Bali: Forest Deal on Table

December 12, 2007By Andy RowellBlog Post

A “breakthrough” on deforestation is set to be the first success of the UN climate talks in Bali. Diplomats are said to be confident that the “road map” to a new climate-change treaty would contain a crucial reference to forests. That would be an important first for a sector omitted from the Kyoto Protocol. Deforestation … Read More

Dell Goes “Carbon-Neutral” but Read the Small-print

October 2, 2007By Andy RowellBlog Post 1 Comment

Computer giant Dell has announced that the company will go “carbon-neutral” next year, using a mix of energy efficiency upgrades, renewable power purchases and carbon offsets to compensate for the carbon dioxide emissions caused by its operations. The company plans to neutralize its emissions stemming from Dell-owned and Dell-leased buildings and manufacturing facilities, as well … Read More

Zero Carbon Nation

July 9, 2007By Andy RowellBlog Post

Britain could cut carbon emissions to zero in 20 years but only if people accept a virtual end to air travel and stop using fuel-driven cars, a report by the Centre for Alternative Technology argues Meat would also need to disappear off many menus and an “armada” of wind turbines built around the coast to … Read More

The Carbon Credit ‘Smokescreen’

April 26, 2007By Andy RowellBlog Post

An investigation by the Financial Times has found that the millions of dollars being spent on “carbon credit” projects yield few if any environmental benefits. In some cases, companies are paying emission reductions do not even take place. In others the clean-up would have been made anyway.

Think-Tank: “Put Warnings on Adverts for Flights”

April 5, 2007By Andy RowellBlog Post

As thousands of people get ready to fly off for the Easter break, a leading British think-tank is arguing that adverts for flights, holidays and cars should carry tobacco-style health warnings to combat the public’s “addiction” to polluting transport and reduce climate change. The Institute for Public Policy Research said highly visible warnings, such as … Read More

Branson Offers Millions to Save Planet

February 9, 2007By Andy RowellBlog Post 1 Comment

Irony number two. He owns a global airline that pumps out millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide. He also wants to introduce incredibly polluting space travel, but now Sir Richard Branson, is offering $25 million to the scientist who can extract that carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Together with the former US president Al Gore, … Read More

The Carbon Offset Con

January 15, 2007By Andy RowellBlog Post 1 Comment

Holidaymakers are being misled by companies who guarantee to repair the damage flights do to the atmosphere, according to a report by Clean Air-Cool Planet. The report claims it is not possible to state categorically that buying any “carbon offset” will neutralise the damage that flying causes to the atmosphere.

Norway to Offset Flight Emissions

January 3, 2007By Andy RowellBlog Post

Norway, which is the world’s third largest oil exporter, has announced plans to offset the greenhouse gases produced by public employees when they fly abroad by buying emissions credits. The move was announced by Norway’s prime minister Jens Stoltenberg. “The government has decided that when state employees travel by plane abroad, we will buy quotas … Read More

Carbon “Credit Cards” for UK

December 11, 2006By Andy RowellBlog Post

Every UK citizen could be issued with a carbon “credit card” under a carbon rationing scheme that could come into operation within five years, according to a government feasibility study. Cards would be used every time someone bought petrol, paid an energy utility bill or booked an airline ticket.