Company Cars getting greener
Lex Autolease – the UK’s largest company car provider – has released new data today revealing a significant shift in company car leasing habits over the last year, in favour of greener and more fuel-efficient models.
The leasing business has also acknowledged that average emissions across its whole fleet of 350,000 vehicles, has fallen from last years 158g/km to below 152g/km this year. In addition, the organisation has now supplied more than 30,000 vehicles to companies across the UK with emissions of 120g/km or less.
Steve Osborne, head of fleet management at Lex Autolease, advises that the growing interest in smaller company cars is being driven by the desire to reduce carbon emissions and fuel costs, in conjunction with the introduction of lower taxes which have been applied to the most fuel-efficient vehicles.
Under new tax rules which were introduced in April this year, any company car with emissions of under 161g/km is subject to higher allowances against corporation tax, whilst the government’s banding of company-car taxes also means that vehicles emitting less than 120g/km of CO2 are subject to the lowest 10% tax rate.
Mr. Osborne commented that while each of those company car drivers – emitting less than 120g/km – pays the lowest rate of benefit-in-kind tax and gets the most out of their employment package, the company could also be making thousands of pounds in post-tax savings.
Source;
Businessgreen.com/ News/ Transport
http://www.businessgreen.com/business-green/news/2250847/executives-embrace-green
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Businesses warned to save water
It would appear that many UK businesses are not aware of the steps they can take to help reduce the impact of future water shortages even though the adoption of water recovery and re-use technology has the potential to make or break companies in years to come – the sustainability advisory service Envirowise has warned.
Envirowise is a Government-funded agency and has issued the warning in light of research from climate change consultancy firm WSP which shows that more than 90% of sustainability specialists, covering a wide-range of private and public sector organisations, believe that a water crisis is looming.
Environment Agency figures, which were published in March, also suggest that the UK’s groundwater will begin to decrease by 2025, where the overall amount of water available in English and Welsh rivers will reduce by 15% by 2050.
Water specialist at Envirowise, Claire Sweeney states that water is going to become one of the most dramatically affected resources due to the impact of climate change.
She continues by saying that UK companies should explore practical steps they can take, including water saving devices, water recovery and reuse technology, for example membrane filtration systems, as these would enable a large proportion of wastewater to be reused for processes such as heating, cooling and cleaning – which can result in major cost savings due to lower mains water and disposal charges, combined with an enhanced environmental reputation with customers and investors.
UK businesses paying income or corporation tax can also claim tax relief on recovery and reuse systems and water saving devices through the Water Technology List, which is managed by Defra (the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) and HM Revenue & Customs in partnership with Envirowise.
Envirowise previously published research suggesting that UK companies could be missing out on combined savings of up to £10 million per day simply by failing to make changes to their water usage, therefore without sustainability issues, taking action in this area would appear to make good business sense.
Source;
GreenInnLtd – Twitter – UK businesses told they must save water to secure their future www.greenwisebusiness.co.uk
http://www.greenwisebusiness.co.uk/news/uk-businesses-told-they-must-save-water-to-secure-their-future-769.aspx
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DONG Energy Reduces Investment Plans
DONG Energy – one of Northern Europe’s leading energy groups based on procuring, producing, distributing, trading and selling energy – has announced plans to decrease its net investment programme in 2010 and 2011 to reduce its debt load whilst strengthening its capital structure.
The Danish business advises that it is likely to decrease net investments to US $1.98 billion in 2010 and US $1.98-$2.97 billion in 2011 compared with earlier proposed levels of US$2.97-3.96 billion for both years.
Through investing, DONG is expecting to attain a net interest-bearing debt which is the equivalent to nearly treble its EBITDA in 2010, and the company is to focus more on renewable energy while achieving its 2020 target of lowering carbon dioxide emissions per produced MW/h by 50%.
The financial results for 2009 will not be affected by the proposed investment cuts, said DONG.
Source;
e-news @ powertechnology.com
http://www.power-technology.com/news/news66320.html?WT.mc_id=DN_News&mxmroi=14002247/2207106/false
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Japan Buys Latvia’s Emission Rights
In a report by The Japan Times Online – Japan has confirmed an agreement with Latvia to acquire rights to emit 1.5 million tons of greenhouse gases in terms of carbon dioxide – in a bid help achieve the country’s reduction goal under the 1997 Kyoto Protocol.
Japan has acquired the rights directly from the Baltic state under the green investment scheme – a mechanism in the framework of international emissions trade that requires the rights-selling country to use the funds for projects aimed at reducing greenhouse-gas emissions.
