"Avoiding Deforestation to Limit Climate Change 'Cheap and Practical'

COLUMBUS, Ohio, July 23, 2008 (ENS) - Wealthy nations could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions globally by paying landowners in developing nations not to clear forested land for agriculture, finds a new study by a research team from Austria, Brazil and the United States.
The research attaches estimated dollar amounts to each metric ton of carbon that could be saved through avoided deforestation in Africa, Central and South America, and Southeast Asia.
Governments willing to spend a total of about $1 billion annually could prevent the emission of roughly half a billion metric tons of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide a year for the next 25 years. Source: Environment News Service

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

Don't Offset CO2, Retire Them, via Climex

At the age of 25, Dan Lewer is going into retirement -- carbon emissions retirement that is. Lewer is co-founder of a new online carbon offset company called Carbon Retirement, which launched on July 15.
Carbon Retirement offers consumers and companies a novel approach to offsetting their carbon footprint by letting them dip into the European Union's Emissions Trading Scheme.
Now in its second phase running from 2008-2012, the EU scheme sets an emissions cap for its heavy industry and allocates a fixed number of permits, called EUAs, each allowing the bearer to pollute or trade the equivalent of one tonne of carbon dioxide (CO2). After an offset purchase is made on its website, Carbon Retirement buys the corresponding EUAs on the spot market, from CO2 exchanges like EXAA in Austria and Climex in the Netherlands. Spot EUAs currently trade around 24.50 euros (US$38.93) a tonne (Source: Reuters)

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

Schwarzenegger slams Bush administration on global warming

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said the Bush administration's decision to delay a decision on regulating greenhouse gases showed that it did not believe in global warming. Schwarzenegger, in an interview with ABC television broadcast Sunday, said it would have been insincere for the administration to take action on the harmful emissions with only six months left in George W. Bush's presidency.
"Well, to be honest with you, if they would have done something this year, I would have thought it was bogus anyway... because you don't change global warming and you don't really have an effect by doing something six months before you leave office," he told ABC on Friday.
Schwarzenegger spoke on the day the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a report offering no new action against emissions and calling for 120 days of public comment, essentially leaving any decision to the next administration.

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

German Power, Oil - what fuels CO2 prices?

During the last weeks we saw a steady increase in CO2- prices. EUA Dec.08 increased from about 25.20€/t in May by approx. 4.0€ to 29.20€/t until 1 July. During that phase we saw the Dec12 break the 33€/t and even the 34€/t. The bullish trend was also seen in the whole energy market, especially for Crude oil, NBP gas and electricity prices. During the last weeks it has been observed, that the EUA prices were correlating stronger with the oil prices, than with the German power prices.

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

Climex standpoint towards HFC and large Hydro

Recently Climex has received quite a number of questions with a view to our standpoint towards HFC[1] and large scale Hydro projects. Therefore we would like to explain our policy and procedures with regard to CER Spot trading:

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

Are you our 100th member??????

At the day of publication of this Newsletter Climex has 91 registered participants. If you have not joined us yet, we would encourage you to ‘wake up’ and do so now to be part of the fastest growing Carbon Exchange. We are on our way to welcome our 100th member. Of course, we will not let this go by unnoticed and the 100th member will receive a special welcome gift; a Philips WAKE UP LIGHT.

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

Climex Energy Auction prepares REC auction for Dutch Government

Climex Energy Auction started to prepare for the procedure to purchase guaranties of Origin for the Dutch Government. The Ministry of Defence will buy, on behalf of the entire National Government, Guarantees of Origin (GoOs), in order to compensate 75% of the total energy consumption of this National Government. In 2009, this total will rise to up to more than 80%. This way the Government’s aim drawn up several years ago, with regard to sustainability, will be met in particular concerning energy consumption.

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

US Climate Bill Dies; Hope for 2009

A US carbon-capping bill aimed at curbing climate change died on Friday in the Senate but its supporters looked to the next president to enact a global warming law as early as 2009. The bill aimed to cut total US global warming emissions by 66 percent by 2050. Opponents said it would cost jobs and raise fuel prices in an already pinched American economy.
Far from being discouraged, Sen. Joe Lieberman said international observers would be gratified that the measure got support from a majority in the Senate, including presumptive presidential nominees John McCain and Barack Obama. "I think people around the world are going to be greatly encouraged by the fact that 54 members of the US Senate are saying they want to support a real response to global warming," Lieberman, the independent senator from Connecticut who sponsored the bill, said after the measure ended with a procedural vote.

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

McCain Pledges To Combat Climate Change

PORTLAND, Ore. - Republican John McCain, differing sharply with President George W. Bush, said on Monday he would pursue mandatory US curbs on greenhouse gas emissions if he wins the White House in November. The Arizona senator vowed to take the lead in combating global climate change, seek international accords to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and offer an incentive system to make businesses in the United States cleaner. (Reuters)

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

U.N. sees world climate change deal in 2009

MADRID (Reuters) - The world can reach a significant new climate change pact by the end of 2009 if current talks keep up their momentum, the head of the United Nations climate panel said on Sunday.
more stories like this. The United Nations began negotiations on a sweeping new pact in March after governments agreed last year to work out a treaty to succeed the Kyoto Protocol by the end of next year.
"If this momentum continues you will get an agreement that is not too full of compromises," said Rajendra Pachauri, head of the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change, during a seminar at the Asian Development Bank annual meeting in Madrid. Without a deal to cap greenhouse gas emissions around 2015, then halve them by 2050, the world will face ever more droughts, heatwaves, floods and rising seas, according to the U.N. panel (Reuters)

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

Bush gets mixed reviews at climate change summit

PARIS (AP) A new U.S. call for curbing greenhouse gas emissions shook up climate talks Thursday in Paris among the world's biggest polluters. While some welcomed President Bush's gesture, others called it too little, too late.
Bush said Wednesday that the United States must stop the growth in its emissions of greenhouse gases by 2025, acknowledging the need to head off serious climate change. It was the first time he had set a specific target date for U.S. climate pollution reductions. He said he was ready to commit to a binding international agreement on long-term reductions as long as other polluting countries, such as China, do the same.
In Paris, South African Environment Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk said Bush's speech "is a big complicating factor," throwing off the agenda for talks on Thursday and Friday in the French capital.

