〈全球環保時事〉彙整頁面 - Page 3 of 37

Orsted's US expansion falters, leading offshore wind giant to lay off staff, suspend dividends, and exit multiple markets.

The world is fully committed to green energy, and while the wind and photovoltaic industries hold promising prospects, offshore wind power is facing headwinds. Following a failed investment in the US market, Ørsted, the global leader in offshore wind power, announced a series of measures on the 7th. These include the elimination of 600 to 800 jobs, a dividend suspension from 2023 to 2025, the exit from the offshore wind power markets in Norway, Spain, and Portugal, and a temporary halt to development in Japan. S&P Global has downgraded Ørsted's long-term credit rating from BBB+ to BBB. With a promising wind power outlook, Ørsted, a leading offshore wind power company, has expanded into multiple markets, but has suffered significant losses in the US due to difficulties in its expansion. Ørsted has experienced a major setback in its US expansion efforts. With over 1,900 offshore wind turbines installed in Europe, North America, and Asia, representing 25% of the global fleet, it is the world's largest offshore wind developer. Ørsted is also involved in projects in Taiwan, including the offshore wind farm and the Greater Changhua Offshore Wind Farm. Despite its multinational presence, Ørsted has suffered a major setback in the US. In November 2023, Orsted announced that it had decided to cancel the development of Ocean Wind 1 and Ocean Wind 2 offshore wind farms in New Jersey due to inflation, interest rate hikes, and supply chain disruptions, and recorded an asset impairment of 28.4 billion kroner (US$4 billion). Upon the news, Orsted's stock price fell to a six-year low during intraday trading. In January of this year, Orsted announced again that the Skipjack offshore wind farm project in Maryland was not commercially viable and that it would seek other power contracts. On February 7, the Orsted board of directors approved a plan to reduce the company's renewable energy installations by 2030.

2024-02-20

Single-use plastic out! Google Plastic Reduction Challenge: Creative Competition

In this era of plastic, a group of innovative individuals are working to reduce plastic use. In April 2023, Google launched the Single-Use Plastic Challenge, offering winners the opportunity to showcase their work in Google cafes and microkitchens across the United States. This initiative attracted numerous food companies to participate. Twelve entries were selected, and the Environmental Information Center has selected several interesting examples to share. 1. Candy That Addresses Leftover Food and Plastic: Global food waste is a serious issue, and even companies participating in the Single-Use Plastic Challenge are drawn to the allure of "ugly food." UpWorthy reports that the candy company Climate Candy was founded by Amy Keller, a confectioner from a family of confectioners. She has created an eco-friendly brand that sources imperfect but high-quality produce and crafts it into candies, then uses plant fibers to create eco-friendly packaging. This not only transforms leftover food into delicious candy but also reduces single-use plastic packaging. 2. Coffee cups become nutrients for gardens. The startup GaeaStar has developed biodegradable clay cups inspired by Kulhars (unglazed ceramic cups) used in Indian food stalls. According to "Very Compostable," the cups are made from simple materials: clay, salt, and a small amount of water. Using 3D printing technology, each cup takes less than 30 seconds to make. After drinking, you can simply throw it in the garden and crush it with a stomp.

2024-01-24

Environmental groups urge against opening the 250 million ton exemption and against using "garbage carbon credits" to offset carbon fees.

