links about us archives search home
SustainabiliTankSustainabilitank menu graphic
SustainabiliTank
Languages:
English flagItalian flagGerman flagSpanish flagFrench flagPortuguese flagJapanese flagKorean flagChinese flagArabic flagRussian flag

Reporting from the UN Headquarters in New YorkReporting from Washington DCReporting from UNFCCC Meetings
Other UN CitiesThe US StatesThe New Climate
Global Warming issuesPolicy Lessons from Mad Cow DiseaseUN Commission on Sustainable Development

 
Denmark:

 

Posted on Sustainabilitank.info on March 1st, 2008
by Pincas Jawetz (PJ@SustainabiliTank.com)

From:    mariavanko at gmail.com

Sustainable Development Law and Policy Journal and the Center for International Environmental Law are co-hosting an event about climate change, territorial, and species issues facing the Arctic on March 20, 2008.  The event will be held at American University Washington College of Law in Washington, DC from 12-4 PM with a reception to follow.  We hope that you can attend.

Below are details about the event; registration is free to the public; CLE credits are available for $35.   Information is available at http://www.wcl.american.edu/secle/founde…

Climate Change and Claiming the Arctic Circle
MARCH 20
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
*CLE*

Scientists are predicting that the entire Arctic Ocean could have an ice-free summer surface by 2050. As climate change causes the Arctic to melt, the several countries with territory inside the Arctic Circle - including Russia, the U.S., Norway, Denmark and Canada — are poised to claim the region’s vast energy resources. One study estimates that a quarter of the world’s oil and gas reserves are to be found under the Arctic, as well as significant deposits of other mineral riches. This program will explore the international legal aspects of the melting Arctic including: Oil and gas rights; endangered species protection (including listing of polar bear); land claims; and The Law of the Sea Convention.

Students, Alumni, Faculty, Staff & General Public – no charge
(registration is required)

CLE Accreditation (3 credits) will be applied for
CLE Registration Fee -  $35

To register for this event please click the link below:
 http://www.wcl.american.edu/secle/cle_fo…

Sustainable Development Law and Policy Journal and the Center for International Environmental Law are co-hosting an event about climate change, territorial, and species issues facing the Arctic on March 20, 2008. The event will be held at American University Washington College of Law in Washington, DC from 12-4 PM with a reception to follow. We hope that you can attend.

Below are details about the event; registration is free to the public; CLE credits are available for $35. Information is available at http://www.wcl.american.edu/secle/founde…

Climate Change and Claiming the Arctic Circle.
MARCH 20
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Scientists are predicting that the entire Arctic Ocean could have an ice-free summer surface by 2050. As climate change causes the Arctic to melt, the several countries with territory inside the Arctic Circle - including Russia, the U.S., Norway, Denmark and Canada — are poised to claim the region’s vast energy resources. One study estimates that a quarter of the world’s oil and gas reserves are to be found under the Arctic, as well as significant deposits of other mineral riches. This program will explore the international legal aspects of the melting Arctic including: Oil and gas rights; endangered species protection (including listing of polar bear); land claims; and The Law of the Sea Convention.

Students, Alumni, Faculty, Staff & General Public – no charge
(registration is required)

CLE Accreditation (3 credits) will be applied for
CLE Registration Fee - $35

To register for this event please click the link below:
 http://www.wcl.american.edu/secle/cle_fo…

###

Posted on Sustainabilitank.info on February 25th, 2008
by Pincas Jawetz (PJ@SustainabiliTank.com)

From:  alokomet at russiancarbonfund.com

Headquartered in Copenhagen, the Core Carbon Group originates, finances, develops carbon projects in Russia and the CIS countries:

• CCG brings equity investments to projects and finances all steps of the process

• CCG brings in technology partners to provide best of breed solutions for its projects

• CCG handles the approvals process on all levels, within host country and the UN

The CCG team draws on its expertise in carbon asset development, project management, capital markets, engineering and law to execute its projects.

CCG has a diversified project portfolio across project types, methodologies and geographies. CCG offers carbon credits for both voluntary and compliance purchasers.

You can find more information at www.corecarbongroup.com and in San Francisco, at the Carbon Forum Meeting this week, at booth, no. 336. Carbon Forum America, Moscone Center, San Francisco.

Artur Lokomet
Core Carbon Group ApS
Lille Kongensgade 20, 1st Floor
DK-1074 Copenhagen, Denmark
+45 353 65 300
+45 352 45 370 (direct)
Skype: lokomet1

###

Posted on Sustainabilitank.info on February 21st, 2008
by Pincas Jawetz (PJ@SustainabiliTank.com)

Asia-Pacific Emissions Trading Forum Review

The latest issue of the AETF Review is now available for downloading from the AETF website www.aetf.net.au Click on AETF Review.

