UN climate change summit likely to fail, officials warn

The UN climate change summit is likely to fail in producing an agreement to combat global warming, British officials have warned. The forecast is that it will take at least another 12 months for an agreement to strike.

The main problem is seen in the wide gap that still exists between the participating members of the conference, including a far greater number and diversity than the 1997 Kyoto signatories.

EU negotiators are not quite so pessimistic, saying it could take another six months to bridge the gaps.

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Eat your dog to save the planet?

Researchers have found that the carbon pawprint of a dog is twice that if a 4.6-litre Land Cruiser driven 10,000 km a year. The factors taken into account for determining this figure were ingredients of pet food and the land needed to create them. "A lot of people worry about having SUVs but they don't worry about having Alsatians and what we are saying is, well, maybe you should be because the environmental impact ... is comparable." says Brenda Vale, author of Eat the Dog: The real guide to sustainable living.

A medium dog eats 164 kg of meat and 95kg of cereal every year. This means it takes 0.84 hectares to feed Fido, which amounts to more than doule the fotprint of a Toyota Land Cruiser. In comparison, cats have an eco footprint of 0.15ha - slightly less than a Volkswagen Golf. Hamsters have a footprint of 0.014ha – keeping two of them is equivalent to owning a plasma TV.

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350 - International Day of Climate Change Action

On 24 October, people in 181 countries came together for 350, the most widespread day of environmental action in the planet's history. 350's mission is to inspire the world to rise to the challenge of the climate crisis—to create a new sense of urgency and of possibility for our planet. At over 5200 events around the world, people gathered to call for strong action and bold leadership on the climate crisis. Over 15,000 photos have been submitted so far! You can view all the fantastic images, read stories about the day's actions, and get some detailed climate change action online at 350.org.

And while you're there, don't forget to sign the pledge!

Global warming greatest health threat of the 21st Century

Doctors and scientists in America have warned that global warming is the biggest threath humankind will face in the 21st century, with first consequences already unfolding. The threat comes from increasing temperatures and the natural catastrophes it brings along, ranging from floods over heavy storms to heatwaves. Older people who cannot regulate their body temperature as well, and their is an increasing worry about plagues especially affecting refugees and poorer nations.

There is also an increasing threat from pollution and unhealthy dust storms, along with mosquitoes and other pests moving into new territories. This leads to an unhealthy rise in outbreaks of malaria and dengue fever.

The scientists are frustrated that people are doing so little to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, saying we are underestimating the dangers.

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Maldives cabinet makes a splash

The government of the Maldives has held a cabinet meeting underwater to highlight the threat of global warming to the low-lying Indian Ocean nation. President Mohamed Nasheed and his cabinet signed a document calling for global cuts in carbon emissions. Ministers spent half an hour on the sea bed, communicating with white boards and hand signals. The president said the UN climate change conference in Copenhagen cannot be allowed to fail.

At a later press conference while still in the water, President Nasheed was asked what would happen if the summit fails. "We are going to die," he replied. The Maldives stand an average of 2.1 metres (7ft) above sea level, and the government says they face being wiped out if oceans rise.

"We're now actually trying to send our message, let the world know what is happening, and what will happen to the Maldives if climate change is not checked," President Nasheed said.

"If the Maldives cannot be saved today we do not feel that there is much of a chance for the rest of the world," he added.

Click here to read the whole article on BBC News.

Consensus at Copenhagen Climate Change Talks crucial for the future of the planet

Hopes are up that Copenhagen will lay the foundation for a new global climate change consensus as a successor to the Kyoto Protocol. It has been recognised that the economic crisis has aided the halting of industrial emissions growth, giving further hope to ambitious targets in Copenhagen. Environment ministers and officials are meeting at a UN summit in Copenhagen in December to thrash out a global deal on climate change. The COP15, short for the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), has an extensive agenda.

Officials will try to agree a new climate treaty as a successor to the Kyoto protocol, the first phase of which expires in 2012. Copenhagen is set to determine several important issues such as how much industrialised countries are willing to reduce their emissions, and how much major developing countries such as India and China are willing to do to limit the growth of their emissions.

