Hi Global Market for U.S. Indoor Air Quality to Reach $11.4 Billion by 2019!.

Hi Global Market for U.S. Indoor Air Quality to Reach $11.4 Billion by 2019!.

BCC Research reveals in its new report, U.S. Indoor Air Quality Market, the U.S. indoor air quality (IAQ) market is expected to grow to $11.4 billion by 2019, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7 percent over the next five years. The equipment segment market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 7.4 percent.

Since 2012, continuing media attention focused on the health effects of toxic mold, the outbreak of infectious diseases (such as bird flu), and the increase in chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma have resulted in a new interest in IAQ in homes, commercial buildings, schools and hospitals.

There is a distinct equipment market within the industry that includes products such as air-cleaning equipment, HVAC equipment, HVAC replacement filters and IAQ instrumentation. This market, which was valued at $3.9 billion in 2013, is predicted to reach nearly $4.1 billion in 2014 and $5.8 billion in 2019, with a projected CAGR of 7.4 percent.

Although the commercial segment was the largest market for IAQ equipment and services in 2013, the residential sector is projected to move into the top position by 2019, with 29 percent of the market, followed by commercial buildings (28 percent), healthcare (16 percent) and schools (14 percent).

“The U.S. economy has continued to recover from the 2008–2009 recession, boosting the market for IAQ equipment and services,” says BCC Research environment analyst, Andrew McWilliams. “The IAQ market is important because health problems such as building-related illness and sick-building syndrome, as well as other ailments associated with poor IAQ in homes, offices and schools, are on the rise in the U.S.”

U.S. INDOOR AIR QUALITY MARKET determines the size of the overall IAQ market and its subcategories, such as IAQ equipment and technologies, consulting services and environmental services.

Hi Artificial Cooling Tricky Topic for Climate Panel!.

Hi Artificial Cooling Tricky Topic for Climate Panel!.

BERLIN (AP) -- It's Plan B in the fight against climate change: cooling the planet by sucking heat-trapping CO2 from the air or reflecting sunlight back into space.

Called geoengineering, it's considered mad science by opponents.

Supporters say it would be foolish to ignore it, since plan A - slashing carbon emissions from fossil fuels - is moving so slowly.

The U.N.'s expert panel on climate change is under pressure from both sides this week as it considers whether geoengineering should be part of the tool-kit that governments use to keep global warming in check.

Russia, in particular, has been pushing the panel to place more emphasis on such techniques in a key document for policymakers being finalized in Berlin this week.

Drafts leaked before the conference only mentioned one of the options, removing CO2 from the air and storing it underground. Russia, a major oil and gas producer, said the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change should also mention solar radiation management, which could include everything from covering open surfaces with reflective materials or placing sun-mirrors in orbit around the Earth.

'It is expedient to give a short description of the approach and mention the major 'pro and contra',' Russia said in comments submitted to the IPCC and seen by The Associated Press.

But even advocates of studying geoengineering express doubts.

'Really at the present moment there is a high level of uncertainty surrounding all of these options,' said Steve Rayner, co-director of Oxford University's geoengineering program. Still, he said it's worth continuing to research geoengineering 'to get a better sense of whether there's any merit in pursuing these technologies further.'

After discussions among governments and scientists, a mention of geoengineering was added last year to the first of four summaries of the IPCC's authoritative assessment on climate change. They are now working on the third one, which deals specifically with fighting climate change.

The document is important because it will be used as scientific guidance for governments as they negotiate a new global climate pact, set to be adopted in 2015.

Some environmental activists watching the talks in Berlin want the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to scratch references to geoengineering altogether. They worry that such technologies would be ineffective, possibly harmful and delay efforts to shift the world's energy system from oil and coal to low-carbon energy sources like wind and solar power.

'It seems like a dangerous gamble to hold up this technology that may not work,' said Jim Thomas, of the Canada-based ETC Group.

However, the IPCC's draft document says that unless emissions are cut much faster than currently projected, measures to scrub CO2 from the air will be have to be deployed to avoid potentially dangerous levels of warming.

The problem is those technologies don't exist yet or are in an experimental stage. 

- "No one knows whether they will be successful."

Ideas include spraying clouds with seawater to make them more reflective or pumping aerosols into the air to mimic the cooling effect from major volcanic eruptions.

Each is associated with unknown risks, including potentially shifting weather patterns or damaging the ozone layer that protects the Earth from ultraviolet sunrays.

One technology that is currently being tested at a small scale is called 'bioenergy with carbon capture and storage,' or BECCS. 

The idea is to grow crops that absorb CO2 from the atmosphere then burn them in a power station to generate energy. 

The resulting CO2 emissions are captured at the plant and then stored deep underground. The net effect of that process is that CO2 is removed from the air.

In a scientific report underlying the summary for policy-makers being discussed in Berlin and obtained by AP, the IPCC notes that BECCS could play a key role in curbing the buildup of CO2 in the atmosphere, which scientists say is the main reason for global warming. 

However, it would have to be deployed at a large scale, which would require major investments. 

There could also be negative impacts if food crops are replaced by bio-crops.

Right now the carbon removed through this technique is only a fraction of the 30 billion tons of CO2 emitted annually from the combustion of fossil fuels.

'BECCS faces large challenges in financing and currently no such plants have been built and tested at scale,' the IPCC says in the draft report.

UAE & Egyptian Sustainability Industry Ties & Investment Partnership

 Hi Regional Economic News Focus - Middle East & African Investors - Egypt.

Citadel Capital bullish on Egypt’s return to growth

Citadel Capital Click Here to visit company web site, a major investment company in Africa and the Middle East with $9.5 billion in investments under control, was a key participant at the Egypt GCC Investment Forum Click Here to visit organizers web site for details, a two-day event hosted by the Egyptian Ministry of Investment in partnership with the UAE and Euro money Conferences.

"President Adly Mansour"

"President Adly Mansour received Thursday in the presidential palace a delegation from the Gulf-Egyptian investment forum, currently held in Cairo under the rubric "A Strategic Partnership and Economic Integrity." The forum is held under the auspices of Egypt and the United Arab Emirates (UAE)."

Investor

The event brings together top-tier Egyptian and GCC private sector investors, financiers and leading government officials from Egypt and the GCC to discuss strategic partnerships and new investment opportunities in Egypt as the government attempts to jump-start the economy and capitalize on rising investor confidence. 

Strategic Partnerships & New investment Opportunities. 

“Egypt has always had an economy that has the capacity to absorb investments and we as a country have always been able to find the right track. Granted, there may be heartache and frustration along the way, but when all is said and done, Egypt has always done the right thing. Right now Egypt needs investments. In order to achieve a growth rate of 7 percent, we need $20-$25 billion in new investments,” said Citadel Capital Founder and Chairman Ahmed Heikal during a keynote interview at the forum.

Economic Growth

“In this context, two things are clear: We enjoy immense support from the Gulf countries not just in budget support and direct aid to the government, but from companies and countries with a genuine interest in helping Egypt build its infrastructure base. Secondly, I believe it is patently obvious that energy policy is at the root of our macro challenges today. The simple fact is that had increased the price of petroleum products by 17 piasters per annul starting in 2000, the total debt of the Egyptian government today would have been zero,” he said.

Heikal pointed out that the startling statistic underscores the necessity of adopting a much more aggressive strategy as regards energy pricing. 

New Strategic Possibilities

“People are now aware of the problem — and that’s the first part of finding a solution. But talking isn't enough: Now is the time for implementing solutions. The funding that we have received from the Gulf States has allowed us to avoid major problems, this does not however change the fact that we cannot continue to ignore the impending crisis that will occur once this funding is discontinued. Energy prices need to be liberalized gradually lest we wish to see a spike in inflation at the same time as we face rising unemployment as a result of failing enterprises. With that in mind, we need to cushion the impact of price rises through a system of direct cash subsidies to consumers,” added Heikal.

Consumer Subsidies

Asked about the concerns of GCC investors — such as the legal environment and whether or not the current regulatory framework can ensure the safety of their investments — Heikal pointed out that “despite the uncertainty and the very real problems that are delaying the completion of projects in the interim, the risk-reward relationship is still very favorable in Egypt.” 