Over 500 emission sources in Taiwan with carbon emissions exceeding 25,000 tons will be subject to a carbon fee. On the 3rd, the Ministry of Environment proposed allowing businesses to deduct 25,000 metric tons of emissions before calculating their carbon allowances. This was criticized by environmental groups as tantamount to granting businesses 25,000 free carbon allowances. The Green Citizens Action Alliance pointed out that if the carbon fee is calculated at a rate of NT$300 to NT$500 per ton, Taiwan's annual carbon fee revenue would be reduced by NT$3.7 to NT$6 billion. The Ministry of Environment responded that similar practices exist in income tax and air pollution fees, and that it would respect the opinions of environmental groups and continue to communicate with all parties. Environmental groups have criticized the Ministry of Environment's proposal to offer 25,000 tons of "free carbon emission quotas." Major carbon emitters will pay a carbon fee in 2025 based on the results of this year's (2024) inventory. However, progress on related sub-laws has been slower than expected. The Ministry of Environment held a "Carbon Fee Collection Sub-Law Promotion Progress Exchange Seminar" on the 3rd and still did not propose a carbon fee rate. However, for the first time, it introduced a calculation method of "a 25,000-ton emission reduction multiplied by the fee rate," which drew criticism from civil society groups present. Chen Yizhen, commissioner of the Green Citizens Action Alliance, stated that the 25,000-ton reduction is tantamount to giving businesses "free emission quotas," potentially reducing their pressure to reduce carbon emissions. He also pointed out that if 500 emission sources are charged NT$300 to NT$500 per ton, Taiwan's carbon fee revenue would be reduced by NT$3.7 to NT$6 billion. Furthermore, the carbon fee is levied on individual factories, so companies with more factories receive more free quotas, making it easier for them to circumvent the carbon fee by adjusting production lines. Chen Yonghui, director of the Wilderness Conservancy's climate change group, said that reducing the carbon fee could result in a lower percentage of the nation's overall emissions.

2024-01-05

Germany's carbon emissions hit 70-year low amid slowing economic growth

A new report from the German think tank Agora Energiewende indicates that Germany's carbon emissions have fallen to their lowest level in seven decades as Europe's largest economy reduces coal production. Furthermore, the report estimates emissions in 2023 at 673 million tons, a decrease of 73 million tons from 2022 and approximately 46% since 1990, marking Germany's lowest emissions figure since the 1950s. Germany has pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2045, decommissioning its last three nuclear power plants in 2023 after a multi-year phase-out. Meanwhile, coal-fired power generation fell to its lowest level in 60 years last year, primarily due to increased imports and declining demand. The combined effects of slowing economic growth and international crises, such as the ongoing war in Ukraine, also contributed to an 11% decline in energy-intensive output, exceeding the 0.3% overall economic contraction. However, the report also notes that most of the reduction in coal use is not the result of long-term renewable energy deployment, which would lead to permanent reductions. Around 15% represent such permanent cuts, while around 50% come from short-term effects such as lower electricity prices. At the same time, Germany is likely to miss its EU climate targets as emissions from the building and transport sectors remained almost flat last year. If it fails to meet these targets, the country will have to pay fines or buy emission rights from other EU member states. As far as German climate protection is concerned, the success of its climate policy has been achieved thanks to record new additions of renewable energy electricity, which has brought Germany closer to its 2030 target. However,

2024-01-04

European and American startups are creating "low-carbon cement": AI helps reduce carbon emissions, solar clinker production, and the development of carbon-absorbing building materials.

Cement production emits significant amounts of carbon dioxide, yet demand for housing and public buildings continues to grow in most major cities around the world. This trend runs counter to the international consensus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, making reducing carbon dioxide emissions in the cement industry a key focus. The startup synhelion uses photovoltaics to produce cement clinker. The photo shows mirrors concentrating solar radiation onto synhelion's solar tower receiver. Image source: synhelion. According to McKinsey, a US management consulting firm, the cement industry accounts for approximately 7% of global anthropogenic carbon emissions, making it one of the heaviest carbon emitters in heavy industry. Claude Loréa, head of cement innovation and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) at the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA), stated that even by 2050, three-quarters of the world's public infrastructure will still be under construction, and cement use is expected to continue to grow. The Wall Street Journal explains that Portland Cement is the most widely used cement in the world. During the production process, raw materials such as clay and limestone are first ground into raw materials. The raw materials are then placed in a cement kiln at a high temperature of about 1500°C to produce clinker. Cement manufacturers will finally grind the clinker and add silica sand, furnace stone and water to make it into a paste.

