Day: 2 June 2000

Gap between rich and poor countries “hinders environmental progress”

Inequality between the poorest and richest nations is severely hampering attempts to reverse environmental degradation, a study claims.

Legal challenge speeds up arsenic reduction proposal

The US EPA has got the go-ahead to propose a reduction of the current standard for arsenic in drinking water to 5 ppb after environmentalists launched a legal challenge against a US Government department that was blocking the proposal.

US EPA’s low success rate against appeals leads to call for reform

The USEPA's tendency to lose most of the cases brought against its regulations in the federal appeals court indicates the need for reform of the way the EPA is managed and how it develops regulations, a policy think tank claims.

BALTIC SEA: Greater commitment needed to meet environmental goals

The Baltic Sea Region says it is making progress towards becoming the first alliance of independent nations to achieve sustainable development, but there is still a substantial risk of a return to unsustainable production and consumption patterns.

Europe’s fresh water bathing areas improve, but little change in coastal waters

Levels of monitoring and compliance in European bathing waters continue to rise, while coastal bathing areas showed only marginal improvement, the1999 Bathing Water Quality Report shows.

Electricity liberalisation undermining renewable energy sector

Policy conflicts at the heart of the new single electricity market are jeopardising the renewable energy industry and the EU's commitments to greenhouse gas emissions reduction, Greenpeace International have claimed.

End-of-Life Vehicles Directive “threatens European car industry”

The EU End-of-Life Vehicles (ELV) Directive could seriously affect the competitiveness of the European car industry and lead to further bans on certain metals in other sectors, car makers and metals producers told edie.

News in Brief from Industrial Environmental Management

UK companies get European environmental award nominations; pilot scheme to help SMEs improve their environmental performance; first regional greenhouse gas inventory released; do not minimise your waste, go straight to jail.

Government proposes new controls on oil storage

With oil-related incidents now accounting for 30% of all water pollution in England, Environment Minister Michael Meacher has announced the issue of a consultation paper on proposals to introduce new controls on water pollution from oil stores.

ACBE reports on flexible mechanisms

A report published today details how the UK Government and business could work together more effectively to combat climate change.

UK businesses beginning to recognise benefits of environmental responsibility

The UK business community is increasingly aware of the benefits of improving environmental management practises, according to a survey conducted by the organisers of the first UK Environment Week (June 5 - 11).

Climate change levy targets business for political not environmental reasons

UK business leaders have claimed the UK Government's proposed tax on energy use focuses on business and industry for political, rather than environmental, reasons and will therefore fail to meet its environmental objectives.

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