Carbon Friendly

Industry News

February 8, 2010

EU leaders set for climate debate

EU leaders will meet in Brussels this week to discuss the bloc’s climate-change strategy.

In addition to climate policy, the 11 February summit will focus on the economic crisis that had pushed the EU into deep recession last year.

The EU leaders will likely have a strategic debate about “the lessons to learn” from the UN climate summit in December, which ended in the non-binding Copenhagen accord, a council spokeswoman said today.

February 2, 2010

US allocates $1.4bn for short-term climate finance

The US has set aside $1.4 billion to address global climate change in its fiscal 2011 budget.

President Barack Obama yesterday released the $3.8 trillion spending plan in which the administration apportioned funds to help poor countries adapt to climate change.

February 1, 2010

Canada lowers GHG reduction target

Canada has weakened its 2020 GHG reduction goal to match the US’s medium-term target. Canada is now committed to reducing greenhouse gases 17 per cent below 2005 levels by 2020, which is the same target the US has committed to reduce its emissions by under the Copenhagen accord.
January 6, 2010

Japan, China, US should sign trilateral offset pact

Japan, China and the US should sign a new trilateral offset agreement, according to a think tank.

The agreement should include offset credits from emission reductions that are in line with a new standard agreed by all three parties, according to a report by the 21st Century Public Policy Institute, a think tank of Japanese business lobby group the Keidanren.

January 6, 2010

South Korea sets ETS cap at 99%

Installations under South Korea’s ETS will have to cut emissions 1 per cent under 2005 levels.

 

The ministry of environment will issue carbon allowances amounting to 99 per cent of each company’s annual average carbon dioxide emissions from 2005 through 2007, an official with the ministry of environment said today.

December 31, 2009

Developers eye positive 2010 after toughest year yet

Post-2012 doubts, delays and weak prices made this year the most difficult yet for the CDM.

 

This year only 135 million carbon credits were issued, far behind the rate that is required in order to keep with market expectations of 1-1.3 billion and lower than the total issued in 2008.

October 19, 2009

Kerry-Boxer creates low offset demand at outset

Demand for international and US offsets will be low at the start of a carbon market, analysts say.

The Kerry-Boxer, which is being considered in the US Senate, creates a national emissions trading system as one mechanism to reduce greenhouse gases.

September 29, 2009

ECX eyes launch of ERU futures

The European Climate Exchange (ECX) plans to introduce trading of ERU futures early next year.
September 29, 2009

Senate bill to set stricter near-term target

The Senate’s energy and climate bill will have a stricter near-term target than the House bill.
September 29, 2009

Investors eye forestry in climate pact

Carbon financing has big potential to help slow the logging of trees, a new survey showed.
August 17, 2009

Record ocean temperatures set in June are broken in July (R&D)

According to researchers at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), world ocean temperatures measured in June and July were the hottest ever recorded...
July 13, 2009

A team of US carbon experts have formed a new venture to originate and sell forestry offsets.

Pennsylvania-based Finite Carbon will work with US forest landowners to both develop and sell carbon offsets.

July 13, 2009

Russian energy and aluminum firm EN+ sold 1 million carbon credits from a JI project at a smelter.

EN+, which is the majority stakeholder of Russian aluminium giant United Company Rusal, sold the emission reduction units (ERUs) to an unnamed buyer at an undisclosed price.
June 8, 2009

Wood Is New Coal as Polluters Use Carbon-Eating Trees

June 2 (Bloomberg) -- Wood is becoming a hot commodity in a new low-carbon world.

Power companies are burning more trees because the renewable fuel can be cheaper than coal and ignited without needing permits to release carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas blamed for global warming.

April 16, 2009

Russian emissions creep up 0.3% in 2007

Russian GHG emissions climbed to 2.193 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2007.

The figures, submitted yesterday to the UN, showed a rise in greenhouse gases of almost 7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent over 2006 levels, up 0.3 per cent.

April 15, 2009

First Climate eyes US acquisition

First Climate wants to buy a US project developer but market doubts have stalled its ambitions.

