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http://pubs.acs.org/cgi-bin/abstract.cgi/enfuem/asap/abs/ef800293h.html
Technologies to transform coal to liquid fuels have been around for a long time. Necessity was the mother of invention, as the Fischer-Tropsch process for coal to liquids was developed by German scientists to power the war machine of the 1940s. Now from Italy come reports of new processes which can make liquid fuels from coal-based synthetic gas with a higher yield, less energy inputs and measurably less carbon dioxide emissions. Given the requirements for lifecyle analysis of alternative fuels that the US Environmental Protection Agency is getting ready to release and the new Renewable Fuels Standard regulations due, the timing is very fortuitous. With coal reserves around the world at levels some 25 percent higher than crude oil, supporters could say that coal's time hasn't passed, it's yet to come.
ScienceDaily; October 21, 2008
Sumbitted by R. Campbell
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/181e160e-883e-11dd-b114-0000779fd18c.html
Climate change has altered several industries, and brought intense pressure to decision makers to respond rapidly to the problem. Recently, investors in London have chosen to challenge the usual measurements of a quality investment by asking for companies to provide information that reveals their carbon footprint. As they look ahead to further costs of not adapting to new policies and procedures to manage the issue, investors seek to avoid placing their money into a company that fails to weigh the financial risks they predict for the future.
The investors are basing their decisions on the belief that emissions will be more closely regulated around the world in future, giving companies that already manage their emissions a competitive advantage. They are also weighing other factors, such as the risk that companies may face future litigation, and the possible ill effects of climate change, such as floods and storms.
With uncertain economic times in the United States, it might be effective for companies to start reporting a reduction in carbon emissions as one way to win back investors around the world. If they haven't understood the impact of a strategic response to climate change, competitors might win with the corporate model that has emerged out of the enviromental crisis.
The Financial Times; September 22, 2008
Submitted by K. Rutherford
http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSL95271320080909
Although small and only a start, Germany has entered the carbon capture and storage field with a new coal plant, located in the town of Schwarze Pumpe. The plant, produced by Vattenfall, will produce practically carbon-free power. While much smaller in scale and output than typical coal plants, the technology demonstrates a movement towards alternative energy around the world.
The plant operates through an oxyfuel boiler. Oxygen is injected into the boiler, powdered lignite (a type of coal with a high moisture content) is added, CO2 is produced and is then seperated and condensed to a smaller volume to be buried underground.
"Everybody's always criticizing CCS for never having a fully working model. Well here's one fully working model," said Stuart Haszeldine, a geologist at Edinburgh University and CCS expert.
"Maybe by 2013 you could predict a full size power station operating with CCS."
Coal is cheap and plentiful but also produces more heat-trapping carbon dioxide (CO2) than energy sources such as oil, gas and renewables. CCS works by trapping those gases from coal plants and burying them in porous rocks underground.
A U.N. panel of climate experts says the technology could underpin the fight to slow rising temperatures and avert more powerful storms, droughts and rising seas.
CCS also has the support of many governments. But some environmental organizations say it is a distraction which will delay a global transition to renewable alternatives such as solar power, away from fossil fuels like coal, and accuse energy companies of making token investments.
"We're taking our responsibility seriously," said Josefsson at the inauguration of the 70 million euro ($98.92 million) plant built over two years which sits next to a conventional coal-fired plant 100 times as large.
A major downside to this new attempt is the damage it does to consumers' pocketbooks. Right now, CCS plants would raise power prices beyond what they are already at. As many other developing plans like wind and solar continue to mature, this plan is still stuck in the very early stages of development and implementation.
Reuters; September 9, 2008
Submitted by K. Rutherford
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?xml=/earth/2008/07/09/eag8109.xml
The G8 summit concluded with major developing countries, such as China and India, refusing to sign on to G8 climate change goals. During the G8 meeting, members agreed to cut greenhouse gas emissions by fifty percent by the year 2050. Even though, developing countries have said that climate change is an important issue and steps should be taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, they've concluded that climate change actions should not impeded on their economic growth.
One president of a developing country told the G8 during a closed session: "My country has a great many people living in poverty. They all need support in health, sanitation and basic needs. So we cannot accept the introduction of measures which may hinder our economic growth. If we are going to accept these measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, this must be linked to sustainable growth."
Developing nations are not the only ones criticizing G8 nations on their climate change goals. Environmental groups are also dissatisfied, saying that goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 are not strong enough.
Telegraph; July 9, 2008
Submitted by M. Lamarre
For the first time in nearly 8 years, President George W. Bush has indicated that it is a priority to join other industrialized nations in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Previously, President Bush had rejected the Kyoto protocol and his representative in Bali came back with nothing to show. However, at the G8 meeting in Hokkaido, Japan, he indicated that the U.S. would be likely to participate in the upcoming talks in Copenhagen, Denmark, where the Kyoto successor will be negotiated.
The 16 countries, along with the heads of the European Commission, the United Nations and the World Bank, met in an unusual meeting brokered by President Bush during the last day of the Group of Eight summit on the Japanese island of Hokkaido. It was aimed at trying to come together behind a new treaty to replace the Kyoto Protocol, the 1999 pact aimed at curbing carbon emissions.
