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UTILITY WEEK | 11TH - 17TH DECEMBER 2015 | 5 How much CO2 do we emit anyway? To illustrate the scale of the climate challenge, PwC has installed a 1 tonne CO2 bubble at its More London office. The bubble is the actual volume of 1 tonne of CO2 at atmospheric pressure, which is the equivalent to the amount produced by driving a petrol or diesel car for 3,400 miles. Jonathan Grant, PwC's sustainability and climate change director, said that for many it is difficult to grasp just how big the CO2 challenge is. "It is vital to remember that here in the UK we emit over 1.4 million of these each day and our aim is to cut this by around 80 per cent by 2050." New pier ahead of supersewer construction Tideway has started work on a new pier at Blackfriars Bridge to allow continued use of river transport during construction of the Thames Tideway Tunnel. In preparation for construction of the 25km supersewer, the company has positioned a barge supporting a crane near Blackfriars Bridge to allow work to start on the new pier. The pier, due to come into use later next year, will allow users of the river bus service to continue using it while the Thames Tideway Tunnel is built. Tideway central project delivery manager Andy Alder said: "Getting the barge into place was no mean feat. The 20-metre-wide barge had to be carefully threaded under seven bridges and through the traffic on one of the busiest working rivers in the world. "Alongside the man-made challenges, the crane also needed perfect tidal water levels and good weather. This crane will let us prepare the Blackfriars site for our vital work to upgrade London's sewerage system. "This work is taking place directly next to one of Sir Joseph Bazalgette's famous interceptor sewers in the embankment, which is fitting." During construction Tideway is aiming to transport 90 per cent of the spoil from the main tunnel by river, drastically cutting down on the number of lorry trips that would otherwise be needed. WATER As COP21 talks draw to a close and countries prepare to implement their commitments in 2016 and beyond, major energy companies have called for a framework for encourag- ing global carbon pricing. According to the Financial Times, Gerard Mestrallet, chief executive of the world's largest electricity producer Engie, said: "A global agreement in Paris to limit global warming must be built on a carbon price, building a framework for a global market." BG Group has also been calling for the de- velopment of external carbon pricing systems. "Market-based carbon solutions are the most effective as they reward the lowest emission fuels, and can work on a large scale," said the group's chief executive, Helge Lund. "Govern- ments will not have to pick winners in terms of energy technologies, as the market will dictate the most efficient solutions." Carbon pricing and markets Forty countries and 20 regions have adopted or are planning to adopt carbon pricing mechanisms. Emission trading scheme implemented or scheduled for implementation Carbon tax implemented or scheduled for implementation Emission trading scheme or carbon tax under consideration Carbon tax implemented or scheduled, emission trading scheme under consideration Emission trading scheme and carbon tax implemented or scheduled