Oxford Properties Group is using the VELO platform, developed by Zerofootprint, to communicate real-time energy usage data for its Royal Bank Plaza Tower in Toronto to all tenants. The VELO system displays daily energy usage data for all 7,500 tenants in the building, including Royal Bank of Canada and JP Morgan Chase. This data, including daily energy consumption, is displayed on a large screen in the building lobby. Zerofootprint notes that once people begin to see real-time energy usage data across the building's 21,000 square feet, they typically re-evaluate their own energy consumption within the building and start turning off unnecessary appliances and lighting. Changing the behavior of commercial building tenants is an untapped aspect of building energy efficiency. Due to the unique leasing structure of commercial buildings, potential energy reduction opportunities cannot be realized unless the actual building occupants initiate and implement energy-saving initiatives. Oxford Properties Group states that the participation of all building occupants will be key to the success of this smart, sustainable energy efficiency platform. Source: Environmental Leader (October 2012)

California, a pioneer in U.S. green policy, began auctioning carbon emission allowances on Wednesday (14th). This is the world's second-largest greenhouse gas emission reduction program after the European Union. The California Air Resources Board stated that this online auction is expected to make California the world's second-largest carbon emission market. Under this program, the California state government sets an annual emission cap for polluting industries. These companies have two options: either reduce their emissions below the cap, or purchase allowances from other companies that have not reached the cap for every ton of carbon exceeding the limit. The board stated that the auction results, including the price per ton of carbon and the number of participating companies, will be announced on the 19th of this month. California adopted a global warming management mechanism called AB32 in 2006, with cap/trading being its core. California passed an emission reduction system that Washington had been unable to implement, and the world is closely watching the effectiveness of this auction. Currently, only the European Union has adopted an emission reduction plan of this scale, making Europe the world's largest carbon market. The northeastern United States also implements a cap/trading system, but it only regulates power plants and is much smaller in scale. UC Berkeley energy economics professor Polenstan said that if the California plan fails, it will be a very serious blow to the United States' carbon reduction efforts. He stated that if the United States ever comes up with a nationwide carbon reduction plan, cap/trade is probably the most likely approach. To encourage businesses to use new technologies to reduce emissions, cap/trade offers 90% of their emissions allowance free of charge for the first two years, but thereafter the cap will be...

On November 8, 2012, the American Association of Office Furniture Manufacturers (Bifma) officially announced the inclusion of the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Formaldehyde Emissions from Wood-based Panels (ATCM) regulations in the ANSI/BIFMA e3-2012 Furniture Sustainability Standard (or e3 Standard), imposing stringent requirements on minimum formaldehyde emissions from furniture products. The e3 Standard represents a structured methodology for assessing the stability of furniture products, comprehensively evaluating their environmental and social impacts, and is an important component of the technical rating standards in the product certification process. Similar to the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environment) green building assessment criteria in the construction industry, the e3 Standard also includes several essential environmental sustainability requirements and several optional standards. Because a product needs to meet multiple different optional standards, the score is determined by the final score and the corresponding rating. Bifma's inclusion of the ATCM regulations in the e3 Standard can be seen as one of the manifestations of the US's strengthened regulation of formaldehyde emissions from wood-based furniture. Source: Chemical Watch (2012-11-09) (Compiled by PIDC)

Canadian Federal Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq announced earlier this month that she would recommend amending legislation to ban all toys suitable for children aged 3 and under, prohibiting the use of triphosphate phosphate (TCEP), a toxic chemical, in the polyurethane (PUF) materials of all components, in order to protect children's safety. TCEP is considered a chemical that can harm human health, including potential carcinogenicity and reproductive toxicity. Children under three years old are more likely to be exposed to migrating substances from polyurethane foam containing TCEP in toys or care products due to their "sucking/chewing" behavior. The Canadian Toy Association welcomed the federal government's proposed amendments. TCEP is a flame retardant added to polyurethane foam and plastics, commonly used in plastic and foam products, especially in children's product fillings (such as crib bumpers, sleeping mats, diaper pads, and portable mattresses). It is also found in some automobiles, furniture, soundproofing materials, carpets, interior coatings, automotive interior parts, and electrical and electronic equipment. Source: Canadian Gazette

