Carbon Limited Latest

Renewable tariffs and Carbon calculators

Two issues have dominated recent feedback on CarbonDAQ, the first - whether or not a renewable energy tariff should be zero rated...

RSA Scotland CarbonDAQ market formed

Following the AGM for RSA Scotland on Wednesday 25th June, Matt Prescott gave a presentation on the CarbonDAQ tool to an assembled group of Fellows and Trustees. The result, a new CarbonDAQ group for RSA Scotland is now open and you are invited to join in...

How to join the 'carbon card' pilot

Are you sure you've joined? Our 3 step guide to joining the 'carbon card' pilot being run by the RSA and Atos Origin, with help from BP and Nectar.

Industry bodies call for stronger regulation to meet sustainable energy targets

Individual targets should be set for renewably produced heat, transport and electrical energy by 2020, according to a joint manifesto put forward by a range of industry bodies today.

Climate and Health Council launch new CarbonDAQ group

The 'Climate and Health Council', a not-for-profit international organisation aiming to mobilise health professionals across the world to take action to limit climate change, launch their CarbonDAQ group this week.

Matt Prescott on Fox Business News

Matt Prescott speaks to Fox Business News about the prospects for 'carbon rationing', in the context of debate about fuel (gas) price increases in the US.

RSA and Atos Origin release 'carbon card' pilot

A pilot developed by Atos Origin shows the potential to measure personal carbon footprints using existing technology. Volunteers are now needed to trial the use of a nectarcard, initially in BP petrol stations, as a first step to establish the viability of dovetailing existing card networks to carry out carbon footprinting.

Dawn or Dusk?

Is it dawn or dusk for personal carbon trading? May was quite a month for the idea with a burst of interest following Defra's publication of its pre-feasibility study in early May, followed by the Environmental Audit Committee's (EAC) findings later on in the month.

Psychology of energy feedback

Can simple clip-on meters help people reduce their electricity consumption?

Mole Valley - carbon trading pioneers

Residents of Mole Valley in Surrey become amongst the first groups to experiment with personal carbon trading starting on Monday 2nd June.

A drop in the ocean?

How significant is Gordon Brown's new annoucement about increased funding for green homes?

Do you know your carbon footprint?

In our latest Carbon Limited vote we asked you: do you know your carbon footprint...?

Taking the Slow Road - the future of travel in a carbon constrained world?

With Ed Gillespie, co-founder and creative director, Futerra Ed Gillespie comes to the RSA fresh from his low-carbon slow-travel global circumnavigation: www.lowcarbontravel.com Ed will be sharing his slow travel experiences and debating the future of travel in the age of hypermobility, considering questions such as – is it realistic, or indeed, morally justifiable in an increasingly carbon-constrained world to expect to travel wherever we want, whenever we want, however we want and how frequently we want? Joining him in conversation will be John Adams, Emeritus Professor at UCL and author of the “Risk in a hypermobile world” blog and Martin Wright, editor of Green Futures magazine Places are free and open to all but advance booking is recommended. To reserve your free place: visit www.theRSA.org/events or email: lectures@rsa.org.uk

CarbonDAQ update: March

The start of the new Carbondaq season is approaching. Our team of developers, designers and market experts are putting the final touches to the penultimate stage of development, with updates being uploaded to the Carbondaq site this month.

Brother, can you spare a carbon credit?

An article by Rebecca Tuhus-Dubrow in the Boston Globe (24th Feb 08) explores the 'new wave of thinking' from the UK and Ireland about personal carbon trading.

Carbondaq update: February

PCT efficiency research discussed

1st February 2008: A number of representatives from government and industry attended a high level policy seminar at the RSA yesterday. The aim of the event was to discuss new research on where personal carbon trading could fit into the existing policy landscape in the UK and to explore its likely economic efficiency.

Carbon [Un]limited - People left behind by progress

In the second Carbon [Un]limited debate Caroline Lucas, MEP and Ian Roderick, Co-Founder of The Converging World discuss ways to mitigate against those who stand to lose the most from a changing climate.

