The three main findings of the Greenpeace Green Electronics Survey:
Significant reductions in the use of hazardous chemicals. More products than ever before are PVC-free and BFR-free. The use of phthalates, as well as beryllium and antimony and their associated compounds, are being eliminated in every product category. Although the previous survey showed that the use of RoHS exemptions could be drastically reduced, we have yet to see this progress in the industry.
Exceeding energy efficiency standards. Almost all products meet or exceed the current Energy Star standards established by the US EPA. Electronics companies seem to put much more effort in improving the energy efficiency of their products rather than assessing thoroughly (and reducing) the ‘embedded energy’ – that is, the energy spent during the production of each product.
Product lifecycle responsibilitymust improve. Lifecycle management is still the weakest point of electronic products, with very little use of recycled plastic, a variety of take-back practices (generally improving) and little marketing efforts to prevent fast obsolescence of products. The report also observed that companies are becoming more transparent in the amount and type of product information they provide to customers, often listing product’s chemical make-up and performance details. Read the full report here: http://ping.fm/cRdMa
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
MNRE to woo big builders for solar townships
The government now has its eyes set on turning all big ticket projects by well-known builders into green townships. The ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE) is trying to develop 50 green townships under its existing solar city programme.
The ministry will give funds to builders under this programme to develop a project plan that has the components needed for a green township. An official from the ministry stated that, however, the ministry will not give any funds towards construction, only software cost for developing a project plan will be provided. The funds will be for the inclusion of green building and renewable features in the project plan being developed.
The official mentioned that the fund amount will be a fixed one as just the project plan preparation cost for these townships goes into several lakhs. The fund will not depend on the area. He said that the government is trying to promote private builders to adopt the green way for building townships.
While guidelines for green buildings already exist, the government is now developing guidelines for large townships separately. An official also stated that they expect the guidelines for big townships to be ready by six months.
Source: Governance Now
The ministry will give funds to builders under this programme to develop a project plan that has the components needed for a green township. An official from the ministry stated that, however, the ministry will not give any funds towards construction, only software cost for developing a project plan will be provided. The funds will be for the inclusion of green building and renewable features in the project plan being developed.
The official mentioned that the fund amount will be a fixed one as just the project plan preparation cost for these townships goes into several lakhs. The fund will not depend on the area. He said that the government is trying to promote private builders to adopt the green way for building townships.
While guidelines for green buildings already exist, the government is now developing guidelines for large townships separately. An official also stated that they expect the guidelines for big townships to be ready by six months.
Source: Governance Now
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