28 June '24: Your weekly curation of carbon, sustainability and climate action headlines

Stop debating carbon markets and start building them

"If well designed, they can accelerate the pace of absolute emissions reductions. They catalyse investment by accelerating the deployment of clean energy, improving the economics of new technologies and funding a socially just transition. They can play decisive roles in catalysing the enormous capital needed to transition from coal to clean generation in Asia and to accelerate nature-based solutions everywhere." Mark Carney, UN special envoy on climate action and finance and former governor of the Bank of England

• The world has less than a decade to drastically reduce emissions before the carbon budget for limiting warming to 1.5C is exhausted.
• Voluntary Carbon Markets (VCMs) can accelerate emissions reductions, catalyse investment in clean energy, and fund a just transition away from fossil fuels.
• The integrity of VCMs is crucial, and standards must be established for supply, demand, and market integrity, as well as social integrity to ensure benefits flow to local communities.
• Major economies need to work together to build globally integrated carbon markets to expand decarbonisation opportunities, especially for emerging and developing economies.
• Well-designed carbon markets can unlock significant financial flows to emerging markets, promote the retirement of high-emitting assets, and prevent new coal-fired power plants in Asia. They can also finance biodiversity projects and support indigenous communities.

Read more here.

US Olympic and other teams will bring their own AC units to Paris, undercutting environmental plan

The U.S. Olympic team is one of a handful that will supply air conditioners for their athletes at the Paris Games in a move that undercuts organizers' plans to cut carbon emissions.

• The US Olympic team, amongst some others, are planning to bring their own air conditioning units to Paris for the 2024 Summer Olympics.
• This move is to ensure athletes' comfort amid concerns over potentially high temperatures during the event.
• The decision to bring AC units contrasts with France's climate goals and efforts to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions for the Paris games.
• The action has sparked discussions about balancing athlete performance and comfort with environmental sustainability and climate commitments.

Read more here.

Lufthansa to raise fares by up to €72 as environmental costs increase

Lufthansa Group, along with other European airlines, is increasing fares to offset the rising costs of adhering to new EU environmental regulations. The price increase will vary depending on the type of ticket and flight distance, with potential increases ranging from 1 to 72 euros. The added charge aims to cover the expenses associated with using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), a key component in reducing the environmental impact of air travel.

• Lufthansa will add an environmental charge of up to €72 to its fares.
• The charge will cover part of the rising costs due to regulatory environmental requirements.
• Other airlines are expected to follow Lufthansa's lead.
• The aviation industry is responsible for about 2% of the world's emissions.
• The EU has set targets for the use of sustainable aviation fuel.

Read more here.

Denmark sets first carbon tax on agriculture

The Danish government will introduce Europe’s first carbon tax on agriculture, after a five-month negotiation with farming and conservation groups ended in a historic agreement on Monday night.

• Denmark will introduce the world's first carbon tax on agriculture, starting in 2025, with farmers paying 750 Danish kroner (€100) per ton of carbon dioxide equivalent, rising to 1,150 kroner (€154) per ton by 2030, and to 3000 kroner (€400) from 2035 onwards.
• The tax aims to cut agricultural emissions by 7.4 million tons of CO2 equivalent by 2030, contributing significantly to Denmark's overall climate targets.
• The Danish government has allocated €1 billion to support farmers in transitioning to greener practices, including investments in technology and infrastructure to reduce emissions.
• This initiative is part of Denmark's broader strategy to achieve a 70% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 1990 levels, positioning the country as a leader in climate action.
• Without intervention, agriculture would account for 46% of Denmark’s emissions.

Read more here.

An Opinionated Guide to Big, Fat, Green Weddings

(...) based on the information we do have about the event — the thousand-plus guests flying in from various locations, as well as a dinner for 51,000 locals — I came up with an estimate using a wedding carbon footprint calculator: The weekend alone could well have contributed about 2,700 metric tons (2,976 tons) of CO2, the equivalent of more than four SpaceX Falcon 9 flights to the International Space Station. By Lara Williams for Bloomberg Opinion

• The author provides guidance on planning a sustainable wedding, emphasising the importance of minimising the event's carbon footprint through eco-friendly choices.
• Helping couples to estimate the environmental impact of their wedding and identify areas where they can reduce emissions with a footprint calculator.
• Sustainable wedding options include choosing local and seasonal foods, reducing travel emissions by selecting nearby venues, and using eco-friendly decorations and attire.
• The article encourages couples to consider carbon offset programs to neutralise any unavoidable emissions, ensuring their wedding has a positive environmental impact.

Read more here.