Kordsa Obtains Approval for Emission Reduction Targets
YANMAR CLEAN ENERGY SITE Established for Verification of Next-Generation Energy Equipment Towards a Decarbonized Society
Achieving New Milestones in Label Recycling
1 TICKET, 1 TREE - Cathay Pacific
UnaTerra and EIT Climate-KIC Join Forces to Bring Transformative Scale to Businesses That Impact a Climate-Positive Future
DHL Express helps global law firm Linklaters cut carbon emissions using sustainable aviation fuel
Prysmian Group: the Science Based Target initiative approves the new near-term and net-zero GHG emission reduction targets
Porsche Korea Establishes the Second ‘Bee’lieve in Dream’ Bee Garden at Lycée International Xavier
Yanmar Works to Support the Ocean on World Ocean Day
OPPO Release 2022 Sustainability Report on World Environment Day
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Formula E Drivers Join Beach Clean-up in Jakarta Ahead of World Environment Day
Drivers, teams, partners and staff of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship came together to clear plastic and waste from a beach next to the International Jakarta E-Prix Circuit ahead of the GulaVit Jakarta E-Prix this weekend to support World Environment Day. More than 300 volunteers from race teams including ABT Cupra Formula E Team, Avalanche Andretti Formula E, Maserati MSG Racing, NIO 333 Racing Formula E Team and Mahindra Racing, in addition to partners from SABIC, Saudia and Bosch joined Formula E staff to work at Pantai Beach in Ancol resort, where Rounds 10 and 11 will take place this weekend. The beach clean-up, targeting plastic pollution, marine debris and other waste, supports the 2023 World Environment Day campaign #BeatPlasticPollution which calls for global solutions to combat plastic pollution and improve circularity. The 2023 World Environment Day aims to remind people about the serious consequences of plastic pollution while urging consumers, businesses and governments to assess their own actions and take more ambitious steps to reduce the pollution they create. The focus this year is to highlight how organisations and authorities can accelerate becoming more circular in their management and disposal of plastic waste. Julia Pallé, Sustainability Director, Formula E, said: “Plastic pollution is a growing problem that affects everyone around the world and especially in Indonesia. At every race we are committed to engaging with local communities and leaving them in a better place, so aligned to celebrating World Environment Day on 5 June, we united as a championship with the community to clean the local area of plastic rubbish and ensure it is sustainably managed and not put back into landfill.” The 120 refuse bags recovered from the clean-up will be managed by Waste4Change – an Indonesian waste management service – helping organisations transition their ecosystems towards a circular economy. Waste4Change is the Official Waste Management Partner of the 2023 Gulavit Jakarta E-Prix. To further reduce the waste produced from Formula E events, this weekend’s event will have 30 Recycling Rangers across the Allianz Fan Village collecting and managing plastic waste for recycling, in addition to six bespoke waste stations dedicated to recycling.
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Udokan Copper helps restore Siberian sturgeon population as part of its ESG program
Udokan Copper, one of the largest industrial companies operating in Russia's Far East, is funding a program to restore the population of Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii), a rare fish included in the IUCN Red List of endangered species, as part of its comprehensive ESG program. At the end of May, the first batch of about 14,000 Siberian sturgeon fry was released into the Chara River in the Kalar district of the Trans-Baikal region, where Udokan Copper is based. Udokan Copper organized a special flight using the regional aircraft AN-2 to deliver the fry from Chita in special containers. The company plans to release a total of 300,000 fry into the Chara, which is part of the Lena River basin, over the next seven years to restore the population of Siberian sturgeon which was depleted during Soviet times, said Ivan Makarov, Head of the Environmental Safety Service at Udokan Copper. Supplying metal for the green energy transition, Udokan Copper takes a responsible approach to its own environmental footprint. The company uses hydrometallurgy instead of the environmentally harmful pyrolysis process. Udokan Copper also plans to reduce the carbon intensity of its production by 75% by 2030. In 2023, the National Rating Agency of Russia included Udokan in its ESG list for manufacturing companies, recognizing the Company's efforts to develop its business based on sustainable development goals.
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Say No to Plastic! City Super Group Supports World Environmental Day’s Message "Beat Plastic Pollution"
In support of this year's World Environment Day theme, "Beat Plastic Pollution", on June 5, City Super Group proudly presents a brand new series of eco-friendly measures across the Group's various brands, including city'super, LOG-ON, Little Mermaid and more, in a continuing effort to advocate environmental conservation. Starting from June 2023, these measures will be rolled out in stages, which include the introduction of reusable FSC®-certified eco-friendly paper shopping bags as an alternative to plastic shopping bags, in addition to the ongoing promotion of customers bringing their own bags, lending reusable ice gel packs to replace single-use bags of ice, using eco-friendly honeycomb paper wrap in place of plastic bubble wrap for fragile items, and wrapping meat and cheese products in plastic-free paper. The stores will also launch new multifunctional self-service ECO stations, collecting polystyrene, and facilitating the reuse of shopping bags and paper box packaging. These efforts are expected to achieve an estimated reduction of over 1.5 million pieces of plastic products per year, reducing the impact on the environment. In addition, a portion of proceeds generated from these measures will be donated to WWF-Hong Kong for conservation and education purposes. Adhering to the principle of "Saying No to Plastic" and joining forces in advocating a plastic-free lifestyle, we hope that everyone can make the changes that are needed to conserve and protect the environment. Encouraging Reuse, Lending for Taking, and a Series of New Measures to be Released in Stages Starting from June As a staunch advocate of waste reduction at source, City Super Group has launched an array of popular eco-friendly shopping bags, encouraging customers to bring their own bags and reduce plastic waste. In order to further strengthen its existing plastic and waste reduction policies, the Group is set to introduce "Say No to Plastic", a new series of measures to be released in stages starting from June, advocating recycling and reuse, setting up new multifunctional self-service environmental stations for customers, and working towards a plastic-free lifestyle. Remarkable Achievements in Plastic Reduction Policy Over the Years: Up to 98% of Members Bring Their Own Bags*, Over 150,000 kg of Waste Recycled With the spirit of craftsmanship – "crafting a better lifestyle" – in mind, City Super Group is dedicated to creating innovative shopping experiences for customers in pursuit of a better lifestyle in taste and sustainability. For many years, the Group has implemented a series of plastic and waste reduction policies, focusing on waste reduction at source, and recycling and reuse, and has achieved impressive results in both aspects. 