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Climate Change Resource Centre
This section of the Article 13 website gives a brief introduction and overview of the subject of climate change and what various governments, NGOs, industries and companies are doing to address this issue. There are also links to further information and useful resources.
Contents
1. Climate change:
2. Level change:
3. Resources:
- General resources
- Article 13 articles
- Article 13 case studies
- Other sources of case studies
- Carbon calculators
- Carbon offsetting case studies
2. Level change:
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
The Convention on Climate Change sets an overall framework for intergovernmental efforts to tackle the challenge posed by climate change. It recognises that the climate system is a shared resource whose stability can be affected by industrial and other emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. The Convention enjoys near universal membership, with 191 countries having ratified by 1994.
The Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
The Protocol is an amendment to the International Treaty on Climate Change, assigning mandatory emission targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to the signatory nations. The objective of the protocol is the "stabilisation of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system".
The 14th UNFCCC Conference of Parties
The United Nations Climate Change Conference in Poznań, 2008, showed a clear commitment from governments to shift into full negotiating mode next year in order to shape an ambitious and effective international response to climate change. This is to be agreed in Copenhagen at the end of 2009. Parties agreed that the first draft of a concrete negotiating text would be available at a UNFCCC gathering in Bonn in June of 2009.
United Nations Global Compact (UNGC)
The UNGC is a voluntary initiative comprising ten principles. Principles 7, 8 and 9 deal with environment issues and climate change. Members of the UNGC are encouraged to monitor, report and reduce their carbon emissions. Article 13 is an active participant and advocate of the UNGC.
Caring for Climate: the business leadership platform
This is a statement made by a group of the business leaders who have signed the UNGC. Businesses joining this platform recognise the importance of early action against climate change and that climate change poses both risks and opportunities. The platform encourages companies to take action to tackle climate change and to work collaboratively to set up standards and take joint initiatives. Article 13 supports the intent of the business leadership platform.
The Voluntary Carbon Standard (VCS)
The Voluntary Carbon Standard seeks to provide a credible but simple set of criteria to grade the different offsetting companies. It provides integrity to the voluntary carbon market and underpins the worthy actions that already exist. VCS ensures that all voluntary emission reductions that meet its criteria represent real, quantifiable and permanent emission reductions.
Gold Standard
This foundation offers a quality label to voluntary offset projects. Renewable energy and energy efficiency projects with sustainable development benefits are eligible. The Gold Standard is endorsed by over 44 non-governmental organisations worldwide. Initiated by WWF, SSN and Helio International, the Gold Standard launched a methodology (a set of tools) for voluntary offsetting in May 2006.
Friends of the Earth
An environmental NGO that has a focus on the environmental impacts and causes of climate change. They also provide up to date information from a variety of sources.
Green Thing
A not-for profit initiative to get as many people as possible to be a little greener in the way they behave. By suggesting the things you can do with exclusive pieces of great entertainment every month, Green Thing will tempt and encourage a community of “green things” across the world to act against climate change.
Climate Change Corp (CCC)
CCC provides climate news for business. They look at strategy, markets, branding, policy, technology, reporting, environment and opinion. They are a vast source of climate change related issues impacting and being impacted by business.
Stop Climate Chaos Coalition
This coalition includes many of the UK’s leading environmental organisations, international development agencies and other national campaigning bodies. It aims to build public pressure on the UK Government to act at home and abroad to prevent global warming from exceeding the widely-accepted danger threshold of two degrees centigrade. In October 2006 the coalition launched its “I Count” mass public campaign. This has inspired thousands of people to take action against climate change and is the coalition's prime vehicle for engaging the public.
The Climate Action Network (CAN)
This worldwide network of over 365 non-governmental organisations works to promote government and individual action to limit human-induced climate change to ecologically sustainable levels. CAN members work to achieve this goal through the coordination of information exchange and NGO strategy on international, regional and national climate change issues.
Climate Action
An online reference resource run by the United Nations Environment Programme in partnership with Henley Media Group. It is an online resource supporting the business case for sustainable development.
