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September 2008 - Ecofys column in ENDSEuropeReport

The ENDSEuropeReport is the monthly EU environmental policy briefing for business professionals, click here for the article of our Ecofys colleague Claudia Doets.

August 2008 - The Gold Standard version 2 is out now!

The Gold Standard is a premium quality label for carbon credits. Ecofys upgraded all rules and guidance. The standard is supported by more that 60 NGOs and has a technical advisory committee with leading figures in the field of sustainable development. Ecofys focused on strengthening the criteria on stakeholder participation and contribution to sustainable development. At the same time the user-friendliness and transparency for all Gold Standard users has been increased. For more information, please click here.

July 2008 - A new report available: The value of Carbon in China, Carbon finance and China's sustainable energy transition

Ecofys Azure International prepared this report for the WWF.
For the executive summary, click here. For the complete report, please click here.

July 2008 - Ecofys study for Allianz and WWF compares climate policies of
G8

Since climate policies are on the top of the agenda of the annual G8 summit (7-9 July 2008) in Hokkaido, Japan, Allianz and WWF commissioned Ecofys to examine and compare efforts against climate change of the G8 countries. The Ecofys study "G8 Climate Scorecards 2008" presents an overview of the implemented and planned measures aiming to counteract climate change. Moreover Ecofys ranked the countries assessing aspects like emissions, renewable energy development and energy efficiency. Additionally the study analysed climate performance of five large developing countries, namely Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa, which are attending the summit as well. 

The study has been written by Niklas Höhne, Markus Hagemann and Sara Moltmann (all Ecofys Germany).

To download the report, click here

For more information, click here

June 2008 - Capra new managing director Ecofys Italy

Mr. Emanuele Capra is the new managing director for Ecofys Italy, based in the Turin office. Capra has a background in logistics, banking and energy contracting. With his expertise and network he will add significant value to the Ecofys Italy team.

To read the full press release click here.

April 2008 - Ecofys reviewed industry’s alternative allocation method for EU-ETS

IFIEC Europe, the international federation of industrial energy consumers, has developed an alternative allocation methodology for EU-ETS. The current Ecofys study reviews an application of this method to the EU-ETS electricity sector and compares it with the methods of grandfathering and auctioning.

The IFIEC method allocates emissions allowances for clean production, as defined by a so-called benchmark, free of charge. We show that this method limits the CO2 costs of electricity production to the actual costs of achieving a clean production level, as determined by a benchmark. This is different from the methods of auctioning and grandfathering in which the full costs (either real costs or so-called opportunity costs) of all CO2 emissions are passed through into the electricity price. As a result, application of the IFIEC method reduces electricity costs for end-users in the order of, on average, 10-30% of industry’s electricity bills and 5-20% of household bills.

Within EU-ETS, the IFIEC method provides the same environmental incentives as auctioning and better incentives than the current system of grandfathering, provided that a single (not fuel-specific) benchmark is used for all electricity producers under EU-ETS. The lower electricity prices that result from the IFIEC approach, however, reduce the incentive for some low-carbon measures to be implemented outside EU-ETS. Where full auctioning increases electricity costs, the revenues of auctioning can be recycled into the economy. In the current study we only briefly touched upon such recycling options.

Ecofys is among the leading experts in the area of Emissions Trading. Our broad range of customers includes the European Commission, governments, ETS participants, market intermediaries and NGOs. For more information, click here.

To download the report, click here

March 2008 - Milestone in Ecofys’ CRRESCENDO project: city of Almere signs contract for Solar Island

Friday February 29th 2008, contracts were signed between the city of Almere and energy supplier NUON for development of a Solar Island of 7000 m2 solar collectors. The island will be the third largest solar heating system in the world and is unique for the Netherlands. The island is part of the Ecofys’ CRRESCENDO project.

CRRESCENDO, ‘Combined Rational and Renewable Energy Strategies in Cities, for Existing and New Dwellings to ensure Optimal quality of life’, aims to integrate a major share of sustainability into thousands of homes and their energy infrastructures. By the end of 2009, over 15,000 people will live in modern, comfortable, healthy and energy-efficient homes due to the well-orchestrated sustainable developments. Ecofys initiated this European project which runs in the CONCERTO programme of the European Commission, and is one of the project leaders.

Each community participating in the CRRESCENDO project implements an integrated strategy towards achieving an increase in the use of renewable energy sources (RES). Almere is one of four participant communities of the CRRESCENDO project. It is situated east of Amsterdam in the Netherlands. Since the 1970’s, Almere, has committed itself to a programme of sustainable development. This commitment continues to manifest itself through its target to become totally sustainable by 2030.

The Solar Island will consist of 7,000 m2 of solar collectors aesthetically arranged around a bus lane and it will 10% of heat for 1,000 homes in the NoorderPlassen-West district.

February '08 - Environmental policies had a 7 % impact on EU greenhouse gas emission trends between 1990 and 2005

This Ecofys study, carried out for the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, evaluated and quantified the impact of environmental policies on the emissions of the six Kyoto greenhouse gases in the EU-27 between 1990 en 2005. Next this quantification was compared with the required policy impact increase halfway through the 1990-2020 period in order to reach the new 2020 targets. 

