Rachel’s Blogs

It’s been a while since we touched on this topic, and in the run up to Copenhagen I thought it would be a good idea to give an update on where industry players are and what’s happening on the ground.

Quick recap, CDM projects or clean development mechanisms are a certification issued under the Koyoto Protocol and the most common way to trade carbon credits.

Under a cap and trade system companies have a certain limit on the carbon they can emit – if they are going to go over that limit they will need to purchase more credits from a firm which has earned so called green points with sustainable projects such as clean energy production or forestry.

The Koyoto Protocol is however due to end in 2012.

This has left many wondering as to the future of the carbon trading scheme.

If companies no longer have a limit to abide by under the Kyoto protocol – then there is no need to purchase credits.

However an extension – amendment – or replacement agreement is expected in the run up to Copenhagen in December.

The question now that is stopping many from entering the market is – why get in now when things could change in two years time if an alteration is made to the CDM/ carbon market.

Some industry players will argue that while changes may be on the cards – getting in now to a market that is still relatively young such as the carbon trading market provides players with experience and foresight in to what is to come.

And as the climate change and emissions reduction is going to be a major issue by governments globally – this could turn out to be an extremely lucrative market.

On the other hand – are we likely to see an agreement or conclusions as to the continuation of the Koyoto Protcol come out in December in Copenhagen.

Some experts say that there is still way to much ground to cover before governments can come to an agreement, and in fact we are more likely to see some direction and a reconvened meeting in 6months following Copenhagen to come to a firmer agreement.

Moving aside from this – there is the whole debate as to whether carbon emissions really make a difference.

Are companies just emitting the same amount and paying for it?

At the moment its mainly western developed countries importing credits from the developing countries such as China and Indonesia.

There have been arguments that this does nothing for the developed countries and just shifts the issue under the carpet.

So what do you all think – does a cap and trade the way to go?

What are you hoping to see come out of the Copenhagen talks in December?

Ok so for last week’s Eco Ventures we had a look at organic food… this week I took it a little closer to home…
Right inside your home in fact.

I found it interesting that despite the economic downturn – I’ve noticed a number of ads for green or eco cleaners in Singapore.

Surely with people looking to cut costs the last thing many consumers would be looking to do is to hire a more expensive cleaning service.

Surprisingly the companies I spoke with have seen quite substantial growth.. over the last year or so.. despite the tricky timing to launch a new venture.

The two firms I spoke with were Eunikeliving and Green Cleaners – both taking on very different approaches.

Eunikeliving uses materials that require just water.… apparently the cleaning is 6.5 times more effective in comparison to traditional cleaning methods.

Eunikeliving is not only tapping on to the green cleaning market with alternative solutions – but by providing a part time cleaning service, it is also catering to the growing demand of more consumers looking for such alternatives in comparison to full time domestic helpers.

Using a competitive pricing model Eunikeliving says that such eco cleaning services are on par cost wise in comparison to traditional methods.

So what is the method behind the madness?

Well as Eunikeliving shared with me recent studies have shown that 26 seconds after you use a chemical to clean your house traces can be found in your blood stream.

This takes me onto Green Cleaners.
Green Cleaners is a firm set up little under a year ago here in Singapore by expatriate Colin Pudsey.

Colin set up Green Cleaners after moving to Singapore and having a negative reaction to the cleaning products used by his weekly cleaners.
After searching for a healthier alternative and finding lack of options, Green Cleaners was formed.

Green Cleaners offers domestic cleaning services and as well as cleaner training services.

I had a sniff of some of the products used.. the linseed floor cleaner reminder me of bath oil… not such a bad alternative.

The majority of the consumer market looking to go green in Singapore are expatriates or young professional – but those in the industry say that the shift in consumer attitudes is pushing toward a longer term trend.

The main reason many consumers are going for eco-cleaning alternatives… health, children’s health and impact on the environment.

One question I have about the eco or green cleaning industry here in Singapore and probably for most of Asia is – what kind of regulations are in place to ensure that you are actually receiving so called green or eco cleaning services?

While the industry here in Singapore may be just finding its feet, I have no doubt that as the industry grows, and more players come to market – that some kind of industry standard will need to be out in place – for so called savvy green consumers to make sure that they are in fact getting their monies worth.

There are a number of statistics available online that highlight reports on the cleaning industry.

This is one example:

And if your interested why not give it a try yourself…. while I’m no domestic goddess.. I hear baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice and a little bit of tea tree oil for disinfectant works wonders for most things.

