Report: BP dropped green energy projects worth billions to focus on fossil fuels
British oil firm BP pumped billions of pounds into low-carbon technology and green energy during the 1980s and 1990s, but gradually retired the programme to focus almost exclusively on its fossil fuel business, The Guardian reports today. Even before the then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s landmark speech on climate change in 1988, the company was doing ground-breaking work into photovoltaic solar panels, wave power and domestic energy efficiency. At one stage the company was spending around US $450 million a year on research (equivalent to $830 million today), while US $8 billion was directly invested over five years in zero- or low-carbon energy. Almost all of the technology was sold off and the research archived, although the company says that 20% of R&D is still going towards “a low-carbon transition”. Today, BP’s shareholders will vote at its AGM on a resolution calling on the company to address climate change more robustly. (The Guardian)
Taiwan launches water rationing to fight drought
Taiwan launched water rationing in some major cities on Wednesday as the island battled its worst drought in over a decade, following the lowest rainfall in nearly 70 years. The state water company cut supplies to around 800,000 households and businesses in Taoyuan city as well as parts of northern Taiwan for two days a week for an indefinite period. Homes, schools and businesses are relying on water stored in large tanks and are adopting water-saving measures, including recycling water for gardening and closing swimming pools and gyms on rationing days. Some are concerned that their businesses will suffer if the water rationing continues. The dam in Taoyuan that supplies several cities in northern Taiwan held just 24.5 percent of its capacity on Wednesday. Despite light rains this week, the government has warned that the dry spell is forecast to continue and that monsoon rains may not happen at all this season. (Channel News Asia)
Campaigns
Lowe’s to stop selling neonic pesticides linked to bee deaths
Lowe’s, the world’s second-largest home improvement chain, has announced plans to stop selling pesticides linked to the decline of honeybees around the world. The company plans to phase out products containing neonic pesticides over the next four years, following pressure from campaigners including Friends of the Earth. In recent years, billions of bees have died from a condition known as colony collapse disorder (CCD), and neonicotinoids have been linked in multiple studies to the deaths of birds, bees and other animals. Lowe’s announcement comes after the US Environmental Protection Agency said last week that it would stop issuing new permits to use the pesticides. Lowe’s also said that it would work with growers to “eliminate the use of neonic pesticides on bee-attractive plants we sell”, following competitor Home Depot’s announcement last year that it would label plants treated with neonicotinoids. (NBC News)
Corruption
Brazil ruling party official held amid Petrobras probe
Brazilian federal police have arrested the treasurer of Brazil’s ruling Workers Party, Joao Vaccari Neto, in a wide-ranging investigation into corruption at state-run oil giant Petrobras. According to federal prosecutors, big construction and engineering firms paid at least US $800 million in bribes and other funds in return for inflated contracts with Petrobras. Vaccari has maintained his innocence, telling a congressional panel last week that all the donations made to his party during last year’s campaign were perfectly legal. An arrest warrant also was issued for Vaccari’s sister-in-law, while his wife was questioned in connection with a series of unidentified deposits in her account. More than 100 people have been charged in connection with the Petrobras case, and more than 50 politicians are under investigation. (Al Jazeera)
Policy and Research
European Commission launches scientific debate on how to feed the planet
The European Commission has launched an online consultation on how science and innovation can help the EU “ensure safe, nutritious, sufficient and sustainable food globally.” The consultation will underpin the debate on a future research agenda to help tackle global food and nutrition security challenges. It will focus on the areas where the EU’s research efforts can have the strongest impact, including how to improve public health through nutrition; increase food safety and quality; reduce food loss and waste; make rural development more sustainable; increase agricultural yields through sustainable intensification; and how to better understand food markets and increase access to food for people around the world. The consultation is available online for input by all interested stakeholders until September 1. Its results will be published on October 15, ahead of World Food Day, and will help shape the EU’s legacy for Expo 2015,”Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life”, which aims to open a political debate on global food security and sustainability. (Sustainable Brands)
Image Source: Bee-apis by Maciej A. Czyzewski/ GNU Free Documentation License
COMMENTS