| Newsletter 9 | December 2009 |
The Implications of Copenhagen
Written by: Nick Rowley and Matthew Sander of Kinesis
Introduction
At Copenhagen this December, representatives of the 192 countries which are party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will meet to negotiate the elements of an international climate agreement to take effect after the Kyoto Protocol's first commitment period ends in 2012.
Expectations for this meeting are high. Lord Nicholas Stern has described the meeting as the most important gathering since the Second World War. Global campaigns such as TckTckTck, 350.org and the UN's own Seal the Deal campaign are attempting to mobilise public interest to pressure world leaders to achieve a fair and effective outcome.
Although various lead up meetings have taken place this year, the outcome at Copenhagen remains uncertain. It is unclear, even whether heads of state will attend. This article outlines some of the key points that will be negotiated at Copenhagen, the implications for Australia and what a successful outcome would entail.
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Victorian business calls for smarter energy as fundamental to sustainability
Written by CIN member: Bridget Ryan of VECCI
Victorian business calls for smarter energy as fundamental to sustainability
VECCI - Victoria's oldest business organisation - released a Sustainability Report on 17 November as part of the 2009 Victoria Summit.
Focussing on the most pressing issues in sustainability, the Report emphasises energy and energy investment as the major underlying themes to sustainability, and most vital component of a comprehensive response to climate change.
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How can your business benefit from the Renewable Energy Target?
Written by: Beth Mclachlan of EPA Victoria
This article follows the 'Introduction to the Renewable Energy Target' article in the previous edition of Carbon Matters. While the previous article discussed the implications of the legislation on those organizations purchasing electricity, this article discusses the implications for businesses producing, or considering producing, renewable energy onsite.
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Carbon Management: Switch
Written by: Mae Ercolani of EPA Victoria
Over the past few editions of Carbon Matters we have included a regular article about applying the EPA Carbon Management Principles to business. This article focuses on the fifth Carbon Management Principle: switch.
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An example of "Switch" in action - Pro Green
Written by CIN member: Peter Monostory of Westlink Resources
Pro Green is a company whose goal is to help reduce Australia's environmental footprint by making biodiesel readily available to everyone. After years of research and development into engine performance, efficiency and emission reduction, which was originally initiated by the parent engineering company Westlink Resources, Pro Green was founded to continue these previous studies and to research advances in biodiesel from around the world.
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Pulp Fiction or Global Solution?
Written by CIN member: Alf Wheeler of Zeo International
Martin Ernegg, a bio-mimicry expert that has reverse-engineered the way nature builds trees, has partnered with Alf Wheeler, a successful entrepreneur in the global raw materials business, to commercialise a revolutionary eco-friendly raw material. Their company is called ZEO and the new material is called Zeoform.
They aim to create and lead an eco-friendly industry by transforming waste paper into a super-strong, lightweight, mouldable material suitable for a diverse mix of mass-market products - from computer cases to airline interiors - with an initial focus on sustainable automotive, furniture and commercial construction markets.
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CIN Member Interview: Richard Strauch of Boral Limited
The Carbon Innovators Network (CIN) Member Interview is a regular article which profiles a CIN member and asks them to respond to questions relating to their personal and professional experiences in sustainability.
In this issue, Carbon Matters introduces CIN member Richard Strauch. You can find Richard on the member directory.
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Carbon Alert
Carbon Alert is a round-up of resources, initiatives, events and publications from around the world.
Visit Carbon Alert for the following topics:
- Climate Change Policy and Legislation
- Carbon Management and Accounting
- International Climate Change News
- Energy, Technology and Renewables
IN THIS ISSUE:
CARBON INNOVATORS NETWORK
If you have stories to contribute to this newsletter that profile innovative actions in carbon management, we would love to hear them. Please email us at carbon.innovators@epa.vic.gov.au
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