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One of the biggest changes to the most recent installment of the IPCC AR5, concerned the removal of a key number from the executive summary. The missing figure is the annual sum that rich countries have agreed to give poor countries for climate change mitigation. While mention of the $100 billion figure remains in the full 2,500 page report, it was removed from a 48-page executive summary read by the world’s top political leaders.

The most recent IPCC report was released at the end of March, 2014, in Yokohama, Japan. The body of the WGll report points to a World Bank estimate that shows how poor countries need $100 billion a year to try to offset the effects of climate change. At present they are receiving only a tiny fraction of that amount.

Research from the London-based Overseas Development Institute (ODI) showed 2013 climate finance pledges were 71 percent lower than in 2012. This is far from the $100 billion a year rich nations pledged to deliver by 2020 in the Cancun Agreements.

The poorest nations in the world are also those who contributed least to climate change. It is a savage irony that they will be the worst impacted. The exclusion of the $100 billion in the executive summary does not bode well for the future of transfer payments from richer to poorer nations.

© 2014, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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A Scientist who Disagrees with the Conclusions of the AR5 WGll

The findings of the recently released second part of the IPCC AR5 report were disputed by Richard Tol. He is the sole contributor who sought to downplay the adverse economic impacts of climate change.

Although it at first appears farcical, Tol was seriously trying to argue that climate change will be economically beneficial. However, his research was largely discounted as it is the only study that suggested climate change would have a positive impact on gross domestic product.

"Of the 19 studies he surveyed only one shows net positive benefits from warming. And it's the one he wrote," said Bob Ward, an expert reviewer for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, policy and communications director of the Grantham Research Unit on Climate Change and the Environment at the London School of Economics.

It should come as no surprise that the one study suggesting that there would be a positive economic benefit from global warming came from ranking climate skeptic, Richard Tol. He is an economics professor at the University of Sussex and a professor of the economics of climate change at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Tol is a member of the academic advisory council for The Global Warming Policy Foundation, a climate change skeptic think tank founded by the UK's leading climate denier, Lord Lawson.

Lawson is among those who want the UK government to abandon efforts to combat climate change. He said the he is "unconvinced" that climate change is caused by greenhouse gases. Some have stated that his comments indicate he does not have a "grasp" of climate science. The UK's chief scientific adviser Sir John Beddington accused Lawson of lying in his book on climate change.

In response to Lawson's deception, Beddington wrote: "It is clear from the scientific evidence … that the risks are real and, I believe, it is not going too far to say, potentially catastrophic in the absence of strong global action to reduce emissions."

Tol's support for Lawson's climate denial group speaks to his credibility as a scientist. In a paper published in 2013, Professor Tol stated that "the impact of a century of climate change is roughly equivalent to a year's growth in the global economy," and that "carbon dioxide emissions are probably a negative externality".

Tol was the only one of the 70 authors of the draft U.N. report to pull out of the writing team because, in his words, it was "alarmist" about the threat. Far from exaggerating the impacts of climate change, the IPCC reports have actually been found to be too conservative in its estimates of the catastrophic impacts of climate change.

In the end delegates in Japan voted to approve the second installment of the IPCC AR5 including the chapter on adverse economic impacts of climate change. Tol said the IPCC emphasized the risks of climate change far more than the opportunities to adapt. Tol said climate change was not so bad given the possibility that less severe winters may reduce the number of deaths among the elderly as well as the possibility that a warmer world may improve crop yields in some regions.

Ward suggested the Tol's research, "is patently not supported by the evidence presented." Ward went on to remark on a few of the many shortcomings in Tol's research. He (Tol) "excluded a long list of important impacts, including those relating to recreation, tourism, extreme weather, fisheries, construction, transport, energy supply and morbidity," Ward said.

© 2014, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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IPCC AR5 WGll Report: An Impending Climate Catastrophe

The conclusions in the most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report are distressing, but there may still be time to avert a climate catastrophe. The second part of the Fifth Assessment Report was released at the end of March and it paints a bleak picture of our current situation and the future prospects for life on planet Earth.

