環保時事 - Page 18 of 86

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

ISO 14067:2018 Product Carbon Footprint Inventory Instructions

In recent years, a global trend toward carbon reduction has spurred the implementation of various greenhouse gas reduction measures and management strategies. Consequently, ISO published the ISO/TS 14067 technical specification for carbon footprint in 2013, providing a method for companies to calculate the carbon footprint of their products and services. This method allows for inventory and analysis of greenhouse gas emissions throughout the product lifecycle, enabling companies to understand their carbon footprint and disclose this information to key stakeholders, enabling them to plan better low-carbon products. After years of development, ISO released ISO 14067:2018, Product Carbon Footprint — Requirements and Guidelines for Quantifying Greenhouse Gas Emissions, in January 2018, replacing the ISO/TS 14067:2013 technical specification. ISO 14067:2018 was also upgraded to an international standard. The key changes in the new version of the standard are to strengthen external communication and increase quantification, and incorporate multiple standard framework processes. The revision focuses include: Table 1 ISO14067:2018 chapter changes and differences Chapter Differences 4. Application Adjust the text and align it with ISO14026 communication requirements 5. Principles (1) Corresponding - Functional Unit (CFP)/Declaration Unit (Partial CFP) (2) Delete 5.13 Participation & 5.14 Fairness 6. Quantification Method 6.1 Added a new reference standard for systematic quantification of carbon footprint (Annex C) 6.2 PCR reference standard revision

2023-02-10

Environmental impact assessment incremental offsets are being expanded to the agricultural sector, with carbon credits now also available for replacing farm machinery and improving fish pond water tankers.

Starting in 2020, all development parks in Taiwan larger than 50 hectares will be required to submit greenhouse gas offset commitments. The Environmental Protection Administration recently expanded the types of offset sources to include agricultural sector carbon reduction. This marks the first opportunity for farmers to benefit from carbon reduction activities, in addition to afforestation and livestock manure treatment. On the 19th, the Environmental Protection Administration revised and released the "Principles for the Treatment of Incremental Greenhouse Gas Emissions Offsets in Development Activities Reviewed by the Environmental Protection Administration, Executive Yuan" (hereinafter referred to as the "Treatment Principles"). Farmers who replace old agricultural machinery with electric power, replace fish-attracting lights on fishing boats with LED lights, and replace aquaculture water trucks with high-efficiency, energy-saving equipment can all receive carbon reduction credits. The Council of Agriculture stated that it is currently working out a reasonable amount to purchase carbon reduction credits from farmers in the form of subsidies and then resell them to developers. It hopes to begin purchasing credits this year. Environmental impact assessment development offset principles include a new category of agricultural carbon reduction. In order to promote greenhouse gas reduction by environmental impact assessment development units, the Environmental Protection Agency issued the "Treatment Principles" in 2020, requiring those who meet the requirements of park development of more than 50 hectares, factory establishment, thermal power generation other than natural gas, and cogeneration plant construction to make incremental offset commitments to offset the increased greenhouse gas emissions from development. After the "Treatment Principles" were released in 2020, a total of five major sources of offsets were listed. The Environmental Protection Agency revised and added a variety of offset sources on January 19, and included carbon reduction in the agricultural and transportation sectors. In agriculture, replacing old agricultural machinery with electric agricultural machinery, replacing old fish-attracting lights on fishing boats with LED lights, and replacing fish pond aeration equipment with high-efficiency and energy-saving equipment can all be sources of offsets; in transportation, the "replacement of old cars with electric or hybrid cars" has been added.

2023-02-06

To prevent China and the US from overtaking, the EU proposes a "Green Policy Industry Plan" to strengthen its clean technology competitiveness.

