Category: Clean Energy

Clean Energy

  • Renewable Power Perspectives Q&A with Ally Mendoza, CEO of SUNTEX

    Renewable Power Perspectives Q&A with Ally Mendoza, CEO of SUNTEX

    By Constance ThompsonSeptember 16, 2021

    The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is pleased to share the 4th installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog site series.
    Each installment includes market leaders and subjects connected to speeding up an equitable and simply shift to a renewable resource economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September functions highlight how 3 Hispanic-owned Accelerate member business are prospering in the sustainable energy sector.
    What inspired you to begin SUNTEX?
    As a natural-born leader, I constantly set high expectations for myself and always search for chances to serve others– be it by supplying exceptional customer care, language translations, or merely sharing knowledge with others. My personal goals and desire to help others led me to work in the renewable resource sector, where I can pursue this dream on a bigger scale.
    Inform us about SUNTEX?
    Our companys objective is basic: we wish to make solar easy and economical every step of the way. We largely serve the Hispanic neighborhood in Texas. That is what we do best– assist Spanish speakers understand and embrace sustainable energy as a method of life, assisting generations to come.
    Please show us more about your journey toward establishing SUNTEX. Existed an “aha minute” when you decided to focus on solar?
    Back in August of 2018, my service partner and I had the chance to sign up with a very appealing little solar setup company in Houston. Through this work we saw the opportunity available to bring solar into our (the Hispanic) community. As a result, my partner and I combined his experience in selling to the Hispanic market with my customer service knowledge to develop SUNTEX where “the customer is the reason we exist as a business”. Our focus is connecting the Hispanic community and our clients with exceptional customer care.
    Why is concentrating on the Hispanic community a priority for SUNTEX?
    Number Two: in the past, we have actually personally experienced a lack of care and interaction from those that can not recognize with our culture. We knew that solar advantages everyone, regardless of race or background, and that our people would require a lot of assistance to understand how to get this advantage for their houses.
    What challenges do you deal with? Why?
    Being a little company with a high level of service expectations for our clients comes with its own set of obstacles. Additionally, even though solar energy has actually been around for a while, the basics of these jobs are not widely taught in school.
    How are you making an effect through SUNTEX?
    By just living up to our sincere worths. I have discovered throughout my life that in service, there is no other way to do it right but to be truthful. While others might take faster ways, the truth always dominates.
    Please show us a recent company success story.
    Just recently, after assisting a customer “go solar” in 2 of her homes, she referred a new client named Angela to us. During our initial appointment, I noted that they might just achieve about 56% of solar energy offset due to their homes consumption rates and shading from trees on the property. We went over a couple of extra energy performance upgrades to your home to lower energy intake, which might provide a greater energy offset. Angela at first winced at the thought of investing more cash into the home, but eventually she called me back and stated she wished to move forward with the solar and energy effectiveness upgrades. We finished a Home Energy Audit to see why her usage was so high and discovered that her home required a bigger A/C unit, plus extra ducts to distribute the Air Conditioning equally throughout your house. We also informed her that the finance partner might add the expense of that upgrade to the solar loan– which in doing so, she could get approved for a lower rates of interest than any other house enhancement loan for that Air Conditioner upgrade. She took my recommendations and decided to move on and was, in reality, able to lower her loan rate of interest.
    During the setup, we wound up paying for Angela and her senior mother to stay in a hotel until their upgrades and assessments were complete to guarantee they were comfy throughout the procedure.
    Now, Angelas solar system covers 100% of the electrical energy utilized in her home. Thanks to the AC upgrade, they have actually decreased their energy usage greatly, and she has a flat, predictable solar payment monthly that is less than she was paying before installing solar. This is what we indicate by “client service.”
    From a nationwide viewpoint, how can we enhance access to sustainable enery?
    Most of the property owners that we go to are fortunate to own a home, yet numerous of them have not certified for solar due to several combined or isolated elements such as subprime credit rating, lower annual family earnings, self-employment, or a lack of knowledge of readily available loan programs. We require to supply more people with chances to embrace renewable energy with fewer inconveniences.
    How has your Accelerate subscription assisted your business?
    By empowering us to believe that there is somebody there to support our growth in this industry, and providing us the chance to satisfy others in the exact same boat. Now I understand that there is wish for minority small companies in the renewable resource industry.
    How can possible partners do organization with you?
    It is very important that we share the very same values and objective to help others, even if it means getting out of our convenience zones. It might cost a little bit more for us to do business, but its worth it in the end for our consumers. We d love to satisfy to talk about possible collaboration opportunities if youre ready to begin there.
    Exists anything else you wish to show ACORE members and partners?
    We are genuinely grateful for the Accelerate membership program and for all of the opportunities you have actually offered. I understand this is just the beginning, and we have a long roadway ahead of us; however, I look forward to becoming a sponsor to help lead the way for other Accelerate members in the future– with an unique thanks to all of my consumers and partners at SUNTEX, because they are the fuel that drives the mission!
    For more information about SUNTEX, visit https://suntexllc.com/.
    ###

    Furthermore, even though solar energy has actually been around for a while, the fundamentals of these jobs are not extensively taught in school. Throughout our initial appointment, I kept in mind that they might just accomplish about 56% of solar energy balanced out due to their homes usage rates and shading from trees on the property. We discussed a couple of extra energy effectiveness upgrades to the home to decrease energy intake, which might supply a greater energy balanced out. Angela initially winced at the thought of investing more money into the house, but eventually she called me back and stated she wanted to move forward with the solar and energy performance upgrades. Thanks to the A/C upgrade, they have actually reduced their energy intake considerably, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying prior to installing solar.

  • Renewable Power Perspectives Q&A with Ally Mendoza, CEO of SUNTEX

    Renewable Power Perspectives Q&A with Ally Mendoza, CEO of SUNTEX

    By Constance ThompsonSeptember 16, 2021

    Additionally, even though solar energy has been around for a while, the essentials of these jobs are not commonly taught in school. During our preliminary visit, I kept in mind that they could just achieve about 56% of solar energy balanced out due to their homes intake rates and shading from trees on the residential or commercial property. We discussed a couple of extra energy effectiveness upgrades to the home to decrease energy intake, which could supply a higher energy balanced out. Angela at first cringed at the idea of investing more cash into the house, however eventually she called me back and stated she wanted to move forward with the solar and energy efficiency upgrades. Thanks to the Air Conditioner upgrade, they have actually reduced their energy consumption considerably, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying prior to installing solar.