The German-based project developer, investor and carbon credit aggregator was looking at buying US-based companies late last year but has since put acquisition plans on hold, according to First Climate CEO Markus Huewener.

April 14, 2009

Global carbon market to total $669bn in 2013

The global carbon market will be worth $669 billion in 2013, according to a new report.

Between 2009 and 2013, compliance emissions trading systems (ETS) worldwide are expected to grow by 68 per cent per year, according to a report by industrial market research publisher SBI. 

January 8, 2009

US carbon company buys Canadian verifier

A US carbon management company has bought Canadian offset verifier Carbon Credit Corp.C-Lock Technology, a carbon management outfit that certifies and aggregates greenhouse gas emissions reductions, bought British Columbia-based Carbon Credit Corp. for $1.8 million.
January 8, 2009

China's fossil-fuel consumption to surge

China has announced plans to boost output of fossil fuels over the next six years.

The country, already a leading emitter of greenhouse gases, will double output of natural gas to 160 billion cubic meters by 2015.

January 8, 2009

Value of carbon market to rise 25%: survey

The carbon market's value will expand in 2009 despite the economic downturn, said a new survey.

 

An estimate by New Energy Finance, a UK research firm, reckons that value of the global carbon market will rise to $150 billion in 2009, compared with $118 billion last year and $31 billion in 2007.
November 12, 2008

Terrapass launches 2.5m carbon credit portfolio

US carbon offset retailer Terrapass is transforming itself into an originator of US carbon offsets through the launch of an offset portfolio with 2.5 million credits under management.

 

November 12, 2008

Ecosecurities launches carbon offset portfolio website

Ecosecurities, a London-listed company that pools carbon credits, has launched an internet site providing up-to-date information on the company’s voluntary carbon project portfolio, the company said in a press release.
November 11, 2008

Carbon Neutral Co. expands into US voluntary market

UK carbon offset provider, The Carbon Neutral Company, hopes to capture the growing US voluntary offset market through its acquisition of New York-based carbon management company Greenlife Organization.

October 15, 2008

Residents of Anmore and Belcarra have got sustainability in the bag.

This past weekend the 1st Anmore Scouts and a local youth group helped hand deliver reusable shopping bags to over 650 homes in the Village of Anmore to support the use of reusable shopping bags in their community. The Village of Belcarra residents will receive similar shopping bags later in the month in conjunction with a new recycling and trash disposal plan they are implementing for Village residents.

October 3, 2008

Missy Higgins rocks the world and saves it too

Missy Higgins is on a green mission. The 24 year-old singer-songwriter from Melbourne, immensely popular in Australia, is currently carving a name for herself in the US and talked to the UN Works about her commitment to fighting climate change.

September 16, 2008

Demand for US-based VCS offsets seen rising

Voluntary Carbon Standard (VCS) registries are set to go live by the end of the month, and market observers say demand is growing for credits from US-based emissions-reduction projects as companies prepare for mandatory carbon restraints.
August 21, 2008

Carbon funds manage $13 billion in assets: survey

Assets in carbon funds stand at nearly $13 billion, but the growth in money tied up in emission reduction projects is lagging the overall increase in carbon finance, a new survey found.

August 20, 2008

Germany to launch €350m scheme to boost heat from renewables

Germany will launch a €350 million programme to support companies that source their heat supply from renewable energy on 1 September, according to the environment ministry.

August 18, 2008

Tax needed to green Canada's economy: opposition party leader

A carbon tax is the best way of putting a price on carbon, a necessary step to building a greener economy and fighting climate change, Stephane Dion, leader of the Liberals, Canada's main opposition party, told Point Carbon.