Check out some behind the scenes pictures at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/ECO-VENTURES/104855928773?ref=sgm

For this week’s Eco Ventures I revisited the eco-car sector – but with more of a focus on electric vehicles.

Governments around the region and the world are partnering with a number of companies to boost the technology within their respective economies.

A few questions were raised during interviews which I conducted over the last week, and I thought I would share them with you to find out what you think on the following.

How clean are electric vehicles?
Now whilst I am by no means biased one way or another, electric vehicles are often are perceived as having an extremely low carbon foot print, and little or no consumption in carbon fuels. Do consumers who are looking to purchase electric vehicles think beyond the car? Where did the electricity come from to power your vehicle? With this I suppose we could get into the smart grid debate.. but just as a point of interest…

Then there is the cost. Many industry observers believe that the price of electric vehicles is the main deterrent for users in going green, what kind of incentives and initiatives would you like to see?

The method used for charging. Now, at the moment electric vehicles can take quite a prolonged period of time to charge, with many owners charging overnight. What do you think would be a suitable solution to charge these green cars? I mean realistically we can’t have wires hanging from HDB block or condos to charge the cars below can we? Or are external rechargeable solutions the way forward?

Then there is the debate of swapping one scarce fuel for another when it comes to lithium batteries.. are we exchanging a depleting fuel supply only to replace it with a similar scenario? Are hydrogen cells the way forward?

The price of oil continues to rise and supplies continue to deplete is it not necessary for us to find an alternative to motor transport. Not to mention to reduce carbon emissions?

I have had the privilege of viewing a few electric car projects in the last week, and the technology is nothing less then fantastic. And whilst I have no doubt that electric vehicles of some variety will be the way forward with the mass amounts of government spending globally being pumped into the area – at the moment I suppose we are still in the trial and error stage.

I think for now hybrids, are good safety option.

Here’s an interest site of a local Singapore company that’s plugging its faith in the electric market:

http://www.ampleworld.com/

For more info, here are some interesting sites for you to check out:

Pluginamerica.org

Rechargeit.org

You know they say you are what you eat, and that we should take care of our bodies or we’ll regret it when we’re older.

The topic of this week’s Eco Ventures got me thinking.

According to a study out not so long ago (a research collaboration between Spire Research and Consulting and S.P. Jain Centre of Management), despite the financial crisis that the globe has just endured, 97% of organic consumers would still spend the same amount, if not more, on organic produce.

Take into mind – that on average, organic food is estimated to cost on average 112% more than the alternative.

85% of the consumers then went on to say that they would recommend organic food to their family members.

Such a strong and loyal customer base is any industry’s fantasy.

At present, organic consumers in Singapore are mainly expatriates and those in the middle/high income groups.

But I suspect that if more mass market chains are to increase their offerings of organic produce, economies of scale could bring prices down.

Most of Singapore’s organic produce is presently imported from the US, Australia, and Europe. With more demand in the region – this only leaves room for opportunity for regional suppliers to step up, comply with international standards and tap into that market – to provide affordable organic food.

International standards and regulation was one issue Peter Lim, the founder of what is believed to be one of Singapore’s pioneering organic stores – Nature’s Glory.

Nature’s Glory has been running for over 18 years now. Mr Lim says that he expects more supplies to come from South Korea, China and India. All that is needed is more regulation and certification to guarantee that what is claiming to be organic or pesticide free does what it says on the tin.

Leon Perera from Spire Research and Consulting believes there are opportunities for smaller organic firms in offering lifestyle or value-add products and services as well.

This is something that Nature’s Glory does; check out this selection of goods for your car.

So then you have to ask yourself – what is it that turns people to become such avid followers of organic food.

And surprisingly from Spire and S.P.’s survey, health was not the only factor. Others include superior taste, concern for the environment, concern for food safety, concern over animal welfare, support for small producers and even nostalgia.

So while I understand that it is difficult for all of us to go organic, there is also simply not enough supply. So, just be mindful of what you eat and take care of yourselves

I wonder how many of you reading this are avid organic movers and shakers, and how many of you think there’s no difference.

Mail me in your stories. This week I’ve heard of people that have not taken medication in over a decade, swearing by organic food. Or maybe you just take supplements and haven’t had a cold since eons. Either way, do you think there is continued demand for an organic industry in Singapore – and also Asia?