Day: 14 April 2000

Research shows fast decline in global amphibian populations

Nature magazine has published research which argues that declines in amphibian populations are not short term or restricted to small geographical areas.

DTI funds research into the colour of wind turbines

Negative public opinion is seen as one of the reasons wind energy has failed to take off in the UK, despite the country's rich wind resources. The UK Government has commissioned research into whether changing the colour of wind turbines will make them more acceptable to the public.

Government must use economic instruments to encourage sustainability

The Government must set clearer goals if the economy is to become more sustainable, according to a report from the UK Round Table on Sustainable Development.

Climate change puts nesting birds at risk

Local authorities and other landowners such as water companies are being urged to take the earlier onset of spring into account when they schedule pruning. Evidence shows that some birds are nesting earlier and shrub and hedging cutting should be done earlier in the year than is traditional.

Investigation into whether 1999 Water Price Review ignored ‘polluter pays’ principle

The 1999 Price Review saw domestic consumer water prices for 2000-2005 reduce by an average of 12%, but now the Environmental Audit Select Committee has announced that it will conduct an inquiry into whether the Review's investment plan is large enough to meet demands for environmental improvements.

Consultation paper suggests new inset threshold

Environment minister Michael Meacher has launched the government's consultation paper on Competition in the Water Industry.

Incinerator increase looms as councils represented by cabinet ministers fail on recycling

The UK Government's new strategy for waste is likely to include proposals for an increase in new incinerators, despite the fact that the local authorities in the constituencies of leading cabinet members, including the Environment Minister, are among the worst at recycling their rubbish.

Pro-solar vote dwarfs previous environmental resolutions at BP Amoco AGM

BP Amoco shareholders who oppose the company's plans for oil exploration and favour more investment in solar power have returned one of the highest votes for an environmental shareholder resolution ever recorded.

MEPs vote against specific liability scheme for GMOs

A European Parliament vote on the release of genetically-modified organisms (GMOs) into the environment has pleased the biotechnology industry. Environmentalists have given the vote a mixed report card.

EU Renewables Directive to allow national subsidies for five more years

The 'major principles' of a draft Renewable Energy Directive have been outlined by the EC's Energy and Transport Commissioner. The directive will not set binding targets, but the Commission will have the right to intervene if it believes particular member states are not planning for adequate growth.

EC warns four member states for delays in responding to environmental complaints

The European Commission has begun enforcement action against Ireland, Italy, France and Spain over their alleged delay in providing EC officials with environmental information. The EC says that Ireland has a particularly poor track record in replying promptly to EC correspondence on environmental complaints.

GERMANY: Replacing nuclear energy with renewables would create jobs, says study

The German Government has announced another round of talks with the country's nuclear industry to finalise a date for an end to nuclear power generation in Germany. Meanwhile, Greenpeace has published a study showing decommissioning doesn't have to result in unemployment.

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