July 9, 2008

New offset protocols could ‘quadruple’ Alberta’s carbon trading volume: developer

The addition of new offset project types in the Alberta market could ‘quadruple’ the volume of carbon credits companies can trade to comply with the Canadian province’s climate regulations, according to a North American project developer.
July 4, 2008

Carbon trading set to dominate commodities

The market in greenhouse gas emissions could outstrip the conventional commodities markets to become the biggest traded commodity, the head of the US Commodities Futures Trading Commission said on Wednesday.
July 2, 2008

World Bank approves $5 billion climate fund

The World Bank’s executive board today approved two new climate change funds that are targeting $5 billion aimed at stimulating investment in developing countries to produce cleaner energy and adapt to the effects of climate change.
July 1, 2008

European ETS commentary: Carbon breaches €29.00

The price of EU allowances for this year’s delivery extended yet another 26 month high during trade on Tuesday, as incessant oil price rises continue to set records on a daily basis and underpin demand for all energy commodities.
May 29, 2008

CCX sees record trading day volume

The Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) announced Wednesday that it saw a new record day of trading carbon futures this week, with 622,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent changing hands Tuesday.
April 23, 2008

ECX to launch CER options contracts on 16 May

The European Climate Exchange (ECX), the largest bourse for carbon allowances, is launching an options contract for UN-regulated certified emission reductions (CER) futures on 16 May.
April 23, 2008

Poland to decide on allocation plan 29 April

The Polish council of ministers will make a final decision on the country's national allocation plan for EU carbon allowances on 29 April, which paves the way for the country issuing 2008 allowances.
April 1, 2008

Canada’s government blocks opposition climate bill

Members of Canada’s minority Conservative government last night blocked a vote on legislation from an opposition party that aims to set more stringent greenhouse gas emission reduction targets than those in the Conservatives’ climate plan.
April 1, 2008

Climate Registry releases final reporting protocol

The Climate Registry, a voluntary greenhouse gas emission registry, released its final reporting rules for participating states and provinces in the US, Mexico and Canada Monday.
March 31, 2008

Gore launches $300 million national global warming advertising campaign

A nonprofit organisation led by former US Vice President Al Gore is to launch a high-profile multimedia advertising campaign to raise public awareness on the need to cut emissions of climate-changing greenhouse gases.
March 7, 2008

Japan submits post-Kyoto proposals to UNFCCC: reports

Japan submitted a comprehensive package of proposals to the UN on Friday for the establishment of a new international framework to replace the Kyoto protocol on curbing global warming, which expires in 2012, Japanese media reported.
March 7, 2008

US GHG emissions rose 14% from 1990-2006, declined in 2006: EPA

US greenhouse gas emissions have risen by 14 per cent from 1990 to 7.2 billion metric tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2006, according to the latest emissions inventory released by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Friday.
March 7, 2008

Canadian green groups call for C$30 per tonne carbon price

A coalition of environmental groups in Canada on Friday urged the federal government to ensure that climate policy is strict enough to boost the price of carbon and encourage development in renewable technology.

February 16, 2008

Common Sense Solutions to Climate Change

At Eco Preservation Society we advocate two common sense long-term goals:

Common Sense Goal #1: Within thirty years we must replace fossil fuels as an energy source. <!--[endif]-->

Common Sense Goal #2: Over the next one hundred years we must sequestered the excess carbon that has been added to the atmosphere over the last one hundred years.

February 13, 2008

British Columbia to make cap-and-trade law

Premier Gordon Campbell of British Columbia has outlined environmental goals for the western Canadian province’s new legislative session, including “enabling legislation” for the province to take part in a regional greenhouse gas emissions cap-and-trade system.
February 12, 2008

British Columbia to secede from Canadian federal climate plan

The western Canadian province of British Columbia, which is moving forward with strict targets for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, seeks permission for those to override federal carbon intensity caps, officials told Point Carbon.
February 12, 2008

Firms complete first US forest carbon offset deal

Environmental asset firm Natsource and the non-profit Pacific Forest Trust have announced a trade of 60,000 carbon offsets that marks the first such deal for US forest credits under new California state regulations.
February 11, 2008

California regulators weigh in on cap-and-trade

After lengthy stakeholder consultations, California’s public utilities and energy commissions Friday recommended the state reduce greenhouse gas emissions through a cap-and-trade system that limits the carbon output of companies selling power to California.
January 10, 2008