Countries must strive hard for a consensus on ambitious 2020 emissions targets and carbon trading to limit the damage that will be caused by global warming.

For more information please visit: http://unfccc.int/

Apple leaves U.S. Chamber of Commerce over global warming views

05 October 2009 - Apple announced today that it is resigning from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce because it objects to the chamber's stand on global warming. The chamber opposes federal efforts to limit greenhouse gas emissions.

This makes Apple the fourth company to part with the powerful U.S. business federation over global warming.

"Apple is committed to protecting the environment and the communities in which we operate around the world," Catherine Novelli, Apple’s vice president of worldwide government affairs, said in a letter to Thomas Donahue, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s president and CEO. "We strongly object to the Chamber’s recent comments opposing the EPA’s effort to limit greenhouse gases."

Apple is currently on a bid to burnish its green image by developing more energy-efficient products. Environmentalists all over the world applauded this move, as speculations are up for further companies to leave the chamber.

"Apple’s departure is a clear signal that more and more of the chamber’s members want it to download a new tune when it comes to climate change," said Peter Altman of the National Resources Defense Council.

"There is a growing recognition in the business community that strong clean-energy and climate legislation as the way to strengthen our economy, reduce our oil imports and reduce pollution, but the chamber is turning a deaf ear to the trend," Altman said.

For more information please refer to: the Boston Herald and other sources

Maldives cabinet to go underwater

The government of the Maldives is to hold a cabinet meeting underwater to highlight the threat of global warming, the BBC reported today. President Mohamed Nasheed and his cabinet will sign a document during the 17 October dive, calling for global cuts in carbon emissions.

An adviser to the president told the BBC the dive was "a bit of fun" but the cabinet intended to send a serious message about rising sea levels.

The low-lying island nation says it faces being wiped out if oceans rise.

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The MS Sydney to Gong Ride

Coming up on November 1 is the 2009 MS Sydney to Gong ride. The Gong Ride is a one of a kind fundraising event. You can pedal 90km from Sydney to Wollongong on any day of the year but it’s only on the first Sunday of November that you’ll experience the camaraderie, fellowship, unity, safety, scenery and sense of achievement for pedalling in support of people living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). But be quick because numbers have been capped so places are limited!

To get involved or for more information please visit http://www.gongride.org.au/

Zilzie Wines Carbon Neutral Bulloak Range

Zilzie released Australia's first 100% carbon-neutral range of wines in October 2008.

The Zilzie Wines 2008 Bulloak Range has been certified a carbon neutral product by CRI after an extensive audit and certification process.

Zilzie's managing director Andrew Forbes said the process concentrated on the entire lifecycle of the wine. 'It's from the grape to the grave - vineyard through to recycling,' Forbes said. 'It's inclusive, but not limited to, freight, packaging, assets, travel, electricity, fuel usage, general expenses and waste and wastewater. We've pursued all possible efficiencies that will reduce our energy consumption but no matter how efficient we are, some greenhouse gas emissions are unavoidable,' he said.

Zilzie has developed an all-encompassing Environmental Management Strategy, focused on minimizing Zilzie’s impact on the environment through reducing water consumption, waste management, packaging reduction and re-vegetation of the Bulloak reserve.

The Bulloak range was named after the northern most stand of threatened Bulloak (also known as Buloke) trees which is situated on the Forbes property overlooking the vineyard and winery. Stands are endangered by farming practices in the Wimmera region of western Victoria, where it is integral to the survival of the endangered southeastern subspecies of the Red-tailed Black Cockatoo for feeding and nesting.

The Forbes family donated this section of land back to the Department of Sustainability and Environment to protect the Bulloak trees, and the natural biodiversity of the region, for future generations.

The Bulloak range is available in Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Merlot, Shiraz, and from this year, Moscato, Rosé and Pinot Grigio. Bulloak's 2008 Chardonnay has earned four trophies and two gold medals and the 2007 Bulloak Shiraz is also a gold medal winner. Zilzie Bulloak range is available in Liquorland stores across Australia.