Cardiff Citizens Forum

Cardiff, Saturday 26th January - an important 'citizens forum' event with people from the area explored policy ideas for tackling personal carbon emissions. The event involved over 80 people who were involved in the day-long research.

Reaching the target

Today the EU announced their policies for tackling climate change. Following on from their ambitious announcement last year, the Commission are following up with detail on how they plan to meet the target of at least 20 percent by 2020.

Switching lifestyles to save carbon emissions

A new study suggests that switching from buying material goods to enjoying more cultural and social pursuits will help save the planet.

A million reasons for communities to go green

A million pounds is up for grabs from the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA) for groups of people who can come up with new ways to reduce their CO2 emissions.

First Carbon [Un]limited debate concludes

The first Carbon [Un]limited debate has concluded - a thoughtful conversation about the language of personal carbon trading between Max Boykoff and Linda Rost.

Science and Society: Bridging the Gap

Last night John Denham MP and Professor Robert Winston came to the RSA to discuss how - and why - the UK must bridge the gap between science and society.

Google UK Carbon Footprint project

Those of you keeping a close eye on the carbon calculator world will know that Google have launched the 'UK Carbon Footprint Project' to help people calculate, track and compare their carbon emissions.

21st Century Treasury

The Chancellor Alistair Darling spoke to the RSA this morning about the role of the Treasury in a 21st century Britain.

Carbon [Un]limited - The Language of Carbon Trading

In the first in a series of head to head blog debates, Carbon [Un]limited, Max Boykoff and Linda Rost discuss the language of personal carbon trading.

The Aquatic Environment or the Planet - A Tough Decision?

A new challenge is now presenting itself to environmentalists and the water industry in the form of increased carbon emissions associated with tighter or more stringent consents...

Ministers to assess carbon cost

Gordon Brown has announced that every Minister in every department will have to factor the cost of carbon into all policy and investment decisions.

Reflections on Renewables

We were first inspired by the Energy Show at Olympia [in 1970 I think] when we saw a little rotating machine like an anemometer, powered by the sun through a photo-voltaic cell. We thought, 'That is the future.'

Agreement reached in Bali

In an emotional finale to the UN Climate Change negotiations, a ‘historic agreement’ was reached which for the first time included the US in committing to make ‘deep cuts in global emissions’.

Who’s responsible for airline emissions?

“Who’s responsible for airline emissions?” we asked in our last vote: you, airlines or the government?

RSA Lecture with Lord Puttnam: The Light That's Lost Within Us

In this lecture, Lord Puttnam will examine ways in which, individually and collectively, we need to take responsibility for our changing the ways in which we lead our lives if we are to ensure that the UK becomes a truly sustainable society in the 21st century.

Gordon Brown - Technological transformation

Does Gordon Brown place too much emphasis on technology and markets in his first environmental speech as Prime Minister?

Carbon: the new cash?

Anti-Apathy and the RSA East of England Region present: Carbon: the new cash? Norwich Arts Centre Tuesday, 11th December 6.30 - 9.00pm

Gender war struck by climate change

“Are men to blame for global warming?” asked this week’s New Scientist. Rather than point the finger at one gender, the report from the Swedish ministry of Sustainable Development serves to highlight the role of inclusive social frameworks as a prerequisite to tackling climate change.

Carbon Limited USA

Speaking at CarbonLimited US launch at the National Press Club, RSA Chief Executive, Matthew Taylor, spoke of the need for society to close the ‘social aspiration gap’, that is the gap between the world people say they want and the world they are on course to adopt.

Emissions bounce back

This week the phenomenon known as the ‘rebound effect’ made headlines, after the UK Energy Research Centre published a new report on the true results of achieving energy efficient improvements. Installing low-energy bulbs, driving fuel-efficient cars, and other widely touted efficiency measures are not delivering their expected emissions savings, according to the report’s author Steve Sorrell.

RSA Thursday: Do scientists get the media they deserve?

As part of the RSA's Thursday lecture programme Dr J Craig Venter, one of the leading scientists of the 21st, asks 'do scientists get the media they deserve?' Thursday 25 October, 1-2pm, RSA, 8 John Adam Street, London, WC2N 6EZ.

