President Tsai Ing-wen's "200,000 Social Housing Units in Eight Years" policy is expected to be achieved through leasing and management of 80,000 units and direct construction of 120,000 units. Currently, 66,000 units have been matched through leasing and management, and 74,623 units have been completed and awarded. Yesterday (the 24th), the National Housing and Urban Renewal Center, in collaboration with the Circular Taiwan Foundation, held the "Homes of Tomorrow: Introducing the Circular Economy into Social Housing Forum." Hua Jingqun, Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of the Interior and Acting Chairman of the National Housing and Urban Renewal Center, pledged to continue working with manufacturers to develop viable business models and incorporate the circular economy into social housing contracts. "The circular economy shouldn't just be an idea; it needs to be truly implemented." Circular buildings are modular, allowing for the same construction as they are demolished. The circular economy is key to net zero emissions. Zheng Changfang, Senior Sustainability Consultant at ARUP, noted that 55% of global carbon emissions come from energy, and 45% from product manufacturing and consumption. Switching from fossil fuels to renewable energy can only reduce carbon emissions by half. In addition to requiring building energy efficiency, the circular economy should also be implemented, with carbon emission intensity clearly specified in public housing bidding documents. Zheng Changfang pointed out that the core of circular architecture is "easy-to-disassemble design". Hong Kong's first modular (MiC) building, innocell, uses a one-piece modular design and is assembled by crane, which shortens the construction time by half, allowing Hong Kong's public housing to enter the modular era and facilitate the reuse of building materials. In recent years, construction prices have continued to rise. Guo Yingzhao, the chief architect of Jiudian United Architects, pointed out that the cost difference of pre-cast modularization has been eliminated and is no more expensive than traditional construction methods. However, Zheng Changfang admitted that modularization requires a larger hinterland for assembly.

To reduce the environmental impact and resource waste caused by electronic waste, the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) plans to launch an "Electronic Product Repairability Index" modeled after France's "Repairability Index System." Starting next month, the EPA will provide mobile phone and laptop manufacturers with a pilot program. The repairability index will provide consumers with fully informed information, enabling them to make sustainable purchasing decisions. The EPA held its first briefing today (26th), with participation from nearly 20 mobile phone and laptop brands, including Apple, Samsung, ASUS, and ACER. The right to repair movement is gaining momentum in Taiwan, with the EPA launching the "Repairability Index." As electronic products become increasingly difficult to repair after damage, the EPA has developed the "Guidelines for Promoting the Electronic Product Repairability Index," drawing on the French repairability index system implemented in 2021. Wang Yuebin, Executive Secretary of the EPA's Recycling Foundation Management Committee, noted that promoting the repairability index will help consumers regain their "right to repair," extend product lifespans, and foster the development of a localized repair industry, maximizing the value of resources. The EPA explained that the French Repairability Index applies to 13 electrical and electronic products, including mobile phones, laptops, and televisions, and mandates that manufacturers or importers disclose the results of their self-assessment of the Repairability Index. Furthermore, the EU also announced a draft of the Sustainable Product Ecodesign Rules (ESPR) in 2022, which will disclose repairability scores through a product digital passport system. To gradually refine the guidelines, the EPA will launch a pilot program in June, prioritizing voluntary mobile phone or laptop manufacturers.

Healthcare accounts for 4.6% of Taiwan's carbon emissions. In response to climate change, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan's largest healthcare system, and its nine affiliated campuses signed the "Hospital Sustainability Initiative" with the Taiwan Institute of Sustainable Energy (TAISE) yesterday (the 18th). The initiative pledges to strengthen hospital governance and environmental sustainability. The initiative includes establishing a dedicated sustainability unit, regularly reviewing and disclosing electricity usage and carbon emissions, striving to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, and developing relevant adaptation strategies. Chang Gung Memorial Hospital stated that it has long been committed to energy conservation and carbon reduction, setting annual energy conservation targets for each campus. Regarding renewable energy, solar water heating systems have been installed at the Kaohsiung and Tucheng campuses, and solar power generation systems are also being implemented at the Linkou Yongqing Campus, Taoyuan Campus, and Chiayi Campus, totaling 350.08 kW. Medical emissions in Taiwan account for 4.6%. Chang Gung is the fourth medical institution to sign the sustainable development initiative. Currently, all medical institutions that have signed the sustainable development initiative are Shin Kong Hospital, Taipei Medical University Hospital, and Far Eastern Memorial Hospital. However, they are all single-campus hospitals. Chang Gung Medical System is the first to sign across campuses. As the largest medical system in Taiwan, Chang Gung is led by Cheng Wenjun, chairman of the decision-making committee, and has a large lineup to demonstrate its determination to fully implement sustainable development. The presidents or vice presidents of the nine major campuses attended the signing in person yesterday. Cheng Wenjun said that medical care accounts for 4.6% of Taiwan's carbon emissions, which is higher than the global average of 4.4%. Taiwan must work harder to fight for the earth. "Chang Gung is actively playing a leading role in global carbon reduction efforts." As early as 2006, based on ISO standards

