The Green Building Council of South Africa will lead the transformation of the South African property industry to ensure that all buildings are designed, built and operated in an environmentally sustainable way that will allow South Africans to work and live in healthy, efficient and productive environments.
To promote, encourage and facilitate green building in the South African property and construction industry through market-based solutions, by:
Promoting the practice of green building in the commercial property industry
Facilitating the implementation of green building practice by acting as a resource centre,
Enabling the objective measurement of green building practices by developing and operating a green building rating system, and
Improving the knowledge and skills base of green building in the industry by enabling and offering training and education
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
Energy management and carbon credits
As they grapple with rising energy costs, more homeowners are turning to remodelers for money-saving solutions. According to the results of the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) quarterly Remodeling Market Index (RMI), 33% of surveyed remodelers report that they are increasingly called on to improve the energy efficiency of their client’s homes.The RMI measures remodeler perceptions of market demand for current and future residential remodeling projects.
NAHB is preparing for the upcoming National Green Building Standard, which includes a consensus rating system for remodeling. This standard provides a roadmap for green remodeling and assures consumers that remodelers know how to plan and complete authentically green remodels.According to the survey, remodelers have installed a number of efficiency-enhancing products in recent months, including:• Windows—73% of surveyed remodelers installed more energy-efficient windows that are insulated to prevent outdoor heat exchange.• Insulation—65% made upgrades such as insulation replacement and spraying foam or fiber insulation into enclosed walls and roof cavities, while 27% insulated foundations and 52% installed insulated exterior doors.• High-efficiency HVAC systems (56%)• High-efficiency kitchen appliances (47%)• Water-saving faucets and fixtures (46%)
NAHB is preparing for the upcoming National Green Building Standard, which includes a consensus rating system for remodeling. This standard provides a roadmap for green remodeling and assures consumers that remodelers know how to plan and complete authentically green remodels.According to the survey, remodelers have installed a number of efficiency-enhancing products in recent months, including:• Windows—73% of surveyed remodelers installed more energy-efficient windows that are insulated to prevent outdoor heat exchange.• Insulation—65% made upgrades such as insulation replacement and spraying foam or fiber insulation into enclosed walls and roof cavities, while 27% insulated foundations and 52% installed insulated exterior doors.• High-efficiency HVAC systems (56%)• High-efficiency kitchen appliances (47%)• Water-saving faucets and fixtures (46%)
Electrical savings
Despite having its highest score since January, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) continues to point to difficult conditions for the nonresidential construction market.
There have been six consecutive months with negative scores, indicating that business levels at U.S architecture firms continue to worsen.
As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI shows an approximate 9- to 12-month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the July ABI rating was 46.8, up slightly from the 46.1 mark in June (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The inquiries for new projects score was 54.6.
“Financing for new projects continues to be a problem,” said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. “Many projects are being reconsidered due to construction cost increases. And while there are a good number of projects still in the queue, owners are taking longer to proceed to the next phase of the design process.”
There have been six consecutive months with negative scores, indicating that business levels at U.S architecture firms continue to worsen.
As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI shows an approximate 9- to 12-month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the July ABI rating was 46.8, up slightly from the 46.1 mark in June (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The inquiries for new projects score was 54.6.
“Financing for new projects continues to be a problem,” said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. “Many projects are being reconsidered due to construction cost increases. And while there are a good number of projects still in the queue, owners are taking longer to proceed to the next phase of the design process.”
Green Building and Energy Management
A green building is a building which is energy efficient, resource efficient and environmentally responsible- which incorporates design, construction and operational practices that significantly reduce or eliminate its negative impact on the environment and its occupants. Building green is an opportunity to use resources efficiently and address climate change while creating healthier and more productive environments for people to live and work in
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Green Building and Energy Management
Sydney - An abandoned baby whale that has been attempting to suckle boats in the waters off north Sydney will be euthanised because it is in such poor condition, an environmental official said on Thursday.
Veterinarians and marine researchers who spent the afternoon examining the whale found that it would likely not live through the night, said Sally Barnes, deputy director-general of the New South Wales Department of Environment and Climate Change.
"The calf was in much worse condition than they originally thought and the injuries were a lot worse than they thought as well, probably from a shark attack," she said. "We have taken the hard decision to put it down, unfortunately."
The plight of the whale, which Australians have nicknamed "Colin," has dominated news coverage here since the creature was first sighted on Sunday in waters off north Sydney and began trying to suckle from boats it apparently mistook for its mother.
"Our hearts are breaking with what's happening with baby Colin," New South Wales Premier Morris Iemma said. "It's looking bleak, but every effort is being made."
The decision to euthanise the whale prompted a strong protest from a rescue group that designed a feeding apparatus intended to provide milk to the ailing calf.
"You said you'd give us a 24-hour stay of execution!" Brett Devine, a member of Devine Marine Group, shouted as environmental officials tried to calm him.
Dose of fatal drugs
Some Australians have accused wildlife officials of not doing enough to help the calf or trying to feed it.
Previous attempts to guide the whale back to open waters have failed, with the creature preferring to stick close to the boats. Officials with the New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service were considering earlier on Thursday whether to use an inflatable sling to tow the creature into deeper waters, where it has a better chance of connecting with other whales.
But in the end, there simply was no other option, a grim-looking Barnes said.
"This is certainly not what we would have hoped. We would have hoped that the animal would have been OK," Barnes said. "It's a very emotional thing."
As darkness fell, wildlife officials and veterinarians huddled in a private meeting to work out the logistics of the whale's fate.
They planned to sedate the animal, tow it to shore, and inject a dose of fatal drugs into its heart.
Veterinarians and marine researchers who spent the afternoon examining the whale found that it would likely not live through the night, said Sally Barnes, deputy director-general of the New South Wales Department of Environment and Climate Change.
"The calf was in much worse condition than they originally thought and the injuries were a lot worse than they thought as well, probably from a shark attack," she said. "We have taken the hard decision to put it down, unfortunately."
