On June 30, 2010, the Australian Competition and Consumer Goods Commission (ACCC) published a notice entitled "Supplier Bulletin – Lead and Certain Elements in Children's Toys and Finger Paints." In the notice, based on statutory standards effective January 1, 2010, the ACCC outlined acceptable levels of lead and certain elements in children's toys and finger paints, and recognized EN 71-3, ISO 8124.3, or AS/NZS ISO 8124.3 and EN 71-7 as acceptable standards for compliance testing. The notice highlighted the hazards of lead and other elements in children's toys and finger paints, and outlined the responsibilities of suppliers in accordance with the aforementioned statutory standards. Furthermore, the notice defined the terms "children's toys" and "finger paints" as follows, and clarified the applicable age range for children's toys with limits on lead and certain element migration: – Children's toys refer to brand-new products intended for play by children under 6 years of age. – Finger paints refer to colored pastes or gels that children apply to surfaces with their fingers and hands. The table below lists the acceptable maximum leaching levels of lead and other elements in children's toys and finger paints: Element | Product (mg/kg) | Antimony | Arsenic | Barium | Cadmium | Chromium | Lead | Mercury | Selenium | Toy Content | 60 | 25 | 1000 | 75 | 60 | 90 | 60 | 500 | Nail Polish Content | 10 | 10 | 350 | 15 | 25 | 25 | 10 | 50 | From 20

Morris Chang, Chairman of TSMC, strongly recommends that the World Semiconductor Society (WSC) and the Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI) collaborate, hoping that next-generation semiconductor equipment can be environmentally designed from the outset, achieving the global semiconductor industry's common goal of energy conservation and carbon reduction. TSMC will send executives to Japan next week to discuss the establishment of this mechanism with WSC, hoping to establish a dialogue mechanism between WSC and SEMI. The Taiwan Semiconductor Equipment and Materials Exhibition (SEMICON Taiwan 2010) will open tomorrow (8th). This year, a special green manufacturing zone has been set up to address green environmental issues. Hsu Fang-ming, Deputy Director of the Industrial Safety and Environmental Protection Department of TSMC, conveyed Morris Chang's ideas on promoting energy conservation and carbon reduction in the global semiconductor industry at a pre-exhibition press conference yesterday (6th). Hsu Fang-ming said that when Morris Chang attended the WSC Energy Conservation and Carbon Reduction Report Conference held in South Korea in May this year as CEO of TSMC, he pointed out that in the past ten years, WSC has not clearly regulated the voluntary energy conservation and carbon reduction of global semiconductor companies, but it is gratifying that Taiwanese semiconductor manufacturers have self-disciplined and followed WSC's energy conservation and carbon reduction goals. Morris Chang optimistically predicted at the time that Taiwanese wafer foundries would be able to meet the WSC's energy conservation and carbon reduction targets set for 2001-2010. — Source: Economic Daily News

A study by a US research institution and nearly 40 scientists from various countries has found that glaciers in Asia are not only retreating due to global warming, but their premature melting may also lead to more droughts and affect local crop yields. This report, compiled by the US Geological Survey in conjunction with 39 scientists worldwide, indicates that glaciers in Asia, including China, Russia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, Bhutan, and Kazakhstan, have experienced significant declines. Specifically, glaciers in Bhutan have shrunk by 8.1% in the past 30 years, the Chhota Shigri Glacier in the Indian Himalayas has shrunk by 12% in the past 13 years, and the Gangoteli Glacier has shrunk by 12% in the past 16 years. A report from the U.S. Geological Survey also indicates that China has the second largest glacier area in Asia, totaling approximately 59,424.96 square kilometers. American scientist Ferrinio stated, "The glaciers in the Himalayas are of greatest concern because they affect the lives of tens of millions of people and supply water to rivers in northern India." Scientists believe that glacial melting has a significant impact on agricultural activities during Asia's dry season. However, due to climate warming, glacial melting is occurring earlier, and when combined with spring or summer rainfall, it can easily cause floods, especially in areas near glaciers where flash floods are most vulnerable. The study also points out that glacial melting is related to the frequency of floods and droughts in Asia, and even to rising global sea levels.