CO2 races ahead of forecast levels

The quote in today’s Guardian was stark and clear - “climate change will be stronger than expected and sooner than expected”. Levels of atmospheric CO2 are grow...

London's green agenda meets RSA Arts

Michaela Crimmin: "There isn’t one big sustainability issue – they are all related – energy, water, conflict, consumption, politics, poverty, economics – we have to take them all on in their complexity and their inter-relatedness."

Local groups use peer pressure - and fines - to cut carbon emissions

James Kanter writes in the the International Herald Tribute about the work of CRAGs in the UK CarbonLimited. Front Page. Wednesday 17th October

Fair Trade?

Ian Herbert, writes in the Independent about Manchester Carbon Trading Week .

Rationing project tests government plans to make pollution personal

David Adam, environment correspondant for the Guardian, writes about the CarbonLimited project and interim report.

Capitalism as if the world matters

Capitalism as if the world matters: restructuring the global economy for a sustainable future. 25th October 2007, Great Room RSA, 6pm. Leading environmental campaigner Jonathon Porritt, will be discussing how capitalism and business can provide a future of wealth, equity and ecological integrity.

Fair trade takes on a whole new meaning in Manchester

Carbon Limited project director Matt Prescott writes in The Guardian about a personal carbon trading simulation that took place in Manchester, September 2007.

Generation CO2

Carbon Limited director Matt Prescott writes on personal carbon trading in the June 07 issue of the RSA Journal.

Responsible Profit: Climate Change and the Green Economy

The third in a series of workshops on ethics and business with civil society and corporations, this joint RSA-Carnegie Council meeting will explore innovative ways of reconciling profit with environmental responsibility.

Carbon Control

Following a hugely popular competition this summer term, involving young people aged 7 to 14 years old, prizes for the best ideas to tackle carbon emissions will be awarded next Tuesday (9th October).

Fair Trade Carbon

In a personal carbon trading experiment in Manchester last night, participants were reluctant to trade with people they suspected of driving big cars.

Alex James in conversation with Matthew Taylor

Alex James in conversation with Matthew Taylor. Climate Change DIY - The radical vision of personal carbon trading.

Quality of Life Group on PCT

Personal Carbon Trading makes it into the Quality of Life Policy Group's recommendations to the Shadow Cabinet, published yesterday.

To trade or not to trade?

If you live in the Manchester city-region and want to have a say in the growing debate about the idea, you can sign up to take part in the first simulated trade of personal carbon credits.

Carbondaq update

The new Carbondaq has been designed by a team of web developers and traders and will deliver capability for an exciting new online pilot of personal carbon trading, to be unveiled later this year.

PCT via the 'back door'

This week the Joint Committee assessing the Draft Climate Change Bill reported that the primary legislative powers which the Bill will create when adopted should not be used at a later date to introduce a personal carbon trading scheme.

What will it take to meet the Millennium Development Goals?

With Professor Jeffrey Sachs, Director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University and author of The End of Poverty.

Personal Carbon Trading feasible by 2013

10th September: Interim recommendations, released today by Carbon Limited, suggest that personal carbon trading could be in place by 2103, with scope for a voluntary scheme in the next 2 years.

Elliot Morley on PCT

Elliot Morley is the MP for Scunthorpe, President and Chair of GLOBE International 2006 and the Prime Minister's Special Representative to the Gleneagles Dialogue on Climate Change. He argues that there are few people who don’t accept a carbon market is an essential part of the solution...

Lib Dems outline their carbon policies

23rd August: A report by Cambridge Econometrics has cast doubt on the ability of the government’s current policies to deliver the level of carbon reductions necessary to tackle climate change.

Personal Carbon Trading and Transport

This project overview outlines CarbonLimited's ongoing work programme looking at the application of PCT to personal transport.

The Times- The green divide

In an article for The Times Philip Webster and Peter Riddell look at the gap between people's concern and action on climate change, and idea of personal carbon trading.

Five News- another way?

An article by Matt Prescott to accompany footage which includes Carbon Limited supporter Alex James, talking about personal carbon trading.

This time it's personal

In an article for the Guardian Guy Shrubsole looks at initiatives in the UK and elsewhere related to personal carbon trading.