For more information visit http://www.zilziewines.com.au

Alto Hotel on Bourke – Melbourne’s First City Hotel to be certified carbon neutral

27 September 2009, Australia: Alto Hotel on Bourke has achieved the prestigious NoCO2, or Carbon Neutral Certification through the Carbon Reduction Institute, Australia’s leading climate change certification consultant. Having achieved NoCO2 certification means that the Hotel’s operations have zero impact towards climate change.
To achieve certification, Alto Hotel undertook a comprehensive carbon emissions audit that captured and quantified all of the hotel’s greenhouse gas emissions. The audit included emissions from fuel and energy consumption onsite; staff travel, water and waste usage and flights taken by Alto Hotel staff. In addition, the embodied emissions in the hotel’s assets and expenses items were also audited to capture indirect emissions from supply chain purchases and any products bought, used and sold through the hotel.

Prior to certification, Alto Hotel had already committed to reducing their carbon footprint through offsetting emissions from electricity usage, fuel and flights directly with their service providers. NoCO2 certification furthers the hotel’s strong commitment to sustainability and demonstrates ongoing efforts to contribute to a healthier environment.

The Alto Hotel on Bourke has enhanced its reputation as one of Melbourne’s leading hotels in guest satisfaction as well as innovation by becoming the Australia’s first carbon neutral hotel. Some food & beverage style hotels, cabins and cottages have offset carbon from some of their services or provide an option for guests to pay for offsets, however Alto is the first city hotel to provide all of its services and facilities as carbon neutral within its pricing.

About NoCO2 Certification
Managed by the Carbon Reduction Institute, NoCO2 certification is the highest level of carbon certification offered in Australia. The carbon credits used in the certification program received a ranking in the highest category offered in Australia from the Carbon Offset Watch, the first independent ranking of Australian offset providers.

The NoCO2 standard gives businesses a comprehensive overview of their impact on climate change while also providing the option to immediately reduce and offset this impact. The carbon performance of each certified business is monitored quarterly, and NoCO2 businesses undergo annual re-auditing to ensure their carbon claims remain valid and substantiated. Achieving NoCO2 Certification means that a business is carbon neutral and that it has completely removed its climate change impacts.

Rob Cawthorne, Managing director of the Carbon Reduction Institute said: “Certifying Alto Hotel on Bourke has been a delight for us. The hotel is already committed to sustainable tourism practices through various initiatives and all of the hotel’s staff members were really keen to move forward towards becoming completely carbon neutral. It has been an exemplary carbon audit which was a great experience for our team. The level of commitment that Alto Hotel showed prior to certification is rare and deserves the highest credits. Alto Hotel can now make an even bigger difference for our planet by providing carbon neutral accommodation, and we certainly hope that others will follow their lead.”

About Alto Hotel on Bourke
Alto Hotel on Bourke is located in the centre of Melbourne’s business district. The boutique Alto Hotel, which combines environmental construction technology and best practice initiatives with style, charm and a high level of comfort, has proven to be popular with business and leisure travellers many of whom have become fiercely loyal. The hotel provides the previously missing link for a sustainable and carbon neutral travel experience.

The hotel is unique in that it proves that being eco friendly does not mean you have to “rough it” in a natural setting or use lower grade products and services to leave a smaller footprint. It is possible to enjoy a 4 star hotel in an urban location and minimise your impact on the environment. You can put your head down in comfort and let your mind rest easy knowing that your environmental footprint is minimised.

The building, which brings together classic architecture of late 19th century and a contemporary interior plus a range of inspired services, is rich in environmental features including double insulation, staggered stud construction on all lightweight walls and ceilings, double glazed; tinted & laminated windows & 100% wind powered green electricity.

