ENDS Report Issue 414, July 2009
Comment
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Reaching beyond the moon
Building a low-carbon economy will need the wider involvement of society.
News
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Going low carbon
The government launches its Low Carbon Transition Plan.
- Draft water price limits announced
- Tory u-turn on planning quango
- Brazil intercepts illegal UK waste
- Green groups shed more jobs
- DEFRA wins pesticides appeal
- Poll shows support for UK population limit
- Turner wants high-carbon investment ban for RBS
- Civil penalties for green offences proposed
- ENDS infographic: Sustainable energy investment dampened by recession
Corporate
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‘Carbon positive’ chemicals
The global chemcials industry claims its products save more carbon than they emit.
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BT flouts carbon guidance
Firm continues to claim emissions reductions for green tariff power.
- 'More needed' on responsible investment
- WWF pushes for business travel alternatives
- Cement industry claims big carbon cuts
- Firms to disclose deforestation role
- Legal action launched over RBS investment
- Students rank universities' green performance
Energy & carbon
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Many sectors to get free EU ETS allowances
Few sectors are likely to miss out on free phase III emissions allowances.
- Fuel suppliers struggle to meet biofuel standards
- Government moves on buildings' energy efficiency
- Study finds poor micro-wind output
- Fund announced for low-carbon buses
- Exxon invests in algal biofuels
Pollution & clean-up
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Noise's health impacts confirmed
Science panel calls for a permanent committee on noise and funding for research.
- SEPA names poor PPC sites
- Drinking water incidents rise
- Study finds exposure to air-borne benzene
- Committee reassesses harm from air pollution
- Agency tests bathing water predictions
- EPUK to update air quality guidance
- CORRECTION: Cryptosporidium project
Supply chain
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Ikea's green timber struggle
Only 7% of the solid wood used in Ikea products is certified as sustainable.
- Asda offers 'low-carbon beef'
- Users not ready for HCFC ban
- Phone makers to standardise chargers
- Carbon Trust rethinks label requirements
- Government ICT staff unaware of green targets
- BSI consults on building materials standard
Waste & resources
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Councils could face steep increase in waste arisings
Waste arisings could rise by 2% if councils are made to dispose of certain waste for free.
- Vehicle recylers just miss ELV target
- Recession’s impact on recycling overstated
- E-transfer note trial extended
- Salt End incinerator gets permit
- Supermarkets just miss plastic bag target
- Construction waste standard launched
Science
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Climate schemes come in for scruitiny
Can innovative climate change schemes save the planet?
- HFCs could hinder climate mitigation
Features
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The choke points in raising local air quality
Councils have been given the task of meeting EU air quality standards, but they face a number of hurdles.
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Mr Environment’s farewell frustrations
The outspoken chair of the government's Sustainable Development Commission is leaving after nine years in the role.
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Waiting for China's emissions to peak
The country's policies do not look like they will rein in emissions before 2030.
- Norwich’s low-emission zone
- Low-emission zones abroad
- Biography
Policy Briefing
National
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Low-Carbon Transition Plan published for UK
The government has set out an ambitious roadmap for meeting tough, legally binding carbon budgets.
- Government outlines low-carbon traffic plan
- Renewable energy strategy
- Low-carbon industrial strategy
- Eco-towns shortlist announced
- Anaerobic digestion plans outlined
- Consultation on EU waste law transposition
- HSE to police chemicals supply chain
- Row over river basin plans
- Walker review supports water metering
- Wales to charge for carrier bags
- NI implements groundwater rules
- NI consutls on private water supplies
- Ofwat responds to Cave review findings
- DEFRA consults on eco-design and energy labelling
- Treated timber's wate status under review
- DEFRA corrects air quality reports
- Biomass and air quality guidance issued
- Zero-carbon homes definition becoming clearer
International
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World leaders adopt 2°C limit
The G8 and major developing countries have agreed on the need to limit global warming to 2°C.
- UK publishes Copenhagen roadmap
- Shipping emissions talks disappoint
- Global bodies discuss trade and climate link
- Call for combined chemical risk assessment
- EU ministers vote on industrial emissions laws
- Commission rules on PM10 deadlines
- Environment ministers divided over biowaste
- European court rejects REACH challenge
- Views sought on indirect land use
- Effectiveness of REACH studied
Parliament & Politics
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Labour’s environmental rhetoric fails to convince
The government needs to match talk with action on energy and climate policy.
- Scottish Climate Change Bill through parliament
- MPs debate Marine Bill loophole
- MPs call for illegal timber ban
- MPs call for better bee data
- Natural England under fire over SSSIs
- Government responds to geo-engineering report
- MPs want aircraft 'stacking' reduced
In Court
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Pesticides ruling leaves policy to government
The Court of Appeal has signalled that it will leave substantive environmental policy issues to government.
- Agency's demolition waste appeal fails
- Drax protesters convicted
- Strabane council fined
- Newham prosecutes firm for rotting flesh odour
- £15,000 for diesel spill
- Developer fined for silt discharge
- Permit breach costs tyre firm £28,000
- Food firm fined for packaging offences
- £10,000 bill for skip firm