The plight of the whale, which Australians have nicknamed "Colin," has dominated news coverage here since the creature was first sighted on Sunday in waters off north Sydney and began trying to suckle from boats it apparently mistook for its mother.
"Our hearts are breaking with what's happening with baby Colin," New South Wales Premier Morris Iemma said. "It's looking bleak, but every effort is being made."
The decision to euthanise the whale prompted a strong protest from a rescue group that designed a feeding apparatus intended to provide milk to the ailing calf.
"You said you'd give us a 24-hour stay of execution!" Brett Devine, a member of Devine Marine Group, shouted as environmental officials tried to calm him.
Dose of fatal drugs
Some Australians have accused wildlife officials of not doing enough to help the calf or trying to feed it.
Previous attempts to guide the whale back to open waters have failed, with the creature preferring to stick close to the boats. Officials with the New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service were considering earlier on Thursday whether to use an inflatable sling to tow the creature into deeper waters, where it has a better chance of connecting with other whales.
But in the end, there simply was no other option, a grim-looking Barnes said.
"This is certainly not what we would have hoped. We would have hoped that the animal would have been OK," Barnes said. "It's a very emotional thing."
As darkness fell, wildlife officials and veterinarians huddled in a private meeting to work out the logistics of the whale's fate.
They planned to sedate the animal, tow it to shore, and inject a dose of fatal drugs into its heart.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Energy management and carbon credits
JOBURG
AA-credit rating for City
By Lucille Davie
12 August 2008
INTERNATIONAL rating agency Fitch Ratings has upgraded Johannesburg's long-term credit rating to AA-, from last year's A+ rating, and its short-term rating to F1+ from F1.
A rating provides a relative measure of a city's creditworthiness. The best long-term rating is AAA, while the best short-term rating is F1+. The F1 rating refers specifically to the city's ability to pay its short-term debt.
Stating that the City's outlook remained stable, the agency said: "The upgrade reflects the City of Johannesburg's strengthening operating performance, driven by a growing tax base and subsidies from the national government."
The rating "also reflects higher provisions for asset depreciation, which help to self-finance its investments, now approaching R5-billion, up from R1-billion in [financial year 2004]".
Responding to the upgrades, City Treasurer William Mathanela said: "We are very excited about the investor confidence that the rating has shown - it means the City has done a lot of good work."
Fitch said the rating considered the City's long-term challenges to be "income inequality and low labour participation", which limited tax generation and collection.
"The ratings could be upgraded further if easing macroeconomic tensions help to alleviate rising cost pressures on the municipality's operating performance, and if the sale of its R2-billion net debtor-book is completed successfully, providing the municipality with corresponding liquidity."
The agency warned that ratings might be negatively affected if borrowing exceeded projections, which would lead to declining debt collection, and restricted tax revenue growth, if gross domestic product (GDP) growth weakened.
"[Johannesburg's] operating performance continues to be strong, underpinned by tax and fee collection rates of about 95 percent," Fitch Ratings indicated.
The City was committed to keeping expenses below 7 percent of expenditure, it said, but this would be influenced by a slowdown in GDP growth which would, in turn, limit the City's ability to pass on to consumers increasing costs of water, electricity and other service costs.
Fitch suggested that local economic growth should hover around 3 percent per year, given a boost from the public works in preparation for the 2010 World Cup.
"Estimated income per capita of about R60 000 is approximately 40 percent above the national average and should help to underpin an average operating revenue growth of close to 10 percent. Tax and fee rates linked to inflation and the continual expansion of the tax base should help to maintain a good match between revenue and spending."
Mathanela said the 3 percent was too low for a city the size of Joburg - it would probably be around 4 to 5 percent.
However, the rise of commodity prices and frequent power cuts could have a negative effect on the local economy, causing operating costs to rise, said Fitch.
Mathanela was particularly happy to have the asset register complete, because it provided a higher provision for depreciation, and investors now knew the total assets of the City, giving them increased confidence in its growth prospects. "The past year has been a good year."
There were long-term challenges for the City, however, Fitch said. The fact that the national government oversaw revenue and expenditure weakened its manoeuvrability. On the other hand, the 2007 Municipal Fiscal Power Act had allowed cities to raise revenue by means of a 2 percent business levy for inner city regeneration.
"Income inequality and the still high percentage of population infected with HIV remain the main burden on future economic growth, with their demand for higher social and health costs over the medium term."
There were other factors that would slow growth. "A potential burden stems also from pension and potential unfunded liabilities, which the City seeks to control by implementing self-insurance policies.
Joburg's population is believed to be around four million. It remains the financial hub of the country, contributing about 16 percent of GDP and some 15 percent of employment. The City's GDP will remain at an average 6 percent annually until 2010
AA-credit rating for City
By Lucille Davie
12 August 2008
INTERNATIONAL rating agency Fitch Ratings has upgraded Johannesburg's long-term credit rating to AA-, from last year's A+ rating, and its short-term rating to F1+ from F1.
A rating provides a relative measure of a city's creditworthiness. The best long-term rating is AAA, while the best short-term rating is F1+. The F1 rating refers specifically to the city's ability to pay its short-term debt.
Stating that the City's outlook remained stable, the agency said: "The upgrade reflects the City of Johannesburg's strengthening operating performance, driven by a growing tax base and subsidies from the national government."
The rating "also reflects higher provisions for asset depreciation, which help to self-finance its investments, now approaching R5-billion, up from R1-billion in [financial year 2004]".
Responding to the upgrades, City Treasurer William Mathanela said: "We are very excited about the investor confidence that the rating has shown - it means the City has done a lot of good work."
Fitch said the rating considered the City's long-term challenges to be "income inequality and low labour participation", which limited tax generation and collection.
"The ratings could be upgraded further if easing macroeconomic tensions help to alleviate rising cost pressures on the municipality's operating performance, and if the sale of its R2-billion net debtor-book is completed successfully, providing the municipality with corresponding liquidity."