“We have already been recognised as a leader in sustainable tourism yet wanted to ensure we continue to innovate and show that it is possible to have guilt free travel without compromising on quality or service” said Gary Stickland, General Manager of Alto Hotel on Bourke. “Instead of simply paying someone to make our environmental footprint go away we have ensured that we have minimised our output as much as practical first, then made the decision to offset the remaining carbon that we have not been able to remove from our operations” he said. “All of our environmental initiatives have been made by considering our guests first. This means that some guests are not even aware that they have stayed in a sustainable hotel as we have designed our programs to effectively be behind the scenes and not require any effort from our guests, unless they want to be more involved.” The hotel provides the key ingredient for the potential to have a low carbon holiday or business trip to Melbourne.

For more information visit www.altohotel.com.au

Walk Against Warming

This year's Walk Against Warming will be held on 12 December 2009 - the International Day of Global Action on Climate Change and the midway point of the UN talks in Copenhagen.

Join tens of thousands of passionate people walking on this significant day and make your voice heard in Copenhagen.

For more information visit http://www.walkagainstwarming.org/.

One flat white coming up, you want Carbon with that?

Your daily cup of coffee might just be costing you more than you think. New research from the Carbon Reduction Institute shows each latté consumed has the same environmental impact as leaving your 60 watt bathroom light globe on for 3 hours. Times that by 2 lattés a day, 5 times a week and over a year you just left that light globe on for 2 months.

By calculating the footprint from their packaging, airflights, power, water and vehicles among all else, Jasper Coffee has determined the real cost of consuming the revered flat white that keeps us perky during the day.

The impact of climate change is not just in Antarctica. In the Tropics where the luscious caffeine crop grows, growers are noticing unusual weather changes with extended heavy rains in Peru and Colombia resulting in volume shortfalls around 30%.

“By becoming a 100% Carbon Neutral Coffee company our vision over 3 years of collecting data and taking responsibility for our carbon emissions has come to fruition,” advised Jasper Coffee Managing Director, Wells Trenfield.

“Over the years, we have always been conscious of the coffees we choose with respect to sustainability. We have 22 shade grown coffees and 15 Fairtrade Organic, along with a raft of other Fairtrade Organic products and recyclable take away cups. Having measured our carbon emissions we have now offset 100% of our operations with an amazing renewable energy project in India,” he added.

Jasper Coffee is dedicated to joining the fight against climate change and urges other organisations across the country to do the same. The company’s greenhouse gas inventory has now been audited and approved by the Carbon Reduction Institute.

Every cup of coffee has a footprint. By becoming a 100% Carbon Neutral Coffee Company, Jasper Coffee is leading the way in creating a sustainable future. It means you can now enjoy your coffee with conscience.

So perk up, and don’t forget to switch off that light!

You can buy your Carbon Neutral Coffee from Jasper Coffee at www.jaspercoffee.com

Emissions Trading Scheme delayed

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd recently announced that the Federal Government will delay its emissions trading scheme by one year. The government had also decided it would consider altering its carbon reduction target range of 5-15% to 5-25% of 2000 emission levels by 2020, but only if there was a global agreement to limit the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere to 450ppm. At the same time the government is talking about increasing the subsidies to so called trade exposed, highly emissions intensive industries from a 90% to 95% free allocation of permits for 5 years, or from a 60% to 70% free allocation for industries in the second category of heavy polluting industries. The government has also stated that it would set a very, very low price of $10 per permit for the first period of 2011 and 2012.

Before this announcement the Australian Greens had made an offer to the government to break the political impasse on emissions trading, moving the minimum reduction level they would accept from 40% to a range of 25 to 40%. The Greens set the 25% minimum reduction as it is the lowest absolute figure accepted by scientist as environmentally credible, the target recommended in the Garnaut report, the bottom end of the Bali negotiating range for rich countries (25-40%) and is achievable at the same costs to the overall economy as a 5% reduction according to the government's own modeling.

Although the emissions trading scheme had major issues, such as the miniscule target and massive transfer of wealth to the heavily polluting industries, the emissions trading scheme was one of the differentiators between Liberal and Labor policies at the last election. Only 6 months ago Penny Wong stood up at the global climate conference in Poland and told the conference that "in 2010 Australia will implement our comprehensive carbon pollution reduction scheme. It will reform and transform our economy".

