Fossil fuel asset exposure poses clear risk to investment portfolios

September 25th, 2015 by European Climate Foundation

German coal fired power station with steam coming from the cooling towers (click image to expand – ©RLLord)

According to the Arabella Advisors report published on 22 September 2015, the movement to divest from fossil fuels and invest in renewable energy and climate solutions has grown 50-fold in the last year to reach $2.6 trillion.

More than 400 institutions and 2,000 individuals have pledged to divest from fossil fuel investments.

Recent pledges have come from the California Public Employees’ Retirement System, the Norway Pension Fund, the Canadian Medical Association, the World Council of Churches, and the University of California system.

These commitments include governments and investors from 43 countries and multiple sectors, including pension funds, health, education, philanthropy, faith, entertainment, climate justice and municipalities. Continue reading

Tidal energy realisation takes a big step with installation of tidal turbine array in the Netherlands

September 25th, 2015 by Tocardo International BV

The realisation of electricity generation from tidal energy has taken another big step forward with the installation of five Tocardo tidal turbines to generate renewable energy in the Eastern Scheldt (Oosterschelde) storm surge barrier, in Zeeland in the Netherlands.

Five Tocardo tidal turbines successfully installed in the Oosterschelde barrier in Zeeland in the Netherlands (click image to expand – image courtesy of Tocardo International BV)

This installation is the largest tidal energy project in the Netherlands as well as the world’s largest commercial tidal installation of five turbines in an array.

The five Tocardo Tidal Turbines are suspended from a steel structure designed and built by Huisman.

The Tidal Power Plant was engineered and produced in only nine months, and the 50 metre long and 20 metre wide tidal power plant structure was successfully installed in under two hours between the pillars under the Eastern Scheldt storm surge barrier. Continue reading

Guernsey wastewater network extension programme to be dependent on availability of funds

September 18th, 2015 by Guernsey Water

Guernsey Water is committed to its Network Extension Programme (NEP) to connect Guernsey properties to the public sewer.

However, as our policy letter states, the current delivery target of 95% public sewer property connection by 2020 is no longer appropriate.

It has always been Guernsey Water’s position that demands on resources need to be allocated on a priority basis.

Further work to connect more properties is only undertaken when the funds are available within the prioritised programme of investment in Guernsey’s water and wastewater infrastructure. Continue reading

Deadline of 26 September to request Waitrose Christmas meal support

September 18th, 2015 by Waitrose

Waitrose will help support elderly, homeless and vulnerable people in the community this Christmas for the third year running.

The support is aimed at cutting the number of those who feel lonely or isolated at what is the most sociable time of the year for many others.

The retailer will help support local Christmas lunch events for people who might otherwise be on their own on Christmas day.

While the Admiral Park branch will be supporting the Salvation Army’s Christmas lunch, the Rohais branch is asking organisers of Christmas dinner events to get in touch where they can apply for support from the retailer.

The deadline for requests is 26 September 2015. Continue reading

The 2015 Saffery Rotary Walk raises over £46,000 for Guernsey charities

September 18th, 2015 by Saffery Champness

Tonnelle House congratulates Saffery Rotary Walkers (click image to expand – ©RLLord)

The 2015 Saffery Rotary Walk raised £46,301 for 11 local community projects, which is £10,000 more than raised from the 2014 walk.

The annual around the island walk, which took place in June 2015, saw almost 500 people take part.

Mr David Mortimer, the out-going Chair of the Saffery Rotary Walk, presented cheques at a special presentation evening at Les Rocquettes Hotel on Thursday 17 September to Butes Play Park in Alderney, Guernsey Motor Neurone Disease Association, Parkinson’s UK Guernsey Branch, Shiloh Church, Guernsey Sailing Trust LBG, National Autistic Guernsey Branch, Home Start Guernsey LBG, Guernsey Scout Association, Safer LBG, GROW Ltd and Access-ability.

As well as the chosen charities, Mr Mortimer also acknowledged a number of individual walkers in recognition of their specific achievements. Continue reading

Night Ride raises funds for Cardiac Action Group & Guernsey branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society

September 18th, 2015 by Guernsey Bicycle Group

(click to expand image)

Healthspan’s charity Night Ride organised by the Guernsey Bicycle Group for Saturday 19 September 2015 will raise funds for the Cardiac Action Group and the Guernsey branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

The Night Ride provides routes for all ages, abilities and fitness levels.

There are five cycling routes to choose from:

• family friendly ‘NightRide Minis’ route is a flat six mile ride along the island’s west coast setting out just before sunset.
• A 10 mile Sunset Cruise to Pleinmont and return to Vazon;
• A 20 mile circular Twilight Tootle,
• A 40 mile Roaring 40
• A 60 mile Nocturnalist route.

Continue reading

Volunteer for Guernsey beach clean on 19 and 20 September 2015

September 17th, 2015 by Vanessa

The annual Marine Conservation Society beach clean weekend occurs this year on the 19 and 20 September.

Guernsey volunteers will pick-up litter from Saints Bay from 2 to 3 p.m. on Saturday 19 September and from Rocquaine Bay from 2 to 3 p.m. on Sunday 20 September 2015.

A volunteer beach clean is also being organised for Fermain Bay on Sunday 20 September.

Please download the PDF file to your computer for details.

click image to expand

Litter accumulates on Guernsey beaches from two principal sources.

Marine borne litter washes up on the Guernsey shore from the shipping industry, the fishing industry, and run-off from land, and litter is also added to our beaches by a few careless people visiting the shore.

Guernsey Community Awards are at St James on 4 November 2015

September 4th, 2015 by Guernsey Community Foundation

The Guernsey Community Awards will be on 4 November 2015

The Guernsey Community Foundation’s annual Community Awards return to St James Concert and Assembly Hall on Wednesday 4 November 2015.

The Community Awards celebrate the local charities, organisations, groups, individuals and businesses who work tirelessly to raise money and embark on community projects for the benefit of others, across the Bailiwick of Guernsey and further afield.

The event is hosted by the Guernsey Community Foundation along with principle sponsor State Street Global Services.

Achievements are recognised across seven categories: Continue reading