Carbon miles
Posted by: Chillkram on 23 February 2007
Reading Fredrik's postings about giving up motoring (and other sacrifices) for the 'green cause' over on the 'Leaving Naim equipment switched on' thread, reminded me of a visit made to a customer today.
We have been in negotiations for their business for a while (it's taken years in fact) and were about to close on the deal when today they asked me what our carbon miles were for deliveries.
They have contracts with Sainsbury, M&S and Tesco and this is part of the environmental policy that they have to sign up to. Basically we have to come cack to them and give them the figures for the average carbon emissions per delivery made to them before they commit to the deal.
My question is this. Is this just lip service for environmental brownie points or a meaningful contribution towards a reduction in global warming?
Mark
We have been in negotiations for their business for a while (it's taken years in fact) and were about to close on the deal when today they asked me what our carbon miles were for deliveries.
They have contracts with Sainsbury, M&S and Tesco and this is part of the environmental policy that they have to sign up to. Basically we have to come cack to them and give them the figures for the average carbon emissions per delivery made to them before they commit to the deal.
My question is this. Is this just lip service for environmental brownie points or a meaningful contribution towards a reduction in global warming?
Mark
Posted on: 23 February 2007 by Deane F
quote:Originally posted by Chillkram:
Is this just lip service for environmental brownie points or a meaningful contribution towards a reduction in global warming?
Mark
I doubt any contribution to a reduction in global warming could be said to be meaningful without US involvement.
Posted on: 23 February 2007 by u5227470736789439
Dear Mark,
I would say it is a start. Sometimes the window dressing comes before the real commitment. At least the issue is getting onto the adgenda.
Kindest regrds from Fredrik
I would say it is a start. Sometimes the window dressing comes before the real commitment. At least the issue is getting onto the adgenda.
Kindest regrds from Fredrik
Posted on: 23 February 2007 by Deane F
You could always ban incandescent light bulbs...
Posted on: 23 February 2007 by u5227470736789439
Dear Deane, I am sure that it will happen in the sense that they are bound to be taxed out of existence fairly soon. I do find reading with a flourescent light hard work, but would pay the cost in that case and use it for that sole purpose as I suggested in another thread.
Fredrik
Fredrik
Posted on: 23 February 2007 by Deane F
Fredrik
I think that the Australian government plans to regulate incandescent light bulbs nearly out of existence for most uses by 2010 or some such. They reckon it will reduce their emissions by 0.16 percent (but don't quote me).
I think that the Australian government plans to regulate incandescent light bulbs nearly out of existence for most uses by 2010 or some such. They reckon it will reduce their emissions by 0.16 percent (but don't quote me).
Posted on: 23 February 2007 by NaimDropper
quote:I doubt any contribution to a reduction in global warming could be said to be meaningful without US involvement.
Ever been to China?
I've never seen and smelled so much air pollution.
David
Posted on: 23 February 2007 by Deane F
quote:Originally posted by NaimDropper:quote:I doubt any contribution to a reduction in global warming could be said to be meaningful without US involvement.
Ever been to China?
I've never seen and smelled so much air pollution.
Good point.
I hope nobody is planning on selling China cheap cars.
Posted on: 24 February 2007 by Willy
quote:Originally posted by Deane F:
You could always ban incandescent light bulbs...
And my central heating boiler will burn more oil to compensate for the loss of heat given out by the incandesant bulbs. (Not to mention the petrol used to go to my optician).
quote:Originally posted by Deane F:
I hope nobody is planning on selling China cheap cars.
They're planning on selling us cheap cars.
Regards,
Willy.
Posted on: 24 February 2007 by Hamstall
quote:
I hope nobody is planning on selling China cheap cars.
They're already building versions of outdated Citroen ZXs with the reliable but ecologically dirty 1.9D engine, Volkswagen Santanas with diesels that make the former Citroen-Peugeot unit seem positively fragrant, and new Rovers. (now spelled 'Roewe'...)
On a brighter note, the Chinese know that they have to sell to the West, and Ricardo, the UK based automotive experts have been advising them on the Roewe drivetrains, and rumours that a development of a Ricardo-Qinetiq Diesel-Electric hybrid will be available are rife. Ricardo have already developed a hybrid Citroen Berlingo Multispace, so doubtless this technology will be sold to China.... Then the Chinese will sell them to us....
Posted on: 24 February 2007 by Deane F
quote:Originally posted by Willy:
They're planning on selling us cheap cars.