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

Bangkok: UN climate talks agree on 2 yr. agenda

[AP] Climate negotiators agreed Saturday on an ambitious agenda for talks they hope will lead to a global warming pact, overcoming a dispute between Japan and developing countries on how to cut greenhouse gas emissions. The schedule came after five days of marathon talks in Bangkok and requires negotiators to settle contentious issues, including how countries will cut emissions and how rich nations will help the poor adapt to climate change.
"Not only do we have the certainty that critical issues will be addressed this year, we now have the bite-sized chunks which will allow us to negotiate in an effective manner," U.N. climate chief Yvo de Boer said (see: http://www.unfccc.int )

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

Talks get off to Bangkok climate change talkgood start

DPA; Bangkok - UN-sponsored climate change talks have gotten off to a good start in Bangkok, although beset by nervousness after the Bali breakthrough last December, the UN's top climate change official said Tuesday. "I am very encouraged by the way things are going," said Yvo de Boer, executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which is hosting a five-day meeting on climate change in Bangkok, which has drawn 1,180 delegates from 163 countries.

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

'Kyoto II' Climate Talks Open In Bangkok

BANGKOK - The first formal talks in the long process of drawing up a replacement for the Kyoto climate change pact opened in Thailand on Monday with appeals to a common human purpose to defeat global warming.

"The world is waiting for a solution that is long term and economically viable," U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon said in a video address to the 1,100 delegates from 163 nations gathered in Bangkok.

The week-long meeting stems from a breakthrough agreement in Bali last year to start negotiations to replace Kyoto, which only binds 37 rich nations to cut emissions of greenhouse gases by an average of five percent from 1990 levels by 2012.

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

18.03.08 McCain highlights climate change as key transatlantic priority

Ahead of his visit to London, Republican presidential candidate John McCain urged Europe and the US to work together on climate change in a Financial Times editorial Tuesday.
The Arizona Senator singled out climate change as one of the top priorities on which Americans and Europeans should focus, behind terrorism and the trend towards autocracy in Russia.
His op-ed, entitled “America must be a good role model,” affirms his intention to for the US to engage in the international process to agree on a successor treaty to the Kyoto protocol.
“I have introduced legislation that would require a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, but that is just a start. We need a successor to Kyoto, a cap-and-trade system that delivers the necessary environmental impact in an economically responsible manner,” McCain wrote. (Source: Pointcarbon)

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

Blair Says Global Climate Talks Need New Initiative

MAKUHARI, Japan - Former British prime minister Tony Blair urged the world's top greenhouse gas emitters on Saturday to launch a revolution to fight climate change and said he'll work to sell a new global framework to slash carbon emissions. Blair told a gathering of G20 nations, ranging from top carbon emitter the United States to Indonesia and South Africa, that the call to action was clear and urgent and believed part of the solution was a renaissance for nuclear power. "We have reached the critical moment of decision on climate change. There are few, if any, genuine doubters left," Blair told G20 energy and environment ministers in Chiba, near Tokyo.
"If the average person in the United States is say, to emit per capita, one tenth of what they do today and those in Britain or Japan one fifth, we're not talking of adjustment, we're talking about a revolution," he told delegates.The average American emits the equivalent of about 24 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year. In China the figure is about four tonnes. (REUTERS)

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

Meet us at Point Carbon and/or Carbon Expo

Climex will be present at Point Carbon and Carbon Expo in the first half of 2008 to provide interested parties with the opportunity to meet us in person, see the Climex Platforms during demo sessions, ask questions and discuss the possibilities of the Climex. Please look up our stand.
Do feel free to schedule a meeting with us during one of these conferences to have all your questions answered.
11 – 13 March 2008: Point Carbon in Copenhagen, Denmark
7 – 9 May 2008: Carbon Expo in Cologne, Germany

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

About Climex and New Values

New Values is the owner of Climex exchange. New Values, founded in 2003 and based in The Netherlands, is a flexible organisation backed by a network of partners all over Europe. New Values' shareholders are Rabobank and TenneT, who started New Values on request of a group of industries who wanted an efficient, low cost and transparent way to trade among each other without being dependent on intermediary parties and without having to incur extra costs.

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

Auctions

Climex exchange regularly conducts CER and VER auctions for validated CDM and voluntary projects. This initiative was set up to jumpstart the CER and VER trading market. The goal is to create a cross-continental CER and VER market linking buyers of CERs and VERs throughout the world with project developers.

For upcoming auction dates, please contact our Customer Service Desk.

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

Why ÖEKV chose Climex for its members

The Österreichischer Energie Kkonsumenten -Verband (ÖOEKV) is an organisation representing the energy intensive industry in Austria with over four hundred members and more than 59 years of experience in energy consulting for trade, industry, service enterprises and supporting experts in federal organisations. We work as an independent consultant in the fields of energy efficiency and planning, procurement of electricity, gas, heating and CO2-EUAs for Austrian and international companies and institutions.

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

Climex continuous spot prices available on Reuters Interactive

Climex is the fastest growing spot exchange, showing the best results during several months and in other months having the second largest liquidity. It is now possible to follow the prices and volumes on Climex, almost real-time on Reuters Interactive. Access to Reuters Interactive is freely available, after registration.

