Acceleration of energy efficiency implementation in industry as solution to climate and competitiveness challenges

The world's manufacturing industry is responsible for about one-third of total GHG emissions and includes the highest carbon-emitting sectors - the production of iron and steel, aluminum, chemicals and cement. A report published by The World Bank Group A Greener Path to Competitiveness provides recommendations and guidance on how companies and countries can stay competitive while implementing more climate-friendly technologies and strategies.

GHG standards for light-duty vehicles: U.S. automaker performance report

National Program consisting of standards for light-duty vehicles that reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improve fuel economy was established by U.S. EPA  and requires compliance with progressively more stringent GHG emission standards for the 2012 through 2025 model years. According to the annual GHG Performance Report, which formally documents the status of auto company compliance with the GHG standards, the auto industry outperformed the GHG standard by a substantial margin for the fourth consecutive year.

World's top GHG emitting industries

According to the World Bank report, about a third of both global carbon dioxide emissions and the world’s energy consumption are attributable to manufacturing industries.e. Industrial sector emissions grew 63 percent from 1970 to 2010. Report provides a ranking of the top emitting industries. Iron and steel, nonmetallic minerals (cement) and (nonferrous metals ( aluminum) industries are the major GHG emission contributors within manufacturing industries.

Chocolate lovers beware - its production requires over 17000 liters of freshwater per kilogram!

Global warming and quickly growing water use for human life and activity needs are the major risks leading to depletion of Earth's freshwater resources. Only 8% of water is used for domestic needs, while 70% - for irrigation, and 22% - for industry.

IEA: energy efficiency is a key solution to climate change

According to IEA's Energy Technology Perspectives (ETP 2015), which examines innovation in the energy technology sector, energy efficiency can deliver 38 percent of what is needed to keep our planet within the two degree scenario of global warming by 2050. The technologies and solutions to make it happen already exist, and make good business sense.

Graphene to improve cars' energy efficiency

Scientists from The University of Manchester working with European Thermodynamics Ltd have increased the potential for low cost thermoelectric materials to be used more widely in the automotive industry. Adding a small amount of graphene to the base oxide thermoelectric materials, operating temperatures of which can be around 700 degrees Celsius, can reduce the thermal operating window to room temperature which offers a huge range of potential for applications.

Energy Efficiency is about Productivity

Anyone who has ever managed a budget can tell you that controlling your overheads will help to bring expenditures down and improve your overall productivity. Right now, Australia has the opportunity to do just that with national energy bill, and the building industry is well placed to be front and centre of this effort. The building sector is one of the major contributors to Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions. Emissions from power used on sites, together with emissions involved in creating all the materials used by the industry, contribute around 23 per cent of Australia’s total emissions. Read more at https://sourceable.net