Greenhouse Gases: Australia to sign up for Kyoto 2 protocol

The Kyoto Protocol: is a protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that set binding obligations on the industrialised countries to reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases. - Wikipedia

Is Malaysia a party to the Kyoto Protocol? YES.

Greenhouse effect: Global warming, which is attributed to the greenhouse gases emissions, is the rise in global mean temperature due to an increase of heat-trapping greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane in the atmosphere (CH4), see figure below - NPS.

Image: National Park Service

• Left - Naturally occurring greenhouse gases normally trap some of the sun’s heat, keeping the planet from freezing. 
• Right - Human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels, are increasing greenhouse gas levels, leading to an enhanced greenhouse effect. The result is global warming and unprecedented rates of climate change.

Australia to sign up for Kyoto 2 Protocol
By Martin Parry (AFP)

SYDNEY — Key greenhouse gas emitter Australia on Friday said it will sign up for a second round of the Kyoto Protocol environmental protection treaty, but New Zealand opted out.

Climate Minister Greg Combet made the announcement in a speech to a carbon expo, saying: "Australia is ready to join a second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol." So far, only the European Union and several smaller economies have signalled a willingness to agree to a second round of pledges.

Australia is among the world's worst per capita polluters, with a heavy reliance on coal mining and exports and most of its electricity coming from coal-fired power stations. Although Kyoto - the first global treaty to set binding obligations on wealthy countries to cut emissions - was negotiated in 1997, Australia refused to join for years.

It was only when Labor came to power in 2007 that it shifted course. Combet's announcement comes ahead of annual negotiations under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which this year take place in Doha, Qatar, from November 26-December 7.

The big issue is renewing commitments under Kyoto after the first round of cuts expires on December 31, although agreement on a new globally-binding deal is not expected until 2015 and will not come into force until 2020. Combet said Australia's decision was not a blank cheque and other countries must also step up.

"For Australia, there must be continued progress towards this new agreement by 2015, from both the developing and developed countries alike. The Kyoto Protocol is not enough on its own - it will cover less than 15 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions and only from a number of developed economies," he said.

"So to be effective, the new 2015 agreement needs to cover all the major emissions sources." - AFP

Malaysia: 5.5% total energy capacity from Renewable sources by 2015

In less than 2 years from now, Malaysia expect to generate 5.5% of its total energy capacity from renewable source. Going by what's hot on the list of Sustainable Energy Development Authority, these sources would most definitely be Biogas, Biomass, Hydro-power and Solar PV.


Wind turbines and solar PV in Pulau Perhentian Kecil, Terengganu. Photo by TNB via Pemandu.


Facts from PM's keynote address

Objective             : National energy generation mix to have 5.5% from renewable source
Timeline               : 2015, and 11% by 2020
Job created          : 50,000 (by 2020)
Economy             : RM70 bil worth of economic activity (by 2020)
CO2 avoidance    : 42.2 mil tonnes, or about 40%


As reported by the media

The Prime Minister said the government had created support mechanisms, including the Feed-in-Tariff, which pays a premium rate for green electricity to achieve the goal.

"We have pushed renewable energy into the spotlight and now aim to secure 5.5 per cent of the total energy capacity from renewable sources by 2015 and 11 per cent by 2020," he said in his keynote address at the official opening of the third International Greentech and Eco Products Exhibition and Conference Malaysia (IGEM 2012) here on Thursday.

He said it is estimated that renewable energy will generate RM70 billion worth of economic activity by 2020 and support 50,000 jobs.

"It will also avoid 42.2 million tonnes of carbon emissions, about a 40 per cent reduction, which I promised at the Copenhagen Climate Conference," he added.


Energy efficiency and other green initiatives

Alongside generating more clean electricity, Najib said Malaysia must also strive to conserve it, as energy efficiency can save Malaysia RM14 billion in Gross National Income (GNI) by 2020.

"So, we are developing Energy Services Companies to help users find savings, encouraging energy efficient appliances for homes and businesses, and supporting efficiency drives with tax incentives," he added.

He said Malaysia had good potential to become a regional hub for electric vehicles, with a vibrant, world-class industry. "That is why we reviewed the National Automotive Policy, to stimulate investments in electric vehicles, with research grants and tax incentives," he highlighted. He said Malaysia's green industries are already worth some RM67 billion and grew by six per cent between 2010 to 2011, outstripping the global green sector.

"One of my ambitions is to encourage green industries to expand and innovate, and not just for the environment, but because it is so plainly good for our economy," he added.

Najib said it is estimated that all the green projects under the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) will generate a total GNI of RM53 billion by 2020.

TheGreenMechanics' two cents: We are still waiting for the launch of more affordable Electric Vehicles (EV) in Malaysia. Much has been talked about full EV and let's hope that sky-high motor vehicle prices exclude environment friendly models like EV.

Secondly, the FIT should cover other states like Sarawak and Sabah and not just those in Peninsula Malaysia. It is still unclear if the suspension on FIT scheme in Sabah has been lifted.