There is no more comprehensive summary of the current state of climate change science than the IPCC reports. These reports cover the scientific, technical and socio-economic information on climate change..

The UN's IPCC is the world's leading scientific body on climate information. Their work includes assessing the future risks from climate change as well as our ability to adapt. A total of 309 authors and editors from 70 countries contributed to the second part of the IPCC's fifth Assessment Report. It reviewed the findings of a vast number of researchers then it distilled the data to create a 2,500 page report.

First AR5 Report

The first of four sections of the 5th Assessment Report (AR5) by Working Group 1 (WGl) was titled, The Physical Science Basis, it was released in September, 2013, in Stockholm, Sweden. This report confirmed again the overwhelming scientific consensus that the world is warming and human activities are responsible. It further indicated that many of the impacts of climate change are happening faster than predicted. It further indicated that if we carry on 'business as usual' we are likely to exceed a temperature increase of 4°C by the end of the century. There is widespread agreement that we need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Second AR5 Report

The second section of the AR5 by Working Group 2 (WGll) was titled, Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability, It was released at the end of March, 2014, in Yokohama, Japan. This report takes a global and sectoral look at observed impacts to date. It assesses the risks ahead and how to reduce vulnerabilities through adaptation. It also provides a detailed look at the impact of climate change in different regions.

The conclusions of the recently released WGll report show that climate change is happening now. Its impacts are already clearly visible on every continent and throughout the world’s oceans. They warned that the problem is likely to grow substantially worse unless greenhouse emissions are brought under control.

Some of the findings incluce melting ice caps, collapsing sea ice in the Arctic, , water scarcity, , extreme weather including heat waves and heavy rains, coral reefs die-offs, mass extinctions.

Rising oceans imperil coastal communities and ocean acidification (due to the absorbtion of CO2) is having a broad range of deleterious impacts. The heat is melting the permafrost in the Arctic and this threatens to unleash even more greenhouse gases from decaying organic matter.

The Worst is Yet to Come

Although the findings seem catastrophic, the report indicates that we have not seen anything yet. As framed by the climate scientists in the know, this is an existential moment for people everywhere on earth.

"Human-driven climate change poses a great threat, unprecedented in type and scale, to well being, health and perhaps even to human survival," the report said.

While the poor may suffer the most, nobody will be immune.

“Nobody on this planet is going to be untouched by the impacts of climate change,” Rajendra K. Pachauri, chairman of the intergovernmental panel, said at a news conference here on Monday.

The report points to economic impacts, poverty, starvation, and death tolls. These impacts may also lead to widespread displacement of people and mass migrations, which may lead to lawlessness and violent conflict including wars as nations strive to hang on to dwindling resources.
“Now we are at the point where there is so much information, so much evidence, that we can no longer plead ignorance,” said Michel Jarraud, secretary general of the World Meteorological Organization.

The Beginning of Action or the Beginning of the End?

It may be too late to mitigate against all the impacts of climate change but there is still time to adapt. While these findings make it difficult to believe that we will act in time, the report does suggest that we are showing signs of working on adaptation. Since 2007, the report points to growing evidence that governments and businesses around the world are drawing up strategies and executing plans to adapt to climate disruptions.

While progress on adaptation is a good thing we clearly need to work on mitigation as we will never be able to adapt to the worst impacts of climate change. Something as fundamental to human existence as our food supply will be overwhelmed by climate change if we continue on our current trajectory.

Future Reports and a Binding Climate Agreement in 2015

These IPCC reports should be used as reasons to act. The situation may appear to be beyond repair, but scientists tell us there is still time. By 2020 we will need to take far reaching action to transition away from fossil fuels towards cleaner forms of energy.

The Working Group 3 report: Mitigation of Climate Change, will be reviewed on April 7-11, 2014, in Berlin, Germany. The AR5 Synthesis Report (SYR), will be reviewed on October 27-31, 2014, in Copenhagen, Denmark.

