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Business Environment
Sustainable development in economic
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
At that benefit environmental policies?
The Stern report, which presents the economic consequences of global warming, was commended by Mr. Angel Gurría, secretary general of the OECD. The report by the former chief economist of the World Bank is an inconvenient truth, as is the film of Al Gore. For Antoine de Gaudemar Liberation, "by touching the sore point, the Stern could prove far more effective than the most ardent argument of the planet"
The OECD's work has shown that the use of environmental policy instruments more economically efficient (taxes or tradable emission quotas), it was possible to reduce by 25% the cost of achieving the objectives of environment. Several countries already resorted to such taxes and tradable emission rights: Denmark, Norway and the United Kingdom and implement carbon taxes, Norway and Japan have set up national emissions trading scheme of CO2; the system of emissions trading in the EU has been operating since 2005 and regional arrangements also exist in the United States and Australia.
Beyond international political measures to cope with global warming, which really benefit environmental policies? The concern about the social dimension of environmental policies is not new; the importance of taking into account both the economic, environmental and social aspects of sustainable development was highlighted from the definition of the concept in the "Report Bruntland "1987: analysing the interface-social" environment "is one of the top priorities of the Strategy of the OECD Environment which has led governments to position themselves facing two kinds of social problems:
* Those relating to the distribution of environmental quality among different members of a population (gross inequality).
* Those connected with the distribution of the financial consequences of these policies.
In most cases, it is not possible to draw a clear distinction between financial and environmental consequences of a particular policy. For environmental policies that seek "local public goods", the studies clearly indicate that a change in the quality of the environment will be a strong financial impact (on the price of rents or employment) at the local level. Therefore, the first question is whether the poorest households pay more for it ultimately receive less? Seen from another window, the public policies they are likely not to penalize hardest some people rather than others?
Basically, governments have used three strategies to avoid making support to low-income households a disproportionate share of the cost of environmental policies.
* First, ensure that low-income households do not dedicate a greater percentage of their income than richer households (measure politically incorrect).
* Second, address the problems of distribution by varying rates depending on income.
* Third, exempt certain low-income groups of the whole system.
Building on his earlier work, the OECD has extended its analysis with special attention to the macroeconomic consequences for the employment of environmental policies by:
* Highlighting-to-date information on employment in the sectors related to the environment in the member countries of the OECD.
* Considering the contribution of local initiatives for the environment for sustainable development through their impact on employment.
* Student more funds to the macroeconomic consequences for the employment of environmental policies.
* Assessing the impact on employment policies on climate change.
The results indicate that activities related to the environment in the private, public and tertiary levels have become an important source of employment in many OECD countries. Available data show that the direct employment effects in the area of environmental goods and services vary between 0.4% and 3.0% of total employment in the OECD countries and between 1% and 1.5% in the majority of country.
Matéo
Read more ...
Abstract ...
Published by stratenvie at 16:35 1 reviews
Labels: climate change, Society
Press Review
Peter Mandelson European Commissioner responsible for trade supports this week in le figaro, "Only that growth will rise to the challenge of climate change". He wondered if it could not "channel dynamics of trade in favour of solving the problem of climate change? . "If the answer is yes, he said that" we need to think differently about climate change and competitiveness. " Indeed, in the short term, the environmental dynamic lead to a loss of competitiveness, but over the long term this will be taken into account to Europe to have a comparative advantage in this strategic sector. The EU, the first global economy will not responded to this challenge by relying on market dynamics as a "punitive" approach would be "bad policy"
As for him to echo, Alain-Gerard Slama, always in Le Figaro, warned in his column against "totalitarian temptation" which threatens the ecology in France. Noting that "the environmental threat is not a fantasy" he believes that "from this balance, two attitudes are possible: the attitude wise and democratic, respectful of civil liberty, which is moving towards a realistic approach, or the attitude inspired by the "totalitarian Marxism-Leninism […], alter globalisation movement and environmentalists" who "are based on the complete prohibition and thorough planning."
