Top Stories

February 02, 2018

Waste

Ryanair pledges to become “plastic free” by 2023

Ryanair has pledged to become “plastic free” in the next five years, despite the company’s Chief Executive having repeatedly denied climate change as being driven by carbon emissions produced by airlines. As well as switching to biodegradable cups, wooden cutlery and paper packaging on board flights, Ryanair said it would make its head offices, bases and operations plastic free. It will also introduce a voluntary carbon offset payment for customers when booking. Ryanair’s chief marketing officer, Kenny Jacobs, has claimed that Ryanair is already the greenest airline in terms of carbon emissions per passenger due to 96% of seats being now filled on its modern fuel-efficient fleet of 737s. He has also stated that the company has begun investigating how to increase the use of recyclable plastics within the airplanes themselves. (The Guardian)

Energy

Chile announces coal phase out plan

This week Chile announced it would ban the development of new coal power plants without carbon capture and storage (CCS) and begin work on a plan to phase out its existing coal capacity. Companies, including AES, Enel, and Engie, have committed to ending the development of new coal plants and will form a working group alongside the government to explore how to phase out existing coal plants and meet the government’s target of sourcing 70 percent of Chile’s power from renewables by 2050. As Chile is currently reliant on coal for between 35 and 40 percent of its power, this new goal is likely to make a sizeable dent in the country’s carbon emissions. (Business Green)

Major shipping company tests solar power for cargo ships

A new partnership between Eco Marine Power (EMP) and the Japanese ship owner Hisafuku Kisen K.K. will test the world’s first integrated rigid sail and solar power system for ships. The new solution under development is called Aquarius Marine Renewable Energy, and it will allow ships to make use of solar energy both while in port and while they sail. The company will combines its EnergySails technology, which includes solar panels mounted on the covers of large bulk carrier ships, with energy storage applications controlled with a computer-based monitoring system. Following a series of feasibility studies one ship will have the system installed and be monitored for 12 to 18 months to identify the benefits and cost reductions feasible through widespread implementation. In 2016, EU figures showed that the maritime transport industry is responsible for more than 1000 million tonnes of carbon annually, accounting for approximately 2.5 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. (Climate Action Programme)

Water

Cape Town implements further water restrictions as “Day Zero” approaches

Cape Town implemented new emergency water restrictions on Thursday in preparation for the day its taps run dry following three years of extreme drought. Officials estimate that if water levels continue to fall as expected, South Africa’s second most populous city will run out of water by the 16th of April, which has been dubbed “Day Zero.”  Residents are now being asked to curb the amount of municipal water they use each day to just 50 litres compared to previous restrictions of 87 litres a month ago. Should the government declare Day Zero to have arrived then faucets will cease to deliver water until it rains again with residents rationed to 25 litres per day that will only be collectable from 200 stations across the city (each accommodating the water needs of 20,000 residents). The city is now working to upgrade its water systems — rushing to build desalination, aquifer and water-recycling projects — and help stretch the current supply, but authorities are yet to publically outline a strategy. (CNN)

Policy

France to Trump: “No Paris Agreement, no trade agreement”

There will be no trade deal between the EU and US if the Trump administration follows through with its threat to withdraw from the Paris climate deal, a French minister said on Thursday. Speaking to parliament, French foreign affairs minister Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne said: “One of our main demands is that any country who signs a trade agreement with EU should implement the Paris Agreement on the ground. No Paris Agreement, no trade agreement. The US knows what to expect.” Under president Emmanuel Macron, the French government has criticised Trump’s intention to leave the Paris deal. Macron has publicly teased Trump over it and offered scholarships to US climate scientists. But a push to make the Paris deal a prerequisite to open trade with the world’s second largest economy would be unprecedented and back the global climate change regime with serious economic consequences. (Climate Home News)

 

Image Source: Tap by Smabs Sputzer on Flickr. CC BY 2.0.

 

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