    The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is happy to share the 4th installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series.
    Each installment features market leaders and subjects related to speeding up an equitable and simply shift to a renewable energy economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September features highlight how 3 Hispanic-owned Accelerate member business are prospering in the renewable energy sector.
    What inspired you to begin SUNTEX?
    As a natural-born leader, I constantly set high expectations for myself and always look for opportunities to serve others– be it by providing remarkable customer care, language translations, or merely sharing knowledge with others. My individual goals and desire to assist others led me to operate in the sustainable energy sector, where I can pursue this dream on a larger scale.
    Tell us about SUNTEX?
    Our businesss mission is basic: we wish to make solar easy and cost effective every action of the method. We largely serve the Hispanic neighborhood in Texas. That is what we do best– help Spanish speakers comprehend and adopt renewable resource as a way of living, helping generations to come.
    Please share with us more about your journey toward establishing SUNTEX. Existed an “aha minute” when you chose to concentrate on solar?
    Back in August of 2018, my service partner and I had the chance to sign up with a very promising small solar installation company in Houston. Through this work we saw the chance available to bring solar into our (the Hispanic) neighborhood.
    Why is focusing on the Hispanic neighborhood a concern for SUNTEX?
    Number Two: in the past, we have personally experienced a lack of care and communication from those that can not recognize with our culture. We understood that solar advantages everyone, regardless of race or background, and that our individuals would need a lot of assistance to comprehend how to obtain this advantage for their houses.
    What obstacles do you deal with? Why?
    Being a small company with a high level of service expectations for our customers comes with its own set of difficulties. In addition, even though solar energy has actually been around for a while, the fundamentals of these tasks are not widely taught in school.
    How are you making an impact through SUNTEX?
    By just living up to our truthful worths. I have actually found out throughout my life that in organization, there is no other method to do it ideal however to be honest. While others may take faster ways, the fact always dominates.
    Please share with us a recent business success story.
    During our preliminary consultation, I kept in mind that they might just accomplish about 56% of solar energy offset due to their houses consumption rates and shading from trees on the property. We went over a couple of extra energy performance upgrades to the house to minimize energy consumption, which might supply a higher energy offset. Angela initially winced at the idea of investing more cash into the house, however eventually she called me back and stated she wanted to move forward with the solar and energy efficiency upgrades.
    During the installation, we ended up spending for Angela and her elderly mother to stay in a hotel till their upgrades and assessments were total to guarantee they were comfortable throughout the process.
    Now, Angelas planetary system covers 100% of the electrical energy used in her home. Thanks to the Air Conditioner upgrade, they have lowered their energy consumption significantly, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying before installing solar. This is what we imply by “customer support.”
    From a nationwide point of view, how can we improve access to sustainable enery?
    From my experience, there is a huge gap in gain access to. The majority of the homeowners that we visit are lucky to own a house, yet much of them have not gotten approved for solar due to numerous combined or isolated aspects such as subprime credit history, lower yearly household earnings, self-employment, or a lack of knowledge of readily available loan programs. These communities require more support and education on the value of installing a planetary system that can conserve them cash. We need to offer more individuals with chances to embrace renewable energy with fewer troubles.
    How has your Accelerate membership assisted your business?
    By empowering us to think that there is somebody there to support our growth in this market, and providing us the chance to meet others in the same boat. Now I understand that there is wish for minority small organizations in the renewable energy industry.
    How can possible partners work with you?
    It is necessary that we share the same values and mission to help others, even if it implies getting out of our convenience zones. It may cost a bit more for us to do organization, but its worth it in the end for our consumers. If youre ready to start there, we d love to meet to go over possible partnership chances.
    Is there anything else you want to share with ACORE members and partners?
    We are truly grateful for the Accelerate subscription program and for all of the opportunities you have supplied. I know this is only the start, and we have a long roadway ahead of us; however, I eagerly anticipate ending up being a sponsor to assist lead the way for other Accelerate members in the future– with a special thanks to all of my consumers and partners at SUNTEX, considering that they are the fuel that drives the objective!
    To get more information about SUNTEX, check out https://suntexllc.com/.
    ###

  • Renewable Power Perspectives Q&A with Ally Mendoza, CEO of SUNTEX

    Renewable Power Perspectives Q&A with Ally Mendoza, CEO of SUNTEX

    By Constance ThompsonSeptember 16, 2021

    The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is delighted to share the 4th installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series.
    Each installation includes market leaders and subjects related to speeding up a fair and just shift to a renewable energy economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September features highlight how three Hispanic-owned Accelerate member business are flourishing in the eco-friendly energy sector.
    What inspired you to start SUNTEX?
    As a natural-born leader, I constantly set high expectations for myself and constantly look for opportunities to serve others– be it by supplying exceptional customer service, language translations, or just sharing knowledge with others. My individual goals and desire to help others led me to work in the renewable resource sector, where I can pursue this dream on a bigger scale.
    Tell us about SUNTEX?
    Our companys mission is basic: we desire to make solar easy and budget-friendly every action of the method. We largely serve the Hispanic neighborhood in Texas. That is what we do best– help Spanish speakers comprehend and adopt renewable resource as a method of life, helping generations to come.
    Please share with us more about your journey towards developing SUNTEX. Was there an “aha minute” when you decided to focus on solar?
    Back in August of 2018, my service partner and I had the chance to join a very appealing little solar setup business in Houston. Through this work we saw the opportunity offered to bring solar into our (the Hispanic) neighborhood. As a result, my partner and I integrated his experience in selling to the Hispanic market with my customer support knowledge to produce SUNTEX where “the customer is the reason we exist as a company”. Our focus is connecting the Hispanic community and our consumers with outstanding customer support.
    Why is focusing on the Hispanic community a priority for SUNTEX?
    Number Two: in the past, we have actually personally experienced a lack of care and communication from those that can not identify with our culture. We understood that solar advantages everyone, regardless of race or background, and that our people would need a lot of assistance to understand how to obtain this benefit for their homes.
    What challenges do you deal with? Why?
    Being a little business with a high level of service expectations for our customers comes with its own set of obstacles. The biggest difficulty we face is shared by a number of little companies: turnover. In addition, although solar power has been around for a while, the essentials of these tasks are not extensively taught in school. So, we need to invest a lot amount of time training sales staff to make sure they are able to provide a high level of customer care.
    How are you making an impact through SUNTEX?
    By just living up to our honest values. I have actually found out throughout my life that in business, there is no other way to do it right however to be honest. While others may take shortcuts, the reality always prevails.
    Please share with us a current company success story.
    Just recently, after helping a client “go solar” in two of her houses, she referred a brand-new customer called Angela to us. Throughout our preliminary appointment, I noted that they could only attain about 56% of solar power balanced out due to their houses intake rates and shading from trees on the property. We discussed a few extra energy effectiveness upgrades to your home to minimize energy consumption, which could supply a higher energy offset. Angela initially cringed at the idea of investing more money into the home, however eventually she called me back and stated she desired to move forward with the solar and energy efficiency upgrades. We finished a Home Energy Audit to see why her usage was so high and found that her house needed a bigger Air Conditioning system, plus additional ducts to disperse the Air Conditioner uniformly throughout the home. We also told her that the finance partner might add the cost of that upgrade to the solar loan– which in doing so, she might receive a lower interest rate than any other house enhancement loan for that Air Conditioning upgrade. She took my guidance and decided to move on and was, in truth, able to reduce her loan interest rate.
    Throughout the setup, we ended up spending for Angela and her senior mom to stay in a hotel till their upgrades and examinations were complete to ensure they were comfortable throughout the procedure.
    Now, Angelas solar system covers 100% of the electricity utilized in her home. Thanks to the A/C upgrade, they have lowered their energy consumption significantly, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment monthly that is less than she was paying before setting up solar. This is what we indicate by “customer care.”
    From a national point of view, how can we improve access to eco-friendly enery?
    From my experience, there is a vast gap in gain access to. Many of the house owners that we check out are fortunate to own a house, yet a lot of them have actually not gotten approved for solar due to numerous combined or separated factors such as subprime credit rating, lower annual family earnings, self-employment, or a lack of knowledge of readily available loan programs. These neighborhoods need more assistance and education on the value of setting up a solar system that can conserve them cash. We need to supply more people with chances to embrace renewable resource with fewer hassles.
    How has your Accelerate membership assisted your service?
    By empowering us to think that there is somebody there to support our growth in this industry, and giving us the chance to meet others in the very same boat. Now I know that there is hope for minority small companies in the eco-friendly energy market.
    How can potential partners do service with you?
    It is necessary that we share the very same values and objective to help others, even if it implies getting out of our comfort zones. It may cost a bit more for us to do company, but its worth it in the end for our consumers. If youre willing to start there, we d enjoy to meet to go over possible partnership opportunities.
    Exists anything else you want to share with ACORE members and partners?
    We are really grateful for the Accelerate subscription program and for all of the chances you have supplied. I understand this is just the beginning, and we have a long road ahead of us; however, I eagerly anticipate becoming a sponsor to help lead the way for other Accelerate members in the future– with an unique thanks to all of my consumers and collaborators at SUNTEX, considering that they are the fuel that drives the objective!
    To get more information about SUNTEX, go to https://suntexllc.com/.
    ###

    In addition, even though solar energy has been around for a while, the basics of these jobs are not widely taught in school. Throughout our preliminary appointment, I kept in mind that they could just accomplish about 56% of solar energy balanced out due to their houses intake rates and shading from trees on the property. We talked about a few extra energy effectiveness upgrades to the home to decrease energy intake, which might supply a greater energy offset. Angela initially flinched at the idea of investing more cash into the house, however ultimately she called me back and said she desired to move forward with the solar and energy effectiveness upgrades. Thanks to the Air Conditioning upgrade, they have minimized their energy intake greatly, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying prior to setting up solar.