The two published AR5 reports and the two forthcoming reports later this year should provide the impetus needed for nations to agree on a comprehensive international deal to reign-in greenhouses gases in 2015. It is critical for their to be solid progress this year if we are to meet the 2015 deadline. This September in New York, UN General Secretary Ban Ki-moon will host national, business and civil society leaders for a ‘Climate Summit’ ahead of the 2014 General Assembly. Although this is not be a formal part of the UNFCCC negotiations, it will go a long way in determining whether or not we will be successful in Paris.
A draft text of the global climate change treaty will be presented in November ahead of the 2014 UN climate summit which opens in Lima on December 1.

While the science is clear, it is still far from certain that we will be able to achieve a consensus at the COP 21 talks scheduled for Paris next year. It remains to be seen if political leaders will change direction and pull us back from the brink or stay the course and imperil the future of life on the planet.

© 2014, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Global Warming Continues Unabated Despite a Seemingly Endless Winter in Parts of North America

Even if it is still cold and stormy in parts of North America, the data reveals that the global warming trend is strong and getting stronger. As some of us are still waiting for the first flowers to bloom, winter may seem eternal. Cold weather can give the impression that the heat may be abating somewhat, however the facts reveal that global warming shows no signs of easing.

For those that live in the Eastern US and Canada this was a cold winter (parts of Canada registered one of the coldest months of February on record) and for some the cold is persisting into spring. The combination of the polar vortex, winter storms and a late spring may even lead some who live in these regions to surmise that the global warming trend has abated. However, such suppositions are not born out by the facts.

Depending on who you listen to last year (2013) was either the 4th or the 7th hottest year on record. January which from where many of us stood seemed abnormally frigid, was actually a continuation of the global warming trend. Globally, it was the fourth-warmest January since record keeping began in 1880. Globally, February was the 21st warmest on record. February was also the 348th consecutive month with above-average temperatures (compared to the 20th century average). The period from December 2013 to February 2014 was the 8th warmest on record globally.

To add fuel to the fire of global warming, the US National Climatic Data Center reported that we are on track for yet another record or near-record warm year in 2014. In fact, we have seen evidence of global warming for almost three consecutive decades.

Not only is it hot it is getting hotter. NOAA data shows that month after month the earth continues to warm, with global average temperatures being among their top 10 warmest for the ninth straight month.

While some parts of North America were experiencing bitter cold, other places like Scandinavia, Russia and Finland have been experiencing some of the warmest temperatures on record.

So no, global warming is not letting up and this underscores the importance of looking at the big picture and not extrapolating from local weather conditions.

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Sustainability Communications Positively Impact Reputation and Performance

Effective communications are of particular importance to companies focused on sustainability. When done right effective sustainability communications are able to engender the perception of sincerity which can positively impact both a company's performance and its reputation.

A 2012 Hill+Knowlton Strategies Survey found that the public's trust in companies was declining as their access to information was increasing. However, more recent research suggests that the declining levels of trust can be addressed through honest communications focused on a company's sustainability efforts.

According to a 2013 online survey by Hill+Knowlton Strategies, Americans are more likely to trust and respect those businesses that effectively communicate their sustainability efforts and projects.

Those surveyed were almost unanimous in indicating that communicating sustainability was of the utmost importance. A total of 91 percent of respondents said implementing sustainability was “critical” to the long-term success of a business.

The survey indicates that being transparent and honest, including exposing imperfections, can help a company to build trust. A total of 82 percent said that they believe that a company can regain public trust through an honest and transparent reporting of its efforts to be more sustainable, even if that reporting highlights where it falls short of its goals.

The survey revealed that there is a relationship between openness and public trust. Eighty-four percent indicated that greater visibility into corporate sustainability efforts will increase trust in a company. More than half (54 percent) said that these firms would be “more profitable” as a result.

Sustainability communications can even encourage a buy-in from investors and consumers. Fifty-seven per cent said they were more likely to invest in or buy from a corporation that was working to become more sustainable.