1. Waste Reduction at Source In an effort to promote waste reduction at source, City Super Group encourages customers to bring their own containers for food purchases by offering cash rebates, and provides sustainable, food-safe utensils made of biodegradable materials, including raw sugar cane fibre tasting cups, birch wood cutlery, paper drinking straws, and tissue made from pulp of one of the world's fastest-growing plants, bamboo. Customers can also use paper bags from the store when buying loose fruit and vegetables, in place of disposable plastic bags. In addition, through a long-term collaboration with the social enterprise RE-WRAP, customers can select a reusable furoshiki made from organic Indian cotton instead of traditional gift wrapping, in order to reduce plastic use in as many ways as possible. 2. Recycling and Reuse The Group has been actively involved in a variety of recycling initiatives, including the collection of polystyrene via recycling bins in stores, which can be used to regenerate and manufacture other products. The Group also joins forces with The Nature Conservancy to recycle oyster shells from the Oyster Bars in some stores, which are then processed and naturally weathered before being returned to the seabed, in an effort to repair oyster reefs for marine creatures to thrive in, promoting sustainable coastal habitats. City Super Group has consistently implemented plastic reduction policies on a number of levels. Currently, up to 98% of super e members bring their own shopping bags during their visits*, a staggering figure that shows a commitment to reducing waste at source. As of March 2023, the Group has accumulated more than 144,201 kg of recycled paper boxes, over 515 kg of plastic bags, over 3,460 kg of polystyrene, and over 2,057 kg of oyster shells for recycling. A total of more than 150,000 kg of waste has been recycled. In addition, it is also dedicated to giving back to society through its commitment to various food donation initiatives. The Group has worked closely with local charity organisations such as "Food Angel" and "Food-Co" throughout the years, assisting in preparing meals for distribution to local communities in need with them. As of March 2023, it had recycled over 205,108 kg of fresh food and dry goods, over 320,470 meal boxes, over 115,642 food packages, and over 156,885 pieces of bread, in an attempt to reduce food waste while spreading love to the community. *As of Oct 2022, 98% of super e members had not purchased a plastic bag during transactions in the past 12 months. Preview: the launch of New ESG Website, Second Phase Initiatives Coming Soon with Focus on Sustainable Development "Say No to Plastic", the new series of measures by City Super Group, is the first phase of the company's commitment to in advocating environmental protection and waste reduction at source; it's part of a larger blueprint to promote sustainable development. As a trusted, caring and brand, it continues to strive for these causes, with a new ESG website coming soon that will provide up-to-date information on the Group's latest policies and community events in three major areas, the Environment, Social Responsibilities and Corporate Governance, with a particular focus on consumer health material, as the Group's contribution to a better society and future. For details, log on to: https://bit.ly/CSGESG_RP The Group is committed to inspiring a better lifestyle in customers in a sustainable way. In addition to its committed efforts to reduce plastic and other waste, it has implemented a multitude of green policies supporting environmental protection, including carbon reduction and energy saving, supporting local agriculture, promoting low-carbon diets, the purchase of eco-friendly seafood certified by MSC and ASC, supporting the eco-friendly development of the fishing industry, committing to not to sell endangered species such as Japanese eel, wild bluefin tuna and red grouper, implementing policies to promote non-agriculturally bred chicken eggs, supporting fair trade products and more. It will actively introduce more environmental protection policies, and work towards a sustainable future together with the rest of society. Stay tuned for more information on the Group's new ESG website.
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Schneider Electric’s first Sustainability School opens for enrolment
Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, today announced that the Schneider Electric Sustainability School is open for enrolment. Free to access, the digital platform provides a range of interactive courses aimed at equipping companies and professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to improve their sustainability performance. First launched internally to educate Schneider Electric employees to better support the company's partner ecosystem, the three-part programme is now available externally for professionals and companies of all sizes, empowering them to take a first step towards a more sustainable future. Decarbonizing the economy is a business opportunity The 2015 Paris Agreement sparked a movement across the economy to reduce or eliminate carbon emissions. A recent Gartner survey found that 87% of business leaders expect their sustainability spending to increase in the next two years. But despite this growing commitment to decarbonization, a sizeable knowledge and skills gap remains a barrier to progress. Furthermore, companies are increasingly relying on partners with expertise in the field of sustainability to support them in decarbonizing their operations. Schneider Electric operates as an Impact Company, placing sustainability at the core of its business to achieve a positive, lasting impact on the planet and society. With Electricity 4.0 at the heart of programme, the Sustainability School compliments and strengthens this commitment, supporting partners in accelerating climate action across three core pillars: Strategize, Digitize and Decarbonize. Recognizing that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) often lack the knowledge and tools required to establish climate targets, measure impacts such as carbon emissions, and benchmark and disclose progress, the comprehensive training platform is designed to support them in embarking on their decarbonization journey. Over three chapters, it covers a range of topics from energy efficiency and renewable energy to the circular economy and sustainable transportation. Chapter 1: Understanding sustainability and the risks involved [intake now open] In the first chapter, attendees will learn the basics of sustainability, including the science and jargon behind it and why it is crucial for businesses to take environmental, social and governance factors (ESG) seriously. Chapter 2: Discover how to take sustainable action as a company [Launching Q3, 2023] The second chapter focuses on how SMEs can build a decarbonization strategy, including information on easy-to-implement tools that can support them in decarbonizing their own operations and that of their customers. Chapter 3: Leverage sustainable skills to increase business opportunities [Launching Q1, 2024] The third chapter summarizes the key knowledge and tools learnt throughout the programme – from energy efficiency to decarbonization – to support attendees in putting the theory into practice. "The Sustainability School for partners is our big next move to prove that companies can not only do business that is better for the planet but can also fundamentally improve their performance by doing so," Sorouch Kheradmand, Head of Partner Sustainability at Schneider Electric said. "We are proud to announce the launch of our new online courses, which are designed to educate and inspire individuals and organizations to adopt sustainable practices. Sustainability is at the heart of our business, and we believe that education is key to driving change and creating a more sustainable future." To embark on your sustainability journey, register for the Schneider Electric Sustainability School here. https://www.se.com/ww/en/work/solutions/sustainability/school-training-and-online-courses.jsp