  • China Briefing, 16 September 2021: Xi and Biden discuss climate; Johnson’s ‘last-ditch’ talks with Xi; Advice for China’s carbon goals

    China Briefing, 16 September 2021: Xi and Biden discuss climate; Johnson’s ‘last-ditch’ talks with Xi; Advice for China’s carbon goals

    WHAT: Boris Johnson “is planning to assemble desperate climate talks” with Xi at “a crunch conference of world leaders” next week, the Guardian reported in an “exclusive” last Friday. Xi will be invited to the conference on the sidelines of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA76), according to the newspaper. At last years UN General Assembly, Xi promised that China would accomplish “carbon neutrality” before 2060..

    On the other hand, UK prime minister Boris Johnson is planning “last-ditch” environment talks with Xi in the hope of “breaking the international deadlock on climate action” ahead of COP26, the Guardian reported. Simply recently, Alok Sharma, president-designate for COP26, was in China for conferences to make sure a successful outcome of the environment top.

    WHY IT MATTERS: “Chinas participation and pro-active and enthusiastic engagement” would be one of the most significant determinants of an effective COP26, according to a post from the British Foreign Policy Group, a London-based thinktank. Jennifer Morgan, the executive director of Greenpeace International, revealed similar opinions. She informed the Guardian that China was important to hopes of success at COP26. At the end of his China see, Sharma likewise stated that “the choices that China makes, on their energy mix, and on coal particularly, will form our shared future”. However, Reuters reported that Chinas hard position throughout current environment talks with the United States and UK “might undermine development” at the Glasgow summit, according to professionals. Li Shuo, senior environment and energy policy officer at Greenpeace East Asia, informed the newswire: “Amid all the unpredictabilities, one thing has actually ended up being clear– Beijing will not succumb to foreign powers.”.

    Other news.

    PANDA POWER: A sprawling “panda-shaped” solar plant in Shanxi province can now generate adequate electrical energy for more than 100,000 people for a year, Xinhua reported. The calculation is based upon Chinas per-capita electrical power usage last year, which was 780 kilowatt hours, the state newswire said. The plants solar panels are carefully set up to reveal the image of 2 giant pandas while seen from above.

    ABROAD COAL: A research study report suggested that Chinas Belt and Road Initiative ought to put coal-mining tasks and coal-fired power plants on an “elimination list” and “slowly stop such abroad investment tasks”. The report was released by a forum run by CCICED last Wednesday.

    EXTREME WEATHER: A paper has actually evaluated the relationship between the roofing systems of conventional Chinese architecture and severe snow occasions over the past 1,000 years. The Conversation, Chinas Science Times and Sixth Tone featured the study.

    United States COVERAGE: The New York Times reported that the Biden administrations authorities had provided “extremely couple of information from the call”. However it said that Biden emphasised “the requirement to mitigate climate modification” to Xi, citing “authorities”. Los Angeles Times composed: “The White House is hopeful the 2 sides can work together on problems of shared concern– including environment change and avoiding a nuclear crisis on the Korean Peninsula– despite growing distinctions”. CNBC, CNN and the Washington Post reported that Xi named climate modification to Biden as one of the areas of possible cooperation. All three outlets pointed out Chinese state media. Bloomberg said that Biden urged Xi “to make a distinction between concerns for cooperation like climate change and those for competition like human rights and trade”.

    OUTRIGHT CAP: The China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED), a government-approved advisory body, stated that China required to develop mechanisms to control outright emission levels and impose caps on private provinces and markets, according to Reuters. CCICED is chaired by Han Zheng, Chinas vice-premier, according to its site. The advice was among a list of suggestions released by the organisation last Thursday, Reuters included.

    WHEN: The Xi-Biden call occurred last Friday Beijing time (Thursday United States time). It came a week after Bidens environment envoy, Kerry, finished his three-day visit to Tianjin, throughout which he consulted with his Chinese equivalent, Xie Zhenhua, and a variety of senior officials. Wang Yi, Chinas foreign minister, told Kerry that it would be “impossible” to separate environment concerns from total China-US ties– a direction the Biden administration had sought. The two sides reportedly “stopped working to reach contract”. (Read more about Kerrys check out in this China Briefing from earlier this month)..

    New science.

    WHEN: The Guardian stated that the conference would take place on 20 September in the hope of “breaking the global deadlock on climate action” ahead of COP26. It noted that the meeting would be attended by leaders from around 30 countries and co-hosted by António Guterres, the UN secretary general. Guterres told journalists last Friday:” [O] ne of the reasons Im convening … a top … is exactly to make an effort to construct trust … before COP26.”.

    XiS MESSAGES: On the topic of climate change, Xi “stressed that China continues to prioritise ecological conservation and pursues a green and low-carbon course to development”, according to the Chinese transcript.

    Elsewhere, an advisory body chaired by Chinas vice-premier has actually advised China to impose an outright cap on its carbon emissions throughout the 2021 to 2025 period to assist meet its climate targets, Reuters reported. China presently uses emission strength– the volume of emissions per unit of GDP– in its targets for carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

    POLICY: Xie Zhenhua, Chinas special envoy on environment, introduced the concepts and content of the countrys upcoming top-level environment action prepare for the very first time at a forum on Saturday, reported Yicai. The strategy, understood as the “1+ N” policy system, will utilize emissions reduction as its “tactical instructions” to promote “a synergy of contamination reduction and carbon decrease” and “a detailed green improvement of financial and social development”, Xie stated, according to the report..

    上微信关注 碳简报.

    WHY IT MATTERS: “Every solution to climate change goes through Washington and Beijing. Without either nations significant commitment, we are not going to reach our worldwide climate targets,” Michael Davidson, an assistant teacher in the School of Global Policy and Strategy and the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department at the University of California, San Diego, informed Carbon Brief. He added: “I still stay confident that with softer rhetoric from both sides, traditional areas of environment change cooperation will be revived … and boosted, high-level exchanges on cleantech trade and confidence-building measures on the reliability of each others long-lasting commitments can take location.”.

    A brand-new research study has actually discovered that consecutive “flood-hot” extremes will become more likely in China as the climate warms. The research study included that “traditionally extraordinary sequential extremes might originate from a sequence of fairly moderate floods and hot extremes in the exact same week”. Dr Chen Yang from the Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences is the corresponding author of the paper. He informed Carbon Brief: “In the past, these 2 kinds of extremes have been thoroughly examined individually. As the environment warms, nevertheless, they might [clash] in an unanticipated way.” He included: “So we need to foresee their prospective connection, even coincidentally, in magnifying the associated threats and threats and to much better get ready for the future.”.

    RATE SURGE: The thermal coal rate is “nearing a record high” due to “surging demand” in China and India, Nikkei Asia reported. The Japan-based outlet said that the spike in demand “hits a hesitation to purchase brand-new capacity”. The news came after a Chinese province reopened dozens of mines– which had actually been ordered to halt their operation due to land-use infractions– to improve coal production and cool coal prices. China Briefing from 26 August explained more.

    XI: The Chinese president checked a state-owned chemical business in Yulin, a city in the northern province of Shaanxi, to find out about the “comprehensive utilisation of coal” on Monday morning. He advised authorities and workers that the energy market “should continue to develop” to “support the nations modernisation”. Xi directed them to “transform and upgrade” its coal and energy development “to stroll the green, low-carbon developmental course”. Xinhua reported the story. CCTV aired a clip of Xis speech.

    Key advancements.

    Welcome to Carbon Shorts China weekly digest. We handpick and describe the most crucial environment and energy stories from China over the previous seven days.

    This is an online version of Carbon Briefs weekly China Briefing email newsletter. Subscribe free of charge here.

    Growing dangers from unmatched consecutive flood-hot extremes across ChinaGeophysical Research Letters.

    Chinese president Xi Jinping and United States president Joe Biden talked about environment modification recently in their very first call in 7 months. The discussion came simply a week after John Kerry, Bidens special envoy on climate, concluded his trip to Tianjin for a brand-new round of climate diplomacy with his Chinese equivalent and senior authorities.

    WHAT: Xi and Biden talked about climate change on the phone last week in their first discussion considering that February. Xi “elaborated on” Chinas position on environment change and other key problems to Biden, a transcript from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated. A readout of the call from the White House did not specify environment change as a subject.

    WHO: Johnson has actually personally welcomed Xi to come to COP26, according to a previous report. Bloomberg reported last Thursday that Xi– who has not left China for more than 600 days– had actually not validated his participation, mentioning a “senior European diplomat”. Last Wednesday, a UK government spokesperson stated that COP26s Covid-secure efforts “create space that Xi Jinping might come”, including that “we will discover out quickly”.