Articles in this issue include:

Policy and market drivers for 2008

International emissions trading is surging ahead, largely under the influence of the Kyoto Protocol. Important drivers include the CDM, the EU ETS, and , in our region, the NZ ETS. But uncertainty about what will follow Kyoto may put a dampener on future trading activity.
The Garnaut Climate Review

The newly elected Australian government has joined with the state and territory governments in sponsoring the Garnaut Climate Change Review. It is likely to be influential in setting future climate policy in Australia.
An auctioning model for an Australian ETS?

Auctioning of permits is likely to be a key feature of an Australian emissions trading scheme. A NETT discussion paper explores a preferred auction model for Australia.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Carbon Market Insights 2008

Copenhagen, 11-13 March 2008

For the fifth consecutive year Point Carbon is hosting the premier event for the world’s carbon markets.

For more information go to www.pointcarbon.com

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

For your information
AETF Business Roundtable - Keep up with emissions trading developments

The AETF Business Roundtable is a premium subscription service and business network for companies and agencies with a particular interest in emissions trading developments and opportunities, and who are seeking a more interactive involvement with market participants and policy makers. Services to members includes seminars, briefings, reports and networking opportunities.
The AETF is pleased to welcome new Business Roundtable members.

For more information contact the AETF Chairman (details below) or visit www.aetf.net.au

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

AETF Background: The AETF is an information service and business network supported by a range of private and public agencies to provide information and foster debate on emissions trading and greenhouse policy developments.
The AETF sponsors and partners include the Commonwealth Dept. of Climate Change, NSW Dept. of Environment and Climate Change & Forests NSW, the Victorian Dept. of Sustainability and Environment, and Point Carbon.

For more information contact the AETF Chairman, Dr Tony Beck, +61 2 6204 6555  tony.beck at aetf.net.au


Dr Tony Beck | Chairman
Asia-Pacific Emissions Trading Forum

Level 2, Empire Chambers, 1-13 University Ave, Canberra ACT 2601
GPO Box 237, Canberra ACT 2601 Australia
T: 02 6204 6555 | DDL: 02 6204 6518 | F: 02 6230 0149
 tony.beck at aetf.net.au |  www.aetf.net.au

###

Posted on Sustainabilitank.info on February 15th, 2008
by Pincas Jawetz (PJ@SustainabiliTank.com)

 This material was sent us by professor Charles A. Hall
—– Original Message —–
From: “Charles A. Hall” <chall@esf.edu>
To: <jlcabot@syr.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, February 13, 2008 1:23 AM
Subject: FW: Wyoming Cancelling Coal Plants

Thank you Josh, interesting.

—–Original Message—–
From: Joshua Lee Cabot [mailto:jlcabot@syr.edu]
Sent: Monday, February 11, 2008 8:40 PM
To: Charles A. Hall
Subject: Wyoming Cancelling Coal Plants

Hello Dr. Hall,

You spoke last Thursday at Professor Callahan’s Business &
Sustainability course at Syracuse’s Whitman School.  I’m part of the
class and spoke to you at the end regarding a Wyoming power company’s
decision to phase out its coal contracts and move more towards a
wind-based portfolio. 
Found a few articles about this and have pdf’ed
and attached them herein for you.

Thanks again for your time.

Regards,

Josh Cabot
Graduate Student
Architecture
—————————–

From:        chall at esf.edu
Subject:     FW: Wyoming Cancelling Coal Plants
Date:     February 15, 2008 7:03:04 PM EST

An interesting response to the Wyoming wind story from my colleague
Michael Jefferson in England.  I am amazed by how almost every energy
issue has two (or more) sides. Is everything we do subsidized by fossil
fuels?   Where is the truth?
One thing obvious to me is that the INCREASE in oil, gas AND Coal in
most recent years (generally 1 or more %) is greater than the TOTAL of
the new solar (photovoltaics and wind).  Is/will peak oil change this?
We have a long way to go… Charlie

—–Original Message—–
From: Michael Jefferson [mailto:jeffers@dircon.co.uk]
Sent: Wednesday, February 13, 2008 3:20 AM
To: Charles A. Hall
Subject: Re: Wyoming Cancelling Coal Plants

Charlie,

I could tell you another side of the wind energy story from the UK
angle - a huge gravy train, excessive returns to investors, foreign
nationals jumping on it too - from tax havens which their past fossil
fuel gains have funded, huge subsidies from electricity consumers, carbon
avoidance costs of US $ 400 per tonne carbon (grid average basis).
These
comments from Ofgem reports and personnel. Result: latest year for which
figures available, 2006, showed wind energy contributing 1.07% of UK
electricity generation.