Taiwan imports 50% of its forage grass. The Baweng circular agriculture farm in Liuying, Tainan, replaces some of the original feed by processing agricultural byproducts. Pineapple peels, lemon peels, and other materials are processed into silage, replacing 30% of the feed. This is estimated to displace nearly 4,000 tons annually, equivalent to a carbon reduction of 1,976 tons. Tainan's first and largest livestock manure recycling center will also open here next year. Tainan's first livestock manure recycling center is expected to open in 2024. Tainan City has 163 dairy farms and 26,000 head of cattle, ranking third nationwide. Tainan's first and largest livestock manure recycling center is expected to open in 2024 at the Baweng dairy farm in Liuying. It will process approximately 327 tons of manure wastewater daily and generate 900,000 kilowatt-hours of biogas annually. A second phase of the project will be completed to treat manure from 53 livestock farms in the area. Liuying Baweng is the largest dairy farming area in Tainan City, raising nearly 9,000 cattle, accounting for nearly 30% of the city's total. In order to promote the net zero recycling policy and reuse agricultural surplus resources, the Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan, is promoting the operation model of circular agriculture in Liuying Baweng Dairy Farming Area. On the 16th, the Animal Products Research Institute held a press conference on the "Circular Agriculture Demonstration Field Model" to share the results. 21 dairy farmers and 3,610 cattle out of the 53 households in the dairy farming area participated in the demonstration model, using cattle manure and urine to irrigate pasture and crops, and then processing fruit peels and pomace into feed to feed cattle, reducing the cost of agricultural and sideline product processing and feed costs, while also reducing carbon emissions. Long-term research and development has found a silage formula that does not affect the flavor of milk. The operation of the material flow in the dairy circular field first puts the cattle

The Legislative Yuan passed the draft of the Ministry of Environment and its three-level agency organization law in the third reading today (9th), upgrading the Environmental Protection Administration, which was established 36 years ago, to the Ministry of Environment. In response to the breakdown of the original plan for the "Ministry of Environmental Resources" to handle the integration of mountain, forest, water and land resources, the Democratic Progressive Party group proposed an accompanying resolution, which is to establish a natural resource integration management team under the Executive Yuan in the future. Environmental Protection Administration Director Zhang Zijing said in a joint interview with the media that he was "really a little excited" about the third reading. He said that his colleagues all hope that the Ministry of Environment can be established on the same day as the establishment of the Environmental Protection Administration, August 22, but the exact date must be determined by the superiors. Environmental Protection Administration upgraded to Ministry of Environment, and the integration of mountains, forests, water and soil will be integrated by the Executive Yuan. Legislative Yuan Vice Speaker Tsai Chi-chang knocked the gavel at 10 am today (9th) to announce the approval of the relevant draft of the Ministry of Environment organization reform, and the upgrading of the Environmental Protection Administration to the Ministry of Environment was finally finalized. The voice calling for the reform of environmental-related government departments actually appeared around the 2000s and has been discussed for more than 20 years. In 2010, the Legislative Yuan passed the "Executive Yuan Organization Act," which planned to integrate the Environmental Protection Administration, the Council of Agriculture, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, and other agencies into the "Ministry of Environment and Resources" to be responsible for environmental protection and resource management. However, this has not been realized for more than 10 years. Chen Jiahua, a legislator from the New Power Party, said today that it was very regrettable that the "most conservative version" of the upgrade was finally passed. Although the Ministry of Environment can increase its law enforcement capacity, it also makes the ideal of integrating water conservation, forest protection, and environmental protection disappear. Many groups concerned with flood control and land restoration are very disappointed. I finally compromised because I hope that after the upgrade, the long-standing problems of air pollution, waste, and zombie environmental impact assessments can be improved.

