essay 2-3 pages

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LECTU R E 7

Environmental Labeling Systems and Green Building

Assessments

Environmental Label

Any label describing or identifying environment-related characteristics of products or services Also referred to as “green label” or “ecolabel”

Goals: • Mark products or services as environmentally preferable to their

counterparts so consumers can make decisions based on the product’s or service’s environmental impact.

• Provide market advantage to environmentally sound goods and services

• Assure consumers products have met strict criteria set by an independent organization

Definition & Goals

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Environmental Label

Types of Ecolabels

• Seals of Approval awarded by a neutral or independent organization after certain requirements have been met. Identify products or services less harmful to the environment than similar ones without the seal.

• Information Labels provided by manufacturer or a commissioned party, list individual characteristics without giving an overall approval of the product as environmentally benign or preferable. Include disclosure labels, such as report cards and hazard/warning labels, and report cards

Environmental Label Programs

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Environmental Label

Multinational Initiatives

• ISO/TC 207 Environmental Management (1991) • International Standards Organization (Geneva) • Goal: Standardize environmental management tools and

systems • Environmental Labeling Subcommittee (SC3): standardize

first-party (self-declaration) practices and set guiding principles for third-party certification programs

• European Union Eco-Label (March 1992) • Council Regulation: must be implemented in each country • Use of label is not compulsory, national programs can coexist

along with EU label • Targeted at consumer goods, not at manufacturers or

companies. 200+ products to-date

Environmental Label

Multinational Initiatives

• Nordic Environmental Labeling System (1989) • Finland, Norway, Sweden, Iceland. Denmark

participates in the EU program • Ecological criteria developed for 29 product groups

and being developed for 15 product groups. Over 650 products carry the label

• Companies must submit detailed documentation plus proof of test by independent laboratories to the national environmental labeling organization in their own country

• Label awarded in one country can be used in others • Labeling organization has right to carry out periodic

inspections

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Environmental Label

EU Ecolabel Products

• Denmark: copying paper, writing paper, toilet paper, kitchen rolls, building insulation, textiles

• France: paints and varnishes, batteries and accumulators, shampoos

• Germany: detergents, dishwashing agents, household cleaning agents

• Italy: packaging, refrigerators and freezers, ceramic tiles

• The Netherlands: shoes, cat litter • United Kingdom: dishwashers, washing machines,

hairsprays, deodorants, light bulbs

Germany: The Blue Angel

EU Ecolabel Products

• World’s first labeling program: 1977 • Includes 78 product groups, 3900 products carry the

label • Each product group has its own LCA matrix, includes

safety and usability. Criteria are valid for 3 years • Most important characteristics vary by product:

• Paper: % recycled paper content • Lawn mowers: noise emissions

• Available to foreign manufacturers: 15% at present

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Some Blue Angel Products

U.S. EcoLabels

 Green Seal

 Scientific Certification Systems

 US EPA Energy Star

 SmartWood Forest Certification

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EnergyStar Product Label

• Objectives: • To prevent air pollution, including emissions of greenhouse

gases, caused by the inefficient use of energy • To make it easy for businesses and consumers to identify and

purchase products with enhanced energy efficiency that offer savings on utility bills while maintaining performance, features, and comfort

• What is ENERGY STAR? • Distinguishes what is efficient/better for the environment with

no sacrifice in features or performance • Voluntary program • Products that earn the ENERGY STAR meet strict energy

performance criteria set by the US EPA or DOE

EnergyStar Product Label

• Office equipment: Computers, monitors, printers, scanners, copiers, fax machines, multifunction devices

• Consumer electronics: TVs, VCRs, DVD players, audio equipment, cordless telephones, answering machines, set top boxes

• Home Appliances: Refrigerators, clothes washers, dish washers, dehumidifiers, air cleaners

• Heating and Cooling Equipment: Central AC and heat pumps, Room AC, furnaces, boilers, programmable thermostats, ventilation fans, ceiling fans

• Lighting and signage: Residential light fixtures, CFLs, exit signs, traffic signals

• Others: windows, roof products, water coolers, transformers

Models in 35+ product categories can carry EnergyStar Label

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EnergyStar Product Label

• ENERGY STAR works with many stakeholders in reducing greenhouse gas emissions including

• Manufacturers, retailers, and state and utility partners • More than 1,400 manufacturers labeling more than

28,000 product models • Over 550 retailers (more than 21,000+ storefronts) • Federal Agencies/Departments -- FEMP • 330 state energy agency and electric utility partners

EnergyStar Partners

EnergyStar Product Label

• The ENERGY STAR label has become the national symbol for energy efficiency, recognized by over 55% of Americans.

• To date, Americans have bought more than 1 billion ENERGY STAR qualified products. These products have helped reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 490 billion pounds.

• In 2017 alone, Americans - with the help of ENERGY STAR - saved $14 billion on their energy bills, saved enough energy to power 9 million homes.

EnergyStar Results

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EnergyStar Product Label

• U.S. EPA has arrangements with agencies in other countries regarding ENERGY STAR for office equipment • Japan • Taiwan • Australia: also includes home electronics and others • New Zealand: also includes home electronics and others • Canada: also includes most other product categories

• U.S. Government has a formal agreement with the European Union on ENERGY STAR for office equipment • Managed by European Commission - DG TREN

EnergyStar is International

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EnergyStar Product Label

• New Homes • Independently verified to be at least 30% more efficient than

the model energy code

• Home Improvement • Home energy yardstick • Home energy advisor • Home sealing (insulation, windows, sealing gaps and cracks)

• Buildings • Benchmarking for various building types • Guidelines for energy management • Resources for small businesses

Other Parts of EnergyStar

Labeling Programs

• Participation in all programs is voluntary • Almost all created by governments or independent

organizations • Structure generally has two parts:

• Definition of product groups and ecological criteria • Application, approval, and award process

• Applications must include proof of compliance • Labels are generally awarded for a limited time, 2-

3 years • License fees are generally 0.15-0.50% of annual

turnover

Common Features of Labeling Programs

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•Rhode Island Center for Biotechnology & Mass Audubon Wellfleet Bay Sanctuary

GREEN BUILDINGS AND ASSESSMENT SYSTEMS

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Green Building Assessment

CASBEE

Green Building Assessment

GREEN GLOBES

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Green Building Assessment

LEED

Green Building Assessment

GREEN STAR

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Need for Green Buildings

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