環保時事 - Page 17 of 86

New Zealand isn't the only country regulating burping and farting in cattle and sheep; Europe is also implementing policies to reduce livestock emissions.

Livestock production accounts for 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with methane emitted by cows through burps and farts accounting for a significant portion. Not only did New Zealand announce plans to impose a "cow fart tax" at the end of last year (2022), but the Netherlands and the European Union have also introduced pollution control measures for the livestock industry. Farmers face new challenges as these policies accelerate the transition to a more regulated livestock industry or shift their meat and dairy sourcing to less regulated regions. Tightening regulations on livestock production have led to new policies from the EU, New Zealand, and the Netherlands. Methane is the second most potent greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), cattle are the primary source of agricultural methane emissions, reaching 142 metric tons in 2022, three times the amount emitted by the petroleum industry. To combat climate change, over 150 countries have signed the Global Methane Pledge, aiming to reduce atmospheric methane by 30% by 2030. The New Zealand government has set a precedent by imposing a tax on farmers based on factors such as the number of livestock raised, the fertilizer used, and energy efficiency, commonly known as the "cow fart tax." In addition, the European Union is currently considering revising the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) to impose emission limits on farms in 27 member states, which is expected to reduce the number of livestock and trigger a backlash from Italian and German farmers. The beef production of Germany and Italy exceeds 1/4 of the total European production. The Industrial Emissions Directive is the main regulation of the EU to regulate pollution from industrial facilities and intensive livestock farms, covering

2023-04-08

EU finalizes 2035 fuel vehicle ban; Germany intervenes to create a backdoor for e-fuels

Amidst a veto threat from Germany, Italy, and other countries, the European Council adopted new regulations on the 28th. Starting in 2035, new vehicles must be zero-emission, and gasoline and diesel vehicles using traditional internal combustion engines will no longer be sold. Despite strong German intervention, new vehicles using e-fuels can continue to be sold. The Council is the final step in the decision-making process, officially finalizing the ban on gasoline vehicles. The new regulations will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union and take effect 20 days after publication. Passed despite numerous objections, the new regulations require zero-emission vehicles by 2035. Transportation accounts for approximately a quarter of the EU's carbon emissions. The European Commission proposed a ban on new gasoline vehicles in 2021, requiring a 55% reduction in CO2 emissions from new vehicles sold in 2030 compared to 2021 levels. By 2035, all new vehicles sold will be zero-emission, eliminating the sale of gasoline and diesel vehicles. The bill was approved by the European Parliament in February 2023 and was originally scheduled to be passed after a vote by the Council in early March. This procedure was originally just a routine procedure, but it was postponed due to news that Germany, Italy, Poland and other countries might veto it. After a series of consultations, the Council voted on the 28th. Poland voted against it, and Italy, Bulgaria and Romania abstained, and the bill finally passed. Poland said the law was impractical and would lead to higher car prices; Italy hoped that cars using biofuels would be exempted. In the end, only Germany's request for e

2023-04-06

Analysis of circular economy trends and current certification systems

Faced with growing global environmental problems and the challenges of resource depletion, the circular economy has become a compelling solution in today's society. The circular economy emphasizes maximizing the use and reuse of resources to achieve economic growth and social progress while minimizing the burden on the environment. To achieve the goals of the circular economy, countries have introduced certification systems to encourage businesses and institutions to move towards sustainable development. This article will explore the trends of the circular economy and analyze existing certification systems. 1. Circular Economy Trends Resource Recovery and Reuse: The circular economy focuses on the recovery and reuse of resources to extend their lifespan. Through innovative technologies and designs, waste is transformed into new resources, reducing dependence on natural resources. Product Design and Manufacturing: The circular economy advocates sustainable product design to reduce material and energy consumption. It also promotes the use of green technologies in the production process to reduce emissions and waste. Sharing Economy: The rise of the sharing economy model aligns with the concept of a circular economy, maximizing resource utilization through the sharing of resources and facilities, such as shared cars and shared farmland. Reverse Logistics: The circular economy emphasizes the end-of-life processing of products. Reverse logistics systems make product recycling and reuse more efficient and feasible. 2. Current Certification System LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design): LEED is an international green building certification system that aims to promote the

2023-04-04

A decade from now, as photovoltaic panels face a wave of retirement, a local team is promoting smart technology for 100% recycling.

