South Korean Updates: MOE to enact regulation for restricted use of environmental risk factors in children’s products

Safety level standards for four types of environmental risk factors (DNOP, DINP, TBT and Nonylphenol) have been set. The levels are applied to children’s toys that can be placed in the mouth or be in contact by hands of a child.

※ DNOP (Di-n-Octylphthalate), DINP (Di-isononylphthalate), TBT (Tributyltin compounds)

The Ministry of Environment (Minister Yoo Young-sook) has enacted and promulgated on the 27th a ‘regulation for restricted use of environmental risk factors in children’s products’. The regulation is to protect the health of children who are more sensitive and vulnerable to hazardous substances than the adults.

Main focus of the enacted regulation is to set and manage the rule for restricted use of environmental risk factors in children’s products by selecting four types of substances in total, two among 135 types of environmental risk factors that are subject to risk assessment (Notification No. 2009-116 of the Ministry of Environment) which exceeded the risk assessment standard, DNOP and DINP and two from the Toxic Chemicals Control Act, TBT and Nonylphenol.

Since 2007, the ministry has been conducting annual risk assessment for environmental risk factors that may influence the children’s health through contact with the substances contained in the toys and stationary products and the result of the assessment was the basis for the establishment of the regulation.
※ Risk assessment: quantitative and qualitative evaluation of the risk posed to human health and/or the environment by the actual or potential presence of and exposure to particular pollutants. (as specified by OECD, risk = hazard x exposure)

In case of DNOP and DINP, the ministry set the level taking the migration rate into account after conducting the risk assessment. The migration rate refers to the exposure to the substances when a child places the product in the mouth or makes contact with hands. As TBT and Nonylphenol are already designated as restricted substances under the Toxic Chemicals Control Act, standards of equivalent levels are applied.
The standards set for DNOP and DINP which are mainly used as plasticizers of plastics and are contained in children’s products including toys and stationeries, are expected to be used for management of plastic products. Also, TBT and Nonylphenol will be applied to wooden products and ink products for children, respectively.

After the one-year grace period considering the preparation time for related industries, the notification will go into effect from September 27, 2013.

An official of the ministry said that restrictive regulation for children’s products will be set based on the continuous risk assessment on the substances that may affect children’s health.

For more information: http://eng.me.go.kr/board.do?method=view&docSeq=10786&bbsCode=new_news&currentPage=1&searchType=&searchText=&categoryCode=

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Hong Kong Updates: SEN shows his support for green school

SEN shows his support for green school (with photos)
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   The Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, visited the Ma On Shan Ling Liang Primary School today (September 21) to have a look at its On-site Meal Portioning Project and various on-campus environmental facilities. He encouraged the school to continue promoting environmental protection through educational programmes so as to create a greener, more eco-friendly school.

     Mr Wong first inspected the arrangements for on-site meal distribution and enjoyed a "green" lunch with students. During the lunch, Mr Wong took the opportunity to chat with students and learn about how the school reduces food waste and promotes healthy meals. He was also briefed by student representatives on ways to collect and treat food waste to promote green schools.

     The Environment Protection Department launched the On-site Meal Portioning Projects in Schools through the Environment and Conservation Fund (ECF) in December 2009. Under the scheme, the ECF subsidises school conversion works and the retrofitting of basic facilities to help them implement on-site meal portioning and avoid using disposable tableware. Moreover, food can be served according to the needs of students so as to reduce the generation of food waste, and the freshness of food can also be preserved.

     Since the launch of the scheme, the ECF has subsidised 94 schools in carrying out on-site meal portioning, of which 92 schools have completed the conversion works. It is estimated that the use of 62,000 disposable containers can be avoided every day and food waste generation can be reduced by 50 per cent.

     Mr Wong said that of some 9,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste disposed of in Hong Kong's landfills everyday, over one third is food waste. Therefore, food waste reduction and its proper treatment is an essential element in implementing waste reduction at source, which in turn reduces the amount of waste disposal at landfills. He pointed out that the Government endeavours to promote food waste avoidance and reduction through various educational and promotional activities and turn unavoidable food waste into compost or other useful resources.