The agency warned that ratings might be negatively affected if borrowing exceeded projections, which would lead to declining debt collection, and restricted tax revenue growth, if gross domestic product (GDP) growth weakened.
"[Johannesburg's] operating performance continues to be strong, underpinned by tax and fee collection rates of about 95 percent," Fitch Ratings indicated.
The City was committed to keeping expenses below 7 percent of expenditure, it said, but this would be influenced by a slowdown in GDP growth which would, in turn, limit the City's ability to pass on to consumers increasing costs of water, electricity and other service costs.
Fitch suggested that local economic growth should hover around 3 percent per year, given a boost from the public works in preparation for the 2010 World Cup.
"Estimated income per capita of about R60 000 is approximately 40 percent above the national average and should help to underpin an average operating revenue growth of close to 10 percent. Tax and fee rates linked to inflation and the continual expansion of the tax base should help to maintain a good match between revenue and spending."
Mathanela said the 3 percent was too low for a city the size of Joburg - it would probably be around 4 to 5 percent.
However, the rise of commodity prices and frequent power cuts could have a negative effect on the local economy, causing operating costs to rise, said Fitch.
Mathanela was particularly happy to have the asset register complete, because it provided a higher provision for depreciation, and investors now knew the total assets of the City, giving them increased confidence in its growth prospects. "The past year has been a good year."
There were long-term challenges for the City, however, Fitch said. The fact that the national government oversaw revenue and expenditure weakened its manoeuvrability. On the other hand, the 2007 Municipal Fiscal Power Act had allowed cities to raise revenue by means of a 2 percent business levy for inner city regeneration.
"Income inequality and the still high percentage of population infected with HIV remain the main burden on future economic growth, with their demand for higher social and health costs over the medium term."
There were other factors that would slow growth. "A potential burden stems also from pension and potential unfunded liabilities, which the City seeks to control by implementing self-insurance policies.
Joburg's population is believed to be around four million. It remains the financial hub of the country, contributing about 16 percent of GDP and some 15 percent of employment. The City's GDP will remain at an average 6 percent annually until 2010
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
www.thorntongroup.co.za
In most work/office environments we can make quite dramatic gains in our energy efficiency by simply changing settings, buying more carefully and changing our work habits.
No cost energy saving hints
•
Switch off all PCs at the end of every day and weekends.
•
If you going to be away from your computer any longer than 15 minutes switch off your screen.
•
Make sure all printers and photocopiers are switched off at the end of every day and weekends.
•
Don’t replace if you can share a printer or copier instead.
•
Activate sleep or power-down features when possible.
Technical energy saving options with varying cost
•
Buy energy efficient equipment (Energy Star rated etc).
•
Use laptop computers wherever practical. They consume between 70-90% less energy than desktop computers.
No cost energy saving hints
•
Switch off all PCs at the end of every day and weekends.
•
If you going to be away from your computer any longer than 15 minutes switch off your screen.
•
Make sure all printers and photocopiers are switched off at the end of every day and weekends.
•
Don’t replace if you can share a printer or copier instead.
•
Activate sleep or power-down features when possible.
Technical energy saving options with varying cost
•
Buy energy efficient equipment (Energy Star rated etc).
•
Use laptop computers wherever practical. They consume between 70-90% less energy than desktop computers.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Green Building & Energy Management
Green building practices urged
12 June 2008
SOUTH AFRICA is lagging far behind other countries in the adoption of sustainable green building practices.
This was revealed at a conference held at Cedar Park Hotel on 9 June, to discuss green building practices and other techniques new buildings should embrace.
Speaking at the conference, Pristine Technology Solutions' managing director, Mazuro Gundidza, said green buildings still had a long way to go in South Africa.
"South Africa lags behind Europe and the United States in that eco-friendly design is not readily available - something that will hopefully be addressed by the newly established Green Building Council (GBCSA) in South Africa."
The GBSCA will provide guidelines and a certification system for commercial green building and in the long run, also for green commercial interior design.
"Internationally, the move to green building has been described as a phenomenon and the benefits are significant. South Africa may have been slow on the uptake of the concept, but the fact remains that it is striving towards establishing green building," he said.
Green buildings conserve the Earth's natural resources through the efficient and intelligent use of energy, materials, water and the building site. One of the greatest benefits of green buildings is their reduced use of electricity and energy, which helps to cut dependence on fossil fuels.
For green building to be driven forward, it needed to be accepted by all industry stakeholders and a fundamental mind shift needed to take place, focusing on the initial capital cost of a building, Gundidza said.
"Considering South Africa's current power crisis and a possible water crisis, green building will not only save energy, but also place our country on the map of protecting resources."
The chief executive officer for the Council for the Built Environment, Bheki Zule, said green building had a pivotal role to play in South's Africa's energy crisis.
"Green building will result in the saving of energy and the reduction of emissions. This provides opportunities for other investments by the consumer and contributes to creating a more economically comfortable life for households."
David Botha, the executive director of the South Africa Institution of Civil Engineering, said changing climatic patterns had raised awareness of the need to save energy and safeguard natural resources.
"We need a rational approach to green buildings and to assess the total costs not only to the pocket but also to the environment," he said.
"It's no use having a house that runs on computers and fancy climate controls, made in Singapore or Taiwan, if these computers are costing us more in terms of environmental impact than the use of simpler methods like opening and closing a window by hand."
Rodney Milford, of the Construction Industry Development Board, said the South African government had plans to retrofit its106 000 buildings countrywide with energy efficient measures. "This process is currently under way and over 100 buildings in Tshwane, Western Cape and Free State have already been completed."
The departments of Minerals and Energy and Public Works had set an overall target for energy demand reduction of 12 percent of the projected energy consumption, to be met by 2015.
Many countries have developed their own standards of energy efficiency for buildings. The United States Green Building Council developed the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design green building rating system, which is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance buildings.
