環保時事 - Page 36 of 86

EU's 2030 carbon reduction targets: 30% reduction in truck carbon emissions.

EU sources said on the 14th that the alliance plans to reduce truck CO2 emissions by 30% by 2030 as part of its carbon reduction efforts. Trucks account for nearly a quarter of the EU's transportation emissions, and previously there were no such restrictions; this is the first time the EU has set emission reduction targets for this type of vehicle. The United States, China, Japan, and Canada have all taken similar measures. The European Commission will also propose a medium-term target of 15% reduction in truck emissions and introduce an incentive mechanism to provide carbon credits to manufacturers investing in low-carbon technologies. Miguel Arias Canete, the EU Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy, has been actively negotiating with automakers and environmentalists for the past four months, finally reaching an agreement. Other EU Commissioners will vote on the proposal on Wednesday, which still requires the support of EU member states and the European Parliament. The EU estimates that a 30% reduction in truck emissions will cut CO2 emissions by 54 million tons between 2020 and 2030, equivalent to Sweden's annual emissions. The EU believes that the benefits of achieving this goal will outweigh the technological costs, including reduced energy consumption, lower transportation costs, job creation, and enhanced competitiveness of the automotive industry. (Taiwan English News / Huang Ziti, compiled from foreign news reports) Source: Taiwan English News Network (2018/05/15)

2018-07-04

Germany's new green textile policy - the "green button" label system will be implemented.

To support the overarching principles of "fair trade" and "sustainable environmental protection," Germany will implement the "Green Button" label for clothing starting next year (2019), allowing consumers to directly understand whether the clothing they purchase has green certification. Dr. Gerd Müller, Minister of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), stated that through this newly implemented certification system, only member companies of the German Textile Federation (Textilbündnis) that meet the relevant regulations will be able to affix the "Green Button" mark to their textiles. The German government hopes that this system will be legally implemented in other European countries, thereby encouraging businesses to adhere to the principles of fair production. Stefan Genth, Chairman of the German Retailers Association (HDE), expressed that while the industry believes there is room for discussion regarding the labor conditions and ecological standards established by the program, they are happy to work with relevant organizations to promote the label certification. Many inexpensive clothing sold in Western Europe is manufactured in labor-intensive regions such as South Asia and Eastern Europe. A 2013 workplace accident in a garment factory in Bangladesh, which claimed the lives of over a thousand local weavers, sparked widespread concern in Western Europe about the textile labor market. Many green organizations urged improvements to wages and occupational safety in these workplaces. Beyond humanitarian concerns, they focused on raising public awareness of green products, calling on manufacturers to reduce the use of dyes and color-developing chemicals, thereby improving wastewater treatment and reducing water pollution. Green-conscious consumers can benefit from these improvements.

2018-07-04

The EU plans to completely ban disposable plastic products to accelerate the phasing out of plastics.

The European Union (EU) proposed on May 28th a comprehensive ban on disposable plastic products such as straws, plastic cutlery, and cotton swabs within the region, and aims to achieve a 90% recycling rate for PET bottles by 2025. Frans Timmermans, First Vice-President of the European Commission, stated, "Plastic waste is undoubtedly a major issue, and Europeans need to work together to solve it." Timmermans added, "Today's proposal will reduce the amount of disposable plastic products on our supermarket shelves through a series of measures." The proposal calls for a ban on plastic cotton swabs, cutlery, bowls, plates, straws, beverage stirrers, and balloon sticks, but does not set a deadline for implementation. According to the proposal, all of these products must be made from sustainable materials. The proposal must be approved by the European Parliament and all 28 EU member states. Source: Environmental Information Centre (2018/05/29)

2018-07-04

Taiwan's version of the Green Deal: Environmental Protection Administration and NGOs jointly promote circular economy.

