July 2006
Cover Story
How to deal with European countries in the emerging wave of regulations
RoHS implementation awaiting around the corner, Plasma TV industry is at the mercy of the lead issue
Interview Part 1. Mogens Peter Carl, Director-General for Environment of the European Commission
RoHS measures to root a management system in the suppliers
Interview Part 2. Parker, Electrocomponents plc
REACH: Everyone is struggling to find a way through the largest regulation system in the history
Japanese craftsmanship is challenged to show its sustainability and precaution principles
Interview Part 3. Tetsuya Iida, Executive Director, Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies
Report
New strategies for small- and mid-sized businesses to effectively use ISO - from the results of a nationwide survey with 3,000 companies Part 2
Energy conservation
Cargo owners are now geared up to cope with the revision of the Energy Conservation Law
Learn about Technologies
First Step in Technology
[Designing for easy-to-dismantle products] Key to improve recycling rate is in new bonding methods and materials with little ingenuity
Products
[Vehicles with hydrogen-fueled engine] Cars that burn hydrogen in the conventional engine are low-cost and highly practical to compete with fuel-cell cars
New Energy
[Wave Power Generation] As reconstruction of facilities continue in the harbors, ocean waves converted into air flow is gathers attention as the possible next power generation source
Energy Conservation
[Ammonium Power Generation] Use of ammonium as a medium with low boiling point can give life to waste heat with temperatures as low as 110 degree
“Honor Students” in Recycling
[Mixed plastics for packaging] Coke oven with 70,000-ton capacity is effective to recycle mixed plastics with a little help from a traditional device to control flies
Learn about Environmental Laws
Easy-to-Understand Environmental Law
[Revised Law for Promotion of Sorted Collection and Recycling of Containers and Packaging] Obligated report system for businesses as well as measures to reduce burden on municipalities are to be implemented
How to Read the Waste Disposal Law Part 6
Authorization of industrial waste management businesses
EU Regulations to Challenge Japanese Corporations Part 1
IPP (Integrated Products Policy)
Environmental Laws Q & A
Isn’t the loss in the “landscape suit” by the residents of Kunitachi, Tokyo, against the trend of the time?
This Month’s Environmental Law
Central Environmental Council makes suggestions to the Minister of the Environment on standards of the zinc levels in wastewater to prepare for implementation of regulations for ecosystem conservation
Trend and News
Recycling
Unexpected income of 2.6 billion yen by municipal governments from “bidding” may stop the outward flow of waste PET bottles
Eco Car
Honda expects to develop new hybrid model priced lower than CIVIC
Chemical Substance
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) starts discussion for new management framework
CFC Substitute
UN is to provide supports for developing countries to replace refrigerants in air conditioners in a measure to ozone layer protection
Energy
Is fuel cell making breakthrough toward diffusion in general households by 2010?
Preventing Global Warming
Results of EU ETS in the first year show no clear contribution of “emission limit” to CO2 reduction, while the German government is criticized to be too easy on businesses
Marketing
Japanese corporations boost their presence at the annual conference LOHAS 10 held in the U.S.
Green Finance
“Greening” progresses in finance and investment by giving priorities or granting special treatment to corporations with high levels of environmental and CSR practices
Biodiversity
Desire for sweeter tomatoes can cause biodiversity destruction while their imported pollinators can risk agricultural businesses
CSR Frontline
Agreement reached for the definitions and major conditions at the general meeting for international CSR standards
Lack of understanding in economic responsibility is a problem that needs urgent attention from globalizing industries
Climate Change Policies
Q and A to understand climate change policies
Joint Implementation (JI) is easier to obtain authorization than Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) - UN review may not be needed for some countries
Learn about Environmental Issues
Truth and False of Environmental Science
[Global warming] Reasons behind the “2-degree theory” that warns a major crisis
Threats Waiting around the Corner
Northbound movement of insects may serve as a monitoring tool for global warming, while some species, including beautiful butterflies, may face danger
Junko Edahiro’s eye-opening facts on environmental terms in English
[Precautionary principle]
Column
Kankan Gakugaku (Active Argument over Environmental Issues)
Kyosen Ohashi, TV talent
Secret Tps for Environmental Management
What Ricoh prepares before starting environmental management
Cuisines of Japan
Edible plants collected in the fields and mountains are delicacies in the long awaited spring in the northern Japan
Honest opinions by the “Eco-Moms”
Environmental problems that moms perceive as serious
Artisanship in repairing
Kin-tsugi (pottery repairing with golden patterns) by lacquer ware studio Nushiya
The reality of NPOs
[WWF Japan] The champion of the NGOs for nature conservation secures its success with a high level of organizational operation comparable to private-sector standards
Report
Inside-Out
[Blind spot in the revised Containers and Packaging Recycling Law Part 1] People in a residential area suffer from offensive odor without knowing whom to blame
From BusinessWeek
Watch out for the risks behind the ethanol boom
WorldWatch Institute
Can organic farming increase food production in developing countries and save the human race?
ECO Seminar
How to Make the Best Use of ISO
[Bridgestone Elastech Part 1] Enhanced training for internal auditors and intermediation by ISO officers are keys to success
New Environmental Study
[Emission trade in seven American states] A total of 640 institutions are to start trading in 2009
Quick Guide to Environmental Key Words
“Sustainable society”
World Trend
From EU
Fate of Duales System Deutschland (DSD), the leading package recycling company in Germany, is in the spotlight while a large scale reorganization continues among waste management businesses
From UK
Results of EU ETS in 2005 lack CO2 emission data from many corporations
From USA
Rise of “green cities” around the world is a sign of local authorities to take the lead in the “Environmental Renaissance”
From Germany
European students get more education and training in business practices and social skills before graduating from schools
From China
Rapid growth of solar cell market is backed by the policy of the national government to promote more solar generation in rural areas