From the side of Liberation, Sabine Cessou teaches us that "The Netherlands are preparing for the rising waters." Despite the closure of the "last major programme to strengthen dikes, erected about 5585 km along the shores of the Rhine and Meuse […] the Government felt urgent late October, while reviewing disaster" because of the mounted water levels and climate change. The memories of the 1953 floods that had caused a storm in the North Sea and had died in 1800, as well as "The flooding of New Orleans, in the United States in September 2005" are in everyone's minds.
But "If the necessary measures are taken in time, we will not be inundated. At least one major storm is loosed in the North Sea. "That's the risk, even tenuous, which pushes the Hague today to anticipate this threat, with the costs involved.
Global warming "The European Commission wishes to restrict drastically the emission of greenhouse gases." Indeed, according to the Tribune "The Brussels administration wants the European Union to set a target of 30% reduction in its emissions by 2020 compared to 1990." But that goal seems illusory. On the one hand this "target was deemed too high placed by the heads of state and government of Twenty-Five," and secondly "ambition is even higher than the Twenty-Five are already be hard pressed to meet their targets for limiting emissions 5% by 2012 "while France is already unable to meet" the Commission "regarding its plan of CO2 quota allocation awarded to the most polluting industries.
Decidedly peak on the release of greenhouse gases, "Brussels wants to cap carbon emissions in aviation." Although the airlines support the principle to participate in an emissions trading carbon ", they remain worried. It must be said that "the impact of the latter would be 2.9 billion euros in 2011." According to a document that has procured La Tribune "Brussels recognizes that companies should reflect, in large measure, or even full, the implementation costs on to their customers. Result: the price of a roundtrip ticket could rise by 4.6 euros to 39.6 euros. "
Returning to complete this review to EU Trade Commissioner of the EU, which "rejects the idea of" green tax "against countries that have not ratified Kyoto." This idea championed by Dominique de Villepin is considered by Peter Mandelson as "too difficult to implement and contrary to the spirit of international cooperation." It must be said that "non-participation in the Kyoto Protocol is not illegal, and it is not an obligation under the WTO," says he. Moreover, "how could this have been choose the products affected by this green tax". But beyond these considerations La Tribune believes that "such a measure would undermine international cooperation on the fight against global warming."
A Olivier
Read more ...
Abstract ...
Published by stratenvie at 16:20 0 comments
Labels: Briefly / News
Monday, December 18, 2006
To echo the article "Global warming: the melting of white gold"
According to the latest OECD study "a temperature increase of 1 ° C, 2 ° C or 4 ° C in the future could reduce the number of ski areas enjoy a reliable snow 500, or 400 200, against 666 at present, the OECD warns.
In fact, "a rise in temperature of 1 ° C is 150 metres above sea level the level at which the natural snow is sufficient for at least 100 days per year." This threshold is currently located at 1200 meters for Switzerland and the neighboring areas of France. For more southerly areas, as Alpes-Maritimes, it rises to 1,500 metres. Among the countries most threatened, Germany, where a rise in temperature of 1 ° C would be enough to drop by 60% the number of stations receiving enough natural snow. Austria, where 4.5% of GDP comes from winter tourism, is also concerned.
The solution? The use of snow cannons, a technique, notes the OECD, "consumes a lot of water and energy, and has an impact on the landscape and ecosystem."
Mateo
Source
See brief OECD
Read more ...
Abstract ...
Published by stratenvie at 16:23 0 comments
Labels: climate change
Ecology summits
The renovation of the business district received last July a new impetus under the Plan of renewal of Defense announced by the state. The construction of new towers is the showcase for this project. To ensure the good graces of the authorities, the architects is the greater part ecology. But at what price?
Project Features of Defense, the lighthouse tower architect Thom Mayne was chosen a November 27 last al'issu of international consultation. The jury in its public part by the EPAD and Unibail, the owners, therefore upheld the project of the American agency Morphosis. "Not since Mitterrand to find an architectural project of this ambition," told Reuters Leon Bressler, a former CEO of Unibail and chairman of the panel, on the sidelines of a press conference to present the project.
