Countries, Cities, Companies and Organizations Pledge Climate Neutrality at UN Climate Conference in Poznan
UNEP 7 Dec 08;
Countries, Cities, Companies and Organizations Pledge Climate Neutrality at UN Climate Conference in Poznan
Poznan/Nairobi, 7 December 2008 - As nearly 200 governments are meeting to move forward a new global deal to address climate change at the UN climate conference, an increasing number of countries, cities, companies and organizations are committing to a low-carbon future by joining the Climate Neutral Network (CN Net).
The CN Net - established by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) - brings together countries, cities, companies and organizations that have set some of the world's most ambitious greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets.
UN Under-Secretary-General and UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner said: "From a hip hotel which blends Shanghai's tradition and modernity to Thailand's largest supermarket chain to the biggest outdoor music event that communicates the environmental message to the global audience, the new Climate Neutral Network participants bring the low-carbon vision for the future to millions of people."
"I am also pleased to welcome the Pacific island nation of Niue, which is joining the CN Net in the country category. For many small island developing States like Niue climate neutrality is more than just a concept - it is a matter of survival. Finally, the two cities coming on board - Slough in the UK and Waitakere in New Zealand - exemplify that addressing climate change is part and parcel of urban sustainability," he added.
Are you climate NIUE-tral?
The Pacific island nation of Niue is the new country coming on board the Climate Neutral Network. It is hoping to become carbon neutral in the near future. Niue's own annual CO2 emissions are approximately 0.003 million metric tonnes for a population of about 1,700. The Government of Niue focuses in particular on the transport and energy sectors as the major contributors of greenhouse gas emissions.
It promotes the use of energy saving appliances and compact fluorescent light bulbs, and, in the case of transport, enforces maximum speed limits and encourages carpooling. It also works to cut down carbon emissions through better waste management and harnessing renewable energy resources.
Slough steps to climate neutrality
A historic stopping point for coaches travelling between London and Bath, Slough today has a population of nearly 120,000 and is one of UK's most culturally diverse communities. The Slough Borough Council's strategy includes having all public transport and council vehicles running on cleaner fuel and cutting its CO2 emissions by one-fifth in the next 20 years.
Waitakere is New Zealand's fifth largest city representing nearly five percent of the country's population. The city's Action Plan on Climate Change and Energy targets stabilizing per capita greenhouse gas emissions by 2010 and reducing them by 80 percent by 2051.
In climate neutral company
Companies and organizations big and small are joining the Climate Neutral Network. The eleven new participants are being announced today in Poznan are:
* URBN Hotels, China's first carbon neutral hotel;
* Tesco Lotus, Thailand's largest supermarket chain;
* Live Earth, organizer of large-scale environmental music & entertainment events;
* Ementor Group, Scandinavia's leading IT provider;
* First Climate Group, Europe's leading carbon asset management company;
* Biosphere Capital, carbon trading, technology and finance company;
* GHG, carbon management company working in Portuguese-speaking countries;
* Aeris Futuro Foundation, which created Poland's first CO2 calculator;
* IDEA, Paraguay's Institute for Environmental Law and Economics;
* Rios Tropicales, a Costa Rican eco-adventure company; and
* Yachay Wasi, a Peruvian NGO planting one million native trees in the Andes.
