Day: 6 July 2001

B&Q to ask customers to save water

The DIY superstore chain B&Q has launched its water efficiency awareness week, displaying the Environment Agency’s water efficiency message in its stores, and promoting its own range of water saving products to a potential audience of three million customers.

Government reports paints unsatisfactory picture of waste management services

A report by the governmental Audit Commission has drawn on over 100 best value inspections of waste-related services to challenge both councils and central government on their approach to waste issues.

US Interior Department cancels drilling off Florida coast but sells leases in Eastern Gulf of Mexico

Succumbing to Congressional defeat and widespread public hostility, Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton has announced that drilling for oil and gas will not take place off the Florida coast, but much further out into the Gulf of Mexico.

Sweden hands over EU Presidency to Belgium as a hard act to follow environmentally

Belgium has assumed the Presidency of the European Union, promising to be more conciliatory than its predecessor with the US on climate change and to give substance to a strategy on sustainable development.

First cheap pollution-free pig farm in Indiana

An Indiana farm is the showcase for a new method of treating pig waste, which leaves no trace of pollution or odour and costs less than current methods both to install and run.

Scientists call for better quality science in EPA water quality management

Scientists from the National Academy of Sciences’ (NAS’) National Research Council told a congressional panel there is a need for better science to improve the United States’ water pollution management programme.

US Government announces $25 million for carbon sequestration projects

As promised, George W. Bush has placed research at the heart of his plan to combat global warming, with grants of almost $25 million from the Department of Energy (DOE) to co-fund eight new exploratory projects that will study methods to capture and store carbon gases.

Invasive weed converted into power in Australia

The Australian Government has awarded AU$1 million (US$500,000) to the Northern Territory’s Power and Water Authority for a pilot electricity plant, which will run on power from a highly invasive weed.

Australia invests in genetically improved ‘carbon sinks’ in Vietnam

Not only looking to develop practical use of ‘carbon sinks’, allowed under the Kyoto Protocol, Australia has planted genetically enhanced forests in Vietnam which absorb greater amounts of carbon dioxide, ensuring that targets are met as cheaply and effectively as possible.

US Department of Energy invests more than $100 Million in energy efficiency research

US Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham has announced $103.6 million in research awards will be given to 18 organizations and five universities to develop new means of energy efficiency and clean energy science and technology.

E-business is good for transport and resource efficiency

E-business can create a number of environmental benefits, such as increased resource efficiency and a lower use of transport, but companies need to beware that these effects may be offset by a range of factors, such as those produced by the impersonal nature of the internet, according to a new report commissioned by British Telecom (BT).

United Nations says voluntary emissions reduction schemes working

Voluntary actions by industry, governments and organisations are leading to small but significant reductions in emissions of global warming gases worldwide, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Energy Council (WEC) say.

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