Earlier this year, Japan used a similar mechanism which allowed it to buy gas-emission rights from Ukraine and the Czech Republic.
Source;
e-News @ newenergyfinance.com
ttp://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nb20091007a6.html
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DECC reveals Energy Efficiency Scheme
Final details of the Government’s scheme that will save organisations money on fuel bills as well as reduce the UK’s carbon emissions, have been revealed today by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC).
According to an issued press release by the DECC – The Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme is the new regulatory incentive devised to improve energy efficiency within large public and private sector organisations, whereby large energy users in business as well as the public sector will be required to take part in the scheme from 1st April 2010.
After carrying out extensive consultation with businesses and trade bodies the Department for Energy and Climate Change has made the following improvements:
• To smooth the introduction of the scheme and to help ease the upfront costs, organisations will only have to report emissions in the first year (2010/11). In subsequent years organisations will have to buy allowances corresponding to their emissions from energy use, and then surrender them by the end of the year.
• In the second year (2011/12) extra weighting will be given to organisations which take action early to improve energy efficiency.
• Recognition will be given to organisations which use onsite renewable energy like wind turbines or solar panels by publishing the increased carbon savings from such measures.
• Organisations will be given greater flexibility in how they participate. Subsidiaries who are large enough to qualify in own right (at least 6000MWh) may opt to do so separately from their organisational group.
• Given the primary focus of the scheme is energy efficiency, the CRC will now be known as CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme.
Joan Ruddock, Energy and Climate Change Minister stated:
“The UK is leading the way in tackling climate change and in the move to a low carbon economy. Organisations and the public sector must play a central role including all government departments, regardless of size…
… Large organisations have huge potential to achieve cost-effective energy efficiency savings. There are clear benefits from positive, immediate action to tackle climate change. Investment that takes place in the next few decades will have a profound effect on the climate in the second half of this century and in the next…
… The CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme will help organisations to become more energy efficient, to save significant sums of money on fuel bills, and to show customers, clients and competitors that their organisation is a leader in tackling climate change”
Source;
Decc.gov.uk – Press release – Energy efficiency scheme will save cash and carbon-07.10.09
http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/news/pn112/pn112.aspx
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Reduced Carbon Footprint
According to figures released by the Climate Change Department – Green efforts by the great British public are starting to pay off. The data shows that more than three-quarters of local councils across the UK have reduced their carbon emissions over a two-year period, and that Greater London boasts the lowest emissions per person.
The statistics, covering emissions from homes, businesses, road transport and land use across each area, showed that there were reductions for 335 out of 434 local authorities in the period 2005 to 2007, and also revealed a slight fall in UK-wide emissions, which dropped 2% over the same period, however, some councils did see their carbon footprint increase.
Greater London produces the lowest emissions per person, at six tonnes each, in comparison to the North East which had the highest level at 12.5 tonnes per person in 2007. Interestingly, the North East was also the region with the biggest improvement for the two years preceding. Local and regional figures reflect on the density of the population along with energy use and business activity in any given area.
David Kidney, Energy and Climate Change Minister, said that he is very encouraged by the published results. He continued by saying that every community in the country is working to reduce their carbon footprint -local Authorities are at the heart of the community and as such are able to set an example on tackling climate change via their own actions.
Further more, Mr Kidney advised that the government is helping people as well as businesses to save energy, cut emissions and save money, and that their plans include every home having a smart meter to monitor energy use by 2020, more homes will be insulated, incentives will be provided for businesses to go green and that they will be targeting support to those vulnerable people who need it most.
Source article;
http://www.greenenergy.uk.com/Article.aspx?ARTICLE_ID=130
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Consumers view Gas and Electricity consumption
People will only feel the real benefits of smart meters if they come with live screens displaying energy usage – according to new Energy Saving Trust research, smart meters will only become effective if consumers are able to see how much energy they are actually using.
Smart meters will put an end to estimated gas and electricity bills, as they will have the ability to send accurate usage information directly to the energy suppliers, and the government is hoping to have smart meters in all UK homes by 2020.
However, research indicates that displaying the information makes consumers far more aware of their day-to-day energy consumption, so, if these meters are installed without visual displays, energy efficiency body – the Energy Saving Trust – believes it will be a “missed opportunity”
The Energy Saving Trust’s focus group research discovered the following:
• Consumers would like to be able to see their real-time rate of gas and electricity usage – shown on a cost per day basis
• Most people would also like to be able to see their consumption in watts or kilowatts per day for their electricity
• All consumers would like to see a measure of cumulative usage
The Energy Saving Trust is the leader in the field of delivering energy efficiency to domestic, business, local government and trade sectors, and is urging the government to make energy companies install visual displays alongside all smart meters.