2023-12-28

Global optoelectronics growth will slow in 2024

According to Wood Mackenzie, global photovoltaic installations will grow at an average annual rate of 28% between 2019 and 2023, with a sharp increase of 56% between 2022 and 2023. However, no growth is expected from 2024 to 2028. While global solar capacity will continue to grow rapidly over the next decade, the rate of installation growth will begin to slow in 2024 compared to recent years. Wood Mackenzie estimates that 270 GW of new solar capacity will be installed globally this year, while the International Energy Agency (IEA) projects 349 GW of new solar capacity will be installed in 2023. However, the growth of the global solar market follows a typical S-curve. The steepest part of the curve has been rapid growth in recent years, beginning in 2024. The industry will then pass a turning point, characterized by a slowdown in growth. While the global solar market remains many times larger than it was a few years ago, this growth path is natural as the industry matures. Currently, not all regions are at the same point on the S-curve. For example, Africa and the Middle East still have a long way to go before reaching their growth turning points. In addition, the Asia-Pacific region and Europe, with China as the main market, are driving this growth model globally. It is worth noting that any changes in China will have a significant impact on the world market, as China is in a leading position in terms of new installed capacity, with approximately 180GW of new installed capacity this year. The main reason for the slowdown in growth is the global demand for energy transformation.

2023-12-27

Carbon reduction trends in the automotive industry supply chain

Abstract: This article analyzes the strategies used by major international automakers to address the net-zero emissions issue. It also investigates the measures used by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the international automotive industry to promote carbon reduction, thereby addressing the carbon reduction needs of automakers. This study serves as a reference for carbon reduction strategies and missed opportunities for SMEs in the machinery industry. Drawing on the experiences of major international automakers and SMEs, this article suggests that in addition to promoting carbon reduction through strategies such as energy conservation and low-carbon product design, product/raw material recycling and reuse, process upgrades, and the introduction of renewable energy, SMEs in the Taiwanese automotive industry can also strive for credible international certification to enhance communication on their carbon reduction efforts. 1. Background: According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), over one-third of global carbon emissions come from transportation, with road transport accounting for over 70%. This phenomenon has not only driven the rapid development of new products such as electric vehicles, motorcycles, and trucks, but has also focused the focus on carbon reduction efforts on major automakers. Furthermore, the massive export volume of Taiwanese auto parts necessitates research on carbon reduction trends within the automotive industry supply chain. This will help us understand the carbon reduction strategies of representative automakers and clarify the main measures taken by small and medium-sized suppliers in the automotive industry to respond to the automakers' carbon reduction strategies. According to statistics from the Taiwan Automotive Industry Association, Taiwan's auto parts exports exceeded US$200 billion in 2014 and are expected to reach US$253 billion in 2022.

2023-12-14

TCAN: Hou and Ko failed to meet 2030 carbon reduction targets, while Lai lacks ambition

With one month left before the presidential election, the Taiwan Climate Action Network (TCAN), composed of multiple environmental groups, held a press conference yesterday (12th) to evaluate the climate policies of the three party candidates. TCAN pointed out that none of the three candidates proposed an ambitious 2030 carbon reduction target, and Hou Youyi and Ko Wen-je even submitted a blank paper. In terms of energy allocation, the feasibility of Hou and Ko incorporating nuclear power is low, and the draft agreement of the COP28 United Nations Climate Conference did not include nuclear power. TCAN said that the climate policies of the three groups of candidates will be compiled on the "2024 Presidential Climate Policy Magnifier" website for voters to refer to. The Taiwan Climate Action Network released the "2024 Presidential Climate Policy Magnifier" yesterday. Image source: Taken from the 2024 Presidential Climate Policy Magnifier website Hou and Ko submitted a blank paper on the 2030 carbon reduction target, and Lai is not ambitious enough. The United Nations Climate Conference (COP28) is coming to an end, and the Taiwan presidential election is also in the countdown for one month. At the press conference for the launch of the "2024 Presidential Climate Policy Magnifier" website yesterday, TCAN reviewed seven types of climate policies of the candidates, including carbon reduction targets, carbon pricing, power structure, renewable energy, industrial transformation, citizen participation, and just transition. Lin Yanting, a researcher at the Environmental Rights Protection Foundation, said that none of the three candidates proposed an ambitious carbon reduction target for 2030. Hou Youyi has not yet expressed his position. Ko Wen-je's deputy Wu Xinying mentioned a 40% carbon reduction by 2030 in an interview, but whether it will be included in the political platform remains to be confirmed; Lai Ching-te, the only one who proposed a 2030 target, maintained 24±1% of the existing policy, which is too negative. According to

