THE ENVIRONMENT - REDUCING EMMISIONS
COMBATING THE CATASTROPHIC EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE

European policy must pursue a sustainable, competitive and secure supply of energy. If the EU continues on its present course, this key objective will not be attained. Niamh MacSweeney finds out what industry is doing to reach Kyoto targets.

There is very clear evidence of global warming both in terms of surface temperatures, the erosion of polar and glacier regions and an increase in air temperatures. We are also seeing certain patterns of climatic change arising from global warming, which appear to be accelerating because of the effects of greenhouse gas emissions. In an Irish context, predictions are for temperatures to increase significantly over the next 50-100 years and while it might be tempting to concentrate on the consequences, taking action to avoid the consequences is what is urgently required.

COMMON POLICY

In January 2007, the European Commission adopted an energy policy for Europe. The Commission proposes a comprehensive package of measures to establish a new energy policy that will combat climate change and boost the EU’s energy security and competitiveness. The package of proposals set a series of ambitious targets on greenhouse gas emissions and renewable energy and aim to create an internal market for energy which will strengthen effective regulation. A fully functioning internal market will increase security of supply and should result in lower energy prices.

The Commission believes that when an international agreement is reached on the post-2012 framework this should lead to a 30% cut in emissions from developed countries by 2020. To further underline its commitment the Commission proposes that the European Union commits now to cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20% by 2020, in particular through energy measures.

Commission President José Manuel Barroso said the energy policy marks a step in the right direction for combating climate change. "Increasing import dependence and higher energy prices are faced by all EU members. A common European response is necessary to deliver sustainable, secure and competitive energy. The proposals put forward by the Commission today demonstrate our commitment to leadership and a long-term vision for a new Energy Policy for Europe that responds to climate change. We must act now, to shape tomorrow's world,” he said.

ENERGY LIBERALISATION

Europe faces real challenges. There is a more than 50% chance that global temperatures will rise during this century by more than 5°C. On current projections, energy and transport policies would mean that rather than falling, EU emissions would increase by around 5% by 2030. With current trends and policies the EU’s energy import dependence will jump from 50% of total EU energy consumption today to 65% in 2030. In addition, the internal energy market remains incomplete, which prevents EU citizens and the EU economy from receiving the full benefits of energy liberalisation.

European Commissioner for Energy Policy, Andris Piebalgs said, “if we take the right decisions now, Europe can lead the world to a new industrial revolution: the development of a low carbon economy. Our ambition to create a working internal market, to promote a clean and efficient energy mix and to make the right choices in research and development will determine whether we lead this new scenario or we follow others.”

RISING ENERGY PRICES

According to Martin Territ, Director of the European Commission Representation in Ireland, from an Irish context the internal market is not working properly both for industrial consumers and for private domestic consumers. “Energy prices in Ireland are among the highest, we are the second or third highest in the European Union. There is obviously a serious issue there,” he says.

Territ highlights various solutions to the problem. “We would prefer to see a situation whereby the today to 65% in 2030. In addition, the internal energy companies transmission; distribution and the generation capacity are separated all together. That is an ideal scenario. Another scenario is that they are not operated separately, but that we have extremely strong regulation at European level to ensure that competitors have access to the national agreements of the various member states,” Territ says.

He is hopeful that in the future more money will be spent on research into new energy technologies. “There are great efficiency gains to be made through better and more efficient use of energy, be that through cars, industrial applications or in private housing. There are significant opportunities for Irish business in this field as they can become involved in research,” he adds.

INDUSTRY REACTION

The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) is calling on the Government to adopt a National Renewable Energy Policy because Ireland’s lack of alternative energy strategy will threaten future growth. Dr. Peter Stafford, Research and Policy Executive CIF, argues that not enough is being done at national level to prepare the country’s economy for any threat to external energy supplies. “The National Renewable Energy Policy needs to be a high-level strategic document to energy companies transmission; distribution and the position Ireland to invest in alternative energy supplies, including energy crops, wind and tidal power. The investment in these sources of energy should have the full weight of the State and be at the core of planning issues. Likewise, development of the Renewable Energy Policy should inform policy on building standards and energy reduction. Development, implementation and monitoring of the National Renewable Energy Policy should be undertaken in line with international best practice,” he argues.

While it makes environmental and economic sense for the Government to reduce emissions in Ireland Dr Owen Wilson, ESB Manager Health Safety and Environment, criticises the Government for its failure to face the real issue and instead spend money on Carbon Fund Taxes. “In buying allowances the Government will avoid large increases in Irish energy, transport, construction and other costs with consequential impacts on the economy,” he says.

At the same time Wilson says that it may not be possible for the ESB to meet its reduction target and if that happens “the ESB will purchase CO2 credits in accordance with the EU’s emissions trading directive to ensure these obligations are met.”