Climate Action Network
The Climate Action Network (CAN) is a worldwide network of over 430 Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) working to promote government and individual action to limit human-induced climate change to ecologically sustainable levels.
Greenpeace
Greenpeace is an independent global campaigning organisation that acts to change attitudes and behaviour, to protect and conserve the environment and to promote peace.
350.org
350.org is an international climate change grassroots action organisation, aimed at building a movement to unite the world around solutions to the climate crisis. Their focus is on 350 parts per million, the level scientists have identified as the safe upper limit for CO2 in our atmosphere. They inspire and organise action globally to advocate for more action on climate change from individuals, businesses and governments.
UK Climate Change Programme
This is the UK’s key strategy for tackling climate change and sets out the policies and measures the UK is using to decrease its levels of greenhouse gas emissions. It forms part of the UK’s Sustainable Development Strategy, "Securing the Future", and explains how the UK plans to adapt to the irreversible effects of climate change.
Energy Performance Certificates (EPC)
As part of an EU wide initiative called the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, the UK government and the devolved administrations have brought in new regulations governing how building owners and tenants report on the energy efficiency of buildings and contribute to lowering CO2 emission levels. This scheme for all non-residential buildings was rolled out across the UK in 2008/09 and as of January 2009 EPCs are effective for all buildings, whenever they are built, sold or rented out by law. This is a significant measure for owners and tenants of commercial buildings as the energy performance of a building will now be part of the commercial transaction. Potentially this may have the effect of making lower carbon buildings more attractive and incentivising landlords to implement measures to increase the energy efficiency of the buildings they own.
Company Reform Bill
In 2007, the UK government published the new Company Reform Bill which legally binds boards of directors to take steps to ensure that climate change opportunities and, in particular, risks are properly factored into their decision-making processes. Directors are held responsible for upholding this bill and any failure in this regard could result in legal action.
Carbon Reduction Commitment
From the beginning of 2010 the UK government, in association with the devolved administrations, plans to introduce carbon trading for 5,000 non-energy intensive UK organisations. Broadly speaking, the Carbon Reduction Commitment is a cap and trade scheme whereby organisations will be given a cap for the level of carbon they can emit. Above this cap an organisation will have to buy carbon credits or allowances, or face a fine. Below the cap, the organisation will receive a bonus as well as having allowances to sell. The scheme will be introduced initially without the trading element, just a simple fine and incentive mechanism. However, from its inception it will produce a league table of the participating organisations. This league table will pose a reputational risk/reward to all participating organisations.
This section is a non-exhaustive list of local initiatives taken by communities to tackle climate change. You can learn more about programmes put in place by cities and regions all over the world to tackle climate change, courtesy of The Climate Group.
Action Today to Protect Tomorrow
A programme of the London Mayor's Climate Change Action Plan. The Mayor’s strategy aims at moving from a high energy-use, wasteful economic model to one that conserves energy and minimises waste. This strategy involves corporations, inhabitants and local authorities of Greater London. The programme sets out targets and the commitment of London authorities to report yearly on the results of this programme.
Cornwall County Council
Cornwall County Council is taking decisive action to tackle the issue of climate change by approving a new Climate Change Framework and Action Plan which will ensure that sustainable development is placed at the centre of all its policies and activities. It has a number of overall aims, including:
- Placing climate change in the context of sustainable development;
- Developing challenging, but realistic and measurable short, medium and long term action plans for reducing emissions from the Council's services and operations, as well as the wider community;
- Identifying and understanding the risks associated with climate change and preparing appropriate action plans;
- Providing information to raise awareness and understanding of climate change, mitigation and adaptation within the council and the community;
- Ensuring an integrated approach to climate change issues across council policies and activities;
- Encouraging others to reduce emissions and prepare adaptation strategies.