Starting from 2035, 100,000 metric tons of photovoltaic panels will be discarded in Taiwan every year, and how to properly recycle them is a major challenge. The "2023 Smart City Exhibition and Net Zero City Exhibition" opened yesterday (28th) at the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Hall. The Tainan University team and industry players have developed a world-leading photovoltaic panel disassembly technology, using intelligent calculations to calculate the disassembly method. The entire process does not require water, heat, or chemical reactions, and can achieve 100% complete disassembly and recycling of photovoltaic panels. Starting from 2035, 100,000 tons of waste photovoltaic panels will be produced annually. The low recycling rate of manual disassembly and the increasing proportion of renewable energy have also led to new types of waste problems. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that Taiwan will see a wave of photovoltaic panel retirement starting from 2031, and about 100,000 metric tons of waste photovoltaic panels will be produced each year starting from 2035. The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) estimates that waste photovoltaic panels will account for about 1% of the world's garbage in the future. Photovoltaic panels are a "sandwich structure" consisting of translucent glass, solar cells, and a fluorine-containing backsheet, bonded together with EVA rubber in the middle, and then fixed with an aluminum frame. In recent years, the National Tainan University team and Dong Hong Corporation have developed original technologies to achieve 100% complete disassembly and recycling of solar panels through physical and mechanical disassembly. Hong Jiacong, co-founder and CEO of Hon Tan Corporation, who participated in the research and development of the National Tainan University team and was later established with the guidance of the National Science Council, explained that photovoltaic panels are made of different materials glued together. Physical disassembly by manual means will ultimately result in parts that are difficult to separate. Most of them are broken and downgraded for use as building materials, road fillers, or enter incinerators. Only the aluminum frame can be effectively reused. In addition, there are about 20,000 sizes of photovoltaic panels in the world, and Taiwan

2023-03-31

EU accelerates carbon reduction: Parliament passes new law to increase carbon reduction targets and forest carbon sinks

Paving the way for the EU's 55% carbon reduction target by 2030, the European Parliament passed two key pieces of legislation last week (the 14th), demanding stricter emissions reduction targets. Sectors not covered by the EU ETS will be required to increase their carbon reduction targets by 2030 from 30% to 40% compared to 2005 levels, and will also require an increase in carbon dioxide sequestration in forests, swamps, and other areas. While both bills still require formal Council approval before they can take effect, the content has been the subject of months of negotiation, resulting in a high level of consensus and expected smooth passage. Responsibilities vary, with higher-emitting countries expected to reduce more. The European Parliament approved amendments to the Effort Sharing Regulation (ESR) on the 14th by a vote of 486 to 132, with 10 abstentions. Transport, buildings, agriculture, and waste management account for approximately 60% of EU greenhouse gas emissions but are not covered by the EU ETS. These sectors are already facing a 30% reduction target by 2030 compared to 2005 levels, a target that the amendment raises to 40%. Each member state has different responsibilities for carbon reduction, ranging from 10% to 50%. This figure is calculated based on each country's per capita GDP (gross domestic product) and cost-effectiveness. In other words, wealthy countries have to bear more responsibility. Reuters cited the example of Denmark, Finland, Germany, Luxembourg and Sweden, which all have to reduce emissions by 50%, while Bulgaria's is 10%. The EU increases carbon absorption in land and forestry to accelerate carbon removal. The second amendment is to the Forestry and Other Land Use Act (

2023-03-29

European Parliament approves amendment requiring new buildings to be zero-emission from 2028

Buildings account for 36% of the EU's total greenhouse gas emissions and 40% of its energy consumption. To accelerate carbon reduction efforts, the European Commission has proposed a new round of amendments to the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). After the draft was submitted to the European Parliament, members of parliament expressed a more positive response, demanding that new buildings be zero-emission starting in 2028, and new public buildings even earlier, in 2026. The EU also intends to increase the rate of energy-efficient renovations in older buildings through policy support and subsidies. On the 14th, the European Parliament voted in favor of the bill. Members stated that its passage would significantly reduce natural gas demand in buildings. However, further consultations with the European Council are required before finalizing the final text. The Parliament's positive response: the timeline for new buildings to become zero-emission has been further advanced. The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, first proposed in 2002, has gradually introduced policies such as EU building energy consumption calculation standards, building energy passports, incentives for energy-efficient renovations of older buildings, and standardized timelines for near-zero energy consumption in buildings. The European Union has set a target of climate neutrality by 2050. To strengthen carbon reduction efforts in buildings, the European Commission proposed a new amendment at the end of 2021. The Parliament voted in support in mid-March with 343 in favor, 216 against, and 78 abstentions. According to the European Parliament's draft, all new buildings must achieve zero carbon emissions from 2028, and new buildings used, operated, or owned by public agencies must be brought forward to 2026. Where technically and economically feasible, new buildings will also be required to install solar photovoltaics from 2028. European building energy consumption standards are divided into seven levels, A to G.