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

Role and Status International Transaction Log

The function of the International Transaction Log (ITL) is to verify transactions proposed by registries to ensure they are consistent with the rules agreed under the Kyoto Protocol. Each registry sends transaction proposals to the ITL, which checks each proposal and returns to the registry its approval or rejection. Once approved, registries complete the transaction. In the event that a transaction is rejected, the ITL sends a code indicating which ITL check has failed and the registry terminates the transaction.

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

Availability second phase EUAs

Although Climex is pleased with the achievement of having traded second phase EUAs the on the first day they became available, the second phase does not only have a positive outlook. Only Austria and Denmark have so far met the deadline on Thursday 28 February 2008 to allocate permits to emit carbon dioxide to their industry.

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

European Commission: funding CCS a problem

On 21 February, EU Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs reportedly told a group of representatives for 14 major energy sector firms that, until 2013 and possibly beyond, "there is no money" in the EU budget for supporting carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects.
Discussions between EU policymakers and energy sector stakeholders reveal sharp differences about how, and by whom, expensive CO2 capture and other 'green' technologies should be financed. On 22 November 2007, the Commission presented its Strategic Energy Technology (SET) plan, along with a technology map, designed to invigorate the development of 'clean' technologies in the EU. A communication on how the SET Plan will be financed is expected before the end of 2008. Source: Euractive

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

E.ON ; public "misinformed" on energy and climate

(Montel Powernews) - The public’s lack of understanding of energy matters is a key hindrance in the development of climate goals, according to chief executive of E.ON, Wulf Bernotat.Speaking at an industry event in Essen on Tuesday, he said that "the average citizen understands very little apart from the fact that climate change is important". Bernotat referred to public opinions polls which revealed that 96 per cent of those asked were in favour of solar power, 47 per cent for wind, 24 for nuclear and 7 per cent for coal. "This is the opposite of what we actually need," he said, lamenting the level of misinformation amongst the population in Germany.

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

EU finance ministers urge caution on cost of climate plan

The European Union's move to a low-carbon economy to fight climate change must not harm its competitiveness, the bloc's finance ministers said on Tuesday. The executive European Commission last month proposed an ambitious package of measures to help the 27-nation bloc cut greenhouse gas emissions blamed for global warming, partly by using more green energy sources.
"The Council supports the leading role of the EU when it comes to energy and climate change. However we have to make sure this transfer to a low carbon economy will be carried out in a sustainable manner so economic growth is sustainable and public finances do not suffer too much," Andrej Bajuk, finance minister of EU president Slovenia, told a news conference.

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

New Values Master Class 2008

New Values kindly invites you to the 4th edition of the Climex Master Class on 14 February 2008 in Pakhuis de Zwijger in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. New Values is the owner of Climex Exchange. The Climex Master Class is free of charge.

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

Netherlands Has Another Record Warm Year in 2007

AMSTERDAM - The average temperature in the Netherlands in 2007 matched 2006, the warmest year in 300 years, and the Dutch meteorological institute said it was a sign of global warming. The average temperature in 2007 was 11.2 degrees Celsius (52.16F) which, along with 2006, is highest average since Dutch temperatures were first measured in 1706, the KNMI institute said on Friday. The normal annual average is 9.8 degrees. "The most important reason for the recent high temperatures is the slow global warming of the climate," KNMI said. Dutch temperature records are among the oldest in the world. Eight out of the ten warmest years in the Netherlands were after 1988. (Reuters)

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

Italy cuts CO2 allocation to thermal power plants, drops auctioning

(Pointcarbon, Oslo)Italy has published a new draft national allocation plan for the second trading period of the EU emissions trading scheme, proposing to cut annual allocation to thermal power plants 9.5 million EUAs per year and cancelling plans to auction 12 million allowances per year, a government official said on Wednesday.

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

All nations must join climate fight: Bali draft

All nations must do more to fight climate change, and rich countries must make deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions to avoid the worst impacts, a draft proposal at United Nations talks said on Saturday.
The four-page draft (see here) written by delegates from Indonesia, Australia and South Africa as an unofficial guide for delegates from 190 nations at the December 3-14 talks, said developing nations should at least brake rising emissions as part of a new pact. It said there was "unequivocal scientific evidence" that "preventing the worst impacts of climate change will require (developed nations) to reduce emissions in a range of 25-40 percent below 1990 levels by 2020."

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

Australia ratifies Kyoto protocol

(pointcarbon, Oslo)Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has today signed an order to ratify the Kyoto protocol, meaning the country will be included in the 1997 treaty before the end of March next year.

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

China Wary on International Climate Goals - Official

BEIJING - Beijing is reluctant to set itself international targets to fight climate change without financial assistance from industrialised countries, a senior climate change official, Gao Guangsheng, said on Thursday. Gao was speaking days ahead of talks in Bali, Indonesia, expected to launch two years of formal negotiations to extend or replace the Kyoto Protocol on global warming after 2012.
He was scathing about industrialised countries' limited efforts to help developing nations cut greenhouse gas emissions, despite commitments under the UN's convention on climate change to share clean energy technologies.
That had made it more difficult for China to curb emissions of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas blamed for contributing to climate change, he said. "Only when I know what technology I have can I calculate how much I can reduce emissions; only when I have funding assurances," said Gao, director general of climate change at the National Development and Reform Commission.

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

European commission denies double counting claims

(pointcarbon, Oslo)The European commission today denied reports that there could be double counting of more than 18 million EU allowances for the years 2005 and 2006.

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

Kyoto, emissions trading key in Australia election

(pointcarbon, Oslo)Kyoto ratification or not is one of the issues at stake in the federal election Saturday, when Australians will choose between the Liberal-led coalition government and the opposition Labor party.

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

Status International Transaction Log

According to recent UNFCCC plans the ITL was supposed to be ready to connect to the National Registries of Japan, New Zealand and Switzerland by Mid November. So far, only the link between Japan and the ITL is operational.

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

Climex Exchange Improves External Distribution of Market Data

From the start of its operations the Climex Exchange has been actively trying to create a level playing field for all participants in the carbon market, both large and small.

