Exploding Pigs: Time to rethink the role of methane in our food system!

When Pigs Start Exploding, It's Time to Rethink Our Food System : TreeHugger

From meat eating versus veganism, to high-tech megafarms versus lucrative backyard agriculture, there is much disagreement in the green movement over what our food system should look like. But one thing is fairly certain. When pigs start exploding, it might be time for a rethink. Yet that is exactly what Kali Dingman over at the Minnesota Daily reports is happening on hog farms in the Midwest, where farmers started noticing a mysterious foam build up on top of their manure pits which was trapping methane gases, and subsequently causing explosions that killed thousands of hogs.

What is the carbon cycle?

Biomass Power and Thermal | Biomassmagazine.com

During the second-day plenary session of the Pacific West Biomass Conference & Trade Show in San Francisco, the hot topic was wood-to-energy carbon cycles and their relation to forest management. Session speakers presented and dissected new research and the most recent studies relating to biomass carbon accounting, including a widely publicized report authored by Oregon State University College of Forestry researchers. Titled “Regional Carbon Dioxide Implications of Forest Bioenergy Production,” the study concluded that production of bioenergy from U.S. West Coast forests would increase carbon dioxide emissions from 2 to 14 percent over the next 20 years.

Support doubles for CDP Carbon Action initiative

Environmental Finance

Ninety-two banks and investors have put their names to a call to 415 companies to manage and reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The number of signatories supporting the Carbon Action initiative – co-ordinated by the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) – has risen from 36 last year. They collectively manage more than $10 trillion in assets.

The world's forests: Are they rainmakers?

New meteorological theory argues that the world's forests are rainmakers

New, radical theories in science often take time to be accepted, especially those that directly challenge longstanding ideas, contemporary policy or cultural norms. The fact that the Earth revolves around the sun, and not vice-versa, took centuries to gain widespread scientific and public acceptance. While Darwin's theory of evolution was quickly grasped by biologists, portions of the public today, especially in places like the U.S., still disbelieve. Currently, the near total consensus by climatologists that human activities are warming the Earth continues to be challenged by outsiders. Whether or not the biotic pump theory will one day fall into this grouping remains to be seen.

U.S. forest carbon projects kicked off by California cap-and-trade

California cap-and-trade law spurs U.S. forest carbon projects

Now that California's carbon market has arrived, an Australian-based company that specializes in forest carbon offsets has jump started two forest projects with private landowners in the western U.S. The new company, Forest Carbon Partners, will make the projects available as carbon offsets for California polluters.

Ethanol Follows Corn Lower

Ethanol Falls as Corn Declines on Concern That Demand Will Ease - Bloomberg

Ethanol declined the most in three weeks as corn fell on signs that demand for the grain may ease. The biofuel dropped 1.4 percent. Corn futures decreased for the first time in three days on speculation that near-record supplies of ethanol will reduce purchases of the biggest U.S. crop, the primary ingredient in U.S. production of the alternative fuel. “Ethanol followed corn,” Dan Flynn, a trader at PFGBest in Chicago, said by telephone. “Ethanol prices are down due to the big break in the corn market.”

Canada’s oil sands: Not so bad after all

Canada’s oil sands: Not so dirty after all - The Globe and Mail

Canada’s government, which has threatened a trade war over a proposed European rule to penalize oil-sands crude in a bid to clean up transportation fuels, has a powerful new argument in its favour, as new research shows other energy sources are far more dangerous to the climate.

Thinktank Says Green Investment Bank Should Finance With Bonds ASAP

U.K. Green Bank Should Sell Green Bonds From 2013, Group Says - Bloomberg

The U.K.’s planned Green Investment Bank should be able to issue bonds to help finance clean-energy projects such as renewable technologies from April 2013, the head of an environmental think-tank said. “The earlier bonds are issued, the faster we should get the Green Investment Bank leveraging off institutional investors and deploying capital at the scale the low-carbon transition needs to meet our carbon targets and economic imperatives,” said Peter Young, chairman of the London-based Aldersgate Group.

Apple's massive solar array can't save the world, but its a start

Apple touts N.C. solar array in environmental footprint report | Apple - CNET News

Apple's massive North Carolina data center will be powered by the nation's largest end-user-owned solar array, the company revealed today in a report on its environmental footprint. The facility, which is being constructed in Maiden, N.C., has been awarded LEED Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, the company said in its report.