2023-03-25

Planting Carbon Back: Rethinking Trees and Relying on Trees to Sequester Carbon

As climate change intensifies and awareness of carbon reduction grows, while discussions on how to reduce emissions heat up, there's still a fundamental solution: planting trees. Planting trees is actually a carbon sequestration mechanism, helping us "replant" carbon back into trees or soil, thereby reducing atmospheric CO2. Why does planting trees also create carbon? Which types of trees are the most efficient carbon-producing species? How can ordinary people incorporate tree planting into their daily lives to avoid becoming carbon producers? The Environmental Information Center interviewed Professor Liu Wanyu of the Department of Forestry at National Chung Hsing University, offering insights into the secrets of trees. She explained that forests not only purify the air and create a healing atmosphere, but also have the crucial value of carbon sequestration. Trees are the ultimate carbon sequestering experts. While most people's understanding of carbon is limited to CO2, excessive air pollution can negatively impact people's quality of life. In fact, in addition to carbon emissions, nature also has a carbon sequestration mechanism that locks carbon in, rather than releasing it. One of the most common carbon sequestration methods is planting trees. Liu Wanyu explained that during the growth of saplings, carbon dioxide is converted into organic carbon through photosynthesis and fixed in the tree body. It also releases carbon dioxide by absorbing oxygen to perform "respiration". Photosynthesis is more frequent than respiration, hence the saying that planting trees is equivalent to "planting carbon". Liu Wanyu said that every 1.6 tons of carbon dioxide in the air can be converted into 1 metric ton of carbon. A tree can absorb about 900 kilograms of carbon dioxide in its lifetime. These converted carbons, over time,

2023-03-22

China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) will introduce its first hydrogen refueling station by the end of the year. my country's hydrogen energy development still lacks relevant regulations.

CPC Corporation plans to introduce Taiwan's first mobile hydrogen refueling station by the end of this year. However, some industry insiders have pointed out that there are currently no regulations in Taiwan for hydrogen station installation, and suggest conducting trial runs based on international practices. The high initial costs of hydrogen vehicles will require government subsidies to offset the costs, otherwise the hydrogen produced will have nowhere to go. Democratic Progressive Party legislator Chung Chia-bin announced the establishment of the "Taiwan and Asia-Pacific Parliamentary New Energy Promotion Alliance" today (the 17th). He also held a public hearing on hydrogen energy development in Taiwan, inviting experts from industry, government, and academia to discuss the application and future development of hydrogen energy. CPC will build Taiwan's first hydrogen refueling station by the end of the year. Zeng Wensheng stated that regulations will be formulated as soon as possible. Hydrogen energy is one of Taiwan's 12 key strategies for the 2050 net-zero transition and a key component of future energy and net-zero policies. As the net-zero target approaches, gasoline-powered vehicles will inevitably become obsolete, and hydrogen vehicles will become an alternative to electric vehicles. Hydrogen vehicles refuel similarly to traditional gasoline vehicles, requiring drivers to refuel at a hydrogen station, a process that takes approximately three to five minutes. CPC Corporation plans to introduce Taiwan's first mobile hydrogen refueling station in Kaohsiung by the end of this year, which will be used in conjunction with the government's hydrogen vehicle demonstration in the future. CPC Corporation stated that the mobile hydrogen refueling station has the characteristics of small footprint, low investment cost and short construction period, and can supply 60 to 80 kilograms of hydrogen per day, which can serve about two large buses or 10 passenger cars. Gas manufacturer Linde LienHwa also announced that it will introduce hydrogen energy technology this year and set up a demonstration hydrogen refueling station in the Shugu Industrial Park in Tainan for testing by the government and related units. However, Hotai Auto

2023-03-20

Germany advises Taiwan to respond quickly to the dual wave of digital and net-zero transformations.

