Category Archives: Emissions

Oil Production Will “Plateau” in Eleven Years

In a recent interview with the Guardian, Faith Birol, chief economist of the International Energy Agency, revealed oil production will plateau by 2020, peaking within 20 years. It is anticipated that the extraction of tar sands will have to increase … Continue reading

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Reformation of EU Emissions Trading System Required To Reduce Green House Gases

The House of Lords EU Committee have produced a report calling for an overhaul of the Emissions Trading System (ETS), in order to meet ambitious greenhouse gas (GHG)reduction targets, since it is the main tool of the EU to reduce … Continue reading

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The United Nations Climate Change Conference in Poznań, Poland

Today marks the beginning of the 14th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations on Climate Change. The meeting has the following aims; Agree on a plan of action and programmes of work for the final year of negotiations … Continue reading

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Policy Shift Could Significantly Reduce UK Emissions

A new report by the Campaign for Better Transport suggests that emissions from transport could be cut by up to 26% of 2006 levels by 2020. The report highlights the following areas where most emissions could be reduced: • Reductions … Continue reading

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Ruth Kelly to Urge Shipping Reforms to Cut Emissions

Ruth Kelly, Transport Secretary, is to deliver a speech to the UN International Maritime Organisation today, in which she is expected to call for shipping to be included in emissions trading schemes and more research into hydrogen fuel cells. The … Continue reading

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Science Academies Call for Tougher Action by G8 Nations

The Royal Society has joined other academic institutions from around the world in calling for rapid agreement on a timetable to fit carbon capturing technologies to coal-fired power stations, in order to avoid “rapid and irreversible” climate change. Academies from … Continue reading

Posted in Carbon, Climate Change, Emissions, Energy | 1 Comment

“False Optimism” Compromising Fight Against Climate Change

Writing in Nature Reports Climate Change this week, researchers have called for a move away from the ‘curious optimism’ which they believe has characterised Governments’ actions to date to tackle global warming. Martin Parry, Jean Palutikof, Clair Hanson & Jason … Continue reading

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New Biofuels Rules Come Into Force

Today sees the introduction of the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) in the UK. All petrol and diesel which is sold at UK pumps must now include at least 2.5% biofuels. The target will rise to 5% by 2010. The … Continue reading

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Carbon Capture for Coal-fired Power Stations

The Royal Society has called for Government to guarantee that new coal-fired power stations in the UK capture 90% of their carbon emissions by 2020. In the letter written to John Hutton the Secretary of State at the Department for … Continue reading

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Government Launches New Sustainability Office

The Government has announced the creation of a new body to tackle carbon emissions in Whitehall. The new Centre of Expertise for Sustainable Procurement will help Government departments to cut waste and reduce their carbon emissions. A new post has … Continue reading

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