SolarCity brings power to schools in developing countries
US energy provider SolarCity has launched a foundation to bring light to rural villages outside of the US using solar and back-up battery systems. For every megawatt of residential power that SolarCity installs in 2014 the ‘Give Power Foundation’ will install a solar power system, with battery back-up power, to rural communities in developing countries. It has projected that it will install between 475MW and 525MW of residential solar power next year. The foundation is partnering with the NGO buildOn, which builds schools in developing countries, focussing on rural communities without electricity infrastructure and seeking to involve local people in the planning and construction. The first locations to receive the solar and battery systems will be in Haiti, Malawi, Mali and Nepal. A spokesperson from SolarCity said that, “by giving the gift of power, we will enable schools in remote locations throughout the world to foster continuing education during evenings and become the central places for these communities to grow closer and celebrate together.” (Forbes, BusinessGreen)
Energy-hungry employees costing UK firms £300 billion
UK companies could save £300 million by encouraging employees to adopt behaviours that reduce energy use and waste, according to research by the Carbon Trust. Results from a poll found that fewer than a quarter of employees have been asked to help save energy at work by their manager, and just 13 percent say that they are rewarded for taking action to reduce consumption. The report argues that by taking actions to reduce workplace energy consumption, travel and waste employers can help deliver significant reductions in operational costs and carbon emissions; reducing energy used for lighting by 10 percent would equate to UK wide savings of £55 million as well as reduction in carbon emissions by 164,000 tonnes of CO2. Richard Rugg, managing director of programmes at the Carbon Trust said that, “employees are willing to help and by understanding how employees act in the workplace, businesses can unlock significant bottom line savings.” (BusinessGreen)
Policy
New European clean air plan seeks to mitigate cost of pollution
The European Commission has unveiled a clean air package, aimed at reducing air pollution across Europe that costs the economy, health and environment. The Commission said that more than 400,000 people died prematurely from causes linked to air pollution in 2010, with an estimated health cost of £277 to £790 billion and a £19 billion cost for buildings damaged by pollutants. As a response to this growing threat, the commission has adopted a series of measures and new targets for 2030. The targets aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from traffic and industries and promote research and innovation that would improve air quality in cities. It would also set new legal limits for the six main pollutants. Environment Commissioner Janez Poto?nik said that, “the actions we are proposing will halve the number of premature deaths from air pollution and improve quality of life for all. It’s good news for nature and fragile ecosystems, and it will boost the clean technology industry, an important growth sector for Europe.” (BlueandGreenTomorrow)
Indian government floats Gandhi climate change scheme
The Indian government has proposed a new climate change scheme in the name of the late Rajiv Gandhi, the ex-Prime Minister who was assassinated in 1991. The objective of the scheme is to build and support capacity at central and state level to assess the impact of climate change and its associated risks on vulnerable areas. The Environment Ministry has called for co-ordination of a national and state action plan on climate change alongside setting up the Rajiv Gandhi National Institute for climate change studies and actions. The scheme will have four key functional areas related to environmental assessments and modelling, economic and legal analysis and policy making, training, capacity building and advocacy and documentation and inventory management. (CleanBiz.Asia)
Employees
Exclusivity deals that stop zero-hours workers seeking other jobs face ban
Employers could be banned from preventing staff on zero-hours contracts from working elsewhere as part of a crackdown on the controversial contracts. A curent consultation by the UK government aims to increase transparency of zero-hour contracts, and seek views on whether legislation should be introduced to ban existing exclusivity clauses. Zero-hour contracts offer flexibility for employees but there are concerns over misuse by employers as exclusivity arrangements can prevent workers seeking other opportunities despite being given no work. Business Secretary Vince Cable said that, “we don't think that people should be tied exclusively to one employer if it unfairly stops them from boosting their income when they are not getting enough work to earn a living. Employers need flexible workforces and people should have the choice in how they work. But this shouldn't be at the expense of fairness and transparency.” (Guardian)
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