a fan of supermarkets, but unfortunately has to use them from time to time.
Retail giants Carrefour and Wal-Mart launched green campaigns in China last month. As Greenbang reported, both advocated recycling bags in their stores, and all received a luke-warm response from customers.
According to Huang Li from Wal-Mart’s PR depot, “only about 170 recycling bags were sold in Beijing on the first day of the launch, and merely 400,000 energy-saving bulbs were sold last year across China in its stores,” he told by Chinacsr.
Greenbang asked one of the cashiers in Carrefour why they stopped selling the recycling bags. The answer was simple: “Because no one buys it.”
But now Wal-Mart would like to have another shot. It is said in November it will carry out a “No Plastic Day” activity in up to 20 Wal-Mart stores in Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen to promote eco-friendliness.
Will Chinese customers buy it this time? Let’s wait and see. Here’s what it’s all about:
During the “No Plastic Day” activity, Wal-Mart will prepare more than 20,000 environmentally friendly bags for consumers to change with white plastic bags in order to reduce the pollution caused by plastic bags.
Though the energy-saving bulbs have not been well received, Wal-Mart says it will continue promoting these kind of bulbs because they can not only save money for the consumers but also reduce global warming.
Posted by Greenbang on October 30th, 2007
Although 93% of UK directors are cutting their carbon footprint at home, the majority neglect their green principles when it comes to running their businesses.
And fewer than one in four UK directors views reducing carbon emissions at work as a priority, with a further 29% believing that it isn’t a relevant issue for their business at all.
Surprisingly, 30% of respondents stated they wouldn’t be embarking on any green initiatives in the next 12 months, while 5% stated they do not believe in global warming and think the government is just trying to raise taxes.
Citrix and PURE sponsored the research. The cheeky pair of firms has set up this advice site. There’s no marketing involved, honest.
Posted by Yan Yan on October 30th, 2007
Dudley Council is on the lookout for a sustainable development officer.
£23,175 - £26,928 (37 hours weekly) - An exciting role has arisen for a highly motivated individual to assist in promoting sustainable development initiatives across Dudley Council. The job involves delivering the Council’s Sustainability Management Plan, supporting projects to develop procedures to mainstream sustainable development across the council and helping to develop the emerging climate change agenda.
Interested? Details here.
Posted by Greenbang on October 30th, 2007
Environment secretary Hilary Benn is trying to improve the UK’s Climate Change Bill.
When originally published in March 2007, the draft Bill set out clear legally binding targets for reducing carbon dioxide emissions in the UK by at least 60 per cent by 2050, and from 26 to 32 per cent by 2020.
This is to be based on a new system of “carbon budgets” set at least 15 years ahead. It also proposed the creation of a new independent, expert Committee on Climate Change to advise on the best way to achieve these targets.
The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs released this statement:
The changes to the draft Bill, set out in a Command Paper entitled ‘Taking Forward the UK Climate Change Bill’ published today, include:
- As announced by the Prime Minister in September, asking the Committee on Climate Change to report on whether the Government’s target to reduce CO2 emissions by at least 60 percent by 2050 should be strengthened further;
- Asking the Committee to look at the implications of including other greenhouse gases and emissions from international aviation and shipping in the UK’s targets as part of this review;
- Strengthening the role and responsibilities of the Committee on Climate Change, including by requiring the Government to seek the Committee’s advice before amending the 2020 or 2050 targets in the Bill;
- Strengthening the Committee’s independence from Government, by confirming that it will appoint its own chief executive and staff, and increasing its analytical resources;
- Increased transparency, by requiring the Committee to publish its analysis and advice to Government on setting five-yearly carbon budgets, which are designed to provide clarity on the UK’s route towards its reduction targets;
- Strengthening Parliament’s ability to hold Government to account, by requiring the Government to explain its reasons to Parliament if it does not accept the Committee’s advice on the level of the carbon budget, or if it does not meet a budget or target;
- Providing better information and streamlining reporting, including requiring the Government to report annually to Parliament on emissions from international aviation and shipping, in line with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change; and
- Strengthening the country’s preparedness for climate change by requiring the Government regularly to assess the risks of climate change to the UK, and to report to Parliament on its proposals and policies for sustainable adaptation to climate change.
Mr Benn (not the TV cartoon) said:
“We need to step up the fight against climate change and we need to do it fast.
“The draft bill we set out earlier this year, and have now refined, is a ground breaking blueprint for moving the UK towards a low carbon economy. It will bind us to legally enforceable emissions reduction targets at home, while giving us greater clout at the international negotiating table.
“I am extremely grateful for the invaluable input from the three Parliamentary committees, and from industry and the wider public that has brought us to this point. Thanks to their efforts we will now have a Bill that is stronger, more effective and more transparent.
“In short, they have helped make a good Bill better.”
Posted by Yan Yan on October 30th, 2007
As eco interest booms, the home building market looks set to soar: a new report expects it to rise from $2bn today to some $20bn in 5 years’ time.
According to the recently released Green Homeowner SmartMarket™ Report produced by McGraw-Hill Construction, the market for ‘true green homes’ is expected to rise from $2 billion to $20 billion over the next five years. According to the study, a ‘true green home’ is defined as homes that contain elements in 3 of 5 environmental building categories including: Energy Efficiency, Indoor Air Quality, Water Efficiency, Resource Efficiency, and Site Management.
Get in.
Posted by Yan Yan on October 30th, 2007
Shai Agassi, the ex-SAP exec who left and headed off into the world of electric cars, is back and raising yet more cash. Last time we heard he’d bagged $100m for his venture, now he’s looking to double it.
The list of investors includes Israel Corp., Morgan Stanley (MS), VantagePoint Venture Partners, and private investors James Wolfensohn, Edgar Bronfman Sr. and Musea Ventures. The venture will focus on building out an infrastructure of battery-charging stations for electric vehicles; the comparative model offered is that of mobile phone companies building out the mobile infrastructure.
More here.
