Day: 28 July 2000

Researchers discover that sunlight and snow naturally produce high level of pollutants

US Researchers have found very high concentrations of nitrogen oxide in the snow of areas far removed from the effects of pollution, and that sunlight encourages its production.

EC to take UK, Sweden and Spain to Court over bathing water quality

The European Commission (EC) is to take the United Kingdom and Sweden to the Court of Justice for poor bathing water quality, and has sent a second warning letter to Spain for failure to conform to the judgement of the European Court of Justice regarding a number of inshore bathing waters.

Two oil giants agree to cut US air emissions by almost 60,000 tonnes annually

Two of the US’s largest petroleum refiners - British Petroleum and the Koch Petroleum Group, have agreed to spend almost $600 million on eliminating almost 60,000 tonnes of nitrogen oxide, sulphur dioxide and other emissions.

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NGO’s believe new noise directive should be tougher

Two environmental NGO’s have welcomed the European Commission’s proposal for a Framework Directive on noise, but criticise it for being insufficiently tough. The European Environmental Bureau (EEB) and The Federation of Transport and Environment (T&E) say that the directive has failed to provide noise limit values, and it must broaden its scope to include all people suffering from noise pollution.

Anglian Water forms joint venture to produce renewable energy

Anglian Water and the electricity generating company, TXU, have announced that they will be beginning a joint venture to develop a clean, green source of renewable energy.

Commission launches public consultation on future of PVC

The European Commission has launched a consultation exercise on the future of PVC, with the publication of its Green Paper evaluating its environmental issues, in order to adopt a comprehensive strategy early in 2001.

Ofwat refuses Kelda’s proposals to restructure Yorkshire water

Sir Ian Byatt, the Director General of Ofwat, said on 25 July that as they stand, Kelda's proposals to separate the ownership of the assets from their operations fail to address important issues and so cannot receive regulatory approval.

Continuing pollution by businesses is marring environmental gains, says EA

The Environment Agency’s (EA) figures for industrial pollution during 1999, published on 26 July, show that although environmental regulation is cutting thousands of tonnes of damaging emissions, the continuing pollution by businesses across England and Wales is marring environmental gains.

EU approves major environmental projects and funding for candidate countries

An EU financial body has given the go-ahead to major environmental projects to help candidate nations reach community standards, along with providing substantial funding.

Prime Minister appoints Porritt as main adviser on sustainable development

Tony Blair has announced that celebrated environmentalist, Jonathon Porritt, will head the new governmental advisory body, the Sustainable Development Commission, covering all sectors of the economy.

Government announces £30 million for UK emissions trading scheme

The Government has announced a £30 million investment in a scheme to trade greenhouse gas emissions, which, it says, will give UK businesses and the City a head-start in what will become an international market.