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Japan Adopts Measures to Cut Greenhouse-Gas Emissions

TOKYO, Apr 28, 2005 (Kyodo via COMTEX) — The Japanese government adopted Thursday a set of measures to cut emissions of greenhouse gases in a bid to fulfill its Kyoto Protocol obligation of reducing emissions by 6 percent from the 1990 level by 2012. As part of the government’s anti-global warming efforts, Cabinet members also agreed they and all government employees will generally dress lightly — without jackets and neckties — in the summertime, officials said. Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi issued a statement saying the government’s package of measures was “the first step” toward fulfilling Japan’s goal under the Kyoto Protocol and urging cooperation from local governments, businesses and the general public. “It is by no means easy to fulfill our country’s reduction target, but we will lead other countries around the world in proceeding with anti-global warming measures,” Koizumi said. The package calls on businesses and citizens to switch to energy-saving appliances and urges the central government to promote the use of fuel cells and solar energy, the officials said. It calls on government ministries to draft their own energy-saving plans by June. But analysts say it may be difficult for Japan to attain its target because it would […]

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9% of ChevronTexaco Shareholders Vote in Favor of Sensitive Areas Resolution

ChevronTexaco shareholders sent a clear message to the company today when 9% voted in favor of a shareholder resolution asking ChevronTexaco to produce a report on environmental and business risks of oil drilling in sensitive areas, such as the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. This is a strong level of support for a first year resolution. The resolution was organized by the Sierra Club, Green Century Capital Management, and the U.S. Public Interest Research Group Education Fund. “No issue has energized our members more than protecting the fragile ecosystem of the Arctic Refuge,” said Larry Fahn, President of the Sierra Club, which filed the resolution. “I am pleased that so many ChevronTexaco shareholders agree that drilling in sensitive areas is bad for business and bad for the environment.” Prior to the meeting, representatives of the Sierra Club and Ecopledge presented over 30,000 signatures from the public in support of preserving the Arctic Refuge. A Green Century Capital Management representative also delivered a letter from institutional investors worth over $300 billion asking ChevronTexaco to adopt a policy to preserve sensitive areas. Among those who have spoken out in support of the resolution are California State Controller Steve Westly, who sits on the […]

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Weekly Clean Energy Roundup:April 27, 2005

News and Events U.S. Air Force Leads the Nation in Green Power Purchases District of Columbia Adopts a Renewable Energy Requirement Iowa Governor Orders Greater Use of Efficiency and Renewable Energy North Dakota Adopts Incentives for Wind, Hydrogen, Alternative Fuels Idaho Provides Financing, Tax Rebates for Renewable Projects U.N. Finds Huge Solar and Wind Potential in Developing Countries Site News Ex-Im Bank’s Environmental Exports Program Aids Clean Energy Exports Energy Connections DOE and Oil Companies Search for Methane Hydrates in the Gulf News and EventsU.S. Air Force Leads the Nation in Green Power PurchasesThe members of the organization buying the most green power in the United States often wear green themselves?camouflage green, that is. In 2004, the largest U.S. buyer of green power was the U.S. Air Force, which bought more than 321,000 megawatt-hours of renewable energy, with bases in California, Texas, New Mexico, Washington, and North and South Dakota leading the way. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) list of the top 25 buyers of green power participating in its Green Power Partnership, released last week, also includes the U.S. Navy, the EPA, DOE, the U.S. General Services Administration, and the World Bank. The top companies on the list […]

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