Yesterday, the German Institute in Taiwan (DIT), the German Economic Office, and civil society groups held the "2023 Taiwan Sustainability Summit." The summit focused on the current global trend of digital transformation and net-zero transition, calling on Taiwan to accelerate its transformation across various sectors and utilize digital tools to support net-zero transition. Vice Minister of Economic Affairs Tseng Wen-sheng echoed this sentiment, stating that future power grids and industries will require smarter dispatching models, and that he will continue to support digital transformation efforts. Taiwan and Germany are jointly calling for accelerated progress in the global "dual transformation" trend. Taiwan and Germany are working together to promote net-zero. The DIT, the German Economic Office, and the Taiwan Sustainable Energy Research Foundation held the "2023 Taiwan Sustainability Summit," inviting representatives from the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Taipower, and the Taiwan Railway Administration, among other domestic and international industry, government, and academia, to discuss Taiwan's transition progress. Experts focused on the trends of digitalization and net-zero emissions. Organizers noted that climate change is an undeniable fact, and digitalization is a global phenomenon. Both pose unprecedented challenges to countries and businesses, while also creating abundant opportunities. As a leading semiconductor country, Taiwan is urged to accelerate digital transformation and net-zero transformation in various fields and adapt quickly to ensure the sustainable development of the country, economy and industry. The organizers suggest that technology is the best weapon to seize opportunities and respond to challenges in the transformation process. To achieve the dual transformation goals, it is necessary to combine the virtual and physical worlds under the premise of information security, build a complete partnership and ecosystem, cleverly respond to the complex tasks of transformation, face time pressure, and focus on the bulk of carbon emissions to immediately respond to the challenges of net-zero transformation. Digital Development

2023-03-17

Taiwan Lithium Battery Resource Industry Association established, linking 30 companies to build a recycling system

Taiwan's lithium battery industry has been developing for many years. In response to the demand for batteries such as electrification of vehicles and renewable energy storage, it is estimated that the amount of secondary lithium battery waste in Taiwan will exceed 1,000 tons in 2025. Relevant industry players established the "Taiwan Lithium Battery Resource Industry Association" today (10th), connecting the upstream and downstream supply chains for the first time to build a recycling system to allow the sustainable use of waste batteries. Lithium batteries are widely used and the industry is connected to create a circular economy. In response to the climate crisis, countries around the world are promoting carbon reduction and striving for net zero emissions. Under the wave of energy transformation, electric vehicles and renewable energy have become one of the mainstream development projects. Lithium battery companies established the "Taiwan Lithium Battery Resource Industry Association" today (10th). The association pointed out that whether it is power batteries, wind power, solar power, etc., they all need the cooperation of energy storage systems. Lithium batteries are the most widely used today and play a key role in low-carbon development. Taiwan's lithium battery industry has been developing for many years. In addition to having accumulated considerable technology and experience, it also has a complete supply chain system. For the first time, the industry has connected the upstream, midstream and downstream lithium battery recycling industry chain to establish the "Taiwan Lithium Battery Resource Industry Association" and invited related companies such as battery materials, manufacturing, assembly, application and resource utilization to participate in the event. Currently, there are 30 companies joining, with a total of 100 members. According to a report by Central News Agency, Chen Yijie, vice chairman of Mingren Resources, who served as the first chairman, expressed his hope that through the establishment of the association, domestic industry, academia and research cooperation and exchanges will be promoted, and a lithium battery resource recycling economy system will be established to enable the sustainable recycling of domestic recycled materials and batteries, enhance industrial development and competitiveness, and build Taiwan into a lithium battery

2023-03-15

Unilever aims to save electricity and reduce carbon emissions in the ice cream industry by raising ice cream counters by 6°C while maintaining delicious taste.