This study reveals two policy-relevant indicators for the EU. Firstly, environmental policies had a 7 % impact on emission trends between 1990 and 2005. Secondly, to meet the EU’s 2020 climate target, this impact must increase by a factor between three (all greenhouse gases) to almost five (CO2) in the 2005-2020 period (see Figure 1). 

This required increase in policy impact is by no means evident from the 1990-2005 monitoring data and the 2005-2020 linear-pathway-to-target line. By explicitly filtering out the effect of environmental policies better insight is acquired into the true challenges for the EU’s climate policies. 

Figure 1: On the left, the ex-post estimated effects of environmental policies on greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) in the EU-27 in the period 1990-2005. On the right, the ex-ante policy impact estimates (see text).

For the press release and downloads of the study, visit the website of the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency.

January '08 - All Island Grid Study shows Ireland can be world leader in renewable energy

Energy Minister Eamon Ryan from Ireland announced the publication of a ground-breaking report on renewable energy and the electricity grid on the island of Ireland. The All Island Grid Study revealed that it is feasible to generate 42% of electricity from renewable sources by 2020. This will be one of the highest levels of renewable electricity in the world. Furthermore the study showed that measurements will reduce Irish greenhouse gas emissions by 25% in comparison to a ‘business as usual’ scenario.

Ecofys executed work stream 4 of the All Island Grid Study. Under this assignment Ecofys aggregated the findings from the previous work streams (grid integration analysis, resource assessment, dispatch analysis) and analysed the impacts of renewable generation scenarios of the on various stakeholders and the society as a whole.

For the press release and downloads from the study, go to the website from the Irish government.

January '08 - Guidance on biofuels sustainability reporting in UK

This month the UK government issued guidance to companies on how to report on the sustainability and carbon performance of their biofuels. The UK is the first country in the world to issue its sustainability policy for biofuels. The policy was largely developed by Ecofys in collaboration with the government and a wide range of stakeholders. The guidance documents can be downloaded from the Renewable Fuels Agency website.

November '07 - New study for EURIMA

Commissioned by EURIMA (European Insulation Manufacturers Association) we have created a new study, analyzing U-values (insulation thickness) for a better energy performance of European buildings. The study provides findings for 100 European cities. Aim of the study is to contribute to the discussion of policy makers when reconsidering national regulations. The study reveals that there is significant room for improvement of standards. Click here for the Ecofys report. For the EURIMA press release please click here.

October '07 - Nobel Prize Winners

The Nobel Prize committee have awarded the Nobel Peace Prize to Al Gore and the IPCC. This UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change involves close to 2000 scientists from approximately 100 countries. The IPCC reports are mainly written by the lead authors. Others contribute, comment or review. All of them share in the honour of winning the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize.

We are very proud of our IPCC lead authors:

Click here to read the press release issued by the Nobel committee.

July '07 - Dutch Minister Cramer receives Ecofys’ report Carbon Capture and Storage
Minister Jacqueline Cramer of the Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment received the report ‘Making CCS work, large-scale Carbon Capture and Storage in the Netherlands’. This report has been written by Ecofys and Spinconsult at the request of EnergieNed and the Dutch Ministries of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment and Economic Affairs.

The assessment focused on the chances for carbon capture and storage (CCS) at coal power plants in the Netherlands. The report concludes that CCS is a temporarily, but necessary step towards a sustainable energy supply. The technical opportunities of CCS need to be developed in the coming years. The use of CCS at large extends in 2020 will lead to extra costs of 30 - 40 Euro per ton. These extra costs can be compensated by an equal price for emission rights. In this way a new technology can be profitable in the long run. On the other hand should the government take the lead during the development phase to make sure these kinds of new technologies will be realised.

Click here to download the report.

June '07 - Terra Nova joins Ecofys France
As per 1 June 2007, Terra Nova has joined Ecofys France. Terra Nova has an established reputation in France to deliver high quality studies on shore wind and biomass energy. With this acquisition, Ecofys France has grown to 12 employees with offices in Paris and Soissons. The Soissons team brings competences in landscape architecture and EiA-expertise and will lead our expertise in sustainable power and fuels in the French market. This team is headed by Rossano Pulpito.

May '07 - Dutch Prime Minister visits Econcern

May '07 - IPCC report: 'Mitigation of Climate Change' has been released

On the 4th of May, the report 'Mitigation of Climate Change'has been released in Bangkok. As members of the Working Group III, six authors Ecofys contributed to this report. Our experts Prof. Kornelis Blok, Dr. Jochen Harnisch, Dr. Ernst Worrell, Dr. Monique Hoogwijk and Dr. Niklas Höhne contributed as lead authors in the area of emissions from buildings industry and on international climate policy. There is now no institute in the world that contributes so many lead authors. Moreover Suzanne Joossen contributed as contributing author. Click here to go the IPCC website to read the summary for policymakers.