Another noteworthy findings revealed that sustainability disclosures should be done on an ongoing basis. Eighty-one percent believe companies should report on their sustainability efforts regularly rather than through occasional static reports.

Overall the study indicates that honest communications about sustainability efforts can positively influence public perception, build trust and even help an organization to regain credibility.

© 2014, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Webinar - Getting Value From EH&S Software & Technologies

This complimentary Webinar on How To Select EH&S Software: Product Benchmark, will take place on Wednesday, May 7, 2014 at 4pm-5pm BST (11am - 12 noon EST and 8am - 9am PST) Has operational risk management been moved up the corporate agenda and are you in an EH&S or operations role and in need of better data, reporting and analysis to meet the CEO’s requirements?

Are you planning to invest in a new, enterprise-wide environment, health and safety application from a firm like Enablon, Gensuite, Intelex, KMI or SAP? Is your current combination of in-house IT systems and spreadsheets not able to meet new environmental and OSHA regulatory requirements? Are you in an EH&S or operations role and in need of better data, reporting and analysis to meet the CEO’s requirements?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, this Verdantix webinar is for you. It will save you time and money in your EH&S software application selection process.

Based on the Green Quadrant® product benchmark of 15 EH&S software applications, this Verdantix webinar provides buyers of environment, health and safety software from industries such as chemicals, oil and gas, mining, manufacturing and power generation with the independent analysis you need to make the right purchase decision for your corporation. To further accelerate your market understanding why not attend the one day Verdantix Summit ‘Getting Value From EH&S Technologies’ in Boston on June 25, 2014 which will feature industry experts, panel debates and topic workshops.

On this Verdantix webinar, hosted by Verdantix CEO David Metcalfe, you will get a detailed review of the functionality, features and momentum of CMO Compliance, Credit360, Emex, Enablon, Enviance, Gensuite, IHS, Intelex, KMI, Locus Technologies, MetricStream, ProcessMAP and SAP.

Click here to register.

© 2014, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Event - Verdantix Summit: Getting Value From EH&S Software & Technologies

This event will take place on September 30, 2014, at the Sheraton in Boston. This one day Verdantix Summit will feature industry experts, panel debates and topic workshops. Join more than 200 EH&S corporate leaders, industry experts and technology suppliers at the only North American event of 2014 focused on EH&;S software. Participants will learn about best practices for system selection, deployments and upgrades; network with peers and justify investments.

In 2014 companies face a multitude of new challenges associated with environmental impacts, industrial and process safety issues and human health. No longer can EH&S IT strategies focus on business impacts in traditional areas of concern. Regulations and major incidents have suddenly brought supply chain compliance into play – and with it, vast new data sets. Stakeholder expectations for corporate disclosure and transparency are piling on the pressure to adopt new frameworks for EH&S information management which extend into sustainability. Responding to these pressures, leading companies are re-framing EH&S in the context of operational risk and operational excellence.

The Verdantix Summit offers attendees a unique meeting place to hear how other companies are getting value from EH&S technologies, to get research data which will help you strengthen the business case for EH&S IT investments and to align your thinking with emerging trends towards operational risk management, sustainability reporting and global deployments of integrated EH&S platforms.

Summit attendees can expect to receive a Verdantix report which benchmarks 15 leading EH&S software applications on more than 100 assessment criteria, EH&S global budget benchmark and US budget benchmark based on the Verdantix global survey of 250 heads of EH&S published in January 2014, access to three Verdantix webinars between April 1, 2014 and July 31, 2014 which cover EH&S, sustainability and energy topics and a 5 percent discount on a Verdantix Knowledge Service research subscription signed prior to September 30, 2014.

Click here for more information.

