Major energy companies write to United Nations to request help in setting up carbon pricing scheme
Six major energy companies, BP, Shell, Total, Statoil, Eni and the BG Group have written to the United Nations asking to assist them in holding “direct dialogue with the UN and willing governments” about developing a carbon pricing scheme to help tackle climate change. In a letter to the Financial Times, the companies wrote: “We owe it to future generations to seek realistic, workable solutions to the challenge of providing more energy while tackling climate change”. The move comes as nearly 200 countries prepare to sign a global climate pact at a UN conference in Paris in December. Two major US energy firms, ExxonMobil and Chevron, have declined joining the European energy firms to forge a common position on global warming. Rex Tillerson, Exxon’s chairman, said: “We’re not going to be disingenuous about it. We’re not going to fake it. We’re going to express solutions and policy ideas that we think have merit.”(The Independent; Financial Times*)
Corporate Reputation
Shell sought to influence direction of Science Museum climate programme
Shell tried to influence the presentation of the Atmosphere gallery, a climate change programme it was sponsoring at the Science Museum in London, internal emails have revealed. The oil group raised concerns with the museum that one part of the project “creates an opportunity for NGOs to talk about some of the issues that concern them around Shell’s operations”. The company also wanted to know whether a particular symposium at the museum was “invite only” – as that would ensure “we do not proactively open up a debate on the topic [of Shell’s operations]”. The Science Museum said it was normal for a sponsor to make suggestions or raise questions but that did not mean action resulted. A Shell spokesperson said her company and the Science Museum had a long-standing relationship, based on shared interests such as the need to inspire young people about science. The Atmosphere gallery was designed to deepen public understanding of global warming. (Guardian)
Responsible investment
Low-carbon future ‘imperative’, say investors worth $12trn
Investors from around the world, collectively worth $12 trillion, have called for action on climate change at the upcoming UN climate conference in Paris, saying that any delay on low-carbon transmissions will require “stringent” measures in future and create a “false” economy. A letter by 120 investors, including BT pension scheme, Swedish AP funds and Church Commissioners for England, says that policy-makers must give signals to investors to invest in low-carbon initiatives and projects to reduce financial and economic damage caused by climate change. The letter said that neglecting to act now would only increase the need to act later. Meanwhile, campaigners have been calling on governments to “get down to the nuts and bolts” of ambitious but achievable targets in Bonn next month ahead of the Paris conference in December. (Blue & Green Tomorrow)
Waste
Illegally Traded and Dumped E-Waste Worth up to $19 Billion Annually Poses Risks to Health, Deprives Countries of Resources, Says UNEP report
A staggering 60-90 per cent of this waste is illegally traded or dumped, according to UNEP’s “Waste Crimes, Waste Risks: Gaps and Challenges In the Waste Sector”, launched on Friday in Geneva. The International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) estimates the price of a tonne of e-waste at around $500. Following this calculation, the value of unregistered and informally handled, including illegally traded and dumped e-waste ranges from US $12.5 to US $18.8 billion annually. Executive Director of UNEP, Achim Steiner said: “We are witnessing an unprecedented amount of electronic waste rolling out over the world. Not only does it account for a large portion of the world’s non-recycled waste mountain, but it also poses a growing threat to human health and the environment, due to the hazardous elements it contains.” Currently, Europe and North America are the largest producers of e-waste, though Asia’s cities are catching-up quickly. (Reuters)
Policy
Solar schools a new target for London mayor
London Mayor Boris Johnson will make fitting solar panels on schools one of the priorities in the new phase of his public sector energy retrofit programme, RE:FIT. Johnson confirmed the focus on solar schools in a formal response to London Assembly Green Party member Jenny Jones, who earlier this year secured a unanimous Assembly motion calling for more Mayoral support for the programme. However, Jones said it is not yet apparent how a renewed focus on school solar systems will be financed. Research published earlier this year showed that while 200 schools had fitted low carbon improvements as part of the RE:FIT programme, not a single one had or was planning to install solar panels. According to Jones, further improvements will require a solar PV delivery unit within the Mayor’s office to promote and co-ordinate the deployment of solar arrays on London schools, as well as producing guidance for both schools and local authorities. (Business Green)
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