But at a cost of 800 to 900 million euros, this site is worth, equivalent to the François Mitterrand Library, which has twice the acreage. The other candidates (1) in the competition, have presented high quality projects around 450 million euros.
Leaving aside the aesthetic daring of the tower Phare appreciate that everyone according to his own subjectivity, it should try to understand what motivated Unibail meadows to pay twice to build this building, and to endorse this EPAD project.
From the side of the state, where Dominique Perben, Transportation Minister, announced the establishment of a new tower "characterized by its architectural and daring to be innovative and not necessarily by its height. First round, which will use all the techniques of sustainable development It must become a symbol of the revival of La Défense as CNIT or the Grande Arche have marked other stages of the site ", it was may be to give new impetus face al'attraction exercised by the British Capital. Indeed for Paris, the competition is tough. Of the ten groups worldwide located in Defence in 1995, seven are now ten years later. Over the past five years, London has attracted a quarter of new headquarters and service platforms in Europe, compared to only 5% for the Ile-de-France. "Defense is delayed and requires new and ambitious projects to maintain its status and boost its image," the worried Épad in July.
For Unibail, this construction allows the french first owner of commercial real estate to consolidate its leadership position. "Our commitment to this project is highly symbolic, was to confer upon it an architecture resolutely break and turning it into a model of sustainable development by relying on the latest research in the field of new technologies," says Guillaume, for its part, Poitrinal, CEO of Unibail. More ecological, highest, most unusual and most expensive towers of Defence, this project Phare (originally called turn signal) therefore aims to reinforce the control of Unibail illuminant in the business district. Asked prestige.
The ecology is not the only criterion in this case. Already under construction in the defence, two other equally innovative tours have indeed received the CSTB (scientific and technical centre of the building) certification High Environmental Quality: Generali tour of the agency as an architect Valode and Pistre built by real estate VINCI , and the tower of the Granite Societe Generale de architect Christian de Portzamparc. Also competing projects presented to Unibail also contained an ecological dimension.
Thus in order to remain competitive, architects must take into account the environmental factor. Mecaniquement, the introduction of this size leads to a surcharge of 10% to 20%. Factor saving energy, strength against international competition, sustainable development is therefore in line with the policy of urbanism. But let us not be naive, other criteria to guide sustainable choices, the Lighthouse tower is a case in point. The promotion of Ecology also requires an understanding of these realities.
(1) Norman Foster, Jacques Ferrier, Massimiliano Fuksas, Manuelle Gautrand, Herzog and de Meuron, Rem Koolhaas, Nicolas Michelin, Jean Nouvel and Dominique Perrault
Sources:
Rule of Figaro
CyberArchi
Archiguide
Defence 92
Emporis Buildings
A Olivier
Read more ...
Abstract ...
Published by stratenvie at 00:23 0 comments
Labels: Communication - Image, Corporate, Property
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
The Hummer "green" to save the image?
After publishing the article on "green" Hummer December 5, I was wondering why, among all cars in the range of General Motors, has been chosen as the model to make him the "green" vehicle. As already mentioned in the previous article, the Hummer is the car that one equates with the word "pollution". And especially not let its military image. It also raises the issue of security, not for the driver but for all the other actors in the daily traffic (pedestrians, other motorists, cyclists…). The Hummer H2 SUV is 2012m and 2026m high wide. In the case of an accident with a pedestrian or even with another car, we know with certainty that relatively large to be among the injured.
Given these negative points, the potential buyer would have good reasons for not liking this gear.
The question arises: is it all of a sudden the media to improve the image of the Hummer to make him the preferred mode of transportation of a consumer increasingly aware of the environmental problems? We must admit that GM could have chosen a model series best known and cheaper to introduce the idea of technology dépolluante. It would be much easier to market if GM had intended to really want to make progress in the field of "environment". Have we planned a campaign of indirect communication, or is there chose this model for reasons of space (4 tanks of algae in the car!)? If the answer is not very clear, one thing is certain: to establish mass production of this car and whether it should really be an alternative to oil, it should be a breeding algae on a large scale to ensure delivery. So dream utopia or publicity coup?
