Day: 2 July 1999

News in brief

UK news briefs

World Bank strengthens environmental collaboration with World Conservation Union

World Bank President James D. Wolfensohn and newly-arrived World Conservation Union (IUCN) Director-General Maritta R. von Bieberstein Koch-Weser havesigned a Memorandum of Understanding, solidifying the current relationship, and welcoming a new era of strategic collaboration between the two institutions.

Developing countries begin freeze on CFCs

With the completion of the grace period granted on signing of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, developing countries are set to begin, on 1 July 1999, a freeze on production and consumption of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), prior to a gradual reduction and final phase-out in the year 2010. The freeze on other substances, namely halons and methyl chloroform, will follow shortly.

News in brief

Berlin approves Germany's largest water privatisation ---- EIB funds environmental projects in Tunisia, Prague ---- UK Govt witholds info on Turkish dam impact.

Italy forces closure of PVC/VCM plants

The Italian Environment Ministry has forced the temporary shutdown of PVC and VCM manufacturing plants, in Porto Marghera, following an incident involving the release of 900Kg of VCM to the atmosphere.

Details published of Superfund waste treatment technologies

Information about techniques used to de-contaminate more than 900 hazardous waste sites in the US is now available to both waste treatment technology users and those who are considering hazardous waste clean up.

German Presidency – disappointments outweigh successes say NGOs

Despite the progress made on some of the issues the German Presidency has not lived up to high expectations, and the Red-Green coalition has failed to restore Germany's environmental leadership, says EEB, a European federation of 132 environmental citizens' organisations.

Destruction of Edwards Dam begins

A long campaign to restore fish spawning grounds on the Kennebec river in Maine is one step closer. Bulldozers began demolishing the Edwards Dam on 1 July. The Edwards dam is among the largest dams ever removed in the US.

Commission adopts proposal for energy efficient lighting directive

The European Commission adopted a proposal for a European Parliament and Council of Ministers Directive on energy efficiency requirements for ballasts for fluorescent lighting, intended to contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions in a cost-effective manner with high economic benefits for lighting users, and a low impact on manufacturers.

Serbia: authorities conceal environmental hazards?

Ecologists say the authorities in Serbia are concealing the extent of the ecological and health threats caused by NATO bombing.

Another arrest in national crackdown on CFC smuggling

One of the largest seizures in Texas of the illegal chloroflourocarbon (CFC) Freon took place on 24 June. The seizure, and arrest of Richard Schmolke on charges of smuggling, is part of a national campaign against the CFC black market.

EPA introduces its most sensitive mercury testing method yet

The EPA has announced a new procedure for measuring mercury levels in water. The method can detect mercury below one part-per-trillion.

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

Subscribe

empowering sustainable business