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PRODEEM (Program for Energy Development of States and Municipalities), a Brazil government agency, is charged with supplying renewable energy to the 20 million rural inhabitants without access to grid power(about 15% of Brazil’s total population). About 20,000 MW of power are needed. The price tag – about $25 billion. With the assistance of the Inter-American Development Bank, PRODEEM will create market mechanisms to stimulate the private sector to provide off-grid renewable energy services. 200 rural renewable energy systems were installed in 1997; 2,000 in 1998. With IDB’s technical assistance, they plan to increase the number of annual installations to 10,000. Each system serves about 200 people. Non-grid connected households, small businesses, farms, and community or social end-users (health clinics, churches, schools and community centers) provide a solid base of customers with a considerable range of energy requirements suitable for renewable energy stand-alone systems. Solar, wind and biomass are the priorities for energy sources. The effort is part of a new Brazilian energy policy that emphasizes efficiency, diversity of energy sources, private sector incentives, and ensuring energy access for every Brazilian citizen. [sorry this link is no longer available]
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This June, the Sustainable Business Alliance started operations in Berkeley, California. Its purpose is to support the growth of the environmental business sector and to improve the environmental profile of all local economic activity. Charter members include eco-business owners, the city’s economic development department, Chamber of Commerce, and the Haas School of Business at the University of California/Berkeley. Berkeley has the highest per capita membership in environmental organizations of any U.S. city and there are 119 ecobusinesses there. Plans include: Green Resource Center: a library of information on green building and sustainable community development along with drop-in/phone consulting services. Business & Environment Program: a future website with a local ecobusiness database and Green Map; joint marketing and ad campaigns; a referral and co-op purchasing system; and environmental audit services. Environmental Advocacy & Business Development: Advocacy on procurement policies, land use, alternative transportation, and eco-efficiency incentives. 510-845-9500 Source: In Business Magazine
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The Taj Group is leading an environmental management training program for hoteliers throughout India in conjunction with the Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India. Called “Environmental Management for Hoteliers,” it targets hotels of all sizes to raise awareness about the benefits and how to’s of environmental management. It draws on the Taj’s successful “Eco-Taj” initiative and covers: – awareness and responsibility – global overview of best practices – environmental management systems – energy and water conservation – waster water treatment and solid waste management – use of environmental materials – training and staff motivation Contact: Brian Bhasin Briefly read about the Taj program in our February ’99 Feature article. From The Green Hotelier
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The Hunt family, Texas real estate developers, are offering home buyers the option to power their homes with fuel cells rather than electricity from traditional utilities in the 500 homes they are building each year through 2013. A $6,000 investment buys a fuel-cell generator (using natural gas or propane), which can produce electricity for less than what the local utility charges. “Our studies show,” says Oklahoma Gas & Electric’s Jack Phipps, “that if you can get to a thousand units manufactured, you’ll get your costs down to where they can compete with local electricity prices in areas where gas is relatively cheap and power is relatively expensive.”
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After attending two Natural Step workshops, Bob Maddox, a Republican Representative for the state of Connecticut, sponsored a bill called, “An Act Concerning Exemplary Environmental Management.” The first in the nation, it passed June 8. The bill rewards companies that demonstrate “an exemplary record of compliance with environmental laws,” are “registered as meeting the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System Standard and have adopted principles for sustainability.” Some of the benefits are accelerated and system-wide permits, along with reduced or waived fees. The Natural Step framework is explicitly mentioned in the bill’s definition of principles for sustainability. Maddox explained, “ISO 14001, without a global framework like TNS, is virtually meaningless. Truly cutting-edge companies must demonstrate a change in their corporate culture, and adoption of TNS principals is a sure signal they have an exemplary environmental management system.” House bill 6830, Senate amendment A at the Connecticut’s General Assembly website To learn more about The Natural Step: [sorry this link is no longer available]
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In an effort to help companies integrate eco-efficiency metrics into their operations, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) is developing a standard set of measurements that can be used by all companies. 25 companies representing a cross section of the business community are presently testing a draft set of eco-efficiency indicators. The process will be completed by March, 2000. WBCSD’s goal is to establish a voluntary framework that is flexible enough to be widely used, broadly accepted, and easily interpreted throughout the world business community. The framework consists of five elements: – agreed definitions and terminology for indicators – set of core indicators that follow a widely agreed measurement methodology, relevant to virtually all businesses – process for developing additional indicators relevant to specific businesses – a means by which the relationship between economic/value performance and environmental performance can be quantified – ways for companies to communicate eco-efficiency measurements clearly and transparently to stakeholders. If your company would like to participate, please contact Markus Lehni To learn more, visit the WBCSD website
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Collins Pine Company, a model certified forestry operation, saved a million dollars after one year of integrating The Natural Step (TNS) framework into its strategic planning and operations. After educating employees on the principles of TNS, the company formed teams to address specific issues within the company’s operations such as energy, water, air, and recycling. One team’s idea – install equipment that incorporates sander dust into particle board instead of burning it – saves the company over $500,000 annually. Collins’ managers believe its Journey to Sustainability motivates employees and helps the company attract and retain high-caliber employees. [sorry this link is no longer available] FROM The Natural Step Newsletter
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New York City is a leader among municipalities that are incorporating green building practices into the construction process. The results of their efforts thus far are in High Performance Building Guidelines. Besides covering the usual topics – site design, energy, indoor environment, materials and products, water – it examines post-construction issues of construction administration, commissioning and operations/maintenance. Each chapter contains a series of “Performance Goals” and strategies for reaching the goals. It includes NYC’s green guidelines, and a high performance building workplan and sample. 144 pg., $25. City of New York Department of Design & Construction: [sorry this link is no longer available] You can also find High Performance Building Guidelines from Pennsylvania at the website in the previous article. FROM Environmental Building News
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It was a historic day on August 15 when India’s population hit one billion. Worldwatch Institute dubbed it the second member of the “billion club.” “In Balance”, the newsletter of the Center for a New American Dream notes that marketers are gearing up for an orgy. China and India has more “future consumers” (children under 15 years old) than the U.S. total population. Sometime around the middle of October, the world population will reach the six billion mark. The Center is hosting a listserv conversation this month on the links between population and consumption. Sign up at: [sorry this link is no longer available]
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If you are involved in an energy efficiency and renewable energy project, whether as business or individual world-wide, you are eligible to apply for this award. It will be presented in Austria, March 9-12, at World Sustainable Energy Day 2000 and at the “Energiesparmesse”, one of the largest European energy exhibitions (it attracted more than 200,000 visitors in past years). Winning projects will be awarded a prize of $10,000 EURO in each category and be promoted in a EU-wide media campaign. Deadline to submit: November 15. energy.globe@esv.or.at [sorry this link is no longer available]
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