News from 6 April 2006 on edie

Record fine for voluntary pollution of French seas

A French court slapped a record 800,000 Euro fine on the captain and owners of a ship responsible for a 61km fuel slick off the French coast in 2005, after it deliberately released water polluted with fuel and oil into the sea.

Energy companies dominate eco-sector

Renewable energy companies continue to take the lion's share of the top spots in an economic index that measures the market value of businesses in the environmental sector.

More must be done to clean freshest air ‘since industrial revolution’

Road tolls, cleaner technologies and leaving the car in the garage have all got a part to play in efforts to reduce air pollution, extend the average lifespan and cut costs of medical treatment, according to the Government.

Dirty beaches taken off bathing list to avoid clean-up

As the summer holiday season approaches, it has emerged that thousands of European beaches have mysteriously disappeared from an official list of safe bathing sites where water quality must be monitored and kept up to EU standards.

Government asks employees to lead by example on sustainable transport

Civil servants and holidaymakers were both urged to count the environmental costs of their travel arrangements by Government this week.

EA reflects on its past and looks forward to cleaner environment

The Environment Agency celebrated its milestone tenth anniversary this week and spoke to edie about past successes and hopes for the future.

EU states drag their feet on renewables

The European Commission has launched legal proceedings against several states that have still not incorporated EU legislation promoting renewable electricity into domestic law - more than three years past the October 2003 deadline.

Spain seen as renewables honeypot by investors

The UK has slid down the league table while Spain retains the top spot as the most attractive bet when it comes to investing in renewable energy.

Green TV channel goes on air

The world's first environmental broadband TV channel is now on air - and online - with films and programmes on everything from NO2 emissions around airports and offshore wind farms to "carbon speed dating."

Land clean-up to lay foundations for Olympic regeneration

Turning a neglected part of East London into an Olympic village by 2012, later to metamorphose into a model 38,000 home community, will start with a massive land clean-up effort.

Plastic bag ban in Dar Es Salaam

The Tanzanian Government has taken a step further than many of its African neighbours and introduced an outright ban on disposable plastic bags.

Setback for Swedish flame retardant ban

Swedish plans to ban damaging flame retardants have suffered a serious blow following the release of an independent study into possible economic effects.

Day: 6 April 2006