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Porsche Korea Celebrates World Bee Day with the Bee’lieve in Dreams ‘Bee Sound’ Experience
Porsche Korea (CEO Holger Gerrmann) announced that it has conducted an experiential program for employees at the ‘Bee'lieve in Dreams’ bee garden in Daemo Mountain on the 23rd to commemorate the ‘World Bee Day’. Marking its third year, ‘Bee’lieve in Dreams’ is part of the 'Porsche Do Dream' social contribution campaign reflecting the brand’s commitment to protect the environment and create a sustainable future. Porsche Korea is spreading the importance of conserving the ecosystem and the value of bees by increasing the habitat of endangered bees and expanding green areas with honey plants. On this day, 20 Porsche Korea employees participated in the ‘Bee Sound’ meditation program. ‘Bee Sound’ is a psychotherapy program that conjugates the frequency of the bees’ buzzing sound and brain tissues that promotes healing. It provides a meditational and relaxing break from daily life. Porsche Korea is planning to expand the newly introduced ‘Bee Sound’ program to civic organizations and the general public to enhance everyone’s wellbeing. Porsche Korea CEO Holger Gerrmann said, "We hope that this meditative experience program with our team will be an opportunity to further spread the value of bees crucial to our ecosystem and beyond by highlighting the various positive aspects they provide to our daily life." He also added, "Through additional ‘Bee’lieve in Dreams’ programs, we will continue to try to capture the attention towards the importance of bees for environmental conservation and a sustainable future." Meanwhile, Porsche Korea will gradually expand its ‘Bee’lieve in Dreams’ CSR program. This year, following the ongoing management of the Daemo Mountain Bee Garden, the company plans to establish new apiaries at the Lycée International Xavier in Jongno-gu, Seoul, and the Yeouido Scout Building, Seoul.
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The IKEA Sustainability Report FY22 IKEA Global reduced 1.4 million tons of carbon emissions for the Earth last year
IKEA has been committed to promoting global sustainability by incorporating various environmental protection features into our products' functionality and manufacturing processes. In FY2022, IKEA globally reduced its carbon footprint by 5% compared to the previous year, and by a significant reduction of 12% compared to the FY2016 baseline which in other words, has approximately reduced 1.4 million tons of carbon emissions. This achievement is equivalent to planting 140 million trees on Earth. IKEA Global has also increased the use and coverage of renewable energy to 64%, creating a more environmentally friendly home-living for the public.[1] To echo with Earth Day, we are pleased to release the IKEA Sustainability Report FY22 and announce our annual sustainability activities in Hong Kong, reaffirming IKEA's commitment and strategies in achieving healthy and sustainable living, circular and climate positive, as well as fair and equal. Adrian Worth, Managing Director of IKEA North Asia, DFI retail group, said, "In the face of the global warming crisis, IKEA has been devoting effort in formulating proactive and comprehensive sustainability strategies to provide the public with a healthier and more equal living from the domestic life perspective. In recent years, IKEA Hong Kong has launched creative and forward-looking initiatives which made remarkable achievements. More and more co-workers and customers recognise our vision and join hands with us in fulfilling our social responsibility of protecting the environment." Those initiatives include: Hong Kong's First IKEA Microsite on Carousell: Collaborating with Hong Kong's popular online marketplace Carousell to build a limited-edition IKEA microsite, where a collection of display items and discontinued models can be found at discounted prices. This collaboration builds up consumers' awareness of reusing and reducing waste and achieves a sustainable consumption pattern. 'Light Up Hope' programme: IKEA joined forces with local charitable organisation A Plastic Ocean Foundation to organise the Light Up Hope programme to help improving the living conditions of families in Hak Pak Nai, which have long been suffering from natural disasters caused by climate change, by providing these households with electricity safety inspection, energy-efficient lighting as well as climate disaster education. 120 households in Ha Pak Nai benefit from the scheme. UNDER HAVET Marine Conservation Exhibition: The Ocean Exhibitions at four of our Hong Kong stores were presented in a fun comic-book style allowing children and adults to learn that ordinary items around us can be the source of marine pollution and how simple daily practices can help conserving the ocean. The exhibition also shares IKEA's approach to regenerating marine pollutants to contribute to marine conservation. These include the recycling of marine plastic waste into recycled polyester, which is then used to produce eco-friendly toys. Blue Bag Fund: IKEA set up the Blue Bag Fund in 2019. For every IKEA blue bag (FRAKTA bag, M or L size) sold, IKEA donates HKD/MOP $1 to the fund to support our community projects, such as helping redesign the centres of two NGOs - Good Shepherd Sisters and Fountain of Hope in Macau. In 2022, IKEA donated over $800,000 to the Blue Bag Fund, supporting varied activities. IKEA Tsim Sha Tsui Plan and Order Point: The Tsim Sha Tsui Plan and order point embodies the theme of healthy and sustainable living, selling over hundreds of sustainable furniture and accessories that match the concept of green and low carbon. This encourages customers to cultivate daily practices of waste reduction and resource conservation. Customers will learn tips about sustainability and concepts about green living from the labels posted in the surroundings. Introducing Food Waste Handling Machine: We have installed a food waste handling machine in the Tsuen Wan store and the Kowloon Bay store, allowing co-workers to get informed about the latest situation efficiently and convert food waste to water. 