CCC-Rdg and “The Greenhouse Gas Protocol” Corporate Standard

Calculation and reporting within the CCC-Rdg will take place according to the GHG Protocol guidelines.

The GHG Protocol Corporate Standard provides standards and guidance for companies and other organizations preparing a GHG emissions inventory. It covers the accounting and reporting of the six greenhouse gases covered by the Kyoto Protocol — carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulphur hexafluoride (SF₆).

Want to know more about the GHG Protocol, see below;

Download the report here (116 pages):
http://www.ghgprotocol.org/files/ghgp/public/ghg-protocol-revised.pdf

Cycling in Reading vs Malmö vs Timisoara

Bikes are the most energy-efficient form of transport and can be faster and more predictable than car or bus for short journeys.

For example, at a relatively comfortable 10mph, you can cycle from Green Park to The Oracle in 15 minutes – burning around 100 calories in the process.

Cycling regularly can keep you fit, save you money (no tax, no fuel, no fares) and it’s one of the most environmentally-friendly ways to travel.

Whether you are an experienced or inexperienced cyclist, planning a journey to work, school or for leisure, Reading Borough Council is happy to provide copies of this cycle map. Please call 0118 937 4881 for hard copies. Alternatively it is online at http://www.reading-travelinfo.co.uk/cycling.aspx

Reading Cycle Routes
This page provides detailed descriptions of the thirteen Reading Cycle Routes along with access to downloadable maps which provide information on the on-street cycle facilities, gradients and destinations en route. Each of the cycle routes terminates in central Reading, linking through a network of central cycle links to form a network encompassing the Reading Borough Council area and beyond
http://www.reading-travelinfo.co.uk/cycling/routes.aspx

Download Reading cycle Network Route Map here:
http://www.reading-travelinfo.co.uk/media/81145/Reading_Cycle_Routes_Network_Map_V5_Nov_2012.pdf

Bicycle Malmö

Bicycle Malmö 2012 from Martin Lang on Vimeo.

Bicycle Timisoara

Zero emissions, reduced stress, a fitter body and money saved are the most popular individual wishes for the people wanting a sustainable urban area to live in. One human-powered vehicle can make those wishes coming true in a medium size Romanian city…
http://sustainablecitiescollective.com/big-city/133016/cycling-challenges-and-opportunities-timisoara

Original article

Pathways to a low-carbon economy

McKinsey&Company

Whilst leaders in many nations discuss ambitious targets for reducing emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs), there is also an intense debate underway regarding the technical and economic feasibility of different target levels, what emission reduction opportunities should be pursued, and the costs of different options for meeting the targets.

Download the report here (20 pages):
http://www.epa.gov/statelocalclimate/documents/pdf/mckinsey_summary_11-19-09.pdf

Mr Enrique Penalosa

Swedens EPA’s mission is to ensure that environmental policy decisions are implemented. “We working hard towards sustainable environment and preventing further damage to the climate”. Their vision is for a good habitat both for humans and all other living beings now and for future generations.

This presentation by Mr Enrique Penalosa is from his speech at Klimatforum 2013, 20th March. The theme is the Climate and transports. The clip starts at 1.29 minutes.

Mr Enrique Penalosa, its a must see – Courageous! Bambuser | Klimatforum 2013 – (naturvardsverket) – LIVE at http://bambuser.com/v/3455758#t=5343s

An idea for Readings new bicycling and walking plan

FUTURE CLIMATE CHANGE NEWS

It should feel natural and safe to both walk and cycle from one neighbourhood to another. Options that make the idea more appealing include pedestrian and bike paths, green space, lighting and safe pedestrian crossings in traffic.

The idea of ??the future Reading is for the community to be built block by block into a close, safe and environmentally friendly town. The goal is vibrant neighbourhoods throughout Greater Reading, not just in the inner city.

It is part of our urban mobility strategy to make it easier to cycle in Reading throughout the yea ( and for the amount of cycle-miles to increase. A new Bicycle Plan explains how to increase bicycle commuting and how it will be easier and safer to ride in Reading.

The number of cyclists in Reading has increased significantly over the past ten years. More and more people have discovered the benefits of cycling as a means of transport. The bicycle is a simple, fast, inexpensive and environmentally friendly means of transport. You also get free exercise, and enjoy the health benefits of cycling. The city is currently working on a new bike plan to improve the accessibility for cyclists.

To develop the cycle network further, Reading is developing a new bike plan, which include a range of measures to build more bike paths and bike lanes, building bicycle commuter routes to facilitate bike commuting, and improving the service by building more bicycle parking, changing the priority of traffic signals and improving operation and maintenance. The Bicycle Plan was adopted by the Transport and the Real Estate Committee and the Environment and Health Committee in October 2012 and by the Borough Council in February 2013.

Why not try / sign up for

Bike Week 2013

Bike Week, the UK’s biggest mass participation cycling event, had almost half a million people taking part in the celebrations of cycling across the UK in 2012.

Bike Week events offered something for everyone; from families, schools and companies, to seasoned cyclists and those who have never cycled before.

Bike Week 2013 will take place between 15 – 23 June. Don’t miss out and register your interest now to receive the latest news from us!

