Issue 247 l  23 October 2021
Singapore International Energy Week 25-29 October
express

COP26, Glasgow, Scotland: 1 to 12 November 2021
ABC Carbon Express x 12
No 1: NET ZERO EMISSIONS
What it Really Means as we try to Solve the Planet's Perfect Problem?
Energy and Emissions are at the heart of the Planet’s Perfect Problem, as we preview the Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW) and alert you to what's likely to crop up at the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference next month.
First, there's the Revealing report from BBC – which clearly shows that Japan, Australia and Saudi Arabia are trying to downplay the role of fossil fuels.
Then there's the IEA World Energy Outlook, designed to serve as a handbook for the COP26 Climate Change Conference in Glasgow at this vital moment for the clean energy transition and climate action.  "With emissions, climate disasters and energy market volatility all rising, governments need to send an unmistakeable signal of clean energy ambition and action at COP26 to accelerate the transition". But Will Steffen, a climate expert at the Australian National University, said the IEA report makes it clear that the current goal of “net zero emissions” by 2050 – as many countries are committing to – is simply too little, too late. “We have to move very quickly and very decisively now towards renewable energy," Will Steffen told Al Jazeera. Please read on to see what issues and opportunities are around - past, present and future - and we let you in on some advance alerts.
There's more than energy at play, as you'll see if you catch John O'Brien at COP26 with his latest book "Visions 2030".
Then Clare Rewcastle Brown - best known for her Sarawak Report - will make an appearance with news of a different kind: "Exposing the Global Timber Mafia".
Pity we cannot be there in person to stir the pot and report on proceedings. But we promise to keep you posted. Ken Hickson

PS. The Planet's Perfect Problem was first referred to in the 2005 report by Yale University on "Americans and Climate Change". I reported on this in my 2009 book "The ABC of Carbon". We must ask the questions: "How far have we come?" and/or "Have we left it too late to act on climate change?"
No.2: Australia's Private Sector Powers Ahead, while Government Lags Far Behind
Iron ore billionaire Andrew Forrest has unveiled plans to build a massive green energy manufacturing centre in central Queensland, focusing initially on hydrogen electrolysers before also moving on to wind turbine equipment, solar PV cells, and electrical cabling. Fortescue Future Industries and the Queensland state government announcement earlier this month thrusts Australia into the new era of green industry manufacturing and energy production centres. Here’s the RenewEconomy report. On top of that, Sun Cable is developing the world's largest solar energy infrastructure network, making it possible to power whole cities with renewable energy. On 20 October, Sun Cable announced its expert global consortium to deliver the Australia-Asia PowerLink project. The world leading team includes Bechtel, Hatch, Marsh, PwC Australia and SMEC (Surbana Jurong Group). As it is, Australia has the highest uptake of solar globally. Clean Energy Regulator data shows that more than 2.68 million rooftop solar power systems have been installed in Australia in total, as of 31 December 2020; that means one in four homes have solar panels on their roofs.
No.3: It’s a Gas! Hydrogen is on the Way, but don’t Ignore the Damaging Impact of Methane
Hydrogen, hydrogen-based fuels (such as ammonia) and hydrogen technologies, offer tremendous potential, for the maritime sector in particular. If properly harnessed, they can significantly contribute to decarbonisation and also mitigate the air pollution of the worldwide fleet. This is the view of Hydrogen Europe,  in the very region where this gas has been tested more than anywhere else. Europe is also where there’s pressure coming on governments and the private sector to  deal with the other troubling gas, methane. They are pushing for a methane-cutting pledge to meet the target—reaching a 30% reduction from last year’s levels by the end of the decade. The global movement against Methane could prove to be one of the crucial achievements of the COP26. The Bloomberg Green report points out that Methane locks in far more heat in the short term and has been leaking just as relentlessly. Atmospheric concentrations of methane are 2.5x higher than in pre-industrial times. Hydrogen graphic is from Siemens Energy.
No.4: Too Much CO2 or Not Enough CO2. What’s Going on in the UK?. 
News that a shortage of CO2 is causing acute problems to the food and agriculture industry is “superficially bizarre,” says  Professor Jon Gluyas, Executive Director of the Durham Energy Institute, as we race towards COP26, when nations will again debate how to cut global emissions of CO2. The UK currently emits around 350 million tonnes of CO2 annually, nonetheless it has run short of what can be called food grade CO2, commonly a bi-product of fertiliser production, says Prof Gluyas. Meanwhile, Ran Boydell tells us what’s wrong with the UK Government’s latest Net Zero Plan for buildings: “But the biggest omission is the lack of any mention of 'whole-life' carbon. Making and installing millions of new heat pumps will result in substantial emissions even before they start operating, what is called embodied carbon. It may take years for that embodied carbon to be 'repaid' by the reduced operational emissions, depending on the technology installed. Picture shows CO2 in action as "dry ice".
