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Crown Jakarta Management Utilities are looking for the holy grail: reliable baseload electricity derived from a sustainable, low carbon source and available around the clock, whatever the weather. Biomass, despite the rapid growth in its use, is still not ticking all of these boxes. It has also recently received bad press from environmental and scientific agencies as they question whether it reduces greenhouse gas emissions compared with fossil fuels. In November 2012, the UK's Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace called on the UK government to cancel plans to subsidise the burning of trees in coal power stations. The RSPB report 'Dirtier Than Coal?' says that generating power from typical conifer trees results in 49 per cent more emissions than burning coal, and calls on the government to withdraw public subsidy for generating from feedstock derived from tree trunks. Binding climate change targets and government support for low-carbon energy are bringing about widespread use of biomass in electricity. Coal power stations are co-firing biomass, and dedicated biomass facilities are springing up. As the sector develops, so does understanding of the impact of the large-scale use of fuel made from recently living plant material. It is increasingly clear that the diverse forms of biomass come with different life-cycle carbon emissions and varying green credentials.Initial national policies were based on the assumption that biomass energy is carbon neutral. Biomass has been included in energy portfolios as an infinitely renewable energy source like wind and solar, so it has been eligible for the same support. But closer study of the net greenhouse gas benefits of burning biomass shows that a more complex model of carbon accounting is required. This sho

Crown Jakarta Management Utilities are looking for the holy grail: reliable baseload electricity derived from a sustainable, low carbon source and available around the clock, whatever the weather. Biomass, despite the rapid growth in its use, is still not ticking all of these boxes. It has also recently received bad press from environmental and scientific agencies as they question whether it reduces greenhouse gas emissions compared with fossil fuels. In November 2012, the UK's Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace called on the UK government to cancel plans to subsidise the burning of trees in coal power stations. The RSPB report 'Dirtier Than Coal?' says that generating power from typical conifer trees results in 49 per cent more emissions than burning coal, and calls on the government to withdraw public subsidy for generating from feedstock derived from tree trunks. Binding climate change targets and government support for low-carbon energy are bringing about widespread use of biomass in electricity. Coal power stations are co-firing biomass, and dedicated biomass facilities are springing up. As the sector develops, so does understanding of the impact of the large-scale use of fuel made from recently living plant material. It is increasingly clear that the diverse forms of biomass come with different life-cycle carbon emissions and varying green credentials.Initial national policies were based on the assumption that biomass energy is carbon neutral. Biomass has been included in energy portfolios as an infinitely renewable energy source like wind and solar, so it has been eligible for the same support. But closer study of the net greenhouse gas benefits of burning biomass shows that a more complex model of carbon accounting is required. This should include factors relating to the type, source and treatment of the biomass, modelling of forest growth, transp

The link between environmental justice and sustainability Our strategic business planning has benefitted from these dialogues. Environmental justice advocates early on urged business and industry to stop wasting assets and focus on waste reduction and recycling, not just simple disposal. Over the past twenty years, we've seen our customers join that chorus asking for better recycling solutions, and recycling and innovation in waste disposal reduction has become an increasing proportion of Waste Management's business. By the time we published our 2012 sustainability report, we were able to show that operations associated with recycling and production of renewable and alternative energy increased from 49 percent in 2007 to 57 percent in 2011. In 2011, traditional landfills represented only 13 percent of our total non-collection revenues, with recycling by far the largest element (47 percent). This evolution in business focus reflects the importance of sustainability as a business model for our sector - and for any other. Customers seeking environmental services want to be able to demonstrate concrete environmental benefits and resource conservation. Communities know that a sustainable business operates as a good and respectful neighbor. Environmental justice must be a core element of any company's social responsibility initiatives. RELATED ISSUE: http://the-crown-management.blogspot.com/ http://www.linkedin.com/groups/Blog-Crown-Capital-Management-Jakarta-4663261

