CEP Newsletter

Efficiency spend trending up, EU on track and penguins helping out

In this issue:

That’s just one of the findings of a global survey of 300 industrial organisations just published by the Energy Efficiency Movement (EEM). 68% reported their energy efficiency budgets had increased in recent years but it now seems the drive for efficiency will lift again with 84% reporting they expect a lift, or at least maintenance, in the coming year. As well as reduced emissions, increased resilience against fluctuating energy prices is seen as a major benefit. Unsurprisingly, financial constraints top the list of barriers, which also includes skills defecit, infrastructure, poor data and sub-optimal strategies. Worryingly, a third of respondents cited a lack of leadership support or direction as a barrier.

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While not completely on track, we should congratulate the EU for being close to its pathway to reduce emissions by 55% by 2030 (1990 baseline). Currently, it is in line for a 54% reduction. The improvements are mainly attributable to significant growth in renewables, accelerated because of sanctions imposed on Russia.

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Researchers from the University of Maryland estimate losses for 2024 at 67,000 Sq Kms, an area just shy of the land area of the Republic of Ireland, or destruction at a rate of 18 football pitches a minute. For the first time, loss from fire exceeded loss from clearance.

forest loss chart

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Small businesses are finding the transition to net zero challenging with only 25% of UK small businesses expecting to be able to get to net zero by 2050. The Federation of Small Businesses in the UK collected data from 953 small businesses. Lack of capital, again, heads the list of constraints with only 13% saying they had available financial resources to decarbonise. 38% reported access to capital as a key barrier with 33% reporting the time taken to see a return was off-putting. While the survey is UK based, the problems exposed will be equally valid in NZ and some of the case studies included in the report will have useful tips for NZ’s small businesses.

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Penguin poo is helping save the planet? It seems the ammonia in the guano reacts with gases emitted by phytoplankton to form particles that seed clouds. Thank you, Pingu.

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