Following the spirit of the Netherlands' Green Deal, the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) of the Executive Yuan signed green agreements on June 1st of this year with private industry groups including the Marine Waste Plastics Circular Economy Alliance, the Green Electronics Resources Alliance, and the Taiwan Construction Resources Circular Alliance, working together to promote a circular economy. The Marine Waste Plastics Circular Economy Alliance was established on April 22nd of this year by the China Plastics Industry Foundation. Through its initiative to "convert marine waste plastics into commercially valuable consumer products," it aims to connect upstream and downstream industries with economic incentives to promote the recycling of marine waste plastics. The Green Electronics Resources Alliance is a Taiwanese business alliance formally established on February 6th, witnessed by EPA Director-General Lee Ying-yuan and Waste Management Office Director Lai Ying-ying, among others. It hopes to achieve the recycling of electronic waste and the sustainable development of the electronics industry through industrial specialization. The "Taiwan Construction Resource Recycling Alliance" hopes to connect the four major areas of Taiwan's construction industry's circular economy by establishing a discussion and sharing platform. These areas include low-carbon construction design, sharing economy models, green recycling technologies for building materials, and green construction promotion strategies. The alliance also aims to draft a white paper on the green construction industry for government policy reference. The Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) stated that the Netherlands signed a national raw materials agreement in 2017, bringing together the efforts of ministries, local governments, and large companies to seek mutually beneficial cooperation opportunities from upstream product design to downstream recycling, moving beyond linear economic thinking and transforming into a circular economy business model. Therefore, this "Green Agreement Signing" press conference was specifically held to allow the public and private sectors to declare their commitment.

2018-07-04

India vigorously develops renewable energy and joins forces with Japan to "decarbonize"

In recent years, countries around the world have vigorously developed renewable energy, including Germany and China, which have been building solar and wind power facilities. India is no exception, and its government tends to cooperate with foreign companies to accelerate renewable energy development. Comprehensive Cooperation to Promote Renewable Energy in India: Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Hiroshige Seko participated in the Japan-India Energy Dialogue in India, where the two countries agreed to comprehensive cooperation to promote renewable energy in India to achieve decarbonization and significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions. India's power infrastructure is inadequate; many urban and rural areas are not connected to the main power grid and rely on local diesel generators, causing serious environmental pollution. The power grids in major cities are also unstable, with frequent power outages. The government's "Make in India" initiative aims to make India a manufacturing powerhouse, making a stable and clean power supply a significant challenge. Expanding Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment and Forming a Team to Enter the African Market: Indian Power Minister R.K. Singh and Hiroshige Seko reached an agreement on the "Japan-India Energy Conversion Cooperation Plan" at the Japan-India Energy Dialogue. In addition to cooperating on renewable energy sources such as solar power to make the power supply more stable, the cooperation also includes hydrogen utilization and electric vehicle charging equipment. The two countries also plan to combine Japanese technology with Indian talent to form a team to enter the African market. Source: CSRone (2018/05/14)

2018-07-04

Vancouver bans plastic straws and polystyrene boxes in 2019

Vancouver, Canada, has passed a bill to ban plastic straws, polystyrene cups, and polystyrene boxes, expected to take effect in January 2019, in line with local environmental policies. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) reported that Vancouver passed the bill on Wednesday to implement its "Zero Waste by 2040" policy. In addition, the new law also stipulates that businesses cannot provide disposable cups, plastic bags, or paper bags, or at least must charge consumers an additional fee. Authorities stated that if environmental reduction targets are not met by 2021, a direct plastic ban will be implemented. Statistics show that Vancouver generates more than 2.6 million paper cups and 2 million plastic bags of waste every week. (Compiled from foreign news reports by Lin Hsiao-ju) Source: Apple Daily (2018/05/18)

2018-07-04

Malaysia establishes its first National Emissions Testing Centre (NETC)

The Malaysian Automotive Institute (MAI), in collaboration with the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) and the Ministry of Environment (DOE), will jointly launch Malaysia's first National Emissions Testing Centre (NETC) in Rawang, Selangor. This NETC, built at a cost of approximately RM50 million and located near the Perodua manufacturing plant, will be operated by MAI and open to all local automakers and ASEAN countries for emissions testing. Testing standards will be based on UN standards R83 and R101, assessing emissions and fuel consumption. As Malaysia takes steps to improve the energy efficiency of its transportation system, reducing carbon emissions is crucial to meeting global standards. NETC is Malaysia's first comprehensive emissions testing center and will provide contract manufacturing services to manufacturers in Malaysia and the ASEAN region. The technicians operating NETC have already received training and certification from the testing center's technical partner, Daihatsu Motor Co., and there are plans to expand services to motorcycles and commercial vehicles in the future. Emissions testing is required for vehicles to comply with the Ministry of Road Transport (JPJ) vehicle type approval and EEV (Energy Efficient Vehicle) certification requirements. Many tests are currently conducted overseas. With the launch of the first NETC, MAI predicts a significant reduction in testing and certification costs for all contract manufacturers and automakers, as well as a shorter testing cycle. The Malaysian Automotive Institute (MAI) announced...

