Month: October 1998

Buenos Aires – or just hot air?

As governments prepare to haggle over the implementation of greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets agreed in Kyoto last year, IPPC experts warn that existing targets will have a minimal effect and that even if far more radical action is taken, we will need to learn to live with climate change and develop ways to reduce its harmful impact.

News in brief

A selection of North American news briefs

The Natural Step kicks off in the UK

The Natural Step (TNS), a Swedish initiative pioneered ten years ago by Karl-Henrik Robert, has been launched in the UK, licensed by sustainability advocates, Forum for the Future.

Commission proposes strategy to phase out CFC inhalers

The European Commission has published plans for the phasing out of CFCs in the production of metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Chinese Hazardous Waste Details to be Delayed

China's hazardous waste regulations face administrative delays, and are unlikely to be in place until the end of next year.

Malaysia plans to increase environment budget

Despite poor economic performance, the Malaysian government plans to almost double its environment budget next year, according to report in The Star.

Switzerland plans green tax reform and nuclear shutdown

The Swiss Federal Government has decided to carry out an "ecological tax reform", to reduce taxes on employment and encourage renewable energy, and to set a deadline for the closure of its existing nuclear power plants.

UN environmental prize awarded to Ian Kiernan of Australia

Ian Kiernan, founder of the Clean Up the World Campaign, has been awarded the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Sasakawa Environment Prize. The Prize, worth US$200,000, is considered one of the most prestigious environmental awards in the world.

Siberian fires declared global disaster

Forest fires that have been burning for three months have been declared a "global disaster" by UN experts.

Electricity companies call for ‘flexmex’ not regulation to meet Kyoto targets

International electricity industry associations have called for flexibility mechanisms in the Kyoto Protocol to apply to industry as well as to nations, and for the avoidance of "unsuitable measures such regulation and taxes", in a position paper released this week.

Water industry says it will fight price cuts

Water companies have threatened to appeal to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission following Ofwat's proposals to cut water bills in the first industry-wide price cuts since privatisation.

New Study proposes ‘fair mechanism’ for global greenhouse emissions reduction

A country's obligations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions should be determined according to equitable criteria that take account of current emissions, economic strength and scope for reduction, says a new study released just days before the Buenos Aires climate change summit.

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