The United States passed the Inflation Reduction Act last year (2022), heavily subsidizing green industries, causing volatility in European markets. Concerned about the outflow of green technology, the European Commission announced the "Green Deal Industrial Plan" yesterday (the 1st). This plan aims to ensure the competitiveness of Europe's net-zero industries through simplified regulations, rapid funding, talent training, and international supply chain cooperation. Within this framework, the Commission is expected to propose a "Net-Zero Industry Act" to accelerate the development of net-zero industries. While the "Green Deal Industrial Plan" will help Europe counter green subsidies from China and the United States, it has also received negative feedback. The European Council is scheduled to meet on February 9-10 to discuss the plan, which is expected to be a lively debate. Four major policies ensure leading net-zero technology. The "Green Deal Industrial Plan," presented by the European Commission on the 1st, consists of four major initiatives. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that Europe is determined to lead the clean technology revolution and maintain its leading position in the rapidly developing net-zero industry. In terms of simplifying regulations, the Commission will propose the "Net Zero Industry Act" to simplify the application and review process and set industry standards to enable large-scale production of technology. This bill will be combined with the "Critical Raw Materials Act" to help European manufacturers

2023-02-04

Co-creating with Nature: EPA and Denmark collaborate to exhibit works by "Nobel Prize in Design" winners in Taiwan

The world faces a climate and ecological crisis, and finding solutions to environmental problems has become a crucial topic in contemporary design. The Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) unveiled the "Taiwan-Denmark Environmental Education Cooperation and Environmental Design Competition Exhibition" yesterday (31st), showcasing winning entries from the "Environmental Care Design Competition" at Taipei's Xihonganji Temple. The exhibition also included entries from Denmark's Index Award. The renowned "Ocean Cleanup Array" marine waste removal project has previously won the Index Award. The EPA's "Environmental Care Design Competition," modeled after the Index Award, has been held four times since 2015, focusing on sustainability and innovation. The exhibition runs from now until February 5th. The Index Award: The Nobel Prize of Design. Recent winners have tended to "co-create with nature." The Index Award, hosted by the Danish nonprofit organization The Index Project, is known as the "Nobel Prize of Design." With a total prize of €500,000, it is the world's richest design award. In addition to well-known brands such as Tesla and Lego, many new startups have also emerged from this award. Charlotte Høeg Andersen, the Education Director of The Index Project, said that the famous marine waste

2023-02-03

First Global Carbon Removal Report: Nature Helps Store 2 Billion Tons of CO2, But Climate Targets Still Far Behind

Scientists warn that achieving global warming within 1.5°C requires not only significant carbon reductions but also accelerated deployment of carbon dioxide removal. On the 20th, scientists led by the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment at the University of Oxford released the "State of Carbon Dioxide Removal" report, the world's first independent scientific assessment tracking carbon removal. The report estimates that current land-based carbon removal—through traditional methods such as afforestation and forest restoration—is approximately 2 billion tons of carbon dioxide per year. The report estimates that annual carbon removal must reach 4 billion tons by 2050. Depending on the warming scenario, the gap between targets is expected to emerge by 2030 and will gradually widen. Planting trees is also carbon removal—carbon reductions have specific targets, and carbon removal must keep pace. Unlike carbon capture and storage (CCUS), carbon removal (CDR) involves capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it permanently—for decades or millennia—in the form of land, oceans, rock formations, and products. How can carbon removal help us achieve our climate goals? The report released by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in April last year pointed out that carbon dioxide removal is an indispensable key factor in limiting global warming to 1.5°C or below 2°C. The latest Global Carbon Removal Report shows that the carbon dioxide removal required to control global warming is

2023-02-01

Biden administration releases new climate guidelines: All federal projects must calculate carbon emissions

The White House has released updated climate change guidance, requiring federal agencies to consider greenhouse gas emissions under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) when reviewing clean energy and other infrastructure proposals. NEPA, the first major U.S. environmental law, was signed into law by former U.S. President Richard Nixon in 1970. NEPA requires federal agencies to conduct environmental impact assessments before formulating major projects. NEPA applies only to federal projects, including those that are fully or partially funded by the federal government or require federal permit review. The guidance, issued by the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), will replace the emissions guidance proposed in 2016 but later rescinded by Trump. The new guidance clarifies the review standards and clearly lists the tools and practical examples for meeting the standards. CEQ Chair Brenda Mallory said the new guidance will help promote climate-smartness and resilience, thereby achieving U.S. President Joe Biden's goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. The new guidelines emphasize the "rule of reason," requiring that the depth of analysis in project reviews be proportional to their impact. In addition, the new guidelines encourage projects with lower renewable energy and greenhouse gas emissions, which will be easier to pass review than high-emission projects. The new guidelines also require federal agencies to quantify indirect emissions data. CEQ said, "Doing so will help reduce legal disputes."

