Day: 17 March 2000

US braces itself as drought threatens to move west

The drought that caused such widespread problems for much of the eastern US last summer could affect the west in the coming months, the US Government has warned.

Free and Edie internet customers offered un-metered web access

House of Lords Committee says scientists need to rebuild public’s trust

Science is increasingly viewed with suspicion by UK public, concludes a report from the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee, and it is up to the Government and the scientific communication to improve the situation.

ICI hits back at UK Government’s anti HFC-stance

The UK air conditioning industry has been thrown into confusion following what appears to be a Government u-turn on the long-term acceptability of HFC refrigerants.

Domestic recycling provides greater environmental benefits than incineration or landfill

Recycling is cheaper than current figures suggest, and its environmental benefits are greater than those for landfill and incineration, a report claims.

UK Government ups the ante on domestic energy efficiency

From 2002, improvements in household energy efficiency that must be achieved through programmes operated by electricity suppliers will be controlled by the Government and the focus will shift to homes that are heated by gas.

SCOTLAND: Midlothian Council awaits approval of plans for 30% domestic recycling

With Scotland the lowest of the low when it comes to levels of domestic waste recycling, news that Midlothian Council is planning to recycle almost 30% of the waste at a local landfill site is groundbreaking.

Environmental reporting proposals hailed as step towards greater corporate transparency

Despite criticism from environmentalists, a business think-tank has greeted new proposals on mandatory environmental reporting and the role of directors as an opportunity for stakeholders to engage companies on their environmental and social policies.

ITALY: EU investigation into aid to solar panel company

The European Commission will investigate the level of state aid planned for a new Italian solar panel manufacturer. The EC argues that the company is part of a large construction group and therefore not eligible for an extra 10% percent, top-up funding reserved for small firms.

PET bottle recycling up in 1999 but lack of profitability still a hindrance

Collection of polyethylene teraphthalate (PET) plastic waste continues to rise in Europe, but 1999 figures show that only a 25% annual increase was achieved. Since 1992, and until 1999, the average year-on-year increase had been about 45%.

Tough ozone and air emissions ceilings backed by MEPs vote

The European Parliament has largely backed the EC and its own Environment Committee in a first reading vote on limits for ground level ozone and for four groups of pollutants that contribute to ozone.

Industry pleased with MEP vote on waste incineration directive

The European Parliament has rejected tighter dust limits for waste incineration and coincineration plants in its second vote on the EU Waste Incineration Directive.