California’s cap-and-trade program, known as “AB32,” is moving closer to its first binding auction. Mandated as part of California’s Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, it requires greenhouse gas emissions in California to be reduced to 1990 levels by 2020 and to 80 percent of 1990 levels by 2050. Recently, the state modified its greenhouse [...]
Archive for the ‘Greenhouse Gas Emissions’ Category
27 Apr
The Economics of Hype: Rio+20
In June, the UN Conference on Sustainable Development will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Known as Rio+20 because it aims to address similar issues to the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio, its official discussions will focus on building a green economy to lift people out of poverty and improving international coordination for sustainable [...]
17 Apr
Overall GHG Emissions Up by 3.2% in 2010
The EPA yesterday announced the release of their annual greenhouse gas inventory report, which showed a trend towards increased energy consumption (due to the economy improving) and increased demand for electricity for air conditioning (due to the warm 2010 summer weather). However, despite the 3.2 percent increase in overall emissions from 2009 to 2010, there [...]
24 Feb
A Trade War at 30,000 Feet
The U.S. joined twenty-three other nations on Wednesday in signing the so-called Moscow Joint Declaration to protest the EU’s Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), which in 2008 was extended to include aviation. It is the latest show of American opposition to the scheme, following a joint letter from the U.S., Canada, and Mexico to the International [...]
13 Jan
Private Financing for Energy-Saving Retrofits on the Horizon
As we posted in June, President Obama’s Better Buildings Initiative updated tax incentives aimed to encourage retrofitting buildings to reduce energy bills. Although considered the “low-hanging fruit” of carbon reduction, financing of commercial building retrofits for energy efficiency has largely remained in the realm of public subsidies. Opening the floodgates of private financing could expand [...]
12 Jan
EPA Releases First Batch of GHG Emissions Data
The EPA announced yesterday that they had made available for the first time greenhouse gas emissions data “reported directly from large facilities and suppliers across the country.” Data included in the interactive tool so far include 2010 emissions from facilities that emit 25,000 metric tons or more per year of GHGs, reported to the EPA [...]
30 Dec
Vermont’s Plan for 90% Renewable Energy
While Irene proved little more than a light rain shower where I waited it out in New Hampshire, Tropical Storm Irene launched a surprise assault across the Connecticut River in Vermont. The resulting damage shocked the state and people across the country, but Vermonters now see the potential to rebuild infrastructure in a smarter way. [...]
17 Nov
New Fuel Economy Guide Released by EPA and DOE
The Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency both seemed very excited to announce the release of the 2012 Fuel Economy Guide, a consumer resource for determining the fuel efficiency of their current cars or cars-to-be. The guide is available as both a downloadable PDF version (for 2012 model vehicles) and an online interactive [...]
8 Nov
High Class European Banks Say ‘No, Thank You’ to Dirty Coal
A short and sweet Environment and Climate Change Bulletin from Linklaters last week tipped us off to an interesting development in power plant financing, but left us thirsty for more details. According to the global law firm, several international banks (including the likes of HSBC, BNP Paribas, Crédit Agricole, Standard Chartered and F&C Asset Management) [...]
25 Oct
“U.S. vs. EU ETS” More Than One Year Later
While I had every intention of throwing the Green Mien a one-year anniversary party, the day (September 8th) slipped by unnoticed. One thing that hasn’t slipped by unnoticed? The European Union’s Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), which was spotlighted on the Green Mien just over a year ago. The EU’s Directive 2008/101/EC, which requires airlines with [...]