Well, if the Chinese have done their research, they will have studied the Padded Cell and discovered just how much people in the West are prepared to pay for a bicycle and will up the prices on their cars...
Posted on: 24 February 2007 by Deane F
Cartoon by Tom Scott.
Posted on: 24 February 2007 by NaimDropper
When I was there several weeks ago I saw a couple of examples of the "Cherry" the Chinese are producing and plan to sell abroad. Reminds me of a more mature Hyundai (sp?).
Look out General Motors and Ford.
David
Look out General Motors and Ford.
David
Posted on: 26 February 2007 by Nick_S
quote:Chillkram wrote:
Is this just lip service for environmental brownie points or a meaningful contribution towards a reduction in global warming?
If the data are are to be used by the supermarkets to offset their carbon emissions, while reducing total output, then gathering such information may play a useful role.
quote:
Deane F wrote:
I doubt any contribution to a reduction in global warming could be said to be meaningful without US involvement.
There is considerable action at the state level, pending a change in the central administration. For example, California with emissions the size of a developed country, is looking at joining the EU emissions trading scheme.
Julian Vereker sometimes discussed saving energy by using efficient amplifier designs "(Save the planet - buy class B)". Perhaps one solution for those wishing to leave the mains on is to add some form of small microgenerator (solar or small wind turbine) to their domestic electricity supply that puts back into the supply grid more than the stereo (plus refrigerator etc.) uses.
Nick
Posted on: 26 February 2007 by Diode100
quote:Originally posted by Nick_S:
Julian Vereker sometimes discussed saving energy by using efficient amplifier designs "(Save the planet - buy class B)". Perhaps one solution for those wishing to leave the mains on is to add some form of small microgenerator (solar or small wind turbine) to their domestic electricity supply that puts back into the supply grid more than the stereo (plus refrigerator etc.) uses.
Nick
How do you configure a domestic solar panel or wind turbine to feed back into the supply grid ?
B&Q have been selling a wind power turbine for domestic installation for some while, I think the consenus of feedback is that it is worthless, and does not justify the environmental imact of the manufacturing process. I think the one that David Cameron is having fitted to his Notting Hill gaff is a bit more upmarket than the B&Q model, but probably still as worthless.
Posted on: 26 February 2007 by Nick_S
quote:Diode100 wrote:
How do you configure a domestic solar panel or wind turbine to feed back into the supply grid?
My understanding is that UK electriciy companies will buy back from domestic consumers at wholesale prices, once the metering is set up. More details including grants are detailed at the Energy Saving Trust's website:
http://www.est.org.uk
The UK's Department of Trade and Industry give a discussion of their strategy and detail why microgeneration by consumers is worthwhile:
http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/sources/sustainable/microg...ategy/page27594.html
Nick
Posted on: 26 February 2007 by Nigel Cavendish
quote:
My question is this. Is this just lip service for environmental brownie points or a meaningful contribution towards a reduction in global warming?
Mark
Best ask them - or perhaps not. If you want the contract give them the info they ask for.
Bit of a cheek given that major supermarkets fly in fruit and veg from the other side of the world.
Posted on: 26 February 2007 by Diode100
quote:Originally posted by Nigel Cavendish:quote:
My question is this. Is this just lip service for environmental brownie points or a meaningful contribution towards a reduction in global warming?
Mark
Best ask them - or perhaps not. If you want the contract give them the info they ask for.
Bit of a cheek given that major supermarkets fly in fruit and veg from the other side of the world.
Yes, the country is run by control freaks and bureacrats, give them what they want, let them tick their boxes, or they wont rest easy at night, and Mark wont get his contract.
Apparently the 'mania' for re-cyling and composting, is bringing on a plague of rats in parts of the country where two weekly rubbish collections have been imposed. This is to improve the carbon footprint of the rubbish colection service, which round my way has been augmented by an apparently enless fleet of environmental investigation & inspection vehicles. Makes a lot of sense to someone I suppose.
Posted on: 26 February 2007 by Chillkram
quote:Originally posted by Chillkram:
Basically we have to come cack to them and give them the figures for the average carbon emissions per delivery made to them before they commit to the deal.
Just noticed a freudian slip in my original post! We have signed the deal and we have not yet given them the information they want. We are producing a report for them but I rather think that as long as it says what they want to hear it will be ok. Kind of answers my original question, really.
Mark