Day: 13 July 2001

Government offers financial incentives for farmers to create wildlife refuges

New habitats for declining farmland birds and plants are to be created on arable farms through offers of government payments, the Department of the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has announced.

EPA contaminated land clean-up programme to continue on full power for at least 10 years

The US’s toxic land clean-up programme will need between $14 billion and $16.4 billion between 2000 and 2009, and should not be ratcheted down as some sources had predicted, according to an independent study into how much money will be needed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to implement the Superfund programme.

US nuclear industry facing serious shortage of workers

Just as the nuclear industry in the US could be being revived, with promotion from President George W Bush, the industry is facing a shortage of nuclear engineers to keep existing reactors running.

Poor construction and management of dams can cause devastating toxic spills from mining waste

In order to cut down the risks of toxic disasters such as the Baia Mare accident in Romania, in which up to 100 tonnes of cyanide were spilt into the Danube, mining companies need to make improvements in the management, design and construction of tailings dams holding back mining waste, and governments need to improve regulation, says a new report.

Mexico acts on polluting industries and loss of biodiversity

Mexico has announced that it plans to force all industries to document their emissions and the transport of hazardous waste, and is attempting to improve public consciousness to protect the rapid loss of species in the world’s fifth most biologically diversified nation.

US power industry asks Senate to impose mandatory emissions reductions

Nine of the US’ largest emitters of pollutants have asked a Senate Committee to implement a plan that would reduce nitrogen oxide, sulphur dioxide, mercury and carbon dioxide emissions at power plants.

International climate change negotiators need not be intimidated by fears of violating international trade law

According to a new report from Germany, climate change policies are mostly compatible with international trade law and ratification of the Kyoto Protocol will close existing gaps or uncertainties between trade and climate issues, but governments need to be aware of international trade laws when designing climate change programmes.

Canadian emissions continue to climb

Canada has announced that its 1999 output of greenhouse gases was 15% higher than in 1990 but says it can still meet its emission target set under the Kyoto Protocol, which environmentalists say is mission impossible.

France and Portugal to introduce water tax

Both the French and Portuguese governments have announced that they plan to charge users according to use, with France saying it will also penalise polluters of the water system.

Banks and European nations fund environmental clean-up of Russian city

Two European banks, Sweden and Denmark are to assist the Russian Federation in funding the environmental clean-up of the city of Kaliningrad on the Baltic coast.

European Commission to create forum for transport and energy industries

The European Commission announced on 12 July that it is creating a forum for the transport and energy industries in order to discuss competitiveness and restructuring of the industries in view of environmental, social and safety concerns.

Commission issues guidelines for environment-friendly purchases

The European Commission has clarified how Community law offers numerous possibilities to public authorities wishing to integrate environmental considerations into purchasing decisions.

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