2023-01-20

Analysis of ISO 14064-1:2018 Organizational Greenhouse Gas Inventory

On December 19, 2018, ISO officially released the new version of ISO 14064-1:2018, Greenhouse gases — Part 1: Quantification and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions and removals by organizations, with guidance. This new version differs from the 2006 version as follows: 1. Inventory and reporting boundaries: Direct greenhouse gas emissions must be quantified, and a documented procedure must be established to define which indirect greenhouse gas emissions outside the organizational boundary should be included in the reporting boundary and inventory. 2. Quantification procedures: Quantified data is categorized as primary, site-specific, and secondary data, and quantification methods must consider technical feasibility and cost-effectiveness. 3. Added definitions: a. Added the definition of indirect greenhouse gas emissions: emissions from an organization's operations and activities that are not owned or controlled by the organization (typically occurring upstream and/or downstream). b. Added definitions for biogenic material and land use. c. Clarified distinctions between organizations, stakeholders, and verification, with explanations of related terms. 4. Added the relationship between ISO 14060 series of greenhouse gas standards (see Table 1 for details). 5. Added background information for ISO 14060 series of standards: ISO 14060 series of standards provides a complete and comprehensive set of standards for quantifying, monitoring, reporting, verifying or certifying greenhouse gas emissions and removals.

2023-01-11

Fast food revolution! France bans disposable tableware in fast food restaurants starting New Year's Day

French fast-food chains are preparing for one of their biggest changes in decades as the government bans the use of disposable plates, cups, and cutlery when eating or drinking on-site. Starting New Year's Day, chains like McDonald's, Burger King, Starbucks, and Subway are facing what environmentalists are calling a "revolution" as France begins groundbreaking new measures to combat waste. Much of the fast-food industry relies on a business model based on single-use boxes, cups, and packaging that customers simply dump from their trays into the trash after eating. Under the new regulations, any restaurant with more than 20 seats—including employee cafeterias, chain bakeries, fast-food restaurants, and sushi bars—must provide reusable, washable cups, plates, and cutlery to customers dining inside. France's approximately 30,000 fast-food restaurants serve six billion meals annually, generating an estimated 180,000 tons of waste. Environmental groups say 55% of this waste is generated by customers dining inside. The law only applies to cutlery used by customers dining inside; anyone taking food to-go, such as McDonald's, will continue to receive disposable packaging. But environmental groups hope that disposable takeaway packaging will also change in the future, for example, customers can leave a deposit for reusable packaging and return it. The new law means that burgers and sandwiches eaten in can no longer be packed in boxes, but can continue to be wrapped in paper. All other food - including chips, chicken nuggets, pizza, ice cream or cake - must be served in reusable cutlery, and drinks must be served in reusable cups and

2023-01-07

Belgian NGO partners with barbershops to recycle hair clippings to protect the environment

Barbers across Belgium are sweeping up and bagging their customers' hair after clippings, then handing it over to Dung Dung, an NGO that recycles the hair to protect the environment. The hair recycling project feeds strands of hair into a machine that compresses them into square mats, which can be used to absorb oil and other polluting hydrocarbons or made into biocomposite bags. Project co-founder Patrick Janssen explained that 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) of hair can absorb 7-8 liters (1.8-2.1 US gallons) of oil and hydrocarbons, and said the mats can be placed in sewers to absorb water pollution before it reaches rivers. "Our products are more ethical because they are made locally... they are not imported from other parts of the world," he told Reuters. "They are here to solve local problems." The project states on its website that hair has strong properties: a single strand can support 10 million times its own weight and can absorb fats and hydrocarbons. Due to its keratin fibers, hair is water-soluble and highly elastic. Isabelle Voulkidis, manager of the Helyode salon in Brussels, is one of dozens of hairdressers across the country who pay a small fee to the project to collect their haircuts. “Personally, what motivates me is that I don’t feel comfortable throwing my hair in the trash now when I know there are so many things I can do with it,” she said.

