About Us:
Isramart , is an international investment management and brokerage firm located in the New York in Brasov. The firm provides equity investment ideas, securities data research, analytic tools, and trading services to pension and mutual funds, hedge funds, banks, insurance companies, and corporations.
Job Summary:
The Marketing Communication Specialist position requires an individual who is a creative thinker and able to think outside the box. Must be energetic, enthusiastic and have a positive attitude, while enjoy working in a challenging environment requiring multi-tasking skills. Individual will be asked to create marketing elements to help sales organization generate qualified leads using traditional mediums, including print, interactive and events. Will be asked to develop creative concepts for consideration and will lead production of approved elements. Ideal candidate will have initiative, exceptional creative writing skills while working with design teams and compliance officer to ensure adherence to guidelines.
Essential Functions:
Receives work assignments base on current campaign plans from Director of Marketing
Creates various marketing materials to be used across various media platforms, developing creative concepts for consideration
Creates Power Point presentations for sales and management meetings
Conduct appropriate market research on competitive services and firms
Will work on corporate intranet and internet site developing and maintaining content, including video/podcast content
Assist in identifying and developing CRM plans
Work to develop and maintain firms branding and visual identity guidelines
Write collateral materials promoting firms services
Qualifications:
BA/BS degree in marketing, communications or related field
3-5 years of marketing experience. Some direct marketing, B2B and CRM experience desirable
Exceptional writing, editing and proofreading skills
Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills
Well organized and able to multi-task
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively as a member of a fast-paced marketing team
Ability to prioritize projects, work within short time frames and meet deadlines
Can work independently, self starter
Exceptional skills with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Working knowledge of Adobe and Photoshop
Pascal Barkats
Isra-mart European desk (Romania)
Str.Mihail Kogalniceanu, Nr 23; Bloc C7
office 16, Judetul Brasov-Romania
Phone: +40 (0) 368 88 58 25/ +40 (0) 368 88 5824
Mobile phone: + 40 75 7041777
Fax: +40 (0) 368 88 5841
Fax : +40 (0)31 710 7094
www.isra-mart.com
Monday, June 29, 2009
isramart :Less CO2 means less tac for fleets and employees
isramart news:
Significant tax savings can be achieved by opting for low CO2 emission cars.
Drivers have been taxed on the benefit of a company car according to CO2 emissions since 2002.
As an example, compare two cars under contract hire arrangements with a list price of approximately £25,000 – a petrol one with emissions of 244g/km and a diesel one of 123g/km.
The difference in benefit-in-kind (BIK) tax for a higher rate taxpayer is £5,100 over a three-year replacement cycle.
Throw into the mix the cost of fuel for 5,000 private miles a year, a large part of which is tax, and the difference in cost rises to £6,300, or several good family holidays.
Simply choosing a car with lower emissions than an equivalent is not only better for the planet, but it is also lowers the tax cost for the employee and the employer.
The tax changes in 2002 prompted driver action in the selection of lower emitting cars, but many businesses continued to ignore emissions, erroneously thinking that it was largely a driver issue.
However, Class 1A National Insurance Contributions (NIC) will have been paid on each driver’s BIK.
The current rate is 12.8%, rising to 13.3% in April 2011.
Taking the above example, the difference in actual NIC cost to the business, after tax relief, over three years is £1,200.
Normally, NIC, tax and fleet management are dealt with in unrelated departments so it is understandable how this could have been overlooked.
Most businesses continued to focus on the upfront funding costs, missing the importance of emissions in terms of wholelife cost, and didn’t incentivise or push selection of lower emitting cars in fleet policies.
But businesses’ attitudes towards CO2 emissions in general seem to be changing.
Where perhaps lack of understanding, suspicion or even antipathy reigned several years ago, many have now embraced fleet policies which at the very least cap emission levels.
The term wholelife cost has become industry mainstream; everywhere you look in fleet press you see it mentioned.
Deloitte has been extolling the virtues of car selection using post-tax wholelife cost since 2002 for cost-saving reasons, including the NIC point raised previosuly.
With the introduction of the new tax legislation for the treatment of company car related expenditure in April 2009, the tax relief businesses can obtain is now affected by car emission levels, which is a further direct tax consequence for businesses choosing cars for their fleets.
These changes are likely to prompt action from businesses looking to reduce fleet costs, which could prove to be a more powerful motivator for change than simply leaving the choice to the drivers.
To demonstrate the power of using wholelife costs to differentiate cars rather than the upfront cost, the wholelife cost difference of the two cars used as example earlier, doing 15,000 business miles a year, is £6,550 over the three-year period, despite them having the same list price.
Significant wholelife cost differences are also apparent when using lease rental as the main choice parameter as opposed to list price.
The wholelife cost should include funding, maintenance, administration, insurance, business fuel and Class 1A NIC costs, along with the associated VAT recovery and tax relief of each item, where applicable.
If any of these is missing, then the figure simply isn’t the true post-tax wholelife costs.
Restructuring fleets based on wholelife cost has the potential to make significant cost savings.
With manufacturers competing to produce cars with lower emissions and the Government continuing to tighten tax legislation to meet EU directive emissions targets, businesses must ensure that they actively manage car selection policies to keep up with the pace.
View it as reducing your tax bill, which may bring some enjoyment to the process.
By choosing to adopt a green network of vehicles, fleet operators are putting their cars in a more marketable position when it comes to defleet time.
We know from recent experience that car buyers are very sensitive to the threat of rising Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) and to rapid increases in fuel prices.
This time last year the cost of diesel rose above 130 pence per litre for the first time and the Government had announced a reform of VED which would have increased the costs of the most polluting cars (ie, those emitting more than 225g/km of CO2) from £230 to more than £400.
A combination of these factors effectively increased the annual rate of depreciation for high-emission, three-year-old cars by £1,000 more than the market norm.
What we can say with reasonable certainty is that the Government has only delayed its proposals to revamp the method of calculating VED, and that the burden of extra cost based on CO2 output is likely to return from 2011.
Furthermore, even though fuel prices have fallen significantly from last year’s all-time high, the long-term trend is an upward one.
Add to this the likelihood that even when we start to move out of recession, perhaps during the latter part of next year, unemployment will still be much higher than it is today, and credit will be tightly regulated and in limited supply.
Consumers will still have restricted disposal income and buying confidence is unlikely to have been restored by that time.
In this frugal society, motoring costs will be scrutinised by the majority of used car buyers.
We fully expect that cars with low emissions and low fuel consumption will be at the top of buyers’ shopping lists – something for fleet decision-makers to bear in mind as they select their cars today.
It is worth noting that the residual value performance of three-year-old cars, based on market sector, currently shows that small/city cars and superminis, now occupy first and third positions in the Glass’s top 10 league table of the best-performing segments.
There is a general downward migration of residual values to cars with greater running costs and we expect this position to be reinforced in the years to come.
Of wider significance is our belief that the RV lows seen during the last quarter of 2008
will not return at any point during the next three years.
…but there could be a price to pay for fleets
By Mark Norman, operational development manager, CAP
Much has been written about the advantages of running a green fleet but the fact remains that there is no such thing as an environmentally-friendly car.
All cars pollute.
From their manufacture to distribution to use and maintenance, a car requires vast amounts of fossil fuel throughout its life.
But, while it’s impossible to have a truly green fleet, it is possible to have a greener fleet. However, this is not necessarily an easy task and often comes at a price.
There are currently a raft of new models being introduced that boast of their environmental credentials but these models often come with an extra cost attached.
Unfortunately this increased cost is likely to lead to increased depreciation, too. For instance, the additional £500 for a stop/start system on an Audi A4 is likely to diminish to around £150 when the car finally is sold three years down the line.
From a financial point of view, any increase in initial cost for an environmentally-friendlier car makes sense only if the additional costs are reflected in increased residual values when the car is eventually sold.
Unfortunately, for those wishing to decrease their carbon footprint while not increasing their financial footprint, things don’t look too promising.
The problem is the clear lack of financial reward for going green in the used markets.
That’s not to say that used car buyers aren’t worried about saving the planet, but that they are often more concerned about saving their cash.
The used market isn’t switched on to CO2 in the way that the fleet market is for two main reasons.
Firstly, the incentives that have been created to encourage fleet owners and drivers to migrate towards more CO2 efficient models do not apply in the used market.
Secondly, there is still a general lack of awareness about the massive strides forward that vehicle manufacturers have made regarding the fuel efficiency of larger cars. The recent downturn in used values clearly demonstrated that many people still believe that the only economical car is a small car.
Until used car buyers are financially encouraged to embrace more environmentally-friendly vehicles in a similar way to the company car fleets, there is little likelihood that residual values for such cars will increase over their mainstream counterparts.
Significant tax savings can be achieved by opting for low CO2 emission cars.
Drivers have been taxed on the benefit of a company car according to CO2 emissions since 2002.
As an example, compare two cars under contract hire arrangements with a list price of approximately £25,000 – a petrol one with emissions of 244g/km and a diesel one of 123g/km.
The difference in benefit-in-kind (BIK) tax for a higher rate taxpayer is £5,100 over a three-year replacement cycle.
Throw into the mix the cost of fuel for 5,000 private miles a year, a large part of which is tax, and the difference in cost rises to £6,300, or several good family holidays.
Simply choosing a car with lower emissions than an equivalent is not only better for the planet, but it is also lowers the tax cost for the employee and the employer.
The tax changes in 2002 prompted driver action in the selection of lower emitting cars, but many businesses continued to ignore emissions, erroneously thinking that it was largely a driver issue.
However, Class 1A National Insurance Contributions (NIC) will have been paid on each driver’s BIK.
The current rate is 12.8%, rising to 13.3% in April 2011.
Taking the above example, the difference in actual NIC cost to the business, after tax relief, over three years is £1,200.
Normally, NIC, tax and fleet management are dealt with in unrelated departments so it is understandable how this could have been overlooked.
Most businesses continued to focus on the upfront funding costs, missing the importance of emissions in terms of wholelife cost, and didn’t incentivise or push selection of lower emitting cars in fleet policies.
But businesses’ attitudes towards CO2 emissions in general seem to be changing.
Where perhaps lack of understanding, suspicion or even antipathy reigned several years ago, many have now embraced fleet policies which at the very least cap emission levels.
The term wholelife cost has become industry mainstream; everywhere you look in fleet press you see it mentioned.
Deloitte has been extolling the virtues of car selection using post-tax wholelife cost since 2002 for cost-saving reasons, including the NIC point raised previosuly.
With the introduction of the new tax legislation for the treatment of company car related expenditure in April 2009, the tax relief businesses can obtain is now affected by car emission levels, which is a further direct tax consequence for businesses choosing cars for their fleets.
These changes are likely to prompt action from businesses looking to reduce fleet costs, which could prove to be a more powerful motivator for change than simply leaving the choice to the drivers.
To demonstrate the power of using wholelife costs to differentiate cars rather than the upfront cost, the wholelife cost difference of the two cars used as example earlier, doing 15,000 business miles a year, is £6,550 over the three-year period, despite them having the same list price.
Significant wholelife cost differences are also apparent when using lease rental as the main choice parameter as opposed to list price.
The wholelife cost should include funding, maintenance, administration, insurance, business fuel and Class 1A NIC costs, along with the associated VAT recovery and tax relief of each item, where applicable.
If any of these is missing, then the figure simply isn’t the true post-tax wholelife costs.
Restructuring fleets based on wholelife cost has the potential to make significant cost savings.
With manufacturers competing to produce cars with lower emissions and the Government continuing to tighten tax legislation to meet EU directive emissions targets, businesses must ensure that they actively manage car selection policies to keep up with the pace.
View it as reducing your tax bill, which may bring some enjoyment to the process.
By choosing to adopt a green network of vehicles, fleet operators are putting their cars in a more marketable position when it comes to defleet time.
We know from recent experience that car buyers are very sensitive to the threat of rising Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) and to rapid increases in fuel prices.
This time last year the cost of diesel rose above 130 pence per litre for the first time and the Government had announced a reform of VED which would have increased the costs of the most polluting cars (ie, those emitting more than 225g/km of CO2) from £230 to more than £400.
A combination of these factors effectively increased the annual rate of depreciation for high-emission, three-year-old cars by £1,000 more than the market norm.
What we can say with reasonable certainty is that the Government has only delayed its proposals to revamp the method of calculating VED, and that the burden of extra cost based on CO2 output is likely to return from 2011.
Furthermore, even though fuel prices have fallen significantly from last year’s all-time high, the long-term trend is an upward one.
Add to this the likelihood that even when we start to move out of recession, perhaps during the latter part of next year, unemployment will still be much higher than it is today, and credit will be tightly regulated and in limited supply.
Consumers will still have restricted disposal income and buying confidence is unlikely to have been restored by that time.
In this frugal society, motoring costs will be scrutinised by the majority of used car buyers.
We fully expect that cars with low emissions and low fuel consumption will be at the top of buyers’ shopping lists – something for fleet decision-makers to bear in mind as they select their cars today.
It is worth noting that the residual value performance of three-year-old cars, based on market sector, currently shows that small/city cars and superminis, now occupy first and third positions in the Glass’s top 10 league table of the best-performing segments.
There is a general downward migration of residual values to cars with greater running costs and we expect this position to be reinforced in the years to come.
Of wider significance is our belief that the RV lows seen during the last quarter of 2008
will not return at any point during the next three years.
…but there could be a price to pay for fleets
By Mark Norman, operational development manager, CAP
Much has been written about the advantages of running a green fleet but the fact remains that there is no such thing as an environmentally-friendly car.
All cars pollute.
From their manufacture to distribution to use and maintenance, a car requires vast amounts of fossil fuel throughout its life.
But, while it’s impossible to have a truly green fleet, it is possible to have a greener fleet. However, this is not necessarily an easy task and often comes at a price.
There are currently a raft of new models being introduced that boast of their environmental credentials but these models often come with an extra cost attached.
Unfortunately this increased cost is likely to lead to increased depreciation, too. For instance, the additional £500 for a stop/start system on an Audi A4 is likely to diminish to around £150 when the car finally is sold three years down the line.
From a financial point of view, any increase in initial cost for an environmentally-friendlier car makes sense only if the additional costs are reflected in increased residual values when the car is eventually sold.
Unfortunately, for those wishing to decrease their carbon footprint while not increasing their financial footprint, things don’t look too promising.
The problem is the clear lack of financial reward for going green in the used markets.
That’s not to say that used car buyers aren’t worried about saving the planet, but that they are often more concerned about saving their cash.
The used market isn’t switched on to CO2 in the way that the fleet market is for two main reasons.
Firstly, the incentives that have been created to encourage fleet owners and drivers to migrate towards more CO2 efficient models do not apply in the used market.
Secondly, there is still a general lack of awareness about the massive strides forward that vehicle manufacturers have made regarding the fuel efficiency of larger cars. The recent downturn in used values clearly demonstrated that many people still believe that the only economical car is a small car.
Until used car buyers are financially encouraged to embrace more environmentally-friendly vehicles in a similar way to the company car fleets, there is little likelihood that residual values for such cars will increase over their mainstream counterparts.
isramart: Trade law no block to carbon tariffs: John Kemp
isramart news:
LONDON, June 26 (Reuters) - Nothing in international trade law would prevent countries that introduce carbon taxes or cap-and-trade programmes from supplementing them with excise duties, tariffs or other measures on imports from countries that don’t.
The absence of a single international carbon price risks causing significant trade distortions as well as undermining the effectiveness of emissions reduction programmes if business migrates from countries with a high carbon price to ones with a low or zero one.
So the question of whether control programmes can be buttressed with measures such as tariffs and other restrictions to “level the playing field” and prevent “carbon leakage” is crucial to the success of the system as well as its political acceptability.
While the issue of “greenhouse tariffs” has aroused bitter opposition from developing countries such as India and China, the rules are fairly clear, and the World Trade Organisation (WTO) has helpfully set them out in a joint report on “Trade And Climate Change” [ID:nLQ110798] published in conjunction with the United Nations Environment Programme (http://www.wto.org/english/res_e/booksp_e/trade_climate_change_e.pdf).
TARIFFS AND TAX ADJUSTMENTS
Market-based programmes can be based on either a tax or a cap-and-trade system. In theory, a tax would be the most efficient solution, because it would create a simple, transparent and predictable price. In practice, every country that has implemented or is considering a programme has chosen cap-and-trade to reduce political opposition [ID:nLR468410]. The choice has important implications for trade measures. Governments wanting to level the playing field and prevent carbon leakage have four basic alternatives:
* Give domestic manufacturers of energy-intensive goods a free allocation of permits to reduce the competitive disadvantage imposed by the scheme.
* Require importers of energy-intensive goods to purchase carbon allowances in the same cap-and-trade market as domestic manufacturers as a condition of entry.
* Subject imports to a special “border tax adjustment” offsetting any advantage they gain over domestic firms that have to buy costly cap-and-trade permits. Many countries already use border tax adjustments to ensure importers do not gain an unfair advantage over domestic manufacturers paying special excise duties on items such as cigarettes and alcohol.
* Levy a “carbon tariff” on imports over and above normal customs tariffs.
The first two approaches are straightforward. The problem with the second two (tax adjustments and carbon tariffs) is how to quantify the increased cost of energy/emissions for domestic producers and therefore how large the additional tax adjustment or tariff should be.
In a carbon tax system, this would be easy, since there would be a predictable price. But in a cap-and-trade system, the price, and therefore the offsetting tax adjustment or tariff, would be uncertain and change continuously.
LEGAL FRAMEWORK CLEAR
Whatever approach governments eventually decide to use, the legal framework for applying tax adjustments, tariffs, or requiring importers to buy emissions allowances is clear.
Supporters and critics alike portray the WTO as a simple “free trade” agreement. Critics complain it prioritises trade liberalisation over other social objectives (such as labour standards, environmental protection and product safety) and prevents governments and elected parliaments responding to popular demands by taking action in these areas. But this is an unfair caricature.
Article XX (General Exceptions) of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1947 (re-enacted as part of the WTO Agreement in 1994) gives governments wide-ranging powers to deviate from the trade-liberalising aspects of the agreement in order to promote other social objectives.
Among other things, governments can take action to protect public morals; protect human, animal or plant life or health; conserve exhaustible natural resources; or further an international commodity agreement (http://www.wto.org/english/docs_e/legal_e/gatt47_e.pdf).
Article XX therefore provides several “routes” by which WTO members could claim an exemption from normal trade rules to introduce tax adjustments, permit schemes or carbon tariffs:
* Governments could claim an exemption on the basis that climate change endangers human life and health. In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has already made a similar “endangerment” finding under the Clean Air Act, enabling it to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles [ID:nLK20098].
* Governments could claim that either hydrocarbons or clean air is an exhaustible natural resource.
* Governments could brand an international accord on emissions control or cap-and-trade systems an exempt “commodity agreement”.
For Article XX exemptions, the only requirement is that “measures are not applied in a manner which would constitute a means of arbitrary or unjustifiable discrimination between countries where the same conditions prevail, or a disguised restriction on international trade”.
There is no reason governments could not introduce tax adjustments, tariffs or permit requirements — provided they were carefully tailored and imposed in a manner that was linked to the danger, consistent and proportionate.
FORESTALLING A BACKLASH
Politically, carbon tariffs or tax adjustments would represent a radical shift for the WTO and its members. For more than 60 years, the GATT/WTO process has been animated by the goal of reducing barriers to trade. While the tax adjustments and carbon tariffs would not violate the letter of the agreements, they would certainly mark a revolutionary shift in the spirit.
But the real aim of the report, and those who have pushed for it, is twofold:
* It seems designed to pre-empt hostility from environmental groups and other activists who are suspicious that WTO rules will prevent effective action on climate issues, and prevent them from mobilising an all-out campaign to dismantle the GATT/WTO framework.
* It provides developed countries (such as the United States and the European Union) with a source of leverage to secure agreement from emerging markets to adopt their own emissions control and trading framework. If developing countries do not adopt their own carbon taxes or cap-and-trade systems, they risk finding that border tax adjustments or tariffs are used against them.
LONDON, June 26 (Reuters) - Nothing in international trade law would prevent countries that introduce carbon taxes or cap-and-trade programmes from supplementing them with excise duties, tariffs or other measures on imports from countries that don’t.
The absence of a single international carbon price risks causing significant trade distortions as well as undermining the effectiveness of emissions reduction programmes if business migrates from countries with a high carbon price to ones with a low or zero one.
So the question of whether control programmes can be buttressed with measures such as tariffs and other restrictions to “level the playing field” and prevent “carbon leakage” is crucial to the success of the system as well as its political acceptability.
While the issue of “greenhouse tariffs” has aroused bitter opposition from developing countries such as India and China, the rules are fairly clear, and the World Trade Organisation (WTO) has helpfully set them out in a joint report on “Trade And Climate Change” [ID:nLQ110798] published in conjunction with the United Nations Environment Programme (http://www.wto.org/english/res_e/booksp_e/trade_climate_change_e.pdf).
TARIFFS AND TAX ADJUSTMENTS
Market-based programmes can be based on either a tax or a cap-and-trade system. In theory, a tax would be the most efficient solution, because it would create a simple, transparent and predictable price. In practice, every country that has implemented or is considering a programme has chosen cap-and-trade to reduce political opposition [ID:nLR468410]. The choice has important implications for trade measures. Governments wanting to level the playing field and prevent carbon leakage have four basic alternatives:
* Give domestic manufacturers of energy-intensive goods a free allocation of permits to reduce the competitive disadvantage imposed by the scheme.
* Require importers of energy-intensive goods to purchase carbon allowances in the same cap-and-trade market as domestic manufacturers as a condition of entry.
* Subject imports to a special “border tax adjustment” offsetting any advantage they gain over domestic firms that have to buy costly cap-and-trade permits. Many countries already use border tax adjustments to ensure importers do not gain an unfair advantage over domestic manufacturers paying special excise duties on items such as cigarettes and alcohol.