Meanwhile, industry trade association tries to block informed
criticism, screams from the rooftops when it can’t prevent it, broadcasts massively
exaggerated claims and distorted figures, and generally behaves in a manner
reminiscent of the old Global Climate Coalition.

Major critics include UK government agencies with responsibilities
in  the field - Office of Gas & Electricity Markets (Ofgem), Carbon Trust,
and National Audit Office.

What I have written on this is mostly too long for circulation, and is
anyway pending in two forthcoming journal papers, but it does not make
happy reading.

There are some calmer voices in Denmark and Germany which also emit
cautionary tales.

Thought you ought to know! Balance in everything …

Best wishes,

Michael

###

Posted on Sustainabilitank.info on December 22nd, 2007
by Pincas Jawetz (PJ@SustainabiliTank.com)

Most Important Lesson From Bali - The Appearance Of A New Leader From Just One Important Country Produces Wonders - Will The UN Learn And Postpone The Poznan COP? Australia’s Kevin Rudd did it! Not Just Al Gore.

This posting is intended as an in depth advice to the leaders of the UN, the UNFCCC, the EU, Poland and Denmark.

Look - it was the appearance of a new Prime-Minister from Australia, Mr. Kevin Rudd, that created the momentum that saved the Bali event from its well advertised destiny - a clear failure. It was not a failure because of the open stand taken by a new Australia. The timing of the Australian elections was fortunate - the result was not sure, but it was clear that one way or the other, it would bring better clarity to where the multi-Nation deliberations were going.

The COP 14 of the UNFCCC is planned for December 2008 - that is after the US Presidential elections, and one way or the other - the US delegation will have less authority then a lame-duck delegation. Why have a predictable fiasco in the making while a much more solid meeting could be envisioned with the real boss of America at the table? Oh! yes - we wrote about a US II delegation headed by a President-in-Waiting delegation. There was precedent - but it is not as efficient as having the real leadership of the US present. We know that for several years the US is not represented at these meetings by a delegation representing the majority of its population, but then the majority of the UN Membership is neither.

But this time it is different. The real boss will be a Democrat that will effectuate a clean brake from the present Administration, or a Republican who will seriously deviate from the present broken leadership of his country.

In either case the US will stop being a by-stander having to be asked to step aside and stop blocking the “roadway.”

The US is destined to become a leader - as we said so many times - because of US business being interested in reconnecting with the world at large. These folks, in addition to those who look at climate change as an environmental issue - will after January 20, 2008 take over the White House and as said aim at putting the US back in the leaders chair where the country belongs indeed. Everybody can see this by now.

So, it is up to the EU to talk this over with Poland and Denmark and then go to the UN and ask for the UNFCCC to change the COP 14 (Poznan) date - then perhaps the COP 15 date (Copenhagen), if this be needed, could also be moved to the beginning of 2010 rather then the end of 2009, or at least to the mid-December 2009 time spot in order to preserve the magic of the 2009 figure.

Also, as there is no leadership at present at the UN Commission On Sustainable Development, the UN CSD, it really should be the EU to step forward, in spite of the unpleasant Zimbabwe Chairmanship of that body, tell the UN that it sees the importance of reviving this presently moribund UN limb - so it is ready to participate at the 2009 UNFCCC Copenhagen table as a locus where much of the execution of adaptation and mitigation in the middle- and lower-developing countries will be picked up. By that time, with Zimbabwe gone, even the more reticent EU members will be able to return and see what programs they can have with Africa, for instance. A new Secretary of the CSD, a person that has the background to bridge between the sides - viscerally-good and protestation-bad - has to be in place already by 2008, in order to pull this off.

###

Posted on Sustainabilitank.info on December 21st, 2007
by Pincas Jawetz (PJ@SustainabiliTank.com)

SUSTAINABILITY

In the Presidential election of 2000, the Green Party received 4% of the vote.

While one in 25 people who voted may not sound like a lot, when we reflect on the difficulty in exactly defining what “sustainability” is or means, consider that about 4 MILLION VOTING U.S. CITIZENS all signed onto the following position, which defines action for sustainability in two sectors: “Environmental Sustainability” and “Economic Sustainability”. This is taken from the year 2000 Green Party Platform, and is not any attempt to influence legislation or engage in political activity, just a presentation of the greatest degree of agreement found in the U.S.A. as to what “sustainability” might mean.

The full platform document, adopted by consensus at the convention, included an extensive definition of sustainability.

Here is the discussion of sustainability provided in the document:
CHARTER OF THE GLOBAL GREENS, Canberra 2001
defining what it means to be Green in the new millennium
The Global Greens is the international network of Green parties and political movements
found at: