News from 5 August 2010 on edie

Passivhaus method used for Wales’ first zero carbon home

New ultra low carbon homes could become a 'catalyst' for major changes to the way Wales builds homes, according to the country's environment minister.

Pacific leaders call for ‘legally binding’ COP16 agreement

A meeting of Pacific leaders has called on fellow heads of state to come to a 'legally binding' agreement at the 16th Conference of Parties (COP16) meeting in Mexico later this year.

University starts work on AD plant

A university specialising in country-life based education has began work on its own anaerobic digestion plant.

Actor Art Malik to launch Pakistan flood appeal

An appeal to help victims of Pakistan's worst floods for more than 80 years is being launched on radio and TV today (August 5).

Happy birthday Mr President as BP spill end ‘close’

US President Barack Obama had more than usual to celebrate on his birthday as BP begins permanently sealing the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

UK business not prepared for climate change challenges

A survey of UK businesses and other organisations carried out for Defra by Ipsos MORI has found companies are not prepared for the impacts of climate change.

New flood and water management act to hit farmers

The new Flood and Water Management Act 2010 is likely to have a significant impact on farming operations, especially on low lying land or where there is a farm reservoir or man-made lake, according to legal firm Burges Salmon.

Social sustainability

Court ruling on drilling ‘trespass’ on Mohamed al Fayed’s estate

A company which drilled into land, owned by Fulham football club chairman Mohamed al Fayed, 100s of feet below the ground has escaped with only a nominal fine following court action.

Climate & nature

Tree growth and climate change

ADAS' principal consultant, Jon Abbatt, led the study into tree growth and climate change and believes the results confirm the prediction that warmer temperatures and increased rainfall - climatic changes associated with global warming effects the UK - would speed up growth rates.

Energy

Legal firm calls on political and regulatory support

Ian Moore, a corporate finance partner at Norton Rose LLP, calls for concerted political and regulatory support by governments around the world, and the financial incentives that they provide for innovation, are seen as crucial factors in the continuing growth of the cleantech sector.