2023-12-13

COP28 launches net-zero nuclear energy industry commitment

The Net Zero Nuclear Industry Pledge, endorsed by 25 countries and 120 companies at COP28, pledges to triple nuclear power capacity by 2050. This follows a US-led nuclear declaration signed by 22 countries at COP28. Sama Bilbao y Leon, Director General of the World Nuclear Association (WNA), stated that the pledge calls on governments, multilateral development banks, and the World Bank to ensure that nuclear energy receives climate financing on par with other clean energy sources, enabling large-scale global deployment of the nuclear energy industry and making a significant contribution to climate change mitigation. Although Russia did not sign the declaration, it welcomed its positive stance, with Deputy Economy Minister Vladimir Ilyichev stating that climate goals cannot be achieved without nuclear energy. In addition, Rosatom has also joined the "Net Zero Nuclear Energy Industry Commitment" and stated that nuclear energy is an effective, rapid and resilient solution for deep decarbonization. By joining the "Net Zero Nuclear Energy Industry Commitment", Rosatom will be committed to working with the government and stakeholders to triple the capacity of nuclear power plants by 2050. Source: Nuclear Engineering

2023-12-07

Protests at the SRF plant spark concerns among environmental groups about the import of ocean waste. The Recycling Agency has pledged not to use imported waste plastics for fuel rods.

Solid renewable fuel (SRF), made from combustible waste, has been considered by the government as a key to converting waste into energy in recent years. While this development has been ongoing, the construction of these plants has repeatedly sparked local controversy. Legislator Chen Jiahua of the New Power Party held a public hearing on the 14th, inviting environmental groups and government agencies to discuss the matter. Environmental groups questioned whether SRF power generation is internationally recognized as green electricity and expressed concern that large-scale investment in SRF by businesses could lead to an influx of foreign waste plastics if there is insufficient waste to burn. The National Resources and Waste Recycling Agency (NRWA) immediately pledged to ban the import of foreign waste plastics for use in SRF. The Agency of Energy has not responded to requests for legislative amendments to remove SRF from the list of renewable energy sources. Solid renewable fuel (SRF) made from waste paper and plastic. (File photo/Photo by Chen Zhaohong) Environmental groups have criticized SRF as "fake green electricity," arguing that burning waste plastic is equivalent to burning fossil fuels. To increase waste processing capacity, the government has encouraged private sector plants to shred, sort, and compress combustible waste, such as waste plastic and paper, into SRF, which is then sold to factories and power plants, transforming waste into energy. If the power generation efficiency reaches 25%, the business can obtain a renewable energy bulk purchase rate of nearly NT$3.95 per kilowatt-hour. However, environmental groups pointed out that burning waste plastic is equivalent to burning fossil fuels, and SRF power generation is "fake green electricity." Chen Jiahua, a legislator from the New Power Party, held a public hearing on "SRF burning waste to generate electricity is not green energy, and insufficient regulations are controversial." Representatives from environmental groups, the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, and local environmental protection bureaus were invited to attend the discussion. Lin Zhenghan, an associate researcher at Tainan Community University, said that the green electricity defined by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) does not include burning plastic to generate electricity, and called on the Energy Agency to amend the law.

2023-11-16

Coldplay, the environmentalist band worth $3.2 billion, isn't just recycling wristbands! They're also pioneering carbon reduction initiatives.

