Recently, the Goldman Sachs company has launched a new study program called the Goldman Sachs Alternative Energy Investing Group. The group is responsible for creating solutions to energy usage for companies in use of renewable natural resources and its products. Their objective regards batteries grid services biomass and bio-gas (waste-water treatment, landfill gas), geothermal alternative fuels and vehicles (liquefied natural gas, compressed natural gas, ethanol, advanced biofuels, electric vehicles etc.), energy efficiency unconventional oil & gas and related products (e.g. natural gas liquids, liquefied natural gas, etc.), and coal emissions reducers("ALTERNATIVE ENERGY INVESTING GROUP", 2017). Their model is based off of sheer risk analysis and the financing solution best fitted for a single business.
Another group that specializes in energy is Guangzhou Dongsong Energy Group Co., Ltd, a company based in China that permeates the ethics of cost-efficiency throughout their entire practice. Their prime market is in manufacturing fertilizers. The company recently launched a project to develop phosphates deposits at Sukulu into fertilizers as well as produce iron and steel from the magnetite deposits there. Not only that, but they intended to produce sulphuric acid and power. The acquisition of an exploration license was a plane of friction. The country in which they decided to experiment and produce in (Uganda) had already prevented the entrance of a similar company from doing a similar project. Ultimately, the Sukulu Phosphates Comprehensive Industrial Development project is expected to start large-scale production of phosphates fertilizers, steel products as well as sulfuric acid by 2018 ("Madhvani's Phosphates Plans", 2016). The lease is operational for 21 years from the date of the grant. The company is expected "to affect technology transfers…[as]…it should make deliberate efforts to contribute to society, through corporate social responsibility ("Guangzhou Dongsong Energy Group", 2017). Virtually none of the vernacular contains regard to the effect or potential over-farmed land that could be the nation. The prime concern is the final product and not the potential costs in may have on the environment.
The objective of WEC Energy Group is included in the aforementioned trend. Their objectives on their website regard all sorts of marketing, brand identity, and consumer advocacy strategy ("Our Values", 2016). There is no immediate mention of economic importance.
This is indubitably a factor of the industrial world's own performance as business drives most functions of the world today. If the objective is truly to make a more green environment, then there must rhetoric pertaining to such. There must be a clear indication of motive within verbal speech as it can consciously and subconsciously direct people into more earth-attuned behavior.
There have been seemingly conscious efforts and restrictions from the government.
By 2020, the EU aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20%, increase the share of renewable energy to at least 20% of consumption, and achieve energy savings of 20% or more. All EU countries must also achieve a 10% share of renewable energy in their transport sector ("European Union's '20-20-20'", 2017). This means a wave of channel both social and economics practices in order to make this big leap. A way to incorporate that desire and implement it is by understanding and re educating many on the matter. Harvard Business Review, advocates for the replenishing of waste in the economy by industrial conservation. Their message revolves around shifting perspective and creating a space with eco-friendly rhetoric and consequently practice.
This includes Michigan's approach for extending the state's 1% annual energy savings requirement for utilities through 2021, improving both the Energy Efficiency Resource Standard (EERS) and the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS). The move towards making energy and its emissions positive externality is, as many perceive, a way to optimize energy use (Kushler, 2016).
"As is evident from the above figure, improved technology can greatly reduce the air pollution effects of coal-fired power plants. This technology is also not very expensive, but will only be implemented when the population becomes sufficiently affluent that effects such as cleaner air are valued above very cheap and reliable power….[meaning] levelized capital costs can reduce the externality to only 0.5-0.8 €cent/kWh through a 99% reduction in SOx emissions and a 75% reduction in NOx emissions" (Cloete, 2013).
The overall political tone of the nation has the potential to move in various directions. A strong impact is needed in either direction to determine was side of the totem pole/curve the world will be in.
Rhetoric may change the trajectory. The aim and direction of environmental practices can be catalyzed by word usage. And while the ending fate is still murky to foreshadow, nnly the future transformations of the earth will tell.
New Report: The All-of-the-Above Energy Strategy as a Path to Sustainable Economic Growth.