Unilever, with over 400 brands and global revenue exceeding €50 billion, boasts a diverse portfolio, including Ben & Jerry's, Wall's, Breyers, and Magnum, all of which are regularly ranked among the world's top ten ice cream brands. Unilever announced that it is testing a new recipe that would allow ice cream freezers to be set up to 6°C higher, potentially contributing to carbon reduction efforts across the entire ice cream industry. This requires not only changing the ice cream recipe but also ensuring the ice cream cones are crispy while retaining the unique taste of each brand. Unilever expects this change to reduce electricity usage and carbon emissions per freezer by 20% to 30%. Unilever stated that electricity consumption in retailers' freezers, where ice cream is sold, accounts for approximately 10% of Unilever's greenhouse gas footprint across its value chain. While the industry standard for freezers is set at -18°C, Unilever is experimenting with raising the temperature to -12°C in hopes of reducing its carbon footprint. To achieve this goal, Unilever has been conducting a pilot program in Germany since May 2022, and plans to expand it to Indonesia this year. Matt Close, president of Unilever's ice cream division, said the pilot program will help Unilever understand the impact of rising temperatures and ensure that the taste remains unchanged. The goal is not just for Unilever, but for the entire industry to change. According to the Wall Street Journal, the benefits of doing so will also help impress consumers with green consumption awareness and even extend the ice cream's shelf life.

2023-03-13

EU 2035 fuel car ban vote postponed after Germany and Italy threaten veto

On February 14, the European Parliament voted to pass a bill to ban the sale of new cars and new diesel vehicles in 2035 in order to achieve the EU's goal of climate neutrality by 2050. The bill was originally scheduled to be formally passed after the member states voted today (7), but with the change in position of Germany and Italy, and the lack of support from Poland and Bulgaria, the possibility of the bill not being passed has increased significantly. The rotating presidency of the European Council announced last Friday that the vote would be postponed, and the new schedule has not yet been determined. The EU promotes electric vehicles not only to reduce carbon emissions, but also to enable European cars to compete with China in the electric vehicle market. However, opponents criticize this law as it will impact the traditional internal combustion engine car manufacturing industry and affect hundreds of thousands of jobs. Germany hopes that the EU will allow cars to continue to use e-fuels synthetic fuels after 2035. To reduce carbon emissions, the European Commission proposed a policy to ban the sale of new fuel vehicles in 2021, and reached a tripartite agreement with member states and the European Parliament in October 2022, but the conservatives in the parliament still expressed opposition. On February 14, 2023, the European Parliament voted to pass the bill by a narrow margin. The bill is expected to be formally passed after a vote at the ministerial meeting in March. Currently, cars account for about 15% of the total EU carbon dioxide emissions. The bill requires that new cars sold from 2030 onwards reduce their carbon dioxide emissions by 55% compared to 2021, a medium-term target, and a 100% reduction by 2035. In other words, no new gasoline or diesel cars will be sold from 2035 onwards. Affected by the rising energy costs and environmental regulations in recent years, EU consumers have gradually turned to buying electric cars. Currently, 20% of new cars sold in the EU are electric.

2023-03-10

Using circular economy standards to create mature business models

In recent years, the "circular economy" has become a global concern, giving rise to numerous innovative business models. This shift from the traditional linear production model of mass production, mass consumption, and mass disposal to a continuous recycling and utilization of materials, creating a "resource, product, and renewable resource" cycle. This creates economic performance and fundamentally resolves the conflict between economic development and environmental impact. Due to the complexity and numerous technical and regulatory barriers associated with the circular economy, many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face significant barriers to entry in their innovation and development. In June 2017, the British Standards Institution (BSI) officially released the Circular Economy Guidance Standard (BS8001), the world's first circular economy standard. This standard promotes the concepts and principles of the circular economy, guiding SMEs to identify their relevance and potential areas of focus, thereby bridging the gap in circular production models. The Circular Economy Standard (BS8001) is the first in the world to provide a framework and guidance for promoting the circular economy within an organization. It helps small and medium-sized enterprises to think about and promote the direction of recycling, while re-examining factory operations and correcting their production models through systematic logic to achieve sustainable factory operations and help products, parts and materials maintain their highest value. It can also help accelerate the transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises, help them develop action plans, and obtain the benefits of the circular economy. How to use the circular economy standard to create a mature business model, the implementation key points are summarized as follows: Establish a system for the company to operate a circular economy

