Friday, November 30, 2012

One Bin for Everything?

Z_punkt GmbH

The Future of UK Waste in Four Quantified Scenarios

 

COLOGNE, GERMANY--(Marketwire - November 30, 2012) - Brits want to know exactly who will be producing waste in the future and how much, where it should go and what to do about it. The report Scenario-Building for Future Waste Policy produced by Z_punkt The Foresight Company on behalf of Defra, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, provides some answers. The report has now been published, and describes, in four visions of the future and quantified scenarios, how the UK can react to the growing mountains of waste.

 

If one were to predict what the situation will be like by 2030 based on current trends, then, in around 20 years' time, the UK will be sitting on sixteen per cent more waste than today. What strategic decisions have to be taken in terms of waste policy to improve this trend? What negative trends should be avoided? With the aid of extensive comparison calculations on waste arising, the report shows what timely steps need to be taken, and, in doing so, summarises the results of a future-orientated process that brought together key experts on the subject. The results are meant to provide input for a review of UK waste policy and guidance for long-term waste policymaking. Scenarios help to reflect systematically on possible future challenges, and, as such, support long-term orientated policy measures. As Cornelia Daheim, Managing Director of Z_punkt, explained, "An interesting methodological novelty, here, is the integration of numbers and narratives. The scenarios tell stories in the form of consistent visions of the future conceived on the basis of a process involving experts, but are, at the same time, very specific due to the integrated quantitative analysis." Ms Daheim went on to stress that such an approach "meets the growing need on the part of decision-makers for key figures in scenario processes."

 

Let's take the good future first. We are looking ahead to 2030, and the UK has achieved a radical turnaround in terms of sustainability. Society, industry and policymakers are all pulling together. By 2030, total waste arisings in the Sustainability Turn scenario will only increase by six per cent to 208 megatonnes. Waste is a thing of the past. Products are recycled, reused, composted or exchanged instead of being purchased new. The Government has passed strict laws for the prevention of waste and to protect the environment. In this green future, even more waste could be avoided, but as homeowners are having their houses converted to make them more eco-friendly, an above-average amount of building rubble is accumulating.

 

And now we have the less desirable future. It's 2030 -- and waste is everywhere, but not on people's minds. Recycling rates are low, manufacturing processes are inefficient and consumers give little thought to what they are buying. The UK has a problem. In the Unlimited Wastefulness scenario, the country has still not managed, after twenty years, to react adequately to the huge increase in waste production. What led to this trend? There was a long period of stagnation after the economic crisis in 2011. To boost the economy, the Government relaxed waste regulations. This was a success, but increased levels of consumption from 2020 onwards have led to mountains of waste that are growing massively. Now, the lack of investment in new recycling technologies is taking its toll. Waste treatment capacities are more than exhausted. With an estimated 239 megatonnes of waste arisings, which is twenty-one per cent more than today, this scenario represents by far the worst vision of the future.

 

In the third scenario, dealing with waste has never been easier for consumers, as everything goes into one bin. In 2030, highly-developed processes ensure quick and clear disposal of waste. Everywhere, small, regional high-tech recycling facilities pre-sort the waste, and high quality materials are efficiently recycled. Industry has strict guidelines as to which and how many materials it may use in production. What led to this High-Tech Approach? From 2012 onwards, there has been increasing resistance by the public and businesses to multiple bin collection, where waste has to be pre-sorted by hand. Politicians react to the public pressure and set the course for large investments in recycling technologies. Skyrocketing energy and commodity prices from 2020 support this trend. Nevertheless, the estimated waste arisings also increase by sixteen percent (e.g. due to the lack of reorientation towards waste avoidance) -- as is also the case in the fourth scenario, the Reference Scenario, which assumes that current trends will continue in the future. Despite the increase in recycling rates and landfill taxes, everything is still very much the same. A rethink in terms of food waste does, however, have a positive impact, meaning that food rarely ends up being thrown away.

 

The report is underpinned by comprehensive numerical estimates of waste arisings, differentiated according to type and processing.

 

Download the report: http://www.z-punkt.de/futureofwaste.html

 

Please send interview requests and sample copies of your article to: communication@z-punkt.de

 

Background: http://tinyurl.com/d6fvqek

 

Information on quantified scenarios:
 
http://www.z-punkt.de/quantified_scenarios.html

 

Link to the current Z_punkt newsletter: http://www.z-punkt.de/newsletter-en.html

 

Contact Information

Z_punkt GmbH
The Foresight Company
Anna-Schneider-Steig 2
D-50678 Köln

Tel. +49 221 355 534 0
Fax +49 221 355 534 22
www.z-punkt.de

Press Contact:
Silke Loh
Corporate Communications
+49 221 355 534 25
communication@z-punkt.de

 

© 2012 Marketwire, Incorporated. All rights reserved.