2023-01-03

Canada aims to have 20% of new car sales be electric or hybrid by 2026

The Canadian government recently announced it will strengthen its zero-carbon emissions targets, requiring 20% of all new passenger cars, trucks, and SUVs sold in Canada to be fully electric or hybrid by 2026. Previously, the government had set a 15% target, but this time, it has increased the 2026 target to 20% and plans to raise it to 60% by 2030, with all vehicles in the country being zero-carbon by 2035. The government estimates that if annual carbon emissions reductions are successfully achieved, it will save approximately 34 billion Canadian dollars (approximately NT$764.4 billion) in total energy costs between 2026 and 2050. Passenger cars currently account for approximately 10% of Canada's total carbon emissions. While the Canadian government has established zero-carbon emissions targets, they are not yet enforced nationwide, with Quebec and British Columbia even imposing their own regulations. The proposed strengthening of zero-carbon emission development goals is expected to be formally proposed in 2023. Vehicle importers and manufacturers that fail to comply will be fined in accordance with the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. To encourage consumers to switch to electric vehicles, the Canadian government plans to fund the installation of more than 85,000 public charging stations across the country by 2027, thereby expanding the scale of electric vehicle infrastructure in Canada. In addition, subsidies of up to 5,000 Canadian dollars will be provided to general consumers.

2022-12-29

Major EU carbon reduction agreement: Building and transport carbon markets IN, free carbon quotas OUT

On the 18th, representatives of the European Parliament and EU member states reached an agreement on a major reform of the EU ETS (European Union Carbon Trading System). The agreement will gradually reduce carbon emission quotas, resulting in a 62% reduction in carbon emissions from ETS-covered industries by 2030 compared to 2005 levels. In addition, the EU will launch a new carbon trading market for buildings and road transport, "ETS 2." The new agreement will not officially take effect until approved by the European Parliament and the European Council. Carbon market quotas will be reduced, and carbon emission targets will be tightened by another 1%. The EU carbon trading market regulates nearly 11,000 energy-intensive industries, including energy, steel, mining, and papermaking, representing nearly half of EU emissions. The EU's goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels, making carbon market reform imperative. The EU carbon market uses capping regulations to reduce carbon emissions. Companies that successfully reduce emissions below their regulated quotas generate tradable carbon credits. Companies that fall short of their emissions reductions must purchase carbon credits to offset their emissions. The trading price of each ton of carbon fluctuates according to the supply and demand of quotas and carbon rights. Negotiations started on the 16th and it took 30 hours to reach an agreement. The representatives decided that the greenhouse gas emissions covered by the EU ETS in 2030 should be reduced by 62% compared with 2005, which is 1% more than the 61% originally proposed by the European Commission. To achieve this goal, the ETS will reduce the quota by 90 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2024 and another 27 million tons in 2026. Between 2024 and 2030, the annual quota will be reduced by 1 million tons.

2022-12-27

IEA: Energy crisis accelerates green energy development; the amount of energy built in the past 20 years could be completed in the next five years

