Global CO2 emissions are finally on their way down – despite strong growth in developing countries.

According to an addendum to an earlier study published in the journal Environmental Research Letters, CO2 emissions fell by 1.3 per cent in 2009 – that’s the first decrease recorded this decade and this in spite of the fact that emissions in China and India leapt by nine per cent and six per cent respectively.

Gunnar Myhre, the senior research fellow at CICERO explained that the decrease in emissions followed a decrease in the global economy. While emissions from oil and gas fell, emissions from coal remained stable and the share of coal as a fuel has increased.

China and India increased their emissions with China now responsible for 24 per cent of global fossil emissions of CO2. According to Glen Peters, senior researcher at CICERO, Chinese emissions have increased more than economic growth as the country places large investments in infrastructure and export production. In particular, its investments in roads and buildings have caused large emissions as the cement and steel industries in particular are very emission intensive.

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Mini and Fiat have been found to be the cleanest car manufacturers in a league table which provides the first comprehensive analysis of overall emission performance rather than just focusing on CO2 emissions.

Producing by website, Clean Green Cars, the league table analyses the carmakers’ performances across three environmental factors; CO2 emissions, NOx emissions and particulate emissions to produce a more rounded conclusion of environmental performance.

Explains Richard Bremner, editor of Clean Green Cars: “CO₂ is hugely important, but it is not the whole story. A car that is good for CO₂ can be bad for other pollutants and vice versa.”

The website analysed the performance of every car sold in the UK so far this year to complete its findings, correlating sales and pollution data to produce a sales-weighted performance for all manufacturers.

Fiat and Mini came joint first in overall performance across the three pollution sectors, while Toyota lead in producing the least CO2 emissions and Suzuki came top in minimising NOX emissions. For particulates (small sooty particles, responsible for causing respiratory problems and long term lung disease), Mini and Fiat once again lead the way, proving two of the least harmful manufacturers.

Thanks to the car industry’s focus on CO2 emissions, the website found that while CO₂ performance varied by a factor of less than three from best to worst, NOx varies by a factor of seven and particulates by a factor of more than 50. In the hall of shame, Jeep and Land Rover were found to have the worst environmental performances overall.

Overall ranking was calculated by adding the positions for all three criteria and then dividing by three to obtain an average. The reason there is a ranking for pollution rather than a single overall figure is that there is no generally accepted way of comparing damage from CO₂ to damage from NOx or particulates. They cause different problems in different circumstances. By creating a ranking, Clean Green Cars combined manufacturers performance into a meaningful league table, but leave it open to people to concentrate on whichever measure they regard as the most important.

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A newly discovered form of chlorophyll could be the secret to producing cheaper biofuel.

Scientists at the University of Sydney have stumbled upon a new type of chlorophyll-the substance plants use to harness solar energy-which is capable of using lower light energy than any other known form of the protein.

Its the first time in over 60 years a new form has been found, and rather ingloriously the new form now called chlorophyll f was discovered entirely by accident.

Scientists stumbled upon the f strain of the organism in stromatolites (rock-like structures built by photosynthetic bacteria, called cyanobacteria) found Western Australia’s Shark Bay.

Chlorophyll is the essential molecule in oxygenic photosynthesis – the process that enables plants, algae and some bacteria to convert carbon dioxide into sugar and oxygen by using free energy from sunlight. Until recently, oxygenic photosynthesis was thought only to occur in light that is visible to human eyes, between 400nm to 710nm, as chlorophyll was strictly limited to absorbing light in this range.

Now the rules of photosynthesis are rewritten, with the discovery of a fifth type of chlorophyll that can absorb light of even lower photon energy – 720nm – making it the most red-shifted chlorophyll to date.

Because the new strain is able to use light which other forms cannot utilise, it is hoped that someday the molecule could help develop new types of algae which can harness a larger part of the light spectrum to mass produce biofuel and make it more cost-efficient compared to fossil fuels.

The new f variant allows organisms with limited access to light (such as within cave structures) still use photosynthesis to provide energy for its survival.

The historic study into the new chlorophyll is published online in Science journal and details the findings of an interdisciplinary scientists headed by lead author Dr Min Chen from the University of Sydney

"Discovering this new chlorophyll has completely overturned the traditional notion that photosynthesis needs high energy light," Dr Chen said.

"Chlorophyll f, and its ability to absorb infrared light, can have numerous applications to industries like plant biotechnology and bioenergy,” she added.

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Understanding the environmental impact of a car could be about to get easier for US consumers as the State’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) puts forward proposals to introduce fuel economy labels which would rate the environmental performance of each car.

As a new generation of fuel efficient vehicles hits the showrooms in the US over the coming years, the association along with the Department of Transportation (DOT) is proposing a school grade A to D rating label on every car in dealer showrooms.

The goal of the new fuel economy labels is to provide consumers with simple, straightforward energy and environmental comparisons across all types of vehicles; including electric vehicles (EV), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV), and conventional gasoline-powered vehicles.

The association is now seeking public opinion on the proposed ratings while the system is also being considered by the Obama administration.

“We are asking the American people to tell us what they need to make the best economic and environmental decisions when buying a new car,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “New fuel economy labels will keep pace with the new generation of fuel efficient cars and trucks rolling off the line, and provide simple, straightforward updates to inform consumers about their choices in a rapidly changing market. We want to help buyers find vehicles that meet their needs, keep the air clean and save them money at the pump.”

“New technologies such as battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids are entering the American market in greater numbers,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “We need to provide consumers with labels that include fuel economy and environmental information so that buyers can make better informed decisions when purchasing new vehicles.”

United States citizens can view the proposed rule and labels at: http://www.epa.gov/fueleconomy/ and submit comments as part of the rulemaking process via email to: newlabels@epa.gov. They can also review the proposed rule at http://www.nhtsa.gov/fuel-economy.

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The world of greener motoring and alternative fuels can be a complex and confusing place. As such you may often be left with the feeling that you could do with a handy guide when making that all-important vehicle choice or when you are looking for maintenance tips to help your current car run cleaner.

Well, at last the RAC has come to the rescue, publishing a new guide, entitled; ‘The Efficient Driver’s Handbook’ which provides ‘everything today’s driver needs to know about choosing and using a car in an economical and eco-efficient way’.

Covering everything from electric, hybrids, LPG ‘dual fuel’ and other alternatively fuelled vehicles to the most fuel-efficient diesel and petrol cars, author Dave Moss provides a complete overview of the market for ‘greener’ vehicles while also providng handy driving tips to get the most to the mile from your car.

To celebrate the release of this new comprehensive guide, priced at £9.99 RRP, we have blagged five copies to give away absolutely free.

All you have to do to be in with a chance to win is signed up to receive our newsletter during September (see left hand side of the web page, click on the Subscribe now button) and you will automatically be entered into the competition. The competition will close on midnight, September 30, 2010 and is open to UK residents only. We’ll email the lucky winners, selected at random, to ask for addresses to send the books out after the competition closes. Winners need to respond within 10 days to claim their prize, otherwise another winner will be selected.

So get signing to win!

Competition as featured on ThePrizeFinder – UK Competitions.

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Toll roads are not the solution to tackling a growing congestion problem, Campaign for Better Transport suggests today.

The assertion comes as the campaign group releases a report into the M6 Toll in the West Midlands, labelling the project a ‘costly failure’. According to the group, its latest report proves that such schemes are ineffective at tackling congestion and advises that the Government should not rely on tolls to solve transport problems.

Earlier this year, Transport Secretary Philip Hammond signalled an interest in using tolls to pay for future road building schemes, most of which are expected to be halted after the October spending review. However, this report shows the 27-mile toll motorway has failed to provide any significant congestion relief for the original M6 and the price, which has been increased significantly year on year, is bad value for drivers who use the toll.

Despite the toll now charging motorists £5 on weekdays, 2.5 times the initial cost, the report shows that operator Midland Expressway Ltd, a subsidiary of the international infrastructure group Macquarie, is losing tens of millions every year and has written down the value of the road to below its cost. Meanwhile, M6 congestion is now so bad that the Government is considering spending another £500m on it to deal with the problems the toll road was supposed to solve.

Richard George, Campaign for Better Transport’s Roads and Climate Campaigner, said: "The research shows that the toll road has failed to cut congestion on the original M6 and has made big losses for its operator. With Government coffers running empty, it is no surprise that politicians are looking at toll roads as a way to deliver funds for new road building projects. But our research shows that private toll roads such as the M6 Toll don’t help motorists or the surrounding area, and don’t make money for investors either.

"Instead, the Government needs to spend scarce public funds on maintaining the roads we have and giving people good alternatives to car use."

According to the report journey times on the M6 are only slightly better than before the toll opened. Outside of peak times, journeys on the M6 Toll are not much faster than on the M6, averaging a time savings of between 7 and 12 minutes in the Toll’s the opening year. Meanwhile the cost of the toll has risen sharply each January, well above inflation.

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Over half of adults think the current system of paying for road use should charge to a pay per mile system, the latest research from the Department for Transport (DfT) reveals.

The measure could prove an important tool in tackling the growing problem of congestion on UK roads. Over four in five adults thought that congestion was a serious problem in the country and nine in ten said that it was important for Government to tackle the issue.

The findings are released as part of a study of ‘public attitudes towards road congestion’ which is published by this week by the Government department.

Despite apparent opposition to the introduction road charging schemes, with plans to charge road users dropped by cities such as Manchester and Cambridge in the past year, over a quarter (26 per cent) think that if motorists paid for how often they use the road that would make the system fairer.

However, the results also showed that under a quarter thought that people driving on busy roads should pay more and a similar proportion said that people driving at busy times should pay more.

Three in ten adults thought that a new charging scheme based on times of travel and specific route taken would work in reducing congestion while over half said it would not.

Almost three in five of those who felt such a scheme wouldn’t work gave ‘people not being able to change their behaviour’ as a reason for this while a third said people wouldn’t want to change.

When asked whether they would be prepared to accept road pricing as long as there was no overall increase in the amount paid by motorists as a whole, 38 per cent agreed while 34 per cent disagreed.

The results of the study show that we are still a largely car dependent nation with 88 per cent of car drivers stating that they used their car at least twice a week with most of these saying they drove every day. Only 24 per cent of bus passengers reported that they travelled by bus with this frequency.

The ‘public attitudes towards road congestion’ study used a wide sample of UK citizens interviewed between November 2009 and February 2010.

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Automotive association, the RAC is to hold a London to Brighton run in reverse to celebrate low-carbon and alternative fuel vehicles.

The challenge will take place a day before the association’s famous and long-established London to Brighton Veteran Car Run (LBVCR), the only difference in the two events will be the choice of cars, with one event focussing on old classics and the other in forward-thinking new vehicles and that the ‘Future Car Challenge’ will run from Brighton to London instead, taking the same route only reverse from the old veteran car.

Confirmed entries to the new ‘Brighton to London Future Car Challenge’ set to take place in November, include Mercedes-Benz, Ford Motor Company, Smart, Tata Motors, Tesla Motors and Vauxhall Motors UK. Transport for London has also entered as has Henry Lawson, a direct relative of Harry Lawson – a founding member of the 1896 Emancipation Run which demonstrated the capabilities of the first horseless carriages.

The Future Car Challenge is open to the latest electric, hybrid and low-emission passenger cars, light commercial vehicles and motorcycles. Around 50 entries are expected with Royal Automobile Club trophies awarded in different categories for vehicles judged to have made the least energy impact during the 60-mile run. Entries close on 30 September.