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

uN: Nations on course to meet Kyoto targets

Targets listed in the Kyoto protocol are likely to be met, according to new data disclosed Tuesday by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, see here. Greenhouse gas emissions by industrial nations that signed and ratified the protocol are likely to decease 11 per cent by 2012 compared to 1990, UNFCC executive secretary Yvo de Boer said. The Kyoto Protocol commits industrialized countries to a 5 per cent reduction target from 2008-2012 compared to 1990. But while the European Union as a whole is projected to achieve its objective making use of Kyoto mechanisms such as emissions trading, other Kyoto parties are expected to see an upward trend in emissions, the Bonn-based UNFCC said.

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

EU plans inclusion of CO2 storage in cap-and-trade scheme: report

(pointcarbon, Oslo)European companies pumping carbon dioxide (CO2) underground instead of into the air will be able to count carbon stored as a legitimate reduction in the regional cap-and-trade market, according to EU commission plans to be put forward next year.

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

Climate Experts Agree UN Blueprint for Action

VALENCIA, Spain - Climate experts (IPCC) agreed a UN blueprint on Friday for fighting global warming that warns that governments only have a few years left to avert the worst impacts. Governments have a wide range of tools -- higher taxes on emissions, regulations, tradeable permits and research. An effective carbon price could help cuts. See press release and the IPCC Policy Makers Summary.
Emissions of greenhouse gases would have to peak by 2015 to limit global temperature rises to 2.0 to 2.4 Celsius over pre-industrial times, the strictest goal assessed. The costs of fighting warming will range from less than 0.12 percent of global gross domestic product (GDP) per year for the most stringent scenarios until 2030 to less than 0.06 percent for a less tough goal. In the most costly case, that means a loss of GDP by 2030 of less than 3 percent.

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

Senators to Bali Climate Summit for Post 2012 Agreement

Senators Boxer and Kerry will lead a bipartisan delegation of US Senators to the December Climate Summit on Bali. Kerry announced this at the event of the Council on Foreign Relations Oct 29. On his website Kerry announces an alternative Post Kyoto aproach, besides the restricted approach the current Bush admistration offers. He wants the U.S. to Lead, Engage Developing Nations in Solutions. "I don’t have to emphasize just how much we’ve been set back by 8 years outside the international system. It is crucial that our delegation to Bali send a clear message to the world that America is finally serious about fixing climate change. We’re ready to end the era of obstruction and start leading by example.".
The objective of the Senators delegation to the UN meeting is in my view twofold: 1. to control the US delegation that they do not obstruct the strong ambition of the whole US Congress to tackle climate change and to ensure that a future US cap and trade system goes hand-in-hand with international caps, includig developing countries' involvement. 2. to offer the world an alternative discussion partner. Under the UN system treaties can only be made by official governments, the Bush administation. But in Bali countries can learn that a future administration will accept international CO2 caps.

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

27,150 VERs sold in Climex Auction

19 October 2007

Press Release, for immediate release

27,150 VERs sold in Climex Auction

The first European VER auction was held yesterday on the Climex Auction Platform, operated by New Values. 340,601 VERs generated in vintages ranging from 1999 to 2006 and from three projects, were on offer and 27,150 VERs from 2 projects were sold. The sellers chose not to disclose the price.

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

27,150 VERs sold in Climex Auction

19 October 2007

Press Release, for immediate release

27,150 VERs sold in Climex Auction

The first European VER auction was held yesterday on the Climex Auction Platform, operated by New Values. 340,601 VERs generated in vintages ranging from 1999 to 2006 and from three projects, were on offer and 27,150 VERs from 2 projects were sold. The sellers chose not to disclose the price.

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

CO2 Caps under America Climate Security Act 2007

Yesterday, Senators Joe Lieberman (I-CT) and John Warner (R-VA) introduced a comprehensive global warming bill (see here) that sets the stage for Senate action this fall. The America Climate Security Act (ACSA) would establish a mandatory cap to dramatically reduce global warming pollution from the electric utility, oil and manufacturing industries. Interestingly is that it creates a possible link to the global carbon market because it has provisions on international emissions trading and on international forests as offets for caps for companies. It is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions substantially enough between 2007 and 2050. The cap requires a 70% reduction from these covered sources. The sponsors estimate that the bill's energy- efficiency policies, when combined with the cap, would produce overall reductions of up to 63% compared to 2005 levels.

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

US Senate leaders promote mandatory CO2 caps

Washington, D.C. - In advance of a global warming conference this week, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid released the following letter to President Bush today, calling on him to announce his support for mandatory national and international limits on the pollution that causes global warming.
"Our legacy to the many generations that will follow us will depend upon how we handle the climate crisis and whether as a nation and as a world community we can take real action in time to avoid the worst effects of global warming," Pelosi and Reid wrote.

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

Doubts in EU on CO2 storage

Respondents to a consultation on a proposed EU strategic energy technology (SET) plan have expressed doubts over the emissions-cutting potential of clean fossil fuel technologies such as carbon capture and storage. Consultation responses were released by the European commission on Wednesday.When asked to identify those technologies that could contribute most to meeting the EU's emission reduction target of 20-30 per cent by 2020, only 26 per cent of respondents pointed to sustainable fossil fuel technology. In contrast, nearly two-thirds underlined the potential of increased energy efficiency in buildings and transport towards meeting the 2020 goal [source; ends daily].

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

All 552,000 EU Allowances sold in Lithuanian auction

Press Release, for immediate release

Vilnius, Budapest and Amsterdam, 10 September 2007

Today, Vertis Environmental Finance and New Values announce the successful execution of the Lithuanian auction of EU Allowances. A total of 552,000 EU Allowances (EUAs) were on offer in an electronic auction coordinated by Vertis Environmental Finance on the Climex Exchange. A total volume of 552,000 EUAs was transacted at a price of € 0.06 per tonne.

