Sustainability Momentum Sdn Bhd

The company which is well known as one of the best producers of electronics technology have developed an idea to generate electricity by converting heat energy through the rotation of wind turbine’s blades. This type of clean energy will benefit by reducing the costs related to wind variation.

Read more: http://appleinsider.com/articles/12/12/27/apples-wind-turbine-technology-uses-heat-not-kinetic-energy-to-generate-electricity

Date and Source: December 27, 2012, Apple Insider

50 million pounds/ year was saved by the co-op supermarkets by installing doors on its fridges in 100 of its supermarkets. Energy cost comes second after staff as half of the energy used at the Co-op supermarkets is for refrigeration.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/dec/25/co-op-supermarkets-extend-fridge-door-scheme

Date and Source: December 25, 2012, The Guardian UK

The Pangolin Rehabilitation Centre (PRC) was recently opened on 21st December by the Cambodian Forestry Administration (FA) and Conservation International (CI) in Takeo Province, Cambodia. Its aim is to care for and rehabilitate pangolins which have been rescued from being illegally smuggled for commercial trade. These animals are usually badly injured due to cruel methods of transportation and trafficking. The Sunda Pangolin (Manis javanica), Cambodia’s only known pangolin species, has been hunted to near extinction for their meat and scales. The animal is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is currently protected as a ‘Rare’ species under the Cambodian 2002 Forestry Law.

Link - http://www.asianscientist.com/topnews/pangolin-rehabilitation-center-cambodia-conservation-international-2012/

Date and Source: December 24, 2012, Asian Scientist.Com

A technology called the Atmospheric Vortex Engine is being funded by Breakout Labs, to research the production of cheap clean energy from man-made tornadoes. The research uses low temperature waste heat to create a vortex which is anchored to this heat source. The change in pressure at the bottom of the vortex drives a turbine-generator and creates electrical power at a cost as low as three Canadian cents per kilowatt-hour. To date a computer model and a 4-metre diameter prototype has been built to test this new idea. The next model will be an eight meter diameter prototype and in 2015 a 40-metre diameter prototype will be built to commercialise the technology.

Link - http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2012/12/one-mans-mission-to-recreating-tornados-to-produce-electricity

Date and Source: December 20, 2012, Renewable Energy World.Com

Danish-based pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk has topped the 2012 Global 100 List of Most Sustainable Corporations in the World. It is not surprising that this Company has won the top title and in fact won many other accolades too, as sustainability has always played a key role in the organisation even before it was made mainstream. In order to keep them accountable, the company reports on social and environmental numbers alongside financial results, publishing CO₂ emissions next to its earnings. They have heavily invested in comprehensive data measurement and management which now allows them to make a business and a moral case for their efforts.

Link- http://www.global100.org/annual-lists/2012-global-100-list.html and http://www.businessinsider.com/measuring-sustainability-is-essential-2012-12#ixzz2FwvONL00

Date and Source: December 18, 2012, Business Insider.Com

A new electric scooter rental company, The Green Scooter, has been set up in response to Buenos Aires’ overwhelming streets, frequent subway strikes and increasingly bad traffic. The electric scooter is very suited to Buenos Aires as it moves slower than a traditional gas scooter, which is important in a country where fatal accident statistics are high. It can travel approximately 30 miles between charges and is also easier to recharge compared to refilling at the limited number of gas stations in the City. The Company expects a growth in electric scooter use and currently rents its vehicles for 190 pesos a day.

Link - http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/global-observer/electric-scooters-bring-green-tourism-to-buenos-aires/8309

Date and Source: December 14, 2012, Smart Planet.Com

Malaysia’s first Green Labelling Scheme, MyHijau label, will assist consumers in making more environmentally responsible decisions when purchasing day-to-day products and services. The program was launched by the Malaysian Prime Minister and will be administered by the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water (KeTTHA). It includes consumer goods such as electrical appliances, food and beverages, household products, furniture and many more. Products and services will carry the MyHijau green label to make it easily recognisable to consumers.

Link - http://www.greenprospectsasia.com/content/malaysia-launches-green-labelling-scheme

Date and Source: December 13, 2012, Green Prospect Asia

PanaHome Malaysia Sdn Bhd, the housing company belonging to Japan’s Panasonic Group, is currently building a prefabricated resource-efficient two and a half storey house in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur. The house will be the company’s flagship centre and showcase project for green building technology and eco-friendly construction. The PanaHome, known for its record speed of construction which is eight hours in Japan, will be opened for viewing to local developers by the end of December 2012. Amongst key sustainability features of the building include photocatalytic glass and exterior tile walls which reduces the need for maintenance and even purifies the surrounding air by breaking down hazardous air pollutants.

Link - http://www.greenprospectsasia.com/content/panahome-panasonics-housing-company-sets-malaysian-home-base

Date and Source: December 13, 2012, Green Prospect Asia

Companies intending to undertake Energy Performance Contracting (EPC) for government buildings must now be registered under the Green Technology Services Code. Companies must first be registered with the Energy Commission as an ESCO. The guidelines for the registration can be found at the Malaysia Energy Commission’s website.

Link:http://www.st.gov.my/v4/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5486&Itemid=4265&lang=en

Date & source: December 18, 2012, Green Prospects Asia
Author: Green Prospects Asia

The EPA in the United States of America has tightened the air quality standards for fine particulate matter to 12 micrograms per cubic meter, a 20 percent reduction to the current rule. By 2030, it is expected that the number of premature deaths prevention, hospital admissions and work lost due to illness will be reduced as a direct outcome from this regulation. The US EPA also estimates that a range of $4 billion to $ 9 billion in health benefits could be saved from the PM 2.5 standards.

Link: http://www.environmentalleader.com/2012/12/17/epa-tightens-soot-pollution-standard/

Date & source: December 17, 2012, Environmental Leader News
Author: Environmental Leader