     Mr Wong also visited the school's environmental facilities, which include a solar greenhouse, a rain water collection system, a solar weather station and lighting, and campus greening. He was briefed on the facilities by student representatives, who also told him about the school's educational activities, which include greenhouse planting and the environmental protection ambassador scheme.

     Mr Wong was interviewed by school reporters at the end of the visit and he gave them some tips on environmental protection and greening. He encouraged the students to put green living into practice and to share the green message with friends and family members.

Ends/Friday, September 21, 2012
Issued at HKT 16:10

On a visit to Ma On Shan Ling Liang Primary School today (September 21), the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, enjoys a "green" lunch with students and learns about the implementation of on-site meal portioning at the school. Mr Wong visits the solar greenhouse, one of the environmental facilities at Ma On Shan Ling Liang Primary School. For more information: http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201209/21/P201209210387.htm

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Hong Kong Updates: Incentive scheme for ocean-going vessels using cleaner fuel while berthing in Hong Kong receives applications

Incentive scheme for ocean-going vessels using cleaner fuel while berthing in Hong Kong receives applications

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  Starting from September 26, 2012, ocean-going vessels (OGVs) will be eligible for a 50 per cent reduction in port facility and light dues if they switch to cleaner fuel while berthing in Hong Kong waters. This incentive scheme will last for three years.

     The owner, operator or his agent of OGVs joining the scheme should first make a one-off registration for their vessels with the Environmental Protection Department (EPD). The registration exercise will commence on September 17. Upon registration, eligible OGVs can apply for a reduction in port facility and light dues for every port call to Hong Kong under the scheme with the Marine Department (MD) starting from September 26.

     "The Government has been implementing a package of 22 measures, targeting various major polluting sources, with a view to improving the air quality in Hong Kong. Reducing marine emissions is one of our priorities and the launch of the incentive scheme is a step forward to achieving this goal," the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, said today (September 14).

     Mr Wong said, "Under the incentive scheme, OGVs will enjoy a 50 per cent reduction in port facility and light dues by switching from bunker oil to fuel with sulphur content of not more than 0.5 per cent for their auxiliary engines, boilers and generators while at berth in Hong Kong waters. This incentive scheme will help reduce vessel emissions and improve the air quality around the port area. We encourage shipping liners to join this green shipping scheme."

     In his 2012-13 Budget Speech, the Financial Secretary announced the initiative to reduce by half the port facility and light dues charged on OGVs using low-sulphur fuel while berthing in Hong Kong waters. In 2011, about 32,500 calls to Hong Kong were recorded. They are subject to port facility and light dues based on their tonnage at $43 per 100 tons for every port call to Hong Kong.

     For more details about the incentive scheme, please visit the EPD's website at www.epd.gov.hk or the MD's website atwww.mardep.gov.hk. Enquiries can also be made by calling EPD's hotline 2594 6452 or MD's hotline 2852 3058.

Ends/Friday, September 14, 2012
Issued at HKT 17:00

For more information: http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201209/14/P201209140402.htm

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Seminar on Architecture & Energy - New Strategies in the Construction Sector, 12 October 2012, Hong Kong

Architecture & Energy - New Strategies in the Construction Sector

Introduction

Seminar

Date:

12 Oct 2012

Time:

09:00 - 15:00

Getting more out of buildings is the most pressing environmental issue for cities for the rest of this century. It's a long-term task that demands ongoing debate rather than short-lived enthusiasm. This event provides a forum for such a conversation between Germany - a world leader in searching for and commercializing innovative solutions for building energy efficiency - and Hong Kong - one of the world's great vertical cities with a unique set of challenges and opportunities. Leading experts from Germany will update Hong Kong on progress with an exciting concept showcased at last year's joint forum - the "Energy Plus" building that aspires to create more energy than it consumes. Local experts will highlight the systems and institutional support necessary to ensure innovations deliver a high-quality, sustainable urban environment. Germany and Hong Kong … the dialogue continues.

