The Japan Climate Initiative, a group of 92 companies, including Sony, Panasonic, and Nissan, today (the 18th) called on the Japanese government to double its 2030 renewable energy target to 40% to 50%. The petition was signed by numerous Japanese companies, including major corporations like Fujifilm Holdings and Toshiba, as well as well-known brands in the insurance, electronics, and food and beverage industries. In a statement, the companies said, "To ensure Japan truly joins the global fight against climate change, more ambitious targets should be set." The statement also stated, "A more ambitious target will promote the use of renewable energy, and Japanese companies will play a more important role in the global business environment that is accelerating carbon reduction." Japan currently aims to achieve a 22% to 24% share of solar, wind, and other renewable energy by 2030. This target, set three years ago, will be reviewed as the government revises its energy development strategy. Source: Environmental Information Center

To meet its climate commitments, Denmark plans to build an Energy Island, one in the Baltic Sea and one in the North Sea, to serve as offshore hubs for offshore wind power. The two energy islands are Bornholm in the Baltic Sea and an artificial island in the North Sea. On the 21st, Danish and German power grid operators issued a letter of intent for cooperation, which will study the future connection of their two countries' power grids via an interconnector on Bornholm. Regarding the artificial islands, the Danish consortium VindØ unveiled plans for the islands on the 12th with a simulation video of the "world's first artificial island," including energy storage and power-to-X facilities. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50879573823_434d63c6d8_b.jpg Denmark will build the world's first artificial Energy Island in the North Sea. Image taken from VindØ video In June 2020, the Danish government approved the development plan of two energy islands with a total installed capacity of 5GW. It is expected to develop offshore wind power near the islands and connect electricity to the islands. The wind farm on Bornholm Island is located about 20 kilometers south and southwest of the island, with an installed capacity of 2GW. The other energy island is an artificial island to be built in the North Sea, with an installed capacity of 3GW. The Danish Energy Agency and the Danish power grid operator Energinet will conduct a detailed study on the environmental impact of the development on the seabed, artificial islands and offshore wind turbines, and the results are expected to be released in 2024. The energy island will be completed in 2030.

According to the Economic Information Daily, China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment is currently developing an action plan to peak carbon emissions before 2030. Many regions are also developing their own carbon peak roadmaps, with some provinces and cities explicitly aiming to be the first in the nation to achieve this goal. The State Grid Corporation of China recently released an action plan for carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, proposing that by 2025, clean energy account for 50% of its electricity transmission. Meanwhile, China Huaneng established a carbon neutrality research institute, and energy companies such as Sinopec and CNOOC also announced the launch of carbon neutrality plans. Source: Environmental Information Center

HSBC announced today (11) that it will gradually stop financing the coal-fired industry in developed countries such as the European Union by 2030, and expand it to developing countries by 2040, strengthening its commitment to addressing climate change and bringing greater pressure on investors. According to foreign media reports, HSBC said today that it will propose a special resolution on climate change at this year's shareholders' meeting, and will gradually stop investing in coal-fired power generation and mining, and encourage customers in other industries to reduce carbon emissions. It also promised to formulate clear and scientific strategies, set short-term and medium-term goals, and formulate financing policies in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement. HSBC announced its emission reduction targets in October last year, planning to achieve carbon neutrality in the group's operations and supply chain by 2030, and zero carbon emissions for all customers by 2050. HSBC said that this resolution outlines the next stage of the group's "net zero strategy" and mentioned that it plans to provide 750 billion to 1 trillion US dollars in financing and investment to support customers in reducing carbon emissions. Source: Environmental Information Center