2018-06-20

WHO: More than 90% of the world’s population breathes polluted air

The World Health Organization (WHO) stated today (February 2nd) that over 90% of the global population is breathing in high concentrations of pollutants, and poor air quality causes approximately 7 million deaths annually. New data released by the WHO shows that while air pollution is more severe in poorer countries, the problem is being addressed globally. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated, "Air pollution threatens us all, but the poorest and most marginalized are hit hardest." This WHO study examining the health hazards of outdoor and indoor air pollution found that approximately 7 million people die each year due to exposure to particulate matter in polluted air. The study indicates that over 90% of deaths in low- and middle-income countries are related to air pollution, primarily in Asia and Africa. Maria Neira, Director of the WHO's Department of Public Health and Environment, stated, "This is a very serious problem we face." The data focuses on the dangers of hazardous particulate matter with a diameter between 2.5 and 10 micrometers (PM10, particulate matter) and particulate matter with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5). PM2.5 contains toxins such as sulfates and carbon black, which pose the greatest health risk because they can penetrate deep into the lungs and cardiovascular system. According to the WHO, this can lead to respiratory illnesses such as stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and pneumonia. Source: C

2018-06-20

France has successfully salvaged leftover food; next step is to address leftover clothing.

France's efforts to combat food waste in recent years have yielded initial results. Now, the government is turning its attention to the less-discussed issue of clothing waste, intending to prohibit clothing brands from arbitrarily discarding unsold new garments. In 2016, France mandated that large department stores donate unsold food to charities, prohibiting its disposal or destruction; at the time, it was the first country in the world to enact an anti-food waste law. The Ministry of Agriculture stated that in the two years since the law's enactment, it has achieved very positive results, with food donations to charities increasing by 22%. Italy, Peru, and Finland have followed suit. Last April, the French government reiterated its commitment to combating food waste, with parliament discussing measures to mandate that restaurants provide free takeaways of uneaten food, aiming to halve food waste by 2025. Having achieved some success in rescuing leftover food, the government plans to begin rescuing "leftover clothing," namely unsold new garments. Prime Minister Edouard Philippe unveiled a reform framework for the circular economy this week, mentioning the government's intention to introduce a ban on discarding unsold new clothes by 2019, potentially mandating that clothing brands link with charities to facilitate clothing donations. Some French organizations specialize in collecting used clothing, washing and reselling or donating items in good condition, while turning damaged items into rags or other fibers. Emmaus is one of the most well-known such organizations. Valerie Fayard, Deputy CEO of Emmaus, was interviewed by the environmental observation platform Novethic.

2018-06-15

Portugal achieved 100% renewable energy power supply in March.

A new report indicates that Portugal's renewable energy generation exceeded total demand in March, setting a benchmark for other EU countries. According to data from Portugal's national grid company (Redes Energéticas Nacionais, REN), renewable energy generation reached 4,812 gigawatt-hours (GWh, equivalent to one million kilowatt-hours) that month, exceeding the peak national electricity demand of 4,647 GWh. Hydropower—which surged due to average rainfall in March being four times higher than usual—contributed 55%, while wind power accounted for 42%. This new record coincides with the Portuguese government's decision in early April to suspend its annual subsidy of €20 million (approximately NT$720 million or HK$190 million), most of which was obtained by thermal power plants that were put on standby. It has been almost a year since Portugal last supplied electricity from 100% renewable energy, a period that lasted 107 hours, while the average renewable energy generation in March last year was 62%. Is the outlook for green energy even more optimistic? "Last month's results are a prime example of how close we are to achieving fully green energy generation. This is not only a milestone for Portugal's power system, but also demonstrates that renewable energy can meet the electricity needs of an entire country," said two Portuguese non-profit organizations, APREN and ZERO, in a jointly published report. They anticipate that by 2040, Portugal's annual electricity demand will be stably supplied by economically viable renewable energy sources. While thermal power plants will still need to operate for some time, the rest of the time...

