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[BusinessGreen.com > News > Renewables]
Scotland throws down gauntlet in race to become offshore wind hub
Report claims investment in offshore wind industry could create up to 28,000 jobs by 2020
Jessica Shankleman, BusinessGreen, 25 Aug 2010
Scotland could emerge as one of the world's leading developers of offshore wind energy within the next decade, according to a new report that predicts the industry has the potential to create up to 28,000 jobs by 2020.
The report, entitled Scottish Offshore Wind: Creating an Industry, was commissioned by Scottish Renewables and Scottish Enterprise and aims to map out a series of scenarios for the future of the sector based on varying levels of private and public investment.
It concludes that plentiful and speedy investment in infrastructure and the supply chain, coupled with extensions to government incentives could add at least £7.1bn of value to the Scottish economy, while delivering 10.6GW of renewable power to the grid.
Conversely, Scotland could fail to capitalise on its huge wind resource if government support is diluted causing investors to put their money elsewhere.
Under the ambitious Scenario A, investors lured by Scotland's high winds would make all the necessary supply chain investments and grid upgrades necessary to deploy 10.6GW of offshore wind capacity by 2020, establishing the country as a leading exporter of offshore wind technologies and expertise.
Under the more moderate Scenario B, developers only build half the sites earmarked for development by 2020 resulting in little export of goods and services to international markets. However, the report estimated that under this scenario the sector would still generate more than 19,000 direct jobs in 2020, with the industry worth £4.5bn over the coming decade.
But in order to achieve either of these scenarios, the report warns that the Scottish government must deliver major reforms over the next few years in order to streamline consenting and planning processes, boost grid capacity and increase investment in skills development.
The report also warns that without urgent action Scotland could miss the chance to fully capitalise on its renewable energy resources.
Under two further scenarios, the report argues that a failure to accelerate the development of Scottish offshore wind farms will result in relatively few jobs being created as developers delay Scottish projects and import wind turbine technologies. Under the worst case scenario, only 1.2GW of new capacity will come online over the next decade supportign just 900 new jobs.
Scottish Renewables director of policy Jenny Hogan urged investors and manufacturers to take quick and decisive action now to ensure Scotland achieves its full potential.
"We already have significant employment in the sector through companies like BiFab and Subocean, but this report confirms the industry could become one of the country’s major employers over the next decade," she said. "However it's also clear that none of this can be taken for granted. Other parts of the UK and ports all over Europe are fighting tooth and nail to secure investment and the economic benefits that offshore manufacturing and associated activity will bring."
Meanwhile, Scottish energy minister Jim Mather welcomed the report, but warned that while the Scottish government was keen to support the sector its powers were currently limited by politicians in Westminster.
In particular, he urged the coalition government to end the long-running stand off with Edinburgh over whether the Scottish government can reinvest money raised through the Fossil Fiel Levy in Scotland into renewable energy project.
"This report underlines the case for early investment and therefore it's now urgent for the Treasury to release Scotland's £185m Fossil Fuel Levy to further develop the renewables industry," he said. "It is also essential that the Westminster government delivers a level playing field when it comes to the costs of supplying energy to the grid - that means ending the system whereby punitive charges are imposed on energy suppliers in Scotland, while those in other parts of the UK are paid subsidies."
Later this week, the Scottish government will launch a consultation to setting out proposals to reform the current Renewables Obligation subsidy mechanism in Scotland. The consultation is expected to include plans to better support offshore wind projects and changes to allow wave and tidal projects in Scottish waters to receive grants as well as enhanced Renewable Obligations Certificates.
[BusinessGreen.com > News > Recycling/Disposal]
Supermarkets miss plastic bag goal for a second time
Retailers once again fall short of voluntary target to halve plastic bag use
BusinessGreen.com staff, BusinessGreen, 25 Aug 2010
The UK's leading supermarkets have once again missed a voluntary goal to halve the number of single use carrier bags handed out, despite cutting usage since last year, new figures have shown.
The government-backed Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) confirmed today that the total number of carrier bags issued by the UK's leading supermarkets has fallen 41 per cent since figures were first recorded in 2006.
Moreover, the number of "single-use" carrier bags issued has fallen 43 per cent compared to 2006, representing a reduction of 4.6 billion single-use bags a year.
However, the figures suggest the supermarkets have for the second time fallen short of a voluntary target agreed with the government in 2008 to cut the number of single-use bags given to customers by 50 per cent by spring 2009 compared to a 2006 baseline.
Last year, supermarkets claimed to have "all but" hit the 50 per cent target, citing figures for the month of May showing that they had reduced the number of single use bags distributed by 48 per cent.
The performance drew plaudits from then Environment Secretary Hilary Benn who hailed it as evidence that the government's voluntary approach to cutting plastic bag use was working.
But this year's figures for May, which cover Asda, Cooperative Group, M& S, Sainsbury's, Somerfield, Tesco and Waitrose, suggest that if anything the supermarkets' performance is worsening.