5,000 kg of food waste is being processed every year, reducing the landfill's pressure. To encourage customers to join IKEA in promoting healthy living and sustainable development, here are five tips to help consumers practice green living while purchasing our furniture products: Choose energy efficient LED light bulbs: Not only do LED light bulbs use up to 85% less energy than incandescent bulbs, but they last up to a 20-year lifespan. IKEA Hong Kong sold over 610,000 LED light bulbs in the past two years, saving energy consumption. Choose taps with energy-saving water nozzles: Water resources issue has always been a concern. IKEA revamps the hand showers' design by adding washers into all showers which reduces almost 30% of water consumption. We also added water and energy-saving devices in the kitchen tap which reduces water usage by nearly 50%. The new ÅBÄCKEN water nozzle can even control the water flow rate, effectively saving 95% of water usage. In 2022, IKEA Hong Kong sold over 4,000 taps and water nozzles, helping consumers protect precious water resources in their daily lives. Choose HOPPVALS cellular blind: Summer is coming and there will be a surge in electricity demand. By choosing energy-efficient cellular blind, you can also contribute to environmental protection. The design inspiration of cellular blind comes from the honeycomb structure of bees that forms a heat-insulating layer to reduce the amount of heat entering indoors and families' expense on air conditioning. In the past two years, IKEA Hong Kong has sold over 7,000 HOPPVALS cellular blinds which helps facilitate families to save electricity effectively. Choose plant-based food: IKEA continues to research and invent 'plant-based food' which are both environmentally friendly and delicious. In 2020, we launched plant ball. These plant-based foods require less resources that produce fewer carbon footprints. In the past three years, the sales of plant balls at IKEA Hong Kong have reduced 6 million kilograms of global carbon emissions, that is equivalent to planting over 64,000 trees, providing the public with another option to build a healthy lifestyle. There is also an Earth Day 15% off promotion of selected plant-based food series until 26 April 2023, to encourage customers in choosing plant-based food. Second Life for Furniture: A collection of display items and discontinued models are available at discounted prices in IKEA's Bargain Corner, which provide consumers with alternative options when shopping for new furniture for the home. This also gives these functioning used products in good condition a second life, to reduce discard and waste, and achieve a sustainable consumption pattern. In the coming year, IKEA will continue to promote sustainable development through different activities and strategies, including promoting more sustainable home décor and continuing the Light Up Hope programme to build a strong and sustainable community with our customers and alleviate the climate crisis. ### [1] IKEA Sustainability report FY22: https://about.ikea.com/en/newsroom/2023/02/15/ikea-sustainability-and-climate-reports-fy22-reduced-climate-footprint-increase-of-renewable-energy
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Geiger Gruppe and WiTTRA Join Forces to Revolutionize Waste Management Operations
WiTTRA is pleased to announce its new partnership with Geiger Gruppe, a leading company in the construction industry. With WiTTRA's cutting-edge IoT technology, Geiger Gruppe can enhance its recycling and waste management operations, optimize its workflow, and provide even better service to its customers. "Geiger Gruppe has been a prominent player in the waste management and recycling industry for many years. We are proud to be their partner and provide them with the latest technology to collect and analyse real-time data," said Hakan Dackefjord, CEO of WiTTRA. "Our IoT sensing and location services will enable Geiger Gruppe to optimize its operations and achieve its sustainability goals." Geiger Recycling, a company within Geiger Gruppe, offers reliable disposal and processing of municipal waste, recycling services for waste wood, construction waste, and waste streams containing metal. With an extensive network of processing, recycling, and disposal plants, Geiger Recycling provides efficient and economical solutions to its customers. "With WiTTRA's IoT technology, we can further enhance our recycling and waste management operations, optimize our workflow, and provide even better service to our customers," said Fabian Ritter, Head of Innovation. "This partnership will enable us to take our operations to the next level and continue to be a leader in the waste management and recycling industry." The partnership between WiTTRA and Geiger Gruppe showcases the importance of technology in waste management and recycling operations. As demand for sustainable waste management solutions continues to grow, companies must adopt new technologies and find innovative ways to improve their operations. WiTTRA's solution, using its WIPE (WiTTRA Intelligent Positioning Engine) based on 6 LoWPAN, is ideal for businesses of all sizes, scalable, customizable, and provides highly accurate and reliable location data both indoors and outdoors.
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Cogo found that almost 1 in 3 Japanese consumers would consider switching to a bank or financial app that provides insight into their carbon footprint
New Zealand-headquartered green fintech firm Cogo conducted a survey to uncover Japanese customer attitudes towards banks and financial apps helping them drive sustainable lifestyles. Administered in collaboration with strategic design and sustainability consultancy Fabric, the survey engaged 1,966 participants who use banking and financial apps across demographics and regions that reflect the characteristics of the Japanese population. Consumers waking up to the need for change The research uncovered a sense of collective responsibility in Japanese society for addressing climate and environmental challenges. This included almost 40% of respondents who indicated they would find information about their carbon footprint useful. Upon seeing an example of a financial app showing carbon emissions associated with the user’s spending habits, 45% of participants believed this information would motivate them to reduce their environmental impact. In addition, almost 30% would consider switching banks or financial apps to access information about the environmental impact of their spending. Julie Lindenberg, APAC CEO for Cogo, said: “Financial institutions are uniquely positioned to help their customers turn around the climate crisis. Their reach means millions of people could gain access to carbon footprint management features through a provider that they already have day-to-day interactions with.” Ushering in the future of finance Approximately 41% of consumers expect their banks and card providers to do more to reduce their climate and environmental impact. Green financial products such as rewards, offers and cards encouraging sustainable behaviours could serve as a differentiator for banks and credit card issuers in Japan by elevating customer experience and values alignment. There are good indications that participants are open to making substantial changes to their lifestyles to reduce their climate and environmental impact, with 46% having already made some form of change. This is a clear opportunity for financial institutions to provide consumers with carbon tracking tools to support this transition. According to Lindenberg, “We are only at the beginning of the rise of conscious consumerism in Japan. As consumer focus shifts, financial institutions that offer the solutions that consumers want will be able to attract and retain new customers in a saturated market.” Commonwealth Bank, Natwest and most recently, Westpac have partnered with Cogo to capitalise on the full potential of transactional data to generate personalised insights into consumers’ finances and the carbon footprint associated with their spending. Going forward, Cogo plans to collaborate with Japanese financial institutions to encourage consumers to adopt environmentally-friendly behaviours in Japan as well.
