What do we think? In today's blog, Rosie Helson wishes you a community-spirited Queen's Jubilee.
Environment
Global carbon market value rises to record $176 billion
Carbon market trading rose 11% to a record value of $176 billion in 2011, despite lower prices and slowing economies, the World Bank said on Wednesday. Companies and governments are turning to emissions trading as a tool for fighting climate change, with the European Union by far the most active since its emissions trading scheme (ETS) began in 2005. "There is a question over whether (prices) are high enough to support new projects coming in," said Alexandre Kossoy, senior financial specialist with the World Bank's Carbon Finance Unit. He said carbon prices could rise if the EU agreed to toughen its 2020 emissions-reduction ambitions or took other policy measures to rebalance a massive oversupply of carbon units, which is likely to last until 2020.
Hewlett-Packard has unveiled designs for a data centre that requires no net energy from traditional power grids. The Net-Zero Energy Data Centre architecture, designed by HP’s research arm HP Labs, shows how organizations can cut total power use by 30%, as well as reduce dependence on grid power and costs by more than 80%, HP says. The design integrates energy and cooling supply from local renewables, and a demand management approach that allows intelligent scheduling of IT workloads.
Leading construction-services company Carillion is planning to break with its normal supply chain processes and work almost exclusively with small, local companies to deliver the UK government's flagship 'Green Deal' household energy efficiency scheme, which launches in October. Carillion signed up to become one of the first 'Green Deal Providers' in April and is also one of the first companies to become a member of the Green Deal Finance Company – a public-private sector initiative set up to provide access to low cost finance to fund energy efficiency improvements. The announcement comes after a report backed by EDF Energy warned on Wednesday that the Green Deal suffers from a lack of public awareness, and could fail unless London boroughs step up their efforts to promote home insulation.
Procter & Gamble and UNICEF have been awarded 'Golden Halo' awards by the Cause Marketing Forum for their body of achievement in supporting partnerships between business and causes. P&G has supported causes including safe drinking water, maternal vaccinations and educational access through its brands, including its Pampers '1 Pack = 1 Vaccine' campaign with UNICEF to eradicate maternal and neonatal tetanus. With partners such as IKEA, Gucci, and ING, UNICEF has led the development of signature global and US initiatives such as its 'Change for Good' programme with the international airline industry. "UNICEF is a pioneer in collaborating to create international programs that benefit its corporate partners and support its vital mission," said David Hessekiel, president of the Cause Marketing Forum.
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