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Australian Government releases green paper on emissions trading

On 16 July, the Government of Australia released a Green Paper for the creation of a Carbon Emissions Reduction Scheme

 

Video: Tony Blair Speaks on Breaking the Climate Deadlock

In this video, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair speaks on the release of the Breaking the Climate Deadlock report in Tokyo…

 

News Release: Tony Blair and The Climate Group launch new climate report

Tony Blair joined The Climate Group to launch a new climate report today in Japan (0530hrs BST, 27 June 2008)…

 

Breaking the Climate Deadlock Report Launch: Opening Remarks from Dr. Steve Howard

TOKYO, JAPAN - It is not overly dramatic to say we stand at a cross roads, between an uncertain future of rising pollution and climate chaos, or a green technology revolution that delivers a clean and prosperous world. In a few days time world leaders will gather in Japan…

 

Breaking the Climate Deadlock: Rt Hon Tony Blair Presents His Report

TOKYO, JAPAN - Transcript of the speech by Rt Hon Tony Blair at the Report Launch of Breaking the Climate Deadlock: A Global Deal for our Low Carbon Future

 

“It is Doable”: Greater China Director Changhua Wu on BBC’s HardTalk

Changhua Wu was featured on BBC’s HardTalk this month to discuss the Chinese response to climate change. The conversation painted a fascinating portrait of a country under rapid transitions: political, economic, and environmental. Yes, China’s emissions are worrying, she concurs. But, she contends, the country is making great and promising strides already…

 

Wrap-Up: The °Climate Group North America Members Meeting

From 31 March to 2 April 2008, over sixty forward-thinking leaders from business and government convened in Miami, Florida to discuss issues, share best practice, and discuss future plans with regard to a single shared objective: to formulate action plans to address the increasingly pressing issue of climate change.

 

Carbon Trading: High Hopes for Lieberman-Warner

Key legislation in Congress and a hive of activity on the carbon trading front suggest real progress, writes The °Climate Group’s Emily Farnworth in a column at ClimateChangeCorp.com...

 

Dell Headquarters Powered with Green Energy

Dell recently announced a new initiative that will help it achieve its goal of powering its headquarters campus in Round Rock, Texas - home to more than 10,000 Dell employees - with 100 per cent green power…

 

Watch BBC’s HardTalk with Changhua Wu, Greater China Director of The °Climate Group

In a hard-hitting HardTalk interview first broadcast on Wednesday 26th March, the BBC’s Stephen Sackur talks to Changhua Wu, Greater China Director for The °Climate Group....

 

New Members, New Initiatives: Forging Ahead to the Low Carbon Economy

While Dell and Standard Chartered recently announced their membership of The °Climate Group, current members including BT, Virgin Airlines and the government of South Australia are also making headlines with their own exciting new low carbon innovations and initiatives…

 

Breaking the Climate Deadlock: Tony Blair in China to Promote Initiative

On 18 March 2008, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair visited China, a trip coordinated by The °Climate Group and a variety of private and public sector groups within the People’s Republic. The visit was to promote his Breaking the Climate Deadlock initiative…

 

TONY BLAIR ANNOUNCING ‘BREAKING THE CLIMATE DEADLOCK’

In this video, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair announces the Breaking the Climate Deadlock project…

 

Opinion: An Efficient Way to Save

Saving energy means saving money – so why isn’t everyone doing it, asks The °Climate Group’s Emily Farnworth in her latest article on climatechangecorp.com

 

2007-2008: The °Climate Group Perspective

Climate change shot to the top of global agenda in 2007. The °Climate Group pauses to consider the ground covered in 2007 - and to assess the challenges and the events that await us in 2008…

 

Opinion: Google, BT help renewables come of age

Companies are starting to generate their own renewable energy, and it’s set to become big business, writes TCG’s Emily Farnworth in an article published at www.climatechangecorp.com.

 

Tony Blair meets Florida Governor Crist and addresses CEO roundtable on climate change

The °Climate Group today convened a meeting between former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and Florida State Governor Charlie Crist to discuss climate change....

 

Opinion: Regions that may rescue the planet

In an article published by www.climatechangecorp.com, The °Climate Group’s Emily Farnworth illustrates California and Guangdong as exciting new grounds for potential climate change laws....

 

Greenhouse Indicator illustrates challenge ahead in Australia

The world’s first weekly greenhouse indicator has revealed the extent of the greenhouse challenge confronting Victoria and New South Wales, Australia…

 

Back from Bali: The °Climate Group Reports

The outcome of COP13 in Bali was probably similar to what many seasoned observers would have expected at the outset.... 

