Garbage sorting and recycling is a common thing that ordinary people must do every day. Generally speaking, it is common sense during recycling that only relatively intact plastic bottles can be recycled compared to plastic straws. However, recently some Japanese manufacturers have challenged the scope of recycling to increase the reuse value of plastics. Japanese company DIC recently stated that it will cooperate with bread companies to develop a recyclable plastic film for bread packaging, which is expected to be put into production this summer. Plastic is one of the highly convenient materials in modern society. While it is convenient, it also places a burden on the environment due to waste issues. How to effectively utilize plastic waste is an issue of international importance. Although many countries are committed to recycling plastics and reusing them without burning them, the proportion of plastic waste in Japan is still low. For example, the total discharge of waste plastic in 2018 was 891 tons, and only 2.08 million tons, that is, 23%, could be recycled. According to a May 25 press release from Japanese PPS plastics company DIC, DIC will cooperate with large bread companies to make the soft plastic films used to package bread that could only be discarded in the past recyclable. Renewable resources have been used to achieve so-called "material recycle" (used products can become raw materials for the same products.) and are scheduled to be put into actual production this summer to confirm the recycling process and effect. In addition to contributing to a sustainable society through reusing technology, Dickson has also expressed support for the Japanese climate change advocacy group (Japan C

The United Nations Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) jointly issued a research report on the 10th stating that climate change is far more important on the global agenda than biodiversity loss. However, the two issues are actually closely related and have similar impacts, and they must be resolved together immediately. Scientists call on countries to treat climate change and biodiversity as one. This report is the first collaboration between IPBES and IPCC scientists. According to the report, damage to forests and other ecosystems affects nature's ability to regulate greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and withstand extreme weather, accelerating climate change on the one hand and making it more vulnerable to its consequences on the other. For example, mangroves and seagrasses that capture carbon are rapidly disappearing, reducing carbon storage and exposing coastlines to storm surges and erosion. The report calls on governments to develop policies and natural solutions to address both issues simultaneously. Pamela McElwee, an ecologist at Rutgers University and one of the report’s authors, said at an online press conference: “For a long time, policymakers have tended to view climate change and biodiversity loss as separate issues. Policies also tend to be separate." "Climate is receiving more attention because people are increasingly experiencing it in their own lives, such as wildfires and hurricanes. Our report points out that biodiversity loss has an impact on The human impact is very similar." UN appeal

On May 18 this year (2021), the International Energy Agency (IEA) published the first forecast path analysis report for the global energy system to reach net zero emissions, "Net Zero by 2050: Global Energy Sector Roadmap" (Net Zero by 2050 : A Roadmap for the Global Energy Sector), hoping to help countries formulate energy-related policies. The report analyzes the actions and timetable required to achieve carbon reduction goals, such as banning the sale of fossil fuel boilers in 2025 and making 60% of new cars electric in 2030. In addition, the report also analyzes the development of low-carbon technology and its impact on the economy and energy industry. , global natural resource extraction, energy security and other different aspects of impact. The report mentions "only a pathway, rather than the pathway." Actually reaching net zero will involve many uncertain factors such as the degree of behavioral change and the progress of carbon capture technology development. The current policies and carbon reduction progress of various countries make it very difficult to achieve net-zero emission goals. Global carbon reduction policies and processes: How far are the current policies of various countries from net-zero emissions? In addition to discussing the path to net-zero emissions, the report also analyzes two non-net-zero scenarios, the "Stated Polices Scenario (STEPS)" and the "Anounced Pledges Case (AP)".

According to the European Environment Agency (EEA) report "The Impact of COVID-19 on Single-use Plastics in the European Environment", the epidemic has led to an increase in the use of many products made of long-lasting single-use plastics. Masks and gloves protect people's health, but certain types of food packaging lead to additional emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants, and the resulting waste can harm ecosystems and animals. EU imports of masks and gloves more than doubled during the pandemic In the first half of the pandemic last year (2020), the EU's imports of masks and gloves more than doubled, and domestic production also grew. The European Environment Agency briefing estimates that the EU imported around 170,000 tonnes of masks during this period, or about 0.75 masks per person per day, resulting in additional greenhouse gas emissions and other types of pollution. The briefing further estimates that reusable cotton masks become more climate-friendly than disposable masks after about 13 washes, but may not provide the same level of protection. International health care organizations do not recommend the use of gloves as a preventive measure. However, according to the report, during the first wave of the pandemic in Europe from April to September last year, glove imports increased by 80%, totaling 105,000 tons. The report shows that the increased use of disposable masks and gloves during the pandemic has impacted the environment and climate from resource extraction, production, transportation, waste disposal and littering behaviour. The impact on the production stage is mainly seen in exporting countries outside Europe, while

