Novozymes, Royal DSM Join DIVA Ventures

Joanna Schroeder

Novozymes and Royal DSM have joined DIVA Ventures L3L, a coalition that co-develops and co-invests in opportunities that have high potential to deliver positive societal impact in a sustainable way. The two organizations are joining as co-founders along with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and counsel partner Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman. DIVA is a member of the …

Environment, enzymes, Novozymes

Report Confirms Ethanol’s GHG Reductions

Joanna Schroeder

Earlier this month the European Commission released its new report, “The land use change impact of biofuels consumed in the EU,” (GLOBIOM). The study assessed the (indirect) land use change (LUC) impacts of biofuels demand expected as a result of Europe’s 2020 climate and energy policy. According to the European Renewable Ethanol Association (ePURE), the study found that increased demand …

biofuels, Environment, Ethanol, Indirect Land Use

Electric Cars Take Over Greenest Vehicles List

Joanna Schroeder

Electric cars have taken over this year’s Greenest Vehicles List published by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). The 19th annual environmental rankings published on greencars.org featured nine electric vehicles (EV). The following vehicles comprise the Greenest List for 2016: For the third year in a row, the Smart ForTwo Electric Drive tops the Greenest List. Toyota’s Prius line continues …

automotive, Electric Vehicles, Environment

Berkely Lab Study Finds RPS Policies Save Money

Joanna Schroeder

In 2013, there were $2.2 billion in benefits from reduced greenhouse gas emissions and $5.2 billion came from reductions in other air pollution for states with renewable portfolio standards (RFS) according to a new study. “A Retrospective Analysis of the Benefits and Impacts of U.S. Renewable Portfolio Standards,” evaluates the benefits and other impacts of RPS policies and was conduced …

Electricity, Environment, Renewable Electricty Standard (RES)

The Climate Trust

Joanna Schroeder

As the new year has kicked off, The Climate Trust has released its prediction list of 10 carbon market trends to watch in 2016. The trends range from climate change playing a larger role in federal decision making to increased carbon market linkage and momentum in conservation finance. “The Trust pays close attention to market signals throughout the year, identifying …

biofuels, Carbon, Clean Power Plan, Climate Change, Environment

Nova Scotia Supports Ocean Energy, Wildlife

Joanna Schroeder

As offshore wind begins to take off, many organizations are concerned about the impact on ocean life. Last week, the Nova Scotia Legislature passed the Marine Renewable Energy Act (Bill 110) as a means to ensure that ocean renewable energy has appropriate licensing and environmental protections in place to protect marine life. Novia Scotia is looking at tidal energy as …

Clean Energy, Environment, ocean energy, offshore wind

#COP21 Participants Commit to Energy Transition

Joanna Schroeder

Over the weekend UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) attendees made commitments to accelerate the ongoing energy transition through several initiatives discussed during the Lima-Paris Action Agenda Focus on Energy (LPAA). New analysis from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) finds that achieving a 36 percent share of renewable energy by 2030 would result in half of all emission reductions needed …

Clean Energy, Climate Change, Electricity, Environment, Renewable Energy

Clean Energy Victory Bonds for a Clean Climate

Joanna Schroeder

A new bill was introduced in the U.S. this week in conjunction with COP21: the Clean Energy Victory Bonds Act of 2015. If passed, it would help the U.S. meet its climate goals. Introduced by Reps. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and Doris Matsui (D-CA), the Act would also create more than 1 million jobs. The Clean Energy Victory Bonds would begin …

Clean Energy, Climate Change, Environment, Legislation

20 Countries Pledge “Mission Innovation” at #COP21

Joanna Schroeder

Leading up to the World Climate Summit and #COP21 that kicked off in Paris today, three major announcements were make regarding the acceleration of technological developments in clean energy and clean technologies. The first announcement came from Bill Gates about the Breakthrough Energy Coalition, that will will working directly with Mission Innovation, a “pledge” by 20 countries to commit to …

Alternative energy, Clean Energy, Climate Change, Environment, International

Gates Launches Breakthrough Energy Coalition @ #COP21

Joanna Schroeder

In Paris this past weekend, leading up to COP21 and the World Climate Summit, Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook fame, launched a new clean energy initiative, The Breakthrough Energy Coalition. Gates announced the news on his blog, “Gates Notes,” where he wrote that a global group of investors are taking innovative clean-energy ideas out of the lab and …

Alternative energy, Clean Energy, Climate Change, Environment, Solar, Video, Wind