Saudi Arabia, the world's largest crude oil exporter, has announced a $500 billion investment to build an artificial city. This futuristic city will achieve its vision of a zero-car, zero-street, and zero-carbon-emission city. Crown Prince Mohammed Salman of Saudi Arabia explained, "As the director of the new future of desert cities, I am here to introduce you to THE LINE. It is a 170-kilometer-long city that can accommodate one million people, preserving 95% of its natural resources, with no cars, no streets, and zero carbon dioxide emissions." Crown Prince Salman of Saudi Arabia made a rare television appearance to announce the project. The futuristic city, resembling a sci-fi scene, will cost $500 billion to build. Spanning four terrains: coast, desert, mountains, and valleys, it lies adjacent to the Red Sea and serves as a key trade route for the Middle East. It will blend harmoniously with nature, creating a space for coexistence. Eliminating unnecessary commuting, everything will be within a five-minute walk. Construction will begin in the first quarter of 2021 and is expected to create 380,000 jobs and contribute $48 billion to GDP. Source: Environmental Information Center

The current internationally agreed ceiling for global temperature rise is set at 2°C. However, new data released on Monday (4th) by Nature Climate Change indicates that current global carbon emissions are on track to cause temperatures to rise by 2.3°C above pre-industrial levels, exceeding the 2°C threshold. According to the Associated Press, the international goal is to limit global temperature rise to 2°C, and the 2015 Paris Agreement even raised the target to 1.5°C. However, new research suggests the rise could be even higher, but efforts are needed to slow it down. Andrew Dessler, a climate scientist at Texas A&M University and the lead author of the study, stated that the rate of warming is not uniform across the globe, and areas that are not warming as rapidly are bound to catch up. For example, the Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica is relatively cold, creating low clouds that reflect sunlight and heat, keeping temperatures low. However, this won't last forever. Once warming occurs, the clouds will decrease, accelerating the warming process. "The sooner we can achieve our zero-carbon emissions target, the slower the 2°C temperature rise will arrive, giving the global community more time to develop appropriate responses." Source: Environmental Information Center

The Guardian reported that a study published in the journal Nature Sustainability shows that unless the food industry rapidly reforms and changes are made to how people eat and produce food, the world will experience massive biodiversity loss in the coming decades. Nearly 90% of land animals could lose some of their habitat by 2050. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50769167886_698238748c_o.jpg Wildfires caused by farmers in the Republic of Congo. Photo credit: Hugh Kinsella Cunningham/EPA. The study found that biodiversity loss is particularly severe in Africa and Central and South America. David Williams, the lead author of the study and a scholar at the University of Leeds, said that without fundamental changes, millions of square kilometers of natural habitat could be lost by 2050. "Overall, saving the world's wildlife requires changes to our diet and the way we produce it," Williams said. The study calculated how today's expanding food system will affect biodiversity and found that losses are particularly severe in parts of sub-Saharan Africa, Central America and South America. Michael Clark, another lead author and an Oxford scholar, said general conservation strategies are necessary, such as establishing new protected areas or legislation.

Globalization is accelerating environmental pollution, making corporate social responsibility a common sustainability issue. Climate change has led to frequent natural disasters, raising the profile of environmental protection. Governments are prioritizing national development, prioritizing a circular economy, clean air, improved water quality, and care for the planet as key priorities. In 2015, the United Nations launched the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a set of 17 guiding principles. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), representing over 90% of global businesses, play a crucial role. Companies are implementing sustainable practices based on international standards, such as product design, energy consumption, and business models. They are also focusing on environmental friendliness, green initiatives, and social responsibility, and are adjusting and formulating appropriate internal policies. This allows the public to observe the practices of companies and enhance their image. Figure 1. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their 17 goals. Traditional procurement-based products are declining, while environmentally friendly green products are on the rise. The rise of environmental awareness has prompted companies to consider not only cost considerations in procurement, but also social responsibility. Companies have combined green environmental protection concepts with marketing strategies to strengthen the output of green products, in order to achieve "environmental protection and economic development complement each other and coexist and prosper together." When companies promote products with environmental protection as the core value, the closer the characteristics are to the core of the product, the more they can give consumers an environmentally friendly feeling about the product. Green marketing, three major strategies for planning green products. Consumers' awareness of environmentally friendly shopping has increased year by year, and the market is flooded with various