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Woodfibre LNG accelerates Canada’s pathway to net zero
Woodfibre LNG is proud to announce its Roadmap to Net Zero, a tangible plan to achieve net zero emissions by the time operations start in 2027, 23 years ahead of government regulation. This roadmap will see Woodfibre LNG be the first LNG export facility in the world to achieve net zero, and includes commitments to be net zero both through the construction stage of the Project and during operations. Woodfibre LNG is member of the Pacific Energy group of companies. This fast-tracked timeline exceeds the federal requirement to be net zero by 2050, while providing benefits to local First Nations, British Columbians, and Canadians. The Project's net zero roadmap follows the B.C. Government's announcement of a new Energy Action Framework, requiring proposed LNG facilities in or entering the environmental assessment process to develop and submit a credible plan to be net zero by 2030. "Woodfibre LNG's roadmap prioritizes emissions avoidance and reduction opportunities, and we are proud to have a credible strategy in place that will make us the world's first net zero facility," said Christine Kennedy, President of Woodfibre LNG. "Alongside the leadership and vision set out by the Province's new Energy Action Framework, achieving net zero allows Woodfibre LNG to advance the global energy transition, furthering economic reconciliation and contributing to British Columbia's standard of living." Woodfibre LNG is able to achieve net zero in part because of early stage decisions aligned with the Indigenous led environmental assessment process conducted by the Squamish Nation, which resulted in the Nation's own environmental assessment agreement related to the Project in 2015. Among these was the commitment for electric compressors using renewable hydroelectricity from BC Hydro, resulting in 14 times fewer emissions than a conventional LNG facility. Woodfibre LNG was already designed to be the lowest carbon intensive LNG export facility in the world, with an annual emissions profile of 83,374 tonnes of CO2e annually, and a carbon intensity of 0.04 (tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent [CO2e] per tonne of LNG), below the Provincial benchmark of 0.16. The company's net zero roadmap commits to implementing certain GHG reducing technologies, and outlines incremental opportunities to reduce emissions further as technologies develop and become more affordable. As part of its net zero roadmap, Woodfibre LNG will also offset emissions during the construction phase of the Project. Woodfibre LNG has secured carbon credits from Cheakamus Community Forest, which is a nature-based carbon offset project in Whistler, where the Squamish Nation, Lil'Wat Nation and Resort Municipality of Whistler are partners. In addition, Woodfibre LNG has procured carbon credits from BigCoast Forest Climate Initiative for hard-to-abate emissions during operations. BigCoast Forest Climate Initiative is a nature-based, forest preservation project located in coastal British Columbia that has partnerships with over 25 First Nations. Woodfibre LNG's robust strategy has been independently validated by a Canadian climate engineering firm, Brightspot Climate Inc. Woodfibre LNG's net zero roadmap is consistent with Canada's Methane Strategy and draft guidance for best-in-class GHG emissions performance by oil and gas projects. The roadmap is a living document that will be updated on an annual basis to integrate efficiency improvements, new technologies, and evolving industry practices to reflect the evolving net zero industrial and regulatory landscape. "Woodfibre LNG's announcement comes at a time when global trading partners, such as Japan, are calling on the Government of Canada to provide a reliable, sustainable source of LNG to support global energy demands. The Woodfibre LNG Project has a critical role to play in demonstrating that British Columbia and its diversified portfolio of energy offerings can contribute to a low carbon future, both at home and abroad", said Ratnesh Bedi, President of Pacific Energy. Review Woodfibre LNG's Roadmap to Net Zero at www.woodfibrelng.ca/emissions
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Healthy Seas joins hands with Ghost Diving Hong Kong to remove gill nets in Hong Kong
In conjunction with World Water Day, Healthy Seas is proud to announce it has expanded its geographic focus and launches activities to Hong Kong. Healthy Seas is an environmental nonprofit organization founded in 2013 that began its marine conservation work in the Netherlands. Today, the organisation operates in 20 countries throughout the world, including many countries in Europe, the United States, New Zealand and through its recent collaboration with Ghost Diving Korea and now Ghost Diving Hong Kong, has expanded to Asia, with regular activities in the Sai Kung Area - Port Shelter, Nine Pins Island Group, East Dam with regular ghost net cleanup projects. Ghost net removal On March 18th, the Ghost Diving Hong Kong volunteer team kicked off its collaboration with Healthy Seas and with support from DWS Group, successfully recovered about 120kgs of gill nets in the area of Sharp Island, Hap Mun Bay, Sai Kung. Although gill nets are typically very light, they are also the deadliest type of marine litter to marine animals. Recently, the volunteers had recovered another 150 meters of net from the same location, while a third dive will be necessary and planned in the upcoming period to remove the nets that are still left underwater and continuing to threaten marine life. "We are extremely proud to be working with Healthy Seas and the Ghost Diving Foundation in order to remove these nets and through our work we hope to spread the message and educate the Hong Kong community to the important role we all share to remove marine pollution, not just ghost gear but debris of all forms," says Andrew Couch, Coordinator of Ghost Diving Hong Kong The ghost fishing problem It is estimated that 640,000 tons of fishing gear are lost or abandoned in the seas and oceans each year. It is plastic waste that does not biodegrade, remaining hundreds of years in the environment, all the while losing tiny particles called microplastics that end up in the food chain. The phenomenon takes the name "ghost fishing" because the nets that are made to appear invisible underwater are trapping and killing all manner of marine animals including turtles, fish, mammals and birds that get entangled, suffer and eventually die. Fishing practices & trawling ban in Hong Kong Capture fishing and aquaculture have a long history in Hong Kong, with the conservation of the environment and the well being of the fishing industry being at the forefront of the Hong Kong government's agenda. Over the past few years, there has been a proactive approach to promote the conservation and preservation of Hong Kong's marine habitat. Since December 2012, there has been a ban on trawling within Hong Kong coastal waters to try to restore the damaged seabed. Combined with the Fisheries Protection Ordinance which is designed to regulate the size of local fishing vessels, these efforts aim at controlling fishing practices that resulted in the depletion and destruction of Hong Kong's marine biodiversity. Despite the efforts that have been made to conserve Hong Kong's marine environment, there still remain challenges for the protection of the sea and coastline surrounding Hong Kong. For example, the numerous small speed boats that operate daily and deploy fine gill nets often for hundreds of meters along the sea floor. These are often lost or discarded becoming a major hazard to all marine life as well as the divers who enjoy Hong Kong's waters. Volunteer divers also encounter the remains of nets from the trawlers that were lost or abandoned long ago and caught on submerged rocks and reefs (both natural and artificial) and aim to remove them from the ocean floor.