Katharina Dalka
Business Environment
Sustainable development in economic
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
At that benefit environmental policies?
The Stern report, which presents the economic consequences of global warming, was commended by Mr. Angel Gurría, secretary general of the OECD. The report by the former chief economist of the World Bank is an inconvenient truth, as is the film of Al Gore. For Antoine de Gaudemar Liberation, "by touching the sore point, the Stern could prove far more effective than the most ardent argument of the planet"
The OECD's work has shown that the use of environmental policy instruments more economically efficient (taxes or tradable emission quotas), it was possible to reduce by 25% the cost of achieving the objectives of environment. Several countries already resorted to such taxes and tradable emission rights: Denmark, Norway and the United Kingdom and implement carbon taxes, Norway and Japan have set up national emissions trading scheme of CO2; the system of emissions trading in the EU has been operating since 2005 and regional arrangements also exist in the United States and Australia.
Beyond international political measures to cope with global warming, which really benefit environmental policies? The concern about the social dimension of environmental policies is not new; the importance of taking into account both the economic, environmental and social aspects of sustainable development was highlighted from the definition of the concept in the "Report Bruntland "1987: analysing the interface-social" environment "is one of the top priorities of the Strategy of the OECD Environment which has led governments to position themselves facing two kinds of social problems:
* Those relating to the distribution of environmental quality among different members of a population (gross inequality).
* Those connected with the distribution of the financial consequences of these policies.
In most cases, it is not possible to draw a clear distinction between financial and environmental consequences of a particular policy. For environmental policies that seek "local public goods", the studies clearly indicate that a change in the quality of the environment will be a strong financial impact (on the price of rents or employment) at the local level. Therefore, the first question is whether the poorest households pay more for it ultimately receive less? Seen from another window, the public policies they are likely not to penalize hardest some people rather than others?
Basically, governments have used three strategies to avoid making support to low-income households a disproportionate share of the cost of environmental policies.
* First, ensure that low-income households do not dedicate a greater percentage of their income than richer households (measure politically incorrect).
* Second, address the problems of distribution by varying rates depending on income.
* Third, exempt certain low-income groups of the whole system.
Building on his earlier work, the OECD has extended its analysis with special attention to the macroeconomic consequences for the employment of environmental policies by:
* Highlighting-to-date information on employment in the sectors related to the environment in the member countries of the OECD.
* Considering the contribution of local initiatives for the environment for sustainable development through their impact on employment.
* Student more funds to the macroeconomic consequences for the employment of environmental policies.
* Assessing the impact on employment policies on climate change.
The results indicate that activities related to the environment in the private, public and tertiary levels have become an important source of employment in many OECD countries. Available data show that the direct employment effects in the area of environmental goods and services vary between 0.4% and 3.0% of total employment in the OECD countries and between 1% and 1.5% in the majority of country.
Matéo
Read more ...
Abstract ...
Published by stratenvie at 16:35 1 reviews
Labels: climate change, Society
Press Review
Peter Mandelson European Commissioner responsible for trade supports this week in le figaro, "Only that growth will rise to the challenge of climate change". He wondered if it could not "channel dynamics of trade in favour of solving the problem of climate change? . "If the answer is yes, he said that" we need to think differently about climate change and competitiveness. " Indeed, in the short term, the environmental dynamic lead to a loss of competitiveness, but over the long term this will be taken into account to Europe to have a comparative advantage in this strategic sector. The EU, the first global economy will not responded to this challenge by relying on market dynamics as a "punitive" approach would be "bad policy"
As for him to echo, Alain-Gerard Slama, always in Le Figaro, warned in his column against "totalitarian temptation" which threatens the ecology in France. Noting that "the environmental threat is not a fantasy" he believes that "from this balance, two attitudes are possible: the attitude wise and democratic, respectful of civil liberty, which is moving towards a realistic approach, or the attitude inspired by the "totalitarian Marxism-Leninism […], alter globalisation movement and environmentalists" who "are based on the complete prohibition and thorough planning."
