Welcome to World Eco News, a service of PlanetBound Inc. An online news roundup in English and Japanese, World Eco-News will summarize environmental events around the world, paying special attention to companies who are finding innovative ways to integrate environmental responsibility and profitable business activity.
We will take a close look at the best new approaches taken by creative businesses around the world as they develop more sustainable ways of doing business.
| ● | TRENDS IN ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTING: WILL JAPAN BE NEXT? The European Union (EU) is following the example of the USA, taking steps to require filing of regular reports by companies thought likely to exert a significant environmental impact. The reports, which will be required by new regulations in 2002 or 2003, must include information on emissions, as well as disposal of substances which may be hazardous. The reports will be open to the general public. The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE) is writing the new regulations. UN/ECE has stated that similar regulations have been effective in the USA, cutting companies' emissions by as much as 50%. This is apparently because companies take concerted measures to avoid making (potentially) damaging information available to the public. There has not yet been a strong move in Japan to require similar reporting. However, increasing awareness of "freedom of information" and "pollution reduction" in Japan may result in increasing pressure for similar regulations in the near future. |
| ● | BUSINESS-NGO PARTNERSHIPS ON THE RISE
More and more, the world's largest corporations are partnering with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in voluntary efforts to improve their environmental performance. IBM, Johnson & Johnson, and Polaroid recently hooked up with the World Wildlife Fund and Center for Energy and Climate Solutions (CECS), as they try to reduce CO2 emissions by 25% by 2010. Also, BP, Shell, DuPont, Ontario Power Generation, Alcan Aluminum, Pechiney, and Suncor Energy have joined with U.S. NGO Environmental Defense (ED, formerly Environmental Defense Fund). These 7 companies joined with ED and each other to try to reduce total greenhouse gas emissions by 10-15%. How do they plan on doing this? Through a mix of emission caps, emissions trading, technological improvements, and technical collaboration with Environmental Defense. Reducing wasteful use of energy and chemical releases is also likely to increase their profits. Many corporate and NGO leaders think that international treaties and national regulations will eventually restrict greenhouse gas emissions anyway. Next month, in The Hague, the final details of an international climate treaty may be hammered out. Joseph Romm, Executive Director of CECS, once directed the U.S. government's energy efficiency and renewable energy program. Romm puts it this way, "Many companies figured out in the 1990's that when an environmental issue reaches a certain level of public consciousness and seriousness, it's better to be proactive than reactive." |
| ● | NEW ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL EFFICIENCY TOOLS FOR SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED
BUSINESSES The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), in cooperation with the Wuppertal Institute, has published an "Efficient Entrepreneur Calendar" for small and medium-sized businesses. The Calendar, along with a companion "Efficient Entrepreneur Assistant" (guidebook), assists businesses to save money by increasing efficiency and reducing environmental impacts. The saying goes, "You cannot manage what you cannot measure." Thus, the Calendar provides businesses with easy new ways to measure performance. The Calendar and Guidebook offer a way for small and medium-sized businesses to chart economic and environmental efficiency month-by-month, culminating in a simple end-of-year report. UNEP and Wuppertal will also soon develop an Internet information and communication service for small and medium-sized businesses, called "The Efficient Entrepreneur Online." The service will entitle businesses who use the Calendar for a year to distribute their firm's environmental information. UNEP and Wuppertal would like to distribute the Efficient Entrepreneur Calendar in as many nations as possible, and need national sponsors to assist with translation, printing or marketing the Calendar and Guidebook. For more information, or sponsor conditions and benefits, contact Michael Kuhndt (efficient-entrepreneur@wupperinst.org) or visit: www.efficient-entrepreneur.net. |
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