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This year the world will produce 24.5 million tonnes of small e-waste, four times the weight of the Great Pyramid of Giza
International E-Waste Day to focus on small e-waste reuse, repair and recycling under the slogan ‘Recycle it all, no matter how small!’ this 14 October. Small, end of life electrical and electronic appliances present a significant challenge. The UN has estimated that in 2022 alone, 24.5 million tonnes of small e-waste will be produced worldwide. This is as much as four times the weight of the Great Pyramid of Giza! Due to their small size, items such as cell phones, electric toothbrushes, toasters and cameras are often discarded incorrectly, and they make up a significant proportion of the 8% of all e-waste that is thrown in general waste bins which is subsequently landfilled or incinerated. This means the important raw materials they contain cannot be extracted and are lost. In Europe, up to 1.4 kg of e-waste per inhabitant ends up in the general waste bin every year. On top of this, small appliances are easily stored in cupboards, garages, basements and attics and quickly forgotten about. In an average European household, up to 5 kg of e-devices per person are hoarded in this way. “With this fifth edition of the International E-Waste Day, we want to remind people of the importance of every single piece of electronics or electrical product that is forgotten about in household drawers around the world” says Pascal Leroy of the WEEE Forum, the organisation behind the initiative. “These devices offer many important resources that can be used in the production of new electronic devices or other equipment, such as wind turbines, electric car batteries or solar panels – all crucial for the green, digital transition to low-carbon societies.” 800 grammes of silver, 150 grammes of gold and 50 grammes of palladium can be extracted from one tonne of printed circuit boards that are found in many small electronic devices such as cameras, phones and tablets. Efforts are being made around the globe to reverse this growing trend. The producer responsibility organisations in the WEEE Forum that manage the collection of e-waste are constantly working to make the proper disposal of small e-waste simple and convenient for users and households. Providing collection boxes in supermarkets, pick up of small broken appliances upon delivery of new ones and offering PO Boxes to return small e-waste are just some of the initiatives introduced to encourage the return of these items. Last year over 170 organisations from fifty countries worldwide supported #ewasteday. This year too, the WEEE Forum invites all organisations involved in effective and responsible e-waste management to plan awareness raising activities for 14 October and join this common effort by registering here. https://weee-forum.org/iewd-register/
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Jamaican Climate Leader Says Indigenous Knowledge Can Help Solve the Climate Crisis
In the new NET ZERO show, Climate Activist Kalaan Nibonrix Kaiman discusses best strategies to achieve Jamaica’s race to Net Zero with UnaMay Gordon, Jamaica’s Principal Director of Climate Change. Can agroforestry help mitigate climate change and remove CO₂ from our air permanently? In April 2021, Jamaica targeted an ambitious 60% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. The upgraded new goal addressed land use change, forestry emissions, and committing to deeper emission reductions in the energy sector. In the new NET ZERO show, Climate Activist Kalaan Nibonrix Kaiman interviews UnaMay Gordon, the Principal Director of Climate Change for the Jamaican Government, with over 40 years of climate change and environmental management experience. They discuss the greatest challenges Jamaica is facing and what climate change strategies are helping it achieve its race to Net Zero. Policy makers in Jamaica are working with the municipal cooperation to strengthen the capacity to drive climate action at the local level. Gordon appeals to people to “place a value on the land, that finite resource that we have,” stating that “if we place a value on our land, the relationship between the people and the land will change.” She adds that the nation will have a problem “if we don’t value the indigineous knowledge and turn it into an asset to help inform policy.” The Protect our Planet Movement in association with Planet Classroom has launched the acclaimed Net Zero video and podcast series in which 24 youth climate activists from the Protect Our Planet (POP) Movement in association with Planet Classroom ask international thought leaders working on the environment the big questions as to how their nations are progressing towards their 2050 Net Zero pledges.
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Harvard Thought Leader Chris Dede Says Creating Climate Advocates Can Only Take Place in Learning by Doing Environments
How can educational systems adapt to empower students to take action on global 21st century issues such as the global climate crisis? In the new NET ZERO show, Climate Activist Cherry Sung from South Korea explores how a conservative and standardized education system could implement an environmental education that empowers people. Sung interviews Chris Dede of Harvard's Graduate School of Education to discuss his solutions. Dede’s research, which includes infusing technology into large-scale educational improvement initiatives such as climate change curricula, is focused on developing new types of educational systems that prepare learners for the challenges of a 21st century world. “Students need to feel 2 things,” states Dede. “Relevance that what they are learning actually has meaning in their lives and they need to feel agency. We want people that are advocates for change - that can only take place through environments that are learning by doing environments that teach you how ecosystems are shaped by the world.” Dede notes that while it’s easy to feel a sense of despair about climate change, “it’s not too late - the earth has powerful mechanisms for recovering from things if we give it the opportunity to do that.” The Protect our Planet Movement in association with Planet Classroom has launched the acclaimed Net Zero video and podcast series in which 24 youth climate activists from the Protect Our Planet (POP) Movement in association with Planet Classroom ask international thought leaders working on the environment the big questions as to how their nations are progressing towards their 2050 Net Zero pledges.
