April 2008

Cover Story - Part 1

Reconsidering the true definition of eco-friendliness

The real cause of false labeling of recycled paper

 

Share competition deprives paper manufacturers of their conscience

 

Confusion surrounding the fate of green purchasing

 

What do paper manufacturers really mean by “technology” of making recycled paper?

 

An interview with Dr. Takayuki Okayama: Whether recycled paper really contains waste paper or not can be discerned

 

Germany’s latest trend surrounding recycled paper

 

Eco-friendliness of pulpwood is subject to scrutiny

 

How should waste paper be used?

 

Interviews with four experts: issues and proposals

Hideki Nakahara/Takashi Gunjima/Masaru Tanaka/Fumihiko Onabe

 

Cover Story - Part 2

It’s not too late to go on a CO2 diet

The energy-saving capability of office buildings

 

Learn about Technologies

 

First Step in Technology

[Solar thermal utilization] Investment in solar water heaters can be recovered within ten years, and large-scale solar power generation schemes blossom in Mediterranean countries

 

Energy Conservation

[Hybrid forklift] Efficient use of regenerated energy results in 20% reduction of power consumption

 

Natural Energy

[New secondary battery] Charging time is as short as five minutes, while its initial performance level is retained after charging/discharging 3,000 times

 

Learn about Environmental Laws

 

Re-introduction: Easy-to-Understand Environmental Law

[Construction Waste Recycling Law] Demolition firms are required to register, and sorting and recycling of construction waste are encouraged

 

Waste Management and Public Cleansing Law Q & A

A manifest returned from a waste treatment contractor is a mirror of truth that reflects its reliability

 

This Month’s Environmental Law

Restrictions on gas emissions by construction equipment is strengthened to reduce PM/NOx emissions by 90%

 

Easy-to-Understand REACH - Part 6

Processes leading up to Substance Information Exchange Forum (SIEF)

 

Trend and News

 

Measures against Global Warming

The Japanese government moves toward introducing emissions trading in 2013, aiming to have more say at the Hokkaido Toyako summit

 

CSR

The case of poisoned dumplings urges firms to give more priority to establishing risk management measures than to pesticide testing

 

Measures against Global Warming

EU is to change its Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) from 2013, recommending Japan to participate in the international discussion

 

Biodiversity

SUNTORY to commercialize the first blue rose in Japan developed through bio-technology

 

Measures against Global Warming

There is plenty of room for saving energy used by IT equipment, as seen in the fact that merely enhancing power supplies efficiency can significantly reduce CO₂

 

Accounting Standards

Firms will be required to record future environmental liability associated with the removal of hazardous substances such as heavy metals

 

Biodiversity

CD-ROM featuring how to take care of cherry trees is highly acclaimed by experts

 

Supporting Energy Conservation

Aiming to set the standard for energy-saving technologies in Asia by starting out with Thailand

 

CSR Frontline

Germany begins to learn from Japan’s environmental policies such as the top-runner method and green purchasing

 

Will the world’s cheapest car at 280 thousand yen become a means of getting around for the people of India?

 

Learn about Environmental Issues

Truth and False of Environmental Science

[Bio Fuel] Will bioethanol contribute to preventing global warming?

 

Junko Edahiro’s Eye-opening Facts on Environmental Terms in English

[food mileage]

 

Threats Waiting around the Corner

Growth of popular brand-name rice is hampered by global warming, prompting farmers to switch to new varieties

 

Column

Kankan Gakugaku (Active Argument over Environmental Issues)

Tatsuya Kumagai, writer

 

Analysts Teach How to Evaluate Green Stocks

Although Toyota boasts a competitive edge in hybrid cars, its profitability still has room for improvement/This month’s emission rights prices

 

Front Runner

Yasushi Hibi, Director, Conservation International Japan

 

Contemplating with Environmental Thought - Part 10

Protecting mountains and rivers is the basis of Confucian-style jinsei or benevolent rule

 

Cuisines of Japan

Farm stands revitalize 500 thousand farms

 

THE ROOTS - Japan’s Environmental Technology

[Fluorescent light bulb] Severe competition has accelerated development

 

Report

Recycling Business Entrepreneurs in Local Communities

[Re-Tem Corporation] Pursuing growth by shifting towards solution-oriented services

 

Inside-Out

[Judicial judgment on the issue of waste landfill site - Part 2] Leachate-controlled type landfill sites suffer strict decisions

 

WorldWatch Institute

Battling against rampant illegal harvesting that poses a threat to a primitive Caribbean island

 

From Business Week

The true strength of “natural-energy superpower”

 

ECO Seminar

Challenges to ISO

[Eco-Action 21 – Part 1] Collaborations with local governments bring about a sharp increase in the number of certification/registrations

 

Key Word

Waste paper ratio/Traceability

 

World Trend

 

From Washington D.C.

How will the outcome of the head-to-head presidential election affect the future of the country’s global environmental policy?

 

From EU

Germany stands against EU’s proposal for a Soil Framework Directive, arguing that the definition of soil contamination is too wide

 

From UK

European Commission strengthens climate change countermeasures, but there are concerns that its proposals may chill the CDM market

 

From USA

Leading-edge eco tour in Kenya uses solar cells and coffee grounds for fuel

 

From Germany

Cities introduce “environmental zones,” aiming to reduce emissions of particulate matter

 

From China

China announces a five-year environmental protection plan, displaying its serious efforts to reduce water/air pollution