Reporting the transition to low carbon – lets have some balance

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In recent weeks there has been a raft of research findings and reports belittling and rubbishing Scotland’s attempts to move beyond our reliance on fossil fuels. “Targets unachievable”, “payments to stop producing energy”,” having to switch off wind turbines in the storm force winds of 8th Dec” have been used to undermine the development of a more sustainable and low carbon renewable energy supply. Not often do you hear comment about the vagaries of our traditional high carbon fossil fuel use. 

Well have a look at this for a touch of fossil fuel reality.  According to this Bloomberg article oil prices have risen by nearly 3% because of rumours Iran would like to hold military manoeuvres which may have an impact on a main shipping channel. Iran has denied these rumours.

So future oil prices in January will be higher because of a rumour in the west that a Middle East country may undertake some activity, which it has denied it will do. Will we see research reports, think tank findings or organisation announcements about our traditional high carbon energy supply subjected to such price and supply uncertainty? Don’t hold your breath.

Petrol at £1.60 a litre – now there is a low carbon alternative

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At the end of the first week of October, the price of unleaded petrol soared past £1.60 a litre in some parts of the Western Isles. If ever there was an example of the transition we need to make to a low carbon fuelled future this is it. Here we are in the depths of an economic slowdown where fossil fuel and energy demand in theory should be low, yet we face ever increasing costs to sustain our fossil fuel addicted way of life. Imagine the impact of petrol at £7.20 a gallon where there is often very little public transport alternative.

Well a possible solution and a breath of fresh air is the work being undertaken by the charity Zero Carbon World. By donating charging stations, their aim is to demonstrate how easy it is to switch over to electric vehicles. A local transport initiative in Fife has seen the launch of one of the greenest vehicles in the UK. A vehicle is powered from a charging point where a 750kW wind turbine feeds not only the local national grid but also a hydrogen-producing electrolysis plant. This hydrogen is stored in a large tank on site and can be fed back through a fuel cell to provide power for a local Hydrogen Office for up to two weeks without any wind. This means that the electric van will be charged directly from 100% wind power, regardless of the weather, and is believed to be the first in the UK to do so. By charging from wind power at night, when the national demand for electricity is lower, it is also a demonstration of how intermittent renewables can be integrated onto the grid, with peaks in green energy production put to good use.

So while we are reflecting on welcome announcements of record investment in oil extraction activity in Scottish waters, let’s not lose sight of the current economic, social and environmental cost of our reliance on fossil fuels and hold back on supporting projects that offer a viable low carbon alternative.

Multinationals threaten to axe firms that fail to cut carbon

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This was the strapline from an e-bulletin I received today. The article discusses the findings from recent research of 100 multinational companies with two in every five taking steps to reduce the carbon output of their supply chain. Seven out of ten respondents said they buy key products from low carbon suppliers. More interestingly just over half said that suppliers were likely to lose contracts if their performance in cutting carbon emissions was not up to scratch.

Interesting to now see carbon measurement and reporting working vertically up supply chains. With supermarkets also keen to engage suppliers who have reduced their carbon footprint, there is a clear message for businesses to engage with emissions reduction.

For businesses, emissions reduction means 2 steps: 

-          Measure your carbon footprint. Sure this can be done for free with an online calculator but is it accurate and does it meet the standards your customers may ask for?

-          Establish a carbon management plan. This provides the structure for your carbon emissions reduction. This needn’t be a large document, the main requirements is it indicates where emissions can be reduced and how this will be delivered.

At Practically Green we are involved in a range of carbon footprint projects with a number of clients and would be happy to discuss how we can help you engage with these 2 steps.

Government’s Economic Strategy – The Future is Low Carbon

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The Scottish Government today published its refreshed Economic Strategy. Originally published in 2007, this document signals how the Government and public sector will co-ordinate activity to help sustain and improve Scotland’s economy. 

The original strategy focused actions on a set of strategic priorities: Supportive Business Environment; Learning, Skills and Well-being; Infrastructure Development and Place; Effective Government; and Equity. The latest revision sees the introduction of a new priority – Transition to a Low Carbon Economy.

The country’s low carbon market was valued at £8.5 bn in 2007/08 and is expected to have grown by 50% by 2015/16. With the right incentives and leadership, the low carbon sector is forecast to support 130,000 jobs by 2020. The Strategy acknowledges an emerging sector – Low Carbon Environmental Goods and Services sector.

While each day seems to bring more negative media comment on the economy, finances, trade etc, it is great to see a sector of the economy that has so much growth potential. Whether driven by the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce our impact on climate change or provide a buffer from increasingly expensive and non renewable fossil fuels, it is clear low carbon is going to be one of the success stories of the coming decade.

How will your organisation or area of operations engage with this agenda and be part of the success story?

Hotel industry moves to standardise carbon reporting efforts

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Many of the world’s largest hotel chains have announced they will take part in a major new initiative designed to deliver carbon footprinting and reporting standards for the global hospitality industry. Hilton Worldwide, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, InterContinental Hotels Group, Marriott International, MGM Resorts International, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts and Premier Inn – Whitbread Group are among those to form a new Carbon Measurement Working Group

The working group has been tasked with establishing a consensus on how to calculate and report on carbon emissions as part of an initiative to ensure that customers and investors can compare hotel carbon emissions on a like-for-like basis.

Practically Green has an extensive portfolio of carbon footprint activity. There are 2 common ways of articulating carbon footprint results. Both approaches have their advantages and disadvantages. One is an absolute figure, for example reducing the total footprint by 3% over the coming year. The other is an intensity figure where the footprint is measured against a business activity indicator.

The Scandic hotel group for example uses a carbon footprint figure per person bed night to provide a standard comparator. This recognises the business’ carbon footprint will increase if occupancy levels increase. It provides a consistent measure for the business to monitor the impact of energy and operational improvements. And it allows corporate customers and event organisers to identify the carbon consequences of their business activity. These can then be reported to their investors, stakeholders and customers.