    Xi and Biden talk about environment change throughout call.

    Picture

    UNGA76: Bernice Lee, research study director at Chatham House, a London-based thinktank focused on worldwide affairs, told Carbon Brief: “President Xi made a crucial announcement last year throughout UNGA, which supplied a much-needed increase to global climate diplomacy. (Xi has not left China for the assembly, as of writing.

    Johnson plans desperate environment talks with Xi, report states.

    STATE MEDIA: A comment piece from China News Service highlighted that Xi had “offered responses” to “the question of the century” that is Sino-China relationship. It highlighted that climate modification must not be treated as a standalone issue. Xinhua Daily Telegraph reported that there were “three keywords” from the call. One of them was “regard” as it was the “standard precondition” of any potential China-US collaboration, it stated. Global Times reported that, according to “analysis”, China and the United States “will likely have substantive conversation” over issues consisting of the environment. It included: “But [regarding] whether or not an agreement will be reached, the key will depend upon if the US touches the three bottom lines China has raised formerly.” (The “3 bottom lines” are “three standard demands” China has provided to the US to push forward their relations. This release from the Chinese foreign ministry has actually explained what they are.).

    Extra reading.

    NEV: Both the production and sales of “brand-new energy” vehicles (NEVs) tripled in China from January to August this year, compared to the very same duration last year. The two figures stood at 1,813,000 and 1,799,000, in order. Xiao Yaqing, the minister of industry and infotech, provided the details at an interview on Monday. In the first 8 months of 2020, 602,000 and 596,000 NEVs were produced and sold, respectively, in the nation..

    Please email any feedback or pointers to [email safeguarded]

    Xi “elaborated on” Chinas position on environment modification and other crucial problems to Biden, a records from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated. XiS MESSAGES: On the topic of environment modification, Xi “stressed that China continues to prioritise eco-friendly preservation and pursues a green and low-carbon course to development”, according to the Chinese transcript. Global Times reported that, according to “analysis”, China and the US “will likely have substantive discussion” over issues including the environment. At the end of his China go to, Sharma also stated that “the options that China makes, on their energy mix, and on coal specifically, will form our shared future”. ABSOLUTE CAP: The China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED), a government-approved advisory body, said that China needed to establish mechanisms to control absolute emission levels and enforce caps on individual provinces and industries, according to Reuters.

  • As Texas fails to stop flaring, EPA must act

    As Texas fails to stop flaring, EPA must act

    The Texas Methane and Flaring Coalition revealed a cumulative objective to end regular flaring in Texas by 2030. As Texas stops working to stop flaring, EPA must act Click To TweetEPA is now drafting national methane requirements that could remove regular venting and flaring– a significant source of climate and health-harming pollution– as a broad, diverse group of 72 environmental and community groups from throughout Texas and the U.S. asked the company to do simply last week. Rates of malfunctioning and dark flares have actually remained unacceptably high, with market failing to keep one in every 10 flares correctly lit.It is also real that theres nothing on the books in Texas that legally stops operators from ramping flaring up once again when oilfield economics alter– and equally true that there are still too lots of operators flaring at high rates today.

    The Texas Methane and Flaring Coalition revealed a cumulative goal to end routine flaring in Texas by 2030. As Texas stops working to stop flaring, EPA needs to act Click To TweetEPA is now drafting nationwide methane requirements that could get rid of regular flaring and venting– a significant source of environment and health-harming contamination– as a broad, varied group of 72 environmental and neighborhood groups from across Texas and the U.S. asked the agency to do simply last week. Rates of dark and malfunctioning flares have actually stayed unacceptably high, with industry failing to keep one in every 10 flares properly lit.It is also real that theres nothing on the books in Texas that legally stops operators from ramping flaring up once again when oilfield economics change– and equally true that there are still too numerous operators flaring at high rates today.

  • Houston Metro and Mayor Turner show climate leadership with fleet electrification commitment

    Houston Metro and Mayor Turner show climate leadership with fleet electrification commitment

    Last month Houston Metro voted to move to purchasing just zero-emission buses by 2030– the same year the U.N.s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has actually set as a due date to cut the worlds emissions in half. Both decisions are driven by the very same goal: a healthier, much safer and cleaner world for our kids. As the largest transit authority in Texas, with one of the countrys largest fleets, Metros bold choice is to be applauded.The transfer to procure a zero-emission fleet is a needed one in the self-proclaimed “energy capital of the world,” which has dealt every year with the damage from a warming environment and severe weather occasions– the unprecedented flooding of Hurricane Harvey and the deadly debilitating of the unprepared power grid by the hard winter season storm. In the face of a hotter world, we can not just turn our air-conditioners up.In Houston, as in many cities, we understand these damages are not experienced in the same method from area to area. Neighborhoods that have actually been rejected financial investments in infrastructure to protect versus flooding have likewise been passed over for the placement of grocery stores and stores to purchase emergency situation supplies and generators. At the very same time, diesel emissions from buses, heavy-duty trucks and other devices harm Black, Hispanic, Asian and lower-wealth communities disproportionately. These Texans are more likely to live near industrial centers, roadways or ports where diesel emissions are greater and more persistent. Houston Metro and Mayor Turner show climate leadership with fleet electrification dedication Click To TweetCities should start somewhere, and they need to go all over they can. The biggest source in Houston of climate-changing emissions– nearly half of them– is transportation, a figure that casts a shadow over the states plans to broaden a highway and broaden through the heart of the city. Citys decision uses hope. Just two years after they asked voters to approve a $3.5 billion bond to considerably expand transit service, the agency has committed to energizing their fleet of more than 1,200 buses. Not only will the citys transit get much better, now it will get cleaner too. This resolution matches Mayor Turners Climate Action Plan for the city, carried out last spring. That plan set an objective for the city to satisfy carbon neutrality by 2050, and as a very first step devoted to power all community structures with renewable resource and make the citys own lorries all-electric by 2030. Energizing heavy-duty lorries like buses is essential for slashing climate and health emissions from transportation, all while reducing expenses. Electrification of diesel trucks and buses is the most economical method to reduce harmful ozone and smog toxins from the transportation sector. The switch to electrical buses will not just address the tailpipe emissions that cause bad air quality in neighborhoods, it will also considerably reduce the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions of Metros buses.As a fossil-fuel center, Houston faces a challenge in the middle of the energy shift. This immediate dedication should inspire all other decision-makers– and not just in Houston– to take comparable climate action in pursuit of environment justice, a priority repeated across agencies throughout President Bidens administration. Recent ridership information show that the bulk of Houstonians who use Metro are Hispanic or black; almost 19% make less than $16,000 a year. Though amazing the fleet will assist minimize the citys emissions, the majority of riders will still be taking buses house into neighborhoods that need to be prioritized with more resources, policies and investments.Houstons action demonstrates the management required to fulfill the minute to provide safer environment, much healthier air and smarter cities. Mayors are specifically matched to direct departments and marshal resources to take similarly urgent action, as Mayor Turner has actually done. Leaders in Houston are listening, and the time is ripe for companies, grassroots groups and other neighborhood organizers with concepts to come to the table. The discussion needs to go bigger, so every choice leads us forward. Theres no time at all to waste.

    Last month Houston Metro voted to shift to buying only zero-emission buses by 2030– the same year the U.N.s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has set as a due date to cut the worlds emissions in half. The largest source in Houston of climate-changing emissions– nearly half of them– is transport, a figure that casts a shadow over the states plans to broaden a highway and expand through the heart of the city. The switch to electrical buses will not just resolve the tailpipe emissions that lead to bad air quality in neighborhoods, it will likewise significantly decrease the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions of Metros buses.As a fossil-fuel center, Houston faces a challenge amid the energy transition. Electrifying the fleet will assist lower the citys emissions, the majority of riders will still be taking buses house into communities that need to be focused on with more resources, policies and investments.Houstons action demonstrates the management required to meet the moment to provide much safer climate, healthier air and smarter cities.

  • Guest post: The climate-change gaps in the UK school curriculum

    Guest post: The climate-change gaps in the UK school curriculum

    Education demand.

    Despite climate action and adjustment being an instant nationwide top priority, it is presently little pointed out in the UK nationwide school curriculum.