Don't crank up the heat darling

Terry Slavin writes about personal carbon trading in the Observer- 10th December 2006.

Personal air and car transport- just don't do it!

A research paper by Christian Brand of the Environmental Change Institute, on the patterns of CO2 emissions from personal transport accross differnet sectors society.

Economics work programme

An overview of our work assessing the policy fit and likely economic efficiency of a PCT scheme.

The distributional impacts

'The distributional impacts of economic instruments to limit greenhouse gas emissions from transport', a discussion paper by Simon Dresner and Paul Ekins (2004).

Making Carbon Personal?

A paper produced for Defra in May 2007 by the Centre for Sustainable Energy looking at the various initiatives currently underway across the UK focussed on individual carbon reduction.

Matt Prescott talks to 4radio about Act On CO2

Matt Prescott talks to 4radio about Act On CO2, the government's new carbon calculator.

How green is my carbon?

Podcast recording of the RSA lecture 'How green is my carbon? Offset under the microscope'. This panel discussion which included Mike Mason (ClimateCare), Camila Toulmin (iied), Andrew Simms (nef) and Stephen Hale (Green Alliance) was chaired by Ed Mayo (National Consumer Council).

Sir Nicholas Stern - address at RSA

Address by Sir Nicholas Stern at the RSA to accompany the launch 'The economics of Climate Change: The Stern Review', published by Cambridge University Press

CarbonLimited launch discussion

A podcast recording featuring a number of the speakers from the Carbon Limited launch conference.

Manchester Carbon Trading Week

On the evening of Wednesday 19th September Carbon Limited, in collaboration with Manchester is my Planet, will hold an event in Manchester Town Hall to explore how Personal Carbon Trading could work if it was introduced in the UK.

Personal carbon - a parallel currency

Giving evidence to the Environmental Audit Committee today, Carbon Limited project director, Matt Prescott, set out the RSA’s view that personal carbon trading can be introduced in parallel with the range of existing policies..

Launch of CarbonLimited transport research

Carbon Limited officially launched its transport research work programme this week. The project will explore the implications of a personal carbon trading scheme for the transport sector, with research findings due next year.

The Ethics of Climate Change and the Global Economy

It is now clear that tackling climate change by reducing the consumption of fossil fuels is not necessary not just to protect the environment, but also to save human lives...

CarbonLimited US launch announced

CarbonLimited’s planned US launch has now been set. On 1st November 2007, RSA Chief Executive Matthew Taylor and CarbonLimited director, Matt Prescott, will unveil a programme of activities at an event in Washington DC, focussed on the practical and intellectual development of personal carbon trading in a US context and its potential implications globally.

To ration, or not to ration?

Rationing is a difficult word. It’s association with wartime refuses to go away in the public debate and so David Fleming’s assertion that it would be the only ...

The Brussels Experiment

Speaking at the EU’s Green Week conference in Brussels this morning, Matt Prescott, CarbonLimited’s project director, described the potential to deploy a personal carbon trading market in tandem with the existing EU emissions trading scheme...

SoS Environment- Hilary Benn takes charge

Hilary Benn departs as Secretary of State for International Development to become the new Secretary of State for the Environment, replacing David Miliband who has become the new Foreign Secretary. This fluidity between the Department for Environment and the more internationally focused departments might well serve to demonstrate Gordon Brown’s emphasis on the international dimension of climate change, its relationship with development issues and the opportunities of the carbon markets.

March for climate change

Christian Aid are organising a march accross the UK to raise awareness about climate change.

Turbulent debate in the Turbine Hall

Personal Carbon Trading became the subject of a major debate in the Turbine Hall at Tate Modern in London on Sunday. Alex James, musician, farmer and CarbonLimited supporter, was quizzed on the subject by BBC Newsnight’s Justin Rowlatt. The overarching theme was whether London can be a truly green city, and Alex led the debate, met with considerable interest and a surprising range of views from the panellists and audience.

Glastonbury - Green or Not Green?

This is the real deep green, isn't it? Wellies, nose-piercings, mud and a love of the countryside. But how are you getting there? What impact do your wellies have? How many fairtrade cakes are you going to buy?