Canada has also implemented "R2000" guidelines for buildings built after the year 2000. Incentives are offered to builders to meet the R2000 standards in an effort to increase energy efficiency and promote sustainability.
The Standards and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia also promotes green building techniques, while the UK Building Regulations set requirements for insulation levels and other aspects of sustainability in building construction.
Source: Joburg.org.za
12 June 2008
SOUTH AFRICA is lagging far behind other countries in the adoption of sustainable green building practices.
This was revealed at a conference held at Cedar Park Hotel on 9 June, to discuss green building practices and other techniques new buildings should embrace.
Speaking at the conference, Pristine Technology Solutions' managing director, Mazuro Gundidza, said green buildings still had a long way to go in South Africa.
"South Africa lags behind Europe and the United States in that eco-friendly design is not readily available - something that will hopefully be addressed by the newly established Green Building Council (GBCSA) in South Africa."
The GBSCA will provide guidelines and a certification system for commercial green building and in the long run, also for green commercial interior design.
"Internationally, the move to green building has been described as a phenomenon and the benefits are significant. South Africa may have been slow on the uptake of the concept, but the fact remains that it is striving towards establishing green building," he said.
Green buildings conserve the Earth's natural resources through the efficient and intelligent use of energy, materials, water and the building site. One of the greatest benefits of green buildings is their reduced use of electricity and energy, which helps to cut dependence on fossil fuels.
For green building to be driven forward, it needed to be accepted by all industry stakeholders and a fundamental mind shift needed to take place, focusing on the initial capital cost of a building, Gundidza said.
"Considering South Africa's current power crisis and a possible water crisis, green building will not only save energy, but also place our country on the map of protecting resources."
The chief executive officer for the Council for the Built Environment, Bheki Zule, said green building had a pivotal role to play in South's Africa's energy crisis.
"Green building will result in the saving of energy and the reduction of emissions. This provides opportunities for other investments by the consumer and contributes to creating a more economically comfortable life for households."
David Botha, the executive director of the South Africa Institution of Civil Engineering, said changing climatic patterns had raised awareness of the need to save energy and safeguard natural resources.
"We need a rational approach to green buildings and to assess the total costs not only to the pocket but also to the environment," he said.
"It's no use having a house that runs on computers and fancy climate controls, made in Singapore or Taiwan, if these computers are costing us more in terms of environmental impact than the use of simpler methods like opening and closing a window by hand."
Rodney Milford, of the Construction Industry Development Board, said the South African government had plans to retrofit its106 000 buildings countrywide with energy efficient measures. "This process is currently under way and over 100 buildings in Tshwane, Western Cape and Free State have already been completed."
The departments of Minerals and Energy and Public Works had set an overall target for energy demand reduction of 12 percent of the projected energy consumption, to be met by 2015.
Many countries have developed their own standards of energy efficiency for buildings. The United States Green Building Council developed the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design green building rating system, which is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance buildings.
Canada has also implemented "R2000" guidelines for buildings built after the year 2000. Incentives are offered to builders to meet the R2000 standards in an effort to increase energy efficiency and promote sustainability.
The Standards and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia also promotes green building techniques, while the UK Building Regulations set requirements for insulation levels and other aspects of sustainability in building construction.
Source: Joburg.org.za
What Is a Carbon Footprint?
What is a 'carbon footprint'?
A carbon footprint is a calculation of the greenhouse gas emissions associated with a specific activity - such as flying or driving - or for an individual, business or organisation. Climate Friendly's calculators are internationally recognised as some of the most credible and in-depth available. Individuals can use our calculators for energy, flight and car emissions on our website and we work with business customers on footprint calculations as part of their overall climate change strategy. We qualify Climate Neutral™ status as including all emissions associated with energy use, flights and car transport. Many of our business customers choose to include additional emissions areas such as waste, paper use and employee travel, which we call "Climate Neutral Plus™".
A carbon footprint is a calculation of the greenhouse gas emissions associated with a specific activity - such as flying or driving - or for an individual, business or organisation. Climate Friendly's calculators are internationally recognised as some of the most credible and in-depth available. Individuals can use our calculators for energy, flight and car emissions on our website and we work with business customers on footprint calculations as part of their overall climate change strategy. We qualify Climate Neutral™ status as including all emissions associated with energy use, flights and car transport. Many of our business customers choose to include additional emissions areas such as waste, paper use and employee travel, which we call "Climate Neutral Plus™".
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Green Energy and Carbon Credits
the business of climate change
Going Climate Neutral is a simple, affordable and visible way for businesses to cut their greenhouse emissions. By neutralising the carbon emissions from the day to day running of your business, your corporate sustainability record will be grounded in real and measurable positive change.
Using our calculators and safe online payment system, your business can easily neutralise the carbon emissions from car travel, air travel, and your office electricity use. You can also offset single events, such as conferences or meetings that involve significant amounts of travel or power usage.
Businesses who wish also to neutralise their freight, paper use and taxi use should contact us for a carbon footprint and quote.
Climate Friendly also offers business gift packages for Christmas, employee or any gift occasion so that you can give the gift of Climate Neutral.
Larger businesses, or businesses with complex car and air travel data (such as large car fleets or a large number of flights to multiple destinations) should also contact us for assistance.
Many businesses already have processes to reduce their carbon emissions - switching off lights and computers after hours, for example. But you can become a climate leader by supporting the switch to a renewable energy economy, a long-term solution to global warming.
When you buy renewable energy credits through Climate Friendly, you are putting renewable energy back into the power grid to replace the energy from fossil fuels that your business has used. Your money goes only to new and accredited renewable energy projects, such as wind farms, which creates further demand for renewable energy products.
This three-fold approach is the basis of our philosophy: Reduce, Renew and Neutralise.
See our 20 tips for reducing your energy consumption below.
Climate Friendly Tips - 20 things your business can do to help the planet
No matter how big or small your business, you can take steps to reduce your energy emissions.
