10 million tons of CO₂ in North Sea

StatoilHydro announced that the Sleipner gas field under the North Sea now holds 10 million tons of carbon dioxide, after beginning operation in 1996 as the first such storage project of its industrial capacity. Statoil, which operates the project, said they have not seen any signs of leaks through the permeable rocks, and that the area is now receiving about 2,800 tons of CO₂ a day.

Macy’s, SunPower partner for solar energy

US retailer Macy’s and solar energy company SunPower Corp. dedicated a 307-kw solar power system at a Macy’s store in San Jose, California, right before Earth Day, bringing the total number of systems installed by SunPower in Macy’s stores across the state to 28. Macy’s has committed to installing more than 8 mw of solar power systems on its California stores, and the San Jose store’s system should generate 404,000 kw-hours of solar energy each year, reducing CO₂ emissions by over 500,000 pounds.

Safeway opens solar-powered stores

North American retailer Safeway Inc. announced the opening of two new solar powered grocery stores in northern California, which provide 20% of the stores’ average yearly power usage, and nearly half of total power used during peak hours. In sum, the use of solar power at the company’s stores is removing 1.6 million pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere every year; eventually, all 23 stores in Safeway’s solar program will save 12.6 million pounds of CO₂ annually.

Vodafone to cut carbon by 50%

Vodafone Group announced that it will be reducing its CO₂ emissions 50% by 2020, using its 2006/7 emissions of 1.23 million tons as a baseline. The majority of cuts will be made by switching to more energy-efficient technology, including increasing the use of renewable energy where possible.

Tesco, Carbon Trust implement carbon labels

Beginning in mid-April, 20 products in four different categories in Tesco stores have been labeled with the products’ carbon footprint, measured by a standard in development by the Carbon Trust. Consumers will be able to compare the carbon footprints of different brands of orange juice, washing detergent, light bulbs, and potatoes on a like-for-like basis, and previous trials show that up to 65% of consumers were more likely to buy a product with a label indicating a company’s commitment to cutting carbon.

Greenpeace: Unilever burning Borneo

A new report from Greenpeace accuses Unilever of contributing to the destruction of rainforests in Borneo by purchasing palm oil from companies who are expanding their operations into the Indonesian forests. According to Greenpeace, Unilever—parent company of brands including Dove and Vaseline—is one of the world’s largest consumers of palm oil, and burning peatlands like the ones being preparing for new palm oil plantations make up 4% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Airlines commit to carbon-neutral growth

Members of the airline industry—including airports, air traffic controllers, airlines and aircraft manufacturers—signed a declaration this week committing their industry to improving fuel-efficiency and achieving cost-effective reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Signatories including Airbus, Bombardier, Boeing and Embraer said they are committed to carbon-neutral growth, and asked governments for help in developing an industry emissions trading scheme.

Reports

Carbon impact of SMEs calculated

Small to medium sized enterprises generate over 110 million tons of carbon emissions every year, says new research by UK financial services company AXA, who has launched an online carbon footprint calculator in an effort to help smaller businesses reduce their environmental impact. Other research by the firm shows that though over half of SMEs feel that their business contributes to climate change, less than 6% are using green energy suppliers and only 9% have a green travel plan in place.

CDP announces supply chain findings

The Carbon Disclosure Project announced the findings garnered from its Supply Chain Leadership Collaboration, a group of companies including Cadbury Schweppes, Dell, HP, Nestle, Procter & Gamble, Tesco, Unilever and others. The report found that 58% of respondents report emissions from their own fossil fuels burnt or electricity purchased, while only 12% report indirect emissions that are consequent to the companies’ activities but come from third-party-controlled sources. Fifty-eight percent of respondents also identify reducing energy consumption as the best way to manage risk related to climate change.

Asia-Pacific to save billions with clean energy

Countries in the Asia-Pacific region could add another $700 billion to their economies by implementing more renewable energy practices and working to reduce power consumption, says a UN report launched in Bangkok. According to the UN, developing the region’s energy infrastructure without implementing any reforms would cost $9 trillion, and a continued dependence of fossil fuels is making the region more economically vulnerable to rising oil prices and climate change.

US CO₂ to rise 23% by 2025

Carbon emissions in the US could continue to rise over the next decade, ending up at a 23% increase on 1990 benchmark levels by 2025, head economist at the International Energy Agency Fathi Birol told the Agence France-Presse. This figure accounts for the continuation of current government policies, as well as careful implementation of all new energy-efficiency and renewable energy policies planned by President George W. Bush.

Markets

Fortis appointed by carbon credit fund

Fortis Intertrust Netherlands has been appointed as primary service provider to the Multilateral Carbon Credit Fund, created in 2006 as a carbon fund specifically for countries from Central Europe to Central Asia, and currently with commitments totaling nearly €200 million. Fortis was appointed by the fund’s three Carbon Managers: GreenStream Network, ICF Consulting Ltd and Royal Haskoning, for structuring and administering the Carbon Purchase Intermediary, which contracts the acquisition of carbon credits.

Quebec joins climate initiative

Premier Jean Charest announced that the Canadian province of Quebec had joined the Western Climate Initiative, a group of western US states and Canadian provinces headed by California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. The Initiative last year set a group goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions 15% below 2005 levels by 2020, and expects an announcement from Schwarzenegger later this year detailing a regional cap-and-trade greenhouse gas emissions market.

eSolar garners $130 million in investments

California solar start-up company eSolar has reached $130 million in investments from shareholders including Idealab, Google, Oak Investment Partners to support the deployment of its pre-fabricated, utility-scale power plants. eSolar’s solar thermal plants—like one that will be in use in southern California later this year—can operate efficiently at 33MW, and pre-fabrication allows them to be installed with much lower construction and project costs than traditional solar plants.

Policy

Norway gives to Tanzania forests

In a deal signed in late April, Norway pledged $100 million to Tanzania over the next five years to help preserve the east African forests and reduce carbon emissions from deforestation there, estimated at about 100 million tons per year by Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg. Norway, one of the top five oil-exporting countries in the world, hopes to make its economy carbon-neutral by 2030, and will support research and development of forest conservation techniques through the Tanzanian agreement, as well as developing measurement techniques for carbon captured in forest “sinks.”

Greece stopped from UN carbon trading

UN officials have suspended Greece from carbon trading under the Kyoto Protocol, as a penalty for the nation’s failure to comply with mandatory greenhouse gas reporting measures. In the first such ruling since Kyoto began in 2005, Greece was declared ineligible to participate in trading measures, although its need to purchase offsets is slight: In 2006, Greek emissions were at 26% above 1990 levels, keeping the nation within reach of its Kyoto emissions target of 25% over 1990 levels by 2008-2012.