To further promote the sustainable development of its global supply chain, Walmart announced new initiatives on the 25th to comprehensively integrate its sustainability strategy into its business development. At a press conference in Beijing, Walmart emphasized that its goal of promoting the Sustainability Index within its global supply chain will be implemented throughout the global supply chain system. This includes four measures, such as launching the Sustainability Alliance (TSC) in China using $2 million in funding from the Walmart Foundation. The new initiatives announced by Walmart are based on the sustainability goals proposed at the 2008 China Sustainability Summit, specifically including: By the end of 2012, 70% of the goods sold in Walmart stores and Sam's Club stores in the United States will be sourced exclusively from global suppliers, including those in China, participating in the Sustainability Index project. Suppliers must evaluate their products according to the Sustainability Index and share the results with Walmart. Suppliers for all categories of goods covered by the index will be subject to this requirement. Starting in 2013, Walmart will use the Sustainability Index to evaluate the design of its U.S. private label products. It will also change the evaluation criteria for its major global sourcing efforts to ensure that sustainability strategy becomes an integral part of the daily work of its purchasing staff. From 2013 onwards, these purchasing staff, like the major purchasing staff at Walmart stores and Sam's Club in the U.S., will be required to clearly define sustainability goals in their annual evaluations. This sustainability initiative...

Recently, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Environmental Protection, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the General Administration of Customs, and the State Administration of Taxation issued the "Notice on Further Clarifying the Product Scope of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Products Disposal Fund", clarifying the treatment of waste electrical and electronic products. The collection scope of the fund. Therefore, in the future, companies that produce LCD TVs, plasma TVs, and drum-type washing machines must pay waste electrical and electronic product disposal funds according to corresponding standards. The notice pointed out that the electrical and electronic products included in the scope of fund collection include televisions, refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioners, microcomputers, etc. Among them, TV sets included in the scope of fund collection include cathode ray tube black and white, color TVs, LCD TVs, plasma TVs, etc. Refrigerators included in the scope of collection include refrigeration and freezer cabinets with separate outer doors and refrigerated cabinets with a capacity of 500 liters. wait. Turbine washing machines, drum washing machines, integrated air conditioners, split air conditioners, laptop computers, etc. are also covered by the fund. Refrigerators included in the scope of fund collection refer to insulated boxes with refrigeration systems that consume energy to obtain cold energy, including refrigeration and freezers (cabinets) each equipped with a separate outer door, and refrigeration boxes with a volume of ≤500 liters. Boxes (cabinets), freezers (cabinets) with refrigeration temperature > -40°C and volume ≤ 500 liters, and other insulated boxes with refrigeration systems that consume energy to obtain cold energy. The Measures clearly stipulate that producers of electrical and electronic products, consignees of imported electrical and electronic products or their agents shall perform fund payment obligations in accordance with the provisions of these Measures. Information comes

Brazil's chief negotiator, Luiz Alberto Figueiredo Machado, pointed out that emerging economies should not share the same responsibility for reducing carbon emissions as developed countries (wealthy nations), implying a return to the old position that has stalled UN climate change negotiations for years. Figueiredo stated during the UN General Assembly last week that Brazil adheres to the position agreed upon by all parties at last year's Durban conference in South Africa – to promote a common emissions reduction treaty between developed and developing countries. However, he pointed out that the agreement should follow the UN principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities." This principle, reached in 1992, excluded countries like Brazil, China, and India from mandatory carbon emission reductions, but the Durban summit appears to have abolished this principle. "Depending on their circumstances, countries will make different contributions in combating global climate change," Figueiredo said. He was primarily referring to the responsibility of wealthy countries for "the occurrence of climate problems." The BASIC countries (Brazil, South Africa, India, and China) in the UN climate negotiations emphasized this position at a joint meeting in Brasilia last week, and the four countries will maintain a unified stance in the Doha negotiations starting next month. Figueiredo emphasized that the BASIC countries are not abandoning their voluntary carbon emission reduction commitments agreed upon at the Durban summit or previous summits, but rather hope that each country can have a system tailored to its national needs and circumstances. Figueiredo stated that if countries in the UN climate negotiations take this into account...

