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Seminar in Policy Studies - Module 2 (b): National Environmental Policy - Business and Industry and National Environmental Policy Seminar Matrix Module 1: Global Environmental Policy Module 2: National Environmental Policy Governments Business and Industry Today NGOs and Communities Module 3: Local Environmental Policy Sustainability in Business and Industry Mass consumption society - Mass production - Mass consumption - Mass disposal - Increased burden on the environment - Increased use of natural resources Sound Material cycle Society - Integration of environment and economy - Promotion of 3Rs – reduce, reuse and recycle - Proper management of wastes - Reduced burden on the environment - Minimized use of natural resources Sustainability in Business and Industry “3R” usually refers to: reduce, reuse and recycle. Sustainability in Business and Industry But … “3R” is more than just reduce, reuse and recycle. It really calls for – Building an economy based on the life-cycle approach. Natural material inputs Environmental Policy and Sustainability Module 2: National Environmental Policy [ 12/2] Production Reduce generation of wastes and products Sustainability in Business and Industry Recycle those cannot be reused as raw materials Consumption and use Treatment Use goods repeatedly Discard Final Disposal Disposal of those that cannot be used by any means The production cycle and 3Rs Sustainability in Business and Industry Sustainable Production 3R Sustainable Consumption Environmental Policy and Sustainability Module 2: National Environmental Policy [ 12/2] Greener Procurement Green Consumerism EMS and ISO14001 Corporate Social Responsibility Sustainability in Business and Industry Industrial Ecology Global Reporting Initiative 3R Extended Producer Responsibility Socially Responsible Investment Eco Towns and Eco-industrial Parks Integrated waste management Green Labeling 3R as an ‘Umbrella’ concept for other concepts Sustainability in Business and Industry Design for 3Rs, indication of eco-labels, reduction of byproducts, use of recycled parts and materials, etc. Manufacturing Simplified packaging, use of reusable boxes, supply of eco-labeled goods, collection of packaging, etc. Distribution Consumption Green purchasing, carry bag, household waste sorting, bringing recyclables to collection centers etc. Disposal Permit system for waste management firms and facilities, waste treatment standards, waste tracking system/manifest etc. Sustainability in Business and Industry KEY AREAS OF ACTION: Design for Environment Energy Efficiency Environmental Building Design Environmental Management Systems Environmental Philanthropy Packaging Air Pollution Prevention Water Pollution Prevention Recycling and Waste Reduction Resource Conservation Green Business Practices in Japan 1. Design for Environment Design and development of environmental products essentially aim to reduce the use of restricted substances, minimize environmental impact, and increase the recyclability of the products. Companies have achieved these goals by working closely with their customers and suppliers to exchange information regarding the environmental performance characteristics of their products. Such programmes incorporate environmental considerations, including facility design materials selection, energy consumption, manufacturing, product use and operation, and final disposition, early in the product development process. Green Business Practices in Japan 2. Energy Efficiency There are many issues that are generally covered under 'energy efficiency'. These include: • Utility Cost Reduction Companies aim to reduce energy usage and therefore utility costs to the greatest extent possible. Such aims cover, for example, heating, cooling and ventilation, lighting levels and water conservation. • Energy Conservation Companies first perform an energy audit, covering loads, devices etc. Enabling future improvements, such audits focus on time-of-use, conservation measures possible etc. and propose measures that are both operational and technological in nature. Measures include cost, ease of implementation, energy saved, as well as cost reduction in general. • Water Conservation Water conservation efforts included the conversion of water cooling systems to closed-loop systems, recirculating the water instead of piping in public-supply water, and the elimination of nonessential processes and modification of piping and timer systems. Employee awareness and participation are an important contribution to efforts in achieving energy efficiency. Green Business Practices in Japan 3. Environmental Building Design There are many ways in which efficient building design can lead to efficient energy use. Such measures are taken both in the architectural design of the building itself, as well as in the various infrastructure and services that are installed in it. These include: proper building to site orientation, high efficiency lighting, optimized daylighting, oversized low restriction ducts, variable speed drives in the HVAC units, increased building insulation, heat mirror glass, reflective roof coating, occupant sensors throughout the building, and efficient office equipment. Green Business Practices in Japan 4. Environmental Management Systems Environmental Management Systems are tailored to each company's own needs. While the results can vary, self-audit programs focus on company-specific environmental issues, enabling among other things, a high awareness of environmental issues. Implementation of EMS covers areas such as policy, organizational restructuring, marketing identity and standards etc. Companies achieve this by developing checklists, marking realistic environmental compliance targets, encouraging transparency and accountability, and similar measures. Effective communication of such measures, internally and externally, remains critical to better understanding, acceptance and compliance. It also serves as a focus to challenge all involved to develop new approaches to environmental improvements Green Business Practices in Japan 5. Environmental Philanthropy A committed approach to environmental improvement goes beyond