New Holland Agriculture Gold Sponsor of Sustainable Innovation Forum Alongside COP18

CNH

LUGANO, SWITZERLAND--(Marketwire - November 30, 2012) - New Holland Agriculture announced its support of the Sustainable Innovation Forum as Gold Sponsor and its participation in one of the event's three plenary panel sessions. Hosted by Climate Action in partnership with UNEP alongside the Doha 2012 Climate Change Conference (COP18), the Sustainable Innovation Forum will bring together over 500 senior figures from business, governments and NGOs on 6 December to discuss how to mobilize public-private partnerships, the challenges of sustainable urbanization with an ever-increasing population, and the latest advances in technology and innovation. 

Gaurav Sood, Head of Crop Solutions at New Holland Fiat India, will take part as a panelist in the Third Plenary panel session Technology and Innovation: accelerating the green economy, which will focus on the latest breakthroughs in green technologies and innovations being developed by business and industry. He will bring to the discussion more than 20 years of experience in the agriculture industry, his ability to evaluate agricultural trends and assess appropriate farming technologies and equipment, and his expertise in biomass collection systems.

"Climate change represents one of the greatest challenges of our age," commented Franco Fusignani, New Holland Agriculture Brand Leader, "but it can also be seen as an opportunity to catalyze a transition to a low-carbon, resource efficient, sustainable agriculture."

New Holland's commitment to the environment has led to its pioneering Clean Energy Leader strategy, which was launched in 2006 to look for practical and accessible ways to reconcile the needs of the agricultural industry with increasingly urgent calls for action to protect the environment. This strategy has led to heavy investment in its own low emissions engine technology together with its sister, powertrain manufacturer FPT Industrial; as a result, New Holland today offers the widest range of Tier 4A compliant products in the industry with 33 tractors and 18 harvesters. It has also led to New Holland's involvement in the biomass industry in Europe, North America, Brazil and India, where it works with industry-leading biomass operations.

New Holland Agriculture's participation in this important Forum is testament to its commitment to supporting local farming communities through a smooth transition to sustainable development while protecting natural resources for future generations. New Holland has been working in agricultural projects around the world to ease countries' transitions to sustainable mechanized farming, integrating innovation and good practices to provide efficient solutions that optimize the use of resources and increase productivity while cutting costs, fuel consumption and emissions.

The correct use of the appropriate machinery is key in making the most of scarce resources, and New Holland has the widest product offering in the industry, supported by a global manufacturing and R&D network in order to tailor its machines - from basic specification, easy to maintain machines, to the most advanced, high productivity technologies - to the different conditions around the world. One of these is the TD5 tractor on display at the venue: shown for the first time in the Middle East, this simple-to-maintain tractor delivers a powerful and versatile performance combined with very low emissions and exceptional fuel efficiency.

Mechanization, combined with the appropriate farming techniques, can make a huge difference in obtaining the most from scarce resources, optimizing the use of land, water and fertilizer. New Holland has the expertise to help farmers adopt the most efficient farming practices for their local conditions and the capability to bring in experts in complementary specialties, such as irrigation and cultivation techniques. Skilled operators and service technicians are also critical to a successful transition to mechanization, which is why New Holland Agriculture views training as essential when supplying agricultural equipment.

"Sustainable mechanized farming is not just good for the environment," added Franco Fusignani, "it makes sense business-wise. When agriculture is approached with a long term vision of sustainable growth that aims to protect from the damaging effects of inappropriate agricultural practices, such a healthy agriculture is good for our business, good for the environment, and good for the local community. It uses natural resources efficiently, contributing to their preservation, is cost effective and productive, and it opens opportunities for further development."

Note to the Editor

Climate Action
The Climate Action Programme is a global communications platform run in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Through a leading publication (now its sixth year) and via an acclaimed forum and exhibition, Climate Action highlights the government policies and business solutions that are needed to become resilient to, and take advantage of, a changing climate.