From the side of Liberation, Sabine Cessou teaches us that "The Netherlands are preparing for the rising waters." Despite the closure of the "last major programme to strengthen dikes, erected about 5585 km along the shores of the Rhine and Meuse […] the Government felt urgent late October, while reviewing disaster" because of the mounted water levels and climate change. The memories of the 1953 floods that had caused a storm in the North Sea and had died in 1800, as well as "The flooding of New Orleans, in the United States in September 2005" are in everyone's minds.
But "If the necessary measures are taken in time, we will not be inundated. At least one major storm is loosed in the North Sea. "That's the risk, even tenuous, which pushes the Hague today to anticipate this threat, with the costs involved.
Global warming "The European Commission wishes to restrict drastically the emission of greenhouse gases." Indeed, according to the Tribune "The Brussels administration wants the European Union to set a target of 30% reduction in its emissions by 2020 compared to 1990." But that goal seems illusory. On the one hand this "target was deemed too high placed by the heads of state and government of Twenty-Five," and secondly "ambition is even higher than the Twenty-Five are already be hard pressed to meet their targets for limiting emissions 5% by 2012 "while France is already unable to meet" the Commission "regarding its plan of CO2 quota allocation awarded to the most polluting industries.
Decidedly peak on the release of greenhouse gases, "Brussels wants to cap carbon emissions in aviation." Although the airlines support the principle to participate in an emissions trading carbon ", they remain worried. It must be said that "the impact of the latter would be 2.9 billion euros in 2011." According to a document that has procured La Tribune "Brussels recognizes that companies should reflect, in large measure, or even full, the implementation costs on to their customers. Result: the price of a roundtrip ticket could rise by 4.6 euros to 39.6 euros. "
Returning to complete this review to EU Trade Commissioner of the EU, which "rejects the idea of" green tax "against countries that have not ratified Kyoto." This idea championed by Dominique de Villepin is considered by Peter Mandelson as "too difficult to implement and contrary to the spirit of international cooperation." It must be said that "non-participation in the Kyoto Protocol is not illegal, and it is not an obligation under the WTO," says he. Moreover, "how could this have been choose the products affected by this green tax". But beyond these considerations La Tribune believes that "such a measure would undermine international cooperation on the fight against global warming."
A Olivier
Read more ...
Abstract ...
Published by stratenvie at 16:20 0 comments
Labels: Briefly / News
Monday, December 18, 2006
To echo the article "Global warming: the melting of white gold"
According to the latest OECD study "a temperature increase of 1 ° C, 2 ° C or 4 ° C in the future could reduce the number of ski areas enjoy a reliable snow 500, or 400 200, against 666 at present, the OECD warns.
In fact, "a rise in temperature of 1 ° C is 150 metres above sea level the level at which the natural snow is sufficient for at least 100 days per year." This threshold is currently located at 1200 meters for Switzerland and the neighboring areas of France. For more southerly areas, as Alpes-Maritimes, it rises to 1,500 metres. Among the countries most threatened, Germany, where a rise in temperature of 1 ° C would be enough to drop by 60% the number of stations receiving enough natural snow. Austria, where 4.5% of GDP comes from winter tourism, is also concerned.
The solution? The use of snow cannons, a technique, notes the OECD, "consumes a lot of water and energy, and has an impact on the landscape and ecosystem."
Mateo
Source
See brief OECD
Read more ...
Abstract ...
Published by stratenvie at 16:23 0 comments
Labels: climate change
Ecology summits
The renovation of the business district received last July a new impetus under the Plan of renewal of Defense announced by the state. The construction of new towers is the showcase for this project. To ensure the good graces of the authorities, the architects is the greater part ecology. But at what price?
Project Features of Defense, the lighthouse tower architect Thom Mayne was chosen a November 27 last al'issu of international consultation. The jury in its public part by the EPAD and Unibail, the owners, therefore upheld the project of the American agency Morphosis. "Not since Mitterrand to find an architectural project of this ambition," told Reuters Leon Bressler, a former CEO of Unibail and chairman of the panel, on the sidelines of a press conference to present the project.
But at a cost of 800 to 900 million euros, this site is worth, equivalent to the François Mitterrand Library, which has twice the acreage. The other candidates (1) in the competition, have presented high quality projects around 450 million euros.
