Carbon Briefing
The lucky country?
Thursday, 20 December 2007

(Guardian ) On an early summer's morning in northern Tasmania, the Tamar valley looks like an Australian slice of Tuscany. There are groves of walnut trees beside white-barked eucalyptus, a lavender farm, apricot orchards and small fields of olives. Vineyards run down to the river and fat black cattle graze the pasture. Yachts are anchored in the winding reaches of the tidal river. The Tamar seems a model of sustainable development - green and welcoming.

Except that the Australian government has just approved the building of one of the world's largest pulp mills in the middle of this scene. A 200-hectare (500-acre) polluting giant by the side of the Tamar river, the factory would accelerate - some say double - the already rapid pace of logging in the mountainous and verdant island state. Turned into woodchip and then exported as chlorine-bleached pulp, much of what remains of Tasmania's native forests may end up as cheap paper for the hungry markets of Asia.

 
A Carbon Cap That Starts in Washington
Thursday, 20 December 2007
(NYT ) THE United Nations conference on climate change wrapped up in Bali, Indonesia, last week without a firm commitment from the United States or China to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. While a binding global agreement would be the best way to cut back on those emissions, a more limited but still useful approach is available, and it is wending its way through Congress.
 
Europe Proposes Binding Limits on Auto Emissions
Thursday, 20 December 2007
PARIS (NYT ) — European Union officials told leading automakers on Wednesday to make deep cuts in tailpipe emissions of the cars they produce or face fines that could reach billions of euros.
 
Tropics "expand" as world warms
Tuesday, 04 December 2007
(BBC) Climate change is causing the tropics to widen, with possible impacts on the global food supply, research suggests.
 
Airlines to Reduce Carbon Dioxide Emissions and Fuel Burn by 4 Percent
Thursday, 08 November 2007
Reno, NV (PRWEB) November 8, 2007 -- AeroTech Services, Inc., an aircraft modification and consulting company, announced today its patented wing modification will enable all commercial airlines, flying Boeing 737 Classics, to reduce fuel consumption and emissions by up to 4 percent under typical flight conditions. The modification enhances the aerodynamic efficiency of the aircraft's wings.
 
Lawmakers say airline emissions have to be cut
Sunday, 07 October 2007
( New Europe )The European Parliament has ratcheted up tougher standards on how much carbon airlines can emit, setting lower limits than recommended by the European Commission, but still higher than some lawmakers said they wanted.
 
Quebec's carbon tax gets green light
Sunday, 30 September 2007

MONTREAL (The Canadian Press) -- Quebec's controversial carbon tax on energy companies comes into effect Monday, despite fears it could also target industries that use large amounts of petroleum and carbon products.

The green tax is believed to be the first of its kind in Canada and will be used to help Quebec reach its Kyoto Protocol targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2012.

 
Huhne plans zero-carbon Britain
Tuesday, 18 September 2007
(The Guardian) - The Liberal Democrats yesterday became the first Westminster party to back a zero-carbon Britain, including a ban on all petrol driven cars by 2040, but had to fight off warnings from some senior members that the simultaneous rejection of nuclear power meant the plans did not add up. Chris Huhne, the Liberal Democrat environment spokesman, told the party conference: “We are the first British political party to tackle global emissions from every part of our economy: from transport, from electricity generation, from our housing, from offices and from factories.” At present, he said, “we are tearing up nature by its roots.”
 
Navajos and Environmentalists Split on Power Plant
Friday, 27 July 2007
(NY Times ) -- For the Navajo nation, energy is the most valuable currency. The tribal lands are rich with uranium, natural gas, wind, sun and, most of all, coal.
 
Howard: Carbon Trading System for Australia by 2011
Monday, 23 July 2007
(AP ) -- Prime Minister John Howard announced some details of a planned carbon-trading trading scheme for Australia on Tuesday, but avoided setting targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
 
Reduce Net Carbon Dioxide Emissions
Monday, 23 July 2007
(Hindustan Times ) -- Scientists all over the world feel it is time that developed nations monitored their industrial practices and help in reducing global carbon emissions.
 
PM to Unveil Details of Carbon Trading Plan
Monday, 16 July 2007
(The Age) -- Polluters that reduce their greenhouse gas emissions between now and when carbon trading begins in 2012 will be given incentives by the Howard Government under a plan to be announced in Melbourne today.
 
Bingaman's CO2 Bill May Lay Groundwork For Fused Legislation
Thursday, 12 July 2007
(Dow Jones ) -- U.S. utility executives and labor bosses came out in force Wednesday to support a Senate climate change bill that some believe stands the best chance for becoming law, or at least lays the legislative groundwork for a fused bill with stronger standards.
 