Plastic pollution is ubiquitous, posing a significant environmental and human health concern. Recent research has discovered bacteria capable of breaking down plastic in one of the stomachs of cows. Scientific experiments have shown that three types of plastic can be broken down by microorganisms in the cow's rumen. Since the 1950s, humans have produced over 8 billion tons of plastic—the equivalent of the weight of a billion elephants—primarily in packaging, disposable containers, and PET bottles. Plastic pollution is ubiquitous, and people are unknowingly ingesting and inhaling microplastic particles in water and air. In recent years, researchers have been working to develop microbial capabilities to break down this challenging material. Microorganisms are known to break down natural polyesters, such as those found in tomato and apple peels. Because cows' diets contain natural polyesters, scientists hypothesized that their stomachs harbor a high concentration of these microorganisms, capable of breaking down these polyesters. To test this theory, Dr. Doris Ribitsch of the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna and colleagues collected rumen fluid from cattle at an Austrian slaughterhouse. Ribisi noted that a dairy cow typically produces about 100 liters of rumen fluid, "and you can imagine how much rumen fluid is wasted at slaughterhouses every day." The scientists soaked three types of polyester in rumen fluid: PET (a synthetic polymer commonly used in textiles and packaging), PBAT (a biodegradable plastic often used in compostable plastic bags), and PEF (a biomaterial made from recycled resources). Each plastic was in the form of a film and

The COVID-19 epidemic in Taiwan has intensified, prompting the nation to enter Level 3 alert. The central government has urged the public to avoid gatherings and non-essential travel. In response to epidemic prevention measures, the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) has extended the annual greenhouse gas emissions inventory and registration deadline by one month. Regulated businesses must complete the registration by September 30, 2021. Emissions in 2019 totaled 224 million metric tons. By industry, the power industry accounted for the highest share, accounting for 53% (approximately 119.26 million metric tons of CO₂e), followed by the steel industry at 14%. The EPA stated that over the past five years, greenhouse gas emissions from the manufacturing industry have shown the highest average annual growth rate of 6.44% in the semiconductor industry, followed by 1.35% in the paper industry and 0.37% in the photovoltaic industry. The average annual growth rates of other industries have been declining. Under the current Greenhouse Gas Reduction and Management Act (GHGRA), emission sources announced by the central competent authority must conduct annual emissions inventories. In 2016, the EPA also announced the "First Batch of Emission Sources Subject to Inspection and Registration of Greenhouse Gas Emissions" (the first batch of emission sources), which listed major energy-consuming industries such as power generation, steel, petroleum refining, cement, semiconductors, and thin-film transistor liquid crystal display industries, or other industries with annual emissions exceeding 25,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (metric tons CO2e) as major greenhouse gas emission sources subject to inspection and registration. The inspection work was affected by the epidemic, and the EPA postponed the registration deadline. The EPA stipulates that the first batch of emission sources listed above

To respond to the increasingly severe climate crisis, administrative agencies must also change their teams. Previously, greenhouse gas reduction and management tasks were coordinated by the Environmental Protection Agency's Division of Environmental Health and Toxic Substances. Yesterday (the 1st), the EPA established the Climate Change Office to better focus related work, complete the amendment of the Climate Change Act, the path to net-zero transition, and the carbon pricing system. It also aims to formulate a climate change adaptation action plan to align with international trends in climate change mitigation. In response to international trends, the EPA's "Garden Gas Reduction Office" was renamed the "Climate Change Office." Climate change is considered one of the most important issues of our time, not only causing damage to the environment but also threatening human economic activity. Even though the COVID-19 pandemic swept the world in 2020, and many countries implemented lockdowns and other epidemic prevention measures, significantly reducing human activity, atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations continued to increase, reaching record highs. A climate crisis is unfolding. To mitigate the threat posed by climate change, countries such as the European Union, Japan, and South Korea have vowed to achieve carbon neutrality as soon as possible. President Tsai Ing-wen also announced on Earth Day this year that "net-zero transformation by 2050 is also Taiwan's goal" in response to the trend of "racing to zero" in various countries. Premier Su Zhenchang ordered the Environmental Protection Administration to review the current "Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act" that sets a reduction target of "reducing carbon emissions by 1/2 by 2050" and asked all ministries and commissions to quickly review the path to net-zero transformation. Currently, greenhouse gas reduction-related work is coordinated by the Environmental Protection Administration's "Environmental Health and Toxic Substances Management Office" (EHA), but if you look at the old organizational charter, the climate change