* Levy a “carbon tariff” on imports over and above normal customs tariffs.
The first two approaches are straightforward. The problem with the second two (tax adjustments and carbon tariffs) is how to quantify the increased cost of energy/emissions for domestic producers and therefore how large the additional tax adjustment or tariff should be.
In a carbon tax system, this would be easy, since there would be a predictable price. But in a cap-and-trade system, the price, and therefore the offsetting tax adjustment or tariff, would be uncertain and change continuously.
LEGAL FRAMEWORK CLEAR
Whatever approach governments eventually decide to use, the legal framework for applying tax adjustments, tariffs, or requiring importers to buy emissions allowances is clear.
Supporters and critics alike portray the WTO as a simple “free trade” agreement. Critics complain it prioritises trade liberalisation over other social objectives (such as labour standards, environmental protection and product safety) and prevents governments and elected parliaments responding to popular demands by taking action in these areas. But this is an unfair caricature.
Article XX (General Exceptions) of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1947 (re-enacted as part of the WTO Agreement in 1994) gives governments wide-ranging powers to deviate from the trade-liberalising aspects of the agreement in order to promote other social objectives.
Among other things, governments can take action to protect public morals; protect human, animal or plant life or health; conserve exhaustible natural resources; or further an international commodity agreement (http://www.wto.org/english/docs_e/legal_e/gatt47_e.pdf).
Article XX therefore provides several “routes” by which WTO members could claim an exemption from normal trade rules to introduce tax adjustments, permit schemes or carbon tariffs:
* Governments could claim an exemption on the basis that climate change endangers human life and health. In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has already made a similar “endangerment” finding under the Clean Air Act, enabling it to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles [ID:nLK20098].
* Governments could claim that either hydrocarbons or clean air is an exhaustible natural resource.
* Governments could brand an international accord on emissions control or cap-and-trade systems an exempt “commodity agreement”.
For Article XX exemptions, the only requirement is that “measures are not applied in a manner which would constitute a means of arbitrary or unjustifiable discrimination between countries where the same conditions prevail, or a disguised restriction on international trade”.
There is no reason governments could not introduce tax adjustments, tariffs or permit requirements — provided they were carefully tailored and imposed in a manner that was linked to the danger, consistent and proportionate.
FORESTALLING A BACKLASH
Politically, carbon tariffs or tax adjustments would represent a radical shift for the WTO and its members. For more than 60 years, the GATT/WTO process has been animated by the goal of reducing barriers to trade. While the tax adjustments and carbon tariffs would not violate the letter of the agreements, they would certainly mark a revolutionary shift in the spirit.
But the real aim of the report, and those who have pushed for it, is twofold:
* It seems designed to pre-empt hostility from environmental groups and other activists who are suspicious that WTO rules will prevent effective action on climate issues, and prevent them from mobilising an all-out campaign to dismantle the GATT/WTO framework.
* It provides developed countries (such as the United States and the European Union) with a source of leverage to secure agreement from emerging markets to adopt their own emissions control and trading framework. If developing countries do not adopt their own carbon taxes or cap-and-trade systems, they risk finding that border tax adjustments or tariffs are used against them.
isramart: Climate change heats carbon software firms
isramart news:
Competition is heating up in the carbon accounting software market.
Interest among investors and customers about global warming is pushing companies to take action to monitor energy use and emissions. And that has catalyzed a cluster of Bay Area companies, ranging from startups with A-list management teams to offshoots of enterprise software giants like Oracle Corp., to help companies track and manage their emissions and energy use.
Since May, 10 more U.S. companies have formed or come out of stealth mode. That brings the total of known carbon accounting software companies nationwide to 51, with at least half a dozen of those in the Bay Area.
All are chasing a market that’s expected to explode. While only 300 companies worldwide have purchased carbon accounting software, that number is expected to quadruple in the next two years even if the United States does not create a market to trade greenhouse gas emissions credits, according to report by Groom Energy Solutions. In the absence of such a market, hopes of lowering energy bills through better information are driving carbon accounting forward.
But it’s clear the Bay Area’s companies will face stiff competition, as companies across the globe clamor for a piece of the carbon accounting action.
“Because carbon accounting rules are set globally, if you’re solving this problem for French companies, you probably can solve it for American companies,” said Paul Baier who authors the twice-yearly report for Groom Energy on the carbon accounting industry.
There are other companies known to be in development, including Q3, a venture from Thomas Siebel, founder of Siebel Systems. A message left for him through his foundation was not returned.
All the companies focus on helping companies manage and track energy use and carbon emissions. And some go farther to help companies develop strategies to decrease those emissions and save money. Many companies, like San Francisco-based Climate Earth, are specializing in one area.
Climate Earth sells a subscription software service that measures and tracks greenhouse gas emissions and energy use in construction projects.
“There are a slew of companies just focused on that compliance market, but we think that’s too narrow of a perspective to take,” Climate Earth CEO Chris Erickson said. “That’s sort of the baseline for playing.”
Among Bay Area carbon accounting companies are Oakland-based Vintara, founded in 1997, which recently added enterprise carbon management to its enterprise software offerings; San Francisco-based StakeWare, which grew out of Salesforce.com’s AppExchange incubator; and startups San Bruno-based Planet Metrics and San Francisco-based CSRware.
Baier said it’s not a terrible time to be competing with the big enterprise guys.
“It’s hard to innovate when you’re in a recession,” Baier said. “There’s clearly an opportunity for these small guys to grab some share.”
One company hoping to do so is Hara, a Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers-backed startup led by a former division head at SAP, Amit Chatterjee. The company emerged from stealth mode in June with 12 customers, including Coca-Cola. Hara is still headquartered in the offices of Kleiner Perkins, which invested $6 million in the startup.
Chatterjee admits it’s an increasingly crowded space — he’s even competing with SAP, which just bought a market leader in carbon accounting, Sterling, Wash.-based Clear Standards.
Chatterjee said Hara’s software goes beyond carbon measurement, providing information on energy, water, wastewater and solid waste and telling companies what steps they can take to manage those resources in a cost-effective way.
“We’re focused on being the environmental and energy management solution system of record,” said Chatterjee. “We’d like to help companies understand how a business process should exist when thinking about natural resources.”
Competition is heating up in the carbon accounting software market.
Interest among investors and customers about global warming is pushing companies to take action to monitor energy use and emissions. And that has catalyzed a cluster of Bay Area companies, ranging from startups with A-list management teams to offshoots of enterprise software giants like Oracle Corp., to help companies track and manage their emissions and energy use.
Since May, 10 more U.S. companies have formed or come out of stealth mode. That brings the total of known carbon accounting software companies nationwide to 51, with at least half a dozen of those in the Bay Area.
All are chasing a market that’s expected to explode. While only 300 companies worldwide have purchased carbon accounting software, that number is expected to quadruple in the next two years even if the United States does not create a market to trade greenhouse gas emissions credits, according to report by Groom Energy Solutions. In the absence of such a market, hopes of lowering energy bills through better information are driving carbon accounting forward.
But it’s clear the Bay Area’s companies will face stiff competition, as companies across the globe clamor for a piece of the carbon accounting action.
“Because carbon accounting rules are set globally, if you’re solving this problem for French companies, you probably can solve it for American companies,” said Paul Baier who authors the twice-yearly report for Groom Energy on the carbon accounting industry.
There are other companies known to be in development, including Q3, a venture from Thomas Siebel, founder of Siebel Systems. A message left for him through his foundation was not returned.
All the companies focus on helping companies manage and track energy use and carbon emissions. And some go farther to help companies develop strategies to decrease those emissions and save money. Many companies, like San Francisco-based Climate Earth, are specializing in one area.
Climate Earth sells a subscription software service that measures and tracks greenhouse gas emissions and energy use in construction projects.
“There are a slew of companies just focused on that compliance market, but we think that’s too narrow of a perspective to take,” Climate Earth CEO Chris Erickson said. “That’s sort of the baseline for playing.”
Among Bay Area carbon accounting companies are Oakland-based Vintara, founded in 1997, which recently added enterprise carbon management to its enterprise software offerings; San Francisco-based StakeWare, which grew out of Salesforce.com’s AppExchange incubator; and startups San Bruno-based Planet Metrics and San Francisco-based CSRware.
Baier said it’s not a terrible time to be competing with the big enterprise guys.
“It’s hard to innovate when you’re in a recession,” Baier said. “There’s clearly an opportunity for these small guys to grab some share.”
One company hoping to do so is Hara, a Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers-backed startup led by a former division head at SAP, Amit Chatterjee. The company emerged from stealth mode in June with 12 customers, including Coca-Cola. Hara is still headquartered in the offices of Kleiner Perkins, which invested $6 million in the startup.
Chatterjee admits it’s an increasingly crowded space — he’s even competing with SAP, which just bought a market leader in carbon accounting, Sterling, Wash.-based Clear Standards.
Chatterjee said Hara’s software goes beyond carbon measurement, providing information on energy, water, wastewater and solid waste and telling companies what steps they can take to manage those resources in a cost-effective way.
“We’re focused on being the environmental and energy management solution system of record,” said Chatterjee. “We’d like to help companies understand how a business process should exist when thinking about natural resources.”
isramart: EDITORIAL: Carbon offsets good idea — but schools, hospitals shouldn’t have to pay
isramart news:
Reducing greenhouse gasses to slow climate change is a worthy goal, but not at the expense of students and sick people.
While it’s great news that the provincial government is taking seriously its role as leader in the fight against global warming, one wonders if making school districts, health authorities and colleges buy carbon offsets is the right thing to do.
The budgets of these government agencies are already tight and so paying money to the Pacific Carbon Trust to offset GHG emissions doesn’t make much sense.
Better that the government provide money for heating, fuel and energy upgrades to schools, hospitals and colleges so they can reduce their GHGs by becoming more efficient.
Pacific Carbon Trust is in its infancy and has a long way to go before it will truly deliver on its mandate. In the meantime, scarce classroom and health care dollars should not be spent on a feel-good exercise in carbon-offsetting.
Reducing greenhouse gasses to slow climate change is a worthy goal, but not at the expense of students and sick people.
While it’s great news that the provincial government is taking seriously its role as leader in the fight against global warming, one wonders if making school districts, health authorities and colleges buy carbon offsets is the right thing to do.
The budgets of these government agencies are already tight and so paying money to the Pacific Carbon Trust to offset GHG emissions doesn’t make much sense.
Better that the government provide money for heating, fuel and energy upgrades to schools, hospitals and colleges so they can reduce their GHGs by becoming more efficient.
Pacific Carbon Trust is in its infancy and has a long way to go before it will truly deliver on its mandate. In the meantime, scarce classroom and health care dollars should not be spent on a feel-good exercise in carbon-offsetting.
isramart :Climate Exchange shares jump 17 percent
isramart news:
LONDON (Reuters) - Shares in carbon emissions exchange operator Climate Exchange plc jumped nearly 17 percent on Tuesday after IntercontinentalExchange said it had taken a 4.8 percent stake in the company on Monday.
The shares, trading on the London Stock Exchange, closed up 107 pence or 16.6 percent at 751 pence.
Climate Exchange operates the London-based European Climate Exchange (ECX), the world's largest marketplace for greenhouse gas permits, as well as emissions exchanges in the United States, Canada, India and China.
Emissions trading allows governments to cap the climate-warming carbon dioxide spewed by heavy industry. Emissions permits are given or auctioned to companies, which can then trade them over exchanges like the ECX.
ICE, partners with Climate Exchange, provides the trading platform for the ECX. "ICE could well afford CLIE in debt terms -- they have strong cashflow and less than one times EBITDA net debt at last quarter," said Ken Rumph, an analyst at Noble Group
He added that other exchange operators like CME Group or NYSE/Euronext might also be interested in acquiring Climate Exchange.
A spokesman for Climate Exchange would not comment on the purchase while ICE representatives were not reachable by phone.
LONDON (Reuters) - Shares in carbon emissions exchange operator Climate Exchange plc jumped nearly 17 percent on Tuesday after IntercontinentalExchange said it had taken a 4.8 percent stake in the company on Monday.
The shares, trading on the London Stock Exchange, closed up 107 pence or 16.6 percent at 751 pence.
Climate Exchange operates the London-based European Climate Exchange (ECX), the world's largest marketplace for greenhouse gas permits, as well as emissions exchanges in the United States, Canada, India and China.
Emissions trading allows governments to cap the climate-warming carbon dioxide spewed by heavy industry. Emissions permits are given or auctioned to companies, which can then trade them over exchanges like the ECX.
ICE, partners with Climate Exchange, provides the trading platform for the ECX. "ICE could well afford CLIE in debt terms -- they have strong cashflow and less than one times EBITDA net debt at last quarter," said Ken Rumph, an analyst at Noble Group
He added that other exchange operators like CME Group or NYSE/Euronext might also be interested in acquiring Climate Exchange.
A spokesman for Climate Exchange would not comment on the purchase while ICE representatives were not reachable by phone.
isramart : Texas firm harnesses carbon dioxide to extract oil from abandoned fields
isramart news:
At a time when many companies are focused on minimizing production of carbon dioxide, a major culprit in global warming, Denbury Resources is all about producing more of it.
The Plano, Texas, company extracts carbon dioxide from a giant underground deposit in Mississippi and uses the gas to draw more oil from abandoned fields. Denbury also sells the CO2 to companies that create carbonated beverages, make dry ice, load fire extinguishers and freeze pieces of chicken.
In trapping and using carbon dioxide that might otherwise be released into the atmosphere, Denbury has become a poster child of sorts for business groups that believe Louisiana should combine aggressive drilling for oil and gas with technologies that capture the carbon released by refineries and major consumers of fossil fuels.
Looking ahead to the day when its naturally occurring carbon dioxide supply at the Jackson Dome is exhausted, Denbury is building a 320-mile carbon dioxide pipeline — the so-called green pipeline — across Louisiana so it can buy more of the gas from the state’s ubiquitous refineries, chemical plants, utilities and future gasification projects.
Bob Cornelius, senior vice president of operations at Denbury, admits he gets some funny reactions when he tells people that he sees value in carbon dioxide. While it may seem perverse, he said it is a good business to be in at a time when the cost of fuel is at a premium and companies are looking for ways to sequester their carbon dioxide emissions.
“We can do a lot of good things at once: We can help the environment, produce more oil and gas, produce more jobs and more energy security,” he said.
While much of the national discussion about mitigating climate change centers on moving away from fossil fuels and toward greener sources of power like wind and the sun, business and political groups in oil-producing states like Louisiana are looking to make the most out of fossil fuels and to mine regional expertise in pipeline construction and geologic exploration.
U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson, touts an alternative to the omnibus climate change bill, the American Energy Act of 2009, which promotes more renewable energy sources while fully developing the domestic oil and gas industry to reduce dependence on foreign oil. Greater New Orleans Inc. is meanwhile pushing a package of bills in the Legislature to create new incentives for extracting more oil from depleted fields by using carbon dioxide, as Denbury hopes to do.
The approach sets up something of a culture clash between those pushing green power sources and those who want cleaner fossil fuels that come with stronger government requirements to trap toxins and greenhouse gases.
“We would really like to see us moving away from fossil fuels and not have a need for enhanced oil recovery. Why are we still drilling for oil and doing enhanced oil recovery when we have other, cleaner options like wind and solar?” said Jordan Macha, an organizer with the Sierra Club. “The need for CO2 just shouldn’t even be an issue right now.”
But economic development groups around the state say the need for more fossil fuels is real, and Louisiana is uniquely suited to prosper from drilling while addressing climate change concerns.
Andrea St. Paul Bland, senior vice president of business development at Greater New Orleans Inc., said the state has one-eighth of the world’s supply of petroleum coke and is believed to have 10 million barrels of stranded oil, much of it in south Louisiana. She said companies can inject carbon dioxide underground to coax oil out of stubborn fields, a process that helps the state make money from production while trapping a potent greenhouse gas in wells.
“It’s such a wonderful opportunity for Louisiana,” Bland said. “We think it’s proper stewardship of our assets to fully produce what we have domestically.”
“Louisiana has a vast carbon solution in our stranded oil fields,” she said.
Denbury’s pipeline is central to GNO Inc.’s vision of an energy future for Louisiana built on carbon capture and enhanced oil recovery.
Denbury now mines carbon dioxide from the Jackson Dome, a reservoir deposited by an ancient volcano thousands of feet underground. Denbury bought the dome in 1999 from Shell Oil, which had hoped to find natural gas inside, and the company uses the carbon dioxide to bubble oil from fields that others have abandoned.
Denbury already has a pipeline that transports carbon dioxide from Jackson, Miss., to Donaldsonville. This year, it started expanding the pipeline across Louisiana, the nation’s second-largest industrial producer of carbon dioxide. The company plans to buy man-made carbon dioxide and inject it into oil fields it owns in Texas.
gasification plants, fertilizer plants or other ventures that would produce large quantities of carbon dioxide. It has become an investor in one of them, the proposed $1.6 billion Faustina Hydrogen Products plant near Donaldsonville, which is expected to produce ammonia, methanol, synthetic natural gas and carbon dioxide.
If it eventually becomes affordable for Louisiana’s existing chemical plants and refineries to retrofit their stacks with carbon-capture technology, Denbury would like to take their carbon dioxide, too.
“We put it across Louisiana because there are so many possible emitters,” Cornelius said.
The venture is not without risk. It is not certain that several proposed gasification plants, which break down a refinery byproduct called petroleum coke into synthetic natural gas, syngas and carbon dioxide, will actually get built in Louisiana. Those plants would supply carbon dioxide to Denbury’s pipeline.
In addition, it could be expensive for existing plants to install technology to capture carbon dioxide.
“There are several technologies that exist, that are available and would work, but the question is, at what cost?” said Mike McDaniel, a former head of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality who works on carbon-capture issues at the Louisiana State University Center for Energy Studies. “They’re mostly in pilot and demonstration-scale projects.”
The viability of the Denbury pipeline could rise and fall with energy prices, which have been extremely volatile in the past year. Rising oil prices create demand for carbon dioxide to extract oil from difficult sites. Low natural gas prices, on the other hand, could dampen demand for synthetic natural gas and syngas, both of which Denbury hopes will become future suppliers of carbon dioxide.
“The economics, in a high-price environment, have always been challenging. They get even more challenging in a low-price environment,” said David Dismukes, an energy economist and the assistant director of the LSU Energy Center. “Gasification projects are kind of in the same boat as the nuclear projects: They require a leap of faith and a big capital investment up front. Who wants to take that risk?”
“But if you don’t do it now, when are you going to do it?” Dismukes added.
Eric Smith, associate director of the Tulane Energy Institute, said long-term demand for oil and gas would ensure the viability of the Denbury pipeline. He noted the company hasn’t had trouble raising money for its project.
Smith had questions about how the pipeline would operate. Carbon dioxide pipelines are expensive because they have to withstand high pressures, and companies that want to send their carbon dioxide into the green pipeline won’t be able to use existing pipelines for the job.
Smith also wondered about Denbury’s vision of national network of carbon dioxide pipelines that would connect with its own main pipeline as well as the oil fields of Louisiana and Texas. Because of the expense that building additional pipelines would pose, Smith conjectured that Midwestern coal plants might be more likely to transport their carbon dioxide to the closest place where it can be stored.
But in a rapidly changing energy landscape, Smith said Denbury would be a company to watch.
“If this works — and so far it’s worked like a charm — Denbury has gone from being a little player to being a trailblazer in the market,” Smith said.
At a time when many companies are focused on minimizing production of carbon dioxide, a major culprit in global warming, Denbury Resources is all about producing more of it.
The Plano, Texas, company extracts carbon dioxide from a giant underground deposit in Mississippi and uses the gas to draw more oil from abandoned fields. Denbury also sells the CO2 to companies that create carbonated beverages, make dry ice, load fire extinguishers and freeze pieces of chicken.
In trapping and using carbon dioxide that might otherwise be released into the atmosphere, Denbury has become a poster child of sorts for business groups that believe Louisiana should combine aggressive drilling for oil and gas with technologies that capture the carbon released by refineries and major consumers of fossil fuels.
Looking ahead to the day when its naturally occurring carbon dioxide supply at the Jackson Dome is exhausted, Denbury is building a 320-mile carbon dioxide pipeline — the so-called green pipeline — across Louisiana so it can buy more of the gas from the state’s ubiquitous refineries, chemical plants, utilities and future gasification projects.
Bob Cornelius, senior vice president of operations at Denbury, admits he gets some funny reactions when he tells people that he sees value in carbon dioxide. While it may seem perverse, he said it is a good business to be in at a time when the cost of fuel is at a premium and companies are looking for ways to sequester their carbon dioxide emissions.
“We can do a lot of good things at once: We can help the environment, produce more oil and gas, produce more jobs and more energy security,” he said.
While much of the national discussion about mitigating climate change centers on moving away from fossil fuels and toward greener sources of power like wind and the sun, business and political groups in oil-producing states like Louisiana are looking to make the most out of fossil fuels and to mine regional expertise in pipeline construction and geologic exploration.
U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson, touts an alternative to the omnibus climate change bill, the American Energy Act of 2009, which promotes more renewable energy sources while fully developing the domestic oil and gas industry to reduce dependence on foreign oil. Greater New Orleans Inc. is meanwhile pushing a package of bills in the Legislature to create new incentives for extracting more oil from depleted fields by using carbon dioxide, as Denbury hopes to do.
The approach sets up something of a culture clash between those pushing green power sources and those who want cleaner fossil fuels that come with stronger government requirements to trap toxins and greenhouse gases.
“We would really like to see us moving away from fossil fuels and not have a need for enhanced oil recovery. Why are we still drilling for oil and doing enhanced oil recovery when we have other, cleaner options like wind and solar?” said Jordan Macha, an organizer with the Sierra Club. “The need for CO2 just shouldn’t even be an issue right now.”
