CARBON IN THE NEWS
WEEK 14 2012
UPS delivers greener fleet for London Olympics
Global delivery service UPS has called for a drastic increase in the supply of biofuel from waste, after revealing plans to add 10 biomethane trucks into its UK fleet for the London Olympic Games.
UPS unveiled a plan late last week to help deliver the 30 million items required to create this summer's Games, ranging from medals for the winning athletes, to 18,000 wardrobes and beds for the Olympic Village, and computers for the organisers. To help ensure the Games are the "greenest games ever" UPS has added to its fleet 10 Mercedes dual-fuel biomethane diesel trucks, 20 plug-in electric and three hybrid cars. It will also run a trial sailing barges down the Thames to help ease congestion on the capital's busy roads. Speaking to BusinessGreen on the sidelines of an event in London, Peter Harris, EMEA director of sustainability for UPS, said the Olympics contract had significantly boosted its research and development programme for low carbon technology. To read this article in full click here
Carbon Footprint Calculator "LogEC" Determines Logistics Emissions
Reacting to an increase in regulations and requirements in the area of carbon measurement in the transport and logistics sector, management and technology consultancy BearingPoint presents the “Logistics Emissions Calculator” (LogEC). The new software solution offers logistics providers and shippers the ability to calculate and analyse their carbon footprint, as well as to plan, evaluate and manage initiatives to reduce their emission levels. With LogEC, the increasing carbon measurement requirements are addressed and a new standard of accuracy and comprehensiveness is set. BearingPoint’s approach marks a first step towards process and product eco-labelling as the challenges for logistic providers rise: since January, air traffic in Europe is subject to emissions trading. The European standard prEN 16258 for calculating carbon emissions in transport services will come into force this year. In France, it will be obligatory for companies to deliver carbon emission data for each journey from July 1, 2013, onwards. According to the BearingPoint Green SCM Monitor, 60 percent of European businesses haven’t taken any action yet regarding the measurement of their carbon footprint. To read this article in full click here
Car ferry operator reveals carbon tax surcharge for bookings after April 2
THE Spirit of Tasmania car ferry operator has unveiled a carbon tax surcharge that will cost a family of four an extra $36 for a return Melbourne-to-Davenport trip. In a statement yesterday, TT-Line Company said the cost increase was due mainly to the higher price of fuel under the carbon tax. "Any bookings made on or after April 2, 2012, for travel on or after July 1, 2012, will attract the carbon surcharge," the company said. "As a maritime transport operator, TT-Line's largest operational cost is fuel." Passengers will pay an extra $3 each for each journey plus an extra $6 a vehicle. An average trip for a family of four on the Spirit of Tasmania with a car costs about $655. The nation's biggest airlines, Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin, announced similar tariffs in February. Climate Change Minister Greg Combet said Treasury modelling had showed the consumer price index would increase by just 0.7 per cent under the carbon tax. To read this article in full click here
Government revives £1bn Carbon Capture Contest
The government has relaunched a £1bn competition that aims to develop the process of capturing carbon dioxide from power stations and storing it for future use. The idea of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology has been expanded to include gas as well as coal, Energy Minister Charles Hendry has said. Mr Hendry said £1bn would be offered to fund CCS projects, after earlier plans for the UK's first coal-fired power plant with such technology were abandoned. ScottishPower's plant at Longannet, Fife, had been the only remaining site in the government competition unveiled last year for funding worth up to £1bn to develop the technology, which is hoped to cut up to 90 per cent of carbon emissions from coal power. But former energy and climate change secretary Chris Huhne said last October that it had not been possible to reach a satisfactory deal on the scheme and as a result "we will not be proceeding with the project". To read this article in full click here
Introducing Waitrose Energy
A new Waitrose energy centre has been unveiled by Isle of Wight MP Andrew Turner, which will see the upmarket retailer’s East Cowes store become the first UK supermarket to receive most of its heating, cooling, and power from sustainably sourced local woodchip. The pioneering scheme means that this particular Waitrose store will be able to slash its carbon emissions by more than 750 tonnes each year, which is the equivalent of 1,500 transatlantic flights. Reportedly, in the future there will even be the capacity to heat local homes and community facilities using the technology. The new energy centre was developed by retailer Waitrose and energy services company MITIE, and it will generate £150,000 every year for the local economy by creating new jobs, and the purchasing of woodchip. Local schools and interested parties will be able to find out how the process works at the visitor centre, which forms part of the building where the energy centre is housed. As reported by Talking Retail, the Waitrose East Cowes store already has a number of “green” initiatives which have been incorporated into its design. These include propane-based refrigeration technology which reduces energy usage by 20%. To read this article in full click here
PlanetShoes.com Celebrates Earth Month with Eco-Friendly Promotion
PlanetShoes.com is proud to announce a special Earth Month opportunity for all shoe shoppers. During the month of April, any member of the PlanetShoes.com Planet Rewards program who makes a purchase and selects CarbonFree® shipping will receive 1,500 bonus Planet Rewards points. The points may be redeemed for $10 off a future PlanetShoes.com purchase. Planet Rewards is a free loyalty program that allows members to earn points with every purchase. Points can be redeemed for Planet Dollars to use toward merchandise on PlanetShoes.com, or to make a donation to a select Planet Charity. Members also receive invitations to exclusive events and special offers throughout the year. Visit planetshoes.com/rewards to sign-up and view program rules. PlanetShoes.com offers CarbonFree® shipping in partnership with environmental leader carbonfund.org. For a nominal fee, shoppers can offset the carbon emissions that result from the shipment of their order and support renewable energy, energy efficiency and reforestation projects globally that reduce carbon dioxide emissions and the threat of climate change. To read this article in full click here
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