Day: 10 March 2005

Government stresses local responsibility in sustainable development strategy

The Government has pledged to lead by example in its new sustainable development strategy, 'Securing the Future', launched this week.

Survey shows poor implementation of water framework directive

European Governments are doing little to implement changes to achieve the 'good status' ratings for all waters as required under the Water Framework Directive (WFD), environmental groups have claimed.

Scottish housing bill will increase capacity and improve quality

Scotland's Housing Bill, published this week, promises to improve the condition of existing housing stock in both the private and social sector, as well as investing £1.2 billion to provide an average annual increase in affordable housing of 34% over current levels.

Revised French water plan finally submitted

A revenue boost for regional water agencies and the creation of a national water agency to coordinate policy implementation are highlights of a draft French water law, presented to cabinet on Wednesday by environment minister Serge Lepeltier.

Grant scheme launched to minimise impacts of aggregate extraction

English Nature and the Countryside Agency have jointly launched a £9.7 million grant scheme to manage the impacts that aggregate extraction can have on the environment and local communities.

Integrated GB electricity market will boost renewables and lower prices in Scotland

A new electricity market bringing together Scotland's transmission networks with the grid in England and Wales should push down prices in Scotland and open up lucrative new markets for Scottish generators, Energy Minister Mike O'Brien said this week.

Commission conditionally accepts Polish NAP

The European Commission has accepted Poland's national allocation plan for carbon dioxide emission allowances on the understanding that it cut 16.5% off of the total planned allowances for the 2005-2007 period.

Brownfield property as profitable as any other commercial markets

The myth that property markets in regeneration areas are less profitable than in traditional development has been shattered by the publication of a pilot Urban Regeneration Index.

ISO 14001: A new dawn?

ISO 14001 has been revised. This has stimulated supporters and critics of the environmental management system standard to comment extensively on the revision, and for the debate on the benefits of implementing the standard to be resurrected. BSI Management Systems Global Marketing Manager for Sustainability, Nick Marshall clarifies the finer points of the revision and outlines some of the benefits of ISO 14001 certification.

AccountAbility 1000 – Accountability for sustainable development

Making the small business case for EMS implementation.

Richard Martin, project manager of NetRegs examines the benefits for small business from EMS and argues that government's should boost uptake.

Environmental Management Systems: from burden to opportunity

By Brian Kraus, CEO, ERM Certification and Verification Services, argues that those who focus their EMS implementation efforts on those factors which are fundamental to performance improvement (changing the behaviors of people who work within the organization) can achieve extraordinary performance gains for their organizations.