On November 27, 2009, the Official Journal of the European Union published a European Commission resolution to conduct a questionnaire survey on the implementation of the Battery Directive 2006/66/EC in the Member States. The survey results will be reported to the European Commission to assess the effectiveness of current measures and to serve as a reference for future policy development. The European Commission requested Member States to provide information on several aspects, including: ◆ The transposition of the Battery Directive into domestic law; ◆ Steps taken to improve the environmental performance of batteries and accumulators; ◆ Battery and accumulator recycling targets and whether they have been met; ◆ Current battery and accumulator treatment and recycling measures; ◆ Funding agreements and measures taken to ensure that manufacturers assume funding responsibility for the recycling, treatment, and recycling of all used batteries and accumulators. Measures taken to ensure manufacturers are not subject to double taxation, in case other recycling programs have been implemented; ◆ Monitoring and enforcement actions, including the number of verified violations and whether violating products have been withdrawn from the market. The Battery Directive came into effect in all Member States on September 26, 2008. The obligations under the Directive apply to all types of batteries, including those for consumer, industrial, or automotive use. The Directive has prohibited the sale of the following batteries on the market since September 26, 2008: ◆      

California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. recently warned six major retailers that several children's products sold in their stores contained lead levels exceeding the 300 parts per million (ppm) limit set by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, ordering the retailers to immediately remove these non-compliant products from their shelves. These products include certain children's capes, shoes, belts, tote bags, necklaces, and accessory boxes, with lead levels ranging from 677 to 22,000 ppm. The problem was discovered earlier during a three-month study by the Center for Environmental Hygiene. The California Attorney General's office issued a press release stating that it has reported the issue to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which has the authority to order the recall of non-compliant products. While the origin of the products is unknown, it is estimated that at least some were manufactured in China. This is the first time a state attorney general has attempted to enforce the provisions of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 since it took effect. Under the Enhanced Consumer Product Safety Act, products primarily intended for children aged 12 or under must not contain more than 300 ppm of lead by weight in any single component. From August 14, 2011, the lead content in children's products was limited to no more than 100 ppm, unless the Consumer Product Safety Commission deems this standard impractical for a particular product or category. Furthermore, the Enhanced Consumer Product Safety Act stipulates that furniture, toys, and other similar products must also contain lead.

The EU Environment Council proposed on the 21st of this month to develop new environmental and social indicators to replace the traditional model of using Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to measure a country's prosperity and well-being. A trial version of these indicators will be published in 2010. The EU's economic recovery plan launched last year used GDP as the main indicator of effectiveness, but this recovery will accelerate the depletion of natural resources. To address this dilemma, the EU plans to develop a new sustainable development strategy, with environmental policy focusing on five key areas: climate change and energy consumption, natural and biodiversity, air pollution and health impacts, water resources and pollution, and waste recycling and resource utilization. On the 21st of this month, the European Union's Environment Department proposed using an eco-efficient economy indicator to assess the performance of sustainable development strategies across various aspects. It also suggested that this eco-efficient economy indicator be used in conjunction with GDP to evaluate member states' economic development, taking into account both environmental and economic performance. Future assessments will further incorporate social aspects. A trial version of this eco-efficient economy indicator will be published in 2010. The Swedish Permanent Representative to the United Nations' Environmental Advisor suggested to the EU that eco-efficient economy would be central to achieving the Lisbon Strategy, which aims to promote economic growth and employment.

On October 23, 2009, Wisconsin Governor Doyle signed the State Waste Electronics Recycling Act of 2009 (Winsconsin Act 50), which was expected to take effect on January 1, 2010. After the law took effect, Wisconsin's waste electronics recycling rate was projected to increase by approximately 30%. Effective recycling and reuse of electronic waste not only creates a cleaner environment but also allows waste to be reused as a resource. Wisconsin's waste electronics recycling law is similar in content to those of Minnesota, Illinois, and Indiana, requiring manufacturers of imaging equipment (including monitors, televisions, and laptops), computers, and printers to recycle regulated electronic devices according to their sales volume. To prepare for and effectively implement this law, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has begun a series of forums to introduce its contents. Related information can also be found on the website: http://dnr.wi.gov/org/aw/wm/ewaste/meetings.htm The original text of the 2009 Winsconsin Act (Version 50) can be downloaded from the attachment. – Reference source: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, 20

