Home :. Table of Contents :. Index :. Nikkei Ecology December 2004 Issue

Nikkei Ecology

December 2004 Issue

Cover Story 1

While EU moves forward to the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol, Japan hesitates to take actions; what are the trends and possible measures?

Part 1. Domestic issues
Directions of domestic measures
Ask vice ministers of Ministry of the Environment and Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry

Part 2. European issues
EU pushes forward its own emission trade system
Ask the director general of environment of European Commission
The current status of British emission trade system

Special issues
Basic facts of the Kyoto Protocol: review

Cover Story 2

Environmental management systems specifically designed for small- to middle-sized businesses emerge one after another, including KES, Eco Stage and Eco Action 21

Technology Frontline

Products
[Fuel cell motorcycles] Yamaha Motor aims to launch fuel cell motorcycles on the market next year

Trend
[Emulsion fuel] Clean diesel engine is realized by combusting water and light oil together

Elements
[Recyclable rubber] Melted rubber can be remolded by using the same combining principle as in DNAs

Technological people
[Shigeru Tanaka of Keio University] New technology to effectively collect slight hazardous gasses is found

“ Honor students” in recycling
[Fish waste] Recycled waste can be sold at 60,000 to 70,000 yen/ton as fish powder and oil s


Technology News Clips

Learn about environmental laws

Easy-to-understand Environmental Law
[Accounting and tax systems that hinder recycling practices - part 1] Systematic contradiction hampers internalization of recycling cost

Environmental Laws Q & A
Is it illegal to treat wooden pallets as industrial waste?

This Month’s Environmental Law
Enforcement Ordinance of Waste Management and Public Cleaning Law is revised to obligate vehicles carrying industrial waste to bear a sign on the body

Shoichi Kondo’s Report from the Diet
More collaboration with Asian countries is necessary for sustainable development of Japan

Trend and News

Recycling of containers and packaging
Asahi Breweries, Ltd. postpones the sale of beer in PET bottles

Energy
The steep rise of petroleum price triggers U.S. farmers to drastically increase the production of bioethanol; the low price of bioethanol blended gasoline boosts its demand

Measures against global warming
Ministry of the Environment reveals a new specific plan for environmental tax with a focus on easy start-up

Tree planting
The sensational decision to award the Nobel Peace Prize to an environmentalist for her tree planting efforts is a proof that the sound environment is critical for peace of humankind

Low-pollution vehicles
Fuel cell cars at an eco-car show in China reflect the national policy of the country

Illegal waste dumping
After Zensho executives are arrested, the investigation committee holds the key to reveal the whole truth

Environmental pollution
The Supreme Court finds responsibility of the administration in the Minamata disease case in the Kansai area

Biodiversity
Frequent appearance of bears in residential areas leads to conflict between NPOs and scientists for environmental “protection”

Environmental education
East Japan Railway Company (JR East) uses games and simulations to train environmental management leaders

CRS Frontline
Can Japan appeal its presence in the CSR standards prepared by ISO?
International survey of corporate sustainability reporting includes four Japanese corporations in the top 50

ECO interview
Atsuo Nakamura, former representative of the “Greens Japan” party and former member of the House of Councilors: This is the time for Japan to leave the “myth of never-ending economic growth” behind


ECO Column

Kankan Gakugaku (Active Argument over Environmental Issues)
Robert Swan, adventurer

Takuro Morinaga’s ECO Lifestyle
We should promote rooftop gardening that provides nothing but merit for us

Fieldwork Japan
Creating “green corridors” can lead the wildlife of Tamagawa River to town


Report

Vice-Rector Itaru Yasui’s “Eco Michelin”
Room humidifier

Achieve the Top Sales with Eco Products!
Nippon Express Co., Ltd. (NITTSU): “EcologyCompo”

Inside-Out

[Economy of RDF power generation - part 2] Omuta City’s RDF balance sheet shows red figures, while estimations by Ishikawa and Nagasaki show that waste treatment by RDF systems costs more than the conventional incineration

WorldWatch Institute
The world population is to reach 9 billion by 2050 - more than fossil fuel can support

ECO Seminar

How to make the best use of ISO
[Ricoh - part 2] Company’s original rating program raises awareness of sales subsidiaries in Europe

New Environmental Study
[Condition to realize environmental economy - part 2] Effective use of stock is the key in the era of service economy

Quick Guide to Environmental Key Words
PRTR

Learn from Environmental Reports of Companies Overseas
Royal Philips Electronics, Inc. (Netherlands) - part 2

World Trend

From UK
Quick improvement in power generation with natural energy is needed before the effectuation of the Kyoto Protocol

From USA
The U.S. can reduce its oil consumption to zero by 2050

From Germany
Political framework is essential to realize the energy reduction directive by EU

From China
Measures to triple the diffusion rate of sewage system in 10 years include promotion of treatment by aquatic plants

Nikkei BP EcoManagement Forum

[ECOgraph]
Good communication can make the pressure from NGOs into a chance, not a risk, for CSR-corporations