    Resolving any deficiency in climate education is a complex procedure and does not necessarily have to include officially altering the curriculum..

    In location, there are three mentions in the KS3 curriculum, consisting of the requirement to teach “the change in environment from Ice Age to the present” and “how human and physical procedures engage to influence and alter landscapes, environments, and the environment”.

    National action strategy.

    Food innovation students could learn about low-carbon foods and cooking techniques. English students could study approaches of communicating danger.

    We hope that a major outcome of our summit will be a nationwide action prepare for improving environment education. This can assist guarantee that understanding of a warming world reaches more kids– providing all young individuals greater company to influence their own society and futures, and guaranteeing that the chance to find out about climate modification does not come down to luck.

    The Department for Education (DfE) says other relevant mentor consists of primary-age students learning more about seasons, weather condition and environments (KS1), along with how environments can change and environment zones (KS2). Secondary-school pupils find out about aspects of the climate and communities in both biology and chemistry (KS3), while A-level trainees are taught an understanding of climate modification and how it can be dealt with, the DfE says.

    Finding out to deal with these repercussions, and adapt to them, is one of the most significant difficulties humanity has ever faced, and the way society modifications will form everyday life for future generations..

    Equipping teachers.

    While the impacts of worldwide warming are currently being felt throughout the world, the decisions taken now on environment action will most affect todays youths.

    No matter the amount of climate education in the curriculum, the quality is another crucial problem. Studies of teachers by climate the Teach the Future project group revealed that 9 out of 10 teachers agree that climate change ought to be required in schools, yet just three out of 10 feel effectively geared up to teach it.

    The current debate over BBC Bitesize, which offers online research study support for schoolchildren, is a high-profile example of how climate education can go incorrect. The site faced a reaction after it was discovered that its climate modification resources featured a prolonged list of “positive” effects of climate modification. It is not surprising that many instructors feel anxious about taking on a subject in which they have restricted training and know-how.

    Yet, climate modification is only included briefly in the national curriculum, as it currently stands..

    There are already examples of great practice in lots of schools. Some students get the opportunity to check out environment modification in “Personal, Social, Health and Economic” (PSHE) lessons, although this tends to be advertisement hoc and can be reliant on specific instructors.

    The word “environment” features twice in the science curriculum for Key Stage 4 (KS4) for 15- and 16-year-olds– instructing teachers to describe the “potential results” of greenhouse gases, plus “evidence and uncertainties” for human-caused climate change. And once for KS3 (12-14 years), however not for KS2 (8-11 years) and KS1 (5-7 years).

    Young people themselves are clear in their desire for this higher depth and breadth of climate-education throughout the curriculum. For example, environment education formed an essential part of the statement from the “mock” COP26 online conference held in 2015 by youth delegates from around the world. It also features greatly in the youth-led “Teach the Future” campaign.

    The comprehensive ramifications of worldwide warming imply that people will feel its effects whether their interests at school are, state, in the laboratory or the arts, and no matter their profession path.

    Yet lots of kids hardly ever encounter conversation of environment modification in the class or in their larger lives, other than in often-distressing newspaper article or through what they see on social networks.

    What has been clear throughout discussions with all those involved in our summit is that the momentum is already there. A lot of the tools, the will and the dedication of a number of organisations currently exists to enhance environment education in schools..

    Sharelines from this story.

    Young people themselves are clear in their desire for this greater depth and breadth of climate-education across the curriculum. Climate education formed an essential part of the statement from the “mock” COP26 online conference held last year by youth delegates from around the world. Enhanced education could go some method to addressing this concern at the root.

    The current controversy over BBC Bitesize, which provides online study assistance for schoolchildren, is a high-profile example of how environment education can go incorrect. The site faced a reaction after it was found that its environment modification resources featured a lengthy list of “positive” consequences of environment change.

    A page from a textbook used in UK schools to teach students about “global warming” on the AQA “9-1 Biology Combined Science” GSCE course. Source: OUP Oxford.

    For any of this to be possible, there is broad contract that additional training would increase self-confidence amongst teachers, and that schools would benefit from a more coordinated method in order to gain access to high quality, clinically robust resources and links to the newest environment science..

    Organisations such as STEM knowing, the Met Office and the Royal Meteorological Society provide numerous complimentary environment modification resources for schools. Scientists likewise can– and lots of already do– offer their time as STEM ambassadors to support local schools to introduce the essentials of climate science to their pupils.

    This is why the University of Reading– working with partners consisting of the Met Office, Office for Climate Education and Royal Meteorological Society– are holding a Climate Education Summit today to talk about an action strategy for improving climate education in schools..

    A generation equipped with understanding about the difficulties it faces, and the prospective options, is far more likely to engage with the environment difficulty with higher self-confidence and vigour.

    Nevertheless, all of the above examples are restricted to the sciences and geography, disallowing one DfE idea that economics A-level lessons “might” include effects of economics decisions and activity on the environment, if schools and colleges wish to.

    Warnings about climate anxiety among young people– as stressing headings become ever more common– also demonstrate the complexity of getting the right messages throughout in a positive method.

    This is the crucial factor behind this weeks Climate Education Summit. The event will combine leading climate scientists, instructors and education experts and young individuals to recognize the gaps in present environment education, and how these could be addressed through closer collaboration.

    This summer season has been a case in point, when a succession of extremes has made headings. Quick attribution studies have actually revealed that the deadly heat in the Pacific northwest in June would have been “virtually difficult” without climate change which the extreme flooding in western Europe in July was made more most likely by climate modification.

    Todays young individuals will also be tomorrows leaders and policymakers. Improved education could go some way to addressing this problem at the root.

  • Guest post: How world’s coal-power pipeline has shrunk by three-quarters

    Guest post: How world’s coal-power pipeline has shrunk by three-quarters

    The remaining pre-construction pipeline is spread out across a more 37 nations, 16 of which have simply one job. Just six nations account for more than four-fifths of proposed coal plants, namely China, India, Vietnam, Indonesia, Turkey and Bangladesh.

    Collapsing pipeline.

    Indonesia, house to 4% of the global coal pipeline in 2015, has just recently revealed its intention to stop constructing brand-new coal-fired power plants after 2023, although concerns remain that it might permit a number of permitted and pre-permit units to go on.

    The remaining pre-construction pipeline of 53GW (18% of the worldwide overall) is thinly spread throughout a more 31 countries, shown in the chart below. Almost half of these countries have less than 1GW under factor to consider, with 16 of them considering just a single task.

    Fears of the impact of a potential European carbon border change mechanism (CBAM) and climate-exacerbated wildfires are increasing pressure to cancel the nations remaining pipeline and check out alternatives.

    Our analysis breaks the worldwide coal landscape into 3 constituent regions, each manifesting various kinds of the current worldwide structural shift far from coal.

    The majority of these 6 are minimizing however not ending their strategies, our analysis programs. If any were to dedicate to no brand-new coal, it would significantly minimize the global pipeline of brand-new jobs..

    No new coal.

    Because the global circulation of proposed power plants is extremely focused, firm dedications to “no new coal” by just these six countries would eliminate 82% of the worlds remaining pipeline, ought to such promises be forthcoming.

    Six coal nations.

    A critical initial step is making sure no new coal-fired power stations are built. UN secretary basic António Guterres is calling for an end to their construction after this year and COP26 president designate Alok Sharma desires the summit in Glasgow to “consign coal power to history”..

    The staying pipeline of pre-construction coal power projects still under advancement total up to 297GW of capability spread across an overall of 37 countries. Yet in truth, this pipeline is highly focused in just 6 countries.

    In 2015 there were 26 non-OECD nations with coal plants under building and construction, amounting to an overall capability of 123GW (red line, left panel). By 2021, this had actually been up to simply 14 countries building a total of 72GW of brand-new coal capacity.

    Left: The international pipeline of coal capacity under building (red wedges) or in earlier stages of development (permitted, orange; pre-permit, yellow; and revealed, blue) as of July 2015 (left-hand pie chart) compared with July 2021 (right-hand), in gigawatts. The world has actually avoided a 56% growth of the total global coal fleet (as of June 2021), which would have been equivalent to including a second China (1,047 GW) to global coal capacity.