British rock band Coldplay performed at the World Games Main Stadium in Kaohsiung, attracting over 160,000 attendees over two days. During the concert, Coldplay distributed recyclable LED wristbands, achieving a 93% recycling rate in Taiwan on the first day, ranking fourth globally. Coldplay was also the first band in the world to release a sustainability report. What other carbon reduction initiatives are they implementing? The ESG trend has spread across the cultural and music industries, and performances incorporating sustainability and carbon reduction concepts are proliferating. Coldplay, valued at NT$3.2 billion, has long championed environmental sustainability and returned to the stage after a six-year hiatus. Besides attracting over 50,000 attendees and setting a record for simultaneous attendance of nearly 87,000 both inside and outside the venue, the concert also sparked a series of carbon reduction initiatives. Their "Eco-Friendly" tour, Music of the Spheres, kicks off in March 2022, with a stop in Costa Rica, a sustainable city powered by 99% renewable energy, and a mid-season stop in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Coldplay's concerts featured LED wristband recycling, with a 93% recycling rate in Taiwan. For this world tour, Coldplay continued to distribute plant-based, compostable LED wristbands to audience members upon entry, replacing the glow sticks brought by fans. These wristbands were collected after the concert and reused at the next show. The concert screens also displayed recycling rates for LED wristbands from around the world. Unexpectedly, Kaohsiung achieved a 93% recycling rate on the first day of the concert, second only to Tokyo, Japan (9

2023-11-15

Plastic container manufacturers using green design and recycled materials will enjoy up to 30% discounts on recycling and disposal fees.

To promote plastic recycling, the Ministry of Environment's Resources and Waste Management Agency (NRMA) announced on the 9th that plastic container products that meet the three key elements of green design—single material, simple color, small labeling, and use at least 25% recycled content—will receive up to a 30% discount on plastic recycling and disposal fees. The new preferential rates are expected to be completed by the first half of 2024 and implemented in the second half of the same year. Environmental groups believe that promoting recycled containers is the most effective way to reduce resource consumption and carbon emissions. Front-end design must consider back-end recycling and processing. The Ministry of Environment (formerly the Environmental Protection Administration) announced the "Key Points for Promoting Recycled Plastic Products for Non-Filled Food Products" at the end of 2022, encouraging companies to use recycled materials. To date, nine types of recycled plastic products have passed review. The NRMA is now introducing a preferential "green rate" program for plastic container products, encouraging companies to voluntarily adopt green design or use recycled materials. Green design requirements include using a single material, a simple color or transparent color, no labeling, or a label height less than/equal to 30% of the bottle height. In terms of using recycled materials, it is necessary to pass the Ministry of Environment's non-filled food plastic recycling product promotion operation points and the Ministry of Health and Welfare's PET recycled polyester pellets for food container packaging. If either requirement is met, a 15% discount on the original rate will be available; if both requirements are met, a 30% discount will be available. Xu Xiangrui, manager of the Plastics Industry Technology Development Center, said that a single material will be more difficult to recycle than a single material.

2023-11-10

EU Parliament reaches consensus on reducing microplastics in tires and brakes

The European Parliament voted against further tightening carbon emissions standards for combustion engines, dealing a setback to the EU's green agenda. However, the parliament also agreed, for the first time, to regulate microplastics produced by tires and brakes. The parliament argued that further tightening of vehicle emission standards would lead automakers to invest more in developing more efficient combustion engines rather than electric vehicles, contradicting the goal of achieving net-zero emissions. Alexandr Vondra, a member of the European Parliament who actively promoted the vote, told the Financial Times that stricter regulations would have a devastating impact, making cars unaffordable for many European consumers. Furthermore, the limits on microplastics, primarily from tires and brakes, would also apply to electric vehicles. The parliament stated that it would work towards legislation to further reduce microplastic emissions by 27% by 2030. Green groups strongly condemned the vote, emphasizing that the parliament's vote and consensus barely contribute to environmental progress. MEPs will continue negotiations with member state governments to reach consensus on the final legislation. It is expected that national governments will adopt a weaker stance than the parliament on regulations for combustion engine vehicles. Reference: Financial Times