Steel casting, a key German industry, has long been in crisis. A far-reaching shift toward climate-friendly production should boost the sector's growth. The German federal government and steel mills are accelerating the process, and the billions of euros in financial aid aren't just for the environment. According to the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, the steel industry accounts for 30% of industrial greenhouse gas emissions and about 6% of Germany's total emissions. The German federal government and steel mills hope to accelerate the heavy industry's transition to climate-friendly production. German Economy Minister Peter Altmaier, after consultations with the Steel Association and the IG Metall trade union, stated that as an industrialized nation, Germany must and wants to maintain a strong steel-producing position. Hydrogen energy offers an opportunity to transform this fundamental industry. The German federal government is supporting hydrogen technology conversions worth up to €2 billion under the Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI), part of an €8 billion fund launched to fund hydrogen projects. Projects from all major German steel mills will be considered. Minister A emphasized that by 2030, annual CO2 emissions will be reduced by nearly 11 million tons. The German government has also not ruled out the possibility of using quotas to purchase green steel. There are promising signs that the entire industrial sector, not just the automotive sector but also other sectors, is interested in purchasing green steel due to the acceleration of climate protection goals. If this can be regulated in a market economy, it will be a significant burden reduction.

A new study, co-authored by NASA's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), shows that Earth's absorption of heat has nearly doubled over the past 15 years, contributing to global warming. The international scientific team says Earth's climate is determined by its energy imbalance, the difference between the amount of energy Earth receives from the sun and the amount it reflects back. The study, published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, based on data collected by satellites and the Argo global array of ocean floats, finds that Earth's surface is now absorbing more energy than it radiates back. Between 2005 and 2019, the Earth's warming pattern nearly doubled. Lead author and NASA scientist Norman Loeb said the unprecedented increase, coupled with the fact that both methods used to analyze the energy imbalance show such a significant trend, leads them to believe that the increasing energy imbalance is a real phenomenon, not an artifact of the measurement tools. This phenomenon comes from the increase in greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane in the atmosphere due to human activities, which absorb more radiation that would otherwise be reflected back into space. The energy retained on Earth accelerates global warming, of which about 90% causes ocean

Illegal waste dumping is a frequent occurrence, and a lack of disposal channels is one of the reasons. The Executive Yuan announced today (the 17th) that it will accelerate the release of land in industrial zones, encourage businesses to install waste treatment facilities, and increase the amount of industrial waste handled. Non-combustible waste such as slag, converter stone, and incinerator bottom ash will be processed into recycled aggregates, with priority given to port reclamation projects to increase disposal channels. Illegal waste dumping continues to occur, prompting Su Zhenchang to impose severe penalties. The Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) presented its "Waste Management Improvement Strategy" at an Executive Yuan meeting today. Premier Su Zhenchang stated that the EPA, the National Police Agency, and the prosecutors and investigators will actively investigate and punish malicious waste dumping and serious environmental damage, and will promptly and severely punish such illegal activities. Su Zhenchang stated that Taiwan's industry has boomed in recent years, with industrial waste accounting for nearly 70% of all waste. The government will address this issue through three key approaches: increasing facility capacity, improving disposal channels, and strengthening inspections and controls. Su Zhenchang also reminded that administrative manpower is limited, and all ministries and commissions must make good use of technology to enforce the law in the investigation of air pollution, water pollution, soil pollution, illegal sand and gravel mining, deforestation, and prevention and control of swine fever. Not only must those who are held accountable be held strictly accountable, but violators must also bear the responsibility for environmental cleanup and restoration. Lai Yingying, Director of the Waste Management Division of the Environmental Protection Administration, explained that the main problem with industrial waste treatment is insufficient processing capacity and a lack of disposal channels. In order to increase processing capacity, the release of industrial land has been accelerated in recent years. At the same time, large enterprises are encouraged to set up their own waste treatment facilities through incentives such as simplified application procedures and reduced environmental protection fees. The Environmental Protection Administration also promotes the use of solid renewable fuels by enterprises.

