THE ENTECH / RENEWABLE ENERGY GREEN REPORT
News BYTES from around the world on ecology And THE environment


HOT PROFIT
A Norwegian solar energy company had the world's largest ever Renewable Energy IPO last May. The issue was five times over-subscribed and raised more than 1 billion US dollars. No money in green investing? Think again. “We don't have anything against helping the environment,” said the CEO. “But our main driver is profit.” After the IPO the company's value soared to over $7 billion.

GIVING PLASTIC BAGS THE SACK
A major English supermarket chain plans to cut the number of disposable bags they give out over the next two years. The plan works by giving customers who forgo the bags special points which they can redeem for gifts and prizes.

FILL ‘ER UP
The USA will use 4 billion gallons of Ethanol-based fuel in 2006. A step in the right direction many say. Meanwhile, the number of Americans who said they worry about the environment ‘a great deal' increased from 60% to 77% in the past twelve months.

ROCKBAND TO THE RESCUE
The rock group ‘Coldplay' didn't want their latest album's production and distribution to add to greenhouse gases flowing into the atmosphere. So they bought ten thousand mango trees for villagers in Karnataka, India. Plants breathe oxygen, and the group figures the mango trees will neutralize all the CO2 released in the making of its CDs.

ELEVEN HEADS ARE BETTER THAN ONE
The German government learned that many German companies wanted to exhibit at Entech Pollutec/ RE – Asia's most important environmental exhibition - held each year in Bangkok, Thailand. So eleven companies were invited to join and exhibit in a special German Pavilion. Korea did the same and both pavilions were a hit, with visitors dropping in for seminars and mini-conferences while they snacked on free sandwiches and drinks.

A PENNY SAVED IS A PENNY EARNED
The world's biggest retail chain, headquartered in the USA, sees profit in going green. With over 5,000 stores worldwide, the company is pushing for environmental changes in Washington D.C. and also within the company. Simply having truckers turn off their engines when stopping for a break will yield estimated savings of $25 million a year. And by doubling gas mileage for vehicles through better aerodynamics and using lower-friction tires, they will save another $310. Not chump change.

TAKE A DEEP BREATH - THIS IS SWEDEN
Sweden, like every country, is addicted to oil. But not forever. By 2020 they'll have kicked the habit according to their Ministry of Sustainable Development. “By then no one will be obliged to use gasoline as their sole option and no house will need oil for heating. We won't be dependant on fossil fuels anymore,” they proclaimed. In 1970 Sweden got 77% of its energy from oil. By 2003, even though industrial production had risen dramatically, that figure was 34%. The answer was hydro-power, biomass and wind-power. After New Zealand, Sweden is now rated as the cleanest country in the world.