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

Climate talks will test U.S. resolve

BERLIN (Reuters) - A climate meeting in Washington later this month will show whether the United States is really serious about curbing greenhouse gas emissions after years of playing down the problem, Germany's environment minister said. In an interview with Reuters, Sigmar Gabriel welcomed President George W. Bush's vow at a G8 summit in June to work with the United Nations to fight global warming, but said it was now time for Washington to take firmer steps. "The United States has a chance with this meeting to bring itself back into the international talks on climate change, talks from which it has long been absent," Gabriel said. "Now it will become clear whether the United States is really interested in binding agreements on reducing CO2 emissions. If they are, then this (meeting) can make a positive contribution."

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

Vienna: U.S. praises developing nations' climate curbs!!

VIENNA, Aug 29 (Reuters) - The United States praised developing nations' efforts to curb greenhouse gases on Wednesday, a marked shift from its usual call for big emitters such as China and India to do more to fight
global warming.
Chief climate negotiator Harlan Watson also played down conflicts with the European Union over the U.N.'s Kyoto Protocol, saying there were more areas of agreement than disagreement between the two over global
warming policy (Reuters)

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

Climate talks start on widening Kyoto to outsiders

VIENNA, Aug 27 (Reuters) - Climate negotiators from more than 150 nations sought a global deal beyond 2012 on Monday to widen the U.N.'s Kyoto Protocol to include outsiders such as the United States and China.
"Climate change is already a harsh reality, a massive obstacle to development," Austrian Environment Minister Josef Proell told the meeting in Vienna of more than 1,000 senior officials, activists and other experts. "Climate change is a huge challenge that can only be dealt with at a global level," he said. "We do not have much time."

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

Point Carbon Connections, Thursday 13 September, 18:30 in Amsterdam

Point Carbon and the Climex Exchange, operated by New Values, invite you and a colleague to POINT CARBON CONNECTIONS, an informal drinks event for the carbon community.

For the first time in Amsterdam!
THURSDAY 13 SEPTEMBER, 18:30
Party Boat Odessa
Veemkade 259, 1019 CZ Amsterdam

Please let us know if you can attend by sending an email to carbonconnections@pointcarbon.com . Feel free to invite a colleague, however please advise us prior to the event as it is invitations only.

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

Cows That Burp Less Seen Helping Climate Fight

LONDON - Manners aside, getting cows to burp less can help reduce global warming. Using modern plant-breeding methods to find new diets for cows that make them belch less is a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, scientists said on Monday. The key is developing new varieties of food that are easier for cattle to digest and also provide a proper balance of fibre, protein and sugar, said Michael Abberton, a scientist at the UK-based Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research. This could open up plant-based solutions as alternatives to reducing stock as farmers look for ways to cut methane emissions amid warming climates, he told a briefing on farming and climate change at London's Science Media Centre. He noted the average dairy cow belches out about 100 to 200 litres of methane each day, making diet changes a key potential factor in reducing this greenhouse gas. "There is a common misperception about how methane gets into the atmosphere," he said. "It is actually through belching rather than the other end."

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

Exxon: concerns on cap-and-trade, but climate changes

Exxon Adjusts Its Views, But Retains Doubts; Environmental campaigners love to hate Exxon Mobil, depicting the world's largest publicly traded oil company as a dinosaur, stuck in denial about the impact of rising energy consumption on the air, land and climate. While its rivals have buffed their public images and engaged in debate over greenhouse gas emissions, Exxon has been seen as evasive, even dismissive. There was always an element of caricature in that depiction, but as long as doubts remained, Exxon was keen to air them. Chief Executive Rex Tillerson is now striking a very different tone, echoing the calls for action on climate change. The response must be pragmatic, but Exxon is no longer equivocating about the evidence or the need to act (Copyright © 2007 Energy Intelligence Group, Inc.), July 2, 2007

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

Will Emission Trading survive the first period?

‘Will Emission Trading survive the first period?’ was the theme of the 2007 New Values Master Class in February of this year. Speakers from McKinsey, Barclays, the European Commission and KNMI (the Royal Dutch National Weather Service) presented their views on this topic.

Such an awkward question, you may think. Of course, it will survive. Just look at the trading volumes of 2006 and look at the second phase prices and volumes which are currently traded. The trading mechanism is working and for the first time in history pollution has been given a price. The only conclusion to be drawn is that there is a market and emission trading is here to stay.
A result Europe can be proud of indeed and the correct conclusion; this opinion was seconded by most of the speakers at the Master Class. We do have to ask ourselves however if emission trading is realising the reason it was set up for: reducing carbon emissions and combating climate change.

>> entire posting / read comments (1)

Eneco wins tender from Governmental buyers’ combine in European Energy Auction

19 June 2007

Press Release, for immediate release

Eneco wins tender from Governmental buyers’ combine in European Energy Auction

Amsterdam – 19 June 2007 – Eneco turned out to be the winner at the auctioning of a major natural gas contract by the Central Government facilitated by European Energy Auction (EnergieKeuze).
Fifty Dutch Governmental Institutions, amongst others: the Ministry of Defence, the Department of Justice, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Housing, Regional Development and the Environment and the Ministry of Housing and Construction, will buy 150 million cubic metres of gas per year from Eneco, for the next four years (including two optional years). The total value of this contract comes to approximately 150 million Euros.

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

Did G-8 leaders agree on climate change?

