Press information
Emission rights trading:
TÜV Süddeutschland and Osram launch Moscow pilot project for switch to low-energy light bulbs
Delegates from over 150 nations are currently meeting at the UN Climate Conference in Marrakech to finalize concrete mechanisms for worldwide emissions trading.
The Kyoto Protocol opened the way for inter-state emissions trading and to states meeting their Kyoto targets through emissions reduction projects in other countries between 2008 and 2012. The 7th UN Climate Conference in Marrakech aims to agree the procedures and set up the institutions needed when emissions trading comes into force.
In this context, TÜV Süddeutschland and Osram, together with Russian partners, are working to develop financially attractive emissions reduction projects. A pilot project based on the use of Osram’s energy-efficient light bulbs in the Moscow subway system has just been launched.
Savings of up to 80 percent
In terms of the project, designed by Steinbeis Transferzentrum für Emissionsrechtehandel und Klimaschutz (STZ) in Augsburg/Germany, Osram will supply energy-efficient light bulbs for the Moscow metro station "Arbatskaya". Energy savings of 80 percent can be expected compared with the previously used bulbs. Calculated over the whole service life of a bulb, this delivers a saving of up to half a metric ton of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide per bulb. TÜV Süddeutschland will supervise the optimum use of the Osram bulbs and track the resulting energy savings. At the end of each year’s operation, TÜV will report the greenhouse gas savings to the Russian Energy Ministry which will grant a so-called "Forward on the Assigned Amounts". This credit can be traded when worldwide emissions trading comes into force after 2008. Dr. Ralf Criens, Environmental Protection Manager at Osram, explains, "Our products can make a significant contribution to reducing carbon emissions and global warming. Unfortunately, not all regions have the resources to finance the initial investment in these energy-saving light bulbs." Emissions trading gives these countries an opportunity to recoup at least some of the cost. By making the technology affordable, it offers an incentive to support carbon emissions reduction.
TÜV check for emissions trading rights
"As the first German organization accredited to issue emissions reduction certificates, and with our specialized Carbon Management Service, we ready to help customers react to the flexible mechanisms of the Kyoto Protocol," says Bernhard Grimm, head of TÜV Süddeutschland’s Carbon Management Service. In the Moscow pilot project, TÜV Süddeutschland provides the Russian Energy Ministry with guarantees for the correct implementation of the project and as an independent body it certifies the effective reduction in carbon emissions. Bernhard Grimm comments, "Our job is to make sure that the actual reduction in greenhouse gases is reflected in the resulting trading rights."
Tobias Koch from STZ, one of the originators of the pilot project, who is currently in Russia completing a Ph.D. thesis on the Kyoto Protocol, says, "The Moscow metro project is the first of its kind. It illustrates how countries can extract immediate benefits from the emissions trading systems that officially come into effect in 2008." Koch expects emissions trading to open up a new market worth several billion euro for alternative technologies and projects that contribute to resource conservation. Emissions trading and the results of the Marrakech conference will be on the agenda at the TÜV Süddeutschland Symposium on Climate and Energy being held in Munich on December 13 and 14.
Your contact for more information about the Moscow metro project, new financing instruments under the Kyoto Protocol and the TÜV Süddeutschland Symposium on Climate and Energy: Bernhard Grimm, TÜV Süddeutschland, Manager, Carbon Management Service; Tel: +49/89/57 91 17 49
TÜV Süddeutschland is an organization providing technical services in the following market segments: industry, products and transportation. Its service portfolio includes consultancy, verification, tests, expert opinions, certification and training addressing the issues of technical reliability, safety, quality, environmental protection, training and cost effectiveness. With its more than 130 representations, TÜV Süddeutschland is active worldwide. In fiscal 2000, TÜV Süddeutschland and its 9200 employees achieved a turnover of approximately EUR 877 million.
TÜV Süddeutschland’s Industry Division (TÜV Süddeutschland Bau und Betrieb GmbH) provides expert, segment-oriented services in the field of safety and optimization to manufacturers and operators of plant and equipment, buildings and facilities. With a staff of approximately 3000, the Industry Division offers services that include support with planning, engineering and construction, project management, safety audits and monitoring throughout the life of a plant or facility.
Press contact:
OSRAM
Christian Bölling
Tel: +49-89-6213-2597
Fax: +49-89-6213-3457
Email: c.boelling@osram.com