Month: April 2000

Agrochemicals industry says it cannot promise reduced pesticide usage

A voluntary set of measures presented to Government as a substitute for the scrapped pesticides tax does not include any promise of reduced pesticide use by UK farmers.

Eastern pays households with solar panels an ‘equal’ rate for electricity

The UK's fourth largest electricity generator is looking for domestic customers who have or plan to install solar panels. The company is offering to pay these customers the same rate for the energy they export to the grid as they are charged when they buy-in electricity.

Last chance to win a copy of The Root Causes of Biodiversity Loss

Publishers to press suppliers for more ‘green’ information

The Periodical Publishers Association's (PPA) is to send out a questionnaire to suppliers to help its members select more environmentally friendly equipment and materials.

TPI Petroleum to fund $13.9 million air, water and land clean-up

TPI Petroleum will spend a total of $13.9 million for air, water, and land pollution alleged to have originated from its Alma refinery in Michigan.

Private sector interest in Prototype Carbon Fund exceeds expectations

The World Bank has announced that its Prototype Carbon Fund (PCF), which was launched in January to transfer finance and technology to developing countries to help them reduce greenhouse gas emissions, has closed its first subscription period with more money and corporate interest than anticipated.

Environmentalists slam nuclear industry after uranium found in scrap yard

Environmentalists have criticised the troubled UK nuclear industry after a rod containing uranium was found in a Staffordshire scrapyard.

Protection of African elephant agreed at CITES conference

Attempts to 'downlist' protection for two species of whale and the hawksbill turtle failed at a recent international meeting on trade in endangered species. Another success was a compromise on protection for the African elephant.

Population growth threatening the world’s ‘biodiversity hotspots’

Research shows that conservationists seeking to protect the world's 25 'biodiversity hotspots' and three 'major tropical wilderness areas' are facing the challenge of above-average population growth rates in these regions.

Philippines looks to renewables to boost rural electrification

The Philippines Government has changed energy regulations in order to stimulate the growth of the country's renewable energy market and to accelerate the electrification of its rural areas.

WEST AFRICA: Introduction of pesticide into cotton production leads to deaths

Deaths from endosulfan poisoning are being reported in Benin, following introduction of the pesticide in the 1999/ 2000 season across francophone West Africa.

UNEP says Baia Mare suffers on-going cyanide & heavy metal contamination

A United Nations investigation into the cyanide spill at a mine tailings operation in Romania, close to the Hungarian border, has concluded that Romanian officials mis-classified the operation as posing a "regular" risk.