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January 2009 – Volume 3, Issue 1

Dear Readers,

Welcome to the January edition of the Green Business e-newsletter. This inauguration / budget issue of the newsletter includes a round-up of the most critical appointments President-Elect Barack Obama has made to his Cabinet in relation to the environment. It's an impressive slate of individuals. Many others see hope in the steps Obama has already taken, and are gearing up for some critical lobbying. This includes both energy companies and environmental groups. Check out the news section below for more on the topic.

With the Federal Budget coming down later this month, we can expect the federal regulatiory scheme for greenhouse gas emissions to kick into gear as well. But will the proposed system work as hoped? John C. Goetz suggests that there may be challenges in one of this month's features.

Over the past month, a lot took place here in North America and abroad in relation to carbon management, green building, IT developments and regulatory issues, and not all of it could fit into this e-newsletter. Check on our website regularly for more news and commentary.

As always, I welcome any comments you have on what you read here. I encourage you to e-mail me at rcolman@clbmedia.ca.

All the best for the holiday season,,
Robert Colman
Editor / Associate Publisher
Green Business



INDUSTRY NEWS

Commercial building sector can make a big impact on GHG reductions, says new Canadian report
Canada's commercial building sector can contribute up to nearly 10 per cent of total Canadian greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions in 2050 if a proposed policy pathway recommended by the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE) and Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) is adopted.
Full story: NRTEE

Energy, environmental groups urge quick action on energy by Congress
As a new administration transitions into the White House and Congress gears up to move an economic recovery package early next year, energy and environmental groups today issued a set of recommendations to boost the nation's energy efficiency, create green jobs, and save energy and money. The groups urged Congress to incorporate many of the proposals into legislation to be considered in early 2009.
Full story: Congress

Private prosecution launched against Syncrude after governments 'stall'
One of Canada's largest oil companies is under legal fire this week for causing the death of several hundred ducks in a massive toxic tailings pond in Alberta's Tar Sands last year. Ecojustice lawyer Barry Robinson launched a private prosecution against Syncrude Canada on behalf of concerned Alberta resident, Jeh Custer.
Full story: Ecojustice

GE expands award winning telematics solution to Canada
General Electric is expanding its award winning telematics solution to Canada, the company announced on January 7th. The offering, which was rolled out in the U.S. in 2006, gives companies with fleets of vehicles the critical line of sight into how their assets are performing in real time.
Full story: GE

Finance leaders launch first global climate change framework
A group of major international financial institutions has joined with The Climate Group to launch a new code to guide best practice across the sector to deal with the risks and opportunities of climate change.
Full story: Climate Group

VIDEO NEWS

UNFCCC meeting ends without agreement, but a hope for more vigorous negotiations in 2009
The 14th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) took place in Poznan, Poland, in early December. The hope was that the meeting would lay the groundwork for a successor to the Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012. Plenty of hurdles to that goal remain, but Yvo de Boer, Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC, remained upbeat during a press announcement.
Read an article on the meeting: UNFCCC
View an address by Yvo de Boer on the proceedings: de Boer

Air New Zealand biofuel test flight a success
The world's first commercial aviation test flight powered by the sustainable second-generation biofuel jatropha was successfully completed in Auckland on December 30th. More than a dozen key performance tests were undertaken in the two hour test flight, which took-off at 11:30 am (NZ time) from Auckland International Airport.

A biofuel blend of 50:50 jatropha and Jet A1 fuel was used to power one of the Air New Zealand Boeing 747-400's Rolls-Royce RB211 engines.
For the full article: ANZ
For a video about the fuel and the research: Jatropha

COLUMN

Ask the fuel expert
Get fuel-smart now, even while prices are low
By Jack Lee

How's business? Most of us have seen cutbacks in the last few months but today I have some good news for you. A fuel smart strategy will actually make you money. And it's not hard to do. Extra cash is sitting right there on your company's spreadsheet masquerading as an expense or hidden inside other costs.
Full story: Fuel-smart
FEATURE STORIES

Obama's energy and environment team
As President-Elect Barack Obama's inauguration fast approaches, Green Business offers a synopsis of some of the crucial appointments he has made for his administration.
Full story: Obama

Shortage of CO2e offsets predicted under federal regulatory scheme
By John Goetz
Providing a coalition government does not replace Prime Minister Harper's minority government, the Conservatives are expected to proceed with proposed new greenhouse gas (GHG) regulations under their Regulatory Framework on Air Emissions (the Federal Framework), announced in April 2008. But will will there be enough carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) offsets to go around for such a program? Chances are, the answer is no.
Full story: CO2e

CALENDAR

January 26-27, 2009
Climate Change Strategies for a Changing Environment
Metropolitan Hotel
Toronto, Ontario
Find out what regulations affect your business, what it will take to comply, and what your peers are doing to reduce emissions, increase energy efficiency and manage their stakeholders.
www.conferenceboard.ca

January 27-28, 2009
BC Power
Green Policy, Meeting Future Energy Demands and Preserving Affordability
Four Seasons
Vancouver, B.C.
BC has always been recognized for its forward thinking when it comes to environmental stewardship so it is not surprising that the province is being 'climate conscious' about its current and future power portfolio. How are new regulations going to affect your business? What opportunities exist for new power projects?
www.canadianinstitute.com/environment/bcpower.htm

February 25-27, 2009
Third Annual In-House Counsel Forum
St. Andrew's Club and Conference Centre
Toronto, Ontario
As the role of corporate counsel rapidly evolves, in-house counsel and corporate executives are re-examining what they expect of each other. Should corporate counsel be part of the senior management team? Does an employment relationship afford in-house counsel greater access to senior management, or does it diminish counsel's independence, giving external counsel the lead role in representing the organization? Is there a career path for corporate counsel outside law in the organization's business operations?
www.insightinfo.com

March 10-11, 2009
Sixth Annual B.C. Power Summit
Wosk Centre for Dialogue
Vancouver, B.C.
This program covers issues of strategic interest to the B.C. economy. Topics include: renewable and alternative energy options, clean power potential in B.C., and new developments in demand side management.
www.insightinfo.com

March 31 - April 1, 2009
Alternative Energy Finance Forum
The Metropolitan Conference Centre
Calgary, Alberta
This forum will explore best practices in renewable energy funding and technology, and the key issues organizations face as they try to capitalize on immediate opportunities and develop long-term strategies.
www.conferenceboard.ca/conf

April 7-8, 2009
Carbon TradeEx America
Convention Center
Washington, D.C.
Koelnmesse hosts this keystone trade fair and conference for all current and future players in the Carbon Market. The Carbon Markets and Investors Association (CMIA) is partnering with Koelnmesse to make this the premiere Carbon Market conference and trade show in the U.S.
carbontradeexamerica.com

April 23, 2009
2009 Green Toronto Awards
Direct Energy Centre
Toronto, Ontario
The City of Toronto in partnership with Green Living will roll out the green carpet at the 5th annual Green Toronto Awards ceremony and reception in honour of organizations, companies and individuals who are helping to lead the way to a greener Toronto. The Green Toronto Awards ceremony will kick-off the Green Living Show which opens to the public on the following day.
www.toronto.ca/greentorontoawards

Please visit our website for many more upcoming events.



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