WRAP reported that they had reduced the number of single use carrier bags given out by only 46 per cent compared to the 2006 base line, leaving them well short of the 50 per cent target.
British Retail Consortium director insisted that the supermarkets had done a good job, arguing that rising sales had made it harder for them to meet the target.
"This is a tremendous achievement by supermarkets, customers and staff, especially as between 2006 and 2009 the amount of goods sold by participating retailers grew by over six per cent,” he said. "The reduction in bag use is great news, but it's the halving of the total weight of single-use carrier bags which shows retailers really scoring on the crucial issue of reducing environmental impact."
However, the latest figures are likely to once again fuel calls for the government to introduce legislation to curb plastic bag use.
Welsh Environment Minister Jane Davidson recently put forward plans to introduce a seven pence charge on all paper and plastic single use carrier bags by spring 2011. However, coalition ministers have signalled that they want to retain the previous government's voluntary apporoach to encouraging businesses to reduce waste levels.
[BusinessGreen.com > News > Workplace]
Kyocera's edible 'green curtains' take a bite out of energy use
Japanese conglomerate pioneers cooling green shades at buildings Japan, Thailand and Brazil
GreenBiz Staff, BusinessGreen, 25 Aug 2010
Kyocera edible curtain
Kyocera Group has planted edible " green curtains" stretching thousands of feet across facilities in Japan, Thailand and Brazil in a bid to keep its buildings cool and greenhouse gas emissions low.
The IT equipment and industrial ceramics manufacturer installed the viney plants to block direct sunlight from the windows of 20 manufacturing and office buildings to help prevent increases in surface temperature of the structures.
This lessens the loads of their air conditioning units, while the green curtains also give workers a bounty of cucumbers, peas and bitter gourd called goya, which land on their cafeteria menus.
Using infrared thermograhic measurement, Kyocera confirmed the green curtains results in lower outer wall temperature than unshaded walls. "In addition, we were able to confirm that the Green Curtains can decrease the temperature by as much as 15 degrees C (27 degrees F)," the company said.
At the same time, the green curtains are working to absorb an estimated 23,481 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions, which is roughly the same amount that can be absorbed by 761 cedar trees.
The green curtains cover roughly 32,750 square feet (3,043 square meters), and measure 2,379 feet (725 meters) in length.
Kyocera has set up a website with information on the green curtains, including some fairly detailed instructions and photos from its own experiences to help readers grow green curtains at home.
This article first appeared at GreenBiz.com
[BusinessGreen.com > News > Renewables]
Scotland throws down gauntlet in race to become offshore wind hub
Report claims investment in offshore wind industry could create up to 28,000 jobs by 2020
Jessica Shankleman, BusinessGreen, 25 Aug 2010
Scotland could emerge as one of the world's leading developers of offshore wind energy within the next decade, according to a new report that predicts the industry has the potential to create up to 28,000 jobs by 2020.
The report, entitled Scottish Offshore Wind: Creating an Industry, was commissioned by Scottish Renewables and Scottish Enterprise and aims to map out a series of scenarios for the future of the sector based on varying levels of private and public investment.
It concludes that plentiful and speedy investment in infrastructure and the supply chain, coupled with extensions to government incentives could add at least £7.1bn of value to the Scottish economy, while delivering 10.6GW of renewable power to the grid.
Conversely, Scotland could fail to capitalise on its huge wind resource if government support is diluted causing investors to put their money elsewhere.
Under the ambitious Scenario A, investors lured by Scotland's high winds would make all the necessary supply chain investments and grid upgrades necessary to deploy 10.6GW of offshore wind capacity by 2020, establishing the country as a leading exporter of offshore wind technologies and expertise.
Under the more moderate Scenario B, developers only build half the sites earmarked for development by 2020 resulting in little export of goods and services to international markets. However, the report estimated that under this scenario the sector would still generate more than 19,000 direct jobs in 2020, with the industry worth £4.5bn over the coming decade.
But in order to achieve either of these scenarios, the report warns that the Scottish government must deliver major reforms over the next few years in order to streamline consenting and planning processes, boost grid capacity and increase investment in skills development.
The report also warns that without urgent action Scotland could miss the chance to fully capitalise on its renewable energy resources.
Under two further scenarios, the report argues that a failure to accelerate the development of Scottish offshore wind farms will result in relatively few jobs being created as developers delay Scottish projects and import wind turbine technologies. Under the worst case scenario, only 1.2GW of new capacity will come online over the next decade supportign just 900 new jobs.
Scottish Renewables director of policy Jenny Hogan urged investors and manufacturers to take quick and decisive action now to ensure Scotland achieves its full potential.
"We already have significant employment in the sector through companies like BiFab and Subocean, but this report confirms the industry could become one of the country’s major employers over the next decade," she said. "However it's also clear that none of this can be taken for granted. Other parts of the UK and ports all over Europe are fighting tooth and nail to secure investment and the economic benefits that offshore manufacturing and associated activity will bring."