A JOINT EFFORT

Clearly it is a challenge for all industries not just in Ireland but also throughout the world to work together to reduce emissions. John Maguire, CEO Irish Concrete Federation agrees that cement is like all manufacturing processes – it has an impact on the environment. He is also acutely aware that by developing new longterm strategies we can reduce our emissions and that the cement industry is going to have to change the chemical composition of their product, if Kyoto targets are to be reached.

Climate change is one of the gravest threats to our planet so taking action against climate change is imperative. Although proposed target are ambitious, they are also achievable if they are supported and properly regulated. Global efforts to contain climate change and its most dire consequences are a responsibility for all of us and therefore there must be a joint effort to reduce emissions and limit the effects on the world.

RENEWABLE HEATING TECHNOLOGY

GERKROS, IRELANDS ONLY MANUFACTURER OF WOOD PELLET BOILERS HAS BEEN SELECTED AS A FINALIST IN THE SMALL FIRMS ASSOCIATION (SFA) MANUFACTURING COMPANY OF THE YEAR 2007. Ger Crosse, Commercial Director, Gerry Crosse Managing Director and Declan Crosse Technical Director at SEI Energy Awards Gerkros has made a considerable contribution to renewable heating technology in Ireland and their wood pellet boilers are considered environmentally friendly. Fuel as it is burned releases carbon dioxide into the air, but the trees that are growing absorb the carbon dioxide and these trees will ultimately become fuel. Also fossil fuels have finite resources, whereas biomass is infinite, because we will always be able to grow trees. In Ireland we have seen the emergence of fast growing crops such as coppice crops, willow and miscanthas. Wood pellet boiler fuel is manufactured from waste materials from sawmills, providing a solution to Irelands numerous sawmills. Another benefit is that the ash resulting from the biomass is pot ash, and can be used as fertiliser. Gerkros has traditionally been a manufacturer of solid fuel and oil boiler appliances and still manufactures high efficiency condensing oil boilers. The company was founded in 1971 by the Crosse family and the managing director is Gerry Crosse. Significant investment in research and development and recruiting graduates has been a cornerstone of Gerkros innovativeness. The company has recently built a training and research centre at its head office in Donaskeigh. Throughout 2006 Gerkros trained almost 100 installers on its biomass systems. Contact: T: +353 (0) 6271105 W: www.gerkros.ie/home.htm

IRISH ENERGY EFFICIENT HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS

Eamon Ryan TD, Ciaran Cuffe TD and David Healy, Cllr Fingal County Council

Last year Fingal County Council made a landmark decision when it undertook an initiative that will ensure new housing developments will be built to energy efficiency standards that are 60% above the national standard. Sustainable building requirements have been implemented into the Cappagh Local Area Plan and the response so far has been very positive.

DRIVING FORCE

Fingal county councilor David Healy says the driving force behind this initiative is that it can reduce the energy costs, increase housing standards and reduce green house gas emissions. "We put it into area plans, which are covering 1200 houses, and the first applications have been coming in. For example under this scheme we are increasing installation levels in houses so that the outgoing air is used to heat the incoming air,” Healy says.

According to Healy a number of other local authorities are interested in this scheme. “Dun Laoghaire has looked at what we have done and said that they want to amend the entire development plan in order to do what we have done. Councillors in Dun Laoghaire have just come back and 65 were in favour and only two were against the proposed introduction,” he says.

EXPANSION

REVERSING THE IMPACT OF GLOBAL WARMING

Dr. Colin O’Dowd, Experimental Physics Department and Environmental Change Institute, NUI Galway A new report published by the Environmental Change Institute at NUI Galway calls on European environmental researchers and policy makers to agree an integrated approach to tackling both air quality and climate change. Traditionally, air quality and climate change have been addressed separately. However, solutions to one problem - if carefully devised - can also be an efficient solution to the other, according to the authors of the report. IMPACT POLLUTANTS Editor of the report, Dr.Colin O’Dowd, Department of Experimental Physics and Environmental Change Institute at NUI Galway says, “not all areas of air quality and climate change are closely linked, partly due to their different impacts over different time scales. However, there is significant opportunity to develop synergistic research work in key common areas.” He argues that with increasing economic activity, pollutant emissions impact more and more on air quality and climate change. “Methane - a global greenhouse gas, is also a source of ozone, which is a local pollutant. Therefore, reductions in methane emissions can lead to a reduction in ozone levels. Similar common issues exist with the impact of atmospheric aerosols (or particulate matter) on air quality and climate,” O’Dowd explains. RESEARCH AGREEMENT The report brings together the views of leading researchers and policy contributors in Europe and the US, and highlights the common research and policy issues relating to air quality and climate change for the future. Recommendations in the report outlines strategies for harmonising research in support of policy development for the future in terms of common issues between air quality and climate change. The report is expected to have an important impact on and contribute to improved understanding of important environmental issues and support the development of solutions to such human induced environmental change.