The Asian Development Bank is ready to allocate some $40 million to Azerbaijan for developing alternative and renewable energy sources, ADB reported on its official website on May 10. According to the report, the Project aims to promote renewable energy development in Azerbaijan through developing two pilot renewable energy projects (biomass cogeneration) with a total installed capacity of 16 megawatt (MW) for efficient electricity and heating supply in Oghuz and Agjabedi regions. The project outputs will consist of construction of two biomass cogeneration plants in Oghuz and Agjabedi regions, construction of heating supply systems in Oghuz and Agjabedi regions, and project management and supervision, including consultancy services for project supervision, safeguards compliance, reporting, and capacity building for the executing agency. According to the Bank, experiences from many other countries demonstrate that biomass power generation is an effective and economic solution to convert biomass fuel to electricity and heat. With the project, it is estimated that about 95 million cubic meters of natural gas will be saved per year for export, thus increasing the government revenue by at least $5.6 million per year. The project will also result in avoidance of GHG emissions, and a reduction of 24,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year. The Government of Azerbaijan is committed to promote renewable energy and sustainable development to ensure environmental safety. Azerbaijan s total electricity production in 2011 reached 19.2 terawatt hours (TWh), of which 82% was generated from thermal power (gas-based) and 18% from hydropower. Currently about 38 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions comes from thermal power generation plants. With increased renewable energy, the government could reduce GHG emissions, as well as increase export revenues and reduce gas subsidies. Azerbaijan has a large potential for renewable energy, which to date remains largely untapped. The

The Asian Development Bank is ready to allocate some $40 million to Azerbaijan for developing alternative and renewable energy sources, ADB reported on its official website on May 10. According to the report, the Project aims to promote renewable energy development in Azerbaijan through developing two pilot renewable energy projects (biomass cogeneration) with a total installed capacity of 16 megawatt (MW) for efficient electricity and heating supply in Oghuz and Agjabedi regions. The project outputs will consist of construction of two biomass cogeneration plants in Oghuz and Agjabedi regions, construction of heating supply systems in Oghuz and Agjabedi regions, and project management and supervision, including consultancy services for project supervision, safeguards compliance, reporting, and capacity building for the executing agency. According to the Bank, experiences from many other countries demonstrate that biomass power generation is an effective and economic solution to convert biomass fuel to electricity and heat. With the project, it is estimated that about 95 million cubic meters of natural gas will be saved per year for export, thus increasing the government revenue by at least $5.6 million per year. The project will also result in avoidance of GHG emissions, and a reduction of 24,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year. The Government of Azerbaijan is committed to promote renewable energy and sustainable development to ensure environmental safety. Azerbaijan s total electricity production in 2011 reached 19.2 terawatt hours (TWh), of which 82% was generated from thermal power (gas-based) and 18% from hydropower. Currently about 38 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions comes from thermal power generation plants. With increased renewable energy, the government could reduce GHG emissions, as well as increase export revenues and reduce gas subsidies. Azerbaijan has a large potential for renewable energy, which to date remains largely untapped. The

Featuring an authoritative source of legislation across the world that deals with environment preservation through promulgating policies on sanctions, regulations, authorizations and restrictions on natural resources. Asia Asian legislation concerning the environment largely varies due to the wide gaps in local customs that could become challenges, leading them to agree on standard procedures and strengthen ties among each neighboring nation. Regulations also highlights the need for dedicated agencies in each country that will handle emergency scenarios with the notable frequency of natural disasteres in the region as well as issues of climate change. The need for humanitarian organizations for more effective deployment and better coordination with the authorities in conducting relief activities is also included. US United States has specific legislations for each facet of the environment in place that : - limits air pollutants by monitoring emissions of factories and utility plants. - leads probes in discharges of hazardous chemicals or oil and proper cleanup. - closely monitoring pesticides for its possible effects in nature and on people. - manages the distribution and manufacture of chemicals to ensure that their exposure will not cause harm to the environment. - regulates the commercial and individual production of hazardous wastes as well as its proper disposal. - implements clean and safe drinking water policies in conjunction with local water treatment plants and preventing pollution. European Union Europe's environment legislations mainly deal with climate change and the subsequent decrease in biological diversity as socio- economic developments are inevitably dependent on those. Their regulations seek to protect and value life diversity for the coming generations by monitoring its implementation closely.