United Nations Environment Programme - UNEP
Founded in 1972, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the UN's voice for the environment and coordinate of all its environmental activities. It aims to assist countries in implementing environmentally sound policies and to encourage sustainable economic development through sound environmental practice. UNEP provides environmental leadership on dealing with climate change to the rest of the UN system, international organisations, national governments, civil society and the private sector. It provides guidance and advice to governments on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preparing for the consequences of climate change.

The 18th United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 18)
The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the governing body of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and is responsible for keeping international efforts to address climate change on track. The COP 16 meeting in Cancun, Mexico resulted in the Cancun Agreement, ultimately extending the Copenhagen Accord. The Parties adopted a balanced package of decisions that set governments more firmly on the path towards a low-emissions future and supported enhanced action on climate change in the developing world. The COP 17 meeting held in Durban, South Africa, in 2011 delivered a breakthrough on the international community's response to climate change, setting the stage for this year's COP18 meeting. In the second largest meeting of its kind, the negotiations advanced, in a balanced fashion, the implementation of the Convention and the Kyoto Protocol, the Bali Action Plan, and the Cancun Agreements. The outcomes included a decision by Parties to adopt a universal legal agreement on climate change as soon as possible, and no later than 2015.

New Holland Agriculture - New Holland Agriculture is a global manufacturer and seller of agricultural equipment. Its reputation is built on the success of its customers, cash crop producers, livestock farmers, contractors, vineyards, or groundscare professionals, who can count on the widest offering of innovative products and services: a full line of equipment, from tractors to harvesting, material handling equipment, complemented by tailored financial services from a specialist in agriculture. A highly professional global dealer network and New Holland's commitment to excellence guarantee the ultimate customer experience for every customer. More information can be found online at www.newholland.com. New Holland is a division of CNH Global N.V. (NYSE: CNH), a majority-owned subsidiary of Fiat Industrial S.p.A (FI.MI).

 

Contact Information

For info and photos,
CNH International press office:
e-mail:
international.media@cnh.com
phone: +39 011 0086346

 

© 2012 Marketwire, Incorporated. All rights reserved.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Brookfield Signs Exclusive Distribution Agreement With Samsung Securities in Korea

NEW YORK, NEW YORK--(Marketwire - November 28, 2012) - Brookfield Asset Management Inc. (TSX:BAM.A)(NYSE:BAM)(EURONEXT:BAMA) today announced that it has entered into an exclusive agreement with Samsung Securities Co. Ltd. to distribute certain of Brookfield''s real asset investment strategies to investors in Korea.

Brookfield is a leading global alternative asset manager with more than $150 billion of assets. The company''s institutional clients include many of the world''s largest and most sophisticated sovereign wealth funds, pension plans, financial institutions, endowments, foundations and family offices. Currently, approximately 20% of Brookfield''s client capital commitments come from Australia and Asia investors. Brookfield aims to expand its client base in Korea by partnering with Samsung, a pre-eminent investment house with strong institutional investor relationships and a proven ability to raise capital on behalf of clients.

"Brookfield has established an excellent reputation for managing best-in-class property and infrastructure investment products," said Leo van den Thillart, managing partner of Brookfield''s private funds group. "We are pleased that Samsung will represent us as we offer our investment services to Korean investors seeking superior risk-adjusted returns from real assets."

Samsung Securities is a leading Korean financial investment company, providing a wide range of financial services from brokerage, wealth management and investment advisory services to corporate finance and trading. According to Samsung officials, "Expected returns and cash flows for alternative investments will vary, depending on strategies. Each institutional investor has their own unique risk profile, so it is very important to choose the right asset mix and investment strategy. We are confident that we can provide portfolio management solutions to institutional investors." 

Brookfield Asset Management Inc. is a global alternative asset manager with over $150 billion in assets under management. The company has over a 100-year history of owning and operating assets with a focus on property, renewable power, infrastructure and private equity. It has a range of public and private investment products and services, which leverage its expertise and experience and provide Brookfield with a competitive advantage in the markets where it operates. Brookfield is co-listed on the New York and Toronto Stock Exchanges under the symbol BAM and BAM.A, respectively, and on NYSE Euronext under the symbol BAMA. For more information, please visit our website at www.brookfield.com.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND INFORMATION

This press releasecontains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian provincial securities laws and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, "safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and in any applicable Canadian securities regulations. Forward-looking statements include statements that are predictive in nature, depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, include statements regarding the operations, business, financial condition, expected financial results, performance, prospects, opportunities, priorities, targets, goals, ongoing objectives, strategies and outlook of Brookfield and its subsidiaries, as well as the outlook for North American and international economies for the current fiscal year and subsequent periods, and include words such as "aims" or negative versions thereof and other similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as "may," "will," "should," "would" and "could".