The government faces a major challenge to get the ETS legislation through the senate when parliament returns. It seems that it will try to do this by appeasing big business and aligning themselves with the party they replaced rather than fulfilling the commitment they made to voters when elected.

by Andrew Barson, Projects Director at the Carbon Reduction Institute

What does it mean to be carbon neutral?

Organisations across the world, ranging from small local businesses to large-scale international enterprises, are increasingly announcing their intention to become ‘carbon neutral’. But despite the term being used frequently, there is still a common misunderstanding about what it means. So what exactly is a carbon neutral business?

Carbon neutral refers to an individual, an organisation or even an event or meeting that has had its full climate change impact calculated and negated, usually through a combination of reduction measures and carbon offsetting.

For an organisation, this typically includes calculating all greenhouse gases related to running the business, such as electricity and gas usage, waste; staff and other business related travel, and embodied emissions in products and services sold and used. The sum of greenhouse gases emitted by a business is called its carbon footprint.

Given the complexity of these calculations and also the diversity of operations differing from business to business, a customised carbon audit should always be the first step in becoming carbon neutral. There are different organisations offering to for this for you and it’s worth shopping around for the most comprehensive one to avoid being questioned about the integrity of your claims.

Once an organisation has determined its carbon footprint, it can start investigating in measures to reduce that footprint. Depending on the nature of a business, there are usually easy-to-implement measures, the low hanging fruits of climate change; that will immediately save greenhouse gases and also money.

A good example for this is energy efficiency. A business that consumes a large amount of electricity can lower its usage and the money spent on power simply by installing energy saving lighting and by making sure all lights are turned off at night when the office is unoccupied. The same goes for all other office appliances such as printers, scanners and even the air conditioner.

In any business, there will always be emissions that cannot be reduced, such as the emissions from transporting goods to a store, or the electricity used to power computers throughout the day. Luckily, these emissions can be offset through the purchase of carbon credits.

Carbon credits are a mechanism that allows organisations to help reduce greenhouse gases in a project somewhere around the globe equivalent to the emissions it puts out. Carbon credits can be thought of as trading certificates representing one tonne of CO2-equivalent gas each.

For example, a business may have had its carbon footprint calculated and determined that it emits 90 tonnes or CO2-e annually through its operations. That business can then choose to purchase 90 carbon credits from a project of its choice, such as a wind farm, or an energy efficiency project, or a methane abatement project, to offset those 90 tonnes. That would make the business carbon neutral.

However, there is much more to being carbon neutral than simply installing energy efficient light bulbs and buying carbon credits. On one hand, with becoming carbon neutral comes along a great responsibility to educate staff, implement sustainable practices into ones personal life, and spread the message about the need to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.

On the other hand, becoming carbon neutral brings along great competitive advantages and opens up new markets as consumers and businesses alike increasingly demand carbon neutral products and services. A lot of businesses find that becoming carbon neutral not only improves their public image but also grows their customer base, helps them sell more products and increases profit!

In essence, becoming carbon neutral means taking effective action on climate change while growing your business and winning new customers. So what are you waiting for?

Businesses Greenhouse Gas Reduction Tips

• Use energy efficiently: For an office based business, electricity usage is often the largest carbon footprint component. Make sure lights are only on if they are really needed, turn computers off at night, and install timer switches for office appliances. This will not only save energy but also money!
• Recycle waste: By recycling paper, plastics, metals, food scraps and electronic waste, you make sure those don’t end up in landfill where they decompose slowly and produce dangerous greenhouse gases. You will also help save resources. Contact your local council if you’re unsure about what can be recycled in your area.
• Become carbon neutral: By having your carbon footprint assessed and becoming carbon neutral certified, you can make sure that your operations have a zero impact on climate change. Please visit www.noco2.com.au* if you’re interested to find out more.

*The Carbon Reduction Institute is Australia’s leading carbon management consultancy. Please visit www.noco2.com.au for more information.