Do an energy and/or environmental audit - Understand the impact your company is having on the environment by auditing your energy use, emissions, waste and other environmental impacts. Once you know, develop a strategy to reduce these impacts over time. Climate Friendly can help, see https://climatefriendly.com/business for more information.
Buy renewable energy/GreenPower - Countries like Australia, Germany and the US offer energy for consumers from renewable sources only such as solar, wind and geothermal energy. If you have the opportunity, make the switch and you can save an average of 7 tonnes of emissions a year. For information see Climate Friendly’s renewable energy offer at www.climatefriendly.com/electricity, ask your energy retailer or, in Australia, see www.greenpower.com.au.
Green your event - When holding conferences and other large events do what you can to reduce its environmental impact buying locally, choosing energy-efficient and environmentally aware venues, purchasing renewable energy/GreenPower and offsetting remaining emissions.
Open the windows, turn off the air con - Air conditioning is one of the biggest users of electricity in the summer and a great contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. When appropriate, turn of the air con and open the windows for some fresh air. For enclosed spaces, switch your air conditioner to economy cycle, which lowers energy use and makes the most of the fresh air.
Shade your office - Install awnings or shading over windows and walls exposed to the sun. This will help keep the heat out, the air conditioners off and the power bill low.
Change your light bulbs - A switch from conventional light bulbs to energy efficient compact fluorescents can be one of the most effective things your business can do to reduce emissions and stop global warming and it saves you money.
Turn off lights - It sounds simple but turning off the lights when leaving the office can make a big difference to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Timers are an effective way of ensuring light are not left on after hours and motion sensors can be installed so lights are on only when needed.
Look at your layout - Moving office furniture to maximise the use natural sunlight from windows means less electricity use, lower costs and nicer views.
Think about your hot water - How much hot water is really necessary in your office space? Leaving tea urns and water boilers on all day in your office kitchen uses a lot of energy, up to 90% of which can be wasted. For small offices a quick boil kettle may be all you need. If larger urns and water boilers are necessary, switch them off at the end of the day and look into getting energy efficient, insulated models.
Switch to solar hot water or gas heating - This can save as much as two to three tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year and greatly reduce energy costs.
Make conference or Skype calls instead of trips - Set a company policy that makes international trips a rarity rather than a regular thing and make the most of your communication options such as conference, video or Skype calls. Fewer flights mean less travel time and savings of up to 10 tonnes of emissions per international trip. If you need to fly, consider offsetting the emissions at www.climatefriendly.com/flight.
Encourage or financially support your employees to use public transport - Cars contribute 41.7 million tonnes of Australia's overall carbon dioxide emissions and similar amounts in other countries. Encourage your employees to use public transport or financially support them by using a voucher or annual train, bus or ferry scheme.
Install bike racks and showers - Help your healthy-minded employees reduce their carbon emissions and get fit by providing safe bike lock up areas and showers for cyclists, walkers and runners.
Work from home, save the trip - Even a day at home a month can make a difference to reducing transport emissions. Where appropriate, allow your employees to work from home occasionally.
Buy efficiency - When buying high energy using equipment such as computers, copy machines, fleet cars, etc. look for or ask for the energy ratings and choose the best energy-saving option accordingly - saves you money and the earth.
Look at laptops - Next time you're replacing office computers, remember that laptops and notebooks use up to 90% less energy. If LCD screens are too small when connected to an energy efficient monitor, they still only use around half the energy of a normal desktop computer.
Maintain your equipment - Regularly check air conditioning vents, pipes and filters and maintain office equipment to ensure it is operating efficiently. Regular maintenance prevents leaks and wasted energy and ensures you get the best out of expensive equipment.
Buy recycled - Buying used or recycled office furniture and materials such as paper, means less energy use, emissions and pollution. Recycle as much of your office waste and unwanted goods as possible.
Switch off standby and turn off monitors - Leaving computers, printers and photocopiers on stand-by can account for much of your office's energy use, and therefore emissions and costs. Turn off computers and other equipment off at source at the end of the day and when not in use. Install timers on monitors and other equipment to ensure they are off when not in use. So simple, so effective.
Install waterless urinals - Every year, billions of litres of fresh drinking water are wasted in urinals flushing. Waterless urinals use absolutely no water while meeting the highest hygienic standards. So make the switch, save your water bill and the environment.
For more information:
Energy Saver, US Dept. of Energy: www.energysavers.gov
Energy Star, US: www.energystar.gov
The Green Building Council, US, UK, Australia, etc.: www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CategoryID=19 www.gbcaus.org
National Energy Foundation, UK: www.nef.org.uk/energyadvice/savingenergy.htm
SDGE, US: www.sdge.com/business/ee_tips.shtml
Mercury Energy, New Zealand: www.mercury.co.nz/Business/savepower_computers.aspx
UK Net Guide - Saving Energy in the Workplace: www.uknetguide.co.uk/Business/Article/Saving_Energy_In_The_Workplace.html
City of San Jose, US: www.sanjoseca.gov/esd/natural-energy-resources/ER-Tips-office.htm
Going Climate Neutral is a simple, affordable and visible way for businesses to cut their greenhouse emissions. By neutralising the carbon emissions from the day to day running of your business, your corporate sustainability record will be grounded in real and measurable positive change.
Using our calculators and safe online payment system, your business can easily neutralise the carbon emissions from car travel, air travel, and your office electricity use. You can also offset single events, such as conferences or meetings that involve significant amounts of travel or power usage.
Businesses who wish also to neutralise their freight, paper use and taxi use should contact us for a carbon footprint and quote.
Climate Friendly also offers business gift packages for Christmas, employee or any gift occasion so that you can give the gift of Climate Neutral.
Larger businesses, or businesses with complex car and air travel data (such as large car fleets or a large number of flights to multiple destinations) should also contact us for assistance.
Many businesses already have processes to reduce their carbon emissions - switching off lights and computers after hours, for example. But you can become a climate leader by supporting the switch to a renewable energy economy, a long-term solution to global warming.