Climate Home reports that Colombia aims to leverage its vast natural assets to achieve its ambitious climate goals over the next 10 years. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50872025538_0217c80b9f_b.jpg Chela Elena Umir assesses the ecosystem services provided by the forests surrounding her community in Colombia. Photo credit: Luis Barreto/WWF Colombia aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 by halting deforestation and restoring forests. Colombia, with more than half of its territory covered by tropical forests, plans to halt deforestation and restore nearly one million hectares of forest ecosystems to reduce carbon emissions to 51% of its baseline by 2030. Colombia's new target is a significant improvement over its previous 20% emissions reduction target, particularly impressive given the critical juncture of the COVID-19 pandemic at the end of 2020. The plan, drawn up after extensive internal government discussions and public consultations, aims to establish a carbon budget starting in 2023 and make the country carbon neutral by 2050. "To meet these commitments, we absolutely need to protect the Amazon and fight deforestation," Colombian President Iván Duque Márquez told Reuters in an interview, calling for natural solutions to combat climate change.

According to a report released today (28th), insured losses from the world's 10 largest climate-related disasters in 2020 reached US$150 billion (approximately NT$4.2 trillion), exceeding the losses in 2019 and reflecting the long-term impact of global warming. Agence France-Presse reported that these natural disasters claimed at least 3,500 lives and displaced over 13.5 million people. From the raging Australian wildfires in January to the record number of Atlantic hurricanes by November, the actual cost of climate change-induced disasters this year is likely much higher, as most losses are uninsured. Unsurprisingly, these burdens fall disproportionately on poor countries, according to the annual statistical report by the global non-governmental organization Christian Aid, titled "Count the cost of 2020: a year of climate breakdown." The report, citing research published last month in the prestigious medical journal The Lancet, found that only 4% of economic losses from climate-related extreme events in low-income countries were covered by insurance, compared with 60% in high-income economies.

The UK plans to triple its tree planting rate over the next three years to help achieve its goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050 as part of its fight against climate change. The UK will host the 26th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP26) in Glasgow in November. Reuters reported that the UK intends to launch its environmental plan before the conference and encourage other countries to follow suit. UK Environment Secretary George Eustice is expected to announce on the 18th of this month that the UK's woodland creation rate will triple by May 2024, creating approximately 7,000 hectares of woodland each year. According to a government statement released today, Eustice is expected to announce: "We will ensure the right trees are planted in the right places and that the forestry sector creates more green jobs." Ahead of COP26, the UK government said it is focusing on four goals: ensuring global net zero carbon emissions, protecting communities and natural habitats from climate change, mobilizing funds, and getting countries to work together to accelerate action. Source: Environmental Information Centre

Plastics Industry Technology Development Center Foundation, Dr. He Chenghan: Plastic is a type of polymer material. Its advantages include lightness, toughness, and affordability, leading to its widespread use after World War II. Initially, the focus was on its toughness and durability, making it difficult to decompose in nature. In the past, due to a lack of familiarity with plastics, most plastics were disposed of through incineration or landfill, both of which caused significant ecological damage. Since humanity recognized this problem, they have developed numerous solutions. This article will introduce these methods in an accessible and accessible manner. We will first discuss what plastic is, why it resists natural degradation, and the harms of improper plastic disposal. With this basic understanding of plastic, we will explore current treatment methods that can give plastic new life, providing a deeper understanding of plastic disposal methods. Finally, we will learn how the proper use of plastics can contribute to the value of a circular economy. Keywords: Sustainable material library, thermoplastic plastic, thermosetting plastic, physical recycling, chemical recycling ■ What is plastic? [1] Plastic is a kind of polymer material. It is a polymer material that is made by chemical synthesis by polymerizing monomer molecules together. When the molecular weight is greater than 10,000 g/mol, it is called a polymer material. This material has the characteristics of light texture, strong toughness, low price, durability, etc., so it was developed after World War II.

