Pluses From Copenhagen
Although the delegates to the 15th United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen this past December failed to come up with legal, binding agreements, many at the event saw pluses - especially regarding opportunities discussed to save energy and reduce carbon emissions through improved efficiency in homes, schools, offices, and other commercial buildings.
One such proponent was Robert Wilkins, president of Danfoss North America, who said, “While it’s true that the removal of political and economic barriers would provide a significant boost to global energy efficiency, it’s important to remember that many of today’s technologies produce the desired effect - improving energy efficiency, saving money and reducing carbon emissions in the process.”
His comments came in a statement issued by Danfoss following the conference’s conclusion. Danfoss was an official sponsor of the conference through its association with the Confederation of Danish Industry (DI). The company co-sponsored a reception in Copenhagen immediately following the Alliance to Save Energy (ASE) forum that took place during the conference. U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu addressed the reception and reiterated the Obama Ad- ministration’s emphasis on energy efficiency, “… not just as low-hanging fruit, but as fruit already on the ground,” ready to be picked up. Chu went on to say, “Energy efficiency means saving money as well as saving the planet.”
He said one incentive already benefitting Americans is the result of The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. This legislation provides tax incentives to homeowners - credits as high as 30 percent of the installed cost, or up to a total of $1,500 of residential projects installed from Jan. 1, 2009, through Dec. 31, 2010 - for qualified improvements with high-efficiency heating and air-conditioning systems.
Prior to his appearance at the ASE reception, Chu announced a $350 million program, the Climate Renewables and Efficiency Deployment Initiative, designed to encourage the rapid deployment of renewable energy in developing countries. He pledged that the United States would contribute $85 million to the fund.
According to Wilkins, the broader the applications of energy-efficient technologies, the greater the benefits would be. “The implications for the United States alone are significant,” he noted. “Improved energy efficiencies means reducing our dependence on foreign energy supplies, increasing energy security, improving our balance of trade, reducing the toll that energy costs have on our economy, and reducing surface pollution.”
In its most recent draft, the accord calls, in part, for the following:
• Global emissions cuts of 50 percent (based on 1990 levels) by 2050;
• Emissions cuts by developed countries of 80 percent by 2050;
• A commitment of $30 billion from developed countries from 2010 through 2012 to help developing countries adapt and meet goals.
Again quoting the Danfoss statement:
“Regarding mitigation actions by developing countries, the accord does not contain any specific emissions reductions objectives. It mainly elaborates on the measurement, reporting, and verification of developing country actions, which was one of the major stumbling blocks in the negotiations leading to Copenhagen.
“The accord contains a compromise between U.S. and China stating that there will be provisions for ‘international consultations and analysis.’ And, what experts believe to be the most successful part of the accord relates to short and long-term financing - $30 billion from 2010 - 2012 and an additional $100 billion a year by 2020 will be mobilized from a variety of sources.
“The Copenhagen Accord, however, did not agree on specifics for controlling and phasing down high global-warming-potential HFC refrigerants. Earlier, the U.S., Canada, and Mexico formally proposed including HFCs in the Montreal Protocol, which has been a very effective global process for reducing ozone-depleting substances including CFC and HCFC refrigerants. That proposal has been supported by the European Union and other countries, and is expected to advance during 2010 regardless of the broader climate change issue.”
Said Wilkins, “While Copenhagen did not produce a legally-binding global climate change agreement, it certainly heightened awareness that energy efficiency is the most viable way to reduce carbon emissions, while saving money and reducing dependence on volatile foreign energy sources.”
Publication date: 01/25/2010
One such proponent was Robert Wilkins, president of Danfoss North America, who said, “While it’s true that the removal of political and economic barriers would provide a significant boost to global energy efficiency, it’s important to remember that many of today’s technologies produce the desired effect - improving energy efficiency, saving money and reducing carbon emissions in the process.”
His comments came in a statement issued by Danfoss following the conference’s conclusion. Danfoss was an official sponsor of the conference through its association with the Confederation of Danish Industry (DI). The company co-sponsored a reception in Copenhagen immediately following the Alliance to Save Energy (ASE) forum that took place during the conference. U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu addressed the reception and reiterated the Obama Ad- ministration’s emphasis on energy efficiency, “… not just as low-hanging fruit, but as fruit already on the ground,” ready to be picked up. Chu went on to say, “Energy efficiency means saving money as well as saving the planet.”
ENERGY-EFFICIENCY EMPHASIS
“The increased emphasis on energy efficiency will provide a boost for our industry, leading to both job creation and energy savings,” Wilkins remarked. “With the appropriate incentives, millions of old, inefficient air conditioning, heating, and refrigeration systems in the field could be replaced with today’s much more efficient equipment or tomorrow’s super-efficient equipment being developed today utilizing variable-frequency drive (VFD) technology.”He said one incentive already benefitting Americans is the result of The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. This legislation provides tax incentives to homeowners - credits as high as 30 percent of the installed cost, or up to a total of $1,500 of residential projects installed from Jan. 1, 2009, through Dec. 31, 2010 - for qualified improvements with high-efficiency heating and air-conditioning systems.
Prior to his appearance at the ASE reception, Chu announced a $350 million program, the Climate Renewables and Efficiency Deployment Initiative, designed to encourage the rapid deployment of renewable energy in developing countries. He pledged that the United States would contribute $85 million to the fund.
According to Wilkins, the broader the applications of energy-efficient technologies, the greater the benefits would be. “The implications for the United States alone are significant,” he noted. “Improved energy efficiencies means reducing our dependence on foreign energy supplies, increasing energy security, improving our balance of trade, reducing the toll that energy costs have on our economy, and reducing surface pollution.”
STEP FORWARD
The Danfoss statement regarding the Copenhagen event said, “The United States is only one player in a global team needed to reach agreement on actions for reducing global greenhouse gas emissions. Albeit controversial, the Copenhagen Accord, which was drafted and released on the final day of the conference, cites critical, though non-legally binding, agreements seeking cooperation between developed and developing countries. The accord notes the importance of a low-emission strategy for sustainable social and economic development while combating climate change.”In its most recent draft, the accord calls, in part, for the following:
• Global emissions cuts of 50 percent (based on 1990 levels) by 2050;
• Emissions cuts by developed countries of 80 percent by 2050;
• A commitment of $30 billion from developed countries from 2010 through 2012 to help developing countries adapt and meet goals.
Again quoting the Danfoss statement:
“Regarding mitigation actions by developing countries, the accord does not contain any specific emissions reductions objectives. It mainly elaborates on the measurement, reporting, and verification of developing country actions, which was one of the major stumbling blocks in the negotiations leading to Copenhagen.
“The accord contains a compromise between U.S. and China stating that there will be provisions for ‘international consultations and analysis.’ And, what experts believe to be the most successful part of the accord relates to short and long-term financing - $30 billion from 2010 - 2012 and an additional $100 billion a year by 2020 will be mobilized from a variety of sources.
“The Copenhagen Accord, however, did not agree on specifics for controlling and phasing down high global-warming-potential HFC refrigerants. Earlier, the U.S., Canada, and Mexico formally proposed including HFCs in the Montreal Protocol, which has been a very effective global process for reducing ozone-depleting substances including CFC and HCFC refrigerants. That proposal has been supported by the European Union and other countries, and is expected to advance during 2010 regardless of the broader climate change issue.”
Said Wilkins, “While Copenhagen did not produce a legally-binding global climate change agreement, it certainly heightened awareness that energy efficiency is the most viable way to reduce carbon emissions, while saving money and reducing dependence on volatile foreign energy sources.”
Publication date: 01/25/2010
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