Countdown to Copenhagen: Technology in a Global Climate Agreement
A consensus is emerging on technology transfer in an international climate agreement, though sticking points remain.

What are the key technology issues under discussion at the UNFCCC?
Enhanced international action on technology development and deployment, as outlined in the Bali Action Plan, is an important component of the post-2012 climate negotiations. Key elements include:

• How an international agreement can incentivize innovation of next generation low-carbon technologies, and accelerate and scale up diffusion of existing technologies to developing countries.
• Whether the structure of the international regime should include a new technology body or bodies and/or a new technology fund, or should build on existing mechanisms.
• How to solve divisive intellectual property rights (IPR) issues.

Australia to tap "hot rocks"

By BusinessGreen.com Staff on News

BusinessGreen.com Staff, BusinessGreen, Thursday 21 August 2008 at 14:00:00

Scientists claim just one per cent of country's geothermal resources could meet its energy needs for 26,000 years

Just a day after Google announced it is to plough $10m into projects geothermal energy research, the Australian government has pledged to stump up $43m to help develop technologies capable...

Lib Dems outline plan for energy independence by 2050

By James Murray on News

James Murray, BusinessGreen, Thursday 21 August 2008 at 16:10:00

Call for an investment programme on a scale of the Apollo projects as party pledges to increase pressure on government to toughen up Climate Bill

The Liberal Democrats today set out ambitious plans to slash UK carbon emissions and attain energy independence by 2050 through a massive scaling up of renewable and carbon capture technologies....

Fonterra says it is trialling environment friendly tankers

21/08/2008 - Fonterra says a new milk tanker it is trialling is "eco-friendly" and could reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its 427-truck fleet.

Fonterra's tanker cover about 75 million km every year and the cooperative's general manager of milk collection, Mike Foureur, said the DAF Euro 4 tanker had conversion technology expected to cut nitrous oxide emissions by 30 percent and particulates emissions by more than 80 percent.

Fuel efficiency gains of up to 5 percent could also be possible from exhaust gas reticulation (EGR) technology which would also be tested.

Google puts $10 mln into new geothermal technology

By Nichola Groom

Google is investing US$10 million to produce electricity from underground heat with a breakthrough technology, as the Web search leader extends its clout to clean up the environment.

Exhaust-to-energy technology to bolster fuel efficiency

By Danny Bradbury on News

Danny Bradbury, BusinessGreen, Thursday 14 August 2008 at 09:41:00

US research team reckons heat capture technology could cut car fuel bills by 10 per cent

Scientists say that cars will be able to save up to 10 per cent of their fuel within ten years by converting waste energy from their exhausts into electricity....

Australia should strive for energy diversity:GM strategist

13/8/08:

Australia should look to emerging technologies including solar power and biomass fuels to run the cars of the future, a General Motors strategist says.

Diversification of fuel sources is the key to lessening Australia's reliance on petrol imports, says GM vice president Larry Burns.

New process can cut greenhouse gases - SA firm says

6/8/08:

New technology that can cut carbon dioxide emissions from industry, power stations and even ships, has been developed by a South Australian company.

Sustainable World Technologies (SWT) Ltd said initial trials of its system had returned 30 per cent reductions in Co2 emissions.

The technology involves converting Co2 into stable compounds, such as calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate, using an electrochemical system.

The process activates sea water so that when it is combined with exhaust gases, Co2 is permanently converted into the stable carbonates.