2023-03-10

IEA: It's time for the auto industry to reduce car size

The International Energy Agency (IEA) says it's time for the automotive industry to downsize vehicles. In 2022, the world's 330 million sport utility vehicles (SUVs) emitted nearly 1 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide, more than Germany's annual carbon emissions. The IEA notes that while conventional car sales will slow in 2022, with SUV sales declining by approximately 1 million, global oil demand for SUVs will still increase by approximately 500,000 barrels per day, accounting for one-third of the total increase in global oil demand, as SUVs consume 20% more gasoline than the average mid-size car. Meanwhile, electric vehicle sales will reach a record high of over 10 million in 2022, including both electric SUVs and electric non-SUVs. The IEA notes that electric SUVs require larger batteries than smaller electric vehicles, and the growing electric SUV market will put additional pressure on the battery supply chain and further increase demand for related mineral raw materials. In summary, the IEA calls on governments and automakers to "reduce the average size of vehicles," "increase charging stations," and "invest in innovative battery technologies." News Keywords: #AutomotiveIndustry #SUV #ElectricVehicle Source: ABC News (https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/energy-agency-suv-growth-weighs-emissions-batteries-974927)

2023-03-03

EU carbon trading price exceeds €100 per ton for the first time

The price of the European Union ETS (EU ETS) reached a record high of €101 per ton on February 21st. EU ETS prices have increased fivefold over the past three years. With the EU Parliament's preliminary approval of stricter ETS regulations, the market anticipates that as the total number of allowances decreases, free allowances will also decrease, driving a long-term bullish outlook for the ETS market. Regarding the rise in ETS prices, Vertis Environmental Finance suggests that this may be due to below-average temperatures expected in Northern Europe over the coming weeks, prompting power companies to manage their risks. On the other hand, while some analysts believe that the €100 ETS threshold will incentivize investment in emerging clean technologies such as carbon capture and hydrogen, some industry representatives, such as the President of the European Paper Industry Association and the European Steel Association, warn that continued increases in ETS prices will impact industry competitiveness. In response, the EU Parliament has stated that it will ensure that a portion of funds raised from ETS quotas are used to develop clean technologies to help accelerate industry decarbonization. News Keywords: #CarbonTrading #CarbonFees #IndustryDecarbonization Source: Financial Times (https://www.ft.com/content/7a0dd553-fa5b-4a58-81d1-e500f8ce3d2a)

2023-03-01

UK SMEs don't understand what the government's 2050 target for net zero emissions means for them

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) conducted a survey of more than 1,000 companies (96% of which were small and medium-sized enterprises), and the results found that as many as 90% of companies did not fully understand what the government's goal of achieving net zero emissions in the UK by 2050 meant to them. Specifically, there was a huge difference in understanding of net zero emissions between companies with more than 50 employees and those with less than 50 employees. Regarding the understanding of net zero emissions, 56% of large companies had "complete" or "some understanding" of the net zero emissions target, while only 35% of small companies had this idea. As for companies that have developed net zero plans, only 19% of companies with fewer than 50 employees and 36% of companies with more than 50 employees have this idea. To this end, BCC and Lloyds Bank plan to invite companies from all over the country to study the most effective way to provide assistance and improve corporate awareness of net zero emissions. News Keywords: #NetZeroEmissions #SMEs Source: ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT (https://businessnewswales.com/research-reveals-smes-dont-understand-what-net-zero-by-2050-means-for-them/)

2023-02-24

2023 CECP latest statistical report: 96% of companies have set carbon reduction or net zero targets

CECP, a global nonprofit organization bringing together over 200 companies, and its Global Exchange Alliance recently published the report "Global Impact at Scale: Corporate ESG Action and Social Investment 2022," analyzing global ESG trends, corporate sustainability strategies, and CSR impact. CSRone, a CECP strategic partner, compiled five key takeaways for senior decision-makers and sustainability practitioners. CECP's Global Exchange (GX), an international organization of over 200 companies worldwide, officially published the survey results of "Global Impact at Scale 2022 Edition: Corporate Action on ESG Issues and Social Investments" on January 24, 2023. The report indicates that corporate awareness of ESG management continued to rise in 2022, with 96% of responding companies having set carbon reduction targets. The 2021 CECP statistical report shows that as many as 81% of companies around the world have integrated SDGs into their

2023-02-22

IEA: Renewable energy will become the world's largest source of electricity by 2025