Leaving aside the aesthetic daring of the tower Phare appreciate that everyone according to his own subjectivity, it should try to understand what motivated Unibail meadows to pay twice to build this building, and to endorse this EPAD project.
From the side of the state, where Dominique Perben, Transportation Minister, announced the establishment of a new tower "characterized by its architectural and daring to be innovative and not necessarily by its height. First round, which will use all the techniques of sustainable development It must become a symbol of the revival of La Défense as CNIT or the Grande Arche have marked other stages of the site ", it was may be to give new impetus face al'attraction exercised by the British Capital. Indeed for Paris, the competition is tough. Of the ten groups worldwide located in Defence in 1995, seven are now ten years later. Over the past five years, London has attracted a quarter of new headquarters and service platforms in Europe, compared to only 5% for the Ile-de-France. "Defense is delayed and requires new and ambitious projects to maintain its status and boost its image," the worried Épad in July.
For Unibail, this construction allows the french first owner of commercial real estate to consolidate its leadership position. "Our commitment to this project is highly symbolic, was to confer upon it an architecture resolutely break and turning it into a model of sustainable development by relying on the latest research in the field of new technologies," says Guillaume, for its part, Poitrinal, CEO of Unibail. More ecological, highest, most unusual and most expensive towers of Defence, this project Phare (originally called turn signal) therefore aims to reinforce the control of Unibail illuminant in the business district. Asked prestige.
The ecology is not the only criterion in this case. Already under construction in the defence, two other equally innovative tours have indeed received the CSTB (scientific and technical centre of the building) certification High Environmental Quality: Generali tour of the agency as an architect Valode and Pistre built by real estate VINCI , and the tower of the Granite Societe Generale de architect Christian de Portzamparc. Also competing projects presented to Unibail also contained an ecological dimension.
Thus in order to remain competitive, architects must take into account the environmental factor. Mecaniquement, the introduction of this size leads to a surcharge of 10% to 20%. Factor saving energy, strength against international competition, sustainable development is therefore in line with the policy of urbanism. But let us not be naive, other criteria to guide sustainable choices, the Lighthouse tower is a case in point. The promotion of Ecology also requires an understanding of these realities.
(1) Norman Foster, Jacques Ferrier, Massimiliano Fuksas, Manuelle Gautrand, Herzog and de Meuron, Rem Koolhaas, Nicolas Michelin, Jean Nouvel and Dominique Perrault
Sources:
Rule of Figaro
CyberArchi
Archiguide
Defence 92
Emporis Buildings
A Olivier
Read more ...
Abstract ...
Published by stratenvie at 00:23 0 comments
Labels: Communication - Image, Corporate, Property
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
The Hummer "green" to save the image?
After publishing the article on "green" Hummer December 5, I was wondering why, among all cars in the range of General Motors, has been chosen as the model to make him the "green" vehicle. As already mentioned in the previous article, the Hummer is the car that one equates with the word "pollution". And especially not let its military image. It also raises the issue of security, not for the driver but for all the other actors in the daily traffic (pedestrians, other motorists, cyclists…). The Hummer H2 SUV is 2012m and 2026m high wide. In the case of an accident with a pedestrian or even with another car, we know with certainty that relatively large to be among the injured.
Given these negative points, the potential buyer would have good reasons for not liking this gear.
The question arises: is it all of a sudden the media to improve the image of the Hummer to make him the preferred mode of transportation of a consumer increasingly aware of the environmental problems? We must admit that GM could have chosen a model series best known and cheaper to introduce the idea of technology dépolluante. It would be much easier to market if GM had intended to really want to make progress in the field of "environment". Have we planned a campaign of indirect communication, or is there chose this model for reasons of space (4 tanks of algae in the car!)? If the answer is not very clear, one thing is certain: to establish mass production of this car and whether it should really be an alternative to oil, it should be a breeding algae on a large scale to ensure delivery. So dream utopia or publicity coup?
Katharina Dalka
posted by news of france at
8:11 AM
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