    Left: The international pipeline of coal capability under building and construction (red wedges) or in earlier stages of development (allowed, orange; pre-permit, yellow; and revealed, blue) since July 2015 (left-hand pie chart) compared with July 2021 (right-hand), in gigawatts. Right: The worldwide cumulative overall of coal capability built (blue) or cancelled (grey) given that 2015, gigawatts. Source: E3G, Global Energy Monitor and Ember (2021 ).

    The second is China, which accounts for both half the worlds operating fleet and half the worlds task pipeline. The rest of the world is seeing its pipeline quickly agreement as nations pivot away from coal, but still accounts for 39% of the international pipeline.

    An additional 40 nations have the opportunity to formalise the realities on the ground by making their own “no new coal” commitments. Some 33 have actually cancelled their staying task pipelines, while 7 have no prepare for brand-new coal. This group consists of 32 non-OECD nations that have actually pivoted away from coal, revealing the international expansion of this trend.

    An additional 40 countries have the opportunity to formalise the realities on the ground by making their own “no brand-new coal” commitments. Some 33 have cancelled their staying task pipelines, while 7 have no plans for new coal. Taking the others in turn, India is presently constructing 34GW of new coal capability, more than the next 7 nations integrated, while its pre-construction pipeline of 21GW is the 2nd biggest in the world.

    Just 5 of these nations are bucking the group pattern and still considering building brand-new coal, namely Australia, Colombia, Mexico, Poland and Turkey..

    The 17GW of jobs that are at the declared phase– the outermost stage from plants entering into operation, coloured blue in the chart — are progressively not likely to come to fruition now that new coal finance is so hard to secure..

    The circumstance in China and Turkey is explained briefly above. Taking the others in turn, India is currently building 34GW of new coal capability, more than the next 7 countries combined, while its pre-construction pipeline of 21GW is the 2nd biggest on the planet. This is on top of Indias considerable existing running fleet of 233GW (11% of the international total)..

    The chart above programs that 11 nations from the OECD or EU28 were constructing 28GW of coal capacity in 2015 and this had actually fallen to 5 countries and 16GW by 2021 (best panel), specifically Japan, Turkey, Poland, South Korea and Greece. (Notably, Greece and South Korea are now both thinking about transforming their unfinished coal plants to gas.).

    Receive our totally free Daily Briefing for an absorb of the past 24 hours of climate and energy media coverage, or our Weekly Briefing for a round-up of our material from the previous 7 days. Just enter your e-mail listed below:.

    An end to Chinese finance would open the door to the cancellation of over 40GW of pipeline tasks in 20 nations, making up the large majority of the 53GW revealed in the chart above.

    Back in 2015, when the worlds federal governments worked out the Paris Agreement, there was an overall of 1,553 gigawatts (GW) of coal capacity in the global pipeline, our analysis discovers.

    Countries with coal capacity under development in the rest of the world, by advancement, country and capacity status. Source: E3G, Global Energy Monitor and Ember (2021 ).

    Vietnams draft Eighth Power Development Plan (PDP8) — a government file that sets the nations energy trajectory out to 2030 — scales back prepares for new coal capability from previous versions and states that no new coal-fired power plants will be built beyond those already under building or prepared for conclusion by 2025 or quicker.

    If the objectives of the 2015 Paris Agreement are to be satisfied, there is now a broad consensus that unabated coal power generation should be rapidly phased out.

    Sharelines from this story.

    The chart listed below shows the variety of countries considering coal plants at each stage of advancement on the y-axis, as an alternative method highlighting the diminishing international coal pipeline.

    A lot of the coal jobs in these 31 nations are extremely dependent on worldwide public finance to be realised. China is significantly isolated as the last remaining significant company of public finance for abroad coal projects, following Japan and South Koreas recent dedications to end coal finance.

    The remaining development pipeline in India is likewise facing a powerful set of headwinds, consisting of lower than expected power need development, more affordable renewables, falling load aspects and trouble in securing financing.

    The shift in coal characteristics means that fewer and fewer nations have brand-new coal plants under development– and an increasing list are making this into a formal “no new coal” dedication.

    Bangladeshs role as chair of the Climate Vulnerable Group of nations was also reportedly a consider its choice to scrap the coal plants, highlighting the fact that some developing countries are considering their function as greenhouse gas emitters, however modest traditionally, together with their position in bearing the brunt of climate modification.

    However, some countries might require worldwide help to support a commitment to no brand-new coal. This could take the kind of provision of private and public clean energy financing, support to develop flexible grid facilities, or technical and capacity help to strengthen regulative and policy structures that speed up the transition from coal-to-clean.

    Share of the pre-construction pipeline of coal power jobs under advancement in 6 key countries (tones of red) relative to the rest of the world (grey). Source: E3G, Global Energy Monitor and Ember (2021 ).

    The cancelled capability is 3.6 times more than the 327GW that has actually gone into operation over the very same period, meaning plants in the pipeline have actually been most likely to be ditched than developed.

    The very first area is the OECD group of market economies and the EU, where really couple of brand-new coal plants are prepared and countries are participated in accelerating retirements of their existing fleets.

    The small scale of proposed coal capability in these countries suggests that a number of them are well positioned to cancel remaining projects, if they want to join an emerging “no new coal club” ahead of COP26.

    Relying on the 3rd grouping of non-OECD nations leaving out China, the pre-construction pipeline has actually collapsed by 77% because 2015, with five times as much coal power capacity having actually been scrapped (552GW) as commissioned (105GW).

    Others have actually made the relocation individually, with Sri Lanka making an explicit “no brand-new coal” commitment in its 2021 Paris promise (” nationally identified contribution”) and Malaysias Energy Transition Plan 2021-2040 consisting of a commitment to not develop brand-new coal.

    Taking a look at each of these regions in turn, the 38-strong OECD group of market economies and EU28 have continued to move far from coal, with the vibrant throughout many of these nations now moving towards sped up retirements.

    Bangladesh has also seen its pipeline collapse from over 20GW in 2018 to 10GW today. This collapse consists of 10 plants ditched in the first half of 2021 alone, due to concerns about fuel costs, overcapacity and limited land availability, in addition to the significantly challenging job of drawing in finance.

    Variety of nations with coal plants at each phase of advancement, consisting of those announced (blue line), at the pre-permit phase (yellow), allowed (orange) or under building (red). Source: E3G, Global Energy Monitor and Ember (2021 ).

    Changes in the status of coal tasks under advancement around the world 2015-2021, gigawatts. Source: E3G, Global Energy Monitor and Ember (2021 ).

    This overall, shown on the left in the chart below, includes plants under building and construction or in earlier phases of advancement. Since 2015, the pre-construction pipeline has actually collapsed by 76% to 297GW, with simply 185GW under building as of July 2021 (right-hand pie).

    Ahead of COP26, all governments are being asked to collectively react to UN secretary general Guterres call for no new coal by 2021. Our analysis discovers that a growing number of countries remain in a position to do so.

    The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) sees coal use falling by around four-fifths this years on a 1.5 C pathway. The International Energy Agency roadmap for 1.5 C says unabated coal power must end by 2030 in sophisticated economies and by 2040 globally..

    The collapse of the global coal pipeline and the rise of dedications to no brand-new coal have been advancing hand-in-hand over current years. Over the past two years alone, nations as diverse as Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Egypt, Pakistan, Philippines, North Macedonia and Montenegro have actually all made commitments and actions that put them on a path to no brand-new coal.

    The Sankey chart listed below aesthetically communicates the scale of cancellations because Paris (dark grey portions) relative to what has actually begun running (dark blue) or entered building and construction (red).

    China is a constituent bloc in its own right. However, even with its continued pursuit of coal, its pipeline is now 74% smaller sized, including 484GW of prepared capability that has actually been cancelled because Paris — more than double the amount that entered into operation over that duration (198GW).

    To date, our analysis discovers that 44 federal governments have actually devoted to not pursue any new coal plants, numerous through joining the Powering Past Coal Alliance.

    Since July 2021, these nations account for more than four-fifths (82%) of the remaining advancement pipeline, specifically China, India, Vietnam, Indonesia, Turkey and Bangladesh. This is displayed in the donut chart below (tones of red).

    To date, 44 governments have actually dedicated to end the construction of coal plants. A more 33 countries have cancelled their job pipelines since 2015 and remain in a position to make an official “no brand-new coal” promise, along with seven more without any plans to change their coal fleets.

