CARBON IN THE NEWS
WEEK 21 2012
by Green Market Opportunities
Goldman sets $40 billion clean energy investment plan
Goldman Sachs Group Inc plans to channel investments totaling $40 billion over the next decade into renewable energy projects, an area the investment bank called one of the biggest profit opportunities since its economists got excited about emerging markets in 2001. Goldman executives said this week that demand for alternative energy sources will grow with global energy demand, and as big manufacturing countries, including China and Brazil, set more aggressive targets for reducing emissions. The bank plans to finance deals with clients' money and, to a lesser extent, its own funds. Goldman, which plans to announce the new target at its annual meeting on Thursday, already invests in clean technology. In 2011, it helped finance $4.8 billion in clean technology companies globally, and co-invested more than $500 million in that area. The new target would average out to $4 billion a year, leading some analysts to minimize the target as more of a "charm offensive" than a new initiative. In 2005, Goldman pledged to invest and finance $1 billion of environmentally friendly projects. To read this article in full click here
UK's green goods and services grew £5.4bn last year
Record growth over the last year pushed the UK green goods and services market past the £122bn mark, according to new government figures that reveal the low carbon economy now employs almost one million people. The sector grew 4.7 per cent against the 2009/10 figure of £116.8bn, providing an additional £5.4bn of economic activity as green industries continued to defy the sluggish progress made by the rest of the economy. The new report, released earlier this week by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, also confirms that the UK comfortably outperformed the worldwide Low Carbon and Environmental Goods and Services (LCEGS) market, which expanded by 3.7 per cent to £3.3tr. Low carbon sales activities accounted from £1.6tr of this, around 48 per cent, with renewable energy clocking up £1tr, and environmental goods and services accounting for £700bn. As such the UK secured a 3.7 per cent share of the global market and also retained its place as the sixth largest LCEGS sector in the world, behind the US with £645bn, China on £435bn, Japan with £205bn, India at just under £205bn, and Germany at £140bn. To read this article in full click here
Microsoft is going carbon neutral on July 1st
Microsoft is often painted as behind the times in the technology business, but on at least one count they are at the head of the pack. Microsoft has announced that beginning July 1, the entire company will be carbon neutral. Microsoft has been working toward shrinking its carbon footprint for a few years, but this summer it will have to spend a little more heavily to achieve this goal. It is important to remember that Microsoft is mainly a software company, so it has little in the way of manufacturing facilities to worry about. Indeed, Microsoft clarifies in its statement that it is making this carbon-neutral pledge only for its direct operations. That includes data centers, software labs, office buildings, and employee travel. Much of the savings come from recently adopted changes like reducing power usage in its offices and buying power from renewable sources. Microsoft is already paying for 1.5 billion kilowatt-hours of renewable energy per year, which amounts to 46% of its power needs. The company is already the third largest purchaser of green power. To read this article in full click here
McDonald's scoops global green award
It used to be more associated with bulging waistlines over waste management but according to one global environmental watchdog, burger giant McDonald’s is now the greenest firm in the UAE.
Following an initiative that sees the fast food firm run its entire fleet of trucks on leftover vegetable oil used to whip up its fries, McDonald’s UAE has been christened a ‘Planet Champion’ in the ‘2012 Global Best of Green’ report. And after receiving the accolade, McDonald’s UAE chairman Rafic Fakih says he’s lovin’ it. “We are honoured to have been recognised by such a prestigious selection committee as one of the 2012 ‘Planet Champions’,” said Fakih of the company’s prize. McDonald’s UAE was the first in the MENA region to launch the award-winning vegetable oil biodiesel initiative. “We are committed to investing in environmental initiatives that reduce carbon emissions, and we hope by being part of ‘Best of Green’ we will encourage other businesses to do the same,” added the fast food supremo. To read this article in full click here
Apple to Power Main Data Center from 100% Renewables
In a move to rehabilitate its environmental image amid rising concerns over carbon emissions from growing data centers, Apple recently announced its flagship center will be powered exclusively from renewable sources. The corporation is building two large solar arrays that will supply up to 84 million kWh annually, covering nearly 250 acres of nearby land. An additional bio-gas fuel-cell plant supplied by rising startup Bloom Energy will help the company meets its goal of making the data center coal-free by the end of 2012. 60 percent of the data centers energy needs will be met by this sun-and-gas-powered trifecta, with the remaining 40 percent coming from local renewable energy sources. To help improve efficiency within their facility, Apple is also implementing a chilled water storage system, free air cooling, a white cool roof design, and motion-activated LED lighting. As cloud computing gains traction and more data centers are required to keep up with growing demand, hopefully other companies will follow Apple’s lead. To read this article in full click here
DPD claims industry first in carbon neutral shipping
Parcel carrier DPD says it is to become the first in its industry to offer free carbon neutral shipping to its clients, who include UK ecommerce retailers. From July 2012 DPD says it will become the first express parcel carrier to provide its customers with free carbon neutral shipping. It is launching a Total Zero commitment to the effect that customers will be able to send carbon-neutral parcels of all weights, sizes and types all over the world, at no extra cost to them. The Total Zero principle, which will apply in DPD’s five biggest markets, France, Germany, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg, will be achieved through a three-step process. By measuring its carbon footprint over the last few years DPD says it has developed a detailed understanding of its emissions. It then adopts measures such as only sending parcels by road within Europe, rather than by air express, route optimisation, and eco-driver training so that collections and deliveries are made in the most fuel-efficient manner. The company also says its one-hour delivery service Predict has increased first-time delivery successes by 10% and reduced fleet mileage. Other measures include energy-efficient sensor-controlled lighting and double deck trailers. To read this article in full click here