HEILIGENDAMM, Germany - Group of Eight leaders including President Bush agreed Thursday to call for substantial global emissions reductions to fight global warming and cited a goal of a 50 percent cut by 2050.
European leaders hailed the deal as progress in the wrangling between Europe and the United States over global warming, with the Europeans pushing mandatory cuts and the U.S. resisting.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who shepherded the deal as chair of the G-8 summit in this seaside resort in northern Germany, called it "very great progress and an excellent result." With Bush resisting concrete cuts, it had appeared Merkel's summit would fall short of her goal of a substantial deal on climate change.
"We agree that we need reduction goals - and obligatory reduction goals," she said.
But the language of the declaration appeared to be well short of a full commitment. It called for the countries to "seriously consider" following the European Union, Japan and Canada in seeking to halve emissions by 2050 [Associated Press]

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

Remarkable:"Carbon credits for saving apes"

One of the world's most prominent conservation experts issued a rallying cry to save the great apes, man's closest biological cousins, which are under serious threat of extinction. Richard Leakey, former head of the Kenya wildlife service and now chair of Wildlife Direct, said apes across the world faced unprecedented threats from the combined effects of hunting, disease and logging. And he said efforts to tackle global warming through the use of biofuels could cause more damage to ape populations because of pressure to chop down their tropical forest homes. Experts warn that increased uptake of alternative fuels could mean the disappearance of the remaining 50,000 animals there within a generation.
Dr Leakey said human activity was directly to blame for the deaths of millions of gorillas, chimpanzees and bonobos across the world. He urged politicians working on a new international treaty to regulate greenhouse gas emissions to focus more on incentives to conserve forests across south-east Asia, Africa and central and south America.
He said preventing deforestation would help curb global warming as well as preserving endangered apes. Carbon released by deforestation is reckoned to account for 25% of all human greenhouse gas emissions, second only to the energy generation sector. See here.

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

Financials, fearing $1 trill./a climate cost, urge G8 to act

OSLO - More than 20 banks and insurers urged leading industrial nations meeting in Germany to back deep cuts in greenhouse gases, warning that unchecked global warming could cost the world up to US$1 trillion a year by 2040 [press release].
A statement signed by 23 chief executives and chairmen of banks, insurance and re-insurance companies participating in the UN Environment Programme's finance initiative called on the G8 to adopt emissions reduction targets no later than 2009. "There has been a seismic shift in how climate change is perceived and it is widely considered to be the greatest market failure ever," the companies, which included Munich Re Allianz and Daiwa Securities said in a statement distributed by the UNEP.

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

NAP allocation unfair to power sector

(Montel Powernews) - Although most seemed to agree that the European Commission’s 5.2 per cent cut in the Finnish national allocation plan was lower than anticipated, Fortum expressed strong criticism of the way the electricity sector is discriminated under the current system.

First published 04.06.07 17:16

Commenting on the EC decision today, Fortum said the 5.2 per cent cut to 37.6 million allowances a year was “more or less as expected” since the EC has consistently cut member states’ proposals for allocations to industry included in the EU ETS.

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

Review proposals for EU ETS EU ready End of 2007

The Commission will present its views for a revised emissions trading system post 2012 by the end of this year,” Piebalgs told the VDEW congress. Furthermore, the EC will set concrete goals for EU member states on how to reach the target of 20 per cent renewable power production in the total generation mix, he added. “It is an ambitious goal but it is certainly feasible,” he pointed out, saying that given oil prices of around USD 70.00/bbl and carbon prices above EUR 20.00/t, boosting renewable energy is not only an environmental necessity but also profitable.

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

Secondary CERs

In the second phase of the EU ETS, CERs (Certified Emission Reductions) will become important compliance tools alongside EUAs.

Especially small and medium sized compliance companies have not yet looked into the possibilities and limitations of CERs.
New Values has developed a new service which makes it possible to buy and trade CERs easily, without all the risks normally related to CERs; so-called secondary CERs.

Hereby some explanations and background information!

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

UN meeting moves world closer to comprehensive post-2012 negotiations

Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its Kyoto Protocol concluded two weeks of negotiations and talks in Bonn, Germany today.T he conference was also the first opportunity for delegates to react to the findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) Fourth Assessment Report. According to the third installment of the report, released in Bangkok on the fourth of May, climate change can be mitigated at relatively low cost provided the appropriate policies and incentives are put in place.
Parties to Kyoto Protocol took note of IPCC conclusions that greenhouse gas emission reduction commitments between 25 and 40% below 1990 were needed on the part of industrialized countries for the period beyond 2012 to limit a mean global temperature increase, with greenhouse gas emissions peaking within the next 10 to 15 years before going down. [see Press release]

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

S&P: Climate Policy to influence Power Market for long term

A new climate change report by Standard & Poor’s indicates that the European energy sector will continue to be under a substantial impact from EU climate policy initiatives. The report focuses on challenges for generators in taking long term decisions impacted by political uncertainty, security of supply, generation mix and technological developments. "It is clear that reducing greenhouse gas emissions will continue to be central to EU policy over the long term and that the operating and regulatory environment for electricity generators will remain influenced by this focus," said Peter Kernan, Standard & Poor´s credit analyst. The findings of the report indicate that a large number of utilities in the energy sector are postponing their decisions to invest in new generation plants due to the uncertainty of what will happen after the expiration of the Kyoto treaty beyond 2012.

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

New Values and European Energy Auction

Recently, New Values acquired European Energy Auction BV, operational in the Netherlands and Belgium using the name “EnergieKeuze". EnergieKeuze is an auction platform for electricity, natural gas and Certificates of Origin, offering industries and (local) governments the opportunity to tender their needs in a structured way. This ensures transparency, time saving and the lowest prices on the market. As well as preparing and executing the auctions, clients are assisted in mapping out their energy consumption and conditions before the auction commences. The auction is anonymous; suppliers bidding in the auctions do see the lowest bid, however it remains nameless. So far, a total of more than 450 million euros have been contracted.

