The world leader in renewable energy

Australia’s Climate Commissions has produced a new report that applauds China for “moving to the top of the leader board on climate change”. China’s carbon emissions is expected to peak soon, driven by an accelerated push in investment of renewable energy, and 7 pilot emissions trading schemes that will come on-line later in the year. The country already has the highest renewable power capacity in the world.

http://www.cleanbiz.asia/news/australia-calls-china-global-leader-climate-change-fight#.UX9XC7VmjTp

Energy Cooperatives

Community cooperatives that raise money for green energy projects such as mini-hydros, wind farms and solar arrays are increasingly popular in Germany, with over 500 cooperatives, and gaining traction in the UK and elsewhere in Europe. Do small-scale energy ventures like this, which provides small returns for shareholders but encourages renewable energy and the neighbourhood economy, have a place in Hong Kong’s duopoly electricity environment?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/apr/29/community-raising-money-green-energy

Green Space on Mental Well-being

Living close to green space, such as parks or woodlands, has a substantial effect on reducing people’s mental distress and increasing their overall life satisfaction, according to a new UK study. Tracking 18,000 people over an 18 year period, the improvements in mental well-being from green space is equivalent to one third of the impact of being married, but can benefit a lot more people in a neighbourhood. http://vimeo.com/64293418#

Electric Bikes

Annually, electric bikes outsell electric cars in the US, and are ubiquitous in China and increasing so in Europe. If HK’s hilly topography is the major stumbling block to more widespread use of bikes as transport, could electric motor-assisted riding drive a shift in how we commute, and more importantly, better cycling infrastructure throughout the city? http://e360.yale.edu/feature/will_electric_bicycles_get_americans_to_start_pedaling/2642/

Biodiversity research in the digital age

The next decade of biodiversity research will need to move “understanding of the natural world into the digital age”. Authors of a new paper, published in the open access journal BMC Ecology, calls for a standardisation and linking up of disparate datasets, a technological update of the established field of taxonomy, and a pivotal role for citizen scientists, to leapfrog understanding and drive future funding priority.

http://blogs.biomedcentral.com/bmcseriesblog/2013/04/15/a-systems-approach-to-understand-biodiversity/

Award for Iraqi marsh restoration

Iraqi-born engineer Azzam Alwash wins the Goldman Prize, dubbed the green Oscars, for restoring the vast Mesoptomian marshes in Iraq that had been perilously drained in the 1990s by Saddam Hussein. The arid and polluted wilderness now teems with marine life, tall reeds and returned populations of marsh Arabs.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/apr/15/azzam-alwash-goldman-prize

Natural Capital in Business

A new report profiles a small group of pioneering companies that are integrating ecosystems services such as climate regulation or water purification, into their business’ accounting. The report also outlines key barriers for making nature’s services visible, including the lack of a standardised method to measure and incorporate natural capital into businesses, as well as deficiency in customer demand and government regulation.

http://www.teebforbusiness.org/how/organizational-change-for-natural-capital-management-strategy-and-implementation.html

Ivory Flows

Tanzania protects almost 40% of its land for wildlife and biodiversity, but has witnessed record losses in its famed elephant population. Increased poaching for ivory to meet international demands remains its biggest threat. Meanwhile, HK authorities have stockpiled some 16 tonnes of seized ivory, and are undecided about what to do with it –to incinerate, distribute to schools, make public art? http://allafrica.com/stories/201303280086.html

Managing China's Coastline

The State Oceanic Administration in China has announced a plan to better manage its coastline and marine territories from pollution, with closer monitoring of biodiversity and ecosystems, stem the excessive reclamation of coastal areas, and set national standard to reduce waste discharge into the sea. At the same time, authorities are aiming to double GDP arising from marine industries, which was 5 trillion yuan in 2012.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2013-03/27/content_16347777.htm