April '07 - Ecofys sponsor of Biomass Conference

Ecofys likes to invite you to visit our stand at 15th biomass conference in Berlin (Stand 17, foyer 83). Find out how Ecofys can help you with product development, strategy policy services, innovations and technologies in the field of biomass, biogas and biofuels. Click here for the eventpage with more details.

April '07 - Visit Ecofys at EWEC07

During EWECO7 – Europe’s premier wind energy event – Ecofys presents short, ten minute courses to bring you up to speed on key aspects of wind energy. We also prepared background presentations on the most recent technical, financial and environmental developments in the wind energy sector. Click here for more info.

April '07 - Ecofys at Carbon Expo 2007

Ecofys is present at the CarbonExpo 2007 - please visit us at stand B-061, hall 11.1. At our stand we fill you with the details on, e.g. our Carbon Complete Service or our Carbon Management approach. Check our eventpage for the details.

March '07 - Ecofys contributed to the 4th Assessment Report of the IPCC

Ecofys contributed to the 4th Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) of the United Nations. The report is the most comprehensive and authoritative review of the scientific literature on the physical science of climate change (Working group I), impacts from climate change (Working Group II) and ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (Working Group III). As members of Working Group III the Ecofys experts Prof. Kornelis Blok, Dr. Jochen Harnisch, Dr. Ernst Worrell, Dr. Monique Hoogwijk and Dr. Niklas Höhne contributed as lead authors in the area of emissions from buildings industry and on international climate policy. There is now no institute in the world that contributes so many lead authors. Moreover Suzanne Joossen contributed as contributing author. The report of Working Group III will be released on 4 May 2007. A chapter outline can already be downloaded here: http://www.ipcc.ch/activity/wg3outlines.pdf. For more information you can send an email to climate@ecofys.com

Feb '07 - Ecofys present at Carbon Market Insights 2007

Ecofys was present at the Carbon Markets Insights 2007. Our colleague Arie van Beek gave a presentation on Timing of abatement: Implication for carbon prices and the cost of waiting. More information can be found at the event page.

Jan '07 - Ecofys sponsor of the 8th Annual Emission Trading conference

On the 22nd and 23rd of January the 8the Annual Emission Trading conference was held in London. Freerk Bisschop, Managing Director, spoke about the impact of the NAPs for phase II on the trading market. You can download the presentation here. If you want more information on this subject, please contact us.

Dec '06 - Investigation into the origins of Essent palm oil led by Professor Blok

Prof. dr. K. Blok, Professor at the University of Utrecht and Managing Director of Ecofys, has been appointed chairman of the committee which, on behalf of Essent, is going to investigate the possibilities of an international certification system for palm oil and palm oil derivatives. More information on the website of Essent.

Nov '06 - New report on options for the future international climate regime presented at COP/MOP in Nairobi by Ecofys

At the UN meetings on climate change in Nairobi, Kenya, Ecofys presented a comprehensive report entitled “Factors underpinning future action” on options for a future international climate agreement following the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol. Click here to download the report.

The report provides fact sheets with detailed data for 47 countries and calculations of the allowed emissions per country for various future scenarios.

The fact sheets for 47 countries provide current emission trends, underlying drivers and a summary of the climate change related policies. The fact sheets show that countries are very diverse – almost all of the countries considered have a characteristic that is unique. In particular small countries have specific national circumstances, e.g. New Zealand with a very large share of emissions from agriculture or Denmark with large inter-annual variations in emissions due to varying electricity trade. Large countries also have unique characteristics, such as Brazil with a major share of hydropower in electricity generation and biofuels in transport but very high emissions in agriculture, Canada with large inter-annual variations of emissions from land use change and forestry or France with a very high share of nuclear power.

The second part of the report assesses the level of emissions that each country would be allowed under different scenarios for a future international climate agreement that are compatible with the goal of the European Union to kept climate change below dangerous levels. To keep this goal, emissions need to be reduced significantly: Developed countries need to reduce emissions by roughly 30% below 1990 levels. Emission trends of developing countries need to be reversed as soon as possible.

Only a compromise approach for a future international agreement on climate change can be equally appealing to all countries: We tested several approaches varying from very simple to very complex. Each approach is more attractive for some and less attractive for others. A simple approach can therefore only act as a general guide of direction, but the final agreement is likely to be based on a complex formula or ultimately a compromise.

The final agreement on an international climate change regime will be a multi-faceted, multi-staged or multi-layered system arising from an iterative process of countries proposing and assessing each others proposals. The data provided in this report intends to provide some insights to guide countries in such a process.

The report can be found in our Publications section.

May '06 - First Dutch fuel cell boat introduced at Frisian Nuon Solar Challenge

During the Frisian Nuon Solar Challenge – a race for solar boats – Ecofys and the Knowledge Center Yacht building will introduce the first Dutch fuel cell boat. This is an electrically powered sloop equipped with fuel cells, using hydrogen as fuel. During the solar race, the sloop will function as a ‘chase’ express boat for the VIPs attending the event. The boat will cover the full distance – 220 kilometres – without refuelling. Click here for more information.