"Carbon trading is very important, but China is still in the experimental stage overall," said Dr. Liu Qiang, deputy director of the CDM (Clean Development Mechanism) Management Center at the Energy Research Institute of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), at a lecture on "Energy Conservation and Low Carbon" held at the UK Pavilion of the World Expo on the 23rd. Dr. Liu stated that currently, apart from the relatively well-developed CDM market, China is still in the experimental stage of carbon trading, hoping to find carbon trading models beneficial to China's development and emission reduction through pilot demonstrations. A positive yet cautious attitude should be adopted towards carbon trading. In early August, the NDRC announced five provinces and eight cities as pilot low-carbon provinces and cities. Beijing, Tianjin, and Shanghai have also established exchanges to pilot energy conservation and emission reduction trading. In Dr. Liu's view, while the proposal of China's domestic carbon intensity target provides a good policy signal and platform for carbon trading, many issues still need to be discussed before carbon trading can be truly realized. These issues involve mechanisms, institutions, participation models, allocation, benchmarks, and other aspects, which need to be addressed through pilot projects. Furthermore, Liu Qiang pointed out that China's carbon intensity target is a voluntary target, unrelated to international commitments, and does not require international MRV (Measurable, Reportable, and Verifiable). In this context, it is even more necessary to consider the future relationship between the domestic and international carbon markets, and the roles played by different institutions within them, which also needs to be addressed through pilot programs. In Europe, carbon trading has already achieved some development, and its experience can be applied to China's energy conservation and emission reduction efforts.

Environmental consumerism is on the rise in the United States, with Americans willing to pay a premium for environmentally friendly products for their own benefit. In the latest issue of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council's *Trade Quarterly*, Assistant Chief Economist Poon Wing-choi analyzed this trend, suggesting that Hong Kong manufacturers pay attention to key trends in the US market and focus on developing product categories where demand for environmentally friendly alternatives is increasing. Recent large-scale surveys show a shift in American consumer attitudes. Ogilvy & Mather's "Post-Recession Consumer Survey 2010" revealed that American consumers have developed a new set of values ​​and shopping priorities. Among the surveyed American consumers, approximately 69% said the economic recession prompted them to reflect on their views and values; 78% said the recession led them to improve their consumption habits; and 73% indicated they preferred to own fewer but higher-quality items. A survey released in March by another research institution, Mintel, showed that 35% of American respondents were willing to pay more for environmentally friendly products. The survey found that this trend was particularly evident in the food, beverage, and personal care product sectors, where consumers were willing to pay a premium for environmentally friendly products. Cotton Incorporated's 2010 Consumer Environmental Survey also reflects the growing popularity of environmentally conscious consumerism in the United States. The survey shows that for many consumers, the driving force of saving money has a similar impact to that of environmental consciousness. For example,

Fast-food giant Burger King has decided to stop purchasing palm oil from Indonesia's Sinar Mas Group, which is accused of destroying rainforests, a move that won praise from environmentalists on April 4. The American hamburger chain announced on April 2 that it was terminating its contract with Sinar Mas because the group's farming practices did not adhere to sustainability principles. Burger King cited an independent audit report stating that Sinar Mas violated several regulations, including planting in peat bogs and secondary forests, "actions that are inconsistent with our company's commitment to corporate responsibility." Burger King did not specify alternative sources for the palm oil used for frying. Sinar Mas expressed regret over the decision but said it would work to persuade Burger King to adhere to sustainable operating principles. Greenpeace welcomed Burger King's decision, accusing Sinar Mas of clearing forests containing orangutans and other endangered species. Unilever, Nestlé, and Kraft Foods recently terminated their deals with Sinar Mas. — Source: Taiwan Environmental Information Center