>> entire posting / read comments (1)

CO2 compensation: Industry caught in carbon ‘smokescreen’

Companies and individuals rushing to go green have been spending millions on “carbon credit” projects that yield few if any environmental benefits. A Financial Times investigation has uncovered widespread failings in the new markets for greenhouse gases, suggesting some organisations are paying for emissions reductions that do not take place. Others are meanwhile making big profits from carbon trading for very small expenditure and in some cases for clean-ups that they would have made anyway. The growing political salience of environmental politics has sparked a “green gold rush”, which has seen a dramatic expansion in the number of businesses offering both companies and individuals the chance to go “carbon neutral”, offsetting their own energy use by buying carbon credits that cancel out their contribution to global warming. The burgeoning regulated market for carbon credits is expected to more than double in size to about $68.2bn by 2010, with the unregulated voluntary sector rising to $4bn in the same period [Financial Times, April 26]

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

On our way to trading CERs and ERUs

The year 2007 is well on its way. The end of the year 2007 will not only bring us the start of the Kyoto Protocol agremeents going into force, but it will also mean the end of the first phase of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. It may seem early to already discuss these subjects now; it will still last at least another 9 months. However, a lot of participants on the Carbon Market are already preparing themselves to be ready for the start of the Kyoto Protocol. And so are we at New Values!

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

Re-Brand Global Warming as Economic Woe - UN Draft

A fight against global warming could work better if viewed as part of the world's economic problems and not a purely environmental headache, a draft United Nations report says. The IPCC report, due for release in Bangkok on May 4, says economic policies for everything from forestry to insurance can have big spinoffs in limiting greenhouse gas emissions. Story by Alister Doyle, REUTERS NEWS SERVICE

>> entire posting / read comments (2)

Special workshop for Austrian industry on 12 April 2007

In February 2007 ÖEKV (Österreichischer Energiekonsumenten Verband) and New Values signed a cooperation agreement. In line with this the Climex Trading Platform has been prepared for this cooperation and ÖEKV and New Values have now started to approach Austrian industries together.

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

Press release: New Values acquires European Energy Auction

Today, New Values takes over TenneT daughter 'EnergyKeuze' (European Energy Auction).

With EnergieKeuze New Values is expanding its products and services, adding electricity, gas and Certificates of Origin to the carbon products which are already being traded on the Climex Spot and Auction Platform.

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

Environmentalists Clash Over Carbon Offsets

By Alice Kelly on Ecosystem Marketplace A spate of articles in the media recently focused on quality concerns in the voluntary carbon market. The Ecosystem Marketplace surveys the issues involved in the debate over voluntary carbon offsets. The ads sure sound enticing: By writing a $100 check each year, we can each offset our 10-ton carbon footprints without changing our lifestyles. No more worrying about how our air travel or SUVs spew carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and increase global warming.
More than three-dozen companies now offer to trade our cash to underwrite projects that reduce the amount of greenhouse gases circulating in the atmosphere. According to industry figures, this voluntary carbon market has already prevented or sequestered hundreds of millions of pounds of carbon dioxide emissions. And the field is exploding. Two of the world's largest power companies, General Electric and AES Corporation, just announced plans to create 10 million tons of greenhouse gas offsets by 2010 to sell to commercial and industrial customers. But with battling experts, evolving scientific knowledge and no Better Business Bureau to police this new green field, what guarantees that the carbon offsets being sold effectively protect the environment?
The bad news, says Derek Broekhoff, a senior associate at the World Resources Institute, is that "the vast majority of providers have a long way to go before they are up to speed and maintaining consistent levels of quality." "I would definitely say it's a buyer beware market," he concludes.

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

Over-allocation in Germany – Prices dropped and what will happen to Ex-Post and the German Reserve?

According to data from the Community Independent Transaction Log (CITL), 1,827 German installations covered by the European Union emissions trading scheme reported 2006 carbon dioxide emissions totalling 477.38 million tonnes. In 2005, the same installations emitted 474.5 million tonnes of CO2. The 2005 cap for these installations was 496.23 million tonnes.

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

Publication on Emission Trading in the German Environmental Magazin "UmweltBeautragte"

Emissionshandel im Jahr der Abrechnung

2007 geht der europäische Emissionshandel in sein drittes Jahr – und somit in die Schlussphase der ersten Handelsperiode. Bis Ende dieses Jahres können die betroffenen Unternehmen überschüssige Emissionszertifikate verkaufen oder ihre Unterdeckung ausgleichen. Mit der Hilfe externer Dienstleister oder über Online-Handelsplattformen ist dies kein Hexenwerk.

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

US Supreme Court: EPA authorised to reduce CO2

In a groundbreaking decision, the Supreme Court ruled today that the federal government has the authority under the Clean Air Act to regulate America's global warming pollution. This ruling affirms that carbon dioxide is a pollutant and the Environmental Protection Agency should exercise its existing authority to reduce global warming emissions.
As historic as this ruling is, it does not require the EPA to take action. In a separate decision, the Supreme Court also ruled 9-0 against Duke Energy in a case that tested whether power plants are required to install pollution control equipment on aging coal-fired power plants.

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

Press Release

26 March 2007

Press Release, for immediate release

Vertis Environmental Finance and New Values announce
1,177,500 EUAs from the Hungarian Government sold today for € 0.88 per tonne

Budapest and Amsterdam – 26 March 2007 – Today an auction of EUAs for the Hungarian Government took place on the Climex Auction Platform. A total of 1,177,500 emission allowances were on offer in this second electronic auction. Buyers have been bidding a volume of 2.4 million EUAs and the total volume offered for sale was sold, for a price of € 0.88 per tonne.

This was the second EUA auction coordinated by Vertis Environmental Finance on the Climex Platform. The previous one took place on 11 December 2006 and sold a total of 1.197 million EUAs for a price of € 7.42 per tonne.