© 2014, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Event - 6th Annual Wind Operations and Maintenance Summit

This event will take place on April 14-16, in Dallas, Texas. The summit is an ideal opportunity to meet with North America’s most prominent Operators, Developers, Technology Innovators and Leading ISP’s from across the wind O&M field. With contributions and attendance from Iberdrola, NextEra, EDPR, EDF, E.ON, Infigen, AES, Google, JP Morgan, AIG, Acciona, Alliant, BP Wind, Duke Energy and a senior level delegation with 40 percent of wind farm owners confirmed – this promises to be North America’s most significant O&M business forum for 2014

Some of the expert speaker line-up already confirmed:

• Matt Kessell, VP - Operations, E.ON
• Jason Schroeder, Director – Supply Chain, Iberdrola Renewables
• Mike Peck, Director - Asset Management, EDP Renewables
• Dan Charleton, Director – Performance and Reliability Engineering, EDF Renewable Energy
• Grayling Vander Velde, Principal – Health & Safety, NextEra Energy
• Hans Owens, VP – Operations, Infigen
• David Smith, VP – Commercial, Infigen
• , Steve Scott, General Manager – Wind, Duke Energy Renewable Services
• Chris McAloon, Director Asset Management, Noble Power
• Catherine Helleux, VP, Societe Generale
• Teresa Chan, Senior VP, AIG
• Kevin Smith, Director – Asset Management & Operational Services, DNV GL

Other key highlights from North America’s premier O&M meeting include:

Over 350 senior level executives already confirmed to attend including NextEra, E.ON, EDF, EDPR, Duke Energy, Google, JP Morgan, AES, Noble Power, Acciona, BP Wind and Alliant Energy for you to network with and build strategic alliances across the industry

15+ hours of scheduled networking time in our 20+ booth exhibition hall showcasing the latest in technology and innovation

30 essential topical sessions and 2 dedicated tracks on post-warranty management, life-extension vs. repowering, real data case studies, blade services, gearbox strategy, financial perspectives and insurance insight all to help you design an agenda in-line with your key commercial wind O&M business strategies

3 exclusive workshops covering complete gearbox maintenance, asset life extension and safety training on electrical subsystems

Due to exceptionally high demand for passes spaces are now very limited - if you plan to attend register now to secure your place.

For more information including the full brochure click here.

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Event - SB'14 San Diego | Sustainable Brands

This event will take place on June 2 - 5, 2014 in San Diego California. Companies and non-profit organizations are finding success through better business models, smarter product design and collaborative partnerships that contribute to a regenerative economy. Meet the brand leaders who are re-imagining business solutions with breakthrough innovations that shift cultural norms and enhance stakeholder value. Sustainable Brands is the global network that brings these companies together.

Some of the offerings at SB'14:

- 75 sessions, more than 150 speakers and over 2,000 on-site attendees, together making up the entire 'who's who' of corporate sustainability
- 170 hours of cutting-edge presentations and 7,000 combined hours of discussion, equivalent to 7 days of content delivery and 283 days of conversation!
- A first look at brand new research reports, books, breakthrough business strategies and creative campaigns packed with intelligence about the leading edge of the market
- Real-time, tangible activation of new products and services from global brands and top-notch solution providers alike (you can add some Activation Hub stats here maybe)
- 7 focused content tracks covering the full range of innovation opportunities for sustainability, including strategy, product development, materials, supply chain, procurement, employee engagement, brand positioning and communications
- A new round of systems-thinking entrepreneurs with multi-purpose models creating new forms of value for customers, employees and suppliers

Click here to register.

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Event - 2014 Cause Marketing Forum Conference: Crowdfunding and More!

This event will take place on May 28 and 29 at the JW Marriot in Chicago. There is only 9 weeks until the 2014 Cause Marketing Forum Conference (CMF2014), the only annual event where you'll find "your" people - those actively and passionately focused on strategic partnerships between company and cause.

Charles Best, Founder and CEO of DonorsChoose.org, knows a little something about crowdfunding for good. DonorsChoose.org appeared as #9 this year on Fast Company's '50 Most Innovative Companies' list. Best will share his knowledge at the 2014 Cause Marketing Forum Conference in Chicago this May. Watch his message as he talks about his forthcoming keynote address at CMF2014.