 

Together’s Green Santas to Visit Shops

This weekend Together is sending its team of Green Santas round the country to help everybody do their bit this Christmas…

 

Germany unveils ground-breaking climate package

The German Cabinet yesterday agreed upon a ground-breaking package of measures in the fight against climate change…

 

New Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd Ratifies the Kyoto Protocol

In his very first act as Australia’s 26th Prime Minister, Labour’s Kevin Rudd has ratified the Kyoto Protocol…

 

UNDP Launches 2007/2008 Human Development Report

The 2007/2008 UNDP Human Development Report has declared climate change to be the greatest single threat to the development of human societies today…

 

The °Climate Group Welcomes New Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s Commitment to Climate Change

The °Climate Group welcomes the election of Kevin Rudd’s Labor Party in Australia and its strong commitment to address climate change…

 

UN Secretary-General Urges Action on the IPCC’s Findings

Last week’s formal launch of the IPCC’s Fourth Assessment Report in Valencia provided yet another grim warning of what will happen if the world does not take immediate action…

 

Opinion: Who’s Taking Carbon Disclosure Seriously?

In an article recently published by ClimateChangeCorp.com Emily Farnworth from The °Climate Group gives insight into the investors’ position on carbon disclosure....

 

Mayor Bloomberg Announces NYC’s Commitment to The °Climate Group and Together

In front of 740 US mayors, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg announced New York City’s commitment to The °Climate Group and to joining the ‘Together’ campaign being launched in the US early 2008....

 

Consumers demand green action from UK’s top brands

Consumers demand green action from UK’s top brands - but awareness still low: 69% of UK public unable to name a leading brand on climate change.
The °Climate Group has launched findings of the UK’s first ever Climate Brand Index which tracks year-on-year consumer perceptions of how brands are performing on climate change. 

 

°Climate Group CEO Steve Howard Welcomes Al Gore’s Nobel Peace Prize

Welcoming Al Gore’s Nobel Peace Prize, Steve Howard, CEO of The °Climate Group, said today:
“A Nobel Peace Prize underpins the significance and integrity of the IPCC’s scientific research and is a fitting accolade for Al Gore’s global leadership on climate change.  Governments, businesses, and individuals now have all reasons they need to act more urgently to cut emissions and adopt low-carbon solutions and behaviours.”

 

°Climate Group Members Make Commitments at Clinton Global Initiative

At the Clinton Global Initiative, held from September 26-28 in New York, three °Climate Group members, Pratt Industries, Swiss Re and PG&E, made significant commitments on climate change…

 

The °Climate Group Urges Europe to Lead on a Low Carbon Economy

Speaking at an event in the European Parliament, Dr Steve Howard, Chief Executive of The °Climate Group, challenged EU businesses and governments to lead the world in developing practical solutions to tackle climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions…

 

The ºClimate Group Addresses UN During Pivotal Week on Climate Change

Dr Steve Howard urges UN Heads of State to speed consensus on climate change policy and finance a low carbon economy…

 

More European Companies Switch to Green Power

LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND – A growing number of European companies are switching to renewable energy for their manufacturing plants, stores and office facilities. Renewable energy is allowing more companies than ever to power their operations while realizing a number of business benefits in the process.

 

Weekly Greenhouse Indicator for New South Wales

The people of New South Wales now can follow the State’s greenhouse gas emissions each and every week…

 

Steve Howard Pays Tribute to Anita Roddick

"I would like to express my deepest sympathy....”

 

Together Launches ‘Zero Carbon’ with British Gas

British Gas has announced it is launching two new green energy tariffs, Zero Carbon, which will be the greenest tariff available on the UK domestic market and Future Energy.  British Gas has launched the tariffs in response to the increasing demand for green energy products. 

 

Top Ten Tips for Purchasing Carbon Offsets

The °Climate Group has produced a briefing note outlining the top ten tips for purchasing carbon offsets…

 

Ontario Announces Ambitious Action Plan on Climate Change

The Government of Ontario recently unveiled “Go Green: Ontario’s Action Plan On Climate Change.” This ambitious five-point action plan against climate change promises to tackle climate change province-wide through an innovative blend of low-carbon targets, incentives and solutions....