London’s 2012 Olympics and Paralympics Games (OPG)
"Towards a One Planet Olympics" is a report written by London 2012 in collaboration with BioRegional and WWF. It details solutions for zero waste and low carbon strategies, local supply networks, and sustainable transport to be put at the heart of the Games whole realisation in order to achieve the first “sustainable Olympic and Paralympics Games”. London’s objective is to reduce OPG’s CO2 emissions by minimising building energy demand and by supplying the Olympic Village with zero or low carbon and renewable resources.
Combating climate change in Harting
'Greening Harting' is a campaign to reduce the carbon footprint of South Harting, East Harting, West Harting and Nyewood. The campaign has been going for over a year, and is run by community volunteers, with support from Chichester District Council and the Parish Council. Harting are demonstrating their commitment as Greening Campaign members to combating climate change. Six signs bearing the 'Greening Harting' logo have been put up around the area involved in the campaign. They can be found leading into Nyewood from Rogate and South Harting, and on entering South Harting from Elstead, Nyewood, Petersfield and Emsworth.
Woking
This city in the county of Surrey is believed to be the first UK authority to have adopted a comprehensive Climate Change Strategy on a scale that is likely to meet The Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution's targets of 60% reductions of CO2 equivalent emissions by 2050 and 80% by 2100. A first step towards putting the Strategy into action has been taken with the publication of guidance on Climate Neutral Development. The guidance encourages developers to design and build new development which does not contribute to the causes of climate change, and is resilient to future changes in climate.
ACT on CO2
An advice line called ACT on CO2 launched in April 2008 to allow individuals and businesses to get help on how to reduce energy use.
The Climate Change Act 2008
The Climate Change Bill was introduced into Parliament on 14 November 2007 and became law on 26 November 2008. It states that carbon dioxide emissions must be cut by at least 60% from 1990 levels by 2050 and half that by 2020. The Climate Change Act 2008 introduces the world's first long-term, legally binding framework to tackle the dangers of climate change.
The Carbon Trust
This company was funded by Government to help the UK move to a low carbon economy by helping business and the public sector to reduce carbon emissions and capture the commercial opportunities of low carbon technologies.
The Energy Saving Trust
A non-profit organisation, funded both by government and the private sector. Its aim is to cut emissions of carbon dioxide by promoting the sustainable and efficient use of energy. It provides individuals with information about saving energy in daily activities, renewable energies and a free household energy report.
Climate Challenge
A climate change communication initiative undertaken by Defra in partnership with other organisations concerned about climate change. The aim of this initiative is to spread information about climate change and to encourage voluntary actions.
Goldman Sachs
Goldman Sachs is continuing its push into the carbon credit market with the announcement of a second acquisition in the arena, buying an equity stake in a US offsetting specialist. The acquisition forms part of a wider alliance that will see Goldman Sachs sell carbon credits generated from Blue Source's portfolio of emission reduction projects, includings its investments in methane capture, energy efficiency, carbon capture and sequestration from fertiliser and natural gas production, and industrial gas destruction.
Google
On 19 June 2007, Google Corporation announced that Google would become a carbon neutral company by the end of 2007. Google reached its goal of becoming carbon neutral for 2007 and was almost entirely neutral for 2008. In order to meet their short-term goal of carbon neutrality Google has assigned an independent company to calculate its carbon footprint. From these results they put in place a three pillars strategy to reduce their environmental impact: increasing their energy efficiency, consuming more energy provided by clean and renewable resources and purchasing carbon offsets for emissions they cannot cut directly.
Belu Water
This British company has launched the UK’s lowest carbon emitting bottle of water. They produce bottles from corn instead of using petroleum-based plastics so that the bottles are both recyclable and compostable. Their water is only sourced in the UK and their factories are run on renewable energy. Their carbon footprint is considerably less than other water manufacturers.
General Electric (GE)
GE is collaborating with the United States Climate Action Partnership (USCAP) in an effort to make environmental issues and climate change major strategic priorities for the business. GE is proactively taking action to combat the impact of climate change through reducing its levels of greenhouse gases emissions and carbon dioxide, which is part of the Ecomagination initiative.
