National Initiatives
Japanese businesses remain among the most active in the region’s private
sector’s environmental technology R&D activities. The proportion of
R&D financed by the private sector in Japan is over 60 per cent of
the total. A 1991 survey in the Nihon Keizai Shimbun found that 88 per
cent of the 144 major firms covered, had already established their environmental
divisions. Japanese industry already is a world leader in a growing market
for flue-gas desulphurization and denitrification equipment, as well as
in clean motor vehicle technology. It is also a contender for the lead
in some clean energy fields, including photovoltaic power and fuel cells,
as well as attempting to develop new technologies such as CO2
recovery facilities and CFC-free production processes. Japan’s private
agencies also contribute heavily to funding government research agencies,
such as the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization
(NEDO) and the Research Institute of Innovative Technology for Earth (RITE)
which mainly funds and conducts R&D related to global warming. Nine
of Japan’s largest steel makers are involved in a project to increase the
use of scrap metal in steel manufacture and the Japan Automobile Manufacturers
Association (JAMA) has set standards for making vehicle parts in plastic
for easy recycling. Operations known as "Consumer Co-operatives" have become
a powerful force in Japan to popularize "green products" which are recyclable,
biodegradable, rechargeable, ozone-friendly and unleaded (ESCAP, 1995).
Since 1993, all new cars assembled by Volvo in Malaysia contain catalytic
converters to minimize vehicular emissions.
Singapore launched a "Green Label" scheme in May 1992 to help consumers
to identify products that are environment friendly. The scheme sets specific
guidelines regarding the manufacture, distribution, use and disposal of
products. When the guidelines are fulfilled, a Green Label logo is awarded
by the Advisory Committee, which is made up of representatives from private
sectors, academic institutions and statutory organizations (ESCAP,1995).
China and India also began to adopt a system of environmental labels in
1993. To date, China has drafted Standards for Products of Environmental
Labels for seven types of products. It planned to launch the environmental
label system by putting six green label products on the market, such as
household refrigeration appliances, aerosol products, degradable plastic
film, non-leaded car gasoline, water solvent paint and toilet paper. So
far, India has prepared "ECOMARK" criteria for 14 product categories, namely
soap and detergents, paper, paints, plastics, lubricating oil, aerosols,
food items, packaging materials, wood substitutes, textiles, cosmetics,
electrical and electronic goods, food additives and batteries (India, 1992b).
In India, Ajai Bio-Tech (India) Ltd., has developed a new environment-friendly
insecticide, brand-named "Bioneem". The insecticide is based on the neem
seed derivative azadirachtin which is harmless to human beings and the
environment, unlike most chemical pesticides. The insecticide repels pests
by its smell and only has a growth regulatory effect on insects pests (i.e.
it reduces egg laying activity and affects fertility and reproduction).
In addition, it does not destroy useful and beneficial insects such as
honey bees, parasites and predators. The insecticide is also photodegradable,
and decomposes to leave no residue.
Regional Initiatives
It has been recognized by ASEAN that trade is an important instrument to
promote sustainable development and that any measures to promote better
environmental management must be consistent with the General Agreement
on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) principles. Therefore, ASEAN calls for better
trade arrangements which are supportive of environment and development
policies and seeks to improve capacity in trade–environment policy analysis,
planning and evaluation. |