But economic development groups around the state say the need for more fossil fuels is real, and Louisiana is uniquely suited to prosper from drilling while addressing climate change concerns.
Andrea St. Paul Bland, senior vice president of business development at Greater New Orleans Inc., said the state has one-eighth of the world’s supply of petroleum coke and is believed to have 10 million barrels of stranded oil, much of it in south Louisiana. She said companies can inject carbon dioxide underground to coax oil out of stubborn fields, a process that helps the state make money from production while trapping a potent greenhouse gas in wells.
“It’s such a wonderful opportunity for Louisiana,” Bland said. “We think it’s proper stewardship of our assets to fully produce what we have domestically.”
“Louisiana has a vast carbon solution in our stranded oil fields,” she said.
Denbury’s pipeline is central to GNO Inc.’s vision of an energy future for Louisiana built on carbon capture and enhanced oil recovery.
Denbury now mines carbon dioxide from the Jackson Dome, a reservoir deposited by an ancient volcano thousands of feet underground. Denbury bought the dome in 1999 from Shell Oil, which had hoped to find natural gas inside, and the company uses the carbon dioxide to bubble oil from fields that others have abandoned.
Denbury already has a pipeline that transports carbon dioxide from Jackson, Miss., to Donaldsonville. This year, it started expanding the pipeline across Louisiana, the nation’s second-largest industrial producer of carbon dioxide. The company plans to buy man-made carbon dioxide and inject it into oil fields it owns in Texas.
gasification plants, fertilizer plants or other ventures that would produce large quantities of carbon dioxide. It has become an investor in one of them, the proposed $1.6 billion Faustina Hydrogen Products plant near Donaldsonville, which is expected to produce ammonia, methanol, synthetic natural gas and carbon dioxide.
If it eventually becomes affordable for Louisiana’s existing chemical plants and refineries to retrofit their stacks with carbon-capture technology, Denbury would like to take their carbon dioxide, too.
“We put it across Louisiana because there are so many possible emitters,” Cornelius said.
The venture is not without risk. It is not certain that several proposed gasification plants, which break down a refinery byproduct called petroleum coke into synthetic natural gas, syngas and carbon dioxide, will actually get built in Louisiana. Those plants would supply carbon dioxide to Denbury’s pipeline.
In addition, it could be expensive for existing plants to install technology to capture carbon dioxide.
“There are several technologies that exist, that are available and would work, but the question is, at what cost?” said Mike McDaniel, a former head of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality who works on carbon-capture issues at the Louisiana State University Center for Energy Studies. “They’re mostly in pilot and demonstration-scale projects.”
The viability of the Denbury pipeline could rise and fall with energy prices, which have been extremely volatile in the past year. Rising oil prices create demand for carbon dioxide to extract oil from difficult sites. Low natural gas prices, on the other hand, could dampen demand for synthetic natural gas and syngas, both of which Denbury hopes will become future suppliers of carbon dioxide.
“The economics, in a high-price environment, have always been challenging. They get even more challenging in a low-price environment,” said David Dismukes, an energy economist and the assistant director of the LSU Energy Center. “Gasification projects are kind of in the same boat as the nuclear projects: They require a leap of faith and a big capital investment up front. Who wants to take that risk?”
“But if you don’t do it now, when are you going to do it?” Dismukes added.
Eric Smith, associate director of the Tulane Energy Institute, said long-term demand for oil and gas would ensure the viability of the Denbury pipeline. He noted the company hasn’t had trouble raising money for its project.
Smith had questions about how the pipeline would operate. Carbon dioxide pipelines are expensive because they have to withstand high pressures, and companies that want to send their carbon dioxide into the green pipeline won’t be able to use existing pipelines for the job.
Smith also wondered about Denbury’s vision of national network of carbon dioxide pipelines that would connect with its own main pipeline as well as the oil fields of Louisiana and Texas. Because of the expense that building additional pipelines would pose, Smith conjectured that Midwestern coal plants might be more likely to transport their carbon dioxide to the closest place where it can be stored.
But in a rapidly changing energy landscape, Smith said Denbury would be a company to watch.
“If this works — and so far it’s worked like a charm — Denbury has gone from being a little player to being a trailblazer in the market,” Smith said.
Friday, June 26, 2009
isramart : Orasele europene s-au angajat sa reduca emisiile de CO2 cu peste 20%, pana in 2020
isramart news:
Pe 29 ianuarie, in cadrul Saptamanii Europene a Energiei Durabile 2008, Comisia Europeana a lansat "Conventia Primarilor". Documentul este un angajament pe care si l-au asumat aproape 100 de primari europeni, de a implica cetatenii oraselor pe care le reprezinta, in lupta impotriva incalzirii globale. Scopul pe care si-l propun semnatarii este depasirea obiectivelor UE de reducere cu 20% a emisiilor de CO2, pana in 2020.
Cele mai importante angajamente pe care si le-au luat orasele semnatare sunt:
* Mobilizarea societatii civile sa participe la implementarea unor planuri locale de actiune climatica, precum si a Planului de Actiune Climatica al UE;
* Organizarea unor "Zile ale Energiei", in care sa fie implicati atat cetatenii, cat si reprezentantii mass-media;
* Impartasirea de know-how in domeniul energiei si altor regiuni si orase;
* Adaptarea structurilor oraselor si alocarea de resurse umane pentru reducerea emisiilor de CO2;
* Imbunatatirea transportului in comun.
Orasele semnatare ale Conventiei s-au angajat sa reduca emisiile de CO2 cu mai mult de 20%, pana in anul 2020. Pentru acest lucru, Comisia Europeana le va oferi sprijin pentru implementarea celor mai bune practici din lume in domeniul energiei durabile. De asemenea, cetatenii vor fi informati cu privire la realizarile oraselor lor prin rapoarte periodice, care vor putea fi monitorizate de catre terti.
Textul Conventiei este rezultatul unei consultari informale cu un numar mare de orase din toata Europa. Aproape 100 de orase din toata Europa, intre care 15 capitale, si-au exprimat, de la bun inceput, sustinerea pentru Conventie. Reprezentanti alesi din Londra, Helsinki, Riga, Berlin, Bonn, Milano, Venetia, Nantes, Ljubljana, Varsovia, precum si din alte orase, au participat la evenimentul de lansare. La eveniment au participat si Comisarul Andris Piebalgs si cu Presedintele Comitetului Regiunilor, Michel Delebarre.
Afla mai multe despre Saptamana Europeana a Energiei Durabile 2008 si despre Conventia Primarilor.
Andris PiebalgsComisarul european pentru energie, Andris Piebalgs, a declarat la evenimentul de lansare a Conventiei: "Orasele devin din ce in ce mai mult locuri in care se pun in aplicare idei noi si proiecte inovatoare impotriva incalzirii globale. Orasele sunt, in acelasi timp, spatiile publice in care este posibil sa se gaseasca solutii multiculturale si intersectoriale si in care poate avea loc concilierea necesara intre interesele private si cele publice. Abordarea crizei schimbarilor climatice nu poate fi decat una holistica, integrata, pe termen lung si, mai presus de toate, bazata pe participarea cetatenilor. Acest tablou complex este cel mai bine gestionat la nivel local. Orasele trebuie, deci, sa devina actorii principali ai punerii in aplicare a politicilor privind energia durabila si efortul lor trebuie sprijinit."
Conventia vine in completarea pachetului de masuri pentru combaterea schimbarilor climatice, adoptat de Uniunea Europeana pe 9 martie 2007. Prin acest pachet legislativ, statele membre UE s-au angajat sa-si reduca emisiile de CO2 cu 20%, pana in 2020.
Pe 29 ianuarie, in cadrul Saptamanii Europene a Energiei Durabile 2008, Comisia Europeana a lansat "Conventia Primarilor". Documentul este un angajament pe care si l-au asumat aproape 100 de primari europeni, de a implica cetatenii oraselor pe care le reprezinta, in lupta impotriva incalzirii globale. Scopul pe care si-l propun semnatarii este depasirea obiectivelor UE de reducere cu 20% a emisiilor de CO2, pana in 2020.
Cele mai importante angajamente pe care si le-au luat orasele semnatare sunt:
* Mobilizarea societatii civile sa participe la implementarea unor planuri locale de actiune climatica, precum si a Planului de Actiune Climatica al UE;
* Organizarea unor "Zile ale Energiei", in care sa fie implicati atat cetatenii, cat si reprezentantii mass-media;
* Impartasirea de know-how in domeniul energiei si altor regiuni si orase;
* Adaptarea structurilor oraselor si alocarea de resurse umane pentru reducerea emisiilor de CO2;
* Imbunatatirea transportului in comun.
Orasele semnatare ale Conventiei s-au angajat sa reduca emisiile de CO2 cu mai mult de 20%, pana in anul 2020. Pentru acest lucru, Comisia Europeana le va oferi sprijin pentru implementarea celor mai bune practici din lume in domeniul energiei durabile. De asemenea, cetatenii vor fi informati cu privire la realizarile oraselor lor prin rapoarte periodice, care vor putea fi monitorizate de catre terti.
Textul Conventiei este rezultatul unei consultari informale cu un numar mare de orase din toata Europa. Aproape 100 de orase din toata Europa, intre care 15 capitale, si-au exprimat, de la bun inceput, sustinerea pentru Conventie. Reprezentanti alesi din Londra, Helsinki, Riga, Berlin, Bonn, Milano, Venetia, Nantes, Ljubljana, Varsovia, precum si din alte orase, au participat la evenimentul de lansare. La eveniment au participat si Comisarul Andris Piebalgs si cu Presedintele Comitetului Regiunilor, Michel Delebarre.
Afla mai multe despre Saptamana Europeana a Energiei Durabile 2008 si despre Conventia Primarilor.
Andris PiebalgsComisarul european pentru energie, Andris Piebalgs, a declarat la evenimentul de lansare a Conventiei: "Orasele devin din ce in ce mai mult locuri in care se pun in aplicare idei noi si proiecte inovatoare impotriva incalzirii globale. Orasele sunt, in acelasi timp, spatiile publice in care este posibil sa se gaseasca solutii multiculturale si intersectoriale si in care poate avea loc concilierea necesara intre interesele private si cele publice. Abordarea crizei schimbarilor climatice nu poate fi decat una holistica, integrata, pe termen lung si, mai presus de toate, bazata pe participarea cetatenilor. Acest tablou complex este cel mai bine gestionat la nivel local. Orasele trebuie, deci, sa devina actorii principali ai punerii in aplicare a politicilor privind energia durabila si efortul lor trebuie sprijinit."
Conventia vine in completarea pachetului de masuri pentru combaterea schimbarilor climatice, adoptat de Uniunea Europeana pe 9 martie 2007. Prin acest pachet legislativ, statele membre UE s-au angajat sa-si reduca emisiile de CO2 cu 20%, pana in 2020.
isramart : Cum sa ai o casa mai ecologica
insramart news:
Imbunatateste-ti izolatia
Aproximativ jumatate din pierderile de caldura in case au loc prin pereti si acoperis. Izolandu-va casa mai bine nu numai ca veti stopa pierderea de caldura dar va veti putea micsora si factura de intretinere.
* ferestrele duble pot reduce pierderea de caldura din casa la jumatate
* izoleaza-ti rezervorul de apa calda
* izoleaza-ti conductele
* daca ai pivnite izoleaza-le si pe acestea deoarece pierderea de caldura se poate produce si pe sub casa.
Daca intr-adevar militezi pentru surse mai ecologice de incalzire:
* energia solara foloseste puterea Soarelui pentru a incalzi direct apa sau pentru a genera electricitate
* energia eoliana poate fi transformata in electricitate prin turbine
* puterea apelor poate fi de asemenea folosita pentru a genera electricitate
* biomasa (deseuri vegetale sau reziduuri animalice) pot fi arse direct pentru a-ti incalzi casa
Uitati-va pe etichete cand cumparati instalatii termice si energetice
Logo-ul Recomandare pentru Economia de Energie poate fi folosit doar pe produsele cele mai eficiente din acest punct de vedere. Majoritatea acestor produse au si o eticheta Energie Europeana care noteaza produsele pe o scara de la A (cel mai eficient) la G ( cel mai putin eficient), si care informeaza asupra consumului de apa al acestora.
Folositi cronometre si termostate
Luati controlul asupra incalzirii casei dumneavoastra si puteti economisi energie si bani. Reducand nivelul temperaturii cu un grad puteti diminua cu 10% factura de intretinere.
Poti economisii surprinzator de multa energie prin folosirea optiunilor aparaturii tale de incalzire centralizata :
* foloseste termostatele pentru incalzirea casei si a apei
* radiatoare cu termostate
* timer-ul electronic te asigura ca folosesti caldura doar cand ai nevoie
* cand folosesti aparatura noua sau te muti intr-o casa noua intreaba comerciantii sau proprietarii cum functioneaza exact optiunile aparaturii
* cand iti instalezi un boiler nou roaga instalatorul sa-ti arate cum poti folosi functiile acestuia
* incearca sa reglezi termostatul cu un grad mai putin, asta poate duce la o economie de aproximativ 10 % la factura de intretinere
* alege un boiler mai eficient din punct de vedere al consumului
Folositi becuri economice
Folosirea becurilor economice este una dintre cele mai simple metode de a reduce consumul de energie. Un astfel de bec poate rezista de aproximativ 10 ori mai mult decat altele.
Spalati hainele la 30 grade, avand grija ca masina de spalat sa fie complet incarcata
Masina vostra de spalat consuma energie si apa intr-un mod mai eficient daca o umpleti cu haine la capacitatea maxima. Acest fapt se aplica si altor masini de spalat precum cea de vase.
Mentineti nivelul de Compusi Organici Volatili (COV) la un nivel minim
COV, se gasesc in vopseluri, finisaje,conservanti si pot fi daunatori omului, animalelor si plantelor. Majoritatea acestor produse poarta o eticheta care indica concentratia de COV. Incercati sa le alegeti pe cele cu o concentratie cat mai mica.
Inchideti aparatura in loc sa o lasati pe stand-by
Aparatura electrica lasata pe stand-by consuma aproximativ 6-10% din totalul de consum energetic al casei. Inchideti TV-ul, PC-ul si alte gadget-uri eventual si scotandu-le din priza dupa inchidere.
Instalati aparatura de economisire a apei
Cisterne cu volum mic de apa pentru toalete, dusuri mai eficiente din punct de vedere al consumului de apa. Toate acestea ajuta la micsorarea consumului dumneavoastra de apa
Cand cumparati un closet nou:
* achizitionati o cisterna cu un debit de apa mai mic
* achizitionati un aparat de variatie a cantitatii de apa din cisterna toaletei, asta va va da posibilitatea sa reglati dumneavoastra cantitatea de apa pe care doriti sa o consumati.
Cand cumparati instalatiile pentru dus:
* incercati sa gasiti un cap de dus mai eficient in consumul de apa. Acesta iti reduce cantitatea de apa consumata cu 30% fara sa afecteze calitatea dusului.
* evitati dusurile cu o presiune mare pentru ca puteti consuma mai multa apa decat daca ati face baie in cada plina.
Cand cumparati aparatura pentru casa care foloseste apa:
* achizitionati masini de spalat care folosesc 50 l pe program de spalare
* achizitionati masina de spalat vase care foloseste 15 l peprogram de spalare
* asigurati-va ca umpleti masinile la capacitate maxima deoarece incarcate pe jumatate ele consuma mai mult de jumatate din energia consumata incarcate la maxim
Nu lasati apa sa picure
Un robinet care nu se inchide corect poate picura in jur de 15 l de apa pe zi, sau apropae 5 500 de l pe an. Instalarea unui nou robinet este un mod eficent si ieftin de a economisi apa iar procedura dureaza doar cateva minute.
Reinnoiti instalatiile
Plasati un aerator in bazinele cu apa. Acesta poate reduce consumul de apa cu aproximativ 50% . Un aerator amesteca apa cu aerul.
Imbunatateste-ti izolatia
Aproximativ jumatate din pierderile de caldura in case au loc prin pereti si acoperis. Izolandu-va casa mai bine nu numai ca veti stopa pierderea de caldura dar va veti putea micsora si factura de intretinere.
* ferestrele duble pot reduce pierderea de caldura din casa la jumatate
* izoleaza-ti rezervorul de apa calda
* izoleaza-ti conductele
* daca ai pivnite izoleaza-le si pe acestea deoarece pierderea de caldura se poate produce si pe sub casa.
Daca intr-adevar militezi pentru surse mai ecologice de incalzire:
* energia solara foloseste puterea Soarelui pentru a incalzi direct apa sau pentru a genera electricitate
* energia eoliana poate fi transformata in electricitate prin turbine
* puterea apelor poate fi de asemenea folosita pentru a genera electricitate
* biomasa (deseuri vegetale sau reziduuri animalice) pot fi arse direct pentru a-ti incalzi casa
Uitati-va pe etichete cand cumparati instalatii termice si energetice
Logo-ul Recomandare pentru Economia de Energie poate fi folosit doar pe produsele cele mai eficiente din acest punct de vedere. Majoritatea acestor produse au si o eticheta Energie Europeana care noteaza produsele pe o scara de la A (cel mai eficient) la G ( cel mai putin eficient), si care informeaza asupra consumului de apa al acestora.
Folositi cronometre si termostate
Luati controlul asupra incalzirii casei dumneavoastra si puteti economisi energie si bani. Reducand nivelul temperaturii cu un grad puteti diminua cu 10% factura de intretinere.
Poti economisii surprinzator de multa energie prin folosirea optiunilor aparaturii tale de incalzire centralizata :
* foloseste termostatele pentru incalzirea casei si a apei
* radiatoare cu termostate
* timer-ul electronic te asigura ca folosesti caldura doar cand ai nevoie
* cand folosesti aparatura noua sau te muti intr-o casa noua intreaba comerciantii sau proprietarii cum functioneaza exact optiunile aparaturii
* cand iti instalezi un boiler nou roaga instalatorul sa-ti arate cum poti folosi functiile acestuia
* incearca sa reglezi termostatul cu un grad mai putin, asta poate duce la o economie de aproximativ 10 % la factura de intretinere
* alege un boiler mai eficient din punct de vedere al consumului
Folositi becuri economice
Folosirea becurilor economice este una dintre cele mai simple metode de a reduce consumul de energie. Un astfel de bec poate rezista de aproximativ 10 ori mai mult decat altele.
Spalati hainele la 30 grade, avand grija ca masina de spalat sa fie complet incarcata
Masina vostra de spalat consuma energie si apa intr-un mod mai eficient daca o umpleti cu haine la capacitatea maxima. Acest fapt se aplica si altor masini de spalat precum cea de vase.
Mentineti nivelul de Compusi Organici Volatili (COV) la un nivel minim
COV, se gasesc in vopseluri, finisaje,conservanti si pot fi daunatori omului, animalelor si plantelor. Majoritatea acestor produse poarta o eticheta care indica concentratia de COV. Incercati sa le alegeti pe cele cu o concentratie cat mai mica.
Inchideti aparatura in loc sa o lasati pe stand-by
Aparatura electrica lasata pe stand-by consuma aproximativ 6-10% din totalul de consum energetic al casei. Inchideti TV-ul, PC-ul si alte gadget-uri eventual si scotandu-le din priza dupa inchidere.
Instalati aparatura de economisire a apei
Cisterne cu volum mic de apa pentru toalete, dusuri mai eficiente din punct de vedere al consumului de apa. Toate acestea ajuta la micsorarea consumului dumneavoastra de apa
Cand cumparati un closet nou:
* achizitionati o cisterna cu un debit de apa mai mic
* achizitionati un aparat de variatie a cantitatii de apa din cisterna toaletei, asta va va da posibilitatea sa reglati dumneavoastra cantitatea de apa pe care doriti sa o consumati.
Cand cumparati instalatiile pentru dus:
* incercati sa gasiti un cap de dus mai eficient in consumul de apa. Acesta iti reduce cantitatea de apa consumata cu 30% fara sa afecteze calitatea dusului.
* evitati dusurile cu o presiune mare pentru ca puteti consuma mai multa apa decat daca ati face baie in cada plina.
Cand cumparati aparatura pentru casa care foloseste apa:
* achizitionati masini de spalat care folosesc 50 l pe program de spalare
* achizitionati masina de spalat vase care foloseste 15 l peprogram de spalare
* asigurati-va ca umpleti masinile la capacitate maxima deoarece incarcate pe jumatate ele consuma mai mult de jumatate din energia consumata incarcate la maxim
Nu lasati apa sa picure
Un robinet care nu se inchide corect poate picura in jur de 15 l de apa pe zi, sau apropae 5 500 de l pe an. Instalarea unui nou robinet este un mod eficent si ieftin de a economisi apa iar procedura dureaza doar cateva minute.
Reinnoiti instalatiile
Plasati un aerator in bazinele cu apa. Acesta poate reduce consumul de apa cu aproximativ 50% . Un aerator amesteca apa cu aerul.
isramart : Atenuarea schimbarilor climatice – capturarea si stocarea emisiilor de CO2
isramart news:
Tehnologia de capturare si stocare a Carbonului (CSC) este asteptata sa joace un rol cheie in cadrul strategiei de a evita schimbarile climatice periculoase. Aceasta e prevazuta sa sa reduca substantial emisiile de CO2 de pe teritoriul UE, chiar si in conditiile consumului continuu a carburantilor fosili. Recent, Comisia Europeana a propus o politica care se adreseaza integritatii capturarii si stocarii de Carbon. CSC este in model deosebit de important pentru economii bazate pe o dezvoltare prin exploatarea de carbuni, economii precum cea a Chinei sau a Indiei.
Tehnologiile CSC sunt gata pentru a fi demonstrate la scara larga de indata ce se poate invata folosirea lor practica. Stimularea folosirii acestor tehnologii cat mai repede demonstreaza ca o capacitate suficienta de CSC ar putea fi implementata la timp pentru a atinge target-ul european de reducere a emisiilor cu 20% pana in 2020.