When you buy renewable energy credits through Climate Friendly, you are putting renewable energy back into the power grid to replace the energy from fossil fuels that your business has used. Your money goes only to new and accredited renewable energy projects, such as wind farms, which creates further demand for renewable energy products.
This three-fold approach is the basis of our philosophy: Reduce, Renew and Neutralise.
See our 20 tips for reducing your energy consumption below.
Climate Friendly Tips - 20 things your business can do to help the planet
No matter how big or small your business, you can take steps to reduce your energy emissions.
Do an energy and/or environmental audit - Understand the impact your company is having on the environment by auditing your energy use, emissions, waste and other environmental impacts. Once you know, develop a strategy to reduce these impacts over time. Climate Friendly can help, see https://climatefriendly.com/business for more information.
Buy renewable energy/GreenPower - Countries like Australia, Germany and the US offer energy for consumers from renewable sources only such as solar, wind and geothermal energy. If you have the opportunity, make the switch and you can save an average of 7 tonnes of emissions a year. For information see Climate Friendly’s renewable energy offer at www.climatefriendly.com/electricity, ask your energy retailer or, in Australia, see www.greenpower.com.au.
Green your event - When holding conferences and other large events do what you can to reduce its environmental impact buying locally, choosing energy-efficient and environmentally aware venues, purchasing renewable energy/GreenPower and offsetting remaining emissions.
Open the windows, turn off the air con - Air conditioning is one of the biggest users of electricity in the summer and a great contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. When appropriate, turn of the air con and open the windows for some fresh air. For enclosed spaces, switch your air conditioner to economy cycle, which lowers energy use and makes the most of the fresh air.
Shade your office - Install awnings or shading over windows and walls exposed to the sun. This will help keep the heat out, the air conditioners off and the power bill low.
Change your light bulbs - A switch from conventional light bulbs to energy efficient compact fluorescents can be one of the most effective things your business can do to reduce emissions and stop global warming and it saves you money.
Turn off lights - It sounds simple but turning off the lights when leaving the office can make a big difference to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Timers are an effective way of ensuring light are not left on after hours and motion sensors can be installed so lights are on only when needed.
Look at your layout - Moving office furniture to maximise the use natural sunlight from windows means less electricity use, lower costs and nicer views.
Think about your hot water - How much hot water is really necessary in your office space? Leaving tea urns and water boilers on all day in your office kitchen uses a lot of energy, up to 90% of which can be wasted. For small offices a quick boil kettle may be all you need. If larger urns and water boilers are necessary, switch them off at the end of the day and look into getting energy efficient, insulated models.
Switch to solar hot water or gas heating - This can save as much as two to three tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year and greatly reduce energy costs.
Make conference or Skype calls instead of trips - Set a company policy that makes international trips a rarity rather than a regular thing and make the most of your communication options such as conference, video or Skype calls. Fewer flights mean less travel time and savings of up to 10 tonnes of emissions per international trip. If you need to fly, consider offsetting the emissions at www.climatefriendly.com/flight.
Encourage or financially support your employees to use public transport - Cars contribute 41.7 million tonnes of Australia's overall carbon dioxide emissions and similar amounts in other countries. Encourage your employees to use public transport or financially support them by using a voucher or annual train, bus or ferry scheme.
Install bike racks and showers - Help your healthy-minded employees reduce their carbon emissions and get fit by providing safe bike lock up areas and showers for cyclists, walkers and runners.
Work from home, save the trip - Even a day at home a month can make a difference to reducing transport emissions. Where appropriate, allow your employees to work from home occasionally.
Buy efficiency - When buying high energy using equipment such as computers, copy machines, fleet cars, etc. look for or ask for the energy ratings and choose the best energy-saving option accordingly - saves you money and the earth.
Look at laptops - Next time you're replacing office computers, remember that laptops and notebooks use up to 90% less energy. If LCD screens are too small when connected to an energy efficient monitor, they still only use around half the energy of a normal desktop computer.
Maintain your equipment - Regularly check air conditioning vents, pipes and filters and maintain office equipment to ensure it is operating efficiently. Regular maintenance prevents leaks and wasted energy and ensures you get the best out of expensive equipment.
Buy recycled - Buying used or recycled office furniture and materials such as paper, means less energy use, emissions and pollution. Recycle as much of your office waste and unwanted goods as possible.
Switch off standby and turn off monitors - Leaving computers, printers and photocopiers on stand-by can account for much of your office's energy use, and therefore emissions and costs. Turn off computers and other equipment off at source at the end of the day and when not in use. Install timers on monitors and other equipment to ensure they are off when not in use. So simple, so effective.
Install waterless urinals - Every year, billions of litres of fresh drinking water are wasted in urinals flushing. Waterless urinals use absolutely no water while meeting the highest hygienic standards. So make the switch, save your water bill and the environment.
For more information:
Energy Saver, US Dept. of Energy: www.energysavers.gov
Energy Star, US: www.energystar.gov
The Green Building Council, US, UK, Australia, etc.: www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CategoryID=19 www.gbcaus.org
National Energy Foundation, UK: www.nef.org.uk/energyadvice/savingenergy.htm
SDGE, US: www.sdge.com/business/ee_tips.shtml
Mercury Energy, New Zealand: www.mercury.co.nz/Business/savepower_computers.aspx
UK Net Guide - Saving Energy in the Workplace: www.uknetguide.co.uk/Business/Article/Saving_Energy_In_The_Workplace.html
City of San Jose, US: www.sanjoseca.gov/esd/natural-energy-resources/ER-Tips-office.htm
Friday, August 8, 2008
Green Power
Green Power Providers
The rise in the availability of power from green sources has been astronomic. The demand currently outstrips supply giving huge confidence to renewable energy providers to invest in massive projects. Just recently it was announced that a huge windfarm is to be established offshore and provide London with up to a quarter of its power. This sort of scheme was unthinkable only a few years ago.