What would it look like if all the water on Earth were gathered into a sphere? It might be smaller than you imagine. The attached image shows a simulation by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) of all the water on Earth, including various bodies of water, glaciers, water vapor, and all water present in soil and even within living organisms, shaped into a sphere with a diameter of 1,680 kilometers and a volume of 1.362 billion cubic kilometers. The USGS explains that the sphere appears small because it is placed next to Earth for comparison. According to one estimate, 97% of the Earth's water is in the oceans, and only 1% is freshwater, found in lakes, rivers, or underground. British researchers recently mapped the volume of all groundwater in Africa and its potential extraction benefits. This research could help improve access to clean drinking water for African residents. Estimates from scientists at the British Geological Survey and University College London suggest that Africa's groundwater content should exceed 647,000 cubic kilometers. Beyond the research, experts also warn that increasing water scarcity could lead to political instability in Africa and other regions. Former Ghanaian President John Kufuor pointed out, "In the event of water scarcity, people will migrate anywhere." They might even wage war to obtain water resources. Even the United States is not immune to the water shortage crisis. According to data from the U.S. EPA, by 2013, more than 36 states were expected to experience localized, regional, or statewide water shortages during the non-dry season. (Source: ...)

Apple is committed to reducing toxic chemicals in its phones. According to a study by ifixit.org, Apple's latest iPhone 5 contains fewer toxic chemicals than its main smartphone competitor, the Samsung Galaxy S III. This study, conducted by ifixit.com, the Ann Arbor-based Ecosystem Center, and HealthyStuff.org, involved researchers disassembling 36 phones and using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) to analyze the chemical composition of each component. Each phone received three scores: the chemicals used, the score for each component, and the overall score. These scores were then summed and categorized on a scale of 0 to 5, with lower scores indicating lower levels of toxic chemicals. The previously heavily promoted iPhone 4S scored 2.69, falling into the "low concern" category. Almost all other phones in the "low concern" category were marketed as eco-friendly. Samsung's Galaxy S III scored 2.99, falling into the "medium concern" category. In this study, the least toxic phone was the Motorola Citrus, scoring 2.56. The most toxic was the iPhone 2G, which scored the highest at 5, falling into the "high concern" category. According to analysis from HealthStuff.org, Apple is actively working to reduce the toxicity of its products.

The Haitian government banned the import, production, and sale of black PE (polystyrene) plastic bags and expanded polystyrene (Styrene-based) containers starting October 1st. Haitian Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe stated through the Miami Herald, "This is a reasonable and logical decision. Importing and manufacturing biodegradable items will benefit Haiti's short-, medium-, and long-term environmental interests." Haitian President Michel Martelly issued the ban in August, hoping to address the plastic waste problem on the streets and canals of the capital, Port-au-Prince. The ban initially caused misunderstandings among the public, who mistakenly believed that plastic bags used for drinking water were also banned, leading to protests. The government later clarified through advertising that plastic bags used for drinking water were not included, and the protests ceased. However, it is likely that PE cups and plates imported from neighboring Dominican Republic will be difficult to completely eliminate. Haitian environmentalists support the government's decision but are concerned about its ability to effectively enforce the ban. Sam Bloch, a member of the Haiti Communitere, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving living conditions, said he hopes the government will have follow-up plans should the ban's implementation not go smoothly. The Haiti Communitere, based in Port-au-Prince, is currently working on an "Ubuntublox project," promoting the use of recycled plastic blocks (Ubuntublox).

China's roadmap for phasing out incandescent lamps has been implemented, potentially saving billions of kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. Lighting accounts for approximately 13% of China's total electricity consumption. Replacing all 1.4 billion incandescent lamps currently in use with energy-saving lamps could save 48 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, equivalent to reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 48 million tons per year, demonstrating significant potential for energy conservation and emission reduction. Xie Zhenhua, Vice Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), stated that to conserve energy, protect the environment, and actively address global climate change, on November 1, 2011, the NDRC, the Ministry of Commerce, the General Administration of Customs, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, and the State Administration for Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine jointly released the "China Roadmap for Phasing Out Incandescent Lamps," which clearly stipulated that from October 1, 2012, the import and sale of ordinary incandescent lamps would be gradually prohibited in stages according to power output. On October 17, the Chinese government held a promotional event in Beijing themed "Say Goodbye to Incandescent Lamps, Light Up a Green Life," announcing the official implementation of the "China Roadmap for Phasing Out Incandescent Lamps" and the ban on the import and sale of ordinary incandescent lamps of 100 watts and above starting in October. Xie Zhenhua stated that the release and implementation of the "Roadmap for Phasing Out Incandescent Lamps in China" will not only have a positive impact on the transformation and upgrading of China's lighting industry and energy conservation and emission reduction across society, but will also make a significant contribution to global energy conservation and greenhouse gas emission reduction. "More importantly, it will convey the concept of green and low-carbon living to countless households through a single lamp." (Source: Environment)