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International E-Waste Day to focus on small electronic items
This year, the main focus of International E-Waste Day (#ewasteday) taking place on 14 October, will be those small electrical devices that we no longer use but keep in drawers and cupboards or often toss in the general waste bin. Organised by the WEEE Forum, International E-Waste Day has become a critical awareness raising event, providing a platform for organisations across the world as they try to tackle the e-waste challenge. The 2021 edition was bigger than ever, with organisations from 78 countries undertaking e-waste related activities, and it is hoped 2022 will be even more prominent. Small, end of life electrical and electronic appliances present a significant challenge. The UN estimated that in 2019, over 22 million tonnes of small e-waste were produced worldwide. This is 40% of the 57 million tonnes of all e-waste arising globally. If the quantity of these small items keeps on increasing at the same rate as total e-waste (around 3% per annum), it will reach 29 million tonnes by 2030. Due to their small size, items such as cell phones, electric toothbrushes, toasters and cameras are often discarded incorrectly, and they make up a significant proportion of the 8% of all e-waste that is thrown in waste bins which is subsequently landfilled or incinerated. This means the important raw materials they contain cannot be extracted and are lost. In Europe, up to 1.4 kg of e-waste per inhabitant ends up in the general waste bin every year. On top of this, small appliances are easily stored and forgotten about in drawers, cupboards, garages, basements and attics. In an average European household, up to 5 kg of e-devices per person is currently hoarded. “In this context it is crucial that people become more aware and that the loss of the important resources these items contain is stopped. This is why the focus of International E-Waste Day 2022 will be on small items of e-waste, under the slogan ‘Recycle it all, no matter how small!’” says Pascal Leroy, Director General of the WEEE Forum. “The producer responsibility organisations in the WEEE Forum that manage the collection of e-waste are constantly working to make the proper disposal of small e-waste simple and convenient for consumers. Provide collection boxes in supermarkets, pick up of small broken appliances upon delivery of new ones and offer PO Boxes to return small e-waste are just some of the things they do to encourage the return of these items” continues Mr. Leroy. #ewasteday will take place on 14 October 2022 and any e-waste related awareness raising activities are welcome to be part of it: from social media, TV and radio campaigns to city or school e-waste collections or even artistic performances. Companies willing to join this common effort are invited to register on the initiative’s website. https://weee-forum.org/iewd-register/
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Air Quality Monitoring: Not Just an Urban Concern Says IDTechEx
Air quality concerns are on the rise globally, with urban pollution the dominant cause. However, radon accumulation and unpleasant aromas are often bigger problems in rural locations, creating opportunities for gas sensors that offer continuous monitoring and even odor categorization. IDTechEx’s latest report, “Gas Sensors 2022-2032: Technology, Opportunities, Players, and Forecasts”, analyzes which gas sensing technologies are best suited for this and many other applications, along with the crucial role that software plays in analyzing sensor data to create a compelling use case. Radon and miniaturized ionization chambers Radon is reported to be the second biggest cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. As natural uranium in soil decays radon is produced and released into the atmosphere. Radon hot spots are thus associated with geographical factors like soil porosity and moisture and are thus independent of urban emissions. Modern rural homes are typically well-insulated but poorly ventilated, creating conditions for dangerously high radon concentrations. Cellars and basements with large soil contact areas are particularly high-risk locations for radon exposure. Existing methods to check radon levels require keeping a radioactivity-sensitive piece of plastic in the home for three months, before sending it to a laboratory for analysis and waiting another few weeks for the results. This aims to obtain a representative average level – which is unreliable if house occupancy changes, building works occur or detectors aren’t placed correctly. Overall, existing technology to measure radon in homes is slow, low in accuracy, and expensive. Continuous measurement resolves these challenges, enabling changes in radon level due to building works, weather, season, room occupancy, etc. to be quantified. This both improves baseline accuracy and highlights concentration spikes to enable targeted mitigating actions. Early-stage companies, AirThings and EcoSense, both interviewed by IDTechEx, have commercialized miniaturized ionization detectors to measure radon. Their innovations in signal processing and optimization of power consumption allow earlier, more frequent, and more accurate measurements that unveil the impacts of changing seasons, times of day, and ventilation in real-time. This emerging sensor technology means that radon detection can now join the internet of things (IoT), with visualization, data-sharing, and closed-loop ventilation systems. IDTechEx’s latest report predicts the radon monitoring market will grow in tandem with awareness of the health implications of poor air quality, and digital monitoring capabilities. Agricultural odors and e-noses Determining malodor levels that result from agricultural or industrial activity has historically been the responsibility of human panels who infrequently visit sites and record their opinions. As well as being inefficient, the results are largely subjective. This creates a substantial opportunity for continuous quantitative monitoring that can ensure regulatory compliance and can be digitally linked to odor reduction methods. New e-nose technology appraised in the latest IDTechEx report is set to disrupt this industry. ‘E-nose’ has become a broad term for the combination of gas sensor arrays with software. Each array element exhibits a different electronic response to each analyte, with machine learning unpacking the combined response to determine gas composition and identify specific odors. E-noses for the smart-home and food and drinks market, capable of identifying the fingerprint of smells once trained, have recently been commercialized. Bosch’s e-nose sensors are being marketed to multiple device makers, including looking to quantify the smell of specific coffee/wine or detect spoilt food in the fridge. Their low-cost metal oxide sensors alongside higher value AI software packages are now widely available, with even smaller and more sensitive printed nanomaterials from multiple competitors also showing significant promise. Small, low-power sensors can be mounted on drones, agricultural vehicles, or distributed around farms/factories to obtain granular and continuous odor information. The dependence on software will likely lead to new business models adopting ‘odor management' as a service to comply with government regulations. Digitizing smell, that is quantifying odors/aromas which used to be assessed subjectively, is set to grow rapidly and create extensive opportunities for gas sensors capable of detecting multiple analytes. Applicable sensing technologies include semiconductor, optical, electrochemical, and carbon nanomaterials-based devices. Outlook and market forecasts Improving rural air quality requires a clear picture of the issues, such as radon and malodors, and hence access to extensive real-time data. Gas sensor networks within cities are growing, providing more information about the interplay between urban emissions and pollution in real-time. They are showing their value in informing and regulating policy, whilst also enabling closed-loop systems for ‘smart cities’ such as speed limit management. However, localized and granular data from the countryside poses a new challenge and a new market opportunity. This could incorporate both fixed and portable solutions, public transport integration, and even wearables. The new IDTechEx report, “Gas Sensors 2022-2032: Technology, Opportunities, Players, and Forecasts”, analyzes the technologies required, both established and emerging – alongside air quality concerns and other trends driving the growth of the gas sensor industry. The report includes granular, 10-year (2022 - 2032) forecasts of the sales revenue of segmented markets by 10 technology types and applications including industrial, environmental, automotive, medical, and olfaction. It includes over 20 company profiles from interviews with both major manufacturers and early-stage companies specializing in a range of different technologies.