Meanwhile, Scottish energy minister Jim Mather welcomed the report, but warned that while the Scottish government was keen to support the sector its powers were currently limited by politicians in Westminster.
In particular, he urged the coalition government to end the long-running stand off with Edinburgh over whether the Scottish government can reinvest money raised through the Fossil Fiel Levy in Scotland into renewable energy project.
"This report underlines the case for early investment and therefore it's now urgent for the Treasury to release Scotland's £185m Fossil Fuel Levy to further develop the renewables industry," he said. "It is also essential that the Westminster government delivers a level playing field when it comes to the costs of supplying energy to the grid - that means ending the system whereby punitive charges are imposed on energy suppliers in Scotland, while those in other parts of the UK are paid subsidies."
Later this week, the Scottish government will launch a consultation to setting out proposals to reform the current Renewables Obligation subsidy mechanism in Scotland. The consultation is expected to include plans to better support offshore wind projects and changes to allow wave and tidal projects in Scottish waters to receive grants as well as enhanced Renewable Obligations Certificates.
[BusinessGreen.com > News > Recycling/Disposal]
Supermarkets miss plastic bag goal for a second time
Retailers once again fall short of voluntary target to halve plastic bag use
BusinessGreen.com staff, BusinessGreen, 25 Aug 2010
The UK's leading supermarkets have once again missed a voluntary goal to halve the number of single use carrier bags handed out, despite cutting usage since last year, new figures have shown.
The government-backed Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) confirmed today that the total number of carrier bags issued by the UK's leading supermarkets has fallen 41 per cent since figures were first recorded in 2006.
Moreover, the number of "single-use" carrier bags issued has fallen 43 per cent compared to 2006, representing a reduction of 4.6 billion single-use bags a year.
However, the figures suggest the supermarkets have for the second time fallen short of a voluntary target agreed with the government in 2008 to cut the number of single-use bags given to customers by 50 per cent by spring 2009 compared to a 2006 baseline.
Last year, supermarkets claimed to have "all but" hit the 50 per cent target, citing figures for the month of May showing that they had reduced the number of single use bags distributed by 48 per cent.
The performance drew plaudits from then Environment Secretary Hilary Benn who hailed it as evidence that the government's voluntary approach to cutting plastic bag use was working.
But this year's figures for May, which cover Asda, Cooperative Group, M& S, Sainsbury's, Somerfield, Tesco and Waitrose, suggest that if anything the supermarkets' performance is worsening.
WRAP reported that they had reduced the number of single use carrier bags given out by only 46 per cent compared to the 2006 base line, leaving them well short of the 50 per cent target.
British Retail Consortium director insisted that the supermarkets had done a good job, arguing that rising sales had made it harder for them to meet the target.
"This is a tremendous achievement by supermarkets, customers and staff, especially as between 2006 and 2009 the amount of goods sold by participating retailers grew by over six per cent,” he said. "The reduction in bag use is great news, but it's the halving of the total weight of single-use carrier bags which shows retailers really scoring on the crucial issue of reducing environmental impact."
However, the latest figures are likely to once again fuel calls for the government to introduce legislation to curb plastic bag use.
Welsh Environment Minister Jane Davidson recently put forward plans to introduce a seven pence charge on all paper and plastic single use carrier bags by spring 2011. However, coalition ministers have signalled that they want to retain the previous government's voluntary apporoach to encouraging businesses to reduce waste levels.
[BusinessGreen.com > News > Workplace]
Kyocera's edible 'green curtains' take a bite out of energy use
Japanese conglomerate pioneers cooling green shades at buildings Japan, Thailand and Brazil
GreenBiz Staff, BusinessGreen, 25 Aug 2010
Kyocera edible curtain
Kyocera Group has planted edible " green curtains" stretching thousands of feet across facilities in Japan, Thailand and Brazil in a bid to keep its buildings cool and greenhouse gas emissions low.
The IT equipment and industrial ceramics manufacturer installed the viney plants to block direct sunlight from the windows of 20 manufacturing and office buildings to help prevent increases in surface temperature of the structures.
This lessens the loads of their air conditioning units, while the green curtains also give workers a bounty of cucumbers, peas and bitter gourd called goya, which land on their cafeteria menus.
Using infrared thermograhic measurement, Kyocera confirmed the green curtains results in lower outer wall temperature than unshaded walls. "In addition, we were able to confirm that the Green Curtains can decrease the temperature by as much as 15 degrees C (27 degrees F)," the company said.
At the same time, the green curtains are working to absorb an estimated 23,481 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions, which is roughly the same amount that can be absorbed by 761 cedar trees.
The green curtains cover roughly 32,750 square feet (3,043 square meters), and measure 2,379 feet (725 meters) in length.
Kyocera has set up a website with information on the green curtains, including some fairly detailed instructions and photos from its own experiences to help readers grow green curtains at home.
This article first appeared at GreenBiz.com
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