Un numar de provocari insa vor ramane. Spre exemplu transportul in siguranta si eficient din punct de vedere al costului catre locurile de stocare a CO2 capturat. In Turcia si SUA sunt folosite conducte pentru a transporta CO2 pentru recuperarea de petrol iar in viitor acestea vor deveni, cel mai probabil, cea mai potrivita modalitate de a transprta CO2 capturat si in Europa, desi navigatia s-ar putea sa aibe si ea un rol important.
Zonele strategice sunt inca evaluate pentru a putea fi considerate potrivite pentru stocare si monitorizare a CO2 sub pamant. Studiile geologice vor stabili cum va reactiona zona dupa injectarea cu CO2 si de asemnea riscurile care ar putea aparea pe termen lung in urma scurgerilor de CO2 din locul stocat.
Cu o istorie puternica in ceea ce priveste tehnologia si posibilitatea sa de stocare sub Marea Nordului, Uniunea Europeana ar putea deveni in viitor liderul mondial in implementarea tehnologiei CSC. Asta ar acorda UE un avantaj substantial in manufactura si inginerie industriala pe o piata mondiala foarte bine dezvoltata. Dar si alte beneficii importante ar putea aparea pentru UE daca in rolul sau de lider ar incuraja China si India sa preia modelul de tehnologie CSC pentru a reduce emisiile de CO2 la nivel mondial.
Tehnologia de capturare si stocare a Carbonului (CSC) este asteptata sa joace un rol cheie in cadrul strategiei de a evita schimbarile climatice periculoase. Aceasta e prevazuta sa sa reduca substantial emisiile de CO2 de pe teritoriul UE, chiar si in conditiile consumului continuu a carburantilor fosili. Recent, Comisia Europeana a propus o politica care se adreseaza integritatii capturarii si stocarii de Carbon. CSC este in model deosebit de important pentru economii bazate pe o dezvoltare prin exploatarea de carbuni, economii precum cea a Chinei sau a Indiei.
Tehnologiile CSC sunt gata pentru a fi demonstrate la scara larga de indata ce se poate invata folosirea lor practica. Stimularea folosirii acestor tehnologii cat mai repede demonstreaza ca o capacitate suficienta de CSC ar putea fi implementata la timp pentru a atinge target-ul european de reducere a emisiilor cu 20% pana in 2020.
Un numar de provocari insa vor ramane. Spre exemplu transportul in siguranta si eficient din punct de vedere al costului catre locurile de stocare a CO2 capturat. In Turcia si SUA sunt folosite conducte pentru a transporta CO2 pentru recuperarea de petrol iar in viitor acestea vor deveni, cel mai probabil, cea mai potrivita modalitate de a transprta CO2 capturat si in Europa, desi navigatia s-ar putea sa aibe si ea un rol important.
Zonele strategice sunt inca evaluate pentru a putea fi considerate potrivite pentru stocare si monitorizare a CO2 sub pamant. Studiile geologice vor stabili cum va reactiona zona dupa injectarea cu CO2 si de asemnea riscurile care ar putea aparea pe termen lung in urma scurgerilor de CO2 din locul stocat.
Cu o istorie puternica in ceea ce priveste tehnologia si posibilitatea sa de stocare sub Marea Nordului, Uniunea Europeana ar putea deveni in viitor liderul mondial in implementarea tehnologiei CSC. Asta ar acorda UE un avantaj substantial in manufactura si inginerie industriala pe o piata mondiala foarte bine dezvoltata. Dar si alte beneficii importante ar putea aparea pentru UE daca in rolul sau de lider ar incuraja China si India sa preia modelul de tehnologie CSC pentru a reduce emisiile de CO2 la nivel mondial.
isramart : Emisiile de CO2 provenind de la autoturisme pun in pericol obiectivele UE in domeniul climei, considera Verzii
isramart news:
Uniunea Europeana are nevoie de obiective mai ambitioase in privinta reducerii cantitatilor de emisii de gaze cu efect de sera pentru a-si putea respecta angajamentele asumate la nivel international in materie de protectie a mediului, releva un studiu realizat de eurodeputatii din Grupul Verzilor.
Documentul analizeaza cantitatile maxime de emisii de gaze cu efect de sera cu care Comisia Europeana, Parlamentul European si industria producatoare de autoturisme au fost de acord si examineaza efectele practice pe care aceste limite le pot avea.
Conform studiului, cantitatea anuala de emisii de gaze cu efect de sera s-ar putea reduce, la nivelul UE, cu 45 de milioane de tone de emisii de dioxid de carbon pana in 2015, daca toate autoturismele noi ar avea, pana in 2012, o limita maxima de 120 g/km de astfel de emisii, dupa cum propun eurodeputatii si membrii Grupului Verzilor. Aceasta reducere ar fi insa de numai 23 de milioane de tone anual daca limita stabilita pentru autoturisme ar fi de 130 g/km pana in 2012, dupa cum a propus Comisia Europeana in luna februarie a acestui an.
Ulterior, un obiectiv suplimentar - 80 g/km pana in 2020 - ar putea insemna o reducere anuala de inca 95 de milioane de tone de CO2 pana in 2020, afirma verzii din Parlamentul European. 'Studiul arata ca numai stabilind tinte stricte si obligatorii de emisii de CO2 pentru producatorii de autoturisme, incepand de la 120 g/km pana in 2012, UE va reusi sa atinga un nivel de reducere a emisiilor provenind de la autoturisme care sa-i permita sa-si respecte obiectivele in privinta schimbarilor de clima', afirma eurodeputatul Claude Turmes din Grupul Verzilor.
'S-a ajuns la un acord politic in privinta acestor limite pentru o perioada de peste zece ani de acum inainte; daca scapam de sub control producatorii de autoturisme, intreaga strategie a UE in privinta schimbarilor de clima va fi pusa in pericol', a adaugat el.
Asociatia producatorilor europeni de autoturisme - din care fac parte 13 dintre marii constructori europeni de autoturisme, camioane si autobuze - afirma ca sustine obiectivul Bruxellesului privind o reducere si mai mare a emisiilor de CO2 provenind de la autoturisme.Dar considera ca termenul in ceea ce priveste reducerea emisiilor la masinile noi ar trebui sa fie anul 2015 si nu 2012.
Uniunea Europeana are nevoie de obiective mai ambitioase in privinta reducerii cantitatilor de emisii de gaze cu efect de sera pentru a-si putea respecta angajamentele asumate la nivel international in materie de protectie a mediului, releva un studiu realizat de eurodeputatii din Grupul Verzilor.
Documentul analizeaza cantitatile maxime de emisii de gaze cu efect de sera cu care Comisia Europeana, Parlamentul European si industria producatoare de autoturisme au fost de acord si examineaza efectele practice pe care aceste limite le pot avea.
Conform studiului, cantitatea anuala de emisii de gaze cu efect de sera s-ar putea reduce, la nivelul UE, cu 45 de milioane de tone de emisii de dioxid de carbon pana in 2015, daca toate autoturismele noi ar avea, pana in 2012, o limita maxima de 120 g/km de astfel de emisii, dupa cum propun eurodeputatii si membrii Grupului Verzilor. Aceasta reducere ar fi insa de numai 23 de milioane de tone anual daca limita stabilita pentru autoturisme ar fi de 130 g/km pana in 2012, dupa cum a propus Comisia Europeana in luna februarie a acestui an.
Ulterior, un obiectiv suplimentar - 80 g/km pana in 2020 - ar putea insemna o reducere anuala de inca 95 de milioane de tone de CO2 pana in 2020, afirma verzii din Parlamentul European. 'Studiul arata ca numai stabilind tinte stricte si obligatorii de emisii de CO2 pentru producatorii de autoturisme, incepand de la 120 g/km pana in 2012, UE va reusi sa atinga un nivel de reducere a emisiilor provenind de la autoturisme care sa-i permita sa-si respecte obiectivele in privinta schimbarilor de clima', afirma eurodeputatul Claude Turmes din Grupul Verzilor.
'S-a ajuns la un acord politic in privinta acestor limite pentru o perioada de peste zece ani de acum inainte; daca scapam de sub control producatorii de autoturisme, intreaga strategie a UE in privinta schimbarilor de clima va fi pusa in pericol', a adaugat el.
Asociatia producatorilor europeni de autoturisme - din care fac parte 13 dintre marii constructori europeni de autoturisme, camioane si autobuze - afirma ca sustine obiectivul Bruxellesului privind o reducere si mai mare a emisiilor de CO2 provenind de la autoturisme.Dar considera ca termenul in ceea ce priveste reducerea emisiilor la masinile noi ar trebui sa fie anul 2015 si nu 2012.
isramart :Padurea amazoniana va disparea indiferent de incalzirea globala
isramart news:
Aproape jumatate din padurea amazoniana va disparea pana la mijlocul secolului urmator chiar daca n-ar mai exista deloc emisii de CO2 pana in 2050.
Predictia a fost facuta la Copenhaga, oras care se pregateste sa gazduiasca conferintele pe tema schimbarilor climatice din decembrie, relateaza Eco Worldly.
Din pacate, iremediabilul a fost deja produs, arii intinse fiind arse sau despadurite, si chiar in absenta cresterii temperaturii globale cu 3 grade Celsius, fapt anuntat de experti, padurea tropicala va disparea. Deja, padurea amazoniana urmeaza un trend fara intoarcere, indiferent de actiunea viitoare a factorului uman.
Aceasta nu este singura predictie menita sa ingrijoreze. Calota glaciara din zona arctica se subtiaza vazand cu ochii si o pierdere de doar 15% din ea ar fi suficienta pentru a ridica nivelul marilor cu un metru, ceea ce s-ar traduce printr-un scenariu teribil, potrivit omului de stiinta Jonathan Bamber.
Aproape jumatate din padurea amazoniana va disparea pana la mijlocul secolului urmator chiar daca n-ar mai exista deloc emisii de CO2 pana in 2050.
Predictia a fost facuta la Copenhaga, oras care se pregateste sa gazduiasca conferintele pe tema schimbarilor climatice din decembrie, relateaza Eco Worldly.
Din pacate, iremediabilul a fost deja produs, arii intinse fiind arse sau despadurite, si chiar in absenta cresterii temperaturii globale cu 3 grade Celsius, fapt anuntat de experti, padurea tropicala va disparea. Deja, padurea amazoniana urmeaza un trend fara intoarcere, indiferent de actiunea viitoare a factorului uman.
Aceasta nu este singura predictie menita sa ingrijoreze. Calota glaciara din zona arctica se subtiaza vazand cu ochii si o pierdere de doar 15% din ea ar fi suficienta pentru a ridica nivelul marilor cu un metru, ceea ce s-ar traduce printr-un scenariu teribil, potrivit omului de stiinta Jonathan Bamber.
isramart : Banci solare in “Parcul Viitorului” din Constanta
isramart news:
Trei absolventi ai Universitatii de Arhitectura si Urbanism “Ion Mincu”din Bucuresti au castigat concursul de idei din acest an, organizat de Petrom in cadrul programului “Parcurile Viitorului”. Ideea celor trei tineri va fi realizata in orasul Constanta intr-un cartier in care practic nu existau spatii verzi si de relaxare.
Andrei Deacu, Roxana Moldoveanul si Catalina Ionita au venit cu o idee originala in centrul careia, spun ei, s-au aflat bancile solara, banci pe ale caror parasolare vor fi montate panouri solare care vor actiona sistemul de pompare a apei al parcului.
“Romania are nevoie de mai multe idei asemanatoare cu acest program. Din pacate, tot ce se intampla aici este mai degraba o exceptie decat o regula, ma refer la concursurile publice care de multe ori nu sunt atat de transparente cum a fost acesta”, a declarat Andrei Deacu, unul dintre castigatorii premiului I.
Ceremonia de premiere a avut loc joi in Constanta in prezenta Monei Nicolici, CSR Communication Manager, Petrom si a lui Radu Mazare, primarul Municipiului Constanta.
“E un lucru bine venit, un parc pe care il facem intr-un cartier muncitoresc unde oamenii aveau cu adevarat nevoie”, a declarat primarul Constantei.
Premiul cel mare oferit de Petrom pentru castigatori este in valoare de 4.000 de euro, locul al II-lea a fost premiat cu 1.000 de euro si a fost castigat de Luminita Tabarca, premiul al III-lea fiind in valoare de 500 de euro, castigat de 2 studenti ai Facultatii de Arhitectura si Urbanism din Cluj Napoca.
“Am ales si de aceasta data sa construim un parc acolo unde nu exista spatiu verde, unde gradul de poluare este foatre ridicat si unde exista o densitate mare de locuitori. Acest teren parasit va fi transformat pana la inceputul anului scolar intr-o oaza verde de recreere atat de necesara pentru cei care locuiesc si invata in apropierea sa”, a declarat Mona Nicolici.
Petrom va investi peste 400.000 de euro in construirea parcului de la Constanta, iar primaria va contribui la realizarea proiectului cu lucrari in valoare de 180.000 de euro.
Trei absolventi ai Universitatii de Arhitectura si Urbanism “Ion Mincu”din Bucuresti au castigat concursul de idei din acest an, organizat de Petrom in cadrul programului “Parcurile Viitorului”. Ideea celor trei tineri va fi realizata in orasul Constanta intr-un cartier in care practic nu existau spatii verzi si de relaxare.
Andrei Deacu, Roxana Moldoveanul si Catalina Ionita au venit cu o idee originala in centrul careia, spun ei, s-au aflat bancile solara, banci pe ale caror parasolare vor fi montate panouri solare care vor actiona sistemul de pompare a apei al parcului.
“Romania are nevoie de mai multe idei asemanatoare cu acest program. Din pacate, tot ce se intampla aici este mai degraba o exceptie decat o regula, ma refer la concursurile publice care de multe ori nu sunt atat de transparente cum a fost acesta”, a declarat Andrei Deacu, unul dintre castigatorii premiului I.
Ceremonia de premiere a avut loc joi in Constanta in prezenta Monei Nicolici, CSR Communication Manager, Petrom si a lui Radu Mazare, primarul Municipiului Constanta.
“E un lucru bine venit, un parc pe care il facem intr-un cartier muncitoresc unde oamenii aveau cu adevarat nevoie”, a declarat primarul Constantei.
Premiul cel mare oferit de Petrom pentru castigatori este in valoare de 4.000 de euro, locul al II-lea a fost premiat cu 1.000 de euro si a fost castigat de Luminita Tabarca, premiul al III-lea fiind in valoare de 500 de euro, castigat de 2 studenti ai Facultatii de Arhitectura si Urbanism din Cluj Napoca.
“Am ales si de aceasta data sa construim un parc acolo unde nu exista spatiu verde, unde gradul de poluare este foatre ridicat si unde exista o densitate mare de locuitori. Acest teren parasit va fi transformat pana la inceputul anului scolar intr-o oaza verde de recreere atat de necesara pentru cei care locuiesc si invata in apropierea sa”, a declarat Mona Nicolici.
Petrom va investi peste 400.000 de euro in construirea parcului de la Constanta, iar primaria va contribui la realizarea proiectului cu lucrari in valoare de 180.000 de euro.
isramart : 3,9 miliarde pentru o retea de electricitate mai eficienta
isramart news:
Secretarul american pentru energie, Steven Chu, a anuntat o investitie federala de 3,9 miliarde de dolari in eficientizarea retelei de electricitate a Statelor Unite, anunta Reuters.
Chu a declarat ca banii vor contribui la refacerea liniilor de electricitate si la crearea unor sisteme prin care bateriile masinilor hibrid sa se incarce de la retea. Secretarul pentru energie a explicat ca un sistem eficient de distribuitie al energiei tine de securitatea nationala.
„Oamenilor nu le-a placut nici ca autostrazile sa treaca prin spatele curtii, dar s-au facut pentru securitatea nationala si as spune ca avem nevoie de un sistem de distributie cu atat mai mult in interes national”, a explicat Chu.
Secretarul pentru energie a mai adaugat ca statul California va primi 90 de milioane de doalari de la stat pentru cheltuieli legate de sistemul energetic.
Secretarul american pentru energie, Steven Chu, a anuntat o investitie federala de 3,9 miliarde de dolari in eficientizarea retelei de electricitate a Statelor Unite, anunta Reuters.
Chu a declarat ca banii vor contribui la refacerea liniilor de electricitate si la crearea unor sisteme prin care bateriile masinilor hibrid sa se incarce de la retea. Secretarul pentru energie a explicat ca un sistem eficient de distribuitie al energiei tine de securitatea nationala.
„Oamenilor nu le-a placut nici ca autostrazile sa treaca prin spatele curtii, dar s-au facut pentru securitatea nationala si as spune ca avem nevoie de un sistem de distributie cu atat mai mult in interes national”, a explicat Chu.
Secretarul pentru energie a mai adaugat ca statul California va primi 90 de milioane de doalari de la stat pentru cheltuieli legate de sistemul energetic.
isramart :Caras-Severin: Programul de masuri de mediu a fost aprobat
isramart news
Colegiul Prefectural Caras-Severin a aprobat, luni, Programul de masuri prioritare pentru anul 2009 la nivelul judetului. Acesta a fost intocmit de catre Agentia pentru Protectia Mediului Caras-Severin, impreuna cu Garda Nationala de Mediu - Comisariatul Judetean, care vor trebui sa urmareasca modul de realizare a masurilor din program si sa informeze, lunar sau trimestrial, secretariatul Colegiului Prefectural asupra rezultatelor obtinute, informeaza Agerpres.
Printre masurile prioritare se regaseste urmarirea sistarii activitatii de depozitare a deseurilor industriale nepericuloase, pana la 16 iulie 2009, pe trei depozite, din care, doua la TMK Resita si unul la S.C. Gavazzi Steel Otelu-Rosu, apoi urmarirea inchiderii si reabilitarii tuturor spatiilor de depozitare din zona rurala, dar si din cea urbana, neconforme, adica, cele de la Resita, Caransebes si Baile Herculane.
Colegiul Prefectural Caras-Severin a aprobat, luni, Programul de masuri prioritare pentru anul 2009 la nivelul judetului. Acesta a fost intocmit de catre Agentia pentru Protectia Mediului Caras-Severin, impreuna cu Garda Nationala de Mediu - Comisariatul Judetean, care vor trebui sa urmareasca modul de realizare a masurilor din program si sa informeze, lunar sau trimestrial, secretariatul Colegiului Prefectural asupra rezultatelor obtinute, informeaza Agerpres.
Printre masurile prioritare se regaseste urmarirea sistarii activitatii de depozitare a deseurilor industriale nepericuloase, pana la 16 iulie 2009, pe trei depozite, din care, doua la TMK Resita si unul la S.C. Gavazzi Steel Otelu-Rosu, apoi urmarirea inchiderii si reabilitarii tuturor spatiilor de depozitare din zona rurala, dar si din cea urbana, neconforme, adica, cele de la Resita, Caransebes si Baile Herculane.
isramart :Caras-Severin: Programul de masuri de mediu a fost aprobat
isramart news
Colegiul Prefectural Caras-Severin a aprobat, luni, Programul de masuri prioritare pentru anul 2009 la nivelul judetului. Acesta a fost intocmit de catre Agentia pentru Protectia Mediului Caras-Severin, impreuna cu Garda Nationala de Mediu - Comisariatul Judetean, care vor trebui sa urmareasca modul de realizare a masurilor din program si sa informeze, lunar sau trimestrial, secretariatul Colegiului Prefectural asupra rezultatelor obtinute, informeaza Agerpres.
Printre masurile prioritare se regaseste urmarirea sistarii activitatii de depozitare a deseurilor industriale nepericuloase, pana la 16 iulie 2009, pe trei depozite, din care, doua la TMK Resita si unul la S.C. Gavazzi Steel Otelu-Rosu, apoi urmarirea inchiderii si reabilitarii tuturor spatiilor de depozitare din zona rurala, dar si din cea urbana, neconforme, adica, cele de la Resita, Caransebes si Baile Herculane.
Colegiul Prefectural Caras-Severin a aprobat, luni, Programul de masuri prioritare pentru anul 2009 la nivelul judetului. Acesta a fost intocmit de catre Agentia pentru Protectia Mediului Caras-Severin, impreuna cu Garda Nationala de Mediu - Comisariatul Judetean, care vor trebui sa urmareasca modul de realizare a masurilor din program si sa informeze, lunar sau trimestrial, secretariatul Colegiului Prefectural asupra rezultatelor obtinute, informeaza Agerpres.
Printre masurile prioritare se regaseste urmarirea sistarii activitatii de depozitare a deseurilor industriale nepericuloase, pana la 16 iulie 2009, pe trei depozite, din care, doua la TMK Resita si unul la S.C. Gavazzi Steel Otelu-Rosu, apoi urmarirea inchiderii si reabilitarii tuturor spatiilor de depozitare din zona rurala, dar si din cea urbana, neconforme, adica, cele de la Resita, Caransebes si Baile Herculane.
isramart :Bucurestenii care doresc un mediu mai curat pot apela la eco-politisti
isramart news:
Bucurestenii care doresc sa traiasca intr-un mediu mai curat si care s-au simtit pana in prezent neputinciosi in fata lipsei de bun simt a concetatenilor lor pot lua de acum inainte masuri, sesizand telefonic sau in scris echipe de eco-politisti gata sa intre in actiune si sa vina la fata locului, pentru a constata existenta gramezilor de gunoi sau devastarea spatiului verde, informeaza Agerpres.
Chiar daca nu pot aplica amenzi sau alte sanctiuni, eco-politistii pot veni in sprijinul celor care se simt deranjati de un mediu in care nu mai pot respira si, daca este cazul, pot sesiza, la randul lor, Politia comunitara, Garda de Mediu sau alte organe abilitate.