The Russo-Ukrainian war has plunged the world into an energy crisis. To mitigate the impact of international energy prices, renewable energy is rapidly expanding. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA)'s recently released "Renewables 2022" report, global renewable energy installed capacity will nearly double over the next five years, and is expected to surpass coal to become the largest source of electricity. This trend will also help control global warming to within 1.5°C. To break away from dependence on fossil fuels, countries are accelerating the development of renewable energy. With the support of policies and investment, the IEA estimates that the amount of construction that took 20 years to complete in the past will only take 5 years in the future. The IEA estimates that between 2022 and 2027, global renewable energy installed capacity will grow by 2,400GW (million kilowatts), equivalent to China's total installed capacity. Renewable energy accounts for more than 90% of the five-year power expansion plan. It is expected that by early 2025, renewable energy will surpass coal to become the world's largest source of electricity. "The Ukrainian war is a key point in the progress of renewable energy in Europe." The IEA predicts that the new renewable energy construction in Europe in the next five years (2022-2027) will be twice the increase in the past five years. China, the United States and India have also seen significant growth. The IEA pointed out that China's new renewable energy capacity in the next five years will account for about half of the world's new capacity; the United States just passed the Inflation Reduction Act this year, which will also help

2022-12-19

The world's largest youth forum on biodiversity: Human behavior needs to change, fairness and justice cannot be absent

The United Nations Biodiversity Conference opened on the 6th, with representatives from nearly 200 countries gathering in Montreal, Canada, to forge a key global agreement on the environment for the next decade. Amidst numerous disagreements and slow progress in negotiations, 300 young people from around the world, some as young as 10, gathered in Montreal's Old Port, less than a 15-minute walk from the conference center. They are determined not only to push the agreement forward but also to reverse the accelerating loss of biodiversity through action. Restoring nature cannot wait: Young people from 50 countries are urging concrete action at the United Nations. The 15th United Nations Conference on Biodiversity (COP15) is currently underway in Montreal. Its key mission is to finalize the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, setting specific goals and guidelines for action over the next decade. The Global Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN) hosted the world's largest youth forum on biodiversity from the 5th to the 6th. Founder Christian Schwarzer took the stage and declared, "This year, we must ensure that representatives from all countries hear our voices." Scientists point out that nearly one million species will be on the verge of extinction in the next decade. Young people hope that countries will not just make empty promises. A young Aboriginal man from Canada recounted that his family lives on the same land.

2022-12-14

Taiwan's mobile phone recycling rate lags internationally. Convenience stores and cleaning crews are actively collecting phones nationwide. Reselling and repairing these phones is also sustainable.

Over 50% of Taiwanese people have several unused mobile phones. But did you know? 100 iPhones can yield approximately 0.97 grams of gold, 7.5 grams of silver, and 710 grams of copper; recycling 10,000 iPhones saves production energy equivalent to 140 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions. Although Taiwan's mobile phone recycling rate has increased annually to 12%, it still lags behind the international average of 15-20%. According to an EPA survey, reasons people are reluctant to recycle their phones include not knowing where to recycle, a lack of recycling incentives, and concerns about personal data leaks. The Mobile Phone Journey: Disassembly, Refining, and Reuse Where do old phones go? Whether they're handed over to convenience stores, telecom operators, mobile phone stores, or cleaning crews, the mobile phone's recycling journey is about to begin. Li Zhiyi, Director of the Electronics, Electrical, and Information Products Management Group of the Environmental Protection Administration's Recycling Foundation, stated in an interview that manual disassembly and subsequent refining during the mobile phone recycling process can generate unreusable waste, requiring it to be handled by qualified operators. Reusable plastics and precious metals will each enter the appropriate recycling process. Taking iPhones as an example, 100 iPhones can produce approximately 0.97 grams of gold, 7.5 grams of silver, and 710 grams of copper. The extracted precious metals can all enter the recycling process. The production energy saved by recycling every 10,000 iPhones is equivalent to 140 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions. Li Zhiyi explained that although mobile phones are general waste, they contain harmful ingredients, so they need to be handed over to private "Class A treatment institutions" for treatment.

2022-12-12

Fairphone 4, a modular, eco-friendly phone that allows for easy repairs with just a screwdriver, has launched in Taiwan.

