Federal Environment Minister John Baird announces an updated green plan for coal plants, allowing Ontario Power Generation and other large polluters to receive and purchase carbon credits. However, some environmentalists are opposed to this and want coal plants shut down altogether.

“European Union leaders will set a tight timetable this week for adopting ambitious energy policy reforms and measures to fight climate change despite some sharp differences over how to achieve those goals.”

Source: Eurekalert

How can employers make office environments more conducive to productivity and employee happiness? Try adding some “green” to your office. Not greenbacks–green plants! A research study published in the February 2008 issue of HortScience offers employers and corporations some valuable advice for upping levels of employee satisfaction by introducing simple and inexpensive environmental changes.

Source: The Globe and Mail

Alberta’s refusal to take part in a western climate change scheme is facing a back-door assault from carbon market enthusiasts.

Today in Salt Lake City, the increasingly powerful alliance of the Western Climate Initiative is gathering to fine-tune a plan that aims to put a price on electricity imports – including energy from Alberta’s coal-fired power plants.

On a large tract of land in Thailand’s dusty northeast, Suwit Yotongyot hopes to make a fortune on jatropha, a plant with a poisonous nut that might hold the key to the nation’s energy troubles.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency and the China Standard Certification Center have agreed to work toward harmonizing information on their respective energy-efficiency labels for consumer electronics and office equipment.

CBC

Certain countries may be trading energy conservation for more toxic air emissions with their use of compact fluorescent lighting, say U.S. researchers.

In a study of 130 countries and 50 states, Yale University scientists concluded that in some places mercury emissions have been increased by switching from incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescents.

Source: Planet Ark

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth will be investing in the world’s largest wind turbine, with a capacity of 7.5 megawatts, announced by her property company, Crown Estate.

World Business Council for Sustainable Development

Energy is the fuel for growth, an essential requirement for economic and social development. By 2050, energy demand could double as population rises and developing countries expand their economies. With the prospect of such increases in energy demand giving rise to further increases in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, action on climate change is now stated as a high priority for many governments.

The Canadian Press

British Columbia and Manitoba score highest in a report card released Tuesday grading federal, provincial and territorial governments on energy efficiency.

The Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance, an industry group that compiles the ratings, says the two western provinces received an A-plus grades because they have the most stringent policies on energy efficiency.