The European Council recently adopted a draft regulation from the European Commission on battery capacity labeling, covering portable (rechargeable), automotive, and accumulator batteries. The draft regulation will have a significant impact on battery, accumulator, and battery-powered product manufacturers in Hong Kong and mainland China, who will need time to adjust their processes to comply with the new capacity labeling requirements. If approved by the European Parliament, portable, automotive, and accumulator batteries will be required to be labeled clearly indicating their capacity level. The labels must indicate the battery and accumulator capacity according to international electrotechnical standards. The draft regulation also specifies the size and location of the labels. Portable, automotive, and accumulator batteries placed on the market 18 months after the regulation is published in the Official Journal of the European Union will be subject to the regulations. Manufacturers have an 18-month grace period to adjust their production processes accordingly to meet the requirements. The draft regulation stipulates that portable and accumulator batteries already installed in electrical appliances before being provided to end users, and which will not be removed, are exempt. The draft regulations state that the purpose of establishing capacity labels is to provide end users with useful, easily understandable, and comparable information to help them make informed choices when purchasing automotive and accumulator batteries. Therefore, the draft includes several provisions: • Determining the capacity levels of portable batteries, automotive batteries, and accumulator batteries according to international electrical engineering standards. • The unit of measurement for the capacity of the aforementioned batteries and accumulator batteries is "ampere-hour" (Ah) or "milliampere-hour" (mAh). • Specifying the information included in the label and the label design. Portable Batteries and Accumulator Batteries

SAM (an investment firm focused on sustainability investing), together with Dow Jones Indices (a leading global index provider), today announced the results of the 2010 annual review of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index. Based on SAM's largest analysis of global corporate sustainability leaders, 48 ​​companies will be added to the Dow Jones Global Sustainability Index (DJSI World), while 46 companies will be removed – bringing the total to 318. New additions to the Dow Jones Global Sustainability Index (by free-float market capitalization) include Standard Chartered, Morgan Stanley, and ArcelorMittal, while the removals are Toyota Motor, Royal Dutch Shell, and UniCredit. The review also resulted in 27 companies being added to the European Dow Jones Sustainability Europe Index, while 19 companies were removed.

On August 25, 2010, according to the EURACTIV website, as the EU prepared to enter the second phase of phasing out high-energy-consuming light bulbs in September, consumer organizations worried that high-tech terminology would confuse consumers and lead to confusion regarding new product information. They called for broader information education campaigns and better handling of these issues. In 2009, the EU implemented new energy efficiency standards for light bulbs, phasing out traditional 100-watt incandescent bulbs. From September 1, 2010, all 75-watt low-efficiency bulbs were also to be phased out of store shelves, but retailers were allowed to sell existing stock. This regulation would eliminate all inefficient incandescent and halogen bulbs from the market, replacing them with more efficient bulbs, such as fluorescent bulbs combined with halogen technology or compact (energy-saving) bulbs. The European Commission estimated that although the purchase price of these products was slightly higher, energy-saving bulbs could still save each household an average of €25 to €50 per year. Furthermore, from September onwards, there were also mandatory standards for information added to product packaging. To benefit consumers, manufacturers must print product information such as bulb lifespan, number of times the bulb can be switched on and off, and the turn-on buffer time. Consumer organizations also hope that manufacturers will better manage fluorescent light bulb systems and have expressed concern about mercury content, calling for the existing mercury threshold to be lowered from 5 mg to 1-2 mg. — Source: WTO Inspection and Quarantine Information Network