Lafarge
This cement production company was one of the leaders behind establishing the World Business Council for Sustainable Development’s Cement Sustainability Index. It has committed to a 20% cut in net emissions per tonne of cement worldwide and a 10% cut in absolute emissions in industrialised countries by 2010, from 1990 levels. Lafarge has also committed 11% of its R&D budget to carbon capture and storage and employs a range of energy efficiency measures. The company aims to secure 14% of its fuel from alternative fuels by 2010.
Morgan Stanley Carbon Bank
On 15 August 2007, Morgan Stanley Bank announced the launch of the MS Carbon Bank in order to help its clients become carbon neutral. The Carbon Bank offers carbon verification and offsetting services. The MS Carbon Bank has already had a substantial impact, and Morgan Stanley is now committed to becoming globally carbon neutral for 2009 by offsetting the greenhouse gases emitted from its worldwide offices and employee business travel through the purchase of carbon credits.
Whole Foods Markets
This retail company is committed to buying as much locally-grown seasonal food as it can to reduce food miles and encourage reduced packaging and energy conservation. It also composts its food waste, cutting the amount it sends to landfill. Its new stores are built with green building techniques and its transportation fleet is being converted to biodiesel.
Resources
Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Bazaar web-portal
This portal was launch by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) secretariat and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). It is an information exchange platform designed to create opportunities. The website allows stakeholders in the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) to post information, such as potential emission reduction projects, advice on financing or partnering, buyers looking for carbon credits to purchase, and carbon market related events.
The Carbon Disclosure Project
The goal of this independent not-for-profit organisation is to facilitate a dialogue between corporations and shareholders, supported by quality information, from which a rational response to climate change will emerge. They issue each year a Climate Leadership Index (CLI) which gathers together the best fifty companies’ solutions to integrate climate change issues into their business strategy.
The Climate Report
This web-based news service provides independent information on climate change related issues.
Climate Change News Digest (CCCND)
This internet information portal has been created to spread climate change awareness. It compiles newspaper articles coming in a wide range of sources.
Guardian Unlimited Environment
This subsection of The Guardian’s website contains an archive of the latest climate change articles, blogs and pictures.
The Cambridge Climate Leaders Reference Guide
This document is part of the Climate Project, the Al Gore training initiative run in the UK by the University Of Cambridge programme for industry. It comprises information about climate change, the policy responses and case studies of innovative solutions put in place by businesses.
Green TV
This channel is dedicated to the environment. Its aim is to raise awareness of climate change. It broadcasts engaging films dealing with environmental issues.
Our website also contains a wealth of information about corporate responsibility in general and climate change issues in particular. Here are some documents relevant to the climate change debate which we have selected for your reference.
Climate change - A road map for government
Elliot Morley MP, Minister for Environment and Agri-environment, writes exclusively for Article 13 on the UK governments role in Kyoto and beyond, at the start of a year which many believe will be ‘make or break’ for global climate change.
Climate Change: A Road Map for Business
This article deals with the global 'step-change' needed so that countries and business can act in unison, thereby creating a level playing field for all. Some businesses recognise the benefits of cost savings that can be made through improving energy efficiency or reducing the amount of energy they use. However, there are costs associated with such actions and many UK companies do not want to lose business to a competitor because they have been not legally required to take action on climate change and so have lower costs.
Climate change and poverty - A business opportunity?
This report is a debate on how businesses can contribute to addressing climate change and poverty, two of the most crucial issues facing the world today.
Combating climate change with hydrogen energy
This document deals with the way Rio Tinto, one of the world's largest coal producers, is combating climate change by finding new and better ways of using and producing energy.
Climate Change: A driver for Innovation and improving CSR Performance
Article 13 explores how climate change affects business and the supply chain; how climate change affects products and services; and how climate change affects infrastructure essential to product and service delivery.
Article 13 also provides a very complete source of case studies relating to business opportunities and action toward climate change.
- British Airways: has created a climate change programme comprising its own voluntary actions to tackle climate change. The company also promotes industry solutions to policymakers and research into areas of uncertainty in climate change science and aviation.
