Blogs: In Hot Water

Fig. 1: Projects entering the CDM pipeline.

For this second quarter update, I've introduced some new analyses (see below), along with those similar to the first quarter blog update. You can also get weekly email updates of CDM hydro projects and see our monthly spreadsheet, always available for your research and gleaning pleasure. Data based on the UNEP Risoe spreadsheet (June 1, 2009). Feel free to contact me about my calculations.

 

In order to secure votes for the climate and energy bill from representatives of agricultural states, Congressman Waxman cut a deal with Congressman Peterson, chair of the House Agricultural Committee. Waxman compromised on two major issues. On the first, Waxman agreed to a five year moratorium before the indirect land-use effects of ethanol are assessed. On the second, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will adminster domestic ag offsets, instead of the EPA. The EPA will be also given a role, although in what capacity is still unclear.

Carbon offsets akin to an optical illusion?

Yesterday the San Francisco Chronicle reported on criticisms that environmental groups have with the Waxman-Markey bill, the climate and energy bill currently making its way through the House of Representatives. International Rivers' executive director, Patrick McCully explained the illusory benefits of carbon offsets, since most of them are not additional.The bill would allow up to 2 billion offsets, equivalent to approximately 30% of the US' emissions in 2005. If the total number of offsets are turned in every year, emissions would not decrease within the United States until 2027.  Yet the latest science makes it clear that cuts of at least 40% are needed in advanced economies. My earlier blog, as well as our in-depth analysis describes more fully the problems with the offsets provisions in the bill.

Steven Colbert

[Truthiness: The quality of seeming to be true, even if this contradicts evidence or rational thought - http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/truthiness]

Explanations of the current version of the Waxman-Markey energy and climate bill (the American Clean Energy and Security Act or ACES) usually state that it will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from US polluters by 17% below 2005 levels by 2020 and by 83% by 2050. (At the time of writing, the "current" version is the version passed by the House Energy and Commerce Committee).

DNV and BV Cert both received an F (http://www.isletsofhope.com/pic/grade%20f.jpg)

Misbehaving school children aren't the only ones in need of remedial classes this summer. Auditors (or DOEs) of CDM projects have been given abysmal scores in a new report by WWF and the Öko Institute for Applied Ecology.

Xiaoxi Dam, Hunan Province, China

In addition to supporting AB1404, International Rivers is submitting comments to the California Air Resources Board during their stakeholder offsets workshops--all in a very polite and civilized manner. (CARB afterall has some very civilized and admirable people working on AB32.) The most recent one is posted here.

A two-year study by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), “Climate 2030: A National Blueprint for a Clean Energy Economy,” has found that the United States can dramatically cut global warming emissions and reduce consumer and business energy bills at the same time, all with a minimum amount of (rip-)offsets.

CA leading the way for air quality, environmental justice, and real emissions reductions.

International Rivers has endorsed a bill currently under consideration by Californian legislators that would seriously limit the use of offsets within the state's planned carbon trading system, and totally ban the use of credits from the UN's Clean Development Mechanism. Assembly Bill 1404, or the Global Warming, Compliance Offsets and Air Quality in California bill, was introduced by Assembly Members Kevin De León and Manuel Pérez, both Southern California Democrats

Allowable US Emissions under Waxman-Markey

While there is much to praise about the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, the climate section of the draft bill is seriously weakened by its heavy reliance on offsets to substitute for actual emissions cuts by large polluters.

The world through the eyes of the CDM nerd.

Dovetailing my last blog on the decline of the CDM, I'm introducing a quarterly hydro CDM blog, which updates any CDM-nerds out there interested in the status of hydropower projects in the CDM. I also send out weekly email updates of CDM hydro projects and produce a monthly spreadsheet for your research and gleaning pleasure.