How often do you upgrade your phone? Fairphone, a Dutch eco-friendly mobile phone brand known for its modular design and easy repairability with just a screwdriver, officially launched in Taiwan yesterday (8th). Fairphone advocates extending the lifecycle of mobile phones, reducing electronic waste and carbon emissions, and its first Asian market expansion is in Taiwan. The fourth-generation "Fairphone 4," sold exclusively by Royal Telecommunications and Far EasTone Telecommunications, comes with a two-year warranty in Taiwan and a three-year warranty internationally, along with a five-year parts supply and software update guarantee. The Fairphone 4, an eco-friendly phone with easily replaceable parts, has launched in Taiwan. Mobile phones bring convenience to our lives, but both the extraction of raw materials and the disposal of discarded waste place a significant burden on the planet, and the manufacturing process has been plagued by labor rights issues. Founded in 2013, the Dutch eco-friendly mobile phone brand "Fairphone" advocates fair production practices, easy-to-repair designs, and a high proportion of recycled materials, bringing environmentally and human rights-friendly alternatives to the market. Fairphone launched the fourth generation "Fairphone 4" last year and held a press conference for its launch in Taiwan yesterday (8th). It will be sold exclusively by Royal Telecommunications and Far EasTone Telecommunications. Fairphone co-founder and project director Miquel Ballester Salvà said that the first market outside of Europe to enter is Taiwan. "Seeing people holding Fairphone 4 on the streets of Taiwan is a step towards a fair and sustainable world.

2022-12-12

A zero-carbon farm has grown in London's underground air-raid shelter, minimizing transport costs and ensuring exceptional freshness.

You see a salad in front of you, and the packaging says the vegetables come from "Growing Underground." What comes to mind? Don't vegetables grow in the soil? The underground here refers to the air-raid shelters 33 meters below London. Clapham is located in the southern suburbs of London. Deeper than the subway, there is a World War II air-raid shelter. The British agricultural technology company "Zero Carbon Farms" has built a vertical farm here to grow lettuce and herbs. What are the benefits of growing vegetables in the air-raid shelter? For consumers, the vegetables here can be on the table within hours of harvest, ensuring superb freshness. Due to strong demand from large retailers and local restaurants for its bean sprouts, arugula leaves, and watercress, the company expects to double its planting area. According to the World Economic Forum, this area can harvest 60 times a year, six times more than traditional farms. Compared with conventional soil farming methods, it can reduce water use by 70%. Vertical farming is not without its disadvantages. The growing environment requires strict control and relies heavily on artificial lighting, which leads to high production costs due to electricity consumption. But this farm is built underground, and the underground temperature is stable, so it can produce all year round. Vertical farms also require less land. Zero Carbon Farm pointed out that this means that more crops can be grown in a smaller space. In addition, the farm is located directly under the city, with less transportation mileage and lower carbon emissions. This will help achieve the company's initial goal.

2022-12-10

The Environmental Protection Agency launches a "Resource Recycling Virtual Park" to turn waste into products.

Taiwan's resource recycling will also have its own dedicated "virtual park," but this has nothing to do with the metaverse, nor is it a traditional industrial park. Instead, it's an innovative mechanism for the Environmental Protection Administration to promote a circular economy. This mechanism allows businesses and mid- and downstream waste recycling organizations and processing plants to team up to create "resource recycling networks." Because upstream, mid- and downstream businesses are located in different counties and cities but are part of the same recycling industry chain, waste disposal plans can be packaged and applied for together, just like a virtual park, allowing users to see the past and present of waste recycling all at once.The Environmental Protection Administration recently issued a regulation. Unlike the past, when the "waste clearance documents" of each industry chain had to be reviewed by different competent authorities, which was time-consuming and laborious, the new regulation invites local and central authorities, experts, and representatives of public associations to jointly review them, eliminating unnecessary communication time and costs. The upstream, midstream and downstream management units are different and the review of waste clearance documents is time-consuming. Taiwan's strong manufacturing industry is also moving towards a circular economy process. For example, after high-tech factories etch printed circuit boards, the waste acid containing copper ions will not be discarded, but sent to "recycling agencies" to be made into copper salt raw materials and copper powder raw materials, and then enter the "processing plant" to be remade into products, such as copper metal or various metal salts, and finally returned to the market or returned to the production line. In order to effectively manage the waste cycle, the Environmental Protection Agency stipulates that enterprises that reach a certain scale or produce hazardous waste, as well as waste "recycling agencies" must submit a "waste cleanup plan" (referred to as a waste clearance plan) to the local or central competent authorities, and they can only operate after review. Waste clearance plan

2022-12-05

The Marine Waste Label has certified 18 products in two years. World Cup jerseys and national team blue and white slippers highlight the value of the circular economy.

