Month: November 1998

Japan makes environment loans to China

Japan is to lend 390 billion Yen (approx $3.2Bn) to China, mainly for use in environmental/flood prevention projects.

Pollution helps counteract global warming?

Scientists in Australia have found that particulate air pollution can produce a cooling effect, by prolonging cloud life and increasing the amount of energy reflected back into the sky by clouds.

Sweden proposes plan for EU emissions register

The Swedish EPA has put forward a proposal for the development and content of the European Polluting Emissions Register (EPER).

Schroeder unveils energy tax proposals

German Chancellor Schroeder has presented details of proposed tax increases on petrol, gas, electricity and heating oil.

Environment Agency stretched to enforce Packaging Regulations

As of the beginning of last month, the Environment Agency is no longer accepting applications from companies to register under the Producer Responsibility (Packaging Waste) Regulations 1997 for this current year. Businesses that have failed to register face the risk of prosecution by the Environment Agency or the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).

Indian court orders closure of copper smelter

The Madras High Court has closed a copper smelter run by Sterlite Industries, after inspectors reported discharge violations and that the Government-granted permit was based on an inadequate EIA, and bending of the rules, reports The Hindu.

EU chemicals laws reviewed

The European Commission has adopted the findings of a report challenging the effectiveness of the main EU legal instruments governing industrial chemicals.

Pesticide residues found in 40% of European foodstuffs

Pesticide residues were found in an average of 40% of fruit and vegetables tested, according to a recently published report summarising national monitoring programmes across the EU and Norway in 1996. The Maximum Residue Levels were exceeded in 3% of samples.

China – legal protection for Pearl River

Guandong Province is debating a new law to combat declining water quality in the Pearl River Delta due to increasing domestic and industrial pollution.

New Delhi groundwater contaminated

One-third of New Delhi s groundwater is contaminated with nitrates and fluorides, according to a new report by the Central Ground Water Authority and the Central Pollution Control Board.

Jordan and Syria agree on water sharing

Jordan and Syria have agreed on sharing water from the river yarmouk, as well as plans for monitoring the river's water quality and constructing a large dam near their border, reports CNN.

Leading manufacturer replaces PVC in toys for under-threes

Following last weeks decision by retailers Toys 'R' US to stop selling direct-to-mouth toys containing phthalates, a leading toy manufacturer has announced it will stop using soft PVC in all toys for the under threes.

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