One of the key stories in this section tells us that an “advisory body” is promoting “draconian measures” in a “crack down” on ill-insulated homes.
“Advisory body” is so bland its etymological origins must lie deep in a civil service lexicon of buck-passing and obfuscation. On the other hand “draconian measures” and “crack down” are from that bane of good governance the Home Secretary’s random press release-generator. You know the kind of thing: “The Home Secretary has announced draconian measures to crack down on yobs and hooligans who are terrorising Britain’s towns and cities”. (Incidentally when translated into plain English this means “The Home Secretary has served up a rehashed initiative with the aim of attracting favourable press coverage in red top newspapers”.)
What can all this have to do with climate change? Let’s do some detective work.
The advisory body is the Energy Saving Trust: “an independent, UK-based organisation focused on promoting action that leads to the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions – a key contributor to man-made climate change.”
The draconian measure at the centre of the crack down is the Energy Savings Trust urging the government to ban property rated in the F to G energy efficiency bracket from being rented or sold from 2015. If enacted this would be a seriously curb on the freedom of individuals and organisations. It would have a significant impact on property values.
We are told upgrading F and G properties to E standards would save 9.4 million tonnes of CO2. OK, but at what cost? What are the relative social, economic and environmental benefits of this anti-climate change measure as opposed to others?
Climate change is the most pressing environmental issue. Best then to present proposals supported by thoughtful measurement and shaped by rational argument than ones spruced up with headline-grabbing tabloid terminology.
World’s largest companies need to double the pace of CO2 reduction according to CDP report
According to a research report, ‘The Carbon Chasm’, released by the Carbon Disclosure Project on August 25, the world’s largest companies are on track to reach the scientifically-recommended level of greenhouse gas cuts by 2089. This is 39 years too late to avoid dangerous climate change. It shows that the Global 100 are currently on track for an annual reduction of just 1.9% per annum which is below the 3.9% needed in order to cut emissions in developed economies by 80% in 2050. According to the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change, developed economies must reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80-95% by 2050 in order to avoid dangerous climate change. Contact: Carbon Disclosure Project www.cdproject.net
Largest companies in FTSE All World Index show mixed results
A report by EIRIS Climate Change Compass: The road to Copenhagen, released on August 11, compares 2009 performance to 2008 performance of the 300 largest companies listed on the FTSE All World Index. It found that just over a third are failing to address the risks that they face from climate change – although the quality of companies management response to climate change has improved overall since the 2008 EIRIS analysis. The report also found that 55% of companies have short-term targets on climate change, up from 48% in 2008. In addition, 91% of high and very high impact companies disclose absolute carbon dioxide or greenhouse gas emissions data. Other positive findings of the report include a significant decrease in the proportion of companies in high-impact sectors with no or limited responses to climate change, from 34% in 2008 to 19% in 2009. Contact: EIRIS www.eiris.org
Walmart to add largest solar energy project in Puerto Rico
Walmart Puerto Rico and SunEdison, a US solar energy services provider, announced plans at the end of July to deploy rooftop solar systems on five Walmart PR stores which are expected to deliver about 25 to 35% of each store’s energy needs. The pilot project also has the potential to expand to 23 stores over five years. Although each solar power-generating system installed may vary, construction on the first 895 kW rooftop system at Walmart Supercenter Caguas is scheduled to begin by the end of 2009. Under a solar power services agreement with Walmart, SunEdison will finance, own, build and operate the photovoltaic solar energy systems. During the 15-year contract, the zero-emission systems are projected to produce 90 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, making it the largest solar energy project in Puerto Rico. Contact: Walmart www.walmartstores.com
Energy Saving Trust to get tough on leaky home landlords
The government advisory body responsible for domestic energy saving has signalled that it is willing to get tough on homeowners and landlords that fail to improve the efficiency of the most energy profligate buildings. The Energy Saving Trust has suggested new measures as part of crack down on homes with F and G energy efficiency ratings. If all the F and G band homes were upgraded to meet Band E standards the UK would save 9.4 million tonnes of carbon emissions a year. From the middle of August, the Energy Saving Trust was given the power to contact anyone moving into a home with the lowest F or G energy ratings and provide them with information on how they could improve their building and realise savings on their energy bills. The move is a part of efforts to meet government targets to cut domestic carbon emissions 29% by 2020. Contact: Energy Saving Trust www.energysavingtrust.org
Changes in climate and water adding stress to global electricity sector
According to an Acclimatise global report ‘Global Electric Utilities – The Adaptation Challenge’, backed by IBM and released on August 20, nearly all electric utilities claim climate change is threatening power outages, higher costs and changes in usage as demand grows to power the world’s expanding cities. Over 90% of global electric utilities that report climate change activity to the Carbon Disclosure Project recognised they are at risk from changes in climate and water availability, which are already adding stress to the sector. However, less than a third claimed to undertake any financial or quantified evaluation to the impact of climate change on their business. Without correct adaptation measures built into business plans, climatic risks could impact a utility company’s financial and operational performance, potentially leading to additional operational and capital expenditure. Financial projections made today based on current life, performance and value of assets may not be robust, which could impact a utilities value and interest from investors. Contact; Acclimatise www.acclimatise.uk.com
Measure and manage emissions to compete in low-carbon economy
A report published on 19 August by NSF International and Trucost, Carbon Emissions – Measuring the Risks evaluates the impact of climate change legislation such as cap-and-trade programs on companies across a variety of industries and how those associated risks can be turned into competitive advantages. The study finds that companies with more energy efficient operations and supply chains will be better positioned during the shift to a low carbon economy to attract investors and increase market share. The report examines the GHG emissions and carbon footprints of S&P 500 companies in several sectors. According to the report, using data on emissions from their operations and supply chains, companies can identify ways to reduce emissions, manage carbon risks, use resources more efficiently and cut costs. Contact: NSF International www.nsf.org
Government forced to redo maths on corporate carbon conversion rates
The government has been forced to correct mistakes in greenhouse gas conversion rates used by businesses to measure their carbon footprints. On July 31 sustainability consultancy Best Foot Forward claimed the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) was forced into hasty changes to its newly published greenhouse gas conversion factors after it pointed out errors in the numbers. Users should download the latest DEFRA/DECC spreadsheet and delete the older version to avoid confusion. Contact: Best Foot Forward www.bestfootforward.com
Peter Truesdale is an Associate Director at Corporate Citizenship
Email Peter to discuss report assurance and external standards. Peter.truesdale@corporate-citizenship.com
COMMENTS