mere cost-benefit analyses and concerns broader, universal issues. Many companies do not rule out philanthropy as a means to achieve environmental consciousness. Companies favouring this typically take measure such as access to environmental technology, access to engineering support, free educational classes, staff volunteering in community programmes, information dissemination of activities and measures, and assistance in publishing research and promotional materials. Besides supporting existing environmental efforts and actions, companies are also directly involved in activities such as tree-planting. Green Business Practices in Japan 6. Packaging Packaging issues have come to the fore due to increasing quantities of municipal waste, with a significant portion coming from consumer goods packaging. This has highlighted the need to both increase recycling and minimize the amount of material used in packaging. This would reduce waste and decrease the use of virgin/new materials. Most efforts to streamline packaging have focussed on three aspects: (a) using as little packaging material as needed (b) using recycled material wherever it is environmentally and economically sound (c) making packaging as recyclable as possible. Green Business Practices in Japan 7. Air Pollution Prevention Air pollution prevention efforts of companies have generally focussed on both source and waste reduction, and on reuse and recycling. Preventing air pollution within a company's manufacturing processes remains the key approach. Cleaning and processing, switch to nonpolluting technologies and materials, reduced generation of waste water, converting hazardous by-products to non-threatening forms, etc. have been attempted in this regard. Indirect air pollution prevention measures by companies also cover transportation. Examples of such measures include: providing company transportation to employees; offering commuting information and selling public transit passes; and encouraging employees to carpool and use public transportation. Companies have also initiated successful programmes such as the use of bicycles to commute to work, telecomuting, and work-at-home etc. to reduce pollution due to commuting. Green Business Practices in Japan 8. Water Pollution Prevention Measures to prevent water pollution essentially strive to conserve and protect water quality - in terms of its use reduction and disposal, waste water treatment, procedural changes and recycling. Water conservation programmes have also included the substitution/reduction of hazardous materials and the generation of hazardous wastes. Employee awareness, education and training in pollution identification and reduction is critical in achieving successful results. Green Business Practices in Japan 9. Recycling and Waste Reduction Recycling and waste reduction is a recurring theme that is an integral part of most of the above environmental measures taken by companies. Most popular and tangible among these measures have targeted paper. Efficient use of paper, streamlining processes and tasks that need excessive paper, paper source sorting and disposal systems (both in-house and external systems), are covered here. Other wastes such as glass, aluminum, cardboard, wooden pallets, polyurethane and polystyrene foam, furniture etc. have similarly been targeted for source sorting and disposal systems. Besides cost consideration, companies have included waste disposal methods and techniques, recycling efforts etc. as criteria to select trash contractors. Another measure incorporated by companies is the purchase of recycled materials for office supplies. Products with higher percentages of post-consumer content, reused copy/printer toners cartridges, recycled tissue and napkins etc. have been incorporated in purchasing decisions. Online internet and intranet networks have been used as an alternative to inter-office memos and conventional communication methods. Centralized information, leadership, and a corporate commitment have been found to be critical in developing a culture for the 'reduce, reuse, and recycle' corporate environment. Green Business Practices in Japan 10. Resource Conservation Water, electricity, office supplies, manufacturing and production materials, building materials etc form resources that a company uses. Conservation of such resources is an important environmental measure taken by companies. These include restrictions and reductions in the use of resources, recovery of (re)usable resources from waste products, recycling of resources after adequate processing. Companies also resort to the use of certified products that have had minimum environmental impact, and have been included in a comprehensive resource recovery cycle, including post-production processing. Thus company purchasing decisions are increasingly including environmental concerns in their choice of supplies, materials and refills. Resource conservation measures have also covered maintaining regulatory compliance, chemical source reduction, emissions control, equipment review and construction support, and product stewardship. Increased 'returnable' content in a product or its packaging has also been used in conservation efforts. Example –1 Business and Industry Keidanren Business Charter on the Global Environment http://www.keidanren.or.jp/ Example –2 Local Government + MoE/METI Business and Industry Eco Town Development http://www.env.go.jp/recycle/ecotown/ Example –3 Local Governments + MAFF Business and Industry Bio Mass Towns http://www.biomass-hq.jp/index.html Class Matrix 1 2 3 Next class: Module 2: National Environmental Policy What national environmental policies impact NPOs and communities? How do their activities impact the environment? How can they help? Business and Industry 4 5 6 7 8 9 Next session Module 1: Global Environmental Policy Module 2: National Environmental Policy Governments Business and Industry NPOs and Communities Next … Module 3: Local Environmental Policy Class Communication … Resources, websites, ideas, notes will be available online: www.gdrc.info/gep/ Send me an email anytime! Hari Srinivas [email protected] IMPORTANT: When you send an email, please always put “[GEP]” in the subject line!