What’s more, it is a truly global phenomenon. Every part of the developed world wants green power and they don’t mind paying for it as its price rapidly approaches the price of power generated by conventional means.Initially, green power was sold by fledgling power companies and environmental bodies. The RSPB for example, a bird conservancy group from the UK, sold power from renewable sources to the energy conscious and were swamped with demand. Other companies saw how popular this new energy was proving to be and jumped on the bandwagon. The same pattern was evident in other nations and the scale of alternative energy production grew enormously.
RENEWABLE ENERGY CERTIFICATESWhat has now emerged is a system of giving credits to energy produced from renewable resources. They are called Renewable Energy Certificates. The certificate says that the owner holds access to any number of MW of alternative power and these certificates are bought and sold. Certificates emerged because clarification was needed on who held which power and how much. The end user can now be sure that the power they are using comes from a renewable resource and that they are not using power that may have been ‘sold’ to somebody else. According to the US system there are different grades of green power and they also use Renewable Energy Certificates called ‘green tags’
The rise in the availability of power from green sources has been astronomic. The demand currently outstrips supply giving huge confidence to renewable energy providers to invest in massive projects. Just recently it was announced that a huge windfarm is to be established offshore and provide London with up to a quarter of its power. This sort of scheme was unthinkable only a few years ago.
What’s more, it is a truly global phenomenon. Every part of the developed world wants green power and they don’t mind paying for it as its price rapidly approaches the price of power generated by conventional means.Initially, green power was sold by fledgling power companies and environmental bodies. The RSPB for example, a bird conservancy group from the UK, sold power from renewable sources to the energy conscious and were swamped with demand. Other companies saw how popular this new energy was proving to be and jumped on the bandwagon. The same pattern was evident in other nations and the scale of alternative energy production grew enormously.
RENEWABLE ENERGY CERTIFICATESWhat has now emerged is a system of giving credits to energy produced from renewable resources. They are called Renewable Energy Certificates. The certificate says that the owner holds access to any number of MW of alternative power and these certificates are bought and sold. Certificates emerged because clarification was needed on who held which power and how much. The end user can now be sure that the power they are using comes from a renewable resource and that they are not using power that may have been ‘sold’ to somebody else. According to the US system there are different grades of green power and they also use Renewable Energy Certificates called ‘green tags’
Renewable energy
Christopher Flavin, president of US-based think-tank Worldwatch, says the "action" on renewable energy is happening "at the national and state levels and in private industry where business is booming - 38 billion US dollars of investment in renewables in 2005, according to our estimate."
WindMany experts see wind power as the renewable source of energy with the greatest potential for growth and investment. Government and investor interest has increased significantly as wind has evolved into a more cost-effective mode of producing electricity. The Global Wind Energy Council reports that in 2005 alone, the total number of wind-produced megawatts (MW) produced on the global market increased by over 40 percent.
The wind sector stands to grow by leaps and bounds if global reliance on renewable energy continues its upward trajectory. Germany, currently a global leader in wind power production and consumption, produced roughly 26.5 billion kilowatt hours (kWh) of wind-generated electricity - the most of any form of renewable. This figure could dramatically increase in the coming years if the German government stays committed to reaching its goal of 20-25 percent reliance on renewables by 2010.
And that is only in Germany. Other countries, including Spain, India, and China are also embracing wind power on a large scale. Recognizing the opportunities of wind energy, industrial and financial giants, such as the Allianz Group, which made its first investment in a wind farm project in Sicily, Italy, in December 2005. Wind will play a central role in Allianz's plans to invest 300 to 500 million euros in renewables over the next five years.
WindMany experts see wind power as the renewable source of energy with the greatest potential for growth and investment. Government and investor interest has increased significantly as wind has evolved into a more cost-effective mode of producing electricity. The Global Wind Energy Council reports that in 2005 alone, the total number of wind-produced megawatts (MW) produced on the global market increased by over 40 percent.
The wind sector stands to grow by leaps and bounds if global reliance on renewable energy continues its upward trajectory. Germany, currently a global leader in wind power production and consumption, produced roughly 26.5 billion kilowatt hours (kWh) of wind-generated electricity - the most of any form of renewable. This figure could dramatically increase in the coming years if the German government stays committed to reaching its goal of 20-25 percent reliance on renewables by 2010.
And that is only in Germany. Other countries, including Spain, India, and China are also embracing wind power on a large scale. Recognizing the opportunities of wind energy, industrial and financial giants, such as the Allianz Group, which made its first investment in a wind farm project in Sicily, Italy, in December 2005. Wind will play a central role in Allianz's plans to invest 300 to 500 million euros in renewables over the next five years.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Energy Management and Carbon Credits
Stephen Collinson
Washington - Barack Obama on Monday branded John McCain a stooge of profit-soaked US oil giants, as the White House rivals duelled on high gasoline prices and energy policy exactly three months from election day.
Celebrating his 47th birthday, the Democrat launched a stinging counter-attack after the Republican McCain had last week cast him as a vacuous celebrity unfit to lead at a time of gathering crisis.
Unveiling a new energy plan, Obama promised a 10-year, $150bn drive to cut US "addiction" to oil from global hotspots like the Middle East and Venezuela.
"Breaking our oil addiction is one of the greatest challenges our generation will ever face," Obama said in Michigan, the general election battleground state which is home to the crippled US auto industry.
"It will take nothing less than a complete transformation of our economy."
The Illinois senator proposed a windfall tax on big oil firms to bankroll a $1 000 per family rebate to help defray soaring energy costs.
After McCain's media onslaught of last week, Obama also hit back with his own new advertisement claiming the Arizona senator was "in the pocket" of oil firms basking in record profits.
"After one president in the pocket of big oil ... we can't afford another," the ad said, in a reference to President George W Bush, a former oil executive.
Big Oil's most successful speculating...
