CARBON IN THE NEWS
WEEK 19 2012
Microsoft Corporation To Go Carbon Neutral
According to the new move all of Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)’s direct operations, including data centers, software development labs, air travel, and office buildings will go carbon neutral. The program will begin in July, at the start of Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)’s 2013 fiscal year, and includes a company-wide carbon fee, whereby various divisions will be held accountable for their own energy usage. Kevin Turner, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) Chief Operating Officer, said that, “Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) recognizes that we are not the first company to commit to carbon neutrality. But we are hopeful that our decision will encourage other companies large and small to look at what they can do to address this important issue. The goal is to make our business divisions responsible for the cost of offsetting their own carbon emissions. It’s the right thing to do. Working on the issues of energy use and environmental change provides another opportunity to make a difference in the world”. To read this article in full click here
Queen's green, as key UK power reforms get the nod
The UK has announced plans to overhaul its electricity market as the government seeks to prevent spikes in natural-gas prices and spur investment in lower-emitting technologies. BusinessGreen reports that the government’s Energy Bill and its promised electricity market reforms made it into the Queen’s Speech on Wednesday – that which sets out the government’s legislative agenda for the year and marks the start of the next session of Parliament – “and right near the top, alongside the commitment to introduce a Green Investment Bank, to boot.” In her speech, Queen Elizabeth II promised that the UK government would “propose reform of the electricity market to deliver clean and affordable energy.” And that one line, says BusinessGreen, “represents a major victory for the green wing of the coalition, a huge boost to the burgeoning low-carbon economy, and the long-awaited answer to the UK’s looming energy crisis. Make no mistake, this is a hugely significant piece of legislation.” To read this article in full click here
Greenpeace urges Apple to use clean energy
Greenpeace India activists Tuesday urged global computer maker Apple to use renewable energy to power its data centres worldwide instead of fossil fuels like coal for protecting the fragile ecology. As part of the worldwide protest against the multinational for burning tonnes of coal to run its data centres, local activists of the green organisation roped in its customers to ask Apple go for a cleaner cloud.
Similar protests are being staged at Apple stores (iCloud) in six countries across the world, including Austria, Brazil, China, Germany, South Africa and the US. "We have put up a billboard in front of Apple's India head office at UB City here with 'Clean our Cloud' message to its chief executive and submitted petitions signed by thousands of its customers across the country to one of its officials," Greenpeace campaigner Mrinmoy Chattaraj told reporters here.
Global technology firms like Google, Facebook and Yahoo have taken measures to use renewable energy for their cloud computing at massive data centres worldwide. To read this article in full click here
Coca-Cola promises millions of green bottles with £15m ECO Plastics plant
Closed loop plastic recycling is to become a reality in the UK, following the opening yesterday of a pioneering new recycling plant backed by Coca-Cola Enterprises and ECO Plastics. The new £15m facility was developed by Continuum Recycling, a new joint venture launched last year by Coca-Cola and recycling specialist ECO Plastic, and was officially opened by recycling minister Lord Taylor of Holbeach. "With the opening of this facility, the UK is now home to the world's largest plastics recycling plant, bringing jobs and growth to the rural economy of Lincolnshire," said Taylor. "Recycling is a growing industry, and investment in these types of projects not only makes good business sense – it will help us achieve our ultimate aim of a zero-waste green economy." The Lincolnshire plant is being hailed as a first for the UK as it delivers "closed loop" recycling, taking plastic from old bottles and returning them to the shelves as part of new bottles. To read this article in full click here
London Low Carbon motor show, Ecovelocity whirrs into life
Saturday 5th May saw doors open at London’s ExCeL to Ecovelocity, the low carbon motor show, which showcases the latest in eco technology from both mainstream and specialist automotive manufacturers. Motorists looking to change their car for a greener cleaner vehicle can test drive the latest eco cars from Vauxhall, Peugeot, Mia, Honda, Nissan, Citroën and Chevrolet. The show provides visitors with the opportunity to view the current and future options for more environmentally responsible motoring, gain an understanding of the technology and processes involved in developing low carbon vehicles and an insight into the benefits of owning one. Unique to Ecovelocity is the chance for motorists to actually get behind the wheel. Giles Brown, organiser of EcoVelocity commented: “Visitors to EcoVelocity this year are able to test drive numerous low carbon vehicles, including hybrids, electric vehicles and range extenders on the 3.5 mile test route in and around ExCeL. Test drives when taken in isolation can be time consuming, our unique offering and facility allows visitors to take almost back to back test drives, giving motorists the opportunity to make direct comparisons and work out which vehicle best fits their requirements.” To read this article in full click here
Ski Resorts Lauded for Environmental Efforts
The National Ski Areas Association honored three ski areas –with the 2012 Golden Eagle Awards for Environmental Excellence. The Golden Eagle Awards are the ski industry’s most prestigious award for recognizing resort environmental programs and projects. In its winning effort for ski areas with up to 200,000 skier/snowboarder visits per year, Mt. Abram presented its winning combination of on-site renewable energy generation, energy-efficient systems, carbon-neutral fuel sources, and smart transportation practices. When the ski area’s base lodge burned down in 2011, the resort invested more than $66,000 dollars in a wood pellet heating system that has reduced its carbon dioxide output by 166 tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) annually. Meanwhile, Stevens Pass took the top environmental honors in the medium-sized ski area category (200,000 to 500,000 skier/snowboarder visits) for its energy conservation and GHG reduction efforts. For five years Stevens Pass has offset a full 100 percent of its electricity and propane consumption through renewable energy credits and carbon offsets. To date, the ski area has funded 21,289,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of wind power, which has prevented the emission of 16,182 tons of CO2, and is equivalent to taking 2,878 cars off the road for a year. To read this article in full click here
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