Ashley Alder, CEO of the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), who also serves as Chairman of the IOSCO Board of Governors, stated at the forum that regulators have been alerting investors to climate information for some time, particularly regarding its consistency, availability, and reliability, as this is closely linked to "greenwashing." Many companies and investors have expressed confusion over the lack of a regulatory framework for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) ratings and data. Therefore, the IOSCO may issue guidance and recommendations to regulators in the future. Reports from ESG data providers and rating agencies will be released by mid-July. Alder noted that the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) is deeply involved in the development of the IFRS Foundation, the body responsible for International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). IFRS will initially establish a globally harmonized corporate climate reporting standard for sustainability disclosures, with a focus on climate change. He also revealed that at a recent IOSCO board meeting, directors expressed strong support for the IFRS initiative, with the climate standard expected to be released as early as mid-2022. He hopes that IFRS, building on the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) framework, will provide a sophisticated foundational climate reporting standard that can then be adopted and enforced across jurisdictions, and provide a foundation for developing credible, independent sustainability audits that meet investor needs. Source: CSRONE (https://csrone

As partners of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Global Plastics Pact Network, The Recycling Partnership and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) designed and officially launched the U.S. Plastics Pact in August 2020, aiming to make all plastic packaging reusable, recyclable, and compostable by 2025. The U.S. Plastics Pact’s “Roadmap to 2025” aims to ensure systemic change and accelerate progress on the Pact by 2025, proposing four key points to be achieved by 2025 to help U.S. industry leaders take significant systemic action to achieve a circular economy for plastics by 2025: Define a list of problematic or unnecessary packaging by 2021 and take steps to phase them out by 2025; Ensure 100% of plastic packaging is reusable, recyclable, or compostable; Take action to effectively recycle or compost 50% of plastic packaging; and Ensure the average recycled content or bio-based content of plastic packaging reaches 30%.

Eurostat released its latest figures last Friday (7th), estimating that carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels in the 27 EU member states fell by 10% during the COVID-19 pandemic last year. The reduction was also related to the lockdowns implemented by various countries to mitigate the spread of the epidemic, and the agency described the reduction as significant. Eurostat pointed out that among the 27 member states, the three countries with the largest decreases in carbon emissions related to burning fossil fuels during the pandemic last year were Greece, Estonia, and Luxembourg, with decreases of 18.7%, 18.1%, and 17.9%, respectively. The country with the lowest decrease was Malta, with emissions only down 1% compared to 2019. Eurostat pointed out that the consumption of oil and oil products also decreased in almost all member states, with the largest decrease in the consumption of all types of coal. Only 15 member states reduced their use of natural gas, while the remaining 12 increased or maintained the same level. In contrast, renewable energy, especially wind, hydro, and solar power, significantly increased their share of electricity generation last year, all of which helped reduce carbon emissions. Source: Environmental Information Center

"I am deeply inspired by your opening the eyes of the world to the urgency of protecting the Earth and inspiring young generations to join the climate movement," the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibet, wrote in an open letter to Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg in 2019. On January 10, 2021, Thunberg celebrated her 18th birthday and the Dalai Lama published "Our Only Home: A Call to Action on Climate Change." The two, both dedicated to environmental protection, participated in a virtual online conversation hosted by the Mind & Life Institute in the United States. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50855134427_6548461c9a_b.jpg The Dalai Lama and the environmental activist Thunberg participated in a virtual online conversation. Photo: Screenshot from the video of the conversation. In addition to discussing climate feedback loops, participating scientists, religious figures, scientists, and activists also agreed that education is key to addressing climate disasters. This article summarizes the key points of the discussion for your reference. The Dalai Lama and Thunberg: A Friendship of Over 60 Years. Thunberg: Despite our significant differences in age and other aspects, we share the same goal: protecting our planet.

With growing environmental awareness, more and more people are reusing items around them or purchasing recycled goods, maximizing the use of materials that would otherwise be discarded and demonstrating a spirit of treasuring and cherishing things. Products made from recycled waste are often not popular with the average consumer and are not considered high-end. However, in Japan, a handbag remade from construction notice strips is not only stylish and practical, but also costs nearly 10,000 yen (approximately NT$2,600) and is even sold in stores overseas. The "HATARAKU TOTE" is a tote made from repurposed construction strips from the Metropolitan Expressway in Japan. The Metropolitan Expressway is the urban expressway system in the Tokyo metropolitan area, operated by the Metropolitan Expressway Company. "Tote" means "to carry" in spoken English, so tote bags are often characterized by large capacity, ease of portability, and durability. Like the banners you've seen on highways, the banners that have appeared on the Metropolitan Expressway serve as reminders for traffic safety, announcements of newly completed branch lines or tunnels, and announcements of roadwork closures ahead. Each of these banners is made from a durable material that can withstand the elements, making them perfect for tote bags. Although a re-made item, the "HATARAKU TOTE" (work-style tote bag) offers many features that rival those of standard products. Because it's often used on construction sites, it exudes a unique construction site atmosphere.