2023-11-09

Is Britain delaying its ban on gasoline-powered vehicles by five years, until 2035? Seeking pragmatism or pleasing voters.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak criticized previous carbon reduction plans as simply "headline-grabbing" and too costly, deciding to postpone them. On September 20th, at 10 Downing Street in London, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, standing at a podium adorned with a banner reading "Long-term decisions for a brighter future," dropped a bombshell. He announced that the ban on gasoline vehicles would be postponed for five years, to 2035, because the target imposed "unacceptable costs" on the public. This sharp policy shift, or even a step backward, triggered a full-scale backlash from climate campaign groups, political opponents, and industry. That same day, King Charles III, known as the "Climate King," made his first visit to France, promoting climate finance and biodiversity. Sunak's own UK climate minister was in New York attending the UN Climate Ambition Summit. The news left both men feeling awful. Sunak: Replacing gasoline cars with electric cars will shrink the economy. Sunak blasted on the podium that Britain's past carbon reduction plans were just for "grabbing headlines" but were ill-considered and not fully debated. He said that in order for people to replace their old fuel cars with electric cars, they must be convinced that this is the right thing to do and that they can afford it. Faced with the current price increases and economic shrinkage, "at least now, it should be you as a consumer who makes the choice, rather than the government forcing you to do so." He appealed to voters. Sunak and the Conservative Party will face a general election next year, and current polls show that they are lagging behind their Labour Party. Therefore, some people questioned whether he was making a show for his re-election campaign to please voters, but this was denied. He said that the UK

2023-11-09

Apple executives pointed out that they will not pass on the cost of carbon reduction to consumers

Apple stated at the Reuters NEXT conference held in New York on November 8 that it would not pass on the costs of its consumer product carbon reduction efforts to consumers. Apple Vice President Lisa Jackson noted that Apple, with a market capitalization of approximately $2.8 trillion, is the world's most valuable public company, and that Apple hopes to demonstrate a path to corporate growth that can also be applied to other companies. Jackson emphasized that Apple wants to demonstrate that it can achieve carbon reduction goals through strategies such as using clean energy and recyclable materials in its manufacturing processes, and gradually change the image of ordinary companies that can continue to grow because they are Apple. Jackson also admitted that even Apple faces many challenges in calculating, disclosing, and reducing carbon emissions. For example, even though the latest Apple Watch has reduced carbon emissions by 78% compared to the previous generation, each Apple Watch still has approximately 8 kilograms of carbon emissions from transportation and logistics that need to be eliminated. Jackson also mentioned that Apple will continue to work with smaller suppliers to promote the recycling of rare earth and other materials. Reference: REUTERS

2023-11-08

Starbucks aims to end single-use paper cups by 2030, expanding its "borrow a cup" trial

In the future, the Starbucks you buy will still feature the classic mermaid logo, but it will no longer be using disposable cups. From August 14th to October 22nd of this year, 12 Starbucks stores in Napa and Petaluma, California, are piloting a reusable cup program. Reusable cups will be provided in-store, and customers can also bring their own cups to receive discounts and rewards. The Associated Press reported that Starbucks ultimately plans to phase out disposable cups by 2030 and expand its reusable cup rental service globally. Saying goodbye to disposable cups in 2030: According to The Messenger, Americans use approximately 130 billion disposable cups each year, approximately 50 billion of which are coffee cups. Starbucks' disposable cups have become a part of consumers' lives, but in a few years, Starbucks will completely phase them out. In fact, the Associated Press reported that Starbucks said as early as 2008 that it hoped that all cups would be recyclable or reusable by 2015, but the goal is still far away. Starbucks pointed out that since the circular economy is the future trend, Starbucks is gradually phasing out disposable plastics, supporting the use of recycled materials, and promoting recycling. Starbucks is preparing to expand the recycling cup service to more branches and learn how to use convenient, easy and interesting ways to encourage consumers to give up disposable takeout cups and use recycling cups instead. Starbucks hopes that by 2030, the carbon footprint and usage will be reduced to

2023-10-18

Reshaping the world is not easy. LEGO finds recycled PET bottle bricks have higher carbon emissions.

