Zero-Carbon Transition – Latest signals of change (26.02.21)
We Mean Business coalition
Here are just some of the signals of change from the past week, demonstrating the transition to a resilient and inclusive zero-carbon future is accelerating.
Zero-Carbon Economy
The EU has unveiled its updated climate adaptation strategy to better protect against the impacts of climate change. A group of Australian sport stars have called for more action to combat climate ‘havoc’. Data from the Australian government show that the country’s greenhouse gas emissions dropped 4.4% in the 12 months to September last year. China has confirmed that Xie Zhenhua will be appointed as its new special climate envoy. The UK’s Trinity College Cambridge has announced it will sell all stakes in publicly traded fossil fuel companies by the end of the year.
Zero-Carbon Transport
British Gas has so far ordered a total of 3,000 Vauxhall e-vans as it works towards fully electrifying its 12,000-vehicle fleet by 2025. Singapore-based trucking company ComfortDelGro and Ireland-based trucking firm Translink have both committed to set a science-based target.
Zero-Carbon Power
Iberdrola committed to invest $182.39 billion on tripling its renewable capacity, with a plan to operate 95 GW of clean power capacity by 2030. Portugal’s largest utility EDP announced plans to invest an unprecedented $29 billion over five years mostly in renewable power and grids. Wind energy provided 16.4% of EU and UK power in 2020. And fracking has been banned in the Delaware River Basin’s 13,000 square miles of land.
Zero-Carbon Built Environment & Heavy Industry
The Climate Group has launched its Global Framework Principles for the Decarbonization of Heavy Industry. Denmark’s Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) has unveiled plans to build a Power-to-X plant in Esbjerg which will convert power from offshore wind turbines to green ammonia. UK building products company Tyman has committed to set a science-based target, while US real estate company Kimco Realty has had its target approved. And coffee grounds and old tyres could soon be used to make low-carbon steel, according to researchers.
Zero-Carbon Land Use & Nature Based Solutions
European food production companies Glanbia, Foodmark, Stryhns and Mills have all committed to set a science-based target, while Sweden’s Nyskördade Morötter i Fjälkinge has had its target approved. Wales is seeking to become the ‘first deforestation free nation’. And UK water utility Thames Water is planning to harness human ‘poo power‘ to heat homes and avoid 105,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions over 30 years.