International emissions trading could cut cost of Canadian carbon reductions

Buying international emission reduction credits to cover 30 per cent of its targeted emission cuts can save Canada up to C$110 (€74) per tonne of CO2 equivalent reduced in 2050, according to government environmental advisors.
January 10, 2008

Carbon volume traded on CCX doubles in 2007

Nearly 23 million tonnes of carbon dioxide was traded on the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) last year – more than twice as much as in 2006, according to the exchange.
January 8, 2008

Japan’s biggest retailer to buy emission credits

Japan’s biggest retailer, Seven & I Holdings, said on Tuesday it will buy greenhouse gas (GHG) emission credits using part of the proceeds from the sale of new environmentally friendly “eco-bags” across the country.
November 21, 2007

British Columbia unlikely to meet climate target

Greenhouse gas emissions in British Columbia (BC) are likely to grow so much in sectors like transport that the Canadian province may not meet a 2020 reduction target of 33 per cent from current levels, say environmentalists and a think tank.
November 21, 2007

East Asian countries back aspirational emission targets

A long-term aspirational goal for global greenhouse gas emissions would make a post-2012 international treaty on climate change more efficient, the 16 governments of the East Asia Summit said today.

November 21, 2007

British Columbia to cut GHG emissions 33% by 2020

Canadian province British Columbia will reduce its greenhouse gas emissions 33 per cent below current levels by 2020, according to the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets Act introduced by Premier Gordon Campbell Tuesday.

November 20, 2007

Manitoba to shut down last remaining coal facility: premier

The Canadian province of Manitoba will cut greenhouse gas emissions by shutting down its only coal-fired generating facility, premier Gary Doer said in his throne speech today.

October 22, 2007

Alberta companies to meet GHG targets through technology fund

Major greenhouse gas emitters in the Canadian province of Alberta, where emissions intensity regulations entered into force in July, will achieve their targets mainly by paying into a technology fund, Point Carbon has learned.
October 21, 2007

Japan pledges to give $10 million to new fund to save forests

Japan has pledged to contribute $10 million (€7 million) to a new fund being developed by the World Bank to protect and replant forests, in the latest of a series of initiatives aimed at raising its profile in the fight against global warming.
October 4, 2007

Norway to spend more than €500 million on Kyoto credits

The Norwegian government today announced it will spend NOK4.1 billion (€535 million) over the next five years on purchasing Kyoto carbon credits to offset its emissions of greenhouse gases.

October 3, 2007

Price of primary CERs on the rise as funds weigh into carbon credit market

The price of carbon credits generated through CDM projects is on the rise, as new buyers have entered the market and sellers are charging more for CERs because of an increase in the price of allowances in Europe’s cap-and-trade system.
October 2, 2007

US House leaders release “white paper” on cap-and-trade legislation design

Two leaders in the US House of Representatives whose committees are considering national climate change legislation today released a set of rules for the design of a US cap-and-trade programme for greenhouse gas emissions.
October 1, 2007

Hungary ponders ISO verification for Kyoto credit sales

Hungary is considering using an ISO standard to verify emission reductions from projects funded by sales of Kyoto carbon credits, a government official told Point Carbon today.
June 15, 2007

Western states, provinces to agree on group GHG caps

Six western US states and two Canadian provinces are meeting today to set joint targets for greenhouse gas emission reductions in the region.

June 14, 2007

Canadian budget passage confirms continuation of Conservative climate plan

Canada's minority Conservative government will continue to implement its controversial federal climate plan, as there is no chance it will be ousted after its budget passed Tuesday night.

April 25, 2007

Canada to ban incandescent light bulbs by 2012

Canada will ban the sale of inefficient incandescent light bulbs by 2012 as part of a plan to cut down on emissions of greenhouse gases, Natural Resources Minister Gary Lunn said on Wednesday.

April 25, 2007

B.C. joins Schwarzenegger's 'carbon credits' trading market

British Columbia's government announced Tuesday it will be the first Canadian province to join an emerging international system to fight global warming by creating a carbon trading market that lets polluters buy "carbon credits" from cleaner and greener companies.