Danish toy giant Lego launched a program in 2021 to recycle plastic bottles into building blocks. After two years of experimentation, Lego recently announced that the recycled plastic process has a higher carbon footprint, which runs counter to the company's goal of reducing carbon emissions by 37% by 2032. However, the company remains committed to finding other sustainable materials suitable for building blocks. The goal is to eliminate the use of petroleum-based plastic building blocks. Plastic bottles were once a hope. Lego produces approximately 60 billion building blocks annually, primarily made from petroleum-based ABS plastic. ABS plastic has a high gloss, high stability, and is easy to process and paint. It is widely used in products such as toys, cars, and home appliance casings. However, the production process of ABS plastic is also very energy-intensive. The Financial Times reported that approximately 2 kilograms of oil are needed to produce 1 kilogram of ABS. According to Fast Company, Lego set a goal in 2012 to completely eliminate petroleum-based materials in its building blocks by 2030. "We believed it wouldn't be that hard to find this magical new material," Lego CEO Niels Christiansen told the Financial Times. "But we tested hundreds of materials and just couldn't find the right one." Lego began testing various plant-based bioplastics in 2018, but no good news came out. In 2021, it was finally announced that plastic made from recycled PET bottles might be a fantastic new environmental solution. Unfortunately, after two years of testing, this new

2023-10-12

Hilton Hotels launches carbon-labelled autumn menu in UK

Since May of this year, Hilton Hotels has added carbon labels to its menus at major UK hotels in cities like London, Liverpool, and Ritz, helping guests make a more positive environmental impact while dining. The initiative, which has been implemented across its hotels, has revealed strong customer engagement with low-carbon diets, leading Hilton to offer more low-carbon options on its autumn menus. Hilton partnered with climate sustainability consultancy Klimato to implement this initiative, labeling each dish on the menu as low, medium, or high carbon, based on its carbon footprint. Since its launch in May, the program has shown an increasing popularity for low-carbon dishes, demonstrating that carbon labels help customers make informed choices. Based on this finding, Hilton continues to develop more low-carbon dishes to offer a wider range of options. The recently released autumn menu already features 85% of dishes with a low or medium carbon footprint. To improve the carbon footprint of its menus, Hilton also strives to source ingredients locally in the UK, using locally raised, low-carbon chicken, salmon, crab, beef, mushrooms, tarragon, celery, and plant-based meats to create a wider range of low- and medium-carbon options. Source: Business Traveller

2023-10-11

California requires large companies to publicly disclose carbon emissions

On October 9th, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill (Senate Bill No. 253) requiring companies in California with annual revenue exceeding $1 billion to report their greenhouse gas emissions. This bill compels major California-based companies, including Apple, Disney, Meta, Intel, and HP, to disclose their carbon emissions. Under the newly passed bill, the California Air Resources Board will establish a carbon emissions reporting system for regulated companies by January 2025. The state government initially estimates that over 5,300 companies will be affected. Required companies will be required to publicly disclose Scope 1 and Scope 2 carbon emissions starting in 2026, and Scope 3 carbon emissions starting in 2027. In addition to the California state government, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is also developing federal regulations requiring U.S. publicly listed companies to report their carbon emissions to combat corporate greenwashing. However, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce said these regulations will increase business operating costs and are difficult to implement in practice. Source: BBC

2023-10-09

Concerns about carbon reduction quality lead to the first decline in the voluntary carbon trading market in the first half of 2023.

The corporate craze for net-zero emissions and carbon neutrality has fueled the booming voluntary carbon market (VCM), reaching a market value of $2 billion in 2021. However, two recent reports indicate that the VCM experienced its first contraction in seven years in the first half of 2023, shrinking by 6%-8%. This may be bad news for developing countries relying on carbon trading to finance climate adaptation. The carbon trading market saw its first decline in the first half of 2023, with major brands like Nestlé withdrawing investment. Net-zero carbon emissions targets have become a global trend. However, business operations inevitably produce carbon dioxide. Purchasing carbon offset credits—buying others' carbon reductions to offset one's own emissions—has become a method for companies to achieve carbon neutrality. Voluntary carbon markets, which facilitate the buying and selling of carbon credits, have emerged in response. Reuters reports that the VCM market is growing rapidly, reaching a market value of $2 billion in 2021. Shell and the Boston Consulting Group predicted earlier this year that the market could reach $10 billion to $40 billion by 2030. However, the voluntary carbon market has recently faced headwinds. A Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) report shows that demand for carbon offsets fell by 6% in the first half of 2023. Documents from consulting firm Ecosystem Marketplace also show a downward trend over the same period.

2023-10-02