The Environment Agency’s tenth annual Spotlight report on the environmental performance of business was released on Wednesday, showing continued reductions in pollution emissions and incidents Full article Environment Agency press release Report summary Report EEF press release NFU press release
DEFRA has concluded a 2006 consultation on contaminated land policy by admitting “insuperable difficulties” and promising a new approach Full article DEFRA statement Environmental Protection UK press release
An influential committee of MPs called on the government to limit the amount of carbon dioxide that power stations can emit in a report published on Tuesday Full article Commons Environmental Audit Committee press release Report Royal Society press release
The government should review its rail strategy in the light of huge increases in the price of oil, a group of MPs recommended on Monday Full article House