Month: November 1999

EU: Vision of the future rests on separating economic growth from environmental damage

A review of the EU's Fifth Environment Programme has shown only limited progress and identifies the de-coupling of economic growth from negative environmental impacts as a priority for the next programme of work.

South East England faces brunt of climate change effects

Coastal towns and low-lying settlements in the UK's most affluent region will suffer most from the effects of global warming, a report says.

EU study recommends impact assessments for WTO agreements

The EU's international trade negotiators will promote the use of sustainability impact assessments as a way of judging international trade agreements at the WTO Millennium Round meeting, beginning next week.

Ted Turner’s charity gives $3 million for development of global environmental reporting

The United Nations Foundation (UNF), a charity set up by CNN owner Ted Turner, has given $3 million to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) to continue its work into standardised corporate environmental reporting.

Increased carbon storage in soil could help reduce atmospheric carbon

A relatively small increase in soil carbon taken from the air could provide a significant reduction in atmospheric carbon, a report claims.

NORWAY: Household waste levels will almost double in next ten years

Although Norway is planning to introduce its first waste reduction targets, its own statistical office projects sharp growth in household waste.

Final UK water prices designed to appease environmental lobby

Cuts in domestic water prices of 12% for 2000-2005 have been announced by the Director of Water Services. Draft cuts averaged at 14%, but the final compromise of 12% has followed pressure from the UK environment minister and the deputy prime minister.

SWEDEN: Rising CO2 emissions add urgency to climate change plans

Despite Sweden's success in reducing certain greenhouse gas emissions, levels of CO2 have risen since 1990. The country's Kyoto target will only be met if policy and lifestyle changes come quickly.

SPAIN: Activists call for protection of the Madrid sierra from intensive cattle farming

Spain's largest environmental organisation has issued a report on the impact of intensive cattle raising on the sierra surrounding Madrid.

Central & Eastern Europe: Wallström says that benefits of environmental improvements will outweigh costs

The challenge of upgrading environmental standards in candidate countries is being hindered by a lack of precise strategies and programmes, but the EC environment ministry is determined to see progress.

Ikea will phase out old growth wood in move toward sustainable sources

Ikea has announced that it will phase out old growth solid wood from its products by next September. Timetables for the removal of old growth non-solid wood will be set after the first deadline is met.

Changes in solar radiation dismissed as primary driver of climate change

US climate change researchers have dismissed claims that solar radiation could be the main factor in increases in global temperatures over the last 100 years. Added greenhouse gases provide, by far, the most plausible hypothesis for explaining the warming, the researchers say.

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