Dell achieves carbon neutral target ahead of schedule Dell has achieved carbon neutrality earlier than planned by implementing an aggressive global energy-efficiency campaign and increasing purchases of green power, verified emission reductions and renewable energy certificates. Since 2004, the company’s annual investment in green electricity from utility providers, including wind, solar and methane-gas capture, has increased by nearly 870% Dell is also partnering with Conservation International on a habitat and forest preservation initiative in the Republic of Madagascar.
Global study highlights investors’ role in tackling climate change
EIRIS has released research into 300 FTSE All World Index companies examining their responses to climate change challenges. “The state we’re in: global corporate response to climate change and the implications for investors” analyses the current state of corporate response to climate change, highlights the key challenges this presents and examines the implications for investors. Over a third of companies were assessed as having a high or very high impact for climate change and 84% of companies have declared a commitment on climate change. However, only 25% of companies publish a long-term target to reduce emissions. A lack of consistent and comparable emissions data also presents challenges to investors.
Earthwatch unveils new climate centre
Earthwatch, the international environmental charity, announced the opening of its Europe Regional Climate Centre in Wytham Woods near Oxford on August 18. As part of the HSBC Climate Partnership, the organisation is carrying out a programme of forest research in five locations worldwide. Research will determine how we can best manage forests to reduce the negative impacts of climate change. Earthwatch and HSBC have developed the largest known employee engagement programme on climate change, which aims to motivate over 100,000 people to take action. In Wytham Woods, HSBC employees, members of the Oxfordshire community and scientists will all research different aspects of forest ecology.
Toyota joins Climate Neutral Network Toyota Motor Europe has joined the Climate Neutral Network (CN Net), a United Nations Environment Programme initiative, bringing together organisations which pledge to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It is the first car manufacturer to join CN Net, a web-based network, which pools the resources of governments, local authorities, private companies and individuals to make large cuts to their carbon footprints. Other members of CN Net include the Carbon Association of Australasia, CO2focus, EcoSecurities, Green Cabs and Wairau River Wines.
Contact
United Nations Environmental Programme
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Grant Thornton and Mills & Reeve LLP joins Carbon Trust incubator scheme
The Carbon Trust incubator scheme has announced partnerships with business advisory firm Grant Thornton and law firm Mills & Reeve LLP, to provide corporate finance and legal advisory support to its incubator companies. The companies offer corporate finance advice to start-up environmental businesses. The Carbon Trust’s incubator scheme gives start-ups that have a commercial low carbon business plan the opportunity to work out a business strategy. Established in 2004, the scheme offers £60,000 of support on a 12- to 18-month basis. The Carbon Trust incubator scheme was established in 2004.
CEZ to build biggest onshore wind park in Europe
Czech power group CEZ plans to build a wind park in Romania, the largest of its kind in Europe. CEZ said the 600 megawatt project would be around twice the size of the next biggest onshore wind farm in Europe. The CEZ Group’s total investment into the project will reach € 1.1 billion and the windfarm will represent almost 30% of the renewable market in Romania when it becomes fully operational. It is the first significant wind energy project to be realised in the country.
One Hundred Months Campaign on climate change launched
A coalition of campaign groups has launched a new initiative to try to get the public to take action on climate change. The One Hundred Months Campaign – so called because climate experts predict that in 100 months some aspects of global warming will be irreversible – is being coordinated by anitaroddick.com, the campaigning website named after the late Body Shop founder, the Women’s Institute, the Green Belt Movement and the New Economics Foundation (nef). The campaign – launched on August 8 – works by getting members of the public to sign up for monthly email bulletins that will include advice on how to combat climate change.
China to become world’s largest investor in green energy
China is on the verge of becoming the world’s largest investor in green energy as it struggles to reverse the catastrophic effect its industry has wreaked on the environment, according to a report issued on September 16. In 2007, China spent £6 billion on renewable energy projects, just slightly short of Germany, the world leader. This year, the Communist Party has vowed to redouble its efforts. Li Junfeng, an energy expert at the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), said that in terms of the “overall scale of renewable energy development”, China already leads the way. Greenpeace believes China can shortly produce half of its energy from renewable sources.
Good Energy and Friends of the Earth join forces on renewable energy
Good Energy has joined up with Friends of the Earth (FOE), to support FOE campaigns in the coming months. Good Energy will donate £30 to the charity for every customer who mentions FOE when they sign up with the energy provider. Good Energy is the only 100% renewable electricity supplier in the UK. Juliet Davenport, CEO and founder of Good Energy said at the announcement on September 15: “Good Energy and Friends of the Earth are working towards a similar goal – a sustainable world where people are concerned about what is happening around them and to the environment. This powerful new partnership will add weight to the fight for more renewables, and Good Energy is very pleased to be able to work with such an influential organisation during this critical time for the future of energy in the UK.”
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