| Sustainable Innovation |
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Partners for Innovation supports DESSO with Cradle to Cradle® project
Last June 2nd DESSO started the project ‘Euro Cradle to Cradle® Carpet Chains’. DESSO is a leading manufacturer of carpets, carpet tiles and artificial grass mats with offices throughout Europe, the United States, Asia, Latin America, Africa, Middle East and Australia. In this project DESSO, with support of Partners for Innovation, will implement a carpet collection and recycling scheme in six European countries. This scheme is based on the Cradle to Cradle® philosophy and aims to close the commodity chain. With life cycle assessments, the environmental benefits are determined. The project receives financial support from the European Eco-Innovation programme.
Further information: Peter Vissers
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Newly launched: "Sustainable Packaging Network"”
This summer the "Sustainable Packaging Network" will be launched, an initiative of Partners for Innovation and the Netherlands Packaging Centre with financial support from Agentschap NL. The Network aims to encourage and assist SMEs to innovate and optimize packaging and packaging processes and to foster sustainable packaging. If you want to stay informed of upcoming activities, please join the LinkedIn Group: “Duurzaam verpakken”.
Further information: Siem Haffmans
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| Climate and CO2 |
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Sustainable lighting in museums Deventer is three times profit
A sustainable lighting advice has been made on request of the Historical and Toy Museam in Deventer as participant of the project Sustainable Lighting Deventer. The estimated savings per year are:
1. 14,500 kWh electricity;
2. 5600 kg CO2 emissions and;
3. Euro 3200 electricity costs per year.
The payback period is about 1.5 years. Part of the sustainable lighting will be installed immediately, another part during the next maintenance interval. Click here for a summary of the lighting advice (in Dutch).
Further information: Carolien van Merksteijn
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WEEE-recast offers opportunity for improved collection of lamps
The European WEEE-directive (Waste Electric and Electronic Equipment) is currently being reviewed with the aim to reduce the administrative burden and to improve its effectiveness (and as a consequence its positive impact on the environment). LightRec (an initiative of the producers and importers of CFL, TL and LED lamps and lighting equipment in the Netherlands) is responsible for environmentally sound collection of these types of lamps in the Netherlands. Maurits Groen Environment & Communication and Partners for Innovation assist LightRec in following the recast process and in communicating to policy makers and politicians.
Further information: Peter Karsch
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| Renewable Energy |
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PfI assists in meeting EC biofuel certification regulations
On the 10th of June 2010, the European Commission has published its regulations for the certification of biofuels. The objective is to achieve a considerable reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (at least 35% compared to fossil fuels, rising to 50% in 2017) and to guarantee that biofuels are not originating from forests, wetlands and protected nature areas. Partners for Innovation, Jatropha Alliance and GEXSI have already built up knowledge in a pilot project to prepare producers of biofuels for certification. For three Jatropha producers in Mozambique an inventory has been made of existing sustainability frameworks and standards, and an analysis of which standard can best be used for the production of Jatropha. Please click here for the press release of the EC and here for the report).
Further information: Peter Vissers
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Becoming FairTrade climate neutral?
Recently the FairClimateFund has been launched, enabling participants to become climate neutral in an honest and reliable manner. The FairClimateFund invests in small-scale energy projects in developing countries, which result in CO2 credits for the households operating the projects. FairClimateFund buys the credits for a fair price. It delivers credits with a name and a face with a high quality and reliability. You can use the calculator on their website to calculate your emissions, which you can subsequently compensate through the FairClimateFund.
Further information: Emiel Hanekamp
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| General information |
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Ander Paz new employee at Partners for Innovation
Since November 2009, Ander Paz has been working for Partners for Innovation as part of an internship. On 1 July we have welcomed him as a part of our team. In his work, Ander will focus on bio-energy projects, in which he will provide technical advice and work on sustainability assessments. Furthermore, Ander will assist organisations in obtaining financial support through the different carbon market mechanisms (for instance CDM-credits, JI, Gold Standard).
Further information: Ander Paz
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New opportunities for sustainable and / or innovative projects
Sustainability and innovation are in the centre of attention. Since projects in these areas often bring about uncertainties and financial obstacles, governments sometimes offer financial support. Recently, a number of subsidy regulations have been published in these fields. Please find below a short description of five regulations that may be of interest to you.
Further information: Emiel Hanekamp
Eco-innovation
Subject: Eco-innovation supports innovative products, services and technologies that reduce the use of resources and environmental impact of Europe.
Target group: all legal entities in over 37 countries with a preference for SMEs.
Deadline: 9 September 2010, 17h00
Executive agency: EACI, Brussels
Further information: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/eco-innovation/call_en.htm
Sustainable Biomass Import
Subject: fostering sustainable biomass production for large scale import to the Netherlands. Projects must contribute to the development of certification systems.
Target group: companies importing biomass to the Netherlands
Deadline: 5 August 2010, 17h00
Executive agency: Agentschap NL
Further information: www.senternovem.nl/duurzamebiomassa-import/subsidie/index.asp
SMOM
Subject: the SMOM regulation supports projects in the field of the environment and or sustainable development in which citizens are involved.
Target group: non-profit organisations
Deadline: end September 2010
Executive agency: Agentschap NL
Further information: www.senternovem.nl/smom
Energy Research Subsidy (EOS)
Subject: EOS stimulates the development of new technology with the aim to achieve a sustainable energy supply.
Target group: companies and knowledge institutes
Deadline: between 26 Augustus 2010 and 14 October 2010 depending on the type of project
Executive agency: Agentschap NL
Further information: www.senternovem.nl/eos/financiele-steun/regelingen_eos/index.asp
LIFE+
Subject: projects in the broad range of environment , nature conservation and biodiversity divided into the themes Environment Policy & Governance, Nature & Biodiversity and Information & Communication.
Target group: public and private organisations in the EU
Deadline: 1 September 2010
Executive agency: EC DG Environment / national contact point: Agentschap NL
Further information: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/
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