Day: 10 December 2004

Companies are voluntarily cleaning up land says report

Many companies are cleaning up their contaminated land holdings voluntarily, the Environment Agency said this week.

Commission establishes largest network of protected nature sites in the world

The European Commission has included more than 7,000 nature sites in the Atlantic and Continental regions of the EU in the network of Natura 2000 sites across the continent.

Agency calls Ofwat’s exclusion of Tideway project a missed opportunity

The Environment Agency has called Ofwat's decision to exclude the Thames Tideway project from its final determinations of water price limits for 2005-10 a "missed opportunity," and accused the regulator of failing to provide a long term solution to the problem of sewage pollution in the River Thames.

Defra five year plan focuses on energy efficiency and cleaner neighbourhoods

The government launched its five year plan for the environment this week with a strong focus on energy efficiency and cleaning up neighbourhoods.

Defra launches review of climate change programme after admitting missing targets

The Government has launched a consultation on the review of its Climate Change Programme after admitting it will fail to meet its own goals for reducing carbon dioxide emissions using current policies.

It’s official – buff men make us recycle more

Santa's little helper is appearing in the buff on billboards throughout Sheffield in a bid to get local residents recycling all their old Christmas cards, party hats and wrapping paper.

Northern Ireland planning policy illegal over sewage systems says FoE

New building in Northern Ireland could be branded illegal if new sewage infrastructure is not put in place first, a leading barrister has warned.

Prevention not cure for Philippines disasters

Vulnerable countries such as the Philippines must invest in averting natural disasters, rather than just dealing with them when they occur, according to a UN agency.

Oil pollution prevention measures in EU shipping safety rules

European coastlines and marine environments were given extra protection from oil spills this week when Member States agreed to international maritime safety rules.

UK business briefs: Surrey urges ‘recycle over Christmas’, Sunderland starts first carton recycling centre, Welsh clean-up, FoE: say ‘yes’ to congestion charge, Prince Charles presents green award

Surrey County Council is urging all residents to reduce the amount of waste they create this Christmas through sustainable shopping and is encouraging the reuse and recycling of any waste that does arise over the festive season. DEFRA estimates that over three million tonnes of Christmas waste is created each year in the UK, including one billion cards, six million trees, 80,000 tonnes of old clothes and other textiles and 83 square kilometres of wrapping paper(enough to cover an area larger than Guernsey). Although not everything can be recycled, more rubbish could be put to better use, especially at Christmas. Marianne Cole, Waste Projects Officer, Surrey County Council said: "The waste produced in Surrey at Christmas significantly contributes to the 580,000 tonnes generated each year, and nearly 80% of that could be recycled. At Christmas, people tend to buy and waste more. By simply planning our meals and purchases we can all make a real difference to solving one of Surrey's biggest waste problems, whilst also saving ourselves money."

European business briefs: Spain’s main utility company threatened, Irish waste management, Germany lays down GM law, Ireland announces green schemes, EU snubs Japan over nuclear reactor

Spain has announced proposals to cut emissions from coal-fired power plants by 21% between 2005 to 2007 in a plan that market insiders have proclaimed damaging to the country's utility company, Endesa. Shares in Endesa, Spain's leading coal power producer, closed down 2.2% at €16.34, while the DJ Stoxx index of European utility stocks was flat. The government released its proposals for plant-by-plant emission limits under a wider plan to meet the European Union's commitments to the Kyoto Protocol on greenhouse gases. The proposals will be open for public comment for one week.

Task force calls for simplification of European law

The Better Regulation Task Force (BRTF) has launched a report on how to simplify EU law, focusing on the integrated pollution prevention and control Directive (IPPC), data protection and food labelling.

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