Source;
Energychoices.co.uk/ energy news
http://www.energychoices.co.uk/smart-meters-must-have-visual-displays-06102009.html
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Top Energy Supplier profits from power
One of the UK’s top six energy firms Scottish and Southern Energy is expected to announce a doubling of its profits, reports energyhelpline.com – news that could see customers switching energy providers.
It has been predicted that the company, which supplies gas and electricity, will announce pre-tax profits of almost £600 million for the second half of this year, which is double the figure recorded for the end of 2008, the Daily Mail reports.
This information is likely to anger many consumers, who will now wonder why the energy company has not introduced more substantial price cuts over the last few months, given its increase in profits. As well as not receiving reduced gas and electricity rates as the wholesale energy prices have fallen considerably since summer 2008.
According to the newspaper article, David Hunter, an energy consultant at independent consultancy McKinnon and Clarke, said the fact that suppliers are still failing to pass on massive reductions in energy prices, which they have been benefiting from themselves for nearly a year now, is approaching scandalous proportions.
Energy suppliers used to respond to this sort of criticism by saying that they buy their stocks in advance so price reductions can take several months to reach the consumer, and that they also need capital to fund developments in renewable energy.
If you want to save money on your gas, electric, telecom and mobile bills, simply request a quote from www.utility-exchange.com we compare the market so you don’t have to – saving you time, energy and most of all money.
Source;
Energyhelpline.com/ Gas and Electricity News
http://www.energyhelpline.com/news/article.aspx?aaid=19392396&y=2009&m=10&w=1&pid=1
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Paper billing reduced by E.ON
Customers paying for their gas and electricity services supplied by E.ON – by the method of direct debit – will now receive paper bills just twice a year instead of the current quarterly billing process.
E.ON who provides gas and electricity as well as renewable energy to homes and businesses, stated that this moves not only has an environmental benefit by sending fewer bills a year, but it would also help those customers paying by monthly direct debit to manage their budgets.
According to an E.ON spokesperson the main benefit of direct debit allows customers to even out their payments across the year, so they will continue to review these customers’ payments each quarter and should any changes be required E.ON will notify the customer and send out a statement to the customer.
However, Confused.com, a utility comparison site, has criticised E.ON’s move, considering it to be a case of the rich robbing the poor – on behalf of the online company, Mr. Gareth Kloet commented:
“E.ON is robbing Peter to pay Paul by billing direct debit customers half-yearly”
At Utility Exchange it couldn’t be easier to save money on your business (and Home) utility prices including telecom and mobile services – our Business Electricity and Gas Comparison service is one of the leading facilities online, simply visit www.utility-exchange.com and request a quote, saving you time, energy and most of all money.
Source;
Energychoices.co.uk/ Energy News (Direct debit E.ON customers cut to two bills a year-01.10.09)
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China keeps cap-and-trade in hand
Insiders believe that China is set to announce the launch of an emissions cap-and-trade scheme as early as the Copenhagen climate talks in December, according to a senior figure in the carbon market who is currently working closely with the Chinese government.
Speaking at The Carbon Show in London, Philippe Chauvancy a director at climate exchange BlueNext, commented that an announcement made last week to develop China’s first standard for voluntary emission reduction projects alongside the government-backed China Beijing Environmental Exchange, could in fact lay the foundations for a voluntary cap-and-trade scheme – Chinese officials on the whole are committed to the idea of a national cap-and-trade scheme and could move quickly over the next few months.
Leaders are meeting in Copenhagen in December to discuss a new international framework revolved around the current Kyoto Protocol – an important first step towards a truly global emission reduction regime – which is coming to the end of its first commitment period in 2012, and therefore opportunity for the Chinese and the Americans to make their statement on cap and trade schemes.
Mr. Chauvancy continues by saying that he is expecting the US to have a national cap-and-trade system up and running in the next two years, but is suggesting that China could beat the US to it, seeing as they have the money and the resources and the will to do it.
Therefore, widely held perceptions that China does not want to take action on climate change are now outdated, as the Chinese government is seen to be committed to tackling the issue.
Other delegates at The Carbon Show also agree that China is in a better position to roll out a carbon trading scheme quite quickly.
Source;
Emailed news @ businessgreen.com
http://www.businessgreen.com/business-green/news/2250315/china-cap-trade-announcement