Wipro tops Greenpeace’s ‘green electronics’ ranking

Greenpeace – now for the 18th time – released its “Guide to Greener Electronics” and, surprisingly, Indian company Wipro tops the list for the first time as it marks its debut in the international advocacy group’s ranking of electronic gadgets. Wipro got an overall score of 7.1 out of 10, showing leadership in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing its use of renewable energy sources. Wipro’s efforts took the limelight from last year’s top spot holder,...

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Southeast Asian ‘megacity’ envisioned as a ‘green’ metropolis

Southeast Asia’s first “smart metropolis” is rising across the Strait of Johor in Malaysia. “Malaysia's Iskandar 'smart metropolis' seeks to offer a model to countries needing to accommodate the social and economic needs of fast-rising populations and environmental challenges,” said Ellis Rubinstein, president and chief executive officer of the New York Academy of Sciences. Since its inception in 2006 up to June this year,...

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German researchers develop enzyme-based process to create epoxides

If we truly want to move away from petroleum and the emissions they cause, we have to look beyond its role as a power or fuel source. That is because aside from being an energy source, petroleum is used in the production of many chemical products. Petroleum is used to produce epoxides, highly reactive organic compounds needed in products like lubricants for vehicles and engines and surfactants or emulsifiers...

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Singapore launches green rating scheme for data centers

Singapore has introduced a new rating that will be putting a what on the environmental performance of data centers, which are known to be energy intensive. The Green Mark for Data Centers, jointly developed by the Building and Construction Authority and the Infocomm Development Authority, aims to encourage businesses to make their data centers more energy-efficient. Asia’s financial hub is home to several banks...

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Siemens launches carbon footprint monitoring app for smart phones

Siemens has a new smart phone application that will let its users monitor their carbon emissions. According to Siemens, its “Environmental Impact Calculator” can be used by engineers and facility managers to manage a building’s baseline carbon footprint due to purchased electricity, natural gas and heating oil. Aside from this, users can also measure the impact of energy...

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Index marks sustainable cities around the world

Half of humanity lives in cities today. By 2030, up to 60 percent of the global population will be living in urban areas. In terms of their collective size, cities occupy a small share of only two percent of the world’s landmass. But in terms of environmental impact, they leave a large footprint. Urban areas account for 60 to 80 percent, or more than two-thirds, of the world’s energy and are responsible for over 70 percent of carbon emissions.

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Siemens to open center for sustainable urban development in London

Urban sustainability is one of today’s most pressing global issues. Reportedly, over half of the world’s population lives in cities. As these areas continue to get more and more occupied, it has become a challenge to address the growing energy demand and increasing carbon emissions they bring. Siemens has unveiled a first-of-its-kind center for sustainable urban development in London aimed at spurring...

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ICT useful in creating sustainable cities – Worldwatch Institute

Information and communication technology can be a useful tool in helping cities like congested ones in countries like India and China improve their safety, cleanliness, and sustainability, according to a Worldwatch Institute study. More than half of the world’s population live in urban areas, with many suffering from inadequate transportation, sub-standard buildings, lack of sanitation and poor public safety...

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Toshiba to roll out high-capacity home battery system

Japanese electronics Toshiba Corporation, with its arm Toshiba Lighting and Technology Corporation, has come up with an advanced energy management scheme for homes. “EneGoon” is a storage battery system capable of powering appliances for half a day, reported the online Science magazine Phys.org. The battery system is equipped with Toshiba’s super charge ion

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Jet Airways maps carbon footprint to save money

India’s Jet Airways is reportedly saving around $6 million a year because the company is mapping the carbon footprint of its fleet. The Integrated Emission Management System, developed by I.B.M., calculates individual aircraft emissions by comparing flight records and fuel usage data. Jet Airways signed a 10-year agreement with I.B.M. in 2010, where the latter will streamline and consolidate the airline’s I.T.

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