The British Guardian reported that a 40-year-old Bangladeshi man stranded in France successfully avoided deportation on the grounds that air pollution in his home country affected his health. His lawyer argued that his client would risk serious deterioration in health or even early death if he returned to Bangladesh. A French court in Bordeaux last week overturned his deportation order, in what may be the first time environmental claims have been heard at an extradition hearing. A 40-year-old Bangladeshi man stranded in France has successfully avoided deportation on the grounds that air pollution in his home country affects his health. Photo source: DANNY DE HEK (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) Environmental lawyer: Environmental degradation will lead to large-scale immigration. Well-known environmental lawyer Sailesh Mehta said that air pollution knows no borders, and environmental degradation will lead to large-scale migration. Migration occurs, and governments must take urgent action: "There is a clear link between migration and environmental degradation. As warming makes some parts of the planet uninhabitable, mass migration will become the norm. Air and water pollution respect no borders. We The humanitarian and political crisis can be prevented from turning into an existential crisis. But our leaders must act now. “We have the right to breathe clean air. Governments and courts are beginning to recognize this as a basic human right. These problems are not limited to Bangladesh and developing countries. "Air pollution kills around 200,000 people every year in the UK, and a quarter of all deaths worldwide are linked to pollution," said Mehta. On the 2020 Yale and Columbia University Environmental Performance Index air pollution indicators,

The Biden administration announced on the 3rd that it will restart the permit review process for the largest offshore wind farm project in the United States, reversing a decision made by former President Trump last year. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced in a statement that the restart of the Vineyard Wind offshore wind farm permit review is part of the administration's expanded efforts to accelerate renewable energy development on federal lands and waters. According to Reuters, BEOEM Director Amanda Lefton stated in the statement that the agency is "committed to a robust and timely review." In December of last year, the Vineyard Wind offshore wind farm requested a pause in its review process to assess design changes due to a change in turbine manufacturer. This action prompted the then-BOEM to terminate all reviews. The plant, located 15 kilometers offshore Massachusetts, is expected to power 400,000 homes once completed. Regarding the reopening of the US review, the Vineyard Wind Offshore Wind Farm responded in a statement, "We are very pleased and look forward to working with relevant departments to build an industry that will create thousands of good jobs and take a meaningful step towards mitigating the impacts of climate change." Source: Environmental Information Center

The International Energy Agency (IEA) warned on Tuesday (2nd) that global carbon emissions, after a historic drop last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, have begun to rebound sharply, and are expected to rise again this year. The IEA stated that "global carbon emissions have rebounded sharply after reaching a low point in April last year, rising above 2019 levels in December." Global carbon emissions in December last year were 2%, or 60 million tons of carbon dioxide, higher than the same period last year. According to the latest data from the IEA's special report, global carbon emissions fell by 5.8% last year, or approximately 2 billion tons of CO2, the largest drop in human history. The IEA previously mentioned a larger decline of approximately 7%. In addition, there are huge differences between different countries. The report indicates that China was the only country whose carbon emissions increased last year compared to 2019, increasing by 0.8%, or 75 million tons of CO2, making it the world's largest greenhouse gas emitter; while the United States' carbon emissions decreased by 10% in 2020. Source: Environmental Information Center

According to information released by the International Energy Agency (IEA) on the 2nd, the 2020 COVID-19 crisis triggered the largest annual drop in global carbon dioxide emissions since World War II, with an overall decline of approximately 6%, but significant variations across regions and time periods. Emissions in many economies have now surpassed pre-pandemic levels. Global carbon emissions rebounded strongly after hitting a low in April last year, exceeding 2019 levels in December. The latest data shows that global emissions in December 2020 were 2% higher than the same period last year, reaching 60 million tons. The recovery, driven by major economies, has increased energy demand, and the lack of key policies and measures to promote clean energy has led to emissions in many economies exceeding pre-crisis levels. The 2020 trends highlight the daunting challenge of ensuring economic growth and energy security while curbing carbon emissions. Despite countries and businesses pledging net-zero emissions by 2050, the continued rise in emissions highlights the potential for failure to swiftly and effectively act to meet these commitments. Source: Environmental Information Center