On Tuesday, Bush agreed for the first time to join other major industrialized countries in setting a goal to reduce emissions. He and other leaders of the Group of Eight countries forged a joint communique that declares the countries will "consider and adopt" reductions of at least 50 percent as part of a new U.N. treaty to be negotiated in Copenhagen at the end of 2009. The step was the most recent sign of a gradual shift in Bush's approach to combating global warming.
The G8 leaders also said they expect developing countries such as China and India, which are also major greenhouse-gas polluters, to promise "meaningful" actions to reduce emissions. That has been a key objective for Bush but presents an obstacle: Those countries have said repeatedly that the industrialized world, having caused most of the problem historically, must bear the greatest burden, while they needed more relaxed rules to pursue economic development.
Washington Post; July 9, 2008
Submitted by B. Shapiro
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/washingtondc/la-na-intel26-2008jun26,0,5875448.story
The U.S. intelligence agencies have compiled a report on climate change and its possible future affect around the world. The report concludes that climate change may threaten U.S. security because of humanitarian crises such as illegal immigration and ethnic violence from politically weaker countries.
According to the report, the effects of global warming are likely to be most severe in sub- Saharan Africa, the Middle East and Central and Southeast Asia. Its authors warn that less rainfall and more volatile weather could cut agricultural output in some regions of Africa by as much as 50%.
Democrats and environmental activists praised the assessment, calling it formal acknowledgment by a key part of the government that the threat of rising temperatures is real.
But the report was also criticized, particularly by skeptics of global warming and people who oppose using U.S. intelligence resources to track something as amorphous as the environment
The report also concluded that U.S. infrastructure is weak and is not prepared to deal with climate change.
Los Angeles Times: June 26, 2008
Submitted by M. Lamarre
http://www.prdomain.com/companies/A/Allianz/newsreleases/200861758305.htm
Allianz's Chief Operating Officer, Oliver Bate, spoke to the UN General Assembly about what financial service companies can do to aid with global efforts to fight climate change. Bate also answered questions regarding the UN's role in fostering a better climate and the effect of climate change on businesses in the private sector.
When asked, what significance does climate change have for the business and strategy of Allianz? Bate cites the need to satisfy their customers.
Our business is to empower our customers to manage their risks and opportunities and to find solutions for the challenges they face. Climate change is one of most important challenges of the next centuries. If we manage to provide innovative and sustainable solutions like insurance and investments for clean technology, it will help our customers, and ultimately us, to generate sustainable growth.
Business Register: June 16, 2008
Submitted by: M. Lamarre
A group of experts who met in New Delhi concluded that climate change, even with its perils, would open opportunities for businesses in developing countries to make profits. The profits would come as a result of certified emission reduction (CER) sales.
Industrialized countries that have committed themselves to reducing their greenhouse gas emissions plan to achieve 25-30 per cent of their target by buying CERs from developing countries, according to YP Abbi, senior fellow at The Energy and Resources institute (TERI).
"This is a huge opportunity for Indian businesses," Abbi said at a seminar on the business of climate change organized by TERI and Knight International Journalism Fellowships.
However, researches suggested CER supplies will depend on numerous external factors. For example, China's recent earthquake would reduce their CER supplies by up to five percent.
The Times Of India; May 22, 2008
Submitted by M. Lamarre
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121248361250341033.html?mod=hps_us_whats_news
Calls for changes in biofuel and other agricultural policies met with resistance from U.S. and others…..
The United Nations called on countries at a global agriculture summit to rethink the production of biofuels and drop restrictions on food exports, saying these policies drive up food prices and cause hunger in poor countries. The U.N. took sides in the two heated debates Tuesday as it sought to mobilize aid for and investment in developing countries' farm sectors and secure access to food for the world's poor, as soaring food prices have triggered hunger and civil unrest in several developing countries. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a speech here that world food output needs to rise 50% by 2030 to meet the needs of a growing world population. "We have a historic opportunity to revitalize agriculture," Mr. Ban told delegates.
The Wall Street Journal; June 4, 2008
Submitted by J. Andrews
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2004453320_blairop03.html?syndication=rss
Former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, writes on the importance of the climate-change bill being debated this week by U.S. Senators, and urges the U.S., and nations around the world to take stronger actions to finance climate change.
Radical reduction is unlikely to happen through voluntary action alone. Measures in the bill, through a mandatory cap-and-trade scheme, would reduce emissions 70 percent from 2005 levels by 2050. These cuts would be based on a carbon-market-incentive system that moves with the grain of action around the globe.
Much is happening abroad. Europe has introduced the Emissions Trading System, with over half of emissions now tradable; despite the early teething troubles to be expected from any new policy framework, the system is delivering emissions reductions and sending a clear, market-based signal to companies across the continent. Japan has indicated that it is open to a binding national target. China has already set new energy-intensity targets. India is to unveil its first national climate action plan in the next few weeks.
Tony Blair also suggested that companies and governments around the world who acts early to cut emissions are seeing increase productivity. However, "Without an American commitment, a global deal is impossible," he concluded.
The Seattle Times; June 3, 2008
Submitted by M. Lamarre
