Day: 19 November 1999

Site visits to give North West industry tips in environmental risk prevention

One of the largest industrial parks in Europe is being targeted by the Environment Agency for England, with several weeks of site visits planned.

AFRICA: Plans to combat desertification stall through lack of funds

Officials attending an international meeting on desertification have heard that 80% of African nations have submitted national reports on the issue, but their plans will not be realised without funding.

FRANCE: Leftists develop ‘green’ tendencies

A survey of French people who identify as leftist has shown that a 'green' philosophy is now synonymous with the Left in France.

Fertiliser industry forecasts a declining European market

Changes to Europe's Common Agriculture Policy are expected to lead to reductions in artificial fertilisers in all areas except wheat production.

FRANCE: Government outlines all-out attack on excessive traffic noise

Polls show that the French rate transport noise as the most serious noise problem they face, even worse than noisy neighbours.

CENTRAL & EASTERN EUROPE: Activists press for decision on nuclear closures prior to EC accession talks

Greenpeace campaigners in Eastern and Central Europe are calling on the EC to promise that Lithuania, Slovakia and Bulgaria will not be granted EU status unless early closure of 'high-risk' reactors is agreed.

European accountants consult on universal environmental reporting guidelines

The European Federation of Accountancy Experts (FEE) will comment on plans to create international guidelines for corporate environmental reports. Feedback is requested on issues such as reporting on legal infractions and assessing indirect environmental impacts.

GERMANY: Shell trains builders in solar installation and offers exclusive contracts

Shell aims to achieve 30% share of Germany's growing solar energy market by 2005. To that end, it is training electricians and roofers and offering them exclusive contracts to install Shell solar systems.

New agreements could boost US biofuels

Two agreements have been signed that could reduce the cost of making ethanol from biomass and boost the US biofuels industry.

Car pollution reduction device close to road testing

A device that converts fuel to hydrogen gas and then adds it to the fuel, thus reducing car exhaust emissions is close to being road tested.

Benefits of clean air Amendments “outweigh costs by four-to-one”

A US EPA study claims the health and environmental benefits arising from Amendments to the Clean Air Act save four times the cost of their implementation.

Clinton introduces environmental assessment requirements for trade agreements

President Clinton has issued an executive order requiring the assessment of the environmental impacts of trade agreements.

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