Day: 17 December 1999

Legislation to force UK water companies to conserve water planned for next spring

Draft water conservation legislation will see companies having to prove they have saved water and reduced consumer demand before they are allow to construct new reservoirs or draw in more supplies from rivers or underground aquifers.

Source of Antarctic ice flows may help predict changes in sea level

Scientists studying future global sea-level changes have discovered that vast flows of ice from the West Antarctic ice sheet are the product of smaller tributaries flowing from further in the continent's interior.

California approves MTBE ban and tightens other gasoline pollutant standards

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has approved gasoline laws that ban the additive MTBE while tightening standards for two other pollutants and relaxing standards that affect how cleanly gasoline burns.

NEW ZEALAND: Newly elected Green Party calls for rise in organic farming

The New Zealand Green Party has marked its first week as an influential minority party in the country's new parliament by calling for organic farming to reach 10 per cent of total production by 2005 and 50% by 2020.

History made as liability for hazardous waste is laid at the feet of waste shippers

Ten years after the inception of The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal an agreement on assigning liability has been reached.

More data irregularities lead to suspension of BNFL’s Japanese contract

Further evidence of irregularities in safety data accompanying MOX fuel sent by British Nuclear Fuels Ltd to Japan earlier this year has led to suspension of the British nuclear fuel reprocessor's only Japanese contract.

GREECE & SPAIN: Reform of cotton industry may lead to environmental restrictions

The European Commission has proposed changes to its cotton subsidy programme, including the requiring EU member states to report on the environmental impact of cotton growing in their countries.

EU: Political wrangling over carbon monoxide and benzene levels close to an end

European environment ministers have reached a common position on a directive to limit the levels of benzene and carbon monoxide in ambient air.

Infrastructure plans to be assessed for environmental impacts

A directive that will require infrastructure development plans to undergo environmental impact assessments has been agreed by the EU member states' environment ministers.

Europe accused of undemocratic revision of the precautionary principle

The European Environmental Bureau (EEB) has accused the European Union of conducting its review of the precautionary principle behind closed doors. EEB has called on the EU to open up the debate when it publishes its findings in the New Year.

COUNCIL OF MINISTERS: Talks on updating Large Combustion Plants directive fail

EU environment ministers have failed to update emission regulations for large combustion plants. A row over whether to include existing, and not just new, plants has been blamed.

Scientists recommend an EU authority to advise on food safety

A report presented to the EU commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection has concluded that an independent scientific authority should be created to advise on risks posed to human by food and non-food products.

Action inspires action. Stay ahead of the curve with sustainability and energy newsletters from edie