Egypt 

Heikal added: “I think that the lack of resolution on the political front and the bureaucratic delays have without a doubt hampered Egypt’s capacity to attract new investment, but GCC investors are still finding it worthwhile to invest in Egypt. There are still excellent opportunities out there for large deals in key sectors such as energy and infrastructure that have attracted and will continue to attract large amounts of capital coming from the Gulf.” 

Egypt's Capital

A case in point is Citadel Capital’s Egyptian Refining Company (ERC), a $3.7 billion second stage oil refinery that will reduce Egypt’s present day diesel imports by more than half, generate more than $300 million in annual benefits to the state treasury, and reduce by nearly one-third the country’s present sulfur dioxide emissions. The financing package for ERC, one of the largest-ever project finance deals in Africa, was completed post revolution with an international pool of investors that included Gulf-based sovereign wealth funds. 

Oil Refinery

Asked what advice he would give to the government, Heikal noted that a shield law for government officials who are taking legitimate decisions that are discretionary in nature is a must to avoid bureaucratic inertia. 

He also added that additional institutional capacity was required. “We need to be able to attract higher calibers in the government and we also need to raise the productivity of the Egyptian economy as a whole, which means enacting policies regarding the types of investments we want to encourage bearing in mind energy, water and electricity consumption,” said Heikal. 

Outlook 

Citadel Capital also participated in two targeted sector workshops on renewable energy and hydrocarbons that featured government ministers and industry experts. Leading the discussion on hydrocarbons was Citadel Capital Managing Director for Energy Investments Mohamed Shoeib who highlighted the importance of future cooperation between the government and private sector investors in the hydrocarbons sector.

Energy

“To keep pace with projected economic growth and provide much needed energy capacity in the region Citadel Capital has invested heavily in energy as one of its five core industries. Our integrated energy investments cover the full value chain and include refining, energy distribution, power generation and alternative fuels,” said Shoeib, an industry veteran with over 30 years experience in the upstream and downstream oil and gas sector in Egypt. 

Opportunity

Khaled Abu Bakr, executive chairman of Citadel Capital’s energy distribution platform, TAQA Arabia, participated in a workshop that discussed the role of renewable energy in sustainable development and explored the policy and regulatory framework that is required in order to facilitate and encourage more investments of this nature, which will be crucial for Egypt’s energy security going forward. 

Framework

TAQA Arabia is the largest private sector energy distribution company in Egypt with over 16 years of experience, investing and operating energy infrastructure including gas transmission and distribution through its largest operational arm, TAQA Gas. As part of it’s ongoing effort to grow the energy sector in Egypt and meet increasing domestic demand, TAQA Arabia recently entered into an agreement with the Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources to connect 66,000 homes with natural gas. 

Development

The growth of Citadel Capital’s energy investment comes as the firm continues its transformation of its business model from a private equity firm to Africa’s leading investment company. Energy is one of Citadel Capital’s five core industries alongside transportation, agriculture agrifoods, mining, and cement.

Triumph

Egypt's GCC Investment Forum Further Information Links;

The Egypt/GCC Investment Forum Agenda - English  Click Here to download.

The Egypt/GCC Investment Forum Agenda - Arabic   Click Here to download.

Click Here or Image Above To Download Citadel Capital’s Annual Report 2012

Growing Investments

*The original publication referenced from was briefly edited & remains to be the main source of this publication article. The source of this article is published by Arab news & you may click here  to visit the site & view the original article source. 

Hi Top Ten predictions for Green Buildings "From Down Under":

Here are my top ten predictions for the built environment in the years to come.

1. The focus on existing buildings will intensify

In the United States, the fastest-growing rating tool in 2011 was the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings program. Closer to home, some policies – such as the Australian Government’s Commercial Building Disclosure scheme – are already encouraging owners to upgrade their existing buildings. To help the industry green its existing stock, the GBCA is developing the Green Star performance rating tool, which will assess the operational performance of existing buildings against the nine current Green Star categories. We expect this tool to revolutionise the industry.

2. Zero net energy designs will gain traction

There will be little room for buildings that aren’t carbon neutral, or energy, ecology and water positive. Many GBCA members are active in this space. The architecture and design firm Woods Bagot, with engineering consultants Buro Happold, have developed an interactive design platform that tracks the energy and carbon footprints of different building designs. It enables designers to experiment with options and start the design process with the question: ‘what can this building do for the environment?’

