• Hardly a revolution

  The government’s response to rocketing household energy bills doesn't live up to its "revolutionary" tag.

• 60% recycling target on the cards

  Councils could have to set a 60% target to receive waste PFI funding.

• Agency restructure aftermath

  Reorganisation has left the Environment Agency struggling to deal with its permitting activities.

• Carbon disclosure results
• Green Party leader elected
• Arctic ice report
• Kingsnorth acquittal
• Political green retreat
• ENDS infographic: The real picture on UK CO2 emissions

Corporate

• Carmakers slow to cut carbon emissions

  Industry criticised over a lack of progress towards meeting the proposed EU CO₂ emissions target.

• AdMit offsetting scheme
• Environmental law firms rated
• ASA rules against Exxon
• Offsetting aviation emissions
• Carbon management guides

Energy & carbon

• 'Too late' to stop significant climate change

  Scientists argue that strong action in coming decades will not prevent substantial climate change.

• Agency report on water and energy
• Home energy efficiency plan
• Home Energy Conservation Act to be repealed
• Offshore wind farm approved
• German coal gasification plant with CCS
• International biofuel standard

Pollution & clean-up

• DEFRA offers London Mayor help to tackle air quality

  The offer comes as the capital is set to fail EU particulate matter limits.

• Pesticide rules challenged
• School set for former chemical landfill
• Tap water and birth defects
• Pesticides leach from buildings
• Welsh crypto scare
• Radioactive site investigation

Supply chain

• M&S takes on water footprinting

  The move comes as warmings grow that water scarcity is becoming a key business risk.

• Certified palm oil hits the market
• BRE standard sparks debate
• Dairy and meat impacts
• REACH tool launched
• Marine timber study
• Public bodies work with CDP
• IKEA cleantech investment

Waste & resources

• Firms tardy on packaging targets

  Only ten food firms have set targets under the government’s Courtauld Commitment to reduce packaging.

• Toner cartridge debate
• Gasification breaks through
• Bad press for sewage sludge
• CO₂ impacts of waste exports

Science

• Chemical additive effects proved ‘beyond dispute’

  A US EPA study has confirmed similarly acting chemicals can have additive effects.

• Particulate health effects
• Flame retardants in dust
• New carbon capture compounds

• Biogas scents the sweet smell of success

  The popularity of anaerobic digestion plants is growing, but will they make the best use of the biogas?

• Private equity is guarded on green commitments

  An ENDS survey finds private equity firms' declarations of intent greatly outweigh their green goals and targets.

• What is private equity?

National

• Call for stronger REACH border controls

  The chemical industry and the HSE fear laxer controls on importers are a risk to the scheme's success.

• DEFRA's responds to river basin planning
• BERR manufacturing strategy
• Fuel ash no longer waste
• Welsh air quality plans
• Airport noise consultation
• Ship pollution regulations
• Scottish buildings plans
• Biodiesel burning unlikely to get support
• Agency consults on standard permits
• Packaging rules change
• Agency guidance on packaging exports
• Batteries regulations in force
• Joint waste authority rules
• EIA regulations

International

• Ghana climate talks gather pace

  The UN reports progress towards a post-Kyoto climate deal.

• EU chemical labelling scheme approved
• More draft EuP measures
• Firms reject RoHS extension plans

• Stephen Hale

  Low-carbon is the only way out of the economic downturn.

• Firms told to take responsibility for waste
• Planning Bill nuisance amendment
• Geo-engineering case study

• Richard Macrory

  Ruling on individual rights under EU air quality legislation.

• Leaked sewage ruled as waste
• Dredgers fined £40,000
• South West Water in court
• £30,000 oil pollution fine
• Composter’s odour offences
• Prosper de Mulder fined
• Scottish Water fined after tip-offs