    Turkey represents nearly three-quarters of the OECD total, with a pipeline of 12GW. In spite of a significant coal push since 2015, nevertheless, its pipeline has also been contracting rapidly and is now 64% smaller than it was in 2018. Some 8GW was cancelled in the first half of 2021 alone.

    Projects nominally still in the pipeline for the first 4 of these nations are unlikely to proceed.

    Yet because 2015, India has seen over 326GW of tasks cancelled, a 92% reduction in the pipeline. This includes more than 250GW of capacity that had previously been shelved. This suggests that practically 7GW have been scrapped for each 1GW that has entered into operation.

    Worldwide, 1,175 GW of planned jobs have actually been cancelled given that 2015. Speeding up market trends have integrated with brand-new federal government policies and sustained civil society opposition to coal. The world has avoided a 56% growth of the total global coal fleet (since June 2021), which would have been equivalent to adding a second China (1,047 GW) to global coal capability.

    In new analysis, published today, we reveal that the worldwide pipeline of brand-new coal plant projects has already shrunk dramatically given that 2015, bringing the world closer to a path consistent with international environment objectives.

  • What to look for as EPA readies landmark methane rules

    What to look for as EPA readies landmark methane rules

    And this summer season, Congress passed a bipartisan resolution reversing a Trump-era rollback of methane securities and declaring EPAs responsibility to minimize methane from both brand-new and older sources in the oil and gas sector. Innovations in methane mitigation tech coupled with smart policies have actually permitted major oil and gas producing states to effectively carry out new methods to deal with methane in recent years. In addition, numerous market groups and oil and gas business have likewise expressed support for brand-new requirements given the commonsense and job-creating nature of methane reductions.The momentum is behind EPA to propose protective, comprehensive standards that accomplish deep decreases in methane and local air pollution and put the oil and gas industry on a path to minimizing its methane emissions by up to 65% by 2025.

    EPA is preparing to launch suggested guidelines to cut oil and gas methane pollution from both new and existing facilities– one of the most cost-efficient and vital actions we can require to right away slow the rate of worldwide warming and prevent the worst impacts of environment change.Recognizing the value of this opportunity, the other day, over 70 community, health, tribal and ecological companies sent out EPA a letter expressing strong assistance for its efforts to develop methane contamination safeguards and prompting the agency to propose protective and thorough standards for brand-new and current sources.By leveraging advanced technologies and making sure significant coverage, the rules can secure the significant, science-based pollution reductions required to help deal with the climate crisis and to make sure healthy communities.In his day-one executive order on environment, President Biden directed EPA to propose methane rules for oil and gas centers by this fall. And this summer, Congress passed a bipartisan resolution reversing a Trump-era rollback of methane protections and declaring EPAs obligation to minimize methane from both new and older sources in the oil and gas sector. The resolution amassed support from supporters and a broad swath of the oil and gas market itself.To attain methane reductions consistent with the Biden administrations climate objectives, EPAs propositions should be comprehensive and seize on new technological developments. The just recently released Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Report highlights that swift action to minimize methane is needed to restrict worldwide temperature rise to 1.5 ° C, avoiding harmful environment impacts and securing the most susceptible populations.As the science around the methane problem has actually advanced, so have the solutions. Developments in methane mitigation tech paired with wise policies have permitted significant oil and gas producing states to successfully implement brand-new techniques to take on methane in the last few years. The affordable and easily offered solutions at hand, together with the broad support from stakeholders, develop a strong structure for EPA to embrace rules that curb pollution, cover all considerable emission sources– without carve-outs– and produce jobs.Protective standards should include these crucial features: Comprehensive requirements to find and repair leaks. Devices leakages and unintentional methane releases are a huge source of emissions. EPA requirements have traditionally required ground-based tracking, which remains crucial for discovering smaller but prevalent leaks. To enable faster detection and repair of “super-emitter” leaks, brand-new standards can take advantage of advanced tracking, like aerial surveys, which are cost-effective and extremely efficient. In reality, EPA recently held a technology workshop where oil and gas operators, scientific scientists, and other specialists shared details on the considerable decreases that these brand-new techniques could provide. To attain necessary emissions decreases, standards must apply thoroughly at both brand-new and older centers, consisting of at the lower production wells that are accountable for an outsized share and substantial proportion of the sectors overall production emissions.Adopting zero-emitting technologies. As state requirements in Colorado have actually shown, zero-emitting pneumatic gadgets are affordable, readily offered, and can be deployed across the sector to attain considerable emission decreases at low cost.Ending regular flaring. Requiring operators to capture natural gas minimizes substantial amounts of contamination, produces revenue for operators, and is a sensible action that EPA can and need to take now, developing on the examples of states like New Mexico and Colorado. Research study has repeatedly revealed that flaring is a significant factor to methane emissions and ending the regular practice can cost-effectively suppress waste and environment emissions.Requiring finest practices. Activities like liquids discharging and well-plugging that EPA has actually not formerly regulated ought to be covered to lower emissions and guarantee operators employ accountable practices.Transparency. A transparent public process and quickly accessible compliance data will be important to the supreme success and toughness of these rules.As EPA has actually engaged stakeholders throughout this process– through public listening sessions and workshops including a range of brand-new developments in methane leakage detection and mitigation technologies– community, ecological, public health and faith-based organizations have actually actively voiced support for protective rules. In addition, many industry groups and oil and gas companies have also revealed assistance for new requirements offered the job-creating and commonsense nature of methane reductions.The momentum lags EPA to propose protective, thorough requirements that achieve deep decreases in methane and local air contamination and put the oil and gas market on a course to minimizing its methane emissions by as much as 65% by 2025. Fulfilling the environment crisis head on will need absolutely nothing less than EPA maximizing the most commonsense and cost-efficient procedures in front of us. The Biden administration has explained it means to lead on climate while securing Americans health and producing jobs. Curbing oil and gas methane contamination is a mission vital chance for satisfying those objectives that we cant pay for to pass up.EDF Legal Fellow Edwin LaMair added to this post.

  • China Briefing, 9 September 2021: Sharma’s Tianjin trip; Steel production ‘could increase’; ‘Most stringent control’ for ‘dual high’

    China Briefing, 9 September 2021: Sharma’s Tianjin trip; Steel production ‘could increase’; ‘Most stringent control’ for ‘dual high’

    Speaking at the end of his check out, Sharma said that “Chinas promise to take on environment change as a shared objective for humankind is encouraging”, however kept in mind “the concern that stays is how quick they put these into action, along with other significant emitters”. The Daily Mail reported that China had actually “rebuffed” Sharmas “plea for a harder promise on international warming”. The Daily Telegraph alerted that the COP26 talks “are at danger of failure over Chinas refusal to slash its emissions”, mentioning “leaked documents” it had seen.

    WHAT ELSE: The report said that the projected growth would result in an extra 158m tonnes (Mt) of carbon dioxide (CO2) being released in China– the equivalent of the annual emissions of the Netherlands. It likewise kept in mind that Chinas crude steel production “may be” 88.01 Mt for August, a 1% increase from the July figure..

    Alok Sharma, president-designate for COP26, remained in China today for his most current round of climate diplomacy. Sharma consulted with Chinas climate envoy, Xie Zhenhua, in the city of Tianjin prior to holding virtual talks with the vice-premier. Sharma landed in China on Sunday– simply two days after John Kerry, United States presidents environment envoy, completed his Tianjin see..

    Gray stated that “while Chinas main authorities have made good development in minimizing production in eastern provinces, more requirements to be done in western and central provinces to meet their production target”, according to his analysis. He added: “With extra action, China might minimize emissions and reveal environment management in the run up to COP26.”.

    “dual-high” tasks– a set phrase for tasks with “high” energy usage and “high” emissions– are “bracing for the most strict control”, a Chinese market publication reported. The news came after Chinese officials had actually repeatedly required clampdowns on such tasks to help deliver on the countrys climate promises.

    Picture

    WHY IT MATTERS: Sharmas Tianjin meetings came after China and the US had apparently “stopped working to reach contract” during Kerrys visit. In comparison, the “close collaboration” between China and the UK in the lead up to COP15 and COP26 “has been anticipated broadly to achieve favorable results”, Guo Jiangwen, senior research study fellow in the environment and society program at Chatham House, informed Carbon Brief. She pointed out that environment cooperation in between China and Europe “is seen to most likely be gradually increasing”.