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Date:	Friday, 12 October 2012
Time:	9:00am - 3:30pm (Registration from 8.30am)
Venue:	Gloucester Rooms, 3/F, Excelsior Hotel, 281 Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
Registration:	These is no charge for this event, but registration is essential. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. Online registration: http://www.civic-exchange.org/wp/121012

PROGRAMME

8:30-9:00 am	Registration and networking
Session 1: From Bright Ideas to Mainstream Practice - Green Building Policy and Programmes in Germany & Hong Kong
9.00am - 10.35am
Welcome: Mr Werner Hans Lauk, Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany Policy and Progress in Germany Senior Ministry Official, Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Affairs Efficient Buildings in an Efficient City Mr KS Wong, Secretary for the Environment (TBC) Standards, Promotion, Information, Research – the Federal Government’s tools for energy-efficient and sustainable building Dr Rüdiger Kratzenberg Hong Kong responds Mr Benny Chow, AEDAS Question & Answer Session Refreshment Break
Session 2: German Innovation
10.50am - 12.00pm
Energy efficiency technologies on the way to the Plus Energy House Prof. Norbert Fisch, TU Braunschweig (Technical University), CEO EGS Plan Hong Kong responds Dr Guiyi Li, Hong Kong Construction Industry Council German high-efficient facades to suit local conditionsMr Günther Strauss CEO Schüco China Hong Kong responds: TBC Question & Answer Session Lunch & Poster Exhibition
Session 3: Green Buildings and the Urban Environment
1.15pm - 3.30pm
Soft systems are essential too – innovative assessment standards Ms Agnes Ng, Hong Kong Beam Society Beyond buildings: Sustainable neighbourhoods Mr Benny Chow, AEDAS Innovations at School: First Plus Energy School in Germany in Berlin Prof. Ingo Lütkemeyer, InBUS Architekten Building the Future: Hong Kong Policy and Progress: TBC Refreshment Break Sustainable building in Cities – What can we learn from each other? Prof. Norbert Fisch Mr Günther Strauss Mr Benny Chow Dr Guiyi Li Ms Agnes Ng Mr Paul Rode Close and thanks
*Programme subject to change

SPEAKERS BIOS

Dr Rüdiger Kratzenberg is the Head of the Building & Construction Industry Directorate of Germany’s Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development. He oversees a diverse portfolio covering civil engineering, architecture, building research, energy performance of buildings, and building law. Dr Kratzenberg has qualifications in law from the Friedrich Alexander University in Erlangen-Nuremberg and has held several senior posts in state and federal German governments relating to urban development.
Mr Benny Chow is an award winning sustainable design expert with worldwide project experience and a LEED AP (USGBC), BEAM Professional (HKGBC), Accrediated Professional (China Green Building Council), and a qualified ISO 14001 (Environmental Management Standard) Lead Auditor. As the Director of Sustainability at Aedas Hong Kong, Benny brings with him 15 years of experience in Sustainable Design specializing in computer modeling and analysis, urban wind environment, solar heat gain calculations, global daylight illumination simulation, building energy modeling, and air ventilation assessment using Computational Fluid Dynamics, which he has put to use in over 100 projects. Benny holds research and teaching appointments at the Chinese Univeristy of Hong Kong and the Univeristy of Hong Kong.
Dr. -Ing. Manfred Norbert Fisch is Full Professor and Director at the Institute for Energy Design, Building Services and Solar Technology (IGS) at the Architecture Department at Technical University (TU) Brunswick. In 1997 Dr. Fisch became CEO of EGS-plan, Stuttgart; CEO of Energy Design Brunswick and CEO of Energy Design Asia, Stuttgart, Shanghai, UAE. He currently holds these positions while also serving as the Dean of the Architecture Department at TU Brunswick. Dr. Fisch has published over 100 papers on solar energy, rational use of energy and energy efficient office buildings. Dr. Fisch has a Ph.D. from University of Stuttgart’s Faculty of Mechanical Engineering.
Dr Guiyi Li is Director of the Zero Carbon Building Project within the Secretariat of the Construction Industry Council (CIC), responsible for the CIC’s research programme. He is an environmental specialist with 25 years of international experience in research, consultancy and management. Dr Li is a Chartered Engineer, a Fellow of Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) and a past chairman of CIWEM Hong Kong Branch.
Mr Guenter Strauss is the Executive Director China for Schueco, a leading system supplier for building envelopes, windows and doors, skylights, conservatories, solar thermal, photovoltaic and BIPV technology. Before joining Shueco in 1994 he worked at Rehau AG from 1987-1994. Mr. Strauss graduated for the University of Munich with a degree in economics.
Ms Agnes Ng is the Chair of the Hong Kong BEAM Society and has more than 25 years of working experience in Hong Kong, Mainland China and Asia. She works as a consultant to developers and is actively involved in public and volunteer services to various NGOs and Committees in addition to being a part-time lecturer at the University of Hong Kong and Chu Hoi College. Agnes has been the Director of Hong Kong Green Building Council; the founding Chairman of Hong Kong Architecture Centre; and fellow member of Hong Kong Institute of Architecture (HKIA). She previously had seniro roles in Aedas, and the Urban Renewal Authority in Hong Kong. Agnes is a registered architect in Hong Kong, and and the PRC.
Professor Dipl. -Ing. Ingo Lütkemeyer, Architect BDA is the Head of the School of Architecture Bremen, Managing Partner of IBUS Architects and Engineers, Professor for Architectural Design, Construction and building services at Bremen University of Applied Sciences, and was appointed to the German Association of Architects BDA in 2003. He has written extensively on sustainable architecture and energy conscious design, and has designed numerous sustainable building projects including a Plus Energy school and a Passive House sports hall. He has won numerous design competition awards and was the recipient of the Climate Protection Award Bremen in 2009.
Mr Paul Rode led the team responsible for the recent energy efficiency retrofit of the iconic Empire State Building in New York City, in his role as Project Executive at Johnson Controls. Based in New York City, he leads a team of engineers and project managers applying innovative techniques to develop retrofit strategies that yield deep energy savings, and managing the implementation of energy savings projects through performance contracting. Prior to joining Johnson Controls Mr Rode worked for EUA Cogenex as an engineer developing solutions paid from savings energy projects for a variety of industrial and commercial customers. Mr. Rode is Professional Engineer with a BE degree in Chemical Engineering, and has contributed to trade publications, and governmental energy policy.