- Ernst & Young: demonstrate the role of communications efforts to reduce environmental impacts through staff engagement and behavioural change.
- First Group: show how participation in the trial of hydrogen fuel cell buses with zero carbon emissions has helped develop a potential solution to mitigating carbon change.
- Ford UK: has invested in renewable energy generation on its operational sites, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- Liftshare.com: this case study profiles the emergence of ‘climate change’ as a CSR issue which is also providing an opportunity for ‘social entrepreneurship’
- Pennon Group: has reduced the company’s contribution to climate change by lowering greenhouse gas emissions from its operations.
- Severn Trent: has a climate change programme which includes the development of a carbon strategy to help to manage the threats arising from climate change.
- SJ Berwin: developed a carbon neutrality programme that has lead to wider consideration of the environmental impacts of its operations.
Business in the Community
This organisation provides a very detailed case studies portfolio, classified by theme and years.
"Carbon down, profit up new edition"
This report, issued by the Climate Group, is a compilation of initiatives taken by companies and communities to tackle climate change. It provides accurate case studies and statistics relating to climate change.
Ethical Performance
This organisation provides online examples of best practice in corporate social responsibility on the part of both large and small companies. This includes best practices in fighting climate change.
"Getting ahead of the curve: corporate strategies that address climate change"
Issued by the University of Michigan, this report gathers together case studies of climate change initiatives taken by companies. It also provides accurate data about climate change facts, risks and opportunities relating to it.
Act On CO2 Calculator
This calculator was created by the British Government to provide private individuals with a visual, user friendly and reliable carbon footprint calculator and spread awareness about climate change amongst the British population. It also suggests simple changes to help tackle climate change.
Climate Care
This website calculates your CO2 emissions, dividing your carbon emissions into three sections: house, car and flight. This enables you to evaluate the amount of carbon emitted by each activity.
The Carbon Neutral Company Calculator
This calculator allows you to calculate separately your carbon footprint associated to your household, your plane travel and the transport you use.
WWF Footprint Calculator
This website provides an easy-to-use calculator taking into account the basic carbon emissions from individuals.
This section looks at the main organisations which deal in carbon offsetting across the globe.
Atmosfair
This offsetting company is dedicated to carbon emissions from air travel. They calculate the amount of carbon emitted during one flight and propose to offset it through investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. They also provide information on how to avoid air travel. This company is certificated with the Gold Standard.
Climate Care
This company was set up to tackle climate change by reducing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. They do this by offsetting - making CO2 reductions on behalf of individuals and companies. The offsetting projects comprise investment in energy efficiency, renewable energy (to replace non-renewable fuel) as well as forest restoration.
CO2 Balance
This company offsets businesses and private individuals’ carbon emissions by investing in funds in sequestration or energy efficiency projects that absorb or prevent the release of CO2 tonnage.
The Carbon Neutral Company
Previously known as 'Future Forests', this organisation sources and supplies carbon offsets for businesses and private individuals from projects including investing in renewable energy, energy efficiency, methane capture and forestry. Once a company has successfully reduced its emissions to zero it can carry the Carbon Neutral Brand.
Rainforest Concern
This charity is committed to purchasing and replanting threatened tropical forests. They help individuals and companies offset their carbon footprint and get a forest full of other benefits.
Carbon Passport
This organisation provides carbon offsets from projects which prevent or reduce the release of greenhouse gases using only UN approved Certified Emission Reductions (CERs).
Clear (The Carbon Offsetting company)
This company provides a carbon offset service anywhere in the world. Use only UN approved Certified Emission Reductions (CERs).
Disclaimer: the links and summaries provided in this section of Article 13 website are designed as a reference guide for companies and individuals wanting to learn more about climate change and practical steps that are being taken to reduce carbon emissions. Unless stated otherwise the views on these eternal links do not necessarily represent Article 13 own views nor should inclusion on this list signify Article 13’s verification of the organisation, event or accompanying activity.
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