Initiativa constituirii primului lot de 45 de voluntari eco-politisti apartine presedintelui Partidului Initiativa Nationala, Lavinia Sandru, si presedintelui organizatiei Partidului Social Democrat din sectorul 1, viceprimarul Dan Tudorache. Cei doi coordoneaza la nivel national, respectiv la nivelul sectorului 1, programul "Ecologica 2009" din care face parte primul program lansat efectiv luni, la Universitatea ''Bioterra'' din Capitala si intitulat "Eco-Politia".
Proiectul este realizat in parteneriat cu Ministerul Mediului si cu Loteria Romana. Pentru inceput, "Eco-Politia" se va desfasura pe teritoriul sectorului 1, dar Dan Tudorache spune ca ajutorul eco-politistilor nu va fi refuzat celorlalti apelanti. Cei doi coordonatori au promis ca programul va fi extins in perioada urmatoare, astfel incat toti bucurestenii sa beneficieze in mod operativ de interventia eco-politistilor.
Atat Lavinia Sandru, cat si Dan Tudorache au subliniat ca prin programul "Ecologica 2009" doresc sa-i sensibilizeze pe tineri si nu numai sa traiasca intr-un mediu mai curat si sa le pese de locul in care acestia respira in fiecare zi. Proiectul-pilot "Eco-Politia" este corelat cu cerintele Uniunii Europene, la nivelul careia exista foarte multe actiuni de voluntariat care ii responsabilizeaza pe cetateni.
"Sectorul 1 este sectorul cu cea mai mare suprafata din Bucuresti si are totodata cea mai mare suprafata verde care trebuie pastrata si protejata, pentru ca fiecare dintre noi are nevoie de oxigen", a argumentat Dan Tudorache.
"Fie ca sunt sunati la telefon, fie ca se trimit scrisori la adresele noastre, echipele de eco-politisti se deplaseaza acolo unde sunt chemati. S-ar putea sa fie chemati, de exemplu, pentru un spatiu verde neamenajat si, in urma discutiilor cu coordonatorul sectorului 1, se pot lua masuri, sa fie mobilizati oamenii din jur", a precizat Lavinia Sandru.
Din staff-ul de eco-politisti fac parte, intre altii, reprezentanti ai societatii civile. Medicul Oana Rotaru isi doreste sa militeze in acest staff din doua motive: pentru ca are un baietel pentru care isi doreste ''sa nu traiasca in cea mai murdara capitala din Europa'', dar si pentru ca statisticile arata o crestere ingrijoratoare a bolilor provocate de poluarea din Bucuresti.
Echipa de eco-politisti s-a deplasat in Parcul bucurestean Bazilescu, unde a inmanat cetatenilor o scrisoare care va ajunge, in perioada urmatoare, la toti bucurestenii care locuiesc in sectorul 1. Prin intermediul acestora, coordonatorii "Ecologica 2009" supun atentiei cetatenilor obiectivele principale ale acestui program si ii informeaza despre faptul ca echipele de eco-politisti sunt gata sa raspunda apelurilor acestora.
Tot prin intermediul scrisorii, bucurestenii afla si adresa si numerele de telefon la care pot fi apelati eco-politistii: Calea Victoriei nr. 216, sector 1, Bucuresti, telefoane - 021.212.55.04 sau 021.212.55.05.
Bucurestenii care doresc sa traiasca intr-un mediu mai curat si care s-au simtit pana in prezent neputinciosi in fata lipsei de bun simt a concetatenilor lor pot lua de acum inainte masuri, sesizand telefonic sau in scris echipe de eco-politisti gata sa intre in actiune si sa vina la fata locului, pentru a constata existenta gramezilor de gunoi sau devastarea spatiului verde, informeaza Agerpres.
Chiar daca nu pot aplica amenzi sau alte sanctiuni, eco-politistii pot veni in sprijinul celor care se simt deranjati de un mediu in care nu mai pot respira si, daca este cazul, pot sesiza, la randul lor, Politia comunitara, Garda de Mediu sau alte organe abilitate.
Initiativa constituirii primului lot de 45 de voluntari eco-politisti apartine presedintelui Partidului Initiativa Nationala, Lavinia Sandru, si presedintelui organizatiei Partidului Social Democrat din sectorul 1, viceprimarul Dan Tudorache. Cei doi coordoneaza la nivel national, respectiv la nivelul sectorului 1, programul "Ecologica 2009" din care face parte primul program lansat efectiv luni, la Universitatea ''Bioterra'' din Capitala si intitulat "Eco-Politia".
Proiectul este realizat in parteneriat cu Ministerul Mediului si cu Loteria Romana. Pentru inceput, "Eco-Politia" se va desfasura pe teritoriul sectorului 1, dar Dan Tudorache spune ca ajutorul eco-politistilor nu va fi refuzat celorlalti apelanti. Cei doi coordonatori au promis ca programul va fi extins in perioada urmatoare, astfel incat toti bucurestenii sa beneficieze in mod operativ de interventia eco-politistilor.
Atat Lavinia Sandru, cat si Dan Tudorache au subliniat ca prin programul "Ecologica 2009" doresc sa-i sensibilizeze pe tineri si nu numai sa traiasca intr-un mediu mai curat si sa le pese de locul in care acestia respira in fiecare zi. Proiectul-pilot "Eco-Politia" este corelat cu cerintele Uniunii Europene, la nivelul careia exista foarte multe actiuni de voluntariat care ii responsabilizeaza pe cetateni.
"Sectorul 1 este sectorul cu cea mai mare suprafata din Bucuresti si are totodata cea mai mare suprafata verde care trebuie pastrata si protejata, pentru ca fiecare dintre noi are nevoie de oxigen", a argumentat Dan Tudorache.
"Fie ca sunt sunati la telefon, fie ca se trimit scrisori la adresele noastre, echipele de eco-politisti se deplaseaza acolo unde sunt chemati. S-ar putea sa fie chemati, de exemplu, pentru un spatiu verde neamenajat si, in urma discutiilor cu coordonatorul sectorului 1, se pot lua masuri, sa fie mobilizati oamenii din jur", a precizat Lavinia Sandru.
Din staff-ul de eco-politisti fac parte, intre altii, reprezentanti ai societatii civile. Medicul Oana Rotaru isi doreste sa militeze in acest staff din doua motive: pentru ca are un baietel pentru care isi doreste ''sa nu traiasca in cea mai murdara capitala din Europa'', dar si pentru ca statisticile arata o crestere ingrijoratoare a bolilor provocate de poluarea din Bucuresti.
Echipa de eco-politisti s-a deplasat in Parcul bucurestean Bazilescu, unde a inmanat cetatenilor o scrisoare care va ajunge, in perioada urmatoare, la toti bucurestenii care locuiesc in sectorul 1. Prin intermediul acestora, coordonatorii "Ecologica 2009" supun atentiei cetatenilor obiectivele principale ale acestui program si ii informeaza despre faptul ca echipele de eco-politisti sunt gata sa raspunda apelurilor acestora.
Tot prin intermediul scrisorii, bucurestenii afla si adresa si numerele de telefon la care pot fi apelati eco-politistii: Calea Victoriei nr. 216, sector 1, Bucuresti, telefoane - 021.212.55.04 sau 021.212.55.05.
isramart :ARC: MM si ANPM au putini specialisti in domeniul captarii si stocarii CO2
isramart news:
Ministerul Mediului (MM) si Agentia Nationala pentru Protectia Mediului (ANPM) au putini angajati bine pregatiti profesional care pot contribui la adoptarea si implementarea normelor europene in privinta captarii si stocarii dioxidului de carbon, a declarat, vineri, Ion Avram, reprezentant al nou-infiintatei Asociatii Romane a Carbonului (ARC), citat de Agerpres.
'In cadrul Ministerului Mediului si Agentiei Nationale pentru Protectia Mediului exista oameni pregatiti profesionali, dar putini dintre ei pot sa contribuie la adoptarea si implementarea normelor europene pe segmentul captarii si stocarii carbonului', a afirmat Avram. Oficialul ARC a tinut sa mentioneze ca Romania nu trebuie sa ajunga pe ultima suta de metri la Bruxelles cu temele nefacute.
In cursul 'Saptamanii Mediului Tau', derulata in perioada 1-6 iunie, ministrul Mediului, Nicolae Nemirschi, afirma ca in institutia pe care o conduce nu exista personal capabil sa-si dea cu parerea in privinta rezolvarii unor probleme de mediu, amintind de programului Natura 2000.
'Nimeni din Ministerul Mediului nu are capacitatea sa-si dea cu parerea in privinta rezolvarii unor probleme de mediu, cum ar fi Natura 2000. Propunerile trebuie sa vina din partea dumneavoastra (n.r - institutele specializate)', a spus Nemirschi.
Ministerul Mediului (MM) si Agentia Nationala pentru Protectia Mediului (ANPM) au putini angajati bine pregatiti profesional care pot contribui la adoptarea si implementarea normelor europene in privinta captarii si stocarii dioxidului de carbon, a declarat, vineri, Ion Avram, reprezentant al nou-infiintatei Asociatii Romane a Carbonului (ARC), citat de Agerpres.
'In cadrul Ministerului Mediului si Agentiei Nationale pentru Protectia Mediului exista oameni pregatiti profesionali, dar putini dintre ei pot sa contribuie la adoptarea si implementarea normelor europene pe segmentul captarii si stocarii carbonului', a afirmat Avram. Oficialul ARC a tinut sa mentioneze ca Romania nu trebuie sa ajunga pe ultima suta de metri la Bruxelles cu temele nefacute.
In cursul 'Saptamanii Mediului Tau', derulata in perioada 1-6 iunie, ministrul Mediului, Nicolae Nemirschi, afirma ca in institutia pe care o conduce nu exista personal capabil sa-si dea cu parerea in privinta rezolvarii unor probleme de mediu, amintind de programului Natura 2000.
'Nimeni din Ministerul Mediului nu are capacitatea sa-si dea cu parerea in privinta rezolvarii unor probleme de mediu, cum ar fi Natura 2000. Propunerile trebuie sa vina din partea dumneavoastra (n.r - institutele specializate)', a spus Nemirschi.
isramart :Rechinii dispar din oceanele planetei
isramart news:
Aproape o treime din rechinii ce traiesc in oceane sunt amenintati cu disparitia din cauza pescuitului excesiv, avertizeaza expertii in conservare, potrivit The Telegraph.
Prima evaluare a 64 de specii de rechini si de pesti catilaginosi din specia aetobatus narinari, ce traiesc in zonele pelagice sau la suprafata, a aratat ca 32% dintre acestea sunt amenintate. Pe lista se afla si marele rechin alb si rechinul-peregrin, cea mai mare vietuitoare marina din lume, dupa balene.
Studiul realizat de Uniunea internationala pentru conservarea naturii (IUCN) arata ca plasele celor care pescuiesc ton sau peste spada sunt responsabile pentru numarul tot mai mic de rechini din oceane, din cauza pescuitului accidental.
Rechinii sunt pescuiti tot mai mult si pentru a acoperi cererea din restaurante, supa din aripioarele pestelui fiind o delicatesa in Asia. Dupa ce li se indeparteaza inotatoarele, rechinii sunt aruncati inapoi in apa. Din caza acestor procedee, pescuitul de rechini in apele internationale a fost interzis, dar restrictia nu este intotdeauna respectata.
IUCN cere guvernelor sa limiteze numarul de rechini ce pot fi pescuiti, pe baza datelor stiintifice, si sa protejeze speciile amenintate critic cu disparitia. In plus, autoritatile trebuie sa monitorizeze mai eficient apele si sa interzica pescuitul pentru inotatoarele pestilor.
Aproape o treime din rechinii ce traiesc in oceane sunt amenintati cu disparitia din cauza pescuitului excesiv, avertizeaza expertii in conservare, potrivit The Telegraph.
Prima evaluare a 64 de specii de rechini si de pesti catilaginosi din specia aetobatus narinari, ce traiesc in zonele pelagice sau la suprafata, a aratat ca 32% dintre acestea sunt amenintate. Pe lista se afla si marele rechin alb si rechinul-peregrin, cea mai mare vietuitoare marina din lume, dupa balene.
Studiul realizat de Uniunea internationala pentru conservarea naturii (IUCN) arata ca plasele celor care pescuiesc ton sau peste spada sunt responsabile pentru numarul tot mai mic de rechini din oceane, din cauza pescuitului accidental.
Rechinii sunt pescuiti tot mai mult si pentru a acoperi cererea din restaurante, supa din aripioarele pestelui fiind o delicatesa in Asia. Dupa ce li se indeparteaza inotatoarele, rechinii sunt aruncati inapoi in apa. Din caza acestor procedee, pescuitul de rechini in apele internationale a fost interzis, dar restrictia nu este intotdeauna respectata.
IUCN cere guvernelor sa limiteze numarul de rechini ce pot fi pescuiti, pe baza datelor stiintifice, si sa protejeze speciile amenintate critic cu disparitia. In plus, autoritatile trebuie sa monitorizeze mai eficient apele si sa interzica pescuitul pentru inotatoarele pestilor.
isramart : Romania a redus emisiile de gaze poluante peste cerintele protocolului Kyoto
Isramart news:
Romania nu numai ca a atins, dar chiar a depasit tinta de opt la suta de reducere a emisiilor de gaze cu efect de sera stabilita prin Protocolul de la Kyoto, aflandu-se la 37%, potrivit celor mai recente date inregistrate de Agentia Nationala pentru Protectia Mediului (ANPM), a afirmat, joi, Hortensia Dumitriu, directorul Directiei Protectia Atmosferei si Schimbari Climatice din ANPM, citata de Agerpres.
Aceasta reducere substantiala a emisiilor de gaze cu efect de sera este rezultatul nu atat al preocuparii agentilor economici, cat al declinului industriei autohtone, dupa 1989, a aratat insa reprezentanta ANPM, la conferinta 'Raspundem provocarilor: schimbarile climatice", organizata de firma Ramboll Romania in colaborare cu Ambasada Regala a Danemarcei.
Prin depasirea nivelului stabilit prin Protocolul de la Kyoto, Romania si-a castigat un drept de emisie, aflat la dispozitia guvernului si care poate fi comercializat, iar banii obtinuti paot fi folositi in proiecte de mediu. In momentul de fata, specialistii din ministerele Mediului si Economiei lucreaza la o hotarare de guvern referitoare la schema de investitii verzi, care va reglementa folosirea acestor fonduri.
ANPM nu va fi regulatorul pietei de tranzactionare a certificatelor pentru emisiile de gaze cu efect de sera, a precizat in incheiere Hortensia Dumitriu. Este adevarat, a spus ea, institutia tine Registrul National care sta in spatele pietei de tranzactionare, dar preocuparea noastra este ca operatiunile sa fie securizate.
In rest, cum se vand si cum se cumpara certificatele, nu ne priveste, agentia nu are si nici nu va avea atributii in acest sens, a precizat directorul ANPM. Romania a beneficiat de experienta daneza in implementarea schemei de comercializare a certificatelor pentru emisiile de gaze cu efect de sera, iar Registrul National este rezultatul unui asemenea proiect comun.
Protocolul de la Kyoto (1997) este un acord international privind reducerea emisiilor de gaze cu efect de sera, care la nivelul Uniunii europene stabileste o tinta de 8 la suta fata de anul 1990, respectiv 1989, in cazul Romaniei.
Romania nu numai ca a atins, dar chiar a depasit tinta de opt la suta de reducere a emisiilor de gaze cu efect de sera stabilita prin Protocolul de la Kyoto, aflandu-se la 37%, potrivit celor mai recente date inregistrate de Agentia Nationala pentru Protectia Mediului (ANPM), a afirmat, joi, Hortensia Dumitriu, directorul Directiei Protectia Atmosferei si Schimbari Climatice din ANPM, citata de Agerpres.
Aceasta reducere substantiala a emisiilor de gaze cu efect de sera este rezultatul nu atat al preocuparii agentilor economici, cat al declinului industriei autohtone, dupa 1989, a aratat insa reprezentanta ANPM, la conferinta 'Raspundem provocarilor: schimbarile climatice", organizata de firma Ramboll Romania in colaborare cu Ambasada Regala a Danemarcei.
Prin depasirea nivelului stabilit prin Protocolul de la Kyoto, Romania si-a castigat un drept de emisie, aflat la dispozitia guvernului si care poate fi comercializat, iar banii obtinuti paot fi folositi in proiecte de mediu. In momentul de fata, specialistii din ministerele Mediului si Economiei lucreaza la o hotarare de guvern referitoare la schema de investitii verzi, care va reglementa folosirea acestor fonduri.
ANPM nu va fi regulatorul pietei de tranzactionare a certificatelor pentru emisiile de gaze cu efect de sera, a precizat in incheiere Hortensia Dumitriu. Este adevarat, a spus ea, institutia tine Registrul National care sta in spatele pietei de tranzactionare, dar preocuparea noastra este ca operatiunile sa fie securizate.
In rest, cum se vand si cum se cumpara certificatele, nu ne priveste, agentia nu are si nici nu va avea atributii in acest sens, a precizat directorul ANPM. Romania a beneficiat de experienta daneza in implementarea schemei de comercializare a certificatelor pentru emisiile de gaze cu efect de sera, iar Registrul National este rezultatul unui asemenea proiect comun.
Protocolul de la Kyoto (1997) este un acord international privind reducerea emisiilor de gaze cu efect de sera, care la nivelul Uniunii europene stabileste o tinta de 8 la suta fata de anul 1990, respectiv 1989, in cazul Romaniei.
isramart: Scotia si-a fixat cele mai dure tinte pentru emisii
isramart news:
Autoritatile scotiene au hotarat miercuri sa fixeze o tinta pentru reducerea emisiilor de gaze cu efect de sera cu 42% pana in 2020, fata de nivelul din 1990, plasandu-se pe prima pozitie in topul celor mai ambitioase natiuni, informeaza Reuters.
Tarile in curs de dezvoltare au cerut ca natiunile bogate sa preia initiativa in lupta impotriva schimbarilor climatice, dar, pana acum, tintele anuntate pentru reducerea emisiilor au fost sub asteptari. Legea votata de scotieni prevede ca, in cazul in care nu se va ajunge la un acord international in aceasta privinta, procentul de 42% sa scada.
„Macar o natiune este pregatita sa tinteasca pentru o legislatie de mediu care tine cont de stiinta”, a declarat Kim Carstensen, director Global Climate Initiative din cadrul WWF International (World Wide Fund for Nature).
Unii parlamentari au declarat ca legea este cea mai importanta de la infiintarea parlamentului scotian in 1999. Scotia are o populatie de 5 milioane de locuitori, fata de cei 61 de milioane ai Marii Britanii, tara care a anuntat in aprilie ca isi va reduce emisiile cu 34%.
China si alte tari in curs de dezvoltare cer tarilor bogate sa isi reduca emisiile cu 40% pana in 2020, pentru ca efectele schimbarilor climatice ca seceta si inundatiile sa fie ameliorate. Decizia scotienilor depaseste cu mult tintele unor tari ca Japonia sau Rusia, care si-au stabilit un procent de 8% si respectiv 10%.
Uniunea Europeana a stabilit o tinta de 20% pentru reducerea emisiilor, pana in anul 2020, in timp ce Germania s-a angajat la un procent de 40%.
Autoritatile scotiene au hotarat miercuri sa fixeze o tinta pentru reducerea emisiilor de gaze cu efect de sera cu 42% pana in 2020, fata de nivelul din 1990, plasandu-se pe prima pozitie in topul celor mai ambitioase natiuni, informeaza Reuters.
Tarile in curs de dezvoltare au cerut ca natiunile bogate sa preia initiativa in lupta impotriva schimbarilor climatice, dar, pana acum, tintele anuntate pentru reducerea emisiilor au fost sub asteptari. Legea votata de scotieni prevede ca, in cazul in care nu se va ajunge la un acord international in aceasta privinta, procentul de 42% sa scada.
„Macar o natiune este pregatita sa tinteasca pentru o legislatie de mediu care tine cont de stiinta”, a declarat Kim Carstensen, director Global Climate Initiative din cadrul WWF International (World Wide Fund for Nature).
Unii parlamentari au declarat ca legea este cea mai importanta de la infiintarea parlamentului scotian in 1999. Scotia are o populatie de 5 milioane de locuitori, fata de cei 61 de milioane ai Marii Britanii, tara care a anuntat in aprilie ca isi va reduce emisiile cu 34%.
China si alte tari in curs de dezvoltare cer tarilor bogate sa isi reduca emisiile cu 40% pana in 2020, pentru ca efectele schimbarilor climatice ca seceta si inundatiile sa fie ameliorate. Decizia scotienilor depaseste cu mult tintele unor tari ca Japonia sau Rusia, care si-au stabilit un procent de 8% si respectiv 10%.
Uniunea Europeana a stabilit o tinta de 20% pentru reducerea emisiilor, pana in anul 2020, in timp ce Germania s-a angajat la un procent de 40%.
isramart :Taxa de poluare auto, taxata de UE
isramart news:
Comisia Europeana a trimis joi o scrisoare de somare prin care ii solicita Romaniei sa isi modifice legislatia legata de taxa de poluare auto, pe motiv ca aceasta ar proteja industria locala de automobile, iar in cazul in care nu vor fi luate masuri, Comisia va prezenta cazul in fata Curtii de Justitie si ar putea declansa procedura de infringement.
Comisia considera ca prevederile legislatiei romanesti pot duce la discriminarea anumitor masini in favoarea industriei nationale a autovehiculelor noi. Faptul ca taxa pe poluare se suspenda pentru anumite autoturisme, insa creste pentru masini de ocazie provenite din alte state membre are un efect protectionist la nivelul industriei romanesti, sustin oficialii de la Bruxelles.
