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June 16, 2014

Environment

Australian emissions fall as government moves to repeal carbon tax

Australia posted its biggest annual reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in 24 years of records as the carbon tax helped drive a large drop in pollution from the electricity sector, which accounts for about one-third of Australia’s emissions outside changes to forest cover. Since the introduction of the carbon tax in July 2012, total carbon emissions from the National Electricity Market have fallen 17.2 million tonnes, or about 11 percent. Slumping electricity demand, in part because of closures of aluminium smelters and other manufacturing, has contributed to the emissions drop, but new sources of renewable energy have also played a part. The news has come as the government moves closer to repealing the controversial tax. Prime Minister Tony Abbott, defending the government’s alternative policy based on paying polluters to curb emissions, said he would avoid climate action that would “clobber the economy”. (The Sydney Morning Herald)

 

New Zealand may kick-start race to mine the ocean floor

This week, New Zealand will decide whether to approve an underwater iron-ore operation that would most likely become the world’s first commercial metals mineat ocean floor. The push to explore the ocean is gaining momentum as ore grades on land decline and demand grows for metals in high-tech applications. It is also more feasible now with the help of technology for the deepwater oil and gas industry. Trans Tasman Resources, which hopes to start mining in 2016, already has a mining licence but needs a marine consent from New Zealand’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Scientists and environmentalists fear that mining could destroy fragile fisheries and exotic creatures at the bottom of the ocean. But Trans Tasman says its project is very different and less destructive than deep sea mining as it will be operating in depths up to just 100 metres in an area already buffeted by storms and ocean currents. (Reuters)

Supply Chain

Oregon hopes to be first state to map GMO fields

The state of Oregon plans to undertake a mapping project where GMO field locations are mapped across the entire state in order to establish buffer zones and exclusion areas for GE crops. The move was spurred by several instances of genetic contamination in the region that rendered non-engineered crops unsellable on the export market. If the mapping goes ahead, Oregon will be the first state to map fields and mandate preventative measures for modified crops. Advocates also hope this could become a model for the rest of the US. A US Department of Agriculture committee has recommended informal neighbour farmer agreements and an insurance system to pay for damages resulting from GMO contamination. However, organic farmers are pushing for more disclosure, formal prevention measures and a system to hold GE growers liable for cross-pollination. (Yahoo News)

Renewable Energy

Singapore planning the world’s largest floating solar farm

The government of Singapore has decided to install more solar power to meet the area’s energy needs with a new power plant that would be the world’s largest floating solar farm on inland water reservoirs. The project will start by testing out smaller versions of 10 different designs, since only a handful of demonstration floating solar farms have ever been built. The successful design will eventually generate 3.3 gigawatt-hours of solar energy in a year – and even as much as 4 gigawatt-hours if it turns out to be more efficient than solar on land. When the system is completed, Singapore hopes that it can be used as a model for other countries with limited space. The country has been considering the idea for several years but it is only now that the cost of solar tech is low enough to make the idea possible. (FastCompany)

 

Irish green energy infrastructure market to hit €2.5bn by 2020

A new report from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) titled Ireland’s Sustainable Energy Supply Chain Opportunity, predicts the investment required to meet Ireland’s binding renewable energy and energy efficiency targets will create a €2.5bn-a-year supply chain opportunity by 2020. It also predicts spending will increase by over 60 percent and thus the industry could support up to 30,000 jobs, primarily in the manufacturing and construction sectors. The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Pat Rabbitte, urged Irish firms to take advantage of the fast-expanding green energy market. Barry O’Leary, chief executive of Ireland’s Industrial Development Authority, urged green energy companies from across Europe to consider the benefits of locating in Ireland, arguing that it offers a good base for exporting clean technologies to the rest of EU. “Ireland has a great track record in attracting overseas investment and our strengths in the sustainable energy sector should significantly add to this,” said Mr O’Leary. (BusinessGreen)

 

Image source: NesjavellirPowerPlant edit2 by Gretar Ívarsson

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