Society 'Needs the Right Chemistry'
Thursday, 12 July 2007
(BBC News ) -- Carbon offsetting schemes are all well and good, but do little to change the way people live day-to-day, argues Stefaan Simons. In this week's Green Room, he says instead of wasting money on short-term solutions, attention should be focused on developments that can really deliver a low carbon future.
 
Nuclear Energy Has New Momentum
Monday, 02 July 2007
(AP ) -- Thanks to global warming, nuclear energy is hot again. Its promise of abundant, carbon emissions-free power is being pushed by the president and newly considered by environmentalists. But any expansion won't come cheap or easy.
 
Climate Deals Turn up Heat in Indonesia's Dark Peatlands
Monday, 02 July 2007
(Reuters ) -- It used to be malaria that gave people fevers in Indonesia's remote, mosquito-infested peatlands.
Now it is carbon.
 
Charles's Income Rises as Carbon Footprint Falls
Thursday, 28 June 2007
(The Guardian ) -- The Prince of Wales's income from his Duchy of Cornwall estate has risen over the past year - along with his personal expenditure - while his carbon footprint has fallen, according to his annual review published yesterday.
 
Science Panel Finds Fault With Estimates of Coal Supply
Monday, 25 June 2007
(NY Times ) -- The United States may not have nearly as much coal as is popularly believed, and mining the remaining resources may be more dangerous for workers and the environment than current operations, the National Academy of Sciences said in a report Wednesday.
 
Maine Law Caps Carbon Dioxide Emissions
Thursday, 21 June 2007
BOSTON (NY Times ) -- Gov. John Baldacci of Maine signed a bill on Monday establishing how the state will reduce pollution and cap power plant emissions in a regional effort to reduce carbon dioxide output.
 
Miliband Launches Carbon Footprint Calculator
Thursday, 21 June 2007
(Guardian Unlimited ) -- The environment secretary, David Miliband, today unveiled an online carbon footprint calculator designed to "cut through" the confusion on climate change and allow people to work out what practical action they can take.
 
Offsetting Chief Warns of Carbon Cowboys
Monday, 18 June 2007
(Guardian Unlimited ) -- The fast-growing but increasingly criticised carbon offset industry is at risk of being discredited by "cowboy" operators unless it draws up a recognisable set of standards that customers can trust, one of the most senior figures in the sector has warned.
 
Nuclear: Dark Horse Energy Alternative
Monday, 18 June 2007
DIABLO CANYON (MediaNews ) -- The nuclear power plant nestled on the cliffs of Central California's scenic coast has for decades been a remnant of our energy past, rife with memories of protests and lingering security concerns.
 
Campuses Pledge Climate Neutrality
Thursday, 14 June 2007
(C&EN ) -- More than 280 U.S. colleges and universities have pledged to make their campuses climate neutral by reducing greenhouse gas emissions where possible and by investing in renewable energy and fuels, financing energy-efficient buildings, planting trees, increasing recycling, or otherwise offsetting their emissions.
 
E.ON U.S. Will Join Climate Effort
Thursday, 14 June 2007
(The Courier-Journal ) -- E.ON U.S., the parent company of LG&E and Kentucky Utilities, will announce today that it plans to spend $25 million to join an industry-government partnership to build a power plant that won't contribute to global warming
 
Quebec Approves Carbon Tax to Cut Greenhouse Gases
Monday, 11 June 2007
(Bloomberg ) -- Quebec will become the first Canadian province to impose a carbon tax on energy producers, raising C$200 million ($189 million) a year for measures that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
 
Livingstone Lends Support to Tory Tax on Frequent Flyers
Monday, 11 June 2007
(Guardian Unlimited ) -- London mayor Ken Livingstone has backed a Conservative proposal to impose carbon taxes on frequent flyer holidaymakers.
 
Carbon Trade Scheme 'Is Failing'
Tuesday, 05 June 2007
(BBC News ) -- The EU's carbon trading scheme has increased electricity bills, given a windfall to power companies and failed to cut greenhouse gases, it is claimed.
 
Carbon Credits Are 'Wrong' Says Benn
Friday, 01 June 2007
(Guardian Unlimited ) -- Tony Benn has spoken out against a proposal for individual carbon allowances put forward by the environment secretary, David Miliband, last December, stating that "carbon credits are absolutely wrong."
 
PM Plots Climate Balance
Tuesday, 29 May 2007
(Herald Sun) -- John Howard's climate change response appears to set focus on a consumer-friendly package favouring businesses that contain their greenhouse gas emissions.
 
EU Crafting Biofuel Rules with Eye on Environment
Thursday, 24 May 2007
BRUSSELS (Reuters) -- The European Commission plans new measures to ensure increased use of biofuels reduces greenhouse gas emissions, an EU official said on Thursday.
 
Blair: US May Back Carbon Deal
Thursday, 24 May 2007
(BBC News) -- Up to now, the Bush administration has championed voluntary agreements as an alternative to imposing binding caps.
 
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