02
Dec 2008 - Poznan, Poland – The global cement
industry can avoid up to 90% of emissions
projected according to a new WWF report.
A blueprint for a climate
friendly cement industry says that the highly
energy intensive industry, responsible for
8% of global emissions, has the tools available
to reduce its carbon footprint while continuing
its forecast growth.
“Cement companies do
not suffer from a shortage of options to
reduce their climate impact,” said Oliver
Rapf, Head of WWF’s Climate Business Engagement
Unit.
“The solutions proposed
in WWF’s new report can help the industry
move in the right direction, setting targets
and taking action that will lead to deep
cuts in emissions quickly.”
The report finds reduction
potentials through a more efficient use
of cement and by increasing the amount of
additives and substitutes. Large energy
efficiency potentials have been found both
to conserve thermal and electrical energy
in the production process.
As vital as the setting
of technical directions and standards for
industry is to have a supporting policy
framework from governments of both industrialised
and developing countries.
“There is a booming
global demand for construction materials
and nowhere is this more visible than in
emerging economies”, said Dongmei Chen,
Director of WWF China’s Climate Change and
Energy Programme.
The report notes that
China is trying to become a leader in cement
plant technology and already holds a 20%
share of the international market. Chinese
technology is much less expensive and costs
amount to only 20-50% of imported technology.
Dry kilns, far more
efficient than the fomer shaft kiln technology,
represented only 12% of Chinese capacity
in 2000 but largescale investment in this
technology is currently taking place. By
2005 it had reached a market share of 53%
and by 2010 new dry kilns will provide over
70% of the total output.
“Our report proves that
it is possible to disassociate economic
growth from increased greenhouse gas emissions,"
said Chen. "This is a valuable lesson
for industry and politics, especially when
discussing development in emerging economies
like China.”
WWF announced the findings
on the eve of discussions about sectoral
approaches for greenhouse gas reductions,
taking place at the UN climate talks in
Poznan this month.
"Reducing emissions
in major polluting sectors like cement is
about technology action and policy regulation
which creates strong incentives in developing
countries", said Damien Demailly, Energy
Officer at WWF-France. “We need leadership
by industrialized countries and a proactive
approach by industry to tap the massive
reduction potentials revealed by WWF’s analysis.”
+ More
Makeover on the cards
for Portugal’s cork forests
04 Dec 2008 - Lisbon,
Portugal: The future of many cork oak forests,
identified by WWF as an international conservation
priority, has been freshened up by the launch
of a new partnership in Portugal between
WWF and one of the world’s leading health
and beauty specialists.
Harnn & Thann have
produced a limited edition black rice soap
which they will sell for five euros in their
three Portuguese outlets, with all proceeds
going to WWF’s work in conserving Portuguese
forests and biodiversity and to the on-the-ground
projects that WWF is running across Portugal.
The image of the campaign,
“Harnn & Thann for WWF”, is the Iberian
lynx, an endangered species considered extinct
in Portugal. There are plans to re-introduce
it in Portugal and by actively working towards
the conservation and sustainable management
of cork forests there WWF is protecting
the natural habitat of the Iberian lynx,
as well as other endangered species such
as the Iberian Imperial Eagle.
Cork oak forests distinguish
Portugal’s landscape from other countries
– according to the 2008 edition of the WWF
Living Planet Report 40 per cent of Portugal’s
bio-capacity is in its forests – and this
campaign is designed to draw attention to
the need to protect and invest in them.
Angela Morgado of WWF-Mediterranean’s
Portugal office said: “This partnership
allows WWF to continue its work in Portugal,
particularly for the conservation of cork
oak forests and thereby the habitat of endangered
species. This campaign also showcases the
Portuguese private sector as a partner in
helping WWF to achieve its mission.”
Harrn & Thann has
66 stores across the world. Their products
only use natural ingredients and they do
not test on animals. This campaign is valid
only in Portugal and its initial phase will
last for one year. Harnn & Thann in
Thailand has committed to WWF’s Sustainable
Palm Oil Roundtable in the context of this
campaign.
