Month: January 2000

Water Framework Directive passes second committee reading

Efforts to finalise the EU Water Framework Directive are inching forward, with the European Parliament's Environment Committee having completed its second reading. The full Parliament will debate the changes in mid-February.

Computer models may under-predict air pollution by 30 percent

The computer models used to draw up regulations on atmospheric pollution in US cities may underestimate pollution levels by as much as 30 percent, a University of Florida professor has claimed.

Industry rejects EC working document on packaging waste

Industry associations have criticised an EC working document that makes suggestions about how the Packaging Waste Directive could be revised.

Drinking Water Inspectorate to issue guidance on common carriage

The chief inspector of the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) has told UK water companies that he will not block proposals for water mixing but that he will refuse proposals which threaten plans to reduce lead levels.

Shell launches its own emissions trading scheme

The Royal Dutch/Shell Group has launched an internal emissions trading system that will commit members of the group to reducing carbon emissions by two percent over the next three years.

Your chance to chat with the EU Environment Commissioner

Margot Wallström, EU Environment Commissioner, is hosting a live internet chat on 3 February. Anyone who would like to pose a question or share their views on EU environmental policy is invited to participate.

Congress wasted millions on environmentally harmful subsidies in 1999

The US Congress' failure to cut environmentally harmful subsidies last year cost the American taxpayer an estimated $852 million , according to a coalition of environmental and social groups. The coalition also claims that savings of nearly $50 billion could be made if the US Government abandoned a further 77 environmentally damaging programmes.

European wind energy industry meets capacity target a year early

Wind energy capacity within the EU has grown faster than expected. By the end of 1999, the industry had already met its own goal for 8,000 MW installed capacity.

The European Commission takes four countries to task over waste legislation

Germany, Italy and the UK are being taken to court by the EC over failures to comply properly with EU waste legislation. Spain has been issued with a last warning.

DENMARK: Consumer trust the focus of changes to corporate environmental reporting

Denmark's system of mandatory environmental reporting by about 1,200 companies has been evaluated after two years of operation. Changes to the system have been presented to Parliament.

Recyclers call for Landfill Tax Credit Scheme to contribute to operating costs

The Landfill Tax Credit Scheme (LTCS) must provide more start-up and operations money for sustainable waste management projects if it is to help the UK Government reach its recycling and waste recovery targets.

Western US aims for 10 percent geothermal energy by 2010

The US Government has unveiled plans for geothermal energy to provide ten percent of the electricity needs of the western US by 2020.

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