Tag: emissions
EU target of 90pc net emissions reduction by 2040 is just ‘competent’
The European Commission has set out a key milestone towards hitting net-zero emissions by 2050, but many feel the plan focuses too much on untested tech and not enough on circularity.
Read more: EU target of 90pc net emissions reduction by 2040 is just ‘competent’
EPA unveils new rules targeting power plant emissions; could force coal closures
Biden’s new emissions rules are meant to put you in an EV
Newly proposed auto emission standards are making the Biden administration’s expectation for the future of cars as clear as unpolluted air: Americans should buy EVs.
On Wednesday, the Environmental Protection Agency announced Biden Administration proposals aimed at creating “the strongest-ever pollution standards for cars and trucks.” The twin proposals — one for light and medium duty vehicles like passenger cars, and the other for heavy duty trucks — seek to improve air quality and reduce climate pollution by limiting the amount of gas-powered cars on the road.
Rather than focusing on cleaner tailpipe emissions from fossil fuel-burning cars, the central thrust of this proposal will be on reducing emissions by keeping such vehicles off the road altogether. For instance, if the rules go into effect, 67 percent of car sales would be electric vehicles by 2031, according to EPA projections.
The EV industry is already growing fast. Before this proposal, S&P had already estimated that electric vehicles will account for 40 percent of overall car sales by 2030. But enforcing stringent emissions rules would be like a Mario Kart mushroom boost to EV manufacturing. Although maybe less fun for car companies, since these new rules would mean a major compliance overhaul. The auto industry is already trending green, but these new standards just set the pace of EV adoption even faster. For the average consumer, that means car options will soon be mostly electric.
The Agency estimates that the new standards could save 50 billion tons of carbon emissions by 2055. The proposed emission standards aren’t just about clean air though. It would wean the U.S. off of foreign oil dependency “by approximately 20 billion barrels.” The EPA also notes that drivers could save an estimated $12,000 in fuel and maintenance costs by switching to an EV.
The proposals will be published in Federal Register on April 13, which will make them available for public comment. If these rules go into effect, Biden’s vision for an electric future is green lights all the way.
If you thought things couldn’t get stupider, someone just held a CO2 reader up to a PC to prove ‘bitcoin mining has zero carbon emissions’
Amazon, Despite Climate Pledge, Fought To Kill Emissions Bill In Oregon
“Amazon’s representatives were in the Capitol lobbying against the bill from the very first moment of discussion,” said Marsh, chair of the Oregon House climate committee and sponsor of the bill, HB2816. Though Amazon did not testify publicly, Marsh said the company’s lobbyists helped organize the opposition and “successfully nurtured fear that our energy requirements would drive away the development of data centers.” “No one wants that,” Marsh continued, “but we do want them to use energy in a responsible, sustainable manner.”
In addition to the Climate Pledge, Amazon has set a goal of moving entirely to renewable energy by 2025; the company has spent millions on solar and wind energy projects and is the largest private purchaser of clean energy. From its $2 billion climate fund to the Climate Pledge, Amazon has invested heavily in creating the perception that it’s an environmental leader. But its dealings in Oregon show that, behind the scenes, it wants to call the shots on how that transition happens. Amazon spokesperson David Ward said in a statement that “a number of organizations, including Amazon, oppose HB2816 because the bill does not address the build-out of electric infrastructure that is needed to bring more clean energy to the grid.”
“Building new renewable projects requires infrastructure investments in the grid and today there are hurdles in key areas like permitting and interconnection,” he continued. “Accelerating energy infrastructure permitting and interconnections for renewables like solar and wind would have a greater impact on reducing emissions, bringing more clean energy to the grid, and helping achieve our goal of accessing more clean energy in Oregon.”
Oregon’s biggest business organizations are all opposed to the bill, reports Government Technology. “That includes Oregon Business & Industry and the Technology Association of Oregon, and the national trade group TechNet.” Aside from Amazon and its lobbying behind the scenes, no other major tech company has taken a position on the bill.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
‘Power up Britain’ plan targets emissions and costs
“When Everyone Reduces Emissions, Everyone on the Planet Wins” – Explaining Xbox’s New Game Development Sustainability Tools
CO2 Emissions May Be Starting To Plateau, Says Global Energy Watchdog
Many experts had feared the soaring price of gas could push countries back towards using coal, which has much higher carbon emissions. But renewable energy seems to have been a big beneficiary, as countries opted for solar and wind power, and encouraged the take-up of heat pumps and electric vehicles (EVs). A mild start to Europe’s winter also helped to save energy across the EU. Even a small increase in greenhouse gas emissions takes the world much further away from the path to net zero , the goal needed to limit global temperature rises to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. Scientists have warned emissions need to fall by nearly half in this decade, if the world is to have a good chance of holding to the 1.5C limit.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
A British Resident Emits 5x More CO2 Emissions Than The Level Recommended By The Paris Agreement
Despite the rising ecological awareness among the British public over the past few years, people often complain of not knowing…
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