3. Building products and materials will become greener

The shift to green materials is being driven by life cycle assessments of materials – that is, the impact of a material from the beginning to the end of its life. An emerging trend will be more emphasis on ‘cradle-to-cradle’ thinking, where materials are purchased based on both their first and second lives. Organisations such as InterfaceFLOR, which is recognised as the world’s most sustainable carpet manufacturer, has implemented a take-back and recycling program to ensure its products have a useful ‘second life’.

4. Affordable green will be the norm

Many people associate green with higher costs – but this is changing. New business models, technologies and high-performance materials are bringing green within reach. Mr Rowan Griffin, Head of Sustainability for the property division at Colonial First, comments that there is no longer a premium for green property.

‘We have already gone to the stage where it’s the norm to be green and energy efficient, so people expect that out of premium buildings,’ he says. ‘So, it’s more a discount of those that are not energy efficient and not green.’

5. Energy sources will transform

We live in a country with more sunny days than anywhere else on the planet. Yet, we are lagging behind Asia, Europe and North America in the installation of solar photovoltaic panels. Expect this to change, as we begin to see solar, wind and photovoltaics routinely integrated into buildings and used as a building material, rather than simply being installed on top. And, many of these renewable energy sources won’t be large. Microturbines are already becoming popular in Asia, and we will see more Australian innovation in this area as we recognise the benefits of integrated small systems over one giant, geographically remote power source.

6. Building information modelling will become standard practice

Expect a more sophisticated approach to building monitoring as building information modelling (BIM) systems become more comprehensive. BIM will enable cross-disciplinary teams to share knowledge and track data of complex building projects. The project team on 1 Bligh Street in Sydney, for example, employed 3D-BIM technology during the design and construction phases. The BIM model brought together more than 30 individual discipline models, and all subconsultants were, in part, appointed on the basis of their BIM capability. The team found that 3D-BIM saved costs and construction time, and supported better building performance and control. Furthermore, the DEXUS property group – a partner in the project – believes BIM can generate efficiencies throughout the life of 1 Bligh Street, as all building data is made available to property managers.

7. Government focus on energy efficiency and overall sustainability will improve

Governments are stepping up their mandates for green buildings, for both their own buildings and the private sector. The desire to reduce carbon emissions by going green will lead more government agencies to require green buildings. New schools and hospitals will be built to the highest environmental standards as community demands and government priorities shift towards sustainability. More than 100 education projects are currently registered to achieve Green Star ratings – and this is only the tip of the iceberg.

8. Investors will demand greater action on climate change

When the GBCA first published The Dollars and Sense of Green Buildings in 2005, little attention was played to the role of investors. Two years later, our revised version tracked an overwhelming change in attitude. Today, the Investor Group on Climate Change warns that investors are monitoring the approach of companies on climate change and carbon pricing, including what they say in the public realm. In fact, 75 per cent of investment fund managers believe organisations need to integrate climate change issues into business strategies and set policy commitments on climate change, while 57 per cent of super funds believe companies need to improve their reporting and disclosure on climate change risks.

9. Blue is the new green

It’s not all about energy. Building designers and managers are taking steps to reduce water consumption through the use of water-saving fixtures, rainwater recovery systems and innovative water technologies. Lot 12 TradeCoast Central, for instance, gained a Green Star innovation point for its shared, precinct-wide nonpotable water storage and distribution system. The system reduces potable water consumption by 80 per cent – more than 10 000 litres per day – and the only potable water used within the precinct is for kitchens, showers and hand basins.

10. The demand for green communities, cities and infrastructure will grow

Beyond the building envelope, we’re already seeing the conversation shift – we are now looking at how to green our communities and cities. The penny has finally dropped: buildings are part of larger systems. We will no longer view our buildings in isolation, but as interconnected pieces of a larger community. When released mid-year, the Green Star Communities rating tool will be Australia’s first independent, transparent, national scheme able to assess and certify the sustainability of community-level projects. The tool will usher in a new era of sustainable development: one that looks beyond environmental efficiencies in the built environment to how we build liveable, sustainable communities.

Romilly Madew is the Chief Executive of the Green Building Council of Australia.