Wearing marine waste is nothing new. The jerseys of national teams like Germany, Spain, and Argentina, currently underway, are made from recycled fibers from Taiwan and contain marine waste. Another company has developed the world's first pair of fully recycled marine waste slippers, the "New National Blue and White Slippers," made entirely from recycled plastic bottles. These slippers not only represent Taiwan's grassroots culture but also highlight the value of the circular economy. Last year, the Environmental Protection Agency launched the "Marine Waste Label," and over the past two years, it has certified seven companies and 18 products. The next step is to include the Marine Waste Label in the Recycling Fund's green rate program, allowing businesses using recycled marine waste to enjoy preferential recycling rates. This program is expected to take effect in the first half of next year (2023). Products awarded the label will also be prioritized for government procurement of environmentally friendly products. The new national blue and white slippers are made in Taiwan even from marine waste. Shampoo can also obtain the marine waste label. The "GreenPlax® New National Blue and White Slippers" developed by "22 Dream Factory", a brand under the casual shoe brand Chilu International, are known as the world's first pair of marine waste fully recycled slippers. Each pair of shoes is made from five marine waste plastic bottles, three recycled oyster shells and some environmentally friendly EVA materials. In order to achieve "local full recycling", the team uses marine waste plastic bottles not only from local Taiwan, but also has established a production line in Taichung to build a local green supply chain. The development team is currently carrying out a fundraising plan and plans to donate part of the proceeds in the future. In addition to organizing a number of national beach cleanups, they also promised to buy the plastic bottles of scavengers at three times the price to promote the recycling of marine waste and land plastic bottles. Beauty.

2022-12-03

The Ministry of Transport proposes a key strategy for net-zero transportation, with buses to be electrified by 2030 and cars and motorcycles to be electrified by 2040.

Electric vehicles are a key component of Taiwan's 2050 Net Zero plan. On the 22nd, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications held a public communication meeting on the key strategy of "Electrification and Decarbonization of Transportation," proposing goals such as ending diesel bus subsidies starting next year, fully electrifying urban buses and government vehicles by 2030, and achieving 100% market share for electric passenger cars and motorcycles by 2040. The Ministry of Transportation and Communications proposes full electrification of buses by 2030 and 100% market share for electric cars and motorcycles by 2040. As part of Taiwan's 2050 Net Zero path, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications is responsible for "Electrification and Decarbonization of Transportation," one of the 12 key strategies. The Ministry, along with relevant ministries and agencies such as the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Environmental Protection Administration, and the Ministry of the Interior, is developing three major strategies: "increasing the number of electric vehicles," "improving environmental support for their use," and "upgrading and transforming industrial technology." In terms of the number of electric vehicles, the Ministry of Transportation first plans to stop subsidies for diesel buses starting next year, replace 11,700 city buses by 2030, and achieve full electrification of city buses and official vehicles, which is estimated to reduce 403,000 metric tons per year; electric passenger cars and motorcycles will achieve a market share of 30% and 35% respectively in 2030, with an estimated reduction of 748,000 metric tons and 595,000 metric tons, and achieve the goal of 100% market share by 2040. As a supporting measure, the Ministry of Transportation will set up a wide range of charging facilities, targeting public parking lots, electric vehicle dealerships and repair shops, and gas stations. At the same time, it will formulate charging facility specifications and a single window for charging facility installation applications to promote the popularization of charging facilities. In order to lower the threshold for electric vehicles, there are also various financial incentives.

2022-12-01

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