CMF2014 is on pace to sell out early! Register today to guarantee yourself a spot with industry leaders from Walgreens, Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, Unilever, the UN Foundation, Mars and many more.

Click here for more information including the full agenda.

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Event - Transform West

This event will take place on May 6-7, 2014 at the Marriott Gaslamp in San Diego, California. The Transform West gathering enables participants to "connect with the people who connect electric power in North America." The event features hand picked experts including:

Keegan Moyer
Manager - Transmission Expansion Planning, WECC

Keegan Moyer is the Manager of Transmission Expansion Planning at the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC). He is responsible for providing leadership and direction to the WECC Transmission Expansion Planning Department and oversees Transmission Expansion Planning Policy Committee (TEPPC) stakeholder activities. The Transmission Expansion Planning department supports WECC in promoting and fostering a reliable and efficient bulk electric system in the Western Interconnection by identifying future transmission system needs under a variety of possible energy futures through a robust stakeholder process. Moyer earned both a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and a master’s degree in Engineering and Technology Management from the Colorado School of Mines.

Bob Smith
Director - Energy Delivery Asset Management and Planning, Arizona Public Service Company

Bob Smith is presently the Director of the Energy Delivery Asset Management and Planning Department at Arizona Public Service Co. in Phoenix. Bob has a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from New Mexico State University and is a registered professional engineer in the State of Arizona. Bob has worked in the electric industry and for APS for 28 years in the areas of Transmission Planning, Construction and Maintenance, and Transmission and Balancing Authority Operations. Bob has represented APS in several regional planning forums, has been extensively involved in WECC activities including two years chairing the WECC Compliance Monitoring and Operating Practices Subcommittee, and is presently Chairman of the WestConnect Steering Committee.

Alex Landon
Associate - Finance and Strategy, Clean Line Energy Partners

Clean Line develops long-haul transmission lines to connect the best renewable energy resources in North America to communities and cities that lack access to low-cost renewable power. Alex Landon works on financial analysis and strategic efforts for Clean Line. She conducts market research, performs wind integration analyses and builds financial models for all five of Clean Line’s transmission line projects. Alex graduated from Princeton University with a B.S.E. in Mechanical Engineering and a certificate in Sustainable Energy. She serves on the Board of the Mid-Atlantic Renewable Energy Coalition.

Sean Naaykens
Director of Business Development, AltaLink

Sean Naaykens is a Director, Business Development with AltaLink. AltaLink is a Calgary, Alberta-based transmission utility, with nearly 8,000 miles of high voltage transmission, 280 substations, and $4.2B in net assets (June 2013), serving 85% of the province’s population. Mr. Naaykens has 25 years experience in various roles, primarily with utilities and in environmental management services. He has B.Comm from the University of Manitoba, an MBA from the University of Western Ontario, and is certified Project Management Professional by PMI.

Cheryl Karpowicz
SVP - Development, Ecology and Environment

A senior vice president and certified planner, Ms. Karpowicz leads E & E’s energy services practice. She has directed health, safety, and environmental permitting projects for electric transmission, fiber optic cable, renewable energy, pipeline, and other energy projects worth billions of dollars for clients in the United States, South America, Asia, and the Middle East. For such projects, managing the schedule is usually the best way to control project risk. In the western U.S., she successfully spearheaded the streamlining of permitting processes for transmission projects while working with key regulatory agencies such as the California Public Utilities Commission and US Bureau of Land Management. She is a strong advocate for proactive consultation with key stakeholders to inform siting decisions early in the process, which she believes is the key to facilitating project success. Although she has led permitting efforts for a wide variety of projects, she considers transmission projects to be among the most challenging.

Agenda Highlights Include:

-WECC's Transmission Outlook
-Transmission Expansion Planning in the Western Interconnection
-Integrating Renewable Energy
-Resource Adequacy in California and the West

Click here for more information, full agenda and complete speaker lineup.

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