CarbonDAQ to align with Defra

CarbonLimited’s online demonstration of the idea for personal carbon allowances is to receive a major overhaul this summer. In line with the new data being issued by Defra to support their online carbon calculator, launched today, the new carbonDAQ will be one of the first initiatives supported by approved government data, and will offer a comprehensive personal carbon dashboard, enabling users to explore the idea for a personal carbon allowances, as well as forming groups to trade them.

How can a boom town be green?

On Sunday 24th June Alex James, the bass player from Blur and supporter of CarbonLimited, will be part of panel discussing whether large successful cities such as London can ever be truly sustainable. The event will take place in the Turbine Hall at Tate Modern and will be chaired by BBC Newsnight's 'ethical man' Justin Rowlett.

Climate Change DIY

Last night CarbonLimited held a ‘Café RSA’ event in Cambridge as part of our ongoing public engagement activities. Participants expressed strong views on the fairness of the proposed scheme.

Kids carbon competition launched

Government PCA pilot being 'mulled'

Reported in The Guardian: 'Giving evidence to the Commons environmental audit committee six months after the landmark Stern report into climate change, Mr Miliband said that Britons only had a perception of a "mixed and limited degree of risk ... from climate change".'

International problem, personal solution?

Matt Prescott, Carbon Limited project director, speaks to 'The Westminster Hour' on BBC Radio 4 about personal carbon trading.

Ben Castle joins Carbon Limited

Ben Castle has joined RSA Carbon Limited from the Environment Agency as a researcher. He brings expertise in energy markets, environmental economics and climate change and will be leading on a number of priority areas of research for Carbon Limited.

Green Week - Responding to the challenges: Engaging Citizens

EU Green Week: 'Responding to the challenges. Actors: engaging citizens'. Matt Prescott will be speaking alongside representatives from the BBC, Surrey Country Council, Czech Environmental Partnership Foundation, European Centre for Nature Conservation

Green Business Awards

Are you involved in a business with strong environmental credentials, or do you know anyone who is?

Co-operation on Climate Change

At a joint event in parliament today, hosted by RSA CarbonLimited and the Co-operative Party, Ed Miliband, Minister for the Third Sector, welcomed the efforts of CarbonLimited's exploration of citizen-centred climate change policy as an essential contribution to the growing problem of climate change adaptation.

Your patch, your cash

Nick Hurd MP spoke about his 'Sustainable Communities Bill' at the RSA this week. Speaking about slippers in Blackburn and bank branches closing in Lincolnshire, he outlined how a view of the coffers could revolutionise communities.

New series: RSA Screens - The Lie of the Land

We’d like to invite you to the launch of the first 'RSA Screens', a new programme of cutting edge film, documentary and speaker discussions.

A carbon traded world

Expert representatives from business and academia will meet at the RSA today as part of Carbon Limited's ongoing work with Green Alliance 'A Carbon Traded World'

The policy hole in the middle

Speaking at the IET (Institute of Engineering and Technology) today, Matt Prescott, CarbonLimited project director, will describe the need to plug the gap between top-down policy and grassroots community action in the race to curb greenhouse gas emissions.

CarbonDAQII plans announced

RSA CarbonLimited has begun work with a number of partners to develop a second version of CarbonDAQ, our online virtual personal carbon trading demonstration.

New position at Carbon Limited

RSA CarbonLimited is looking to fill a new post. We now need an additional researcher to help us with social and economic analysis of the idea for personal carbon trading. The closing date for applications is Monday 9th April. For details, please visit www.thersa.org/carbonresearcher

More MPs sign parliamentary motion on PCAs

The following MPs have added their signatures to the Early Day Motion laid down by Elliot Morley on personal carbon allowances: Ann Cryer, Chris McCafferty, Karen Buck, Ian Gibson, Rudi Vis, Phil Willis, Dai Davies, Brian Jenkins, Laura Moffatt, David Drew, Derek Wyatt, Bill Etherington, Betty Williams, Jeff Ennis and Don Touhig. A total of 31 MPs have now signed.

