Day: 26 October 2001

It’s official, air driers are more environmentally-friendly than paper towels

Hot air blowing hand driers produce half the global warming burden of paper towels, although the use of paper towels results in lower resource depletion, a report commissioned by the air drier manufacturer Airdri has revealed.

US air quality continues to improve

Air quality in the United States maintained its steady improvement through the year 2000, according to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) annual summary of air quality trends.

Environment minister makes first new announcements since election

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary Margaret Beckett has made her first new policy announcements since June’s election and has strongly justified the creation of the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

Singapore to develop hydrogen fuel infrastructure

Singapore has continued its push towards environmentally sustainable transport, with a new agreement with British Petroleum (BP) to provide and develop hydrogen refuelling infrastructure, and to support the successful introduction of hydrogen fuel cell cars to the country.

Airports are major sources of urban air pollution

Not only do aeroplanes emit greenhouse gases high in the atmosphere, making a disproportionate contribution to global warming, but airports are also major emitters of pollution, according to a new report into world travel.

Latin American and Caribbean governments call for external debt to be swapped for environmental protections

Environment ministers from 34 Latin American and Caribbean nations have issued a single call for their external debts to be translated into extra environmental protections.

New business GHG protocol to cut emissions

A new user-friendly international greenhouse gas emissions standard for businesses is the first of its kind, and will aid the development of effective strategies for companies to cut emissions.

Japan to step up co-operation with Europe over Kyoto Protocol

The Japanese Government is to step up co-operation with Europe in an attempt to bring the US around to joining the Kyoto Protocol, officials have announced.

Eutrophication decreases in European coastal waters

The level of eutrophication in European waters is on the decrease, although the Mediterranean and Baltic still experience some severe problems, according to a new report.

Russia beset with protests over new nuclear waste imports

Russia has now removed all existing barriers to the import of nuclear waste, and consequently faces a storm of protest from the general public.

New report shows massive environmental benefits to the 13 EU candidates upon compliance

A new European Commission report shows that the health of the 13 applicant nations’ people, air and water quality, waste systems and nature protection will all benefit significantly upon their compliance with European Union directives.

United Nations and scientists warn of extensive damage to Black Sea

One of the world’s great seas is spiralling into decline as a result of chronic over-fishing, high levels of pollution and the devastating impacts of alien species, an international team of scientists and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) have concluded, calling for an international remediation effort.

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