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Net Zero’s Youth Activist Mphathesithe Mkhize Discusses South Africa’s Progress towards Attaining Climate Goals with Crispin Hemson
South Africa produces more than 255 million tons of coal and consumes nearly three-quarters of it domestically, making it the 7th largest producer and consumer of coal in the world. During negotiations leading up to the COP26 Glasgow Conference, South Africa and its partner countries agreed on a $8.5 billion package to accelerate autonomy from coal and deployment of renewable energy. Net Zero’s climate activist Mphathesithe Mkhize explores South Africa’s progress to date with educator and environmental thought leader Crispin Hemson, who heads up the Friends of Pigeon Valley initiative. “We are one of the world’s greatest polluters because of our reliance on coal,” says Hemson. “You can’t divorce the issues of energy production from the issues of corruption. It’s understood that renewables are going to be not just cheaper but progressively much cheaper.” Watch the Interview here About the Protect Our Planet Movement The Protect Our Planet (POP) Movement is an initiative designed to address the urgent need to share information and knowledge with the youth on solutions to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the UN, mitigate climate change, and adapt to its growing impacts. Intended to ultimately reach the size, scale, and momentum to become a global movement, POP mobilizes the youth worldwide to take collective action needed to mitigate climate change and protect threatened ecosystems. About the Planet Classroom Network The Planet Classroom Network, organized by CMRubinWorld, brings together musicians, dancers, video game creators, filmmakers, activists, learning innovators and emerging technologists from around the world to entertain, educate and engage youth, and to provide a rich cultural experience for all. Content showcased for youth and by youth on the Planet Classroom Network is provided by 30 cultural organizations from around the world. Young people globally played a significant role in conceptualizing, creating, and producing the network’s vision and programming. For more information on CMRubinWorld Follow @CMRubinWorld on Twitter
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Integration leads to leap in tech for forest inventory, management
Through integration of aerial and ground-based mobile mapping sensors and systems, a team of Purdue digital forestry researchers has used advanced technology to locate, count and measure over a thousand trees in a matter of hours. “The machines are counting and measuring each tree – it is not an estimation using modeling, it is a true forest inventory,” said Songlin Fei, the Dean's Remote Sensing Chair and professor of forestry and natural resources and leader of Purdue University’s Digital Forestry initiative. “This is a groundbreaking development on our path to using technology for a quick, accurate inventory of the global forest ecosystem, which will improve our ability to prevent forest fires, detect disease, perform accurate carbon counting and make informed forest management decisions.” The technology uses manned aircraft, unmanned drones and backpack-mounted systems. The systems integrate cameras with light detection and ranging units, or LiDAR, together with navigation sensors, including integrated global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) and inertial navigation systems (INS). A Purdue team led by Ayman Habib, the Thomas A. Page Professor of Civil Engineering and head of Purdue's Digital Photogrammetry Research Group, who co-led the project with Fei, designed and created the systems. “The different parts of the systems take advantage of the synergistic characteristics of acquired data to determine which component has the most accurate information for a given data point,” Habib said. “This is how we can integrate small-scale and large-scale information. One platform alone cannot do it. We needed to find a way for multiple platforms and sensors – providing different kinds of information – to work together. This gives the full picture at extremely high resolution. The fine details are not lost.” A machine-learning algorithm developed by the team to analyze the data is as important as the custom autonomous vehicles they created. The findings of a study using their technology are detailed in a paper published in the journal Remote Sensing. “This system gathers a variety of information about each tree, including height, trunk diameter and branching information,” Habib said. “In addition to this information, we maintain precise location and time tags of acquired features.” The result is like giving a person much-needed glasses. What was once blurry and uncertain becomes clear. Their vision is improved, and in turn, so is their understanding of what they see. LiDAR works like radar, but uses light from a laser as the signal. LiDAR sensors evaluate the range between the scanning system and objects using the time it takes the signal to travel to objects and back to the sensor. On drones, planes or satellites it takes measurements from above the tree canopy, and on roving vehicles or backpacks it takes measurements from below the canopy. The aerial systems have continuous access to GNSS signal to pinpoint the sensor location and orientation after GNSS/INS integration and provide reasonable resolution. Ground-based systems, on the other hand, provide more details and finer resolution, while suffering from potential GNSS signal outages, Habib said. “This multiplatform system and processing framework takes the best from each to provide both fine details and high positional accuracy,” he said. For instance, if the backpack is in an area with poor access to GNSS signal, a drone can step in and put that data in the right place, he said. “It is a breakthrough in applying novel geomatics tools to forestry,” Fei said. “It is solving a real and pressing challenge in fields such as agriculture and transportation, but it also is amazing engineering and science that will be applied beyond one arena.” As the different platforms work together, the system also is identifying data points from each that equate to the same tree characteristic. Eventually it could correlate and discover what above-canopy data means in terms of what is happening below canopy, Habib said. That would be a giant leap in the speed and area of forest that could be covered. LiDAR can be used to make digital 3D maps of trees and forests, so one can virtually assess tree growth, ground cover and forest conditions. A map the team created is available here. The Digital Forestry initiative is part of Purdue's Next Moves. The team continues to work on scaling up the technology and refining the machine learning. The Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (Hatch Project No. IND10004973) fund this work.