The pollution currently caused on the earth includes air pollution, waste and chemicals. The European Union said on Wednesday (12th) that it will strengthen relevant regulations to protect the public's health and biodiversity. According to Reuters, the EU proposed to gradually reduce the pollution levels of air, water and soil to a level that will not cause harm to human health and natural ecology by 2050; at the same time, it plans to reduce the mortality rate caused by pollution to 55% by 2030. The goal is to reduce marine debris by 50% and reduce air pollution to the ecology by 25%. The European Commission said that it will revise the EU's minimum air pollution value next year, which is expected to be consistent with the World Health Organization (WHO) standards. It will also propose the stricter European 7 automobile exhaust emission standards (Euro 7) this year to reduce vehicle pollution. Source: Environmental Information Center

The Forestry Bureau of the Council of Agriculture is using biodegradable containers for the first time this year for the seedling donation containers, which is expected to reduce the number of plastic basins by 100,000 per year. The long-term goal is to use biodegradable containers for afforestation seedling containers as well, which is expected to reduce the number of new plastic basins by nearly one million per year! However, the nature of afforestation containers and donation seedling containers is very different. The time required to grow seedlings in forests is long, and the characteristics of biodegradable containers are still difficult to master, and the technical threshold still needs to be broken through. When talking about seedling containers, you must first understand the afforestation seedling process. In response to afforestation needs, each forest management office will sow and grow seedlings in the nursery until they can adapt to the forest environment and be "planted" to the afforestation site. This process involves complex factors such as how to make the seedlings grow well and how to easily transport them, which also affects the use of seedling containers. Source: Environmental Information Center

Many tech giants have carbon neutrality goals, but many achieve this in theory through additional environmental measures. However, IBM's latest emissions reduction plan addresses greenhouse gas emissions directly at the source, preventing them before they occur. According to the plan, IBM will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 65% ​​below 2010 levels by 2025. Furthermore, it will implement carbon capture technology to reduce emissions to neutrality or even above the target rate. Furthermore, IBM will increase its energy use to 75% renewable energy and to 90% by 2030. Within the tech sector, Amazon aims to achieve zero emissions by 2040, while Microsoft, like IBM, has set a 2030 target. Although IBM achieved theoretical carbon neutrality in 2012, that goal was achieved through environmental projects like reforestation. Therefore, its current negative emissions initiative represents a more ambitious goal. IBM will also establish a $1 billion innovation fund to further this effort. Source: Environmental Information Centre

In response to the global Net Zero Carbon Emissions Initiative, the Taiwan Institute for Sustainable Energy (TAISE) and 13 companies—including China Steel Corporation, Chunghwa Telecom, CTCC, ASE, TSMC, Taiwan Cement, E.Sun Financial Holdings, Asia Cement, Sinyi Realty, Taishin Financial Holdings, Cathay Financial Holdings, Shin Kong Financial Holdings, and Foxconn—established the "Taiwan Net Zero Action Alliance" on World Environment Day (June 5th). The alliance aims to achieve the 2050 Net Zero Carbon Emissions goal. These 13 companies collectively represent approximately 45% of Taiwan's GDP and 19% of Taiwan's total greenhouse gas emissions. The alliance plans to invite more companies to join the Net Zero Carbon Emissions Initiative. The 13 companies representing 19% of Taiwan's carbon emissions have responded to the initiative. To mitigate climate change caused by the greenhouse effect, the United Nations adopted the Paris Agreement in 2015, pledging to limit global warming to no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius. To achieve this goal, countries around the world have announced net zero carbon emissions (carbon neutrality) actions in recent years, including the United States, Japan, South Korea, and the European Union, all of which have set a net zero carbon emissions target of 2050, and China has also pledged to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2060. Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen followed up on Earth Day (April 22nd) this year and announced: "Net zero carbon emissions are also Taiwan's goal." In response to the global trend of carbon reduction, the Taiwan Institute of Sustainable Energy (TAISE) invited companies to jointly launch the "Taiwan Net Zero Emissions Initiative Net Zero 2030 2050 Initiative," jointly pledging to achieve net zero carbon emissions for organizational headquarters and offices by 2030, and to work towards net zero carbon emissions for all organizational headquarters, offices, and production bases.

