Day: 11 January 2002

Tell the boss to eat your shorts!

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Spanish presidency called on to pass ten green tests

The European Environmental Bureau (EEB) has submitted an ambitious memorandum to the EU’s new Spanish presidency, containing a wish-list of green improvements for the next six months and ten ‘green tests’ - actions and milestones it expects the presidency to achieve during this period.

Precautionary principle important for decision-makers, new research shows

The European Environment Agency has published a new report that looks at how the precautionary principle has, or hasn’t been applied to a wide range of public health hazards over the past century, ranging from chemical contamination of the Great Lakes and mad cow disease to ozone layer damage.

Australian salinity crisis could become money-spinner

The problem of groundwater salinity in Australia could be used as a financial opportunity, with salt in southern Australia’s Murray Darling Basin alone potentially being worth AU$200 million (£73 million) a year, says a major research institution.

US companies breaking environmental laws can now obtain federal contracts

The Bush Administration has caused fury by overturning a ‘blacklist’ rule introduced by former President Bill Clinton during the final days of his tenure in January 2000, which prevented companies that had broken labour, civil rights, environmental and consumer protection laws, from obtaining lucrative federal contracts.

South Africa offers lucrative water treatment market

While private water operators are expected to face significant challenges, the South African market for water treatment equipment and related technologies remains attractive, according to international market research firm Frost and Sullivan.

UNEP pinpoints low-risk renewables potential in developing countries

In an effort to help boost the development of solar and wind energy in developing countries, UNEP has begun a survey of 13 countries to identify the most suitable locations for potential investors to develop with minimal risk.

Water chlorination and air pollution could cause birth defects

Exposure to two common air pollutants could be causing pregnant women to give birth to babies with heart defects, says new research by the University of Los Angeles (UCLA). A second study by two environmental groups also claims that more than 100,000 women in the US are at risk of miscarriage or of having children with birth defects because of chlorination byproducts (CBPs) in municipal tap water.

UK farmers urged to value their ‘unused’ land

There is a risk of UK farmers ploughing up valuable environmental habitats ahead of new UK requirements from 1 February, for an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) when developing uncultivated land, says Farming Minister Lord Whitty. On 3 January, he urged farmers to consider the consequences of causing irreversible damage to the UK countryside, and pointed out that by introducing EIA, “we are not ‘gold plating’ the EC requirements, which must be implemented through legislation and to which a voluntary approach cannot be adopted”.

4 million for Welsh sustainable development

Welsh Minister for Environment Sue Essex has announced EC approval for €4 million in funding to kick-start the country’s sustainable development plans. Under the Innovative Action scheme, the European Commission invites bids for experimental projects that incorporate a number of set themes including the promotion of regional identity and sustainable development, particularly in innovation and technology.

NGO calls for mandatory corporate environmental reporting

Friends of the Earth is demanding that Government introduce immediate mandatory environmental reporting requirements after a parliamentary question at the end of the year revealed that many companies have failed Prime Minister Tony Blair’s challenge to produce corporate environmental reports by the end of 2001.

Hope for green energy suppliers under possible new energy trading rules

Suppliers of renewable energy, who have suffered under the New Electricity Trading Arrangements (NETA) – designed to lower prices for customers, could be offered assistance following recommendations published in a report by energy regulator Ofgem, government departments and industry.

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