Business case 6 – Let´s take a closer look at Willmott Dixon Group

A business case to study. Here is one good example that is both sustainable and climate change-friendly from Willmott Dixon Group. See links for info,

http://www.willmottdixongroup.co.uk/sustainability
(Sustainability – Willmott Dixon Group)

http://www.willmottdixongroup.co.uk/sustainability/energy-and-climate-change
(Planning for energy efficiency and carbon emission reduction)

http://www.willmottdixongroup.co.uk/videos/sunesis-school
(Learning for the future)

http://www.willmottdixongroup.co.uk/sustainability/energy-and-climate-change/travel
(Green travel policy)

http://www.fmjdata.com/2013/02/08/procuring-to-protect-the-local-community/
http://www.willmottdixongroup.co.uk/news?actv_news_news_id=240&actv_news_news_page=1
(Protecting the local community with environmental benefits)

https://twitter.com/WillmottDixon/status/299907141127532545/photo/1
(One of their twitter examples)

Ultra-low emission vehicles – Reducing greenhouse gases and other emissions from transport

The government has set an ambitious vision for almost every car and van to be a zero emission vehicle by 2050.

We are positioning the UK at the global forefront of ultra-low emission vehicle (ULEV) development, manufacture and use. Greater use of ULEVs will contribute to economic growth and will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution on our roads.

Through the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) we are providing over £400 million to advance ULEV technology and encourage people to buy and drive ULEVs.

Grants

To encourage more people to drive ULEVs we offer several grants:
Plug-in Car Grant
Plug-in Van Grant
domestic chargepoints
residential on-street chargepoints
residential on-street and rapid chargepoints for local authorities
train station car park chargepoints
chargepoints on the public sector estate

Investment in new technologies

We work closely with industry and other government departments to develop and strengthen the capability of ULEV manufacturing and its associated supply chain in the UK:

supporting automotive manufacturing and the UK supply chain

We actively participate in the joint government and industry UKH?Mobility project, evaluating the potential for hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles in the UK and developing a roadmap for their commercial deployment from 2015.

key findings from the UKH?Mobility evaluation phase

We fund projects targeted at low and ultra-low vehicle technologies, designed to promote research, design, development and demonstration in the UK:

low carbon vehicle technology research and development

Recharging infrastructure

We have set out a framework for the development of recharging infrastructure to support electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles:

strategy on plug-in vehicle infrastructure

To inform future development of the UK’s recharging network, we are funding the Plugged-in Places programme.

Plugged-in Places

Support for fleets

We provide funding and support to fleets considering purchasing low emission vehicles:

Low Carbon Vehicle Procurement Programme (LCVPP) funding for public sector fleets purchasing hybrid vans
fleet consultancy through the Energy Saving Trust’s Plugged-in Fleets initiative
infrastrucutre on the government estate

Interaction with the energy system

We work with the Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC) and the Office of the Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) to understand the interaction of plug-in vehicles with the energy system. In particular, we are mindful of the:

additional demands the electrification of transport might place on the electricity system
contribution that plug-in vehicles might make in terms of system balancing and the transition to smart grids, and energy security

New vehicle carbon dioxide emissions standards

EU regulations set out targets for emission reductions for new cars and vans. In the next few years we expect the EC to make proposals for post-2020 new car and new van emission standards, as well as a strategy for reducing carbon dioxide emissions from lorries, buses and coaches.

via Ultra-low emission vehicles – Reducing greenhouse gases and other emissions from transport – Policies – Inside Government – GOV.UK.

Electrifying Reading Station

FUTURE CLIMATE CHANGE NEWS

The aim is to become one of the UK’s first climate-neutral train stations
Electrifying key routes on the railway will mean faster, greener, quieter and more reliable journeys for thousands of passengers.
The overall goals are pointing towards climate-and fossil fuel-free district in 2030 where carbon dioxide emissions below 1.5 tonnes per person per year by 2020

Electric trains emits circa 20-35% less carbon per passenger than a diesel train. With zero emissions at the point of use, they improve air quality in pollution hot spots such as city centres and main line stations. Electric trains are quieter than diesels and are virtually silent when waiting at stations.

Read about the progress at Reading station area development:
http://www.networkrail.co.uk/reading

How changing car buyers’ behaviour can help cut CO2 from road transport

easitNETWORK is a powerful working partnership designed to support
and encourage the most influential businesses in a local area to adopt
alternative and sustainable transport behaviours to reduce pollution,
ease congestion and increase satisfaction within its staff base.

By bringing together the major employers in an area, easitNETWORK
generates a critical mass, enabling the introduction and use of far more initiatives
that could not necessarily be taken up by one of the organisations alone. The benefits of this approach are in establishing a working partnership and a sizeable group that is more effective in lobbying for changes to public transport provision, generating funding for new initiatives and creating a better sense of community. Since launching in 2005, easitNETWORK has grown to represent over 60 businesses employing over
200,000 staff in the South East!

http://www.easit.org.uk/easitthamesvalley.php

zipcar

A community of folks who’ve found out that car sharing beats the heck outta car rental or ownership.

green benefits – this idea is bigger than all of us…

Imagine a world with one million fewer cars on the road. We do. Every day we are working towards a place with less dependence on personally-owned vehicles. Why? Because it matters. Less cars on the road means less congestion, less pollution, less dependence on oil, and cleaner, fresher air to breathe. Some folks don’t believe it’s possible for car sharing to have such a huge impact.

http://www.zipcar.com/business/is-it/greenbenefits