Statele membre pot prevedea taxarea diferentiata a unor produse similare, insa aceasta trebuie sa se bazeze pe criterii obiective si sa nu aiba ca efect protejarea productiei nationale. In opinia Comisiei, criteriul “primei inmatriculari” nu este obiectiv pentru ca nu tine seama de calitatea intrinseca a masinilor.
Comisia Europeana aminteste faptul ca sprijina masurile politice care urmaresc promovarea masinilor mai putin poluante, insa numai daca aceste masuri sunt compatibile cu dreptul comunitar. Investigatiile in legatura cu legislatia romaneasca au fost facute in urma unui numr mare de cereri primite de la cetatenii romani nemultumiti de actuala forma a taxei.
„Nu ma surprinde decizia Comisiei Europene. Ma surprinde ca Guvernul actual stia de aceasta problema si nu a comentat asupra modului in care o va aborda, nu la anul, cand spune domnul Nemirschi ca vor exista schimbari radical, ci acum, pentru a evita procedura de infringement”, a declarat pentru Green Report fostul ministru al Mediului, Attila Korodi.
Korodi a adaugat ca trebuie gasita o solutie favorabila atat mediului, cat si oamenilor de rand care doresc sa importe masini din UE si ca in ultimul timp au lipsit discutiile si colaborarea dntre Romania si CE pe aceasta tema.
“Deciziile pe pripa, de genul dublarii sau triplarii taxei pentru anumite autoturisme, nu aduc beneficii si ies din variabilele pe care Comisia le-a oferit la decizia de incetare a infringementului in 2008”, a concluzionat fostul ministru al Mediului.
Din februarie 2009, autovehiculele din categoria EURO 4, cu o capacitate cilindrica de maxim 2000 cmc, sunt scutite de plata taxei pe poluare in Romania daca se inmatriculeaza pentru prima data in orice stat din Uniunea Europeana intre 15 decembrie 2008 si 15 decembrie 2009. Totodata, legislatia prevede dublarea nivelului platilor aplicabile altor autovehicule vizate de aceste taxe.
Trimiterea scrisorii de somare reprezinta prima etapa a procedurii de infringement. In cazul in care solicitarea nu primeste un raspuns satisfacator in termen de doua luni, Comisia poate trece la a doua etapa a procedurii, care consta in emiterea unui aviz motivat. In final, CE poate prezenta cazul in fata Curtii de Justitie.
La sfarsitul anului trecut, Guvernul Tariceanu a emis o Ordonanta de Urgenta prin care taxa a fost triplata pentru masinile second-hand. Ministrul Mediului, Nicolae Nemirschi, a declarat atunci ca decizia de triplare a taxei ar trebui suspendata, dar ca, personal, considera ca Romania nu ar trebui sa devina un cimitir de masini vechi si ca taxa ar trebui platita in functie de gradul de nivelul de poluare al vehiculului.
Comisia Europeana a trimis joi o scrisoare de somare prin care ii solicita Romaniei sa isi modifice legislatia legata de taxa de poluare auto, pe motiv ca aceasta ar proteja industria locala de automobile, iar in cazul in care nu vor fi luate masuri, Comisia va prezenta cazul in fata Curtii de Justitie si ar putea declansa procedura de infringement.
Comisia considera ca prevederile legislatiei romanesti pot duce la discriminarea anumitor masini in favoarea industriei nationale a autovehiculelor noi. Faptul ca taxa pe poluare se suspenda pentru anumite autoturisme, insa creste pentru masini de ocazie provenite din alte state membre are un efect protectionist la nivelul industriei romanesti, sustin oficialii de la Bruxelles.
Statele membre pot prevedea taxarea diferentiata a unor produse similare, insa aceasta trebuie sa se bazeze pe criterii obiective si sa nu aiba ca efect protejarea productiei nationale. In opinia Comisiei, criteriul “primei inmatriculari” nu este obiectiv pentru ca nu tine seama de calitatea intrinseca a masinilor.
Comisia Europeana aminteste faptul ca sprijina masurile politice care urmaresc promovarea masinilor mai putin poluante, insa numai daca aceste masuri sunt compatibile cu dreptul comunitar. Investigatiile in legatura cu legislatia romaneasca au fost facute in urma unui numr mare de cereri primite de la cetatenii romani nemultumiti de actuala forma a taxei.
„Nu ma surprinde decizia Comisiei Europene. Ma surprinde ca Guvernul actual stia de aceasta problema si nu a comentat asupra modului in care o va aborda, nu la anul, cand spune domnul Nemirschi ca vor exista schimbari radical, ci acum, pentru a evita procedura de infringement”, a declarat pentru Green Report fostul ministru al Mediului, Attila Korodi.
Korodi a adaugat ca trebuie gasita o solutie favorabila atat mediului, cat si oamenilor de rand care doresc sa importe masini din UE si ca in ultimul timp au lipsit discutiile si colaborarea dntre Romania si CE pe aceasta tema.
“Deciziile pe pripa, de genul dublarii sau triplarii taxei pentru anumite autoturisme, nu aduc beneficii si ies din variabilele pe care Comisia le-a oferit la decizia de incetare a infringementului in 2008”, a concluzionat fostul ministru al Mediului.
Din februarie 2009, autovehiculele din categoria EURO 4, cu o capacitate cilindrica de maxim 2000 cmc, sunt scutite de plata taxei pe poluare in Romania daca se inmatriculeaza pentru prima data in orice stat din Uniunea Europeana intre 15 decembrie 2008 si 15 decembrie 2009. Totodata, legislatia prevede dublarea nivelului platilor aplicabile altor autovehicule vizate de aceste taxe.
Trimiterea scrisorii de somare reprezinta prima etapa a procedurii de infringement. In cazul in care solicitarea nu primeste un raspuns satisfacator in termen de doua luni, Comisia poate trece la a doua etapa a procedurii, care consta in emiterea unui aviz motivat. In final, CE poate prezenta cazul in fata Curtii de Justitie.
La sfarsitul anului trecut, Guvernul Tariceanu a emis o Ordonanta de Urgenta prin care taxa a fost triplata pentru masinile second-hand. Ministrul Mediului, Nicolae Nemirschi, a declarat atunci ca decizia de triplare a taxei ar trebui suspendata, dar ca, personal, considera ca Romania nu ar trebui sa devina un cimitir de masini vechi si ca taxa ar trebui platita in functie de gradul de nivelul de poluare al vehiculului.
isramart : Inchiderea depozitului de deseuri urbane din Sebes
isramart news:
Peste 1,7 milioane de lei a costat inchiderea simplificata a depozitului de deseuri urbane din municipiul Sebes, lucrarile efective de ecologizare a zonei incepand anul trecut, potrivit primarului Mugurel Liviu Sarbu, informeaza Agerpres.
Recent, a avut loc receptia lucrarii 'Inchiderea simplificata a depozitului de deseuri urbane Sebes', depozitarea gunoiului fiind sistata inca din decembrie 2006. Dupa obtinerea avizului de mediu, avizului sanitar si a autorizatiei de gospodarire a apelor, in 2008 au demarat lucrarile de ecologizare.
Datorita faptului ca sistarea activitatii a fost realizata pana la data de 31 decembrie 2006, a fost aprobata inchiderea si ecologizarea zonei prin metoda simplificata, realizandu-se astfel o economie importanta la bugetul local deoarece depasirea termenului mentionat ar fi atras costuri suplimentare.
Sursa de finantare a acestui proiect a fost asigurata in totalitate de la bugetul local. Suma totala investita s-a ridicat la peste 1,7 milioane de lei. Zona a fost declarata in conservare, accesul persoanelor straine si al vehiculelor in interior fiind strict interzise, ca, de altfel, si depozitarea de deseuri de orice fel. Vor fi organizate patrule pentru a urmari respectarea restrictiilor si de a aplica sanctiuni, conform legislatiei de mediu, celor care vor incalca legislatia in vigoare, a subliniat primarul Mugurel Liviu Sarbu.
Fiind neconform, depozitul trebuia inchis, potrivit HG 349 din 2005, pana in 16 iulie 2009. Municipiul Sebes a reusit sa rezolve aceasta problema importanta de mediu, respectand astfel angajamentul asumat de Romania fata de Uniunea Europeana, prin Directiva de Mediu. In caz de nerespectare a acestui termen, Uniunea Europeana va aplica amenzi in valoare de 200.000 de euro pe zi, bani care vor fi platiti de catre autoritatile locale care nu au luat masurile necesare pentru inchiderea depozitelor neconforme.
Niciun depozit de deseuri din cele existente in Alba nu respecta normele europene de mediu, din cauza amplasamentelor improprii, a gradului de umplere si a dotarilor necorespunzatoare. Pana in prezent au fost inchise cele de la Teius si Sebes. Conform calendarului Directivei 1999/31/CE, in acest an vor fi inchise haldele de gunoi din Abrud, Baia de Aries, Blaj, Cimpeni, Cugir si Zlatna. Urmeaza ca pana in 2013 sa fie inchise depozitele de deseuri din Aiud si Ocna Mures, iar pana in 2015 si cel din Alba Iulia.
Directiva 1999/31/CE are ca obiective principale stabilirea masurilor, procedurilor si recomandarilor pentru prevenirea sau reducerea efectelor negative asupra mediului si sanatatii determinate de activitatile de depozitare a deseurilor.
Peste 1,7 milioane de lei a costat inchiderea simplificata a depozitului de deseuri urbane din municipiul Sebes, lucrarile efective de ecologizare a zonei incepand anul trecut, potrivit primarului Mugurel Liviu Sarbu, informeaza Agerpres.
Recent, a avut loc receptia lucrarii 'Inchiderea simplificata a depozitului de deseuri urbane Sebes', depozitarea gunoiului fiind sistata inca din decembrie 2006. Dupa obtinerea avizului de mediu, avizului sanitar si a autorizatiei de gospodarire a apelor, in 2008 au demarat lucrarile de ecologizare.
Datorita faptului ca sistarea activitatii a fost realizata pana la data de 31 decembrie 2006, a fost aprobata inchiderea si ecologizarea zonei prin metoda simplificata, realizandu-se astfel o economie importanta la bugetul local deoarece depasirea termenului mentionat ar fi atras costuri suplimentare.
Sursa de finantare a acestui proiect a fost asigurata in totalitate de la bugetul local. Suma totala investita s-a ridicat la peste 1,7 milioane de lei. Zona a fost declarata in conservare, accesul persoanelor straine si al vehiculelor in interior fiind strict interzise, ca, de altfel, si depozitarea de deseuri de orice fel. Vor fi organizate patrule pentru a urmari respectarea restrictiilor si de a aplica sanctiuni, conform legislatiei de mediu, celor care vor incalca legislatia in vigoare, a subliniat primarul Mugurel Liviu Sarbu.
Fiind neconform, depozitul trebuia inchis, potrivit HG 349 din 2005, pana in 16 iulie 2009. Municipiul Sebes a reusit sa rezolve aceasta problema importanta de mediu, respectand astfel angajamentul asumat de Romania fata de Uniunea Europeana, prin Directiva de Mediu. In caz de nerespectare a acestui termen, Uniunea Europeana va aplica amenzi in valoare de 200.000 de euro pe zi, bani care vor fi platiti de catre autoritatile locale care nu au luat masurile necesare pentru inchiderea depozitelor neconforme.
Niciun depozit de deseuri din cele existente in Alba nu respecta normele europene de mediu, din cauza amplasamentelor improprii, a gradului de umplere si a dotarilor necorespunzatoare. Pana in prezent au fost inchise cele de la Teius si Sebes. Conform calendarului Directivei 1999/31/CE, in acest an vor fi inchise haldele de gunoi din Abrud, Baia de Aries, Blaj, Cimpeni, Cugir si Zlatna. Urmeaza ca pana in 2013 sa fie inchise depozitele de deseuri din Aiud si Ocna Mures, iar pana in 2015 si cel din Alba Iulia.
Directiva 1999/31/CE are ca obiective principale stabilirea masurilor, procedurilor si recomandarilor pentru prevenirea sau reducerea efectelor negative asupra mediului si sanatatii determinate de activitatile de depozitare a deseurilor.
isramart : Premii pentru colectarea selectiva a deseurilor
isramart news:
Proiectul de educatie ecologica si colectare selectiva a deseurilor, derulat sub sloganul ''Colecteaza si castigi un mediu sanatos'', a ajuns la final, in cadrul acestuia fiind' colectate selectiv 110 tone de deseuri, o cantitate record pentru acest tip de initiative.
Fericitii castigatori ai programului sunt - locul I Scoala "Carmen Sylva" din Iasi, cu 4.560 kg de DEEE (premiul de 1.500 de euro), locul II Scoala "Nicolae Titulescu" din Cluj cu 4.194 kg de DEEE (premiul de 1.000 de euro), locul III Scoala Generala 149 Bucuresti, cu 790 kg de DEEE (premiul de 500 de euro), iar mentiunea a fost atribuita Scolii nr. 22 "Dimitrie Cantemir" din Galati, cu 260 kg de DEEE.
La evenimentul desfasurat, joi, in Capitala, scolile au prezentat campania, derulata in cadrul programului Verdis, printr-o expozitie de fotografii, postere, desene, colaje cu sfaturi de protectia mediului si informatii despre mediu.
Prezent la evenimentul de premiere, Valentin Negoita, presedintele Asociatiei Eco Tic, a subliniat necesitatea programelor de educatie si informare ecologica a elevilor si importanta rolului tinerilor in schimbarea mentalitatii romanilor privind protectia mediului si revalorificarea resurselor.
"Potrivit crezului si obiectivelor asumate, Asociatia Eco Tic urmareste cu prioritate schimbarea mentalitatii populatiei fata de deseurile electronice, propunand solutii eficiente de colectare selectiva a DEEE. Proiectul Verdis, desfasurat in 20 de scoli din Romania, demonstreaza in mod clar ca tinerii se afla in linia intai in procesul de schimbare a atitudinii fata de mediul inconjurator", a spus Valentin Negoita.
Asociatiile Eco Tic si MaiMultVerde au lansat, la inceputul acestui an, programul de educatie si informare ecologica Verdis, destinat unor scoli si licee din Bucuresti, Brasov, Cluj, Galati si Iasi. Elevii scolilor participante la program au fost incurajati sa colecteze cat mai multe deseuri electrice si electronice, precum si cantitati cat mai mari de hartie si plastic in cadrul unei competitii cu mai multe etape si cu premii in valoare totala de 8.000 de euro.
Potrivit organizatorilor, scopul programului a fost de a-i convinge pe elevii de gimnaziu si liceu de beneficiile colectarii selective si ale reciclarii deseurilor.
Fiecare scoala a avut de parcurs mai multe etape: reciclarea cat mai multor deseuri de echipamente electrice si electronice in containerele oferite de Asociatia Eco Tic, reciclarea unei cantitati cat mai mari de hartie si ambalaje de plastic, cu ajutorul unei firme de reciclare din localitate, o campanie de informare cat mai eficienta pentru populatia din localitate, fiecare scoala utilizand propriile resurse si cat mai multa creativitate.
Proiectul de educatie ecologica si colectare selectiva a deseurilor, derulat sub sloganul ''Colecteaza si castigi un mediu sanatos'', a ajuns la final, in cadrul acestuia fiind' colectate selectiv 110 tone de deseuri, o cantitate record pentru acest tip de initiative.
Fericitii castigatori ai programului sunt - locul I Scoala "Carmen Sylva" din Iasi, cu 4.560 kg de DEEE (premiul de 1.500 de euro), locul II Scoala "Nicolae Titulescu" din Cluj cu 4.194 kg de DEEE (premiul de 1.000 de euro), locul III Scoala Generala 149 Bucuresti, cu 790 kg de DEEE (premiul de 500 de euro), iar mentiunea a fost atribuita Scolii nr. 22 "Dimitrie Cantemir" din Galati, cu 260 kg de DEEE.
La evenimentul desfasurat, joi, in Capitala, scolile au prezentat campania, derulata in cadrul programului Verdis, printr-o expozitie de fotografii, postere, desene, colaje cu sfaturi de protectia mediului si informatii despre mediu.
Prezent la evenimentul de premiere, Valentin Negoita, presedintele Asociatiei Eco Tic, a subliniat necesitatea programelor de educatie si informare ecologica a elevilor si importanta rolului tinerilor in schimbarea mentalitatii romanilor privind protectia mediului si revalorificarea resurselor.
"Potrivit crezului si obiectivelor asumate, Asociatia Eco Tic urmareste cu prioritate schimbarea mentalitatii populatiei fata de deseurile electronice, propunand solutii eficiente de colectare selectiva a DEEE. Proiectul Verdis, desfasurat in 20 de scoli din Romania, demonstreaza in mod clar ca tinerii se afla in linia intai in procesul de schimbare a atitudinii fata de mediul inconjurator", a spus Valentin Negoita.
Asociatiile Eco Tic si MaiMultVerde au lansat, la inceputul acestui an, programul de educatie si informare ecologica Verdis, destinat unor scoli si licee din Bucuresti, Brasov, Cluj, Galati si Iasi. Elevii scolilor participante la program au fost incurajati sa colecteze cat mai multe deseuri electrice si electronice, precum si cantitati cat mai mari de hartie si plastic in cadrul unei competitii cu mai multe etape si cu premii in valoare totala de 8.000 de euro.
Potrivit organizatorilor, scopul programului a fost de a-i convinge pe elevii de gimnaziu si liceu de beneficiile colectarii selective si ale reciclarii deseurilor.
Fiecare scoala a avut de parcurs mai multe etape: reciclarea cat mai multor deseuri de echipamente electrice si electronice in containerele oferite de Asociatia Eco Tic, reciclarea unei cantitati cat mai mari de hartie si ambalaje de plastic, cu ajutorul unei firme de reciclare din localitate, o campanie de informare cat mai eficienta pentru populatia din localitate, fiecare scoala utilizand propriile resurse si cat mai multa creativitate.
isramart : Green Report TV: Ce isi propune noua Asociatie Romana a Carbonului?
isramart news:
Green Report analizeaza vineri elementele naturale, apa si carbonul fiind pe agenda emisiunii. La Green News aflati ce isi propune nou infiintata Asociatie Romana a Carbonului. Si tot la stiri, despre consumul de apa din Parlament si Expo Apa 2009 - cu cele mai noi tehnologii in domeniul purificarii si transportului.
Invitat in rubrica Green Q este directorul Carpatcement, Mihai Rohan, care atesta ca in epoca moderna cimentul si betonul sint mai verzi ca niciodata. Noile materiale promit sa sigure contructii mai prietenoase cu mediul.
Eco-Starul saptamanii, Dan Fintescu, ne prezinta prognoza timpurilor. Ca tata, Dan se gandeste la mediul in care va trai copilul sau.
Oana pune intrebari, iar telespectatorii au dat raspunsuri, in rubricile deja consacrate.
Green Report analizeaza vineri elementele naturale, apa si carbonul fiind pe agenda emisiunii. La Green News aflati ce isi propune nou infiintata Asociatie Romana a Carbonului. Si tot la stiri, despre consumul de apa din Parlament si Expo Apa 2009 - cu cele mai noi tehnologii in domeniul purificarii si transportului.
Invitat in rubrica Green Q este directorul Carpatcement, Mihai Rohan, care atesta ca in epoca moderna cimentul si betonul sint mai verzi ca niciodata. Noile materiale promit sa sigure contructii mai prietenoase cu mediul.
Eco-Starul saptamanii, Dan Fintescu, ne prezinta prognoza timpurilor. Ca tata, Dan se gandeste la mediul in care va trai copilul sau.
Oana pune intrebari, iar telespectatorii au dat raspunsuri, in rubricile deja consacrate.
isramart : Primul avion solar se lanseaza astazi
isramart news:
Elvetianul Bertrand Picard va prezenta astazi publicului primul avion solar din lume, cu care spera ca va zbura in jurul globului, anunta BBC.
Modelul initial de avion alimentat cu energie solara are o lungime de 61 de metri si o greutate de doar 1.500 de kilograme. Aparatul inca trebuie testat pe timp de noapte.
Picard, care a mai zburat in jurul globului intr-un balon, a declarat ca doreste ca initiativa sa sa atraga atentia asupra potentialului energiilor regenerabile. Prima tentativa de a traversa Atlanticul va avea loc in 2012.
Avionul este realizat dintr-o combinatie de materiale ce le-a permis constructorilor sa obtina o greutate atat de mica. El este dotat si cu celule solare foarte eficiente, baterii si motoare ce ii permit sa se mentina in aer si pe perioada noptii.
Picard va incepe testele cu zboruri pe distante scurte si la inaltimi reduse. Modelul, cunoscut ca HB-SIA va fi urmat de o generatie noua, HB-SIB.
Desi aparatul ar putea face fata unui zbor non-stop in jurul globului, el va face de fapt cinci curse lungi, in care Picard va fi dublat de partenerul de proiect, Andre Borschberg.
„Avionul ar putea, teoretic, sa functioneze non-stop, dar nu pilotul. Vom face in jur de 20 sau 25 de zile in jurul globului, ceea ce e prea mult pentru un pilot care trebuie sa directioneze avionul. In balon poti sa dormi pentru ca el ramane in aer. Credem ca maximul pentru un pilot este de cinci zile”, a explicat Picard.
Elvetianul Bertrand Picard va prezenta astazi publicului primul avion solar din lume, cu care spera ca va zbura in jurul globului, anunta BBC.
Modelul initial de avion alimentat cu energie solara are o lungime de 61 de metri si o greutate de doar 1.500 de kilograme. Aparatul inca trebuie testat pe timp de noapte.
Picard, care a mai zburat in jurul globului intr-un balon, a declarat ca doreste ca initiativa sa sa atraga atentia asupra potentialului energiilor regenerabile. Prima tentativa de a traversa Atlanticul va avea loc in 2012.
Avionul este realizat dintr-o combinatie de materiale ce le-a permis constructorilor sa obtina o greutate atat de mica. El este dotat si cu celule solare foarte eficiente, baterii si motoare ce ii permit sa se mentina in aer si pe perioada noptii.