Off the coast of Sicily, Italy, lies a small island named after a volcano. On this island, Vulcano, scientists have discovered a type of cyanobacteria in volcanic springs that can devour carbon dioxide at an astonishing rate. In February of this year, the research team also completed sampling at a carbonated spring in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, USA. The carbon dioxide concentration in the environment was even higher than that on Vulcano Island, pending further DNA sequence analysis. The biotech company funding the project believes the findings will contribute to the next generation of carbon capture technology. Unprecedented: Carbon-eating volcanic green photosynthetic bacteria cultivated in the laboratory. Researchers say this microorganism converts carbon dioxide into biomass faster than any other known cyanobacteria. "These bacteria appear to be able to grow naturally in volcanic eruptions, effectively utilizing the abundant carbon dioxide in the environment; compared to other known fast-growing cyanobacteria, this strain is more efficient at capturing carbon under several conditions. They also appear to have adapted to the bubbling, turbulent environment of volcanic eruptions, becoming denser and more likely to sink... This unusual property may help capture carbon and store it in the deep ocean," said Max Schubert of Harvard University, one of the authors of the study. After the scientists first discovered it on an Italian island last September, they collaborated with the University of Palermo to conduct sampling of hydrological, sedimentary and other microbial sources. Then, Harvard Medical School (Harvard M

The circular economy is a restorative and renewable industrial system. Compared to the linear economy's concept of products with a "lifespan," the circular economy emphasizes "regeneration and restoration," eliminating waste and enabling more efficient resource utilization. It has become one of the key policies promoted by the new government since taking office. According to Vision 2050, published by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), if humanity continues to consume in a linear economy, its resource consumption will far exceed the Earth's regenerative capacity. By 2050, 2.3 Earths will be needed for human consumption. However, if other regenerative solutions are implemented, 1.1 Earths will be used, extending the lifespan of Earth's resources. Given the limited resources of the Earth, the concept of the circular economy has gained increasing attention in recent years, and more and more companies are seeking alternatives (circular economies) to their current "economic models." The circular economy seeks a balance between economic growth and resource consumption through a more circular approach. This approach can help overcome the resource pressures brought about by the projected growth of the global middle class. It also hopes that by improving resource use, new economic and job opportunities can be created, while also providing environmental benefits. In September 2015, McKinsey & Company's "Circular Economy Opportunities in Europe" report pointed out that by 2030, the net economic benefits of the circular economy in Europe alone could reach 1.8 trillion euros. This is a huge

The Ministry of Economic Affairs' Department of Commerce held the "Commercial Services Industry Unites to Achieve Net Zero Emissions Initiative" today (the 21st). Fifteen Taiwanese service providers, including leading department store Shin Kong Mitsukoshi, large-scale hypermarket operator RT-Mart, and chain retailer National Electronics, pledged their net zero commitments. They hope to invite consumers to join them in promoting lifestyle transformation, with the goal of saving 16 million kilowatt-hours of electricity and reducing 8,000 tons of carbon emissions by 2023. The providers stated that they will improve energy efficiency through store renovations, replacing high-energy-consuming equipment, and adopting energy-efficient air conditioners. 15 commercial service providers are eyeing energy-efficient air conditioners and lighting equipment, aiming to save 16 million kilowatt-hours of electricity this year. The businesses participating in the initiative today include department stores (Shin Kong Mitsukoshi, Far Eastern Department Store, Global Shopping Center, Pacific Sogo Department Store, Taipei 101), hypermarkets (RT-Mart, Meilienshe, National Electronics), convenience stores (President Enterprises, Lai Lai), restaurants (Xiangbin Hospitality, Maiweideng, Liujiao International, Doufu Catering), and logistics (President Express). They have jointly declared that they will save 16 million kilowatt-hours of electricity by 2023, reducing carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) by 8,000 tons, equivalent to the annual carbon absorption capacity of 21 Daan Forest Parks. The industry has proposed specific measures to save electricity and improve energy efficiency. National Electronics will promote the replacement of energy-saving LED lamps in 100 stores and implement store temperature control, which is expected to save 200,000 kWh of electricity. Lai Lai Convenience Store plans to conduct an energy-saving lighting assessment for its stores and replace energy-saving lighting equipment in 900 physical stores. Uni-President Convenience Store has also announced that it will use the REM