After months of political maneuvering, the Australian government will vote on its Emissions Trading System (ETS) amendment bill before Parliament adjourns on the 26th of this month. If it is again rejected by the Senate, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd may call an early election citing climate change. Rudd cited the nearly 100 ongoing bushfires and temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius in Australia as examples to emphasize the urgency of such anti-global warming legislation. The Australian general election is scheduled for the end of 2010. Although Rudd's Labor Party government currently holds a commanding lead over the opposition Liberal Party in the polls, calling an early election is still a gamble with the prime minister's position. The Australian government hopes the ETS can be implemented in July 2011, and once officially implemented, it will be Australia's second domestic carbon emissions trading platform outside of Europe, with carbon emissions pricing expected to be set at 10 Australian dollars per metric tonne. The debate over Australia's ETS is being closely watched by other countries, especially the United States, where members of Congress are debating their proposals. Australia's neighbor New Zealand is also attempting to pass an amended emissions trading bill. This carbon trading system was a key campaign promise of Kevin Rudd in 2007, and he hoped to pass the ETS bill before the Copenhagen Climate Conference (UN Climate Change Summit) in December. However, opposition Liberal Party members opposed the bill, arguing that it would sacrifice jobs and harm businesses, with some members not believing that human activity was the primary cause of climate change. Australia is the world's largest coal exporter, accounting for approximately 1.5% of global carbon emissions, on average...

Quebec Premier Jean Charest and Minister of Sustainability Line Beauchamp announced today (November 23, 2009) Quebec's greenhouse gas reduction targets, projecting a reduction of approximately 20% in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 compared to 1990 levels. Quebec's reduction targets are close to those set by the European Union, making it a leading pioneer in the global fight against climate change. The Premier of Quebec affirmed the reduction target and issued the following declaration: “For Quebec, where 48% of its energy comes from renewable sources, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20% is a very challenging goal. Quebec currently has the best greenhouse gas emissions record in Canada, with an average of about 11 tons of greenhouse gases per person, half the average for Canada. If the 20% reduction target is achieved by 2020, Quebec will become the province with the lowest per capita greenhouse gas emissions in North America. Quebec's industrial sector achieved a greenhouse gas reduction of more than 7% in 2006, while GDP grew by 41% during the same period. Therefore, for Quebec, achieving the reduction target for a sustainable future is a plan that everyone agrees on and supports.” Quebec's decision to announce its reduction target on the eve of the UN Climate Change Summit demonstrates not only its determination and efforts but also its willingness to lead the summit. – Source: Quebec Ministry of Environment and Sustainability, 2009-11-23

According to an official White House report, the United States will announce its greenhouse gas reduction targets before the UN Climate Change Summit next month. Danish government officials stated on November 22 that leaders from 65 countries have confirmed their participation in the two-week UN Climate Change Summit, scheduled for December 7th. Many other leaders are still considering whether to attend, but the attendance of China and the United States, the world's largest emitters of greenhouse gases, remains uncertain. The United States has not yet confirmed its participation in the Copenhagen UN Climate Change Summit, but last week US President Obama discussed climate change with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Chinese Premier Hu Jintao, and Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama. The US is currently drafting its own reduction targets, which are also the targets the US would accept if Obama attends the summit. In addition to discussing reduction targets for developed countries, the summit will also focus on aid programs from wealthy countries to poorer countries to address climate change. If compared to 1990, US greenhouse gas emissions have increased by approximately 15%. If US President Obama is willing to participate in the UN Climate Change Summit, it would be a very good sign; because the foundation of this summit is the negotiation of reduction targets, and the US's (the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases) reduction commitments would be of great significance to this summit. 

The Chinese government announced on Thursday (November 26) that it aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP by 40% or 45% by 2020 compared to 2005 levels. China will achieve this target through a combination of tax and fiscal policies. BBC China editor Chen Shirong believes this target represents a significant commitment. Premier Wen Jiabao chaired an executive meeting of the State Council, which formulated corresponding policies to achieve the target. Xinhua News Agency quoted the State Council meeting as saying that China faces enormous pressure and difficulties in achieving these goals. The meeting pointed out that China has formulated a climate change response plan based on its national conditions, adjusting its industrial structure, optimizing its energy structure, encouraging energy conservation, improving energy efficiency, increasing investment in relevant scientific and technological research and development, striving to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, and increasing forest carbon sinks. Greenpeace welcomed China's emission reduction target. The head of Greenpeace's China office said that given the urgency of the climate change crisis, China needs to take strong measures. However, he believes China can still do more. Wen Jiabao attended the climate summit. The Copenhagen UN Framework Convention on Climate Change conference will be held on December 7. Beijing Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang announced at a regular press conference on Thursday (November 26) that Wen Jiabao will attend the meeting. Previously, the White House also announced that President Obama would participate in the Copenhagen Summit. Representatives from 192 countries are expected to attempt to reach new agreements at the summit.