Leader in solar generation has sky-high plans

Firm has sky-high plans to remain the leading light in solar generation systems | This is Grimsby

IF THERE'S one certainty in these very uncertain times, it's that 365 Solar is a company with big plans to remain the region's leading light in the renewables industry, with a continued commitment to being the biggest, best and most competitive renewables company in the area. With showrooms at its King Edward Street head office, 365 Solar offers visitors the chance to call in and see how its various solar systems work.

UN Climate Chief, Christiana Figueres, Reaches Out To CEOs

Christiana Figueres, UN Climate Chief, Turns To CEOs For Low-Carbon Plans

STOCKHOLM (AP) — As governments bicker over who should do what to slow the pace of global warming, the U.N.'s climate chief is increasingly looking to business leaders to show the way forward to a low-carbon future. Christiana Figueres told The Associated Press on Tuesday that her efforts to reach out to high-profile executives from companies such as Coca-Cola, Unilever and Virgin Group represent "a deeper recognition of the fact that the private sector can contribute in a decisive way."

First Carbon Credits From Kenya Delivered

The Paradigm Project Announces First Delivery of Carbon Offsets from Kenya Cook Stove Project - MarketWatch

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Feb 21, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The Paradigm Project, a low-profit, limited liability company (L3C) whose mission is to create sustainable economic, social and environmental value within developing world communities, today announced the delivery of the first part of a transaction involving 125,000 tons of carbon offsets from its Kenya cook stove project to Climate Neutral Group. The Paradigm Project's cook stove project has already implemented 45,000 efficient cook stoves with plans for expansion throughout East Africa and parts of Latin America, and a target goal of implementing 5 million stoves by the year 2020.

China To Regulate CERs On Its Own Exchange

China Would Regulate UN Carbon Credits at Home, Exchange Says - Bloomberg

China probably won’t allow United Nations carbon credits in its cap-and-trade program unless they are approved by a domestic regulator, according to an official at the Shanghai Environment & Energy Exchange. China likely will develop its own registration and verification process for so-called offset credits, which would be eligible for compliance with the country’s emission-reduction quotas, Li Jin, a researcher at the exchange, said at a carbon conference in Shanghai. The bourse is helping to design emissions trading in China’s financial center.

Latest Carbon Headline News

News - Point Carbon - Providing critical insights into energy and environmental markets

 

 

Point Carbon's OTC price assessments

		Close	+/-
EUA	Dec 2012	9.19	0.30
sCER	Dec 2012	4.89	0.09

 

 

 

 

 

 

Markets 

 

21 Feb 2012 17:58

UBS says permit set-aside to take years, sees Q2 price crash

Withholding permits from the EU carbon market will require a full review of the bloc’s entire carbon…

Policy

21 Feb 2012 18:08

Latin American bank approves $100 mln loan for green projects

The Inter American Development Bank (IDB) has loaned $100 million to Brazilian bank Itau to help it…

Policy

21 Feb 2012 12:19

China ETS to use credits from unapproved CDM schemes

The Chinese government plans to let companies offset emissions by using carbon credits from unregist…

Markets

21 Feb 2012 11:39

Vitol makes CO2 trading push in 2011

Swiss trading house Vitol Group traded 71 million tonnes of carbon in 2011, up 31 percent from the p…

EU ETS

21 Feb 2012 09:49

UPDATE 1: Drax EUA demand falls 7.5 percent in 2011

UK power generator Drax bought 11.9 million EU Allowances to cover emissions in 2011, down 7.5 perce…

Markets

20 Feb 2012 18:29

World Bank to ramp up daily CER sales

The World Bank will quadruple the number of U.N.-backed offsets it sells daily on behalf of the Adap…

Markets

20 Feb 2012 17:38

Lafarge's profit from CO2 sales rises 11 pct in 2011

 