Laptop giant Acer announced yesterday (the 27th) that it has joined the global RE100 initiative, pledging to use 100% renewable energy by 2035. This makes it the ninth company in Taiwan to join the initiative. At the press conference, Acer CEO Chen Junsheng unveiled the "Earthion Sustainability Platform," inviting supply chain partners to incorporate green innovations into product design, production, transportation, and packaging, aiming to improve resource reuse, reduce packaging, and reduce their carbon footprint. Major suppliers including AU Optronics, Innolux, Compal Electronics, and Quanta Computer have already joined. Acer announced that it will use 100% renewable energy in 2035, surpassing Dell and Lenovo. The Climate Group and the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) launched the RE100 international initiative in 2014. In 2017, they successfully recruited 100 large companies to commit to using 100% renewable energy through investment, construction, purchase of green electricity or green electricity certificates. Currently, more than 300 companies around the world have joined. Among them, 8 Taiwanese companies include TSMC, Delta Electronics, Grape King, Dajiang Biomedical, Zo Research Institute, O-right, and Keyi Research and Development. Acer held the next@acer global online press conference on the evening of the 27th, Taiwan time. Before announcing the product, Chen Junsheng announced that Acer Group has joined the RE100 initiative and pledged to use 100% renewable energy in 2035, becoming the ninth company in Taiwan to join RE100. Acer joined in 2008

The unusual melting of Himalayan glaciers this winter caused flash floods in Uttarakhand, India, which breached dams yesterday (7th), killing at least seven people and leaving approximately 170 missing. Experts believe this may be due to local climate change and global warming. However, given the cold winter, the reason for the unusual glacier melting and flooding has attracted widespread attention. According to an annual research project led by Mehta, a scientist at the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, the eight glaciers upstream of the Rishiganga River have lost 10% of their ice mass, the lowest in three years. The total glacier area has decreased from 243 square kilometers in 1980 to 217 square kilometers in 2017. The Uttari Nanda Devi Glacier in the north has seen the largest decrease, a 7.7% decrease. Mehta said that glaciers in the Himalayas appear to be retreating faster than anywhere else in the world. The research team mapped the extent and dynamics of glaciers in the upper Rishiganga River and the Nanda Devi region, finding that most glaciers are shrinking. Mehta believes that the accelerated glacier retreat, against the backdrop of global warming since the mid-1990s, may be related to rising global temperatures. Source: Environmental Information Center

Bloomberg Green reported that EU governments reached a preliminary agreement in Luxembourg early on the 21st, requiring farmers to improve the environmental standards of their operations to qualify for agricultural subsidies totaling hundreds of billions of euros. According to the conclusions of the marathon agriculture ministers' meeting, any farmer deemed to be undermining the achievement of EU climate goals will be denied subsidies, with 20% of direct payments reserved for organic farming and other climate-friendly agricultural practices, such as soil carbon sequestration. https://live.staticflickr.com/4339/36716846815_30fd2427be_b.jpg EU governments reached a preliminary agreement in Luxembourg early on the 21st, requiring farmers to improve the environmental standards of their operations to qualify for agricultural subsidies. Photo credit: Jacopo (CC BY 2.0) The EU statement stated: "Farmers must adopt climate-friendly and environmentally friendly practices in order to receive financial support... All farmers must comply with higher environmental standards, including smallholders." German Agriculture Minister Julia Klöckner called the agreement a "milestone in European agricultural policy" and prepared for negotiations with the European Parliament before the final terms come into effect next year. The EU wants to include agriculture in the "Green Deal" and work together to achieve the goal of net zero emissions by 2050. EU member states will decide in December this year whether to adopt a more aggressive transition target of reducing carbon emissions to 1.5% by 2030 compared to 199.