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Is a poor encomy beginning to help investment in new technology?

Tuesday, 12 May 2009 23:08 By Chris Innis

We are a year into the so called Global Financial Crisis, whilch some commentators, like weatherman have downgraded, to a global financial downturn. We are all feeling a little better for that. The downturn, as this website prefers to call it, is beginning to bring benefits to those looking towards a lower carbon economy though expenditure programmes sponsored by government stimulus packages.

Governments in these packages have ramped up their commitment to the environment through changing attitudes in public procurement

Getting back to basics

Wednesday, 01 April 2009 21:45 By Chris Innis

A review of various press releases in the last week and my attendence at an Earth Hour function reminded me that sustainability is and should remain about the basics. The mantra of most people that work in the life cycle assessment sector stills applies: Avoid; Reduce; Reuse; Recycle; Dispose.

This mantra is easily understood and easily communicated, more easily communicated than cap and trade, carbon permits and emissions trading schemes. For that reason it should be the frontline in the communication strategies to small business and consumers and, governments should rethink policies to give effect to them. But this mantra is not sexy and really a little boring, so it won't always get the headlines like say a new low carbon technology, melting ice caps or species extinction.

Government launches Carbon Reduction Commitment, looks to save £1 billion by 2020

Tuesday, 17 March 2009 01:00 By Chris Innis

A new guide is published by the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change to help business to prepare for the introduction of the Carbon Reduction Commitment, which will begin in April 2010. The guide provides information on who is covered by the scheme and guides the reader step-by-step through what they need to do to take part in the scheme.

Energy and Climate Change Minister, Joan Ruddock, said: “The Carbon Reduction Commitment is part of a package of measures in the ground breaking Climate Change Act which will help mobilise 5,000 organisations to save over 4 million tons of CO2 a year, equivalent to taking a million cars off the road.”

US government agencies set aside $200 million for small businesses

Tuesday, 17 March 2009 00:26 By Chris Innis

The Environmental Protection Agency and the National Science Foundation in the US have set aside a fund to encourage small businesses to become involved in environmental technology. Funds have been set aside at both agencies through their Small Business Innovation Research programmes.

The maximum award of $150,000 is available from a funding pool of $185 million provided by Phase I of the National Science Foundation's SBIR programme. Applications are now open and close on 9th June 2009.

UK business warns against over regulation

Monday, 16 March 2009 23:26 By Chris Innis

Dr Neil Bentley, director of business environment at the Confederation of British Industry, has warned that business may not be aware of its obligations under new carbon reduction regulations to be introduced next year and has called on government to do more to make businesses aware of coming changes and businesses' obligations.

Following the launch of the government's Carbon Reduction Commitment, Dr Bentley said businesses should begin to prepare themselves for the introduction of new carbon reduction regulations which will immediately affect all businesses with an energy bill of over £1 million per annum.

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