Businesses & Stars Urged To Join Tck Tck Tck Campaign
The following is a press release from the Department of Energy & Climate Change concerning the tck tck tck climate change campaign.
21 Sept 2009 – Press Release – Britain’s ‘Top 100s’ called to back global climate campaign
Britain’s top 100 business leaders and top 100 media personalities are today asked to put their efforts and influence behind the global ‘tck tck tck’ climate change campaign.
With just under 80 days to go before crunch climate change talks in Copenhagen, British Cabinet Ministers Ed Miliband, Lord Mandelson and Ben Bradshaw have pledged their support to the campaign and written to Britain’s business and media leaders, and all MPs, asking them to back a global deal at December’s Copenhagen climate summit.
The ‘tck tck tck’ campaign is a global alliance of NGOs, trade unions, faith groups calling for a fair, ambitious and binding climate change agreement.
Kofi Annan, ex-Secretary General of the United Nations and leader of the campaign, recently wrote to 100 global leaders, including Prime Minister Gordon Brown, to ask them to join the campaign for an ambitious global climate deal.
Just as he wrote to the global ‘top 100’, the UK Government is now passing on the message to the top 100 leaders in British business and media and is sending on a ‘tck tck tck’ badge as the symbol of the global campaign. The letter asks business and media leaders to write to their own ‘top 100’ telling them why they personally believe in tackling climate change, send them a badge and ask them to pass on the message to their own ‘top 100’.
Ed Miliband, Climate and Energy Secretary, who is attending climate change meetings in New York this week, said:
“Governments have to show leadership to get the deal we need at Copenhagen. But we also need all parts of society to show it matters to them. I welcome the tck, tck, tck campaign. With all to play for, the campaign can help ramp up global pressure for the best possible climate deal in Copenhagen. I’ll be pushing at every opportunity over the coming 80 days to get a deal, but we need leaders from across the UK to lend their support too. It’s in everyone’s interests to back a deal to help make Britain a centre for green and low carbon jobs, and make our communities and homes greener.”
Lord Mandelson, Business Secretary, said:
“Britain’s world-class businesses are global leaders in low carbon manufacturing. The tck tck tck campaign is an excellent catalyst for galvanising support from the sector and leading the way towards a low carbon economy.”
Ben Bradshaw, Culture Secretary, said:
“A global climate deal isn’t just an issue for environmentalists but for everyone in Britain. Our media sector is often at the forefront of global change and innovation and because of its almost unparalleled influence both here and overseas I hope it can pledge its support to the tck tck tck climate campaign.“
Richard Lambert, CBI Director-General, who co-authored the letter to businesses, said:
“Business is looking to the Copenhagen talks to deliver a robust global agreement that gives companies confidence to make long-term investments in low-carbon products, while remaining internationally competitive.
“If we can get the right deal, then companies will grasp the nettle by developing exciting new technologies that will reduce carbon emissions for both the developed and developing world.”
The following leaders have already voiced their support for the campaign:
Sir Stuart Rose, Executive Chairman of Marks & Spencer, said:
“We are supporting tck tck tck and will be encouraging our suppliers and employees to do so as well. Copenhagen is a unique and crucial opportunity to make a difference in reducing the world’s carbon emissions. Failure to take that opportunity is, in my opinion, not an option.
“Climate change is a key element of our Plan A eco-programme with 29 of the plan’s 100 commitments focusing on reducing our own emissions and helping our suppliers and customers reduce theirs.”
Truett Tate, Group Executive Director, Wholesale, Lloyds Banking Group said:
“The environmental, social and economic consequences of climate change mean that we urgently need an effective global agreement in Copenhagen.
“Through such an agreement we will not only speed up the transition to a low carbon, low climate risk economy but we will also help to rekindle the confidence of businesses that is such a vital ingredient in any global recovery.
“Lloyds Banking Group is proud to be a signatory to the Copenhagen Communique and we are delighted to be supporting this new campaign working towards securing the best possible agreement at the summit in December.”
Source and more information: http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/news/pn104/pn104.aspx
Further information on the tck tck tck campaign, visit: www.tcktcktck.org
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Airlines To Join Climate Change Fight
This week sees a forum on climate change at the United Nations headquarters in New York. The forum will try to get some agreements between countries on climate change before the global warming summit in Copenhagen in December.
The British Airways chief executive, Willie Walsh is to announce at the forum that airlines and airports will agree to halve emissions from 2005 levels by 2050, reports telegraph.co.uk.
Willie Walsh will announce the pledges on behalf of the International Air Transport Association. They include reducing net carbon dioxide emissions by 50% by 2050, making all industry growth carbon-neutral by 2020, cutting carbon dioxide emissions by 1.5% over the next ten years and submitting plans for joining a global carbon trading scheme to the UN by the end of 2009.