Latest news

• 21 Feb 12 18:49 Denmark urged to do more to meet 2020 GHG cap
• 21 Feb 12 18:08 Latin American bank approves $100 mln loan
• 21 Feb 12 17:58 UBS says permit set-aside to take years, sees Q2 price crash
• 21 Feb 12 17:54 UPDATE 1: EUAs climb 4.1 pct despite mixed energy markets
• 21 Feb 12 12:19 China ETS to use credits from unapproved CDM schemes
• 21 Feb 12 11:59 Australia cuts carbon emissions 1 pct
• 21 Feb 12 11:39 Vitol makes CO2 trading push in 2011
• 21 Feb 12 09:49 UPDATE 1: Drax EUA demand falls 7.5 percent in 2011
• 20 Feb 12 18:29 World Bank to ramp up daily CER sales
• 20 Feb 12 17:57 Russia could block airlines from emission trading
• 20 Feb 12 17:38 Lafarge's profit from CO2 sales rises 11 pct in 2011
• 20 Feb 12 17:20 UPDATE 1: EU carbon heads below 9 euros on profit taking
• 20 Feb 12 16:44 Polish coal plants produce 2.4 pct more power in 2011
• 20 Feb 12 16:16 Q+A-Will Moscow talks unleash carbon trade war against EU?
• 20 Feb 12 14:27 Paper firms' EUA surplus grows as production dips 2 pct
• 20 Feb 12 10:15 Shenzhen CO2 scheme to cover 100 million tonnes: report
• 20 Feb 12 02:19 ExxonMobil plant fined 3.3 mln euros
• 20 Feb 12 02:11 Mexican minister urges passage of climate law
• 17 Feb 12 19:55 Brazil forest law changes to lock in deforestation rate
• 17 Feb 12 19:31 Three bourses bid for UK auctions as GreenX bows out
• 17 Feb 12 19:22 EU asks U.N. for flexibility on GHG targets
• 17 Feb 12 18:34 CERs outpace EUAs as industrials lock in profits
• 17 Feb 12 17:39 EUAs up 3.3 pct, extend 8-week high
• 17 Feb 12 16:26 Weekly CER issuance set to remain below 2012 average
• 17 Feb 12 14:06 EU finmins push for transport cash to fill Green Climate Fund

All news

IDB lends $100M to Brazilian Bank for Climate Projects

IDB lends $100m to Itaú for climate projects

21 February 2012 - The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is lending $100 million to Brazilian bank Itaú BBA to help finance “environmentally friendly” projects in Latin America.  The loan will be used to finance renewable energy and energy efficiency projects, as well as projects that can generate carbon credits, the IDB said. This ‘A’ loan, from the IDB’s own capital, may be boosted by a syndicated ‘B’ loan of up to $100 million, for which the IDB will be the lead arranger.  “There is a shortage of financing for green projects in Latin America and this is part of our efforts to bridge this gap,” said Daniela Carrera-Marquis, chief of the IDB financial markets division at the structured and corporate finance department (SCF). The money will be loaned again, to projects in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay.  The loan also aims to show that banking in the region “can go beyond traditional risk assessment models and include processes that allow investors to maximise their impact”, said Karina Azzinnari, project team leader at the IDB.  In recent years, the SCF has approved $325 million in loans to financial institutions in Latin America and the Caribbean to finance climate-friendly projects.

Carbon trade war averted . . . for now

COLUMN-Carbon trade peace is safe for now | Reuters


Feb 21 (Reuters) - Once rhetoric surrounding a brewing "carbon trade war" has cooled, non-EU countries are likely accept charges against carbon emissions on their flights arriving in and departing from the European Union. Opposed countries including the United States, China and India are meeting in Moscow this week, disgruntled over the perceived injustices of the EU scheme which applies a charge on the entire carbon emissions of flights including those parts outside EU airspace. At most they will likely warn the EU, and demand that the U.N. body, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), resolves the problem.

ICE makes UK ETA carbon trading platform bid

ICE makes UK carbon platform bid - FT.com

Three of the world’s largest exchanges are among those bidding to win the contract to auction Britain’s emissions trading allowances, after IntercontinentalExchange on Monday confirmed it had submitted a tender. ICE Futures Europe, the London-based operations of the US futures exchange, also said that UK regulators had given it recognised auction platform status, a stepping-stone to allow the platform to conduct carbon permit auctions.

New Biodiversity Trading Platform

Environmental Finance | News | Environment Bank launches trading platform for biodiversity offsets

The UK’s Environment Bank has teamed up with Mission Markets to set up a trading platform for biodiversity credits – and says that the first trade could be weeks away. The Conservation Credits Exchange allows landowners and conservation groups to register wildlife sites and the expected conservation credits they could generate, which property developers can purchase to offset their environmental impacts.

University of Illinois Carbon Storage Project

University of Illinois Carbon Storage Project -- Environmental Protection

Geologists are hoping to learn a great deal about geologic carbon sequestration from injecting 1 million metric tons of carbon dioxide into sandstone 7,000 feet beneath Decatur, Ill. And they're hoping the public learns a lot from the endeavor, too. The Illinois Basin – Decatur Project (IBDP) began its injection, the first million-ton demonstration from an industrial source in the U.S., in November 2011. Over the next three years, the Midwest Geological Sequestration Consortium, led by the Illinois State Geological Survey, hopes to use innovative science and engaging outreach to evaluate the potential of carbon capture and storage techniques.