No 5: Is there Hope for Southeast Asia, as it tries to Wean itself of its Coal Diet?
The cost of building new solar and wind energy in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is now cheaper than coal and gas, allowing the region to accelerate its Net Zero transition with the right policy reforms, a new analysis released by the Asia Investor Group on Climate Change (AIGCC) has found.
However, the analysis also shows that, unless alternative action is taken, nearly half of incremental energy demand between 2020 to 2030 is expected to be met by coal, despite ASEAN governments’ commitments to shift their energy mix towards renewable sources. Higher solar and wind penetration can lower the average system cost in Indonesia and Vietnam, while meeting demand growth and without impacting on the stability of power supply. The Blue Circle image shows wind turbines operating in Vietnam.
No.6: Sustainable Aviation Fuel Taking-off, thanks to
Boeing, Rolls Royce, World Energy & Neste
Rolls-Royce, working with Boeing and World Energy, has carried out a successful test flight earlier this month of its 747 Flying Testbed aircraft using 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). The aircraft flew from Tucson airport in Arizona, passing over New Mexico and Texas, with one Trent 1000 engine running solely on 100% SAF, while the remaining three RB211 engines ran on standard jet fuel. Initial indications confirm there were no engineering issues, providing further proof of the fuel’s suitability for commercial use. Meantime, the UK Government has announced £180 million for the development of plants which can create SAF. And from Neste’s Thorsten Lange: “SAF is identified by IATA as one of the key elements to achieving the aviation industry’s ambitious emissions reduction goals. It is a fuel produced from renewable raw materials, such as used cooking oil, or animal fat from food industry waste, meeting all quality and performance requirements of conventional fossil fuels.” Read more 
No 7: REC Solar Acquisition Could Help India
Come up with a Coal Exit Plan
India is in the middle of an energy crisis - like most of the world these days - but Dinesh Sharma, The Tribune's Science commentator, says it's time for India to have a coal exit plan: "It is in the common interest of all to end the dominance of fossil fuels for the sake of the environment, human health and to prevent catastrophic impacts of climate change. The current coal crisis has provided India an opportunity to rethink coal." Coal is still a dominant contributor to India’s energy mix, with 60% of its installed power capacity coming from thermal power plants (mostly coal-fired).Maybe it will help the transition away from coal to know that Reliance Industries - owned by India's richest man - announced the acquisition of REC Solar Holdings for an enterprise value of US$771 million from China National Bluestar as it seeks to become net carbon zero by 2035. Read all about it.
No 8: Royal Command Performance for People & the Planet
British royalty issetting the pace in terms of stressing the importance of the environment for people and the planet. What's more the Queen, Prince Charles and Prince William all plan to "show the flag" and attend COP26 in Glasgow. The latest initiative by Prince William is the Earthshot Award, with prizes going to Costa Rica - among others - for a project to restore natural ecosystems leading to a revival of the rainforest. See who are the other winners in this BBC report. Prince Charles took the BCC's Justin Rowlatt on a walk through one of the Royal gardens in Scotland to talk about what more his family is doing and how we can all make a difference. See the documentary here.
No 9: How can Norway & Singapore Collaborate to Beat the Heat?
Norway is one of the biggest fossil fuel producers in the world. Singapore is one of the world's leading refinery centres for oil and gas. When they got together for a rare conference, organised by the Norwegian Business Association Singapore on 20 October on the theme "Innovation for a green energy transition", you would expect action-orientated dialogue. When climate scientist Ben Horton of Singapore's Earth Observatory (pictured) took the stage, he pointed out that "a sense of urgency" is missing. We need short term commitments, not vague long range forecasts, without detail. If the Arctic ice shelf disintegrates, as predicted, there will be 10-20 metre sea level rise, he warned. Singapore has committed billions to adapting to sea level rise, but according to The Straits Times' Audrey Tan (on 23 October), the "elephants in the room", which have not been addressed, are "the role of financial institutions in funding fossil fuel plants abroad and the future of the emissions-intensive petrochemical sector". Just as Norway made a billion dollar offer to help Indonesia deal with deforestation, maybe the energy-empowered Nordic nation can do more to help Southeast Asian nations make the green energy transition. Urgently!