 

South Australia launches solar feed-in scheme to promote renewable energy use

°Climate Group member South Australia has released an unprecedented solar “feed-in” legislation. This move by the State Government will see home owners with solar panels receive double credit for power they feed back into the grid…

 

The °Climate Group Launches New China Briefing

The °Climate Group’s China Briefing, launched today and published every other month, will update you on efforts underway to tackle climate change in China and the challenges ahead…

 

Leaders in Environment, Society and Corporate Governance Outperform on Stock Market

A study by investment bank Goldman Sachs, has found that companies that are leaders in environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance have outperformed the MSCI World index by 25% since August 2005. Furthermore, 72% of the companies have outperformed their peers over the same period…

 

Steve Howard on Florida’s New Climate Commitments

Steve Howard, CEO of The °Climate Group, discusses Governor Crist’s recent climate change announcements in Florida…

 

New Global Standard Set to Boost Confidence in Voluntary Offset Market

On July 23rd The °Climate Group welcomed a report published by the Environmental Audit Committee calling for “robust and helpful guidance” to drive credible offset schemes and maintain confidence in the voluntary offset market…

 

Carbon Offsetting is Key to Cutting Greenhouse Gases

On Friday July 20th, a letter from Steve Howard, CEO of The °Climate Group and Jonathon Porritt, Founder of Forum for the Future, was published in The Independent - outlining why offsetting is key in reducing greenhouse gas emissions…

 

HSBC LAUNCHES TRACKING SURVEY OF INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC ATTITUDES TO CLIMATE CHANGE

HSBC has released a new piece of research showing that public attitudes to climate change vary strongly across the globe. The HSBC Climate Confidence Index shows that people in developing economies exhibit the greatest concern, commitment and optimism towards the problem of climate change and in developed economies the greatest indifference, reluctance and fatalism – a condition the described as ‘green rejection’…

 

NEW ECONOMY CHALLENGED TO CREATE CLIMATE SOLUTIONS

To encourage and aid the introduction of new climate-friendly products and services, the Dutch Postcode Lottery and PICNIC, Europe’s top event for cross-media creativity and innovation, have launched the PICNIC Green Challenge.

 

°Climate Group Members Win Major Awards for Environmental Action

°Climate Group members Sky, Barclays and British Telecom have all been recognised for their leadership in Business in the Community’s Awards for Excellence.  The awards, presented by HRH the Prince of Wales and Former Vice-President Al Gore, recognised the companies’ achievements on climate change, environmental and social leadership.

 

Top Ten Things to Consider When Disclosing Carbon Risks and Benefits

The Climate Group has produced a briefing note outlining the top ten things for organisations to consider when disclosing carbon risks and benefits...To download a printable version click here, or read on for more information.  The tips are based on conversations with member companies and experts in carbon disclosure…

 

Blair and Schwarzenegger Meet Business Leaders to Accelerate Climate Change Solutions

A coalition of 19 business leaders met with British Prime Minister Tony Blair and California’s Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on June 26th to accelerate transatlantic action on climate change and to encourage global momentum towards a low carbon economy…

 

Ontario Government Sets Ambitious Greenhouse Gas Targets

Premier Dalton McGuinty says Ontario will build on its efforts to fight climate change by setting aggressive targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as part of the government’s climate change plan…

 

G8 Leaders on Climate Change

The leaders of the G8 countries have made an important political step forward on dealing with the threat of climate change at their summit in Heiligindamm. After months of haggling between government negotiators and speculation over whether any sort of deal would be possible, the eight heads of state moved closer to the long-term agreement on emission reduction targets that the public, scientists and businesses have been calling for…

 

Fujitsu Siemens Challenges FTSE 350 to Reduce Data Costs

Fujitsu Siemens Computers, the leading European IT vendor, has issued its Dynamic Data Centre (DDC) Challenge to UK FTSE 350 companies.  Under the terms of the challenge, Fujitsu Siemens Computers will conduct a free value study that will show how an organisation can significantly reduce the cost of its data centre operations…

 

Summary of the Chinese National Climate Change Programme

On June 4th China announced its aim to cut greenhouse gas emissions growth by almost one billion tonnes by 2010 under a long-awaited national climate plan announced in Beijing.  Click through to download The °Climate Group’s summary of China’s new national programme…

 

Australia Takes Step Towards National Emissions Trading

Australia has taken a big step towards setting up a greenhouse emissions trading scheme after state and territory environment ministers agreed to a proposal from Climate Group member Victoria for mandatory reporting by companies emitting more than 25,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases a year…

 

Make Six Small Changes to Save the Planet Says London’s Mayor

On June 6th, the Mayor of London was joined by pop-star turned gardener Kim Wilde and The °Climate Group’s CEO Dr Steve Howard to launch DIY Planet Repairs, a public information campaign calling on Londoners to reduce their carbon emissions by making simple changes to their lifestyles…

 

Institutional Investors call on G8 to lay Foundations for post-2012 Policy Framework

The Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC) has sent a letter to the G8 Heads of State ahead of the Heiligendamm Summit underlining the importance of laying the foundations for a post-2012 policy framework on climate change…

 

President Bush sends mixed signals on climate treaty ahead of G8

US President George Bush sent out mixed messages on climate change yesterday as he appeared to be joining the international mainstream on climate change by signalling the need for emissions targets and an international agreement covering the world’s largest emitters. 

