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Climate Red - News and Views on Climate Change Issues.

Climate Red - November 2007

Bali Belly

November 29th 2007 23:05
The big question on everybodies lips in Climate Change world is, will they be able to strike a deal next week?

In brief the position is thus, the US won't sign unless China and India agree to emissions reductions too, China and India think its unfair they be bound to commtments because they produce way less emissions per capita than develpoed nations and don't want their rapid economic growth stiffled. ( It should be noted that even Kevin Rudd said he won't sign unless China and India bring something to the table)

Many believe these opposing positions will end in stalemate next week and leave the Kyoto

Protocol in dissarray....

Well here is some good news, a story on Reuters has quoted the Chinese as saing they will agree to reductions if they get a hand with technolongy, sounds fair and reasonable...here's hoping.

The fact is, there is a lot more political pressure for leaders to strike a deal thanks to all of us actually caring now, this all counts towards increased chances of a positive outcome rather than a dreadful case of Bali Belly.

Story below.

cheers

Louie
NTERVIEW - China says will curb emissions if gets tech help
by Reuters News on 29 November 2007, 14:42 PM 0 comments , 29 views
Categories: Reuters News

By Emma Graham-Harrison and Gerard Wynn

BEIJING, Nov 29 (Reuters) - China would "definitely do more" to cut its contribution to climate change if rich nations were willing to share clean energy technologies, its chief climate negotiator Yu Qingtai told Reuters on Thursday.

The stance may smooth talks to agree a global deal on climate change, which kick off in Bali next week and are balanced on how far developing nations should join rich countries' efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions.


"Particularly with regard to the more energy efficient technologies available in the hands of more developed countries, if co-operation is forthcoming... we definitely will be able to do more," said Yu.

China would also like to explore how to take into account that a big chunk of its carbon dioxide emissions comes from making goods that are exported to rich countries, which he called a "major concern".

China would not be pressured over its ballooning total output of carbon dioxide, poised this year to exceed top emitter the United States. Washington refused to ratify the Kyoto Protocol because it set no caps on developing nations.

What mattered was China's much lower emissions per head, said Yu, a former Africa diplomat, recently appointed to lead his nation's climate negotiating team.

He laid out China's climate change priorities days ahead of what are expected to be contentious talks, opening ground for compromise but stressing the government's opposition to emissions caps for developing countries.

"I've been brought up to believe that men are born equal, we cannot be expected to accept that our per capita emissions would be half the OECD (industrialised) average or one third of another particular country, this is not something that we will agree to," he said, speaking in polished English.

The United Nations Development Programme this week published data showing that Americans produced on average 20.6 tonnes of carbon dioxide each in 2004, versus Chinese 3.8 tonnes.

The world must also acknowledge the large role Western consumers played, because of their appetite for Chinese goods.

"We make a lot of products for export, subsequently we suffer from this, what we call, transfer emissions ... It is a major concern for China and those developing countries in the same position as China."

Climate researchers at Britain's Tyndall Centre last month estimated that net exports accounted for nearly one quarter of China's carbon emissions, similar to Japan's entire emissions.


NO SECTOR TARGETS

China has set itself tough targets on energy efficiency and renewables, as it struggles to cut ballooning pollution and bolster energy security, and has made these the centre of its national climate change policy.

Yu said the goals, which have impressed international policymakers and investors, reflected concern at the highest levels about the impact of changing weather patterns on China.

Mankind faces more floods, droughts and rising sea levels, very likely because of carbon emissions from burning fossil fuels, a major U.N. report concluded earlier this month.

"For China the threat is obvious.... we are basically an agricultural country, if climate change brings about frequent shifts of climate conditions, disasters, flooding and drought, our agriculture will suffer and our food security," Yu said.

But he poured cold water on an idea popular with some western industry, policymakers and academics, that rapidly developing countries like China should impose western efficiency standards on some industrial sectors, such as steel or cement.

"I think everybody could look at the real world and see the situation. How could anybody expect Europe to be at the same level of economic development or economic capabilities as an African country, or as a developing country like China."

The Bali talks are expected to set a deadline of two years for reaching a new global climate pact to succeed or extend the Kyoto Protocol from 2013, a timeline that Yu said he supported but which did not depend on China to agree.
ere
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carbon neutral on a shoe string???

November 26th 2007 06:15
As you know I firmly believe the key to our own little battle with Climate Change is to generally consume less and do all the little things and not spend huge amounts of money on Carbon Offsets.

I was sitting talking to a friend the other day and we were trying to work out if it would be possible to actually go a day with zero impact on the world, her and her boyfriend had been trying and found it exceedingly difficult. Think about it, no take away coffee cups, walking to work, taking your own containers to the Butchers, carry bags to the super market (easy in the fruit department) but no buying any packaging at all etc etc...Then you get to electricity usage; we can sign up for Green power but there are no guarantees of the percentage. …and even unpackaged food has a Carbon Footprint

I was going to ask if any Orblers had come close to achieving but then realized we all use computers all day every day so are blown out of the Water immediately unless we hook up Solar Panles at great expense…..So I guess some investment is involved if you want to have zero impact but it can't hurt to try, every little bit will count. Her and her boyfriend have taken to planting trees all over the place, which may have draw backs but if you use cuttings its a cheap and Great way to ensure you give back…I am a fan and am trying my best every day…the coffee is a hard one to give up when you are in a hurry tho 

Cheers


Louie
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The United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment are a set of 6 basic principles of investment in the areas of human rights, labour, the environment and anti-corruption.
The idea is that signatories by adhering to these principles will drectly influence companies that they invest in and hence not condone corrupt and unethical behaviour, as we know money feeds corrupt and unethical behaviour. The UNPRI complements the UN global compact which is a set of 10 principles companies pedge to adhere to in order to uphold standards in the same areas of Human rights, labour, the Enovironment and anti-corruption.

