Sustainability Momentum Sdn Bhd

HRH The Prince of Wales has launched a new group, consisting Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) from high profile European companies who are committed to enhancing their organisations’ sustainability. Members of the ‘Accounting for Sustainability Project’ include BUPA, Burberry Group, British Land, The Crown Estate, Danone, Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury's, South West Water, Unilever, United Utilities and Walmart EMEA. Prince Charles emphasised the vital role CFOs have in ensuring their businesses thrive, adding that “sustainable business equals good business”. The Group aims to support the CFO community in creating sustainable business models, sharing best practices, and developing new industry tools and methods.

A Bangkok design company has developed a concept bicycle which purifies polluted air as you pedal down the streets. The bike, which is still in the early concept stages, will reportedly be able to generate oxygen through a ‘photosynthesis system’ -- the reaction between water and the electric power of a lithium-ion battery. A filter located between the handlebars will then remove particulate matter from polluted air, releasing clean air towards the rider. The bike is even able to continue cleaning the air while it is parked, using its battery power.

A manmade gas, Perfluorotributylamine (PFTBA), has recently been found by researchers in Toronto to be 7,100 times more powerful at trapping the Earth's warmth than carbon dioxide. This gas has been used by the electrical industry since the mid-20th century in the manufacture of transistors and capacitors. Although the concentration of PFTBA in the atmosphere is extremely low compared to carbon dioxide levels, the concern is that it stays in the air for about 500 years, unlike CO2 which is absorbed by forests and oceans.

Beginning 1st January 2014, electricity tariffs will be increased for consumers in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Labuan, who use more than 300kWh a month. The increase is an average of 14.89% in Peninsular Malaysia and approximately 17% for Sabah and Labuan. There will be no increases for Sarawak as its electricity is operated by a state-run company, Sarawak Energy. The rise in tariff rates will affect around 30% of household consumers. The tariff increases is in keeping with the Government’s efforts to reduce subsidies to industries. However, Special Industrial Tariff (SIT) consumers will continue to enjoy discounted tariff rates.

Carbon Recycling International intends to capture CO2 emissions from volcanoes and convert it into Renewable Methanol (RM), a fuel which can be blended with gasoline to meet renewable energy directives. K-C Tran, CEO of Carbon Recycling International, says the new fuel type, which would be called Vulcanol, has enormous potential. The group has previously captured CO2 from urban pollution and Icelandic power plants, but are now focusing on volcano power. Although the technology sounds promising, for now it remains expensive and is not able to compete with fossil fuels prices.

In a landmark ruling, Duke Energy, a wind energy company, has faced the first ever criminal fines over the death of birds caused by its wind turbines in Wyoming. The company was charged with the death of 14 golden eagles and 149 hawks, blackbirds, larks, wrens and sparrows, all which have occurred since 2009. Under a plea agreement, Duke Energy will pay $1 million in fines, restitution and community service for violating the US Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Acts. Duke is now working to mitigate the risks posed by their farms by installing and testing new radar technology as well as limiting turbine operation during periods of high eagle activity.