Source: The Star

Solar Charity: Groups using solar to end Energy poverty

General Electric (GE), on many occasions, has been my reference and source of information on energy matters. It is due to GE's commitment to build innovative solutions to today’s environmental challenges that brings me to share with you this article on cheap and affordable solar power.

Today, it is estimated that there are approximately 1.3 billion people who live without regular access to energy. People are forced to use fuels that pollute and cause respiratory illnesses, like kerosene and biomass, and spend long hours time collecting fuel.

Ending energy poverty is about more than helping people see at night — it’s about economic opportunity, safer and healthier communities, better educational opportunities and connection to the rest of the world. Below is a look at a handful of the many organizations working to end energy poverty using solar power.


1 LITER OF LIGHT

Isang Litrong Liwanag, or 1 Liter of Light, uses the Solar Bottle Light design – a cheap, sustainable, light bulb alternative – to light buildings during the day around the world.


Solar bottles ready for use in the Philippines. Photo: Isang Litrong Liwanag


The Solar Bottle Light requires a one-liter plastic bottle, bleach, and a bottle-shaped hole in the roof. The plastic bottle is filled with a mixture of water, and bleach. It’s then capped, sealed, and placed in the hole halfway below and halfway above the roof. The water inside the bottle refracts and disperses sunlight, giving the bottle the power of a 50-60 watt light bulb.

The design was pioneered by Alfredo Moser, a mechanic in Sao Paulo, who needed to light his workshop when his neighborhood suffered a long cut in electricity in 2002. Since then, students from MIT have worked with 1 Liter of Light to help develop the design further.


SOLAR ELECTRIC LIGHT FUND (SELF)

SELF, a DC-based non-profit, grew out of an organization that sought to illuminate rural India in the 1990s. Since then, the company has installed solar electric systems in places including Benin, Lesotho, Burundi, Kenya and, most notably, Haiti, where the organization created systems that power 11 health care facilities and a hospital run by the NGO Partners In Health.



Solar Electric Light Fund project in Benin, West Africa. Photo: Changemakers


Through this installation, the organization has improved the quality of medical services for over 170,000 Haitians by powering lights, microscopes, vaccine refrigerators and other lifesaving equipment with renewable energy.


SOLAR SISTER

Solar Sister is a social enterprise committed to eradicating energy poverty by encouraging economic development. Solar Sister gives women entrepreneurs the opportunity to grow a sustainable business selling solar products. The organization reinvests any profits back into their network of entrepreneurs, creating a sustainable business with a positive impact on the environment and the community.


WE CARE SOLAR

WE CARE Solar is a non-profit organization that manufactures the Solar Suitcase, a portable solar system, for health clinics.


Medical Solar Suitcase. Photo: We Care Solar


The Solar Suitcase is easy to use and is designed to be used at night when emergency health care is needed. The suitcase comes with highly efficient medical lighting, as well as power for mobile communication, computers, and medical devices. To date, the design has been used in almost 200 clinics in 17 countries, including Haiti, Mexico, Nicaragua, and South Sudan.


PROJECT SURYA

To replace the highly polluting cooking stoves traditionally used in rural areas, Project Surya invented a stove that requires less than half as much biomass fuel, and emits less greenhouse gases. The improved stove has a solar lamp and a solar-panel powered fan to improve combustion. The project will help divert black carbon, methane, and ozone from the environment. In addition, because exposure to traditional biomass fuel can cause upper respiratory complications, low birth weight, eye diseases, and even blindness, replacing the stoves with clean technology is expected to improve public health.

National Carbon Disclosure Programme to be developed

The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry, with the assistance of the United Nations Development Programme, has begun conducting a study to develop a National Carbon Disclosure Programme (NCDP).


Objective

When the NCDP is established, companies in the local manufacturing sector will be encouraged to issue accurate accounts of their green house gas emissions. In other words, there will be standards for reporting greenhouse gas inventories.

NCDP also aims to encourage companies to set emissions reduction targets and to develop effective emissions reduction action plans. The Programme will allow achievements to be measured and to prepare Malaysia for further carbon emissions reductions in the future.

Minister Datuk Douglas Embas said: "This will facilitate consistency and transparency in GHG (greenhouse gas) accounting and reporting, and simplify and reduce the costs of preparation and compilation,"


Prime Minister's Hibiscus Award

The PM's Hibiscus Award is a private sector environmental award for businesses and industries to recognise best environmental and operational practices by companies.

It is a bi-ennial award jointly awarded by the Business Council for Sustainability and Responsibility Malaysia, Environmental Management and Research Association of Malaysia, Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers and MICCI.


TheGreenMechanic's two cents: It is hoped that with the establishment of the NCDP, more companies would achieve best environmental and operational practices, and get awarded with the PM's Hibiscus Award.

Indirectly these companies would have contributed to the reduction of GHG emissions. How about that - branding your company as 'green', get recognition/award, and at the same time save the nature. Sound good?

Reference: The Star Online, July 10, 2012