Although we believe that our anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements and information are based upon reasonable assumptions and expectations, the reader should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond our control, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Brookfield to differ materially from anticipated future results, performance or achievement expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and information.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated or implied by forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: the impact or unanticipated impact of general economic, political and market factors in the countries in which we do business; the behavior of financial markets, including fluctuations in interest and foreign exchanges rate; global equity and capital markets and the availability of equity and debt financing and refinancing within these markets; strategic actions including dispositions; the ability to complete and effectively integrate acquisitions into existing operations and the ability to attain expected benefits; changes in accounting policies and methods used to report financial condition (including uncertainties associated with critical accounting assumptions and estimates); the effect of applying future accounting changes; business competition; operational and reputational risks; technological change; changes in government regulation and legislation within the countries in which we operate; changes in tax laws, catastrophic events, such as earthquakes and hurricanes; the possible impact of international conflicts and other developments including terrorist acts; and other risks and factors detailed from time to time in our documents filed with the securities regulators in Canada and the United States.

We caution that the foregoing list of important factors that may affect future results is not exhaustive. When relying on our forward-looking statements, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Except as required by law, Brookfield undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether written or oral, that may be as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.


Brookfield Asset Management Inc.
Andrew Willis
SVP, Communications and Media
(416) 369-8236
(416) 363-2856
andrew.willis@brookfield.com
Brookfield Asset Management Inc.
Katherine Vyse
SVP, Investor Relations
(416) 369-8246
(416) 363-2856
kvyse@brookfield.com
www.brookfield.com

 

 

© 2012 Marketwire, Incorporated. All rights reserved.

DameWare Introduces an SSH Client for Windows Free Tool With Features That Rival Costly Alternatives

SolarWinds

New Tool Is the Only Free SSH Client for Windows With Multi-Session Tabbed Interface, Multiple Credentials Management and Saved Sessions in Single Console

AUSTIN, TX--(Marketwire - November 28, 2012) - SolarWinds (NYSE: SWI), a leading provider of powerful and affordable IT management software, today announced the launch of the DameWare SSH Client for Windows free tool, the first free tool offered by the DameWare suite of remote support solutions and the latest to join more than 25 free tools from SolarWinds' comprehensive IT management product family.

The DameWare SSH Client for Windows free tool lets the IT professional remotely access servers and other devices with command line interfaces (CLI) using Secure Shell (SSH). Most importantly, the free tool provides tabs for enhanced administration, allowing the IT pro to manage multiple concurrent sessions from a single open console.

"The DameWare free tool is the simplest solution to a common remote IT management issue and it offers multi-tab visibility, which few other free SSH clients do," said Denny LeCompte, VP of Products, SolarWinds. "IT pros spend a lot of time on the command line, and with the DameWare free tool, they can save time by managing multiple sessions at once."

DameWare SSH Client for Windows Free Tool Highlights:

  • View multiple SSH connections in a single open console to manage multiple concurrent sessions
  • Access devices including servers, routers, and switches with CLIs
  • Troubleshoot remote machines
  • Save and manage multiple sets of credentials
  • Use SSH versions one and two and telnet to connect to devices and computers
  • Employ "favorites" saving feature to relaunch commonly used connections

IT pros looking for a more robust remote IT support solution can find extended capabilities in DameWare Remote Support, which allows them remote access to Windows, Mac and Linux operating systems for comprehensive troubleshooting and end-user support. Similarly, DameWare Mini Remote Control allows seamless remote control of remote desktops, laptops and servers and even allows "on-the-fly" agent deployment and connection to unattended computers.

Pricing and Availability

DameWare SSH Client for Windows is free. Pricing for DameWare Remote Support starts at $349 and pricing for DameWare Mini Remote Control starts at $99. Both include the first year of maintenance. For more information on DameWare products or to download a free 14-day evaluation, visit the DameWare website or call 866.530.8100.

Additional Resources:

About SolarWinds
SolarWinds (NYSE: SWI) provides powerful and affordable IT management software to customers worldwide from Fortune 500 enterprises to small businesses. In all of our market areas, our approach is consistent. We focus exclusively on IT Pros and strive to eliminate the complexity that they have been forced to accept from traditional enterprise software vendors. SolarWinds delivers on this commitment with unexpected simplicity through products that are easy to find, buy, use and maintain while providing the power to address any IT management problem on any scale. Our solutions are rooted in our deep connection to our user base, which interacts in our online community, thwack, to solve problems, share technology and best practices, and directly participate in our product development process. Learn more today at http://www.solarwinds.com.