Ben Cussons, Chairman of The Royal Automobile Club Motoring Committee, says: "By organising the Brighton to London Future Car Challenge, The Royal Automobile Club is providing a platform for the public to see the potential of new-energy vehicles that will become a feature of our everyday lives in the not so distant future."
A recent report by The RAC Foundation, Driving Down Emissions, estimated the CO2 emissions reductions potential of hybrid vehicles was around 25 to 30 per cent while full electric battery operated vehicles offered the potential to cut 40 to 100 per cent of CO2 (depending on the carbon intensity of the electricity grid).

The 60 mile challenge takes place on Saturday 6 November, from Madeira Drive in Brighton with the formal finish at Pall Mall/St James’s Square.

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Collecting electricity from the air could be the next solution to powering our homes and cars, according to scientists at the 240th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS).

Researchers at the University of Campinas in Brazil reported to the gathered audience that they have solved a century old mystery of how moisture in the atmosphere becomes electrically charged, meaning that someday they may be able to capture and harness the electricity in the air before it becomes lightning. 

"Our research could pave the way for turning electricity from the atmosphere into an alternative energy source for the future," study leader Fernando Galembeck of the Brazilian university said, according to FirstScience.com.

"Just as solar energy could free some households from paying electric bills, this promising new energy source could have a similar effect," he added.

"If we know how electricity builds up and spreads in the atmosphere, we can also prevent death and damage caused by lightning strikes," Galembeck said.

Much as solar panels harvest solar energy, scientists now hope to develop a similar system which will allow them to pull electricity from the skies. Similar panels could be used on buildings to harness electricity in the atmosphere before it becomes lightning and is discharged back into the earth.

The research continues although it does have it sceptics, scientists have for centuries attempt to harness atmospheric energy, many with disastrous consequences. Galembeck acknowledges this, telling the BBC:"There have been many attempts to harness electricity from the atmosphere and most had bad endings."

However the researchers hope that  some day it will be possible to develop collectors to capture this hygroelectricity. Just as solar cells work best in sunny areas , hygroelectrical panels would work more efficiently in areas with high humidity, which may at last help the UK find some use for all its wet weather.

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Scientists are developing a way to use nature’s own power stations, mitochondria, to convert organic matter into energy.

According to the BBC, scientists at St Louis University in Missouri, US have developed a prototype cell, similar to the ones our own bodies,  which can convert almost anything into energy. Suggested fuels which the cells could use include vegetable oil and even energy drinks to power electrical devices.

The work is very much the developmental stages and potential uses for the technology could take decades to develop. However the project so far, led by Dr Shelley Minteer, demonstrates how we can mimic some of natures processes for energy production.

The ‘biofuel cells’ work like fuel cells, breaking down molecules to unleashes electrons which can become electricity.

Until now, Dr Minteer and her colleagues have focused their research on the use of enzymes, which are expert at breaking down particular ‘fuel’ molecules such as methanol or glucose. But the new research focuses on mitochondria which consist of a whole ensemble of enzymes working together to convert a range of ‘fuel’ molecules into energy.

"In order to be able to completely consume a fuel… you need a whole series of enzymes, anywhere from three, for something simple, to 22 for something like glucose, and you need to get these enzymes to work together," Dr Minteer told BBC News. "The mitochondria channel the fuel from enzyme one directly to enzyme two and so on; they do this metabolism far more efficiently than we do by putting a soup of enzymes down on the electrode."

A demonstration device which has been described at a meeting of the American Chemical Society in the US, has so far only been used with simple fuels made of a single type of molecule, as the enzyme approaches have required until now. But future efforts will aim to make the cells work with more familiar sources of energy.

"Mitochondria can break down a wide variety of fuels," Dr Minteer said.

"That means it can handle fuel mixtures that you might see in, say, an energy drink or a protein shake."

Plamen Atanassov, director of the Center for Emerging Energy Technologies at the University of New Mexico said the technique of using the cells could one day have a wide range of uses, adding: "It ultimately may lead to the introduction of a whole new domain of fuels that we would never otherwise be able to tap."

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