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Organized by:
For more information: http://www.sustainability.hku.hk/news-event/detail/architecture-energy-new-strategies-in-the-construction-sector

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Seminar on Enhancing the Productivity of Biofuel Processes, 12 October 2012, Hong Kong

Enhancing the Productivity of Biofuel Processes

Colin Webb

School of Chemical Engineering & Analytical Science
University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
e-mail: colin.webb@manchester.ac.uk

Abstract

It is almost 100 years since, at the University of Manchester, Chaim Weizmann laboured in his laboratory to perfect the acetone-butanol-ethanol fermentation as the first example of large scale Industrial Biotechnology. We now look to Industrial Biotechnology to supply a wealth of different products and it is technically feasible to produce the full range of functional molecules required to meet our chemical, fuel and material needs. The ‘biorefinery’ now exists as a concept, set to challenge the dominance of the petro-refinery in supplying our everyday needs from feedstocks that we can rely on being available well beyond the limited supplies of petroleum. Our challenge is to ‘engineer’ these biorefinery processes to compete economically and key to the successful achievement of this will be the development of integrated systems in which waste streams are transformed into value-added products.

Much interest has been shown recently in the biological conversion of glycerol, a by-product of the biodiesel process, into commodity chemicals, which can be used as building blocks for a variety of value-added products. We have combined this strategy with the production of rich fermentation feedstocks from biofuel processing by-products, such as rapeseed residues1, to produce a range of products including succinic acid2,3 PHB and microbial oil4. The inhibitive effects of crude glycerol impurities have also been studied and the whole system has been modelled to enhance design predictions. This talk will outline the results obtained for this particular aspect of the development of biorefinery systems and the potential for improving biofuel process productivity and sustainability.

