Day: 24 March 2000

Natural gas the cleanest option to power hydrogen fuel cells

Fuel cells technology would deliver only minor environmental benefits if the wrong fuel is chosen to power them, a report claims.

ENGLAND: House ‘recycling’ rate is too low

Housing Minister Nick Raynsford has endorsed a report that says between 18,000 and 26,500 new homes could be created each year in England if more existing properties were converted and redeveloped.

Woolwich taxes staff who choose company cars that emit more CO2

Employees of Woolwich Bank who are eligible for a company car are given details about the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions for each car they can choose. Those who opt for a car with a higher than average CO2 emission level are charged a monthly supplement.

Business in the Environment says some firms have head in the sand

Statistics unveiled by the fourth Business in the Environment (BiE) Index of Corporate Environmental Engagement have shown that business is failing to adopt the environmental strategies that will support sustainable development and long-term competitiveness.

Brown says company cars will be taxed according to CO2 emissions

Further changes to company car taxation were announced by Chancellor Gordon Brown in his 2000 Budget. From April 2002, company car tax will be calculated based on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and discounts for older cars and higher business mileage will be scrapped.

Budget fails to offer developers incentive to build on brownfield sites

The UK Budget 2000 has not proved the 'green' budget that sustainable housing campaigners were hoping. Building on greenfield sites remains VAT free while building on brownfields or refurbishing an empty building incurs VAT.

Industry groups attack ‘green’ aspects of Budget 2000

Industry groups say environmental taxation measures contained in the UK Government's Budget for 2000 will endanger the international competitiveness of UK industry and inhibit growth in the aggregates industry, particularly in Scotland.

CENTRAL & EASTERN EUROPE: Water market to rise more than 50% by 2006

A report on the future of the water and wastewater treatment markets in Central and Eastern Europe has concluded that despite governments' limited budgets, the markets will grow by more than 50% in six years.

MEPs on Environment Committee vote in favour of GM liability

Members of the European Parliament's Environment Committee have voted in favour of compensation for environmental damage caused by GMOs. This, and other amendments to the Directive on GMO releases may put Parliament on course to clash with the European Commission.

Packaging trade association urges compliance with imminent standards

All companies active in the packaging supply chain should comply with new EU packaging standards willingly, says the European Organisation for Packaging and the Environment (Europen).

European Court of Justice ruling threatens legality of Novartis Bt maize

A ruling by the European Court of Justice has left the way open for France, which was the first member state to approve Novartis Bt maize and propose it for EU-wide approval, to reverse its decision and, potentially, trigger reconsideration of its European status.

European Commission sets the stage for tighter control of oil tankers

A range of measures to reduce the risk of oil spills within EU waters has been published in a Communication from the EC. The move is a direct reaction to the Erika spill off the Brittany coast last December.

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