Although most nuclear power plants are designed for a 40-year lifespan, many European countries have approved extensions for the decommissioning of their nuclear power plants. Some countries view nuclear power plants as a good way to limit carbon emissions, but due to the high cost of building new plants and rising anti-nuclear sentiment, they prefer to replace components or extend the service life of existing plants. For example, France has 34 nuclear reactors with a capacity of 900 megawatts (MW), all of which received approval last year for a second 10-year extension before decommissioning. Most of these plants were commissioned in the late 1970s or early 1980s. The service life of 20 nuclear reactors with a capacity of 1300 MW was also extended by 10 years in 2006. The No. 2 reactor at the Oldbury nuclear power plant in the UK is expected to shut down by the end of this year, and the Nuclear Inspectorate (NII) has already extended the service life of the No. 1 reactor to the end of next year. However, operator Magnox is also awaiting NII approval to extend the operating time of the No. 2 reactor to June next year. British authorities have also approved a delay in the planned shutdown of the Wylfa nuclear power plant in Wales, extending it from March this year for at least nine months; the planned shutdown of the twin reactors at Hartlepool nuclear power station has also been delayed by five years. Belgium, Finland, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Croatia have also extended the operating time of their nuclear power plants by at least 10 years in recent years. The Czech Republic is also considering extending the operating time of the Dukovani nuclear power plant...

Finland's Fortum Energy and Sweden's Skelleftea Kraft Energy will jointly build a wind farm in Blaken, northern Sweden, with a total investment of €400 million. Fortum will contribute 40% of the capital. Construction is scheduled to begin next year and be completed in 2015, at which time it will be one of the leading wind farms in Europe. The Blaken region has strong winds, making it ideal for wind farm construction, although wind strength weakens during the harsh winter. The Blaken wind farm will have 100 wind turbines and is estimated to generate 600-720 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of approximately 150,000 households. – Source: Ministry of Economic Affairs, Residency Agency, Finnish Communications

Although Toyota still exhibited its Prius hybrid at the 2010 Paris Autumn Motor Show, Renault announced on September 3 that it would abandon the manufacture of hybrid vehicles. Because hybrid systems are suitable for rugged mountainous terrain or cargo transport, they are only popular in the United States. Furthermore, because they are not environmentally friendly, Renault decided to shift its efforts to the electric vehicle market. Renault Vice President Patrick Pélata stated, "Considering price factors, the average selling price of a new car in Germany is currently €20,000. Although hybrid vehicles can save 10% to 15% on fuel, they are only transitional equipment. Currently, due to government environmental protection plans, only electric vehicles can achieve a reduction of nearly half in CO2 emissions. It is estimated that the number of electric vehicles will triple to 2 billion by 2025, while hybrid vehicles will not be able to meet the government's target." Renault currently considers Japan's Mitsubishi its biggest competitor and aspires to surpass Mitsubishi to become the world's leading electric vehicle brand, planning to produce 150,000 to 200,000 electric vehicles in 2012. Renault's manufacturing plant is located in Bursa, Turkey's largest city. Vice President Patrick Pélata pointed out, "Starting in 2011, we will ship several thousand electric vehicles, and then plan to produce 30,000 electric vehicles. Other electric vehicle models will be manufactured in Maubünchen, northern France."

September 16th is the United Nations International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer. A new UN report indicates that, thanks to international efforts, the ozone layer protecting the Earth has stopped depleting and is no longer thinning, which also helps mitigate the greenhouse effect. This statement was made by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in their joint report, "Scientific Assessment of Ozone Layer Depletion 2010." The UN notes that the report, compiled by over 300 scientists, represents the latest data on the ozone layer's condition over the past four years. The report states that signatories to the Montreal Protocol for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, signed in 1987, have fulfilled their commitments to gradually phase out the production and use of ozone-depleting chemicals, leading to an improvement in the ozone layer's depletion situation. The report points out that while global ozone depletion has ceased over the past decade, it has not rebounded. Except for the polar regions, the ozone layer in other areas is expected to recover to pre-1980 levels by the middle of this century, but recovery over Antarctica will take much longer. The report states that many ozone-depleting substances are also potent greenhouse gases, and the effective implementation of the Montreal Protocol will help mitigate climate change. In 2010, the reduction in ozone-depleting substances through the Montreal Protocol, in terms of carbon dioxide equivalent, was approximately ten gigatons per year, less than the reduction in carbon dioxide emissions under the Kyoto Protocol.