The International Energy Agency (IEA) released its "Electricity Market Report 2023" on the 8th, stating that within three years, renewable energy will surpass coal to become the world's largest source of electricity. Although economic development in various countries has slowed due to the energy crisis, electricity demand will rise again as the economy recovers. However, carbon emissions from the power sector peaked in 2022 and are expected to decline slightly or remain roughly flat over the next few years. The IEA estimates that electricity demand will grow rapidly over the next three years, with 98% of the new electricity demand to be provided by renewable energy. The stability of power supply will be greatly affected by weather, making demand-side flexibility measures, energy storage, and dispatchable renewable energy more important. Carbon Brief, compiling the IEA report, noted that energy storage capacity increased by 17GW in 2022, an increase of approximately 90% over the previous year. Economic recovery leads to electricity growth, with 98% of electricity coming from renewable energy. The IEA pointed out that due to the global energy crisis, most countries have lowered their GDP growth forecasts, but as the economy recovers, global electricity demand is expected to grow rapidly in 2023, and is expected to increase by another 2,500TWh by 2025, which is equivalent to increasing the electricity demand of the EU market within three years. China will account for 1/3 of global electricity consumption. Carbon Brief reported that renewable energy and nuclear energy will be the forces to meet this wave of electricity demand. It is expected that global power generation will increase by 2,493TWh from 2022 to 2025, of which

2023-02-20

Taiwan's renewable energy sector grew 36% last year, surpassing nuclear power in electricity generation for the first time in 2022.

The Bureau of Energy (BEI) of the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MEA) released its monthly energy statistics last week, showing that renewable energy accounted for 8.3% of Taiwan's total electricity generation in 2022, narrowly surpassing nuclear power's 8.2%. This marks the first time that renewable energy has surpassed nuclear power in a full year. Renewable energy generation increased by 36% compared to the previous year. The MEA stated that it will continue to increase green power capacity, projecting it will reach 29GW by 2025. Renewable energy accounted for 8.3% of total electricity generation for the year, narrowly surpassing nuclear power for the first time. To achieve its 2050 net-zero emissions target, Taiwan is fully committed to developing renewable energy. According to the latest BEI Monthly Energy Statistics released last week (February 7), total renewable energy generation from January to December 2022 reached 23,843 gigawatt-hours (GWh), accounting for approximately 8.3% of total electricity generation. This narrowly surpassed nuclear power, which generated 23,755 GWh, or 8.2%, and marked the first time that renewable energy generation surpassed nuclear power in a full year. Compared with the 17,456 million kWh of renewable energy power generation in 2021, it grew by 36% in 2022 alone. Comparing the global power generation structure, according to the "2020 World Nuclear Industry Status Report", the global share of renewable energy power generation surpassed nuclear power for the first time in 2019. The latest "2022 World Nuclear Industry Status Report" shows that in 2021, nuclear power's share of global total power generation has dropped to 9.8%, falling below 10% for the first time. This figure is the lowest point in 40 years. The European Union set a record for the "greenest year" in 2020, with renewable energy accounting for the total power generation of its 27 member states.

2023-02-17

Poop is hot: Renewable natural gas made from livestock manure fetches higher prices, prompting Shell and BP to invest more.

In the past, livestock manure was highly shunned due to its stench and methane emissions. However, in recent years, it has become a hot commodity, both as a source of biogas for power generation and as a purified form of renewable natural gas (RNG). Besides being sold as regular natural gas, RNG also offers environmental subsidies for reducing methane emissions, making manure what foreign media describe as "brown gold." However, climate experts and advocates worry that this transformation will incentivize ranches to expand, defeating the original purpose of reducing methane emissions. Claiming to be more sustainable, RNG has become a popular energy source, with oil companies increasing their investment. The Guardian reports that investment in converting manure into energy has increased rapidly in the United States in recent years. This growth has been particularly pronounced in states with strong livestock production, such as California, Wisconsin, and New York. This business has become even more popular after the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (2022), which introduced several incentives for renewable energy and carbon reduction measures. Taking California as an example, by the end of 2022, more than 100 publicly funded anaerobic manure digestion facilities were under construction and would soon be put into operation. In 2021, the number of RNG equipment (including those in planning and already in operation) in the livestock and agricultural sectors in the United States increased by more than 36% compared to the previous year. Methane emissions are one of the problems in the livestock industry. Animal burps and decomposition in manure storage tanks release methane, which is the second largest greenhouse gas causing global warming, with a warming potential 28-36 times that of carbon dioxide. In the past,

2023-02-13

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