No.10: For the Caribbean, 1.5 degrees is a matter of life and death
The Commonwealth Foundation shares this update on Caribbean priorities for COP26: adaptation, mitigation and access to finance. Aurora Herrera reports on the formidable climate challenges facing the Caribbean and people's hopes and expectations for COP26. Her report quotes Professor Michael Taylor, a leading Caribbean climate scientist based at the University of the West Indies. He says: ‘For the Caribbean, 1.5 is a matter of life and death. In Jamaica, just this year alone, we have had three major flooding events in the last four months, each costing the government upward of 100 million Jamaican dollars (US$675,000). Where is the government to find 100 million? And wasn’t that money earmarked to deal with education or Covid-19 or health? That’s the real cost of climate change.’ Read More.
No 11: NZ v NZ. What Does Net Zero (NZ) Really Mean? And How is
New Zealand (NZ) Getting There?
What does Net Zero really mean? For a start, it does not mean zero emissions, but balancing out remaining greenhouse gas emissions with other actions. Net Zero means that some sectors are expected to still be releasing greenhouse gases in 2050. This from a Reuters report in the Straits Times 22 October. Emitters count on projects that cut emissions elsewhere or on using natural solutions or technology to stop emissions reaching the atmosphere. This includes planting trees or restoring soil or wetlands, even capturing and storing CO2 when it is emitted, which has yet to make a difference to the climate. New Zealand (NZ) is getting 82% of energy for electricity generation from renewable sources, hydro power and geothermal. But it has a serious emissions problem down on the farm. Methane from animals. It’s also relying on sustainable forestry to help fix the problem. To give NZ credit, it is the first country in the world to pass a law forcing financial institutions to disclose, and act, on climate-related risks and opportunities. Read the latest from The Guardian.
No 12: SIEW 2021 Preview:
Transition Involves Decarbonisation, Green Growth,
Energy Innovation & Regional Interconnectivity
Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong will deliver the Singapore Energy Lecture at the 14th Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW) along with spelling out SIEW’s theme, “Advancing the Energy Transition”. The Singapore Energy Summit will also focus on decarbonisation through green growth, energy innovation and regional interconnectivity. New for SIEW 2021 is the inaugural Singapore-International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) High-Level Forum, which will profile over 25 energy ministers and leaders on “Investing in an Inclusive and Just Energy Transition”. Another major event will be the Singapore-International Energy Agency (IEA) Forum that will showcase the Southeast Asia launch of the IEA World Energy Outlook (WEO) 2021, providing a comprehensive view of how the global energy system could develop in the coming decade. For the full programme over 5 days, go here.
ABC Carbon is Media Partner for Singapore International Energy Week 2021
IES Addresses Built Environment Emissions
Solar shading analysis measures by IES show the impact of the sun on the Protiotype 2021-S designed shophouse, while assessing how to minimise or maximise the effect of solar gains.
IES Helps Protiotype 2021-S
Design a Net Zero Emission Building
As COP26 brings together world leaders next month in a collective response to climate change, one international climate tech company with its headquarters in the host city of Glasgow is playing its part to help cut CO2 emissions of the built environment, which accounts for 40% of global emissions.  
Integrated Environmental Solutions (IES), which has introduced its integrated building performance technology for thousands of new and existing buildings around the world, completed an assessment of the Protiotype Design Future Build project launched at the London Design Festival last month. 
It clearly showed how Net Zero Emissions (NZE) - energy savings and emissions reduction - can be achieved through the design and application of different materials, systems and equipment. Go here for the full story
Partners for Protiotype Design Future Build 2021:
The ABC of Carbon cover by Andre Wee
Andre Wee has brought to life A B and C as a new cover design for Ken Hickson's 2009 book - which is about to be re-issued as an e-book and in a limited edition print version - and is featured in Protiotype's Design Future Build exhibit and website. See Design Notes for the London Design Festival. If ABC Carbon subscribers/readers would like to enquire about, or order, one or more copies of the book, please email kenhickson@abccarbon.com The 584 page book, with the new Andre Wee cover, is expected to retail for US$50 (or S$68) for the limited edition print version, or US$25 (or S$34) for the ebook.
Focus on Forests & The Art of Travel
From the Editor: Recent issues of the monthly ABC Carbon Express have incorporated our other two online efforts, Focus on Forests and The Art of Travel. So we can get this issue out in a timely fashion in advance of Singapore International Energy Week and with expanded coverage for the upcoming COP26, we decided to make you wait for week longer for our October issue of Focus on Forest and The Art of Travel. Ken Hickson