    Provinces with shifts in commercial structure and energy mix carried out best in environment modification mitigation in ChinaCommunications Earth & & Environment.

    New analysis revealed that Chinas crude steel production could increase 4-7% year-on-year in 2021. In January, Chinas central government vowed to slash the nations steel production this year to listed below 2020 levels. The report predicted that China would “unlikely” hit its steel production target, unless there is a “top-down crackdown”.

    ON XI: President Xi has actually apparently received a “personal invite” to COP26 from UK prime minister Boris Johnson. Asked if Xi will come, the UK government spokeswoman said yesterday that COP26s Covid-secure efforts “produce space that Xi Jinping might come”, including that “we will discover shortly”.

    New science.

    Chinas crude steel production could be up 4-7% this year.

    CATASTROPHE: Two elements of the Eping hydropower station in the county of Zhuxi in Chinas Hubei province was “cleaned away” by floodwaters while a 3rd part “collapsed and diminished” due to “heavy rains and flood discharge”, reported state broadcaster CCTV. The official channel stated on Saturday that 5,456 people had actually been displaced during the “unsafe circumstance”. China has actually been struck with a series of severe weather condition occasions this summer. See the China Briefing from 12 August to find out more..

    DUAL HIGH: “Dual-high” tasks are now under “the most extensive and extensive control”, reported Energy Observer, an industry magazine monitored by state-owned China Southern Power Grid Corporation. The outlet stated that the crackdowns followed a meeting chaired by vice-premier Han Zheng, as well as brand-new directions from Chinas leading decision-making body to pursue environment objectives in a “collaborated and organized manner” and “rectify campaign-style carbon decrease”. Read Carbon Briefs explainer to comprehend these directions..

    ENERGY TRANSITION: “Low-carbon energy transition will play a definitive role in the long-term enhancement of Chinas air quality,” stated He Kebin, a professor at Tsinghua University in Beijing. Such an energy transition is anticipated to contribute to 75% of the enhancement of Chinas PM2.5 readings (a measure of regional air contamination) in 2060 under its carbon neutrality objective– or 80% under the 1.5 C warming circumstance of the Paris Agreement. Science and Technology Daily, the official newspaper of Chinas Ministry of Science and Technology, reported the story.

    EU: Politico reported that as Kerry and Sharma ramped up their efforts on environment talks with China their EU counterpart was “mostly missing out on in action”. The site wrote on Sunday that Frans Timmermans, the EUs executive vice president and climate commissioner, had actually not spoken to Chinese environment envoy Xie given that June, mentioning “an EU authorities”. The source kept in mind that one of the factors for the absence of communication was that “Brussels is off in August”.

    A brand-new research study has actually determined the “leading” and “lagging” provinces in emission reduction in China by evaluating associated local performance from 2007 to 2017. He informed Carbon Brief: “Such a naming and shaming process might identify the crucial elements in carbon reduction at a provincial level, promote interregional cooperation and shared knowing and help to assist future policy plans toward peak emissions and carbon neutrality.”.

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    EMISSION PLAN: The city of Beijing has actually proposed a “two-step” technique to help China provide on its carbon neutrality objective, reported Beijing Youth Daily, a paper run by the Beijing Municipal Committee of the Communist Youth League of China. The publication says that the city would reach its emissions peak “ahead of others” and see its emissions “reducing constantly” before 2035 as the very first step. It adds that, as the second action and a “long-term objective”, Beijing aims to be a “near zero-carbon city”. The article mentioned Ming Dengli, director of the climate change division at Beijing Municipal Bureau of Ecology and Environment.

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    CARBON MARKET: Hainan province has actually said that it is thinking about setting up a global carbon emissions trading exchange to connect Chinas national trading scheme with the worldwide market, according to Reuters. The directive originated from the government of the island province in southern China. A main notice from last Wednesday stated that the move was part of an “execution strategy” to utilize financial tools to “deepen the financial opening” for the province.

    Sharma has useful conversation during China journey.

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    CHINA COVERAGE: According to Xinhua, the state news company, Han told Sharma that China and the UK ought to “play to their respective strengths and enhance dialogue and cooperation” in addressing climate change. In an English report, Xinhua said that Sharma” [hailed] Chinas efforts in dealing with climate change” to Han. Global Times– a tabloid run by Peoples Daily, the mouth piece of the Communist Party of China– stated in an editorial on Monday that “if the UK and the worldwide community seek to attain some tangible results from the conference [ COP26], they can not enable Washington to pirate the summit for its ill geopolitical objectives”. In response to the editorial, a COP26 representative told Carbon Brief: “As COP26 president-designate, Alok Sharma holds the essential function of independent, neutral broker for the upcoming climate talks being hosted by the UK. He is engaging with all celebrations constructively as part of this.”.

    New research has found that the frequency and the magnitude of local heatwave occasions observed from 1960 to 2018 in China have actually roughly doubled. The authors determined the three most severe local heatwave events, finding that they happened in the summer seasons of 2013, 2017 and 2003, respectively. The analysis likewise suggested that China will experience local heatwaves that are more extreme than the 2013 occasion “on a regular basis” by 2030 under an extremely high emissions circumstance (RCP8.5). In addition, the paper stated that the expected incident of future extreme local heatwave events– whose magnitude resembles or somewhat higher than the 2013 occasion– might be “halved” under the 1.5 C warming circumstance, compared to 2C.

    Rapid increases in the magnitude and risk of severe regional heatwave events in ChinaWeather and Climate Extremes.

    WHAT: Alok Sharma remained in Tianjin from Sunday to Tuesday for talks ahead of COP26, which is set up to run from 31 October to 12 November in Glasgow. Sharma and Xie had their first in person meeting. The sets conversation “went from strength to strength” and their 45-minute one-to-one wound up being a two-hour meeting followed by a second round of conversation, a UK federal government spokeswoman informed a press instruction the other day. Sharmas visit came hot on the heels of John Kerrys trip to China. (Read last weeks China Briefing for more details on Kerrys talks.).

    WHAT: A brand-new research study has actually discovered that Chinas crude steel production “could be up 4-7% this year” compared to 2020. (China has really stated that it would keep its steel production in 2021 to listed below 2020 levels. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology made the pledge in January.).

    SMART SYSTEM: China will carry out a “extensive assessment” in sectors including energy, building and construction, industry and transport to evaluate their digitalisation efforts under the nations carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals. He included that China would “commonly promote” the use of “huge data” and the web, plus continue with its “digital low-carbon advancement” through pilot projects.

    WHO: Apart from Xie, Sharma fulfilled with Huang Runqiu, the minister of ecology and environment, through video link on Monday, stated his ministry. One day later, he said by means of Twitter that he had had a “constructive discussion” throughout a video conference with Han Zheng, Chinas vice-premier. Sharma likewise had meetings with Yi Gang, guv of the Peoples Bank of China, the nations main bank, according to a UK federal government release.

    HOW: The analysis used satellite imagery to approximate the utilisation rate of steel centers. Matt Gray, co-chief executive of TransitionZero and author of the report, told Carbon Brief: “While significant efforts have been made to enhance information openness in the steel sector, steel is a competitive product and the industry has hesitated to offer facility-level production and emissions information on a constant basis.” Gray required steel production and emissions data “to be revealed as soon as possible”.

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    CHINA COVERAGE: According to Xinhua, the state news firm, Han told Sharma that China and the UK need to “play to their particular strengths and enhance dialogue and cooperation” in addressing environment change. Speaking at the end of his see, Sharma said that “Chinas pledge to take on environment modification as a shared objective for humankind is motivating”, however kept in mind “the concern that stays is how quick they put these into action, along with other significant emitters”. The outlet said that the crackdowns came after a meeting chaired by vice-premier Han Zheng, as well as new instructions from Chinas top decision-making body to pursue environment goals in a “coordinated and organized way” and “correct campaign-style carbon decrease”. EU: Politico reported that as Kerry and Sharma ramped up their efforts on climate talks with China their EU counterpart was “largely missing in action”. EMISSION PLAN: The city of Beijing has proposed a “two-step” technique to assist China provide on its carbon neutrality objective, reported Beijing Youth Daily, a newspaper run by the Beijing Municipal Committee of the Communist Youth League of China.