 

Barclays Joins The Climate Group

Barclays, a major global bank with 27 million customers in more than 50 countries, today announced that it has become a member of The °Climate Group…

 

WHY CITIES HAVE A CRUCIAL ROLE TO PLAY IN TACKLING CLIMATE CHANGE

Following up on the recent C40 Large Cities Summit, The °Climate Group’s Cities Programme Manager, Alex Fearnside, discusses why cities are central to meeting the climate challenge and outlines The °Climate Group’s role in advancing progress - you can comment or ask questions at the bottom of the full story…

 

Top ten tips for developing your carbon footprint

The Climate Group has produced a briefing note outlining the top ten steps organisations can take to develop their carbon footprint.  The tips are based on conversations with member companies taking a leadership position on carbon footprinting, such as Sky and Starbucks…

 

The Climate Group Holds Economics Briefing with Sir Nicholas Stern in California

The Climate Group, Sir Nicholas Stern, McKinsey Global Institute and prominent business leaders met to discuss the economics of global warming…

 

Raising the Bar - Mark Kenber on voluntary carbon standards

While mandatory carbon markets have strict rules and regulations, the voluntary market can sometimes seem like a free-for-all. Mark Kenber looks at efforts to ensure that reductions pass muster…

 

Top ten ways to motivate employees on climate change

The Climate Group has produced a briefing note outlining the top ten steps organisations can take to motivate employees on climate change.  The tips are based on conversations with member companies taking a leadership position on engaging employees, such as Sky, BT and Swiss Re…

 

Government of North Rhine Westphalia endorses the Montreal Declaration

On Tuesday 13 March the Government of North Rhine Westphalia formally endorsed the Montreal Declaration of the Federated States and Regional Governments on Climate Change…

 

UK Government unveils new draft Climate Change Bill

Britain could become the first country to set legally binding carbon reduction targets under plans unveiled by Environment Secretary David Miliband. The draft Climate Change Bill calls for an independent panel to set ministers a “carbon budget” every five years, in a bid to cut emissions by 60% by 2050. 

 

EU agrees renewable energy target

European Union leaders have agreed to adopt a binding target on the use of renewable energy, such as wind and solar power, officials say. European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said Europe was now able to lead the way on climate change…

 

London Launches Climate Change Strategy

The Mayor of London, Ken Livingston, launched Action Today to Protect Tomorrow, the first ever comprehensive plan by a large city to cut carbon emissions.  This plan sets out how London will reduce its carbon emissions by 60 percent of 1990 levels by 2025…

 

Climate Leadership Programme Launches May 15-17 at Duke University

On May 15-17 Duke University will launch the Climate Leadership Programme - a joint executive education program of The Climate Academy, which has been developed by Duke University Executive Education and the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions, Cambridge University, and The Climate Group…

 

Voluntary Carbon Standard Update

Since late 2005, The Climate Group, the International Emissions Trading Association (IETA) and the World Economic Forum Global Greenhouse Register have been working together to develop the Voluntary Carbon Standard (VCS)…

 

Virgin Launch $25 Million Earth Challenge

On February 9th Sir Richard Branson and Al Gore announced the setting up of a new Global science and technology prize – The Virgin Earth Challenge – in the belief that history has shown that prizes of this nature encourage technological advancements for the good of mankind…

 

The Climate Group Outlines Key Findings from Latest IPCC Report

The IPCC Working Group I’s Summary for Policymakers, released on February 2nd 2007, is the world’s most authoritative survey of the peer-reviewed literature published on the science of climate change, bringing together the results of paleoclimatic measurements, current observations and model projections…

 

New Report Lists 36 Sustainability Investments Businesses Can Make Today

Climate Group member InterfaceFLOR has launched a new report warning that companies rushing to claim sustainable business practices need to back up their commitments with investment…

 

Climate Change Takes Centre Stage at Davos

The snow came late to Davos - but just in time to give the impression of a more normal winter for the 2,400 delegates attending this year’s World Economic Forum (WEF).

 

The Climate Group Responds to Proposed Defra Offset Standard

The Climate Group notes with interest the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) proposed offset standard and code of practice.  Offsets are part of the climate change solution and can play an important role in engaging the public and sectors not covered by regulation…

 

Dr. Steve Howard Outlines Climate Group Plans For 2007

Dr. Steve Howard outlines The Climate Group’s priorities for 2007: “Our plans for the year are ambitious but more than matched by the scale of the challenge and opportunity we collectively face.”