April 24, 2007

Canada's new climate plan excludes Kyoto targets, includes CDM

Canada's greenhouse gas emission reduction targets under the Kyoto Protocol will be excluded from the minority Conservative government's forthcoming climate change legislation targeting big emitters, Environment Minister John Baird said on Monday.

April 7, 2007

Canada Vows To Unveil "World-Leading Regulations" On Climate Change

Canada's Conservative government has promised to soon unveil “world-leading regulations” to curb polluting greenhouse gases, following a bleak climate outlook report released in Brussels on Friday by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

April 6, 2007

Western States Praise Supreme Court Decision

Governors and state officials in five western US states setting up a joint initiative to reduce greenhouse gases praised Monday's Supreme Court ruling stating that the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has authority to regulate carbon dioxide emissions from cars.

April 4, 2007

Money Flow to Carbon Funds Sector Swells To $11.8 Billion

Money flowing into the carbon fund sector grew by $4.7 billion (€3.5 billion) over the past six months to total $11.8 billion, thanks in part to 12 new funds entering the carbon market, UK-based analysts New Carbon Finance said on Wednesday.

March 26, 2007

EC Sets Poland's Annual Cap At 208.5 Million, Down 26.7 Per Cent

The European commission today announced it would allow Poland to hand out 208.5 million allowances annually to installations included in the second phase of the European emissions trading scheme.

March 20, 2007

EIB and World Bank Launch €50 Million Fund For Carbon Credits

The European Investment Bank and World Bank have launched a €50 million fund to buy carbon credits on behalf of three EU member states, a regional government and a large utility.

March 20, 2007

Canada Submits Initial Report Under The Kyoto Protocol

Canada has belatedly submitted its initial report under the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations, paving the way for the country to participate in the Protocol's flexible mechanisms.

March 16, 2007

Schwarzenegger, British Columbia vow to work together to curb greenhouse gases

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell on Thursday agreed to work together in efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions.

March 9, 2007

Alberta Becomes Canada's First Province to Set Intensity Targets For GHGs

Alberta, the home of Canada's vast oil sands production, has become the country's first province to legislate greenhouse gas emission reductions from large industry, the provincial government said on Thursday.

February 26, 2007

European Carbon Credits Will Average €21.00 In Second Phase

The price of carbon allowances will average €21.00 during the second phase of the European emissions trading scheme (ETS), according to analysis by Point Carbon published on Friday.

February 20, 2007

EU Environment Council Agrees to 20 Per Cent GHG Reduction By 2020

The environment ministers of the EU member states today agreed that the EU should reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020, and that 30 per cent should be the reduction target sought in international negotiations.

February 16, 2007

Canadian PM Says He Will Respect Kyoto-friendly Bill Despite It Being "Toothless"

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper says he will respect a new bill calling on the government to commit to its Kyoto obligation if the act actually becomes a law, Canadian media reported Thursday.

February 15, 2007

Canadian Parliament Passes Bill to Enforce Kyoto Targets

Canada's parliament passed a Liberal bill Wednesday night to ensure the country meets its Kyoto obligations by reducing greenhouse gas emissions six per cent below the 1990 level by 2012.

February 13, 2007

Canadian Prime Minister Offers $1.5 Billion for Provinces to Reduce Emissions

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper yesterday announced his government would budget C$1.5 billion (nearly €1 billion) in new funding for provinces to battle climate change, with $350 million going to the French-speaking province of Quebec.

February 8, 2007

US House Energy Committee to Introduce New Climate Bill

Representative Rick Boucher, chairman of the Energy and Air Quality Subcommittee of the US House's Energy and Commerce Committee, will introduce legislation to curb US greenhouse gases through a cap-and-trade programme, he told Point Carbon.

January 10, 2007

US Will Have CO2 Regulation By the End of the Decade

The threat of global warming is enough to spur all governments in Canada and the UnitedStates to have carbon dioxide (CO2) regulations in place by the end of the decade, according to a new report from CIBC World Markets.

The US and Canada alone can realize over $300 billion in annual, cost-effective energy savings.