References:

1. Wang R, Shaarani S M, Casas Godoy L, Melikoglu M, Sola Vergara C, Koutinas A, Webb C (2010) Enzyme and Microbial Technology, 47, 77–83
2. Vlysidis A, Binns M, Webb C, Theodoropoulos C, (2011) Biochemical Engineering Journal, 58-59, 1-11
3. Vlysidis A, Binns M, Webb C, Theodoropoulos C, (2011) Energy, 36 (8), 4671-4683.
4. Uckun Kiran E, Salakkam A, Trzcinski A and Webb C (2012) Enzyme and Microbial Technology, 50, 337-342

About the Speaker:

Professor Colin Webb has been Director of the Satake Centre for Grain Process Engineering, at the University of Manchester, UK, since it was founded in 1994. In 1999, he was honoured as the UK’s first Distinguished Fellow of the International Academy of Food Science and Technology. From 2000 – 2007 he was Head of Chemical Engineering at the University of Manchester. Colin has been an external advisor to a large number of Universities worldwide and is currently International Scientific Advisor to Kobe University, Japan as well as a Visiting Professor at both the University of Oviedo and the University of Cádiz in Spain. His publications include 10 books, more than 240 research papers and five patents. Colin has been Editor-in-chief of Elsevier’s Biochemical Engineering Journal since its launch in 1998. He is a Fellow of the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) and is currently Vice-President of IChemE with responsibility for qualifications. His research is largely directed towards the sustainable bioconversion of agricultural raw materials and the development of the biorefinery concept. This research recently won the 2011 IChemE Bioprocessing Award.

Date:	12 October 2012 (Friday)
Time:	9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Venue:	P4703 Academic 1 City University of Hong Kong Tat Chee Avenue Kowloon Hong Kong
Organizer:	School of Energy and Environment City University of Hong Kong

Enquiry: see.enquiry@cityu.edu.hk

~All are Welcome~

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Seminars on "Integrated Whole Building Energy Design", 12 October 2012, Hong Kong

Seminars

Integrated Whole Building Energy Design

Mr. Paul Rode

Project Executive Solutions Division, Building Efficiency unit, Johnson Controls

Abstract

It is widely known that a significant percentage of energy is used in the buildings that we live and work in. What is the correct amount of energy that should be used? How deep can energy savings take a building, is 5%, 10% or 50% energy savings possible? Is Net Zero possible and profitable? The program will cover the introduction of a energy retrofit business model, that includes a high level description of the most common technologies used, preparation of a business case, and real examples from some of New York's largest office towers and its airports. We will cover deep energy retrofits in existing buildings and the classic design pathway of load reduction, energy efficiency, behavior modification and renewable power production in the context of cities and buildings in particular. We will look at what is done to reduce energy use in a building in an appropriate and profitable way. How the business of energy retrofits is put together and how small and large companies, building owners, and tenants can benefits from this industry. All examples will be drawn from real examples of work being done by Johnson Controls in New York City.

About the Speaker:

Mr. Rode is a Project Executive for the Solutions Division of the Building Efficiency unit of Johnson Controls where he is responsible for working with Johnson's commercial clients to develop and deliver an array of energy services. Based in New York City, and covering a national footprint he leads a team of engineers, and project managers applying innovative techniques to develop retrofit strategies that yield deep energy savings, and managing the implementation of energy savings projects through performance contracting. The projects typically include retro commissioning, energy savings guarantees, smart building technologies, lighting, distributed generation, and operational studies.

He has been with Johnson Controls for 16 years and has held the positions of Senior Project Manager, Performance Contracting Team Leader, Account Executive, and Business Development Director. Recently he led the Johnson Controls team responsible for the energy efficiency retrofit of the Empire State Building.

Prior to joining Johnson Controls Mr. Rode worked for EUA Cogenex as an engineer developing  paid from savings energy projects for a variety of industrial and commercial customers.

Mr. Rode has spent 10 years on foreign project management assignments involving the construction of generation / cogeneration stations in Zimbabwe, South Africa, Brazil, Russia (Soviet Union at the time), and Saudi Arabia.

Mr. Rode is Professional Engineer with a BE degree in Chemical Engineering, has contributed to trade publications, and governmental energy policy.

Date:	12 October 2012 (Friday)
Time:	11:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
Venue:	G5216, Green Zone, 5/F Academic 1 City University of Hong Kong Tat Chee Avenue Kowloon Hong Kong
Organizer:	School of Energy and Environment City University of Hong Kong

Enquiry: see.enquiry@cityu.edu.hk

~All are Welcome~

Additional supporting unit:

Green Connections, City University of Hong Kong

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