Picard va incepe testele cu zboruri pe distante scurte si la inaltimi reduse. Modelul, cunoscut ca HB-SIA va fi urmat de o generatie noua, HB-SIB.
Desi aparatul ar putea face fata unui zbor non-stop in jurul globului, el va face de fapt cinci curse lungi, in care Picard va fi dublat de partenerul de proiect, Andre Borschberg.
„Avionul ar putea, teoretic, sa functioneze non-stop, dar nu pilotul. Vom face in jur de 20 sau 25 de zile in jurul globului, ceea ce e prea mult pentru un pilot care trebuie sa directioneze avionul. In balon poti sa dormi pentru ca el ramane in aer. Credem ca maximul pentru un pilot este de cinci zile”, a explicat Picard.
isramart :Doar jumatate dintre americani vor comert cu emisii
isramart news:
Presedintele Barack Obama a lansat un nou apel catre legislativul american pentru a vota legea de mediu prin care emisiile de dioxid de cabon ale tarii ar fi limitate semnificativ, potrivit Earth Times. In acelasi timp, un sondaj realizat de Washington Post si ABC News arata ca doar 52 % dintre americani sunt de acord cu un sistem al comertului cu emisii, anunta Reuters.
Sprijinul americanilor pentru un pachet de legi pentru mediu a scazut in conditiile in care tot mai putini oameni sunt dispusi sa plateasca mai mult pentru o electricitate produsa cu mai putine emisii. Republicanii si unii democrati s-au opus si ei legilor din cauza efectului pe care l-ar putea avea asupra economiei.
Sistemul comertului cu permise de carbon, conform caruia fiecare companie trebuie sa isi compenseze emisiile printr-un numar de certificate licitate, este partea centrala a legislatiei pentru mediu. Numarul de certificate eliberate ar scadea anual, iar emisiile odata cu ele.
Obama a numit in repetate raduri problema schimbarilor climatice drept una dintre prioritatile administratiei sale, explicand ca limitarea emisiilor ar „deschide calea unei economii a energiei curate”. Cu toate acestea, criticii initiativei legislative a democratilor sustin ca legile ar impune costuri inimaginabile asupra economiei Statelor Unite.
Presedintele Barack Obama a lansat un nou apel catre legislativul american pentru a vota legea de mediu prin care emisiile de dioxid de cabon ale tarii ar fi limitate semnificativ, potrivit Earth Times. In acelasi timp, un sondaj realizat de Washington Post si ABC News arata ca doar 52 % dintre americani sunt de acord cu un sistem al comertului cu emisii, anunta Reuters.
Sprijinul americanilor pentru un pachet de legi pentru mediu a scazut in conditiile in care tot mai putini oameni sunt dispusi sa plateasca mai mult pentru o electricitate produsa cu mai putine emisii. Republicanii si unii democrati s-au opus si ei legilor din cauza efectului pe care l-ar putea avea asupra economiei.
Sistemul comertului cu permise de carbon, conform caruia fiecare companie trebuie sa isi compenseze emisiile printr-un numar de certificate licitate, este partea centrala a legislatiei pentru mediu. Numarul de certificate eliberate ar scadea anual, iar emisiile odata cu ele.
Obama a numit in repetate raduri problema schimbarilor climatice drept una dintre prioritatile administratiei sale, explicand ca limitarea emisiilor ar „deschide calea unei economii a energiei curate”. Cu toate acestea, criticii initiativei legislative a democratilor sustin ca legile ar impune costuri inimaginabile asupra economiei Statelor Unite.
isramart :Philips sustine companiile in tranzitia spre iluminatul eficient energetic
isramart news:
Trecerea la un iluminat mai eficient din punct de vedere energetic in Europa ar putea aduce economisiri de pana la 10 miliarde de euro in costurile energetice, echivalentul unei reduceri cu 25 milioane de tone a emisiilor de CO2, conform calculelor Philips, informeaza Agerpres.
Potrivit unui comunicat al companiei, Royal Philips Electronics se angajeaza sa asigure consumatorilor o gama completa de produse si sisteme de iluminat, dar si suport neconditionat pentru a-i ajuta sa treaca la solutii de iluminat mai eficiente din punct de vedere energetic, conforme cu noile reglementari adoptate de Uniunea Europeana, privind scoaterea de pe piata a produselor cu incandescenta incepand cu data de 1 septembrie in acest an, iar acest proces se asteapta sa aiba o contributie semnificativa in reducerea consumului de energie si a emisiilor de carbon.
Pentru a ajuta consumatorii sa aleaga tehnologii de iluminat eficiente energetic si in conformitate cu noua legislatie, Philips va incepe imediat sa desfasoare actiuni pentru a usura tranzitia clientilor sai de-a lungul intregului proces de inlocuire. Compania va creste productia diversificata de solutii de iluminat alternative pentru a satisface toate cerintele clientilor cu privire la un iluminat profesional performant - de la produse de iluminat general pentru crearea ambiantei utilizand solutii economice pe baza de LED-uri, pana la surse cu halogen si compact fluorescente (CFLi).
"Ca parte din angajamentul nostru de a fi compania de iluminat cea mai ecologica din lume, Philips va depune eforturi aditionale pentru a se asigura ca produsele oferite consumatorilor finali sunt in conformitate cu noile reglementari, inainte ca legislatia sa intre in vigoare. Noi putem livra astazi alternative eficiente pentru solutiile de iluminat cu incandescenta, anticipand legislatia viitoare", a afirmat Garrett Forde, director pentru activitati comerciale in Europa, Orientul Mijlociu si Africa.
Philips subliniaza ca industria de iluminat poate fi un excelent partener pentru mediul de afaceri si consumatorii tip institutii, de aceea propune solutii eficiente, moderne, care sa ajute la reducerea costurilor de exploatare si a emisiilor de carbon. Spre exemplu, o camera obisnuita de hotel poate economisi in jur de 10.000 euro anual si echivalentul a 42,5 kilograme de CO2 sau 22,25 copaci - prin simpla inlocuire a surselor de iluminat vechi cu sisteme noi, performante din punct de vedere energetic.
In acest sens, compania ofera clientilor sai un portofoliu larg de solutii de iluminat eficiente energetic, ce cuprinde lampi, corpuri de iluminat, aparataje electronice si sisteme de control - toate avand capacitatea de a reduce costurile operationale si emisiile CO2. Ca lider mondial in sectoarele sanatatii, produselor de lifestyle si solutiilor de iluminat, Philips integreaza tehnologia si designul pentru a oferi solutii complete, ce au la baza intelegerea consumatorului si promisiunea brandului, "sense and simplicity".
Avand sediul central in Olanda, Philips are aproximativ 133.000 de angajati in peste 60 de tari. Cu vanzari de 27 miliarde de euro in 2007, compania este lider pe pietele echipamentelor de ingrijire cardiaca, echipamentelor pentru pacientii in stare critica si aparatura medicala de ingrijire la domiciliu, solutii de iluminat eficiente energetic si aplicatii inovatoare in domeniul iluminatului, precum si pe pietele produselor de lifestyle pentru ingrijire personala si divertisment. De asemenea, Philips detine pozitia de lider pe piata televizoarelor cu ecran plat, produselor de barbierit electrice si de ingrijire corporala, produselor portabile de divertisment si ingrijire a sanatatii bucale.
Trecerea la un iluminat mai eficient din punct de vedere energetic in Europa ar putea aduce economisiri de pana la 10 miliarde de euro in costurile energetice, echivalentul unei reduceri cu 25 milioane de tone a emisiilor de CO2, conform calculelor Philips, informeaza Agerpres.
Potrivit unui comunicat al companiei, Royal Philips Electronics se angajeaza sa asigure consumatorilor o gama completa de produse si sisteme de iluminat, dar si suport neconditionat pentru a-i ajuta sa treaca la solutii de iluminat mai eficiente din punct de vedere energetic, conforme cu noile reglementari adoptate de Uniunea Europeana, privind scoaterea de pe piata a produselor cu incandescenta incepand cu data de 1 septembrie in acest an, iar acest proces se asteapta sa aiba o contributie semnificativa in reducerea consumului de energie si a emisiilor de carbon.
Pentru a ajuta consumatorii sa aleaga tehnologii de iluminat eficiente energetic si in conformitate cu noua legislatie, Philips va incepe imediat sa desfasoare actiuni pentru a usura tranzitia clientilor sai de-a lungul intregului proces de inlocuire. Compania va creste productia diversificata de solutii de iluminat alternative pentru a satisface toate cerintele clientilor cu privire la un iluminat profesional performant - de la produse de iluminat general pentru crearea ambiantei utilizand solutii economice pe baza de LED-uri, pana la surse cu halogen si compact fluorescente (CFLi).
"Ca parte din angajamentul nostru de a fi compania de iluminat cea mai ecologica din lume, Philips va depune eforturi aditionale pentru a se asigura ca produsele oferite consumatorilor finali sunt in conformitate cu noile reglementari, inainte ca legislatia sa intre in vigoare. Noi putem livra astazi alternative eficiente pentru solutiile de iluminat cu incandescenta, anticipand legislatia viitoare", a afirmat Garrett Forde, director pentru activitati comerciale in Europa, Orientul Mijlociu si Africa.
Philips subliniaza ca industria de iluminat poate fi un excelent partener pentru mediul de afaceri si consumatorii tip institutii, de aceea propune solutii eficiente, moderne, care sa ajute la reducerea costurilor de exploatare si a emisiilor de carbon. Spre exemplu, o camera obisnuita de hotel poate economisi in jur de 10.000 euro anual si echivalentul a 42,5 kilograme de CO2 sau 22,25 copaci - prin simpla inlocuire a surselor de iluminat vechi cu sisteme noi, performante din punct de vedere energetic.
In acest sens, compania ofera clientilor sai un portofoliu larg de solutii de iluminat eficiente energetic, ce cuprinde lampi, corpuri de iluminat, aparataje electronice si sisteme de control - toate avand capacitatea de a reduce costurile operationale si emisiile CO2. Ca lider mondial in sectoarele sanatatii, produselor de lifestyle si solutiilor de iluminat, Philips integreaza tehnologia si designul pentru a oferi solutii complete, ce au la baza intelegerea consumatorului si promisiunea brandului, "sense and simplicity".
Avand sediul central in Olanda, Philips are aproximativ 133.000 de angajati in peste 60 de tari. Cu vanzari de 27 miliarde de euro in 2007, compania este lider pe pietele echipamentelor de ingrijire cardiaca, echipamentelor pentru pacientii in stare critica si aparatura medicala de ingrijire la domiciliu, solutii de iluminat eficiente energetic si aplicatii inovatoare in domeniul iluminatului, precum si pe pietele produselor de lifestyle pentru ingrijire personala si divertisment. De asemenea, Philips detine pozitia de lider pe piata televizoarelor cu ecran plat, produselor de barbierit electrice si de ingrijire corporala, produselor portabile de divertisment si ingrijire a sanatatii bucale.
isramart : Mexico open to carbon credits at climate talks
isramart news:
France is continuing to establish itself as one of the leading green forces in Europe and now the French environment agency ADEME has awarded €57million via its technology demonstrator to 11 low carbon vehicle projects.
The funding marks an initial call for expressions of interest with a second call for research projects on vehicle decarbonisation to end on June 26.
Qualifying projects for the first round of funding are:
Velroue Project: Developed by Michelin, Renault and IFP, this will demonstrate the feasibility of a vehicle equipped with a dual, non-hybrid combustion engine-electric motor system.
Forewheel: Presented by Michelin, Heuliez and CEA, this develops weight optimised electric vehicles.
Hydole: Proposed by PSA, Freescale and EDF, this will work on a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle with an all electric range of 31-43miles.
Mhygale: Put forward by Valeo, PSA and Freescale, it develops an affordable mild hybrid solution that offers torque assist functions, stop-start and regenerative braking.
Vega/Thop: Led by Valeo and Renault, it aims to improve the range of electric and hybrid vehicles particularly in extreme temperatures.
Dhrt2: Toyota, EDF, INES and Ecoles des Mines are fielding a test fleet of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles with innovative recharging infrastructure.
Velecta: Together Aixam, INRETS and the ECA are demonstrating light electric vehicles.
Quat’ode: Veleance and Car&D will construct a light quadricycle electric vehicle focusing on urban deliveries.
ElLiSup: A project from Irisbus-Iveco, Michelin, EDF, CEA, ERCTEEL, RECUPYL, RATP, INRETS and the IFP which aims to test two types of demonstrators - a hybrid bus and an all-electric bus.
Melody: Proposed by Renault Trucks, PVI and IFP this involves the building of three heavy duty hybrid demonstrators in a variety of configurations such as refrigerated vehicles and refuse collection vehicles.
France is continuing to establish itself as one of the leading green forces in Europe and now the French environment agency ADEME has awarded €57million via its technology demonstrator to 11 low carbon vehicle projects.
The funding marks an initial call for expressions of interest with a second call for research projects on vehicle decarbonisation to end on June 26.
Qualifying projects for the first round of funding are:
Velroue Project: Developed by Michelin, Renault and IFP, this will demonstrate the feasibility of a vehicle equipped with a dual, non-hybrid combustion engine-electric motor system.
Forewheel: Presented by Michelin, Heuliez and CEA, this develops weight optimised electric vehicles.
Hydole: Proposed by PSA, Freescale and EDF, this will work on a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle with an all electric range of 31-43miles.
Mhygale: Put forward by Valeo, PSA and Freescale, it develops an affordable mild hybrid solution that offers torque assist functions, stop-start and regenerative braking.
Vega/Thop: Led by Valeo and Renault, it aims to improve the range of electric and hybrid vehicles particularly in extreme temperatures.
Dhrt2: Toyota, EDF, INES and Ecoles des Mines are fielding a test fleet of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles with innovative recharging infrastructure.
Velecta: Together Aixam, INRETS and the ECA are demonstrating light electric vehicles.
Quat’ode: Veleance and Car&D will construct a light quadricycle electric vehicle focusing on urban deliveries.
ElLiSup: A project from Irisbus-Iveco, Michelin, EDF, CEA, ERCTEEL, RECUPYL, RATP, INRETS and the IFP which aims to test two types of demonstrators - a hybrid bus and an all-electric bus.
Melody: Proposed by Renault Trucks, PVI and IFP this involves the building of three heavy duty hybrid demonstrators in a variety of configurations such as refrigerated vehicles and refuse collection vehicles.
isramart : Norwegian oil refinery looks to ‘catch carbon’
isramart news:
Mongstad, Norway: Norway’s most polluting industrial site, the Mongstad oil refinery, is now looking to lead the way on fighting climate change.
Located on the country’s west coast, the refinery spits out around 1.7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide every year — a gas that is widely blamed for global warming.
But the Mongstad site will soon start road-testing new technology known as ‘Carbon Capture and Storage’ (CCS) as its owners look to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emitted in its day-to-day operations.
“CO2 is a real threat but we believe it can be addressed with technology and different consumption patterns,” said Jon Arnt Jacobsen, StatoilHydro executive vice president for manufacturing and marketing.
The refinery will first host a small-scale project pilot capable of capturing 100,000 tonnes annually from 2011. A few years later a full-scale facility which will remove most of the CO2 emitted by the refinery and the gas power plant being built here.
CCS technology is already deployed on a number of smaller factories. It uses solvents to separate out the carbon dioxide produced from industrial fumes. It can then be transported by ship or pipeline and buried underground.
This method will contribute 20 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions cuts needed by 2050 to keep global warming at an acceptable level, according to the International Energy Agency.
“If you are going to burn coal as indeed we have committed to doing in thousands of power plants around the world, we don’t have any option apart from being able to capture carbon dioxide,” Rajendra Pachauri, the head of the UN climate panel (IPCC) that won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007, said. The G8 group of nations, the world’s eight leading industrialised economies, have thrown their weight behind the idea of launching 20 large scale CCS projects by 2010.
StatoilHydro says the Mongstad project is leading the way in this field and it could help cut as much as four percent of the Scandinavian country’s greenhouse gas levels.
But the only illustration so far of this ambitious project is a flat, empty space where a carbon capturing unit is meant to stand. That is one of the reasons why some environmentalists are sceptical about the CCS’s potential to help combat climate change
Mongstad, Norway: Norway’s most polluting industrial site, the Mongstad oil refinery, is now looking to lead the way on fighting climate change.
Located on the country’s west coast, the refinery spits out around 1.7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide every year — a gas that is widely blamed for global warming.
But the Mongstad site will soon start road-testing new technology known as ‘Carbon Capture and Storage’ (CCS) as its owners look to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emitted in its day-to-day operations.
“CO2 is a real threat but we believe it can be addressed with technology and different consumption patterns,” said Jon Arnt Jacobsen, StatoilHydro executive vice president for manufacturing and marketing.
The refinery will first host a small-scale project pilot capable of capturing 100,000 tonnes annually from 2011. A few years later a full-scale facility which will remove most of the CO2 emitted by the refinery and the gas power plant being built here.
CCS technology is already deployed on a number of smaller factories. It uses solvents to separate out the carbon dioxide produced from industrial fumes. It can then be transported by ship or pipeline and buried underground.
This method will contribute 20 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions cuts needed by 2050 to keep global warming at an acceptable level, according to the International Energy Agency.
“If you are going to burn coal as indeed we have committed to doing in thousands of power plants around the world, we don’t have any option apart from being able to capture carbon dioxide,” Rajendra Pachauri, the head of the UN climate panel (IPCC) that won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007, said. The G8 group of nations, the world’s eight leading industrialised economies, have thrown their weight behind the idea of launching 20 large scale CCS projects by 2010.
StatoilHydro says the Mongstad project is leading the way in this field and it could help cut as much as four percent of the Scandinavian country’s greenhouse gas levels.
But the only illustration so far of this ambitious project is a flat, empty space where a carbon capturing unit is meant to stand. That is one of the reasons why some environmentalists are sceptical about the CCS’s potential to help combat climate change
isramart :Germany agrees scaled-down CO2 capture law
isramart news:
Germany’s grand coalition government has reportedly agreed to a scaled-down draft law on carbon dioxide storage after conservatives objected to some of the measures.
“We’ve reached an agreement,” a coalition source said to Reuters on Friday (9 June), referring to the carbon capture and storage (CCS) law.
But sources said the agreement only allows for individual test sites rather than allowing a more comprehensive framework for CCS across Germany.
The breakthrough was reached in a meeting of parliamentary floor leaders from Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democrats and the Social Democrats - Volker Kauder and Peter Struck respectively - and Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel. On Wednesday, the conservatives said they planned to delay voting on the draft law on CCS amid concerns about it.
The CCS law would pave the way for further developing technology aimed at cutting pollution from coal-burning power plants, by holding CO2 indefinitely in underground storage facilities.
The coalition has spent months wrangling over rules to regulate the efforts of utilities such as E.ON, RWE and Vattenfall Europe to test and install the technology early enough for large-scale commercial use after 2020.
Speedy progress of the law is needed to allow these firms to meet timetables for pilot plants ahead of full commercial production planned for 2020, and to ensure that CO2 taken from the plants can be piped into suitable stores by that date.
Germany derives 50% of its power from coal but without CCS will not be able to keep this up in coming years, as stringent EU laws aimed at discouraging CO2 emissions set rising financial penalties on conventional coal burning.
Meanwhile, Germany’s coal importers group VDKI, based in the port of Hamburg but close to the Rhein-Ruhr region’s heavy industries which it serves, is worried about the sustainability of coal burning amid public criticism of the carbon dioxide (CO2) pollution it causes.
“We argue against this with the plans for higher energy efficiency rates at coal-fired power units and the hoped-for success in capturing and storing CO2 at power stations [in a tested, but not proven, process called CCS],” chairman of VDKI, Erich Schmitz said in a conference last week.
German imports of hard coal from India, China and Indonesia are likely to fall 22% this year compared with 2008 to a total 37.3 million tonnes, the importers group VDKI said.
If new building and CCS efforts were combined and successful, German coal generators may cut CO2 emissions to 96 million tonnes a year by 2015 versus 111 million in 2008, Schmitz said.
Germany uses hard coal for 20-25% of its annual power generation, depending on demand and rival fuels. It mined 18.5 million tonnes of hard coal equivalent units last year but this may fall to 13-14 million tonnes in 2009 under long-term phase-out plans, according to the VDIK.
Lignite, a cheaply mined domestic brown coal, continues to hold a stable share of another quarter of power supply.
Germany’s grand coalition government has reportedly agreed to a scaled-down draft law on carbon dioxide storage after conservatives objected to some of the measures.
“We’ve reached an agreement,” a coalition source said to Reuters on Friday (9 June), referring to the carbon capture and storage (CCS) law.
But sources said the agreement only allows for individual test sites rather than allowing a more comprehensive framework for CCS across Germany.
The breakthrough was reached in a meeting of parliamentary floor leaders from Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democrats and the Social Democrats - Volker Kauder and Peter Struck respectively - and Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel. On Wednesday, the conservatives said they planned to delay voting on the draft law on CCS amid concerns about it.
The CCS law would pave the way for further developing technology aimed at cutting pollution from coal-burning power plants, by holding CO2 indefinitely in underground storage facilities.
The coalition has spent months wrangling over rules to regulate the efforts of utilities such as E.ON, RWE and Vattenfall Europe to test and install the technology early enough for large-scale commercial use after 2020.
Speedy progress of the law is needed to allow these firms to meet timetables for pilot plants ahead of full commercial production planned for 2020, and to ensure that CO2 taken from the plants can be piped into suitable stores by that date.
Germany derives 50% of its power from coal but without CCS will not be able to keep this up in coming years, as stringent EU laws aimed at discouraging CO2 emissions set rising financial penalties on conventional coal burning.
