News from 0 October 2005 on edie

EU launches new drive to cut greenhouse gases

The European Commission has launched a new EU climate change programme with the promise of new emission-cutting policy proposals in around a year.

Local authorities urged to act as emissions data published

Local authorities are being urged to develop emissions reductions strategies as new figures have revealed the levels of emissions produced in each area across the UK.

Scotland’s road building projects opposed

Two of Scotland's major road-building projects are being opposed on grounds of public health, destruction of greenbelt and waste of public money.

Blair urges common nuclear future

Tony Blair has give the clearest indication yet of his belief in nuclear power to solve the energy needs of the future.

Radioactivity in the environment low, Dumfries and Galloway highest doses

Levels of radioactivity in the Scottish environment have found to be below international safety limits, despite several high profile scares.

River Avon gets £1 million for special conservation measures

The River Avon Special Area of Conservation (SAC) is to receive a £1million programme of restoration.

Marine Strategy proposed but contains no binding objectives

The European Commission has proposed a new strategy to ensure that all marine waters are environmentally healthy by 2021.

Desertification and land degradation major problem to meeting MDGs

Land degradation and desertification are among the central issues preventing the international community meeting the Millennium Development Goals, UNEP Executive Director Klaus Toepfor said this week.

Water supply mostly secure although some companies “could do better”

Water companies in England and Wales should all have sufficient supply to meet demand by 2010, even in very dry years, a new report by Ofwat has found.

Recycling consultation: Minister calls for focus on poor performers

Consultation proposals for recycling and composting targets for 2007/08 were released this week, with Minister Ben Bradshaw calling for local authority targets to be frozen except for those whose targets are already at the lowest level.

Africa being turned into digital dump for West’s toxic waste

Parts of Africa are being turned into hi-tech toxic dumps due to the large amounts of electronic waste from developed nations being exported there.

EU agrees voluntary scheme to fight illegal logging

European Member State governments have agreed new measures to help timber-producing countries prevent illegal logging and protect threatened forests.

Month: October 2005