Personal Carbon Provocation

Carbon Limited's Lucy Stone last week put forward a 'provocation' on personal carbon trading to the Anglo-German Foundation Environment Forum in Berlin...

All (Climate) Change Bill

Government published the much awaited Climate Change Bill today, committing itself to reducing CO2 emissions by 60% on 1990 levels by 2050 and to achieve “real ...

MPs throw weight behind personal carbon allowance scheme

The idea of creating a system of personal carbon allowances gained a valuable endorsement this week with a Parliamentary motion led by former Environment Minister Elliot Morley MP, the Prime Minister’s special representative to the Gleneagles Dialogue on climate change.

The Cost of Carbon - Emissions Trading

6-8pm Conference Room A/B, National Assembly for Wales, Cardiff Bay

Technology for Personal Carbon Trading

RSA Working paper 'Technology for Personal Carbon Trading'

Climate Change Cameron

In our latest online poll, we asked which political leader would do most to address climate change? From 879 votes, David Cameron came out on top...

CarbonDAQ - What's the score?

6.16 tonnes and growing. That's the current average personal emissions for all CarbonDAQ users. We wanted to give you a little more information ahead of our 6 month report ...

Pro-social behaviour

The RSA is delighted to announce the launch of a pamphlet entitled ‘Pro-Social Behaviour – the future: it’s up to us’. In the pamphlet the RSA’s Chief Executive Matthew Taylor explores the contribution that new social norms and behaviours can and must make to meeting shared goals such as environmental sustainability, better public services and maintaining cohesion in a more diverse society. The pamphlet argues that a new emphasis on pro-social norms and behaviours requires us to rethink social change, the way we do conduct politics and the way we organise and provide public services.

Personal Carbon - European Debut

RSA Chairman, Gerry Acher, last night gave an address in Brussels on the subject of personal responsibility for mitigating against climate change and the idea f...

Tax, trade or technology?

Forced to choose your preference for how we should control carbon emissions, the results of the latest CarbonLimited online poll showed that 12% of you would ch...

Stern - Strengthen carbon trading

Sir Nicholas Stern launches his book 'The Economics of Climate Change' at the RSA.

Alex James talks carbon on Five

CarbonLimited supporter Alex James continues to help us reach new audiences with the idea for personal carbon trading. In his interview with FiveNews reporter Catherine Jacob, he describes a future in which carbon is part of our everyday decision making. Alex will continue working with us through 2007 - we'll keep you posted.

There's no other way

Article by Matt Prescott to accompany Alex James' appearance on Sky News and Channel Five, 11th January 2007.

Unbowed: RSA lecture by Wangari Maathai

RSA lecture by Professor Wangari Maathai, Kenyan environmentalist, champion of women’s rights and Nobel Laureate.

The carbon on your dinner plate

14/12/06 - Road pricing could affect how and where we live and shop, with knock-on consequences for businesses, a Food Ethics Council workshop held in association with RSA Carbon Limited suggested. The workshop heard from experts in the fields of food and transport about how the policy, recommended in Sir Rod Eddington’s report on transport, might provide a boost for internet shopping and affect the timing and frequency of our shopping exploits.

Feeling guilty?

08/12/06 - Disagreement is rife when it comes to carbon offset, according to our online poll. 1329 people told us what they feel about offset. Less than half of respondents (43%) feel that carbon offset saves carbon emissions. These findings point to a great deal of confusion and scepticism, which can only encourage a stronger, more trustworthy framework for voluntary carbon emissions reductions.

Green Brown?

Gordon Brown has doubled air passenger duty... will it work?

He's offering to waive stamp duty for a limited time on zero carbon homes.

These ...

Alex James on BBC Daily Politics

Alex James, RSA fellow and Blur bass guitarist, appeared on BBC Daily Politics on 22nd November 2006 to present the idea for personal carbon trading and discuss it with the presenters. View the piece here.

So how green is my carbon?

08/11/06 - Carbon offset came under the microscope at the RSA in November, when it hosted a lively discussion about the pros and cons of carbon offsetting. Will it reduce our carbon emissions and deliver clean development or will it actively encourage us to continue our unsustainable lifestyles with the guilt of flying appeased by a simple transaction?