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

Al Gore seeks start Post Kyoto Pact in 2010

COPENHAGEN - Former US Vice-President Al Gore called on Tuesday for Kyoto countries to bring forward by two years the start date of a new global warming treaty, to 2010, given the urgency of the global warming problem. The Kyoto Protocol ties some 35 industrialised countries to 5 percent emissions cuts from 1990 levels by 2012, and the signatories to the pact are currently negotiating a successor. The United States pulled out of the pact on the basis of the possible costs and job losses, but climate change campaigner Al Gore said the next US president, to be installed in 2009, could push for the country's inclusion in a new treaty. "If we were to move to a 2010 start the energies of the American political system could (complete) this within the first two years of the president's term," he said.

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

Hungary to auction its remaining 2005-2007 CO2 allowances

Hungary will offer for sale by auction 1,177,500 EU Allowances (EUAs). The auction will take place on 26 March 2007. If necessary, a second round will be held on 29 March 2007.

The Hungarian Ministry of Finance is responsible for the sale of the EUAs, which can be used for compliance in the EU Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS). The auction will be managed by Vertis Environmental Finance and executed on the Climex Auction Platform.

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

What will allocation in Germany look like in 2008-2012?

So far, the German Government proposed a compliance factor for combustion installations of 85% and for CHP installations and all other industrial sectors, a compliance factor of 98,75%., during NAP II During the revision of NAP II, this approach was changed. Industries still have a compliance factor of 98,75% but for combustion installations the emission reduction will not be reached through a compliance factor but by applying of Best Available Technology (BAT).

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

"Implementation of Emissions Trading Scheme still not fully aligned"

See the report by the European Environment Agency here:

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

ÖEKV and New Values sign an agreement which gives ÖEKV members access to the Climex Trading Platform

VIENNA/AMSTERDAM – 27 February 2007

Österreichischer Energiekonsumenten-Verband (ÖEKV) and New Values, a Dutch based Carbon exchange, today announce the signing of a cooperation agreement to give ÖEKV members access to the Climex Trading Platform operated by New Values.

As soon as they become members of the Climex Trading Platform, ÖEKV members receive a discount on their trading fees and ÖEKV will support and advise them with the application procedure.

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

Dutch Employers Fear Cost of New Govt's Green Drive

The new Dutch cabinet's green proposals, including higher taxes on fuel and air tickets, will hurt business and are best dealt with on a European level, the head of the country's main employers' group said on Wednesday.
"We are afraid of new green taxes, for example on cars, fuel and all kinds of environment taxes which are not yet specified in the programme, that will be costly for companies," Bernard Wientjes, president of the Confederation of Netherlands Industry and Employers [VNO-NCW] told Reuters in an interview. The new Dutch government, made up of a coalition of Christian Democrats, Labour and Christian Union parties, will be sworn into power on Thursday following November elections and weeks of negotiations. The new accord presented early this month underlines the incoming government's green credentials with more aggressive environmental policies and climate change targets than the previous cabinet. Proposals include levying a tax on air tickets, an environment distinction for cleaner and more economical cars and setting up a taskforce to look into higher taxes for environmentally damaging energy and fuels. But details have been sketchy, with the coalition saying it would only announce specifics after extensive talks with unions, employer groups and the wider public. Such taxes will unfairly burden Dutch companies compared with their European counterparts by creating an unlevel playing field, said Wientjes. "When there is a tax, it has to be equal in all countries in Europe, a level playing field. We suggest, don't do it alone. Do it on the European level," he said.

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

Second Life CO2 Footprint

If you thought Second Life, the popular online 3D world, was entirely virtual, it turns out to leave a considerable real-life footprint. According to recent calculations, Second Life avatars consume about as much electricity (1,752 kWh per year) as the average Brazilian. In terms of CO2 production, this is 1.17 tonnes of CO2 per avatar.

At any given time there are 10.000 to 15.000 avatars 'living' in Second Life, while the total number of residents has already passed the one million mark. With new businesses, banks, schools and even embassies opening every day, it may be time for a carbon offset program...

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

Final Programme Master Class 2007

The programme for the New Values Master Class 2007, which will be held on Thursday 22 February at the Lloyd Hotel in Amsterdam, is finalised.

On Wednesday evening, 21 February at 8.00 pm, you are invited to have dinner with the New Values Team at the Panama Restaurant, in Amsterdam, completely free of charge.

On Thursday, during the morning session, a wide variety of speakers on many different topics will be giving presentations and there will be ample opportunity for discussion and questions. In the afternoon, there is a choice of workshops by specialists on subjects related to Carbon Emission Trade, available to all attendants.

The Master Class is also completely free of charge.

Registration for the Master Class is still possible on our website:
www.NewValues.net

For the New Values The Master Class 2007 Programme please click the following link:
Download file

We look forward to seeing you.

Axel Posthumus

CEO

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

Mapping World & US GHG Emissions

Interesting visualization by the World Resource Institute, mapping greenhouse gas emissions of various countries onto US states. See The State of U.S. Emissions, Part I and How U.S. State GHG Emissions Compare Internationally.

The maps show, for instance:

- Every US state is equivalent to an entire country in terms of GHG emissions.
- Six US states (Texas, California, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois and Florida) rank among the top 30 emitters internationally.
- Texas emissions alone are equivalent to Canada (760 million tonnes).
- Michigan is equivalent to the Netherlands (219 million tonnes).

Apart from visualizing emissions data, the maps are also insightful for (future) US climate change policy:

For starters, each state has its own unique circumstances with respect to its GHG emissions and its capacity to reduce them. In that sense, federal and U.S. state policies are analogous to global efforts under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Kyoto Protocol, which refer to countries' common but differentiated responsibilities.

Second, regardless of federal action, states can make a significant global difference. Each state can reduce its emissions on a scale equivalent to at least one member of the Kyoto Protocol. Acting together, states could reduce emissions on a scale equal to a major developed or developing country. That said, there is no doubt that a comprehensive U.S. policy will be needed to reduce emissions on the scale required.

>> entire posting / read comments (0)

IPCC report warns of chaos from human action