Carbon and Environmental Options (Pty) Ltd (C&EO [Pty] Ltd) is a black economic empowerment (BEE) company based in South Africa that focuses on sustainable development through the use of renewable energy technologies.
C&EO (Pty) Ltd is founded on outstanding scientific innovation and expertise combined with the creativity and initiative needed to align South Africa’s intended socio–economic framework with reality. C&EO (Pty) Ltd aims to provide proudly South African frameworks and strategies that are both sustainable and environmentally responsible for the betterment of South African society, and ultimately, the African continent.
World wide there is a growing trend towards environmental consciousness with an emphasis on applying technologies to the challenges of dwindling natural resources. Governments and major industries around the globe are now fast–tracking available and future renewable energy alternatives in an effort to find the correct balance between the needs of our societies and the needs of our global environment.
Internationally the short–sighted policies of leaders past are fast being replaced by smarter strategies that are collaborative and transparent in nature. On the local front, C&EO (Pty) Ltd – in conjunction with government and industry – is leading the way forward.
The Kyoto Protocol and the Clean Development Mechanism
One such forward–thinking initiative is the Kyoto Protocol – an agreement made under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Countries that ratify this protocol commit to reduce their emissions of carbon dioxide and five other greenhouse gases (GHG), or engage in emissions trading if they maintain or increase emissions of these gases.
South Africa stands to gain tremendously from this agreement as the Kyoto Protocol includes "flexible mechanisms" which allow certain developed economies to meet their GHG targets by purchasing GHG emission reductions from other countries. These can be bought either from financial exchanges (from the sale of Certified Emissions Reductions) or from projects which reduce emissions in specified economies under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).
South Africa has not yet taken advantage of the possible socio–economic developments that the agreement has created. C&EO (Pty) Ltd has the skills and capability needed to fully realize these opportunities. With our network of scientists, engineers and financial experts (which includes a CER Hub in the Netherlands), C&EO (Pty) Ltd is intent on developing local initiatives that will be recognized by the Kyoto Protocol as CDM projects.