SolarWinds, SolarWinds.com and thwack are registered trademarks of SolarWinds. All other company and product names mentioned are used only for identification purposes and may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

 

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Grace Pai-Leonard
Text100
Phone: 212.871.5194
grace.pai@text100.com 

Tiffany Nels
SolarWinds
Phone: 512.682.9545
pr@solarwinds.com

 

 

© 2012 Marketwire, Incorporated. All rights reserved.

Americas Petrogas Announces Shale Oil Discovery-- LTE.x-1 Well on Los Toldos II Block

Americas Petrogas Inc.

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - November 28, 2012) - Americas Petrogas (TSX VENTURE:BOE) ("Americas Petrogas" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on its Los Toldos Este well, LTE.x-1, a vertical well that was drilled on the Los Toldos II block. The Los Toldos Este well, LTE.x-1, which completed drilling earlier in 2012, intersected the VacaMuerta formation (thickness 343 metres) as expected. The well was hydraulically stimulated with five stages in the VacaMuerta formation in September. The initial flow rate of the VacaMuerta formation, after the clean-up flow back, at depths between 2,795 to 3,065 metres was 797 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd) of which 694 barrels of oil per day (bopd) was high quality light sweet oil, 39.6 degrees API. The average flow rate for the initial 30 days was 309 boepd, of which there was 254 bopd. Two production flow tests were also conducted to determine the productivity of the perforated intervals. This, in addition to core and other studies, will help the broad evaluation of the future productivity and the potential of the well and the reservoir. Currently the well is shut-in for a pressure build-up test.

Mr. Barclay Hambrook, President and CEO of Americas Petrogas said, "We are excited about these initial test results of the VacaMuerta in the LTE.x-1 vertical well. These results reinforce our belief in the potential for the Los Toldos II block."

Americas Petrogas is the Operator of the Los Toldos blocks and holds a 45% working. ExxonMobil also owns a 45% working interest with the remainder held by Gas y PetroleodelNeuquen.

 

About Americas Petrogas Inc.

Americas Petrogas Inc. is a Canadian company whose shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "BOE". Americas Petrogas has conventional and unconventional (shale and tight sands) oil and gas interests in numerous blocks in the Neuquen Basin of Argentina. Americas Petrogas has joint venture partners, including ExxonMobil, Apache and Gran Tierra Energy, on various blocks in Argentina. For more information about Americas Petrogas, please visit www.americaspetrogas.com.

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" as such term is used in applicable Canadian and US securities laws. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or are not statements of historical fact and should be viewed as "forward-looking statements". These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based upon forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management. Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

In particular, statements (express or implied) regarding the ability of the Company to continue to test the LTE.x-1 well and/or to commercially produce or sell oil, gas or other hydrocarbons from the LTE.x-1 well (or any one of the formations contained therein), including the timing of such activities, should all be viewed as forward looking statements. The presence of hydrocarbon shows is not necessarily indicative that hydrocarbons are capable of being successfully produced in commercial quantities. There is no assurance reserves will be assigned to such hydrocarbon bearing formations. There is no assurance that future wells will be drilled on the Los Toldos blocks or that if drilled, such wells will be successful.

There can be no assurance that such forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could vary or differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements contained in this press release. The forward-looking statements contained herein are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

Forward-looking statements are made based on management''s beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date the statements are made and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements, if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by applicable law.

Any references in this press release to test rates, flow rates, initial test or production rates, and/or early production rates are useful in confirming the presence of hydrocarbons; however, such rates are not necessarily indicative of long-term performance or of ultimate recovery. Such rates may also include recovered "frac" fluids used in well completion stimulation. Readers are cautioned not to place reliance on such rates in calculating the aggregate production for the Company.

Where applicable, natural gas has been converted to barrels of oil equivalent ("BOE") based on 6 Mcf:1 BOE. The BOE rate is based on an energy equivalent conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalent at the wellhead. Use of BOE in isolation may be misleading.

 

Contact Information

Americas Petrogas Inc.
Barclay Hambrook, P. Eng., MBA
President and CEO
(403) 685-1888
inquiries@americaspetrogas.com
www.americaspetrogas.com



© 2012 Marketwire, Incorporated. All rights reserved.