2018-06-15

The UK is considering imposing a tax on air pollution from cars.

According to a Financial Times report on the 13th, the British government is considering taxing car owners and urban builders who contribute to air pollution in order to improve air quality in British cities. Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond announced a consultation on a car tax to encourage the development of more environmentally friendly transport and to increase costs for users of urban construction equipment using low-tax "red diesel." Currently, the tax on commercial light vehicles in the UK is £140 regardless of pollution level. Although it will increase to £150 in April, there will be no significant difference between older models with high nitrogen oxide emissions and newer, low-emission models. The automotive industry is trying to promote the benefits of the latest diesel engines, which emit the same amount of nitrogen oxides as gasoline cars but reduce carbon dioxide emissions by one-fifth. However, British and EU car buyers are gradually avoiding this technology in anticipation of bans on older models and policies discouraging the use of gasoline. Data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) shows that diesel sales in the UK fell by 17% last year, and new car sales in February fell by 35%, down from 44.5% in the same period last year. Last year's UK budget announced a £500 million investment to promote electric vehicle development and increased taxes on new diesel vehicles and company cars. In a speech on Tuesday (13th), the Chancellor of the Exchequer also announced a public consultation on the use of red diesel. This diesel is mainly used in agricultural vehicles and heavy machinery, and its use on general roads is prohibited. Its tax rate is lower than that of regular diesel. Currently, red diesel costs 11.14 pence per liter, while regular diesel costs 1...

2018-04-19

While the import of "foreign waste" is banned, the circular economy cannot be achieved overnight.

Starting January 1, 2018, China's ban on the import of foreign waste officially took effect. This ban covers 24 types of solid waste in four categories, including waste plastics from household waste, unsorted waste paper, and waste textile materials. The document explicitly states the reason for the ban: "The illegal entry of foreign waste has been a persistent problem, seriously endangering the health of the people and the safety of China's ecological environment." This is just the beginning; by the end of 2019, China will gradually stop importing all solid waste that can be replaced by domestic resources. Clearly, the Chinese government's fundamental attitude towards foreign waste has changed. Recycled metals and plastics are cheaper than virgin materials. Fundamentally, China's status as a global manufacturing center, and the resulting massive demand for cheap raw materials, has determined that China has continuously imported large quantities of solid waste from abroad for decades. According to data from the United Nations Commodity Trade Statistics Database (Comtrade), in 2015, more than 70% of the world's waste plastics and 37% of waste paper were exported to China. European countries and the United States are the main sources of these wastes. This supply chain has continued naturally because every link in it is profitable. For developed countries, domestic processing costs are approximately $400 to $1000 per ton, while shipping to China, even with freight, costs only $10 to $40 per ton. Chinese recipients, however, buy these goods at extremely low prices, then resell them through multiple sorting and classification processes, creating a chain of transactions at the bottom of the global value chain.

2018-04-19

C2CPII publishes the fourth draft of the C2C Certification™ standard, including a list of restricted substances.

C2C Product Certification (Cradle to Cradle Product Certification™) is one of the world's most recognized and valuable environmental sustainability certifications, and 2017 was a year of rapid progress for C2C certification. Of particular note is the significant increase in the number of C2C-certified products. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has designated C2C certification as the highest product sustainability standard in its new federal green procurement guidelines. Home Depot and Walmart also recognize C2C certification as one of the very few trustworthy third-party verification programs for green chemistry and safe materials. As C2C certification gains increasing recognition and value in the global market, C2CPII believes it has a greater responsibility to ensure that this certification standard maintains its leading position in the global product sustainability field. This commitment drives C2CPII to continuously revise and optimize the C2C certification standard. Currently, C2CPII is revising the standard and plans to release the fourth version of the C2C certified product standard by the end of 2018. During the revision of the fourth edition, the C2CPII's Certification Standards Committee recognized that "we can seize this opportunity to update the list of prohibited chemicals to better align ourselves with the latest international chemical regulations." Therefore, the C2CPII proposed several significant changes to the fourth edition of the prohibited chemicals list, and also introduced a new name: the "Basic Level Restricted Substances List (RSL)."