The Guardian reports that Willie Walsh will say: “International aviation emissions were not included in the Kyoto protocol 12 years ago. Now we have a chance to rectify that omission, and we must seize it. Our proposals represent the most environmentally effective and practical means of reducing aviation’s carbon impact. They are the best option for the planet and we urge the UN to adopt them.”
It’s also believed that the forum at the United Nations will see China outline measures that they will take to combat climate change.
Source and further details: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/environment/climatechange/6216647/Airlines-to-halve-emissions-by-2050-British-Airways-boss-Willie-Walsh-to-announce.html
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Strategic Energy Technology White Paper
According to a draft European Union document – 30 cities are going to be selected to pioneer ‘smart’ electricity grids and space-proven insulation, as Europe seeks to take the lead in a global race for greener technology.
The draft white paper – the European Commission’s Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET) shows the EU’s strategy for promoting hi-tech solutions to climate change aimed at giving European businesses a head start as the world switches to low-carbon energy, and also stipulates that the windpower sector needs to shift offshore and strive to provide a fifth of EU electricity by 2020 – ahead of industry goals.
Reuters has received a copy of the SET document which is due to be released next month, and identified that billions of euros will need to be channelled into research to stop Europe falling behind United States, which is driving $777 million into energy research.
The plan is eager for between 25 to 30 “smart cities” that are highly insulated and gather energy from their waste, the sun and wind overhead before channelling it down to the electric cars, trams and buses in the streets below.
The document states that EU officials are still calculating the exact amount of funding required and how it will be split between industry and public spending, but stated:
“These Smart Cities will be the nuclei from which smart networks, a new generation of buildings and alternative transport means will develop into European wide realities”
However, there has already been a mixed reaction to the draft proposals; Environmentalists argue that it should have completely ditched coal and nuclear power, and the geothermal industry, which generates steady “baseload” power by tapping into the earth’s natural heat providing the perfect complement to fluctuating wind and solar expressed dismay that it had been ignored altogether.
Frauke Thies a Greenpeace campaigner commented that the overall message was inconsistent because money being poured into coal and nuclear would only prolong Europe’s unhealthy dependence on an inflexible, centralised energy network.
To read in full;
http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSTRE58F1JW20090916?feedType=RSS&feedName=environmentNews&pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=10522
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EU and US Negotiations not good
The European Union and Barack Obama’s administration have clashed over climate change negotiations and now there is fear that talks to regulate greenhouse gases are going to break down, reports power-technology.com – this comes as both sides disagree about the way national carbon reduction targets will be counted.
Europe wants to retain systems already set up under the current Kyoto Protocol – the international agreement linked to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, but America is hoping to replace it with a system of its own, it is advised.
Promoting change, the US is aiming for a process by which each country sets its own emissions rules and subsequently decides how to meet individual targets rather than relying on an international system, however, Europe who appear reluctant to publicly criticise the Obama administration are supposedly worried that America’s reluctance could derail the Copenhagen climate summit in December, when Environment ministers and officials are meeting to thrash out global deals on climate change.
Source article;
http://www.power-technology.com/news/news64573.html?WT.mc_id=DN_News&mxmroi=14002247/2114664/false
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Renewable Energy Will Create Millions Of Jobs
It’s reported that the renewable energy industry could create 2.7 million more jobs by 2030 than staying dependent on fossil fuels such as gas and coal. A study by Greenpeace and the European Renewable Energy Council (EREC) is encouraging governments to agree climate change measures in Copenhagen in December which would help to maintain jobs in the industry.
The report says “A switch from coal to renewable electricity generation will not just avoid 10 billion tons of carbon dioxide emissions, but will create 2.7 million more jobs by 2030 than if we continue business as usual”.
The secretary of the EREC said that renewable energy would not only tackle climate change but also help the current economic crisis too.
If business was to continue as normal then the number of jobs in power generation would drop by about 500,000 by 2030 as the coal sector declines and jobs become more mechanised.
As an example the report suggested that at the moment half a million people were employed in the wind sector of power generation but that could go up to just over 2 million by 2030 as the move towards wind power generation increased.
Source and further details: http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE58D0EA20090914
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Oh La La! French Get Carbon Tax
The French are to introduce a new carbon tax for both households and enterprises, reports BBC News Online. The French President has announced the plans today in a bid to fight climate change.
The tax will be brought in next year and will apply to oil, gas and coal. The tax will be 17 euros or £15 per tonne of emitted CO2 and will be phased in gradually. Heavy industry will be exempt from the tax as will power companies which will be included in the EU’s emissions trading scheme.
Most electricity in France though will be excluded from the tax because it’s generated by nuclear power.
The new tax has received mixed revues though and many consumers are worried about increased bills. The French President wants consumers to change how they live and reduce their energy consumption but critics argue the new tax is just a way of increasing government funds.
Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8248392.stm
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Royal Mail Joins 10:10 Climate Campaign
Utility Exchange has reported recently that top politicians and British Gas have joined the 10:10 Climate Change campaign. It’s been reported the The Guardian today that the Royal Mail have now joined the campaign, becoming the largest business yet to join the campaign.
Royal Mail will attempt to reduce its CO2 emissions by 10% in 2010 and it will also encourage its 176,000 employees and its business customers to join in.
As part of this CO2 reduction Royal Mail will: bring in more double-decker delivery trucks so that vehicles carry more items and meaning less vehicles will have to be used; it will improve route planning so that the total distance travelled by the delivery vehicles is reduced; encourage staff to reduce their own emissions both at home and at work and Royal Mail will offer cost savings to business customers who use sustainable paper and recyclable packaging.
The head of sustainability for Royal Mail says they aim to reduce emissions by 50% by 2015. So far the campaign has seen 550 businesses join along with 14,000 individuals, 150 schools and 250 other organisations such as hospitals and councils.
It’s to be hoped that as part of their CO2 reduction Royal Mail employees will keep hold of their rubber bands and re-use them rather than leaving them on pavements and driveways around the country!
Source and further details: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/sep/09/10-10-royal-mail-environment
http://www.utility-exchange.co.uk/2009/09/top-politicians-join-1010-campaign/
http://www.utility-exchange.co.uk/2009/09/its-1010-for-british-gas/
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Top Politicians Join 10:10 Campaign
Utility Exchange reported yesterday on the new climate change campaign, 10:10 which was launched this week. The Guardian reports today that Gordon Brown and senior cabinet ministers have all agreed to sign up to the 10:10 climate change campaign.
The number of people who have now signed up to the campaign to cut their greenhouse gas emissions has reached 10,000. Ed Miliband has promised to cut his emissions and those of his department, as has the Tory frontbench and the Liberal Democrat leader, Nick Clegg.
Other high profile people who’ve agreed to cut their emissions include Radio 1 DJ Sara Cox, and Peter Capaldi, the actor. In addition, over 400 businesses and organisations have signed up to cut their carbon footprint. These include small charities and large multi nationals.
For more information and to sign up go to: http://www.1010uk.org/
Source and further details:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/sep/03/cabinet-signs-up-10-10
http://utility-exchange.com/2009/09/join-the-1010-campaign/
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Join The 10:10 Campaign
A new climate change campaign has just been launched and it has the support of celebrities and big businesses, reports telegraph.co.uk. The 10:10 campaign is asking everyone to cut their carbon emissions by 10% in 2010.
The 10:10 campaign wants everyone to reduce their emissions by just changing the way they live their life slightly. For example, they suggest changes such as walking or cycling to work, or only taking one flight a year.
Well known names already signed up to the campaign include Colin Firth, Delia Smith and Zac Goldsmith. But the campaign is also aiming to get the support of businesses and the public sector and organisations already involved include Tottenham Hotspur, NHS Trusts and the Women’s Institute.
One of the UK’s leading energy companies is helping its customers to join the pledge and cut 10% off their energy use in 2010. E.ON is trying to get customers to sign up to their free Online Energy Tracker. Once they’ve joined, householders and small businesses will be supported with a range of energy saving tools to help them understand their energy use and assess their monthly consumption to help them reach their target of a 10% drop in energy use by 2010.
In addition, E.ON is giving away 30,000 free PowerDowns to the first of its customers who pledge to take part in the 10:10 challenge. Customers who sign up to the campaign and use E.ON’s Online Energy Tracker will receive exclusive energy saving offers and advice on reducing energy consumption throughout 2010.
The 10:10 campaign was inspired by the film The Age of Stupid which warned what would happen if climate change wasn’t tackled. The director of the film is also the founder of the 10:10 campaign, Fanny Armstrong. She said the campaign aims to recruit “every person, every school, every business, every hospital…and then…demand that the Government follows suit”.
If everyone in the UK reduced their emissions by 10% it would save 85 million tonnes of CO2.
Ed Miliband the Energy Minister is backing the 10:10 campaign but the Head of Climate Change at Friends of the Earth said the Government and energy companies could do much more to help people cut their energy use by 10%. He suggested this could be done by subsidising people insulating their homes and ensuring people have easier access to public transport.
Businessgreen.com says it could be difficult for businesses to achieve a 10% cut in their energy use especially if they have already started to introduce energy saving measures. Consequently, businesses signing up to the 10:10 pledge will aim to cut their emissions by 10% during 2010 but they will be regarded as successful if they have reduced emissions by 3% during the year. They will also be able to choose the starting date for the emissions reduction so that it stays in line with their financial year. However, the reduction will be worked out in relation to their total revenue so that if their business grows and emissions increase as a result this is taken into consideration. Likewise, if their business contracts and emissions fall as a result this will also be taken into consideration.
For further information on joining the campaign see the links below.
http://www.businessgreen.com/business-green/news/2248778/why-means-businesses