Obama campaign spokesperson Hari Sevugan said: "As it turns out, Big Oil's most successful speculating wasn't in the oil fields, it was in Washington where they invested millions in John McCain and got their money's worth."
Obama's plan calls for an expanded use of "clean coal", solar energy, windpower, the development of new biofuels, cuts in consumption, and the creation of five million new jobs in the "green energy" sector.
But McCain argued the ambitious blueprint would fail without an immediate expansion in offshore oil and gas prospecting, and a new generation of nuclear power plants.
"Anybody who says that we can achieve energy independence without using and increasing these existing energy resources either doesn't have the experience to understand the challenge we face or isn't giving the American people some straight talk," he told reporters in Pennsylvania.
McCain's campaign meanwhile denied the senator had taken "Big Oil" donations, and accused Obama of trawling for contributions himself from oil industry employees.
"Barack Obama's latest negative attack ad shows his celebrity is matched only by his hypocrisy," McCain's spokesperson Tucker Bounds said in a statement.
Republicans also pounced on Obama's call on Monday on the US government to sell 70 million barrels of oil from the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve in a bid to lower prices, pointing out that he had opposed such a plan a month ago.
Obama's foes also accused him of backtracking for political gain on the question of expanding offshore drilling, which he opposes but now says he would accept if it would ease political deadlock over sweeping energy reforms.
Obama energy plan 'is shallow'
Republicans also mocked Obama by delivering tyre gauges to reporters, highlighting the Democrat's comment that drivers could save gas by properly inflating tyres, which McCain claims is proof the Obama energy plan is shallow.
However, the Obama campaign noted that the US Department of Energy and the NASCAR auto racing series tell drivers to keep tyres inflated to improve gas mileage.
Obama's assault on McCain coincided with a new Rasmussen daily tracking poll showing the two rivals locked in a tie - 44% each, ahead of the general election on November 4.
When undecided voters who were "leaning" to one candidate or the other were included, McCain led by 47 to 46%, the first time he had posted an advantage since Obama secured the Democratic nomination in June.
The latest Gallup daily tracking poll on Monday had Obama up by three points, 46 to 43, after his lead dipped to just one point late last week.
After he returned from a triumphant tour of Europe just over a week ago, Obama had led the Gallup poll by nine points.
But there was encouraging data for Obama in another survey published by the Washington Post, which showed him leading McCain 47% to 37 among low-wage white workers, a constituency he has struggled to attract.
Washington - Barack Obama on Monday branded John McCain a stooge of profit-soaked US oil giants, as the White House rivals duelled on high gasoline prices and energy policy exactly three months from election day.
Celebrating his 47th birthday, the Democrat launched a stinging counter-attack after the Republican McCain had last week cast him as a vacuous celebrity unfit to lead at a time of gathering crisis.
Unveiling a new energy plan, Obama promised a 10-year, $150bn drive to cut US "addiction" to oil from global hotspots like the Middle East and Venezuela.
"Breaking our oil addiction is one of the greatest challenges our generation will ever face," Obama said in Michigan, the general election battleground state which is home to the crippled US auto industry.
"It will take nothing less than a complete transformation of our economy."
The Illinois senator proposed a windfall tax on big oil firms to bankroll a $1 000 per family rebate to help defray soaring energy costs.
After McCain's media onslaught of last week, Obama also hit back with his own new advertisement claiming the Arizona senator was "in the pocket" of oil firms basking in record profits.
"After one president in the pocket of big oil ... we can't afford another," the ad said, in a reference to President George W Bush, a former oil executive.
Big Oil's most successful speculating...
Obama campaign spokesperson Hari Sevugan said: "As it turns out, Big Oil's most successful speculating wasn't in the oil fields, it was in Washington where they invested millions in John McCain and got their money's worth."
Obama's plan calls for an expanded use of "clean coal", solar energy, windpower, the development of new biofuels, cuts in consumption, and the creation of five million new jobs in the "green energy" sector.
But McCain argued the ambitious blueprint would fail without an immediate expansion in offshore oil and gas prospecting, and a new generation of nuclear power plants.
"Anybody who says that we can achieve energy independence without using and increasing these existing energy resources either doesn't have the experience to understand the challenge we face or isn't giving the American people some straight talk," he told reporters in Pennsylvania.
McCain's campaign meanwhile denied the senator had taken "Big Oil" donations, and accused Obama of trawling for contributions himself from oil industry employees.
"Barack Obama's latest negative attack ad shows his celebrity is matched only by his hypocrisy," McCain's spokesperson Tucker Bounds said in a statement.
Republicans also pounced on Obama's call on Monday on the US government to sell 70 million barrels of oil from the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve in a bid to lower prices, pointing out that he had opposed such a plan a month ago.
Obama's foes also accused him of backtracking for political gain on the question of expanding offshore drilling, which he opposes but now says he would accept if it would ease political deadlock over sweeping energy reforms.
Obama energy plan 'is shallow'
Republicans also mocked Obama by delivering tyre gauges to reporters, highlighting the Democrat's comment that drivers could save gas by properly inflating tyres, which McCain claims is proof the Obama energy plan is shallow.
However, the Obama campaign noted that the US Department of Energy and the NASCAR auto racing series tell drivers to keep tyres inflated to improve gas mileage.
Obama's assault on McCain coincided with a new Rasmussen daily tracking poll showing the two rivals locked in a tie - 44% each, ahead of the general election on November 4.
When undecided voters who were "leaning" to one candidate or the other were included, McCain led by 47 to 46%, the first time he had posted an advantage since Obama secured the Democratic nomination in June.
The latest Gallup daily tracking poll on Monday had Obama up by three points, 46 to 43, after his lead dipped to just one point late last week.
After he returned from a triumphant tour of Europe just over a week ago, Obama had led the Gallup poll by nine points.
But there was encouraging data for Obama in another survey published by the Washington Post, which showed him leading McCain 47% to 37 among low-wage white workers, a constituency he has struggled to attract.
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