2018-04-19

Green innovation gives birth to a new life for marine plastics.

According to a 2017 scientific journal report, since the Industrial Revolution in 1950, the world has produced more than 9.1 billion tons of plastic. Since plastic cannot decompose naturally like other substances, up to 34% of plastic waste accumulates in landfills, and even more is scattered on land, sunk in the ocean depths, and in lakes, leading to ingestion and even death of marine life. Statistics show that approximately 8 million tons of plastic waste flow into the ocean annually, threatening the lives of up to 800 species. A 2016 UN report stated that marine debris is a key factor threatening marine and coastal life. In Taiwan, the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) also jointly released the "Taiwan Marine Debris Management Action Plan" today (13th), publicly declaring a complete ban on single-use plastic products, including shopping plastic bags, disposable tableware, takeaway beverage cups, and plastic straws, by 2030. Furthermore, in 2019, Taiwan will strive to become the first country in the world to begin restricting the use of plastic straws, hoping to achieve the goal of a "plastic-free ocean" as soon as possible. In response to global environmental issues, more and more designers and industries are investing in green design, especially in the development of products made from recycled materials, which have sprung up like mushrooms in recent years. How to showcase design in products and provide the market with a green consumption option has become a constant focus for designers. Looking at products made from recycled ocean plastics, it's easy to see that over 80% emphasize material research and reuse, such as Helen Sandow's black ocean plastic bottles or Ecoa textiles made from recycled materials.

2018-04-19

California is considering legislation requiring polyester clothing to display a microfiber warning.

The California legislature is currently considering legislation requiring polyester clothing to include a warning about microplastics on its labels. This proposal addresses the potential harm that microplastics and microfibers can cause to the environment and drinking water quality. Recognizing the growing public awareness of the environmental impact of microplastics and microfibers, the legislature intends to require polyester clothing to include this warning on its labels to ensure consumers' right to know when purchasing, hoping to reduce the environmental and ecological damage caused by microplastics. The bill would require clothing made with more than 50% polyester to include a prominent label stating: "This product may shed microplastics during washing. Hand washing is recommended to avoid shedding microplastics." This labeling requirement is expected to take effect on January 1, 2020. Microplastic pollution is also a significant issue in the European Union. Earlier this year, the European Commission commissioned the European Chemicals Agency to prepare Annex XV of the REACH Regulation, outlining restrictions on the intentional addition of microplastics to products. Source: Chemical Watch (March 8, 2018) (Compiled by PIDC)

2018-04-19

EU enforcement plans have found high levels of restricted chemicals in consumer products such as toys and jewelry.

In February 2018, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) published a report on the fourth co-enforcement program (REF-4) of the Enforcement Forum. The program aimed to raise awareness of the restricted chemical list in Annex XVII of the REACH Regulation, identify non-compliant economic operators, and take enforcement action. In 2016, 29 countries participated in product analysis inspections, testing the content of restricted substances in mixtures or articles. Products inspected included textiles, toys, jewelry, plastic materials, adhesives, paints, hard nails, and childcare products. Participating countries conducted 5,625 product inspections, involving 17 substances, 1,009 mixtures, and 4,599 articles. Of the inspected products, 82% complied with REACH restrictions; the average non-compliance rate was 18%. Considering the serious health or environmental risks posed by chemicals restricted under REACH, the report considered 18% a relatively high non-compliance rate. The chemicals with the highest violation rates included phthalates in toys, asbestos fibers in secondhand products, and heavy metals in jewelry. High levels of tetravalent chromium were also found in leather goods. Analysis of the origin of the violating products revealed that the highest proportion (17%) came from imports from mainland China; products from the EU/EEA accounted for 10%. Additionally...

2018-04-19

"Vacuuming" plus "delivery" - German eco-friendly vehicle's "dust collector" goes on trial.