Meanwhile, Germany’s coal importers group VDKI, based in the port of Hamburg but close to the Rhein-Ruhr region’s heavy industries which it serves, is worried about the sustainability of coal burning amid public criticism of the carbon dioxide (CO2) pollution it causes.
“We argue against this with the plans for higher energy efficiency rates at coal-fired power units and the hoped-for success in capturing and storing CO2 at power stations [in a tested, but not proven, process called CCS],” chairman of VDKI, Erich Schmitz said in a conference last week.
German imports of hard coal from India, China and Indonesia are likely to fall 22% this year compared with 2008 to a total 37.3 million tonnes, the importers group VDKI said.
If new building and CCS efforts were combined and successful, German coal generators may cut CO2 emissions to 96 million tonnes a year by 2015 versus 111 million in 2008, Schmitz said.
Germany uses hard coal for 20-25% of its annual power generation, depending on demand and rival fuels. It mined 18.5 million tonnes of hard coal equivalent units last year but this may fall to 13-14 million tonnes in 2009 under long-term phase-out plans, according to the VDIK.
Lignite, a cheaply mined domestic brown coal, continues to hold a stable share of another quarter of power supply.
isramart :Remedy for CO2 and communal waste
isramart news:
Restrictions in CO2 emission rights and the implementation of the EC’s 3×20 programme are a big challenge for Poland’s economy. Also dramatically mounting are problems with waste management and processing, where years of negligence have put Poland in the EU tail.
To-date experiences in EU countries show that waste-generated energy is cheapest and waste incineration generates 2-3 times less pollution than traditional fuels. In the EU heat-processing installations for communal waste are considered an environmentally neutral CO2 source.
On January 1, 2009 environmental fees rose by one-third, the extra cost to be carried by urban and rural communities. The hike was necessary as Poland must not only store but also reclaim and process increasing amounts of waste. Today more than 90% of Poland’s bio-degradable waste lands on dumping grounds and is not processed at all. The EU has demanded that by 2010 no more than 75% percent of such waste be dumped unprocessed.
This is necessary not only in order to avoid horrendous fines, but also because communal waste is a good energy source. And, unlike traditional fuels, an inexhaustible one as waste is a permanent by-product of our civilisation.
National Waste Management Plan
In 2004 Poland produced 11.8 million tons of communal waste annually, of which 92% was stored, 2% composted and 5% came under selective waste-collecting schemes. Only 0.5% of the waste was heat-processed.
Table 1
Reclaimed and neutralized communal waste in Poland /GUS/
2000 2004 2006
Selectively collected waste
13,000 Mg 243,000 Mg 403,000 Mg
Bio-processed waste
300,000 Mg 279,000 Mg 297,000 Mg
Heat-processed waste
50,000 Mg 44,000 Mg 45,000 Mg
Storaged waste
11,800,000 Mg 9,500,000 Mg 9,300,000 Mg
The last 5 years saw the emergence of new organic waste composting and sorting plants. Recycling was also on the rise. Nothing, however, was done to upgrade the heat-processing of communal waste. As before, the country’s only incineration plant is the small ZUSOK unit in Warsaw.
In keeping with Article 5.2 of EU Directive 99/31, Poland undertook to reduce its bio-degradable waste. The reduction is to take place in three stages: by the end of 2010 stored communal waste should account for no more than 75% of the total bio-degradable waste produced in 1995. By the end of 2013 this should be down to 50%, and by the end of 2020 to no more than 35%.
Operational Programme Infrastructure and Environment 2007-2013
Waste incineration plants are included on the indicative list of the Operational Programme Infrastructure and Environment 2007-2013 and will be the key projects in a scheme aimed to improve the national communal waste management system in keeping with the environmental obligations laid down in Poland’s EU Accession Treaty.
Table 2
Regional Development Ministry Indicative List: PLN million
1. Communal waste management, Łódź – Phase II – project costs: 660,00
2. Communal waste management programme, Cracow: 703,00
3. Resolving waste management problems, Warsaw: 533,42
4. Integrated waste management system,
Białystok: 413,89
5. Waste management system, Gdańsk, Gdynia, Sopot: 539,03
6. Waste management system and waste heat-processing plant,
Upper-Silesian Agglomeration: 1081,16
7. Waste management system and waste heat-processing plant, Poznań: 640,00
8. Thermal waste neutralisation plant, Szczecin Metropolitan Area: 300,00
9. Waste heat-processing plant, Bydgoszcz-Toruń Metropolitan Area: 400,00
10. Communal waste management system, waste neutralisation plant, Olsztyn: 517,64
11. Waste management system, waste heat-processing plant, Central Pomerania – Koszalin: 280,00
Total: PLN 6,068,140,000
EU funding for the above projects will amount to PLN 3,727,770,000, or 61.4 percent of the total costs.
The National Waste Management Plan 2010-2013 specifies the amount of bio-degradable waste that is to be neutralised or reclaimed and not stored. The minimum amount until the end of 2010 is 2,500,000,000 Mg, until the end of 2013 3,500,000,000 Mg and until the end of 2018 4,100,000,000 Mg.
The National Plan foresees the construction of large installations for the heat-processing of communal waste. This will raise the share of incineration in waste processing to about 16%. This project is so big technologically and financially that it will change communal economy in cities. Heat-processing will reduce waste by up to 90% and eliminate methane emissions (as a greenhouse gas methane is 20 times as lethal as CO2) and toxic seepage in waste deposits. The appearance of large, 50-80 MWt thermal waste plants will certainly change local energy markets, especially the heating sector. To-date experiences in EU countries show that waste-generated energy is cheapest and waste incineration generates 2-3 times less pollution than traditional fuels. In the EU heat-processing installations for communal waste are considered an environmentally neutral CO2 source.
Poland also generates an annual half a million ton of sewage sediment (calculated in dry mass), which can be burnt or gasified alone or in combination with other energy carriers, e.g. communal waste. One ton of dry sediment yields 7.5-14 GJ of heat.
Scenario for Poland
Basing on the experiences of our colleagues from the Euroheat & Power European heat and energy federation I can say that the technological choice will be between grate and fluidized bed firing, depending on the adopted waste management policy. Cities with advanced waste management and European-standard processing plants will be better off with the fluidised bed variant, which guarantees high-standard incineration and minimum fume processing costs. Less technologically advanced agglomerations with a mixture of organic (especially wet) and non-organic waste should opt for the grate method, which is insensitive to changing waste content, very well-tested in Europe and practically breakdown-free. Tests in Scandinavia have shown that incineration systems which process under 50,000 tons of waste annually work well in plants equipped with fluidised bed boilers when they combust waste together with sewage sediment and biomass. After choosing their technology, cities will have to adjust their waste policies to it.
The choice of technology will be a difficult task for municipal and communal authorities. However, the relatively low costs of waste combustion should ensure that such projects are an environmental success and helpful to the main waste producers – the population.
Waste-generated energy is an important potential. Modern waste incineration plants are environmentally safe and could make waste energy into a meaningful provider of heat and electricity.
Janusz Różalski – Technical Manager, OPEC Gdynia
(Abridged from a report in www.nowa-energia.com.pl )
Restrictions in CO2 emission rights and the implementation of the EC’s 3×20 programme are a big challenge for Poland’s economy. Also dramatically mounting are problems with waste management and processing, where years of negligence have put Poland in the EU tail.
To-date experiences in EU countries show that waste-generated energy is cheapest and waste incineration generates 2-3 times less pollution than traditional fuels. In the EU heat-processing installations for communal waste are considered an environmentally neutral CO2 source.
On January 1, 2009 environmental fees rose by one-third, the extra cost to be carried by urban and rural communities. The hike was necessary as Poland must not only store but also reclaim and process increasing amounts of waste. Today more than 90% of Poland’s bio-degradable waste lands on dumping grounds and is not processed at all. The EU has demanded that by 2010 no more than 75% percent of such waste be dumped unprocessed.
This is necessary not only in order to avoid horrendous fines, but also because communal waste is a good energy source. And, unlike traditional fuels, an inexhaustible one as waste is a permanent by-product of our civilisation.
National Waste Management Plan
In 2004 Poland produced 11.8 million tons of communal waste annually, of which 92% was stored, 2% composted and 5% came under selective waste-collecting schemes. Only 0.5% of the waste was heat-processed.
Table 1
Reclaimed and neutralized communal waste in Poland /GUS/
2000 2004 2006
Selectively collected waste
13,000 Mg 243,000 Mg 403,000 Mg
Bio-processed waste
300,000 Mg 279,000 Mg 297,000 Mg
Heat-processed waste
50,000 Mg 44,000 Mg 45,000 Mg
Storaged waste
11,800,000 Mg 9,500,000 Mg 9,300,000 Mg
The last 5 years saw the emergence of new organic waste composting and sorting plants. Recycling was also on the rise. Nothing, however, was done to upgrade the heat-processing of communal waste. As before, the country’s only incineration plant is the small ZUSOK unit in Warsaw.
In keeping with Article 5.2 of EU Directive 99/31, Poland undertook to reduce its bio-degradable waste. The reduction is to take place in three stages: by the end of 2010 stored communal waste should account for no more than 75% of the total bio-degradable waste produced in 1995. By the end of 2013 this should be down to 50%, and by the end of 2020 to no more than 35%.
Operational Programme Infrastructure and Environment 2007-2013
Waste incineration plants are included on the indicative list of the Operational Programme Infrastructure and Environment 2007-2013 and will be the key projects in a scheme aimed to improve the national communal waste management system in keeping with the environmental obligations laid down in Poland’s EU Accession Treaty.
Table 2
Regional Development Ministry Indicative List: PLN million
1. Communal waste management, Łódź – Phase II – project costs: 660,00
2. Communal waste management programme, Cracow: 703,00
3. Resolving waste management problems, Warsaw: 533,42
4. Integrated waste management system,
Białystok: 413,89
5. Waste management system, Gdańsk, Gdynia, Sopot: 539,03
6. Waste management system and waste heat-processing plant,
Upper-Silesian Agglomeration: 1081,16
7. Waste management system and waste heat-processing plant, Poznań: 640,00
8. Thermal waste neutralisation plant, Szczecin Metropolitan Area: 300,00
9. Waste heat-processing plant, Bydgoszcz-Toruń Metropolitan Area: 400,00
10. Communal waste management system, waste neutralisation plant, Olsztyn: 517,64
11. Waste management system, waste heat-processing plant, Central Pomerania – Koszalin: 280,00
Total: PLN 6,068,140,000
EU funding for the above projects will amount to PLN 3,727,770,000, or 61.4 percent of the total costs.
The National Waste Management Plan 2010-2013 specifies the amount of bio-degradable waste that is to be neutralised or reclaimed and not stored. The minimum amount until the end of 2010 is 2,500,000,000 Mg, until the end of 2013 3,500,000,000 Mg and until the end of 2018 4,100,000,000 Mg.
The National Plan foresees the construction of large installations for the heat-processing of communal waste. This will raise the share of incineration in waste processing to about 16%. This project is so big technologically and financially that it will change communal economy in cities. Heat-processing will reduce waste by up to 90% and eliminate methane emissions (as a greenhouse gas methane is 20 times as lethal as CO2) and toxic seepage in waste deposits. The appearance of large, 50-80 MWt thermal waste plants will certainly change local energy markets, especially the heating sector. To-date experiences in EU countries show that waste-generated energy is cheapest and waste incineration generates 2-3 times less pollution than traditional fuels. In the EU heat-processing installations for communal waste are considered an environmentally neutral CO2 source.
Poland also generates an annual half a million ton of sewage sediment (calculated in dry mass), which can be burnt or gasified alone or in combination with other energy carriers, e.g. communal waste. One ton of dry sediment yields 7.5-14 GJ of heat.
Scenario for Poland
Basing on the experiences of our colleagues from the Euroheat & Power European heat and energy federation I can say that the technological choice will be between grate and fluidized bed firing, depending on the adopted waste management policy. Cities with advanced waste management and European-standard processing plants will be better off with the fluidised bed variant, which guarantees high-standard incineration and minimum fume processing costs. Less technologically advanced agglomerations with a mixture of organic (especially wet) and non-organic waste should opt for the grate method, which is insensitive to changing waste content, very well-tested in Europe and practically breakdown-free. Tests in Scandinavia have shown that incineration systems which process under 50,000 tons of waste annually work well in plants equipped with fluidised bed boilers when they combust waste together with sewage sediment and biomass. After choosing their technology, cities will have to adjust their waste policies to it.
The choice of technology will be a difficult task for municipal and communal authorities. However, the relatively low costs of waste combustion should ensure that such projects are an environmental success and helpful to the main waste producers – the population.
Waste-generated energy is an important potential. Modern waste incineration plants are environmentally safe and could make waste energy into a meaningful provider of heat and electricity.
Janusz Różalski – Technical Manager, OPEC Gdynia
(Abridged from a report in www.nowa-energia.com.pl )
isramart : Duke signs ad for carbon legislation
isramart news:
Duke Energy and 19 other U.S. corporations — including more than half-a-dozen power companies — took out full-page ads in major political publications to support pending carbon legislation.
The ads ran Tuesday in Roll Call, Politico and CQ Today. All three are Capitol Hill publications frequently read by Congress members and their staffs.
Headlined “Competing by Leading,” each ad is an open letter calling on President Obama and Congress to cooperate in making the Waxman-Markey Energy Bill law. The U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on the bill Friday.
The bill includes a number of clean energy initiatives. The key provision calls for a cap and trade system to gradually reduce carbon dioxide emissions. That is one of the principal greenhouse gases identified as a cause of global warming.
“We support this legislation because certainty and rules of the road enable us to plan, build, innovate and expand our businesses,” the letter says. “ Putting a price on carbon will drive investment into cost-saving, energy-saving technologies, and will create the next wave of jobs in the new energy economy.”
The ad was supported by Ceres, a group that promotes environmental investing, and the Clean Economy Network.
Duke Energy and 19 other U.S. corporations — including more than half-a-dozen power companies — took out full-page ads in major political publications to support pending carbon legislation.
The ads ran Tuesday in Roll Call, Politico and CQ Today. All three are Capitol Hill publications frequently read by Congress members and their staffs.
Headlined “Competing by Leading,” each ad is an open letter calling on President Obama and Congress to cooperate in making the Waxman-Markey Energy Bill law. The U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on the bill Friday.
The bill includes a number of clean energy initiatives. The key provision calls for a cap and trade system to gradually reduce carbon dioxide emissions. That is one of the principal greenhouse gases identified as a cause of global warming.
“We support this legislation because certainty and rules of the road enable us to plan, build, innovate and expand our businesses,” the letter says. “ Putting a price on carbon will drive investment into cost-saving, energy-saving technologies, and will create the next wave of jobs in the new energy economy.”
The ad was supported by Ceres, a group that promotes environmental investing, and the Clean Economy Network.
isramart : Mexico open to carbon credits at climate talks
isramart news:
JIUTEPEC, Mexico — Mexico said Tuesday it is open to including a link to the existing carbon-credit market in the framework of a new global “green” financing fund that is gaining traction as a response to climate change.
The proposal for the new $10 billion fund could partly displace the largely private carbon-credit market, but officials suggested the credits could be used within the intergovernmental fund.
“Mexico’s proposals for the ‘Green Fund’ could be compatible with a link to the carbon credits market, which would allow a significant increase in the amount of funds available,” said Adrian Fernandez, the head of Mexico’s National Ecology Institute.
Under the proposal being pushed at the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate - a gathering of 19 nations and the European Union which together represent 80 percent of global emissions - governments would contribute to the fund based on their relative wealth. Countries could withdraw from the fund to finance clean energy and remediation programs.
Carbon credits, meanwhile, are largely traded by private companies looking for a way to offset pollution.
Activists say that while Mexico’s proposal lacks compliance mechanisms to ensure that wealthy countries contribute, it is preferable to the current, largely private credits market.
JIUTEPEC, Mexico — Mexico said Tuesday it is open to including a link to the existing carbon-credit market in the framework of a new global “green” financing fund that is gaining traction as a response to climate change.
The proposal for the new $10 billion fund could partly displace the largely private carbon-credit market, but officials suggested the credits could be used within the intergovernmental fund.
“Mexico’s proposals for the ‘Green Fund’ could be compatible with a link to the carbon credits market, which would allow a significant increase in the amount of funds available,” said Adrian Fernandez, the head of Mexico’s National Ecology Institute.
Under the proposal being pushed at the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate - a gathering of 19 nations and the European Union which together represent 80 percent of global emissions - governments would contribute to the fund based on their relative wealth. Countries could withdraw from the fund to finance clean energy and remediation programs.
Carbon credits, meanwhile, are largely traded by private companies looking for a way to offset pollution.
Activists say that while Mexico’s proposal lacks compliance mechanisms to ensure that wealthy countries contribute, it is preferable to the current, largely private credits market.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
isramart: Raytheon Tests Carbon Sequestration
isramart report:
Raytheon Tests Carbon Sequestration
By Kevin Ferguson
Raytheon says it is testing a leak-proof method of keeping sequestered carbon dioxide buried deep in the ground — using some of the same technology it developed to increase production of oil from shale.
The latest sequestration method involves encasing the gas in gel, pumping it underground, and then heating it with microwaves until the gel solidifies. The extraction technology, for its part, involves heating the shale with microwaves before pumping liquid carbon dioxide into the formations to separate kerogen, an organic precursor of oil, from the rock.
In both instances, Raytheon partnered with CF Technologies of Hyde Park, Mass. CF Technologies specializes in so-called supercritical fluids, substances that share properties of both liquids and gases when subjected to high pressure and temperature. Carbon dioxide is commonly used as a supercritical fluid.
The oil-from-shale technology, which Raytheon says yields four or more barrels of oil for every barrel expended in the process, was sold in January to Schlumberger, an oilfield services provider based in Houston. Conventional methods typically yield half as much, Raytheon said.
The potential is huge. The largest known oil-shale deposits in the world are in the Green River Formation, which covers portions of Colorado, Utah and Wyoming, according to a 2005 RAND report. Estimates of the recoverable oil resources within the Green River Formation range from 500 billion barrels to 1.1 trillion barrels, according to the report.
The paradox of using similar technology to both release oil and sequester carbon dioxide is not lost on John Cogliandro, a senior program manager at Raytheon’s Integrated Defense Systems unit in Tewksbury, Mass., which is heading the project. “It’s a good business,” Mr. Cogliandro said. “If the U.S. was able to get energy from shale here, we could cease our imports.” At the same time, more land could be used for CO2 sequestration, including earthquake-prone tracts of earth, he added. “Now that CO2 sequestering is in vogue, they pump CO2 down into the ground, cap the well, and then run away and hold their breath,” Mr. Cogliandro said of competing sequestration methods. “If the topology is right, it will stay there. But if there is an earthquake, it may seep out very slowly — or not so slowly.”
Raytheon envisions the sequestration technology being used at depleted shale fields and abandoned oil wells in the United States, Mr. Cogliandro said. “Our chemistry works well there.”
But he added that the American market for CO2 sequestration is slow. “I think that the U.S. market will form, but it is behind the European market,” he said. As such, Raytheon is looking at “other types of geological formations where this would work well,” including in Europe and Asia.
In any case, it will be at least a few years before Raytheon’s sequestration method has any impact. “The process has not been tested at a commercially representative scale, and is still considered high risk, however, and therefore requires further development before it can be fielded,” Mr. Cogliandro said.
Raytheon Tests Carbon Sequestration
By Kevin Ferguson
Raytheon says it is testing a leak-proof method of keeping sequestered carbon dioxide buried deep in the ground — using some of the same technology it developed to increase production of oil from shale.
The latest sequestration method involves encasing the gas in gel, pumping it underground, and then heating it with microwaves until the gel solidifies. The extraction technology, for its part, involves heating the shale with microwaves before pumping liquid carbon dioxide into the formations to separate kerogen, an organic precursor of oil, from the rock.
In both instances, Raytheon partnered with CF Technologies of Hyde Park, Mass. CF Technologies specializes in so-called supercritical fluids, substances that share properties of both liquids and gases when subjected to high pressure and temperature. Carbon dioxide is commonly used as a supercritical fluid.
The oil-from-shale technology, which Raytheon says yields four or more barrels of oil for every barrel expended in the process, was sold in January to Schlumberger, an oilfield services provider based in Houston. Conventional methods typically yield half as much, Raytheon said.
The potential is huge. The largest known oil-shale deposits in the world are in the Green River Formation, which covers portions of Colorado, Utah and Wyoming, according to a 2005 RAND report. Estimates of the recoverable oil resources within the Green River Formation range from 500 billion barrels to 1.1 trillion barrels, according to the report.
The paradox of using similar technology to both release oil and sequester carbon dioxide is not lost on John Cogliandro, a senior program manager at Raytheon’s Integrated Defense Systems unit in Tewksbury, Mass., which is heading the project. “It’s a good business,” Mr. Cogliandro said. “If the U.S. was able to get energy from shale here, we could cease our imports.” At the same time, more land could be used for CO2 sequestration, including earthquake-prone tracts of earth, he added. “Now that CO2 sequestering is in vogue, they pump CO2 down into the ground, cap the well, and then run away and hold their breath,” Mr. Cogliandro said of competing sequestration methods. “If the topology is right, it will stay there. But if there is an earthquake, it may seep out very slowly — or not so slowly.”
Raytheon envisions the sequestration technology being used at depleted shale fields and abandoned oil wells in the United States, Mr. Cogliandro said. “Our chemistry works well there.”
But he added that the American market for CO2 sequestration is slow. “I think that the U.S. market will form, but it is behind the European market,” he said. As such, Raytheon is looking at “other types of geological formations where this would work well,” including in Europe and Asia.
In any case, it will be at least a few years before Raytheon’s sequestration method has any impact. “The process has not been tested at a commercially representative scale, and is still considered high risk, however, and therefore requires further development before it can be fielded,” Mr. Cogliandro said.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