 

The Climate Group Announces New Members

The Climate Group is pleased to announce that three new members have joined our leadership coalition: American International Group (AIG), the world’s largest insurer; Virgin, one of the world’s best known branded venture capital firms; and Man Group, the world’s biggest hedge fund, a leading global provider of alternative investment products and solutions as well as one of the world’s largest futures brokers.

 

Marks and Spencer Announces New £200 Million Eco-Plan

Marks & Spencer has announced “Plan A”, a business wide £200m “eco-plan” which will have an impact on every part of M&S’ operations over the next five years. The 100-point plan means that by 2012 M&S will, among other things, have gone carbon neutral…

 

Victorians First to Know Their Weekly Greenhouse Emissions

People in Victoria, Australia are the first in the world to be given an indication of their greenhouse gas emissions each and every week.

 

Swiss Re Offers Rebate to Climate Conscious Employees

Swiss Re is supporting investments and purchases made by employees that contribute to reducing CO2 emissions with its new “COYou2 reduce and gain” programme…

 

A New Partnership to Promote Climate Change Solutions

The Chief Executives of B&Q, BSkyB, The Carphone Warehouse, HSBC UK, Man Investments, Marks & Spencer, O2, Starbucks UK, Tesco, the Director General of the BBC and the Bishop of London met with The Prime Minister and David Miliband, Secretary of State for the Environment, this morning to form an unprecedented partnership between leading brands to help fight climate change and make it easier for individuals to take action on reducing their carbon dioxide emissions.

 

Duke and Cambridge Universities Join the Climate Group to Launch Climate Academy

Duke and Cambridge Universities join The Climate Group to launch “Climate Academy” – and executive education program to address global warming. The Climate Academy’s Climate Leadership Program will be piloted in May 2007, aiming to lead the growing response to climate change.

 

The Climate Group Showcases Regional Actions at United Nations Climate Conference

The Climate Group is bringing Linda Adams, California’s Secretary for Environmental Protection, to the COP in Nairobi the week of November 13th to meet with the heads of regional governments across the world to discuss climate change action.  The roundtable will showcase how regional governments are addressing global warming through a discussion by an international delegation of government leaders at the UN Conference on climate change.

 

Arup Join The Climate Group

Arup, the global design and business consultancy, has joined The Climate Group in order to share its expertise in delivering real solutions to mitigate against the effects of climate change in the built environment. Arup will work with The Climate Group to offer governments, business leaders and lobbying organisations to help build climate change leadership. Arup will implement the membership requirements of reducing carbon emissions across its 73 offices in 32 countries.

 

The Climate Group responds to The Stern Review

The Stern Review, released today, stated that failure to tackle climate change could cost the world up to 7 trillion dollars, and leave 200 million people as refugees amid drought or flood. Follow this link to read The Climate Group’s response to the report…

 

Second Version of Voluntary Carbon Standard Released for Consultation

The Climate Group is pleased to announce that a second draft of the Voluntary Carbon Standard is now available for public comment. The Voluntary Carbon Standard (VCS) has been developed by The Climate Group and the International Emissions Trading Association to promote harmonisation and robustness in the voluntary carbon market. The VCS provides a certification tool that is designed to give users confidence that voluntary project-based GHG emission reductions are real, measurable, permanent, additional and independently verified…

 

Governor Schwarzenegger Signs Landmark Climate Bill

Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger will today (27th Sept) sign landmark climate bill AB32. The bill puts a cap on California’s greenhouse gas emissions and creates a clear path for a market-based system and other mechanisms to bring the state’s emissions back down to 1990 levels by 2020…

 

Climate Group members top new Carbon Disclosure Project Index

HSBC, BP and Swiss Re, founder members of The Climate Group, are all cited as ‘best in class’ in the Carbon Disclosure Project’s Climate Leadership Index (CLI) released today…

 

New Research - Serving the Climate Conscious Consumer

New research carried out by Lippincott Mercer for The Climate Group and Clean Air Cool Planet shows that 28% of people in the UK and 19% in the US are ‘very conerned’ about climate change.  The research, sponsored by BSkyB, found latent demand amongst consumers for products, services and brands that would allow people to reflect their climate-change concern in their spending…

 

New Report Presses for a G8-Plus Group to Tackle Climate Change

A new report from the International Climate Change Taskforce says that, as chair of the G8, UK Prime Minister Tony Blair should seek agreement to create a G8-Plus Climate Group to engage the US and major developing countries in action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

 

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