Electric vehicles are now ubiquitous on the streets, simultaneously filtering the air – a win-win situation! German filtration supplier Mann & Hummel, electric vehicle manufacturer StreetScooter, and DHL, a subsidiary of Deutsche Post, are collaborating on this environmentally friendly vehicle pilot project, emphasizing "no carbon dioxide or nitrogen oxides," and highlighting "absolutely no noise or particulate matter," aiming to expand the application scope and additional business opportunities of electric vehicles. DHL, the world's largest logistics company, currently operates approximately 5,000 StreetScooter electric commercial vehicles in Germany. Five of these vehicles, forming an "advance team," have a unique chassis design: each of these test vehicles is equipped with a micro-dust filter underneath, containing two built-in fans; simultaneously drawing in surrounding exhaust fumes and filtering them. The entire filter is about the size of a spare tire well, complying with German vehicle chassis modification regulations and operating along the routes with daily delivery operations. More importantly, this device not only makes efficient use of time and space but also gets closer to areas with dense exhaust fumes, effectively absorbing exhaust dust (or particulate matter). Stuttgart, a major city in southern Germany, is notorious for its air pollution, making it an ideal testing ground. A similar approach is being piloted in civilian vehicles – three hybrid Passat sedans, nicknamed "Feinstaub-Fresser," are equipped with air purifiers. Due to braking...

2018-04-19

New Delhi to Implement Green Action Plan to Combat Air Pollution

To shed its reputation as one of the world's most polluted cities, the Delhi government will present a green budget on the 22nd, promoting green initiatives such as the introduction of electric buses. The Delhi government will present its 2018-2019 budget on the 22nd. The Times of India, citing sources today, reported that the Delhi government has convened meetings with departments of environment, transport, industry, energy, and disability to discuss nearly 20 green initiatives, preparing to include a green budget in tomorrow's presentation to promote green action plans. According to reports, Delhi Mayor Arvind Kejriwal stated that the focus should be on electric public transportation, and a delegation has already visited China to study the possibility of introducing electric buses early next year. The Delhi government plans to allocate a budget to incentivize businesses to switch to cleaner energy models and to promote comprehensive greening by selecting street trees, plants, and street infrastructure based on their pollution resistance capabilities, introducing measures to reduce carbon emissions. The National Capital Region of India, including New Delhi, experiences increasingly severe air pollution every winter due to a multitude of factors, including heavy vehicle emissions, farmers burning straw in neighboring states, the burning of garbage for warmth by the poor and homeless in the city, emissions from over 7,000 restaurants grilling food, and smoke from construction sites. It frequently earns the title of one of the world's most polluted cities, and studies show that many people die from air pollution-related illnesses. Influenced by public opinion, the Indian central government, the New Delhi municipal government, and governments of neighboring states are all devising solutions to address the air pollution problem.

2018-04-19

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Latest Articles

EU's 2030 carbon reduction targets: 30% reduction in truck carbon emissions.

Germany's new green textile policy - the "green button" label system will be implemented.

The EU plans to completely ban disposable plastic products to accelerate the phasing out of plastics.

Taiwan's version of the Green Deal: Environmental Protection Administration and NGOs jointly promote circular economy.

India vigorously develops renewable energy and joins forces with Japan to "decarbonize"

Vancouver bans plastic straws and polystyrene boxes in 2019

Malaysia establishes its first National Emissions Testing Centre (NETC)

WHO: More than 90% of the world’s population breathes polluted air

France has successfully salvaged leftover food; next step is to address leftover clothing.

Portugal achieved 100% renewable energy power supply in March.

The UK is considering imposing a tax on air pollution from cars.

While the import of "foreign waste" is banned, the circular economy cannot be achieved overnight.

C2CPII publishes the fourth draft of the C2C Certification™ standard, including a list of restricted substances.

Green innovation gives birth to a new life for marine plastics.

California is considering legislation requiring polyester clothing to display a microfiber warning.

EU enforcement plans have found high levels of restricted chemicals in consumer products such as toys and jewelry.

"Vacuuming" plus "delivery" - German eco-friendly vehicle's "dust collector" goes on trial.