In 2010, the European Union issued Regulation 2010/153/EU, extending the ban on dimethyl fumarate (DMF) (2009/251/EC) for another year, until March 15, 2011. The European Commission's Decision 2009/251/EC, "Requiring Member States to Assurance Not to Place or Sell Products Containing the Biocidal Agent Dimethyl Fumarate (DMF)," stated that DMF was found in furniture and footwear sold in several EU Member States and was a major cause of harm to consumer health. According to clinical trials, DMF is a biocidal agent that prevents leather products from mold in humid climates. DMF is often contained in small pouches inside furniture or added to shoe boxes. DMF volatilizes and permeates into the product, preventing mold growth; however, it can also penetrate clothing and reach the consumer's skin, causing contact dermatitis, itching, irritation, redness, and burns. In some cases, it can even cause breathing difficulties. European Commission Decision 2009/251/EC applies to all consumer products, and products that, even if not intended for consumer use, may still be used by consumers. According to the decision, from May 1, 2009, products containing DMF were prohibited from being placed on the market. Member States were required to ensure that products containing DMF had been withdrawn from the market and from consumers, and to ensure that consumers were fully aware of the dangers of such products. Products containing DMF refer to those containing…

Foshan, Guangdong Province, one of the world's largest manufacturing bases, will hold a summit forum on "Low-Carbon Development Business Models" on January 18th to explore the feasibility of implementing carbon trading. Once implemented, this initiative will create a new model for promoting energy conservation and carbon reduction in China, and will also provide significant business opportunities for enterprises under a low-carbon development model. The manufacturing sector is facing increasingly serious emissions problems. Currently, Foshan accounts for 32% of China's total output of building ceramics and 40% of China's output of building materials such as aluminum alloys and stainless steel. The development of manufacturing has brought Foshan increasing energy consumption and emissions, and carbon trading is expected to guide Foshan onto a path of low-carbon development. According to the organizers, after the implementation of carbon trading or carbon emission quota trading, the government will first set limits on wastewater or exhaust gas emissions for enterprises and install monitoring and analysis equipment at the emission outlets of each enterprise. If enterprises invest in technological upgrades and achieve cleaner production, reducing wastewater or exhaust gas emissions below the government-stipulated limits, the saved carbon credits can be traded on the market and sold to enterprises that exceed emission standards. The marketization of carbon credits makes it profitable for companies striving for cleaner production, thus enhancing their initiative in energy conservation and carbon reduction. Furthermore, the significant financial cost of purchasing credits also motivates companies to voluntarily reduce emissions. Overall, because each company's emission quotas are subject to strict controls, total emissions are significantly reduced. —Source: Wen Wei Po

After research by the Ministry of Finance and other relevant departments, China hopes to begin levying a carbon tax during the 12th Five-Year Plan period (2011-2015), using carbon dioxide emissions as the tax base, with 2012 being the optimal time for its implementation. A research team from the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Finance recently completed a special report on "The Framework Design of China's Carbon Tax System." The *Economic Information Daily* points out that the report analyzes the necessity and feasibility of levying a carbon tax in China, proposes the basic objectives and principles for implementing a carbon tax in China, preliminarily designs the basic content of the carbon tax system, and specifically proposes the implementation framework and related supporting measures for China's carbon tax system. It is understood that the Ministry of Environmental Protection, the Ministry of Finance, and the State Administration of Taxation have already completed their plans for environmental taxes. A source close to the Ministry of Environmental Protection said that China's carbon tax is essentially a change from the current resource tax to a carbon tax, "currently only 2%, we will increase the tax rate." Currently, five Nordic countries—Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden—have implemented carbon tax or energy tax policies, and France will follow suit this year. Meanwhile, since carbon dioxide is produced by consuming fossil fuels, the carbon tax should be levied on businesses involved in coal, natural gas, and refined oil production—that is, entities and individuals that directly emit carbon dioxide into the environment. Regarding the allocation of the carbon tax, experts suggest that it should not be a local tax. However, given the current low level of local tax revenue in China, they recommend that the carbon tax be shared between the central and local governments, with a revenue split between the two.