The Principles are as follows:

As Insittutional Investors we have a duty to act in the best long term interests of our beneficiaries. In this fiduciary duty we beleive that Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) issues can effect the performance of Investment portfolio's.....We also recognise that applying these principles may better align investors with the broader objectives of society. Therfore where consistent withour fiduciary duty we commit to the following

1) We will incorporate ESG issues into investment analysis and decision making process
2) We will be active owners and incorporate ESG on issues into our ownership policies and practices.
3) We will seek appropriate disclosure on ESG issues from entities in which we invest.
4) We will promote acceptance and implmentation of the principles within the investment community
5) We will work together to enhance our effectiveness in implementing the priciples.
6) We will each report on our activities and progress towards implementing the Principles

The global Compact that the UNPRI complements has the following 10 Principles
Human Rights

Principle 1: Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights; and
Principle 2: make sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses.

Labour Standards

Principle 3: Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining;
Principle 4: the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour;
Principle 5: the effective abolition of child labour; and
Principle 6: the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.

Environment

Principle 7: Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges;
Principle 8: undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility; and
Principle 9: encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies

Anti-Corruption

Principle 10: Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery.

Hopefully one day these standars will be the benchmark for all businesses n the world.

The more aware we are of these as consumers, the more businesses will have to embrace these principles.

cheers

Louie
United Nations Principles for Responsible Intvestment

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a must read..this is crazy

November 19th 2007 04:16
I just came accross this article about Biofuels. It is well documented that I am all for alternative fuels and even people making money out of the environment as long as it is a net net positive...but this situation highlighted by leading journalist George Monbiot is a by product of a system that is just crazy: People is Swaziland are starving and the Government is producing Bio-fuels using one of their staple crops......

common sense people please.....greed never ceases to astound me, Read on or CLICK HERE
[ Click here to read more ]
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Leading by example

November 15th 2007 23:47

Britain last night ratified the first ever climate change legislation, setting some firm targets to reduce their Carbon Emissions and be a leading force on the climate change solutions path.

[ Click here to read more ]
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Greenpeace Power

November 15th 2007 02:52
Greenpeace have shut down a small power generating operation just north of Sydney to protest against Australia's lack of action on Climate Change. 4 people have been arrested. I wonder how many Carbon Emissions have been exerted to arrest them as opposed to what they are saving?

I am loathe to say anything bad about Greenpeace so I guess they thought it was a constructive thing to do


[ Click here to read more ]
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Al gore has joined one of the largest VC companies in the world, Kleiner Perkins, to help them focus their energies (sic) on investing in Climate Saving Technologies. He believes the market has to play a role in fighting Climate change and this is a very positive step towards getting Big Corporations to part with some big bucks to help out with the Climate Change solution. Let's face it you and me can only change so many light globes, we need some huge Technological advances to help us out, the only way to get those is for some real money to be thrown at the problem. The best way to get money thrown at a problem is to offer profit incentives. I totally agree with Gores arguments in the Statement below.

I expect Al Gore will come under increasing scrutiny for slowly encroaching the profit motive into his Global Warming fight but let's face it he has done a lot, it is better he is upfront about how much he makes. I guess the Global warming skeptics will use this as Ammo to say Global Warming is a conspiracy to generate wealth paralleling the Tech Boom and the Millennium bug....I might point out here: look how much better off we are with the Technologies we have, they save time and money for everyone, yes people make profits off them but those profits attract investment. The important thing is the Capital is invested legitimately into projects that genuinely contribute towards slowing Global warming and providing an alternative to Fossil Fuels. Big business is far more efficient at weeding out the snake oil salesmen than you and I ever will be.

[ Click here to read more ]
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Has Peter Garrett really sold out?

November 8th 2007 22:47
OK. So I am struggling to write a post that doesn't touch on the election. I read a story this morning that said Peter Garrett has sold out. It got me thinking, has he really?

If I think back; for as long as I can remember Peter Garrett had been an environmentalist, and I don't think I stand alone in saying that as a young Australian he has framed many of the views and values towards the Environment that I hold close to my heart


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Bi-partisan - Now there's an idea......

November 7th 2007 21:30
Now that's what I'm talking about....

A leading Australian Business Environment Think Tank the EBA has written an open letter to both parties pleading Climate change to be a bi-partisan issue. i don't know the history of bi-partisan efforts in Australia but it would seem if there is a worthy cause this could be it


[ Click here to read more ]
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arkx gets some press

November 4th 2007 20:34
Only a couple of mentions in this article but it is our first mention in the mainstream aussie press so I am feeling a little proud today.

Hope everyone had a good weekend, check out the Australian this morning...here's the link


[ Click here to read more ]
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I read a disturbing yet extremely funny article yesterday, talking about the election and Climate Change. As we have read 86% of people think that climate change is relevant for the election campaign. Well you would think that means 86% of Australian's actually know something about Climate change....well apparently not....

Read below is an article in the Telegraph that shows some disturbing Data on what Australian's acutally think the Kyoto Protocol is....hmmm so we all want to sign it but we don't actually know what we want to sign..pretty funny really


[ Click here to read more ]
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New awesome Website for Carbon Markets

November 1st 2007 07:39
For those of you into Carbon Markets and Trading, quite possibly no-one except me but there was an awesome new Web-site launched today by Reuters. It is really very impressive and has everything you need to know about trading Carbon Credits, Global Carbon Markets, live pricing, Carbon Markets new and there is even a Blog which of course you may find a few posts of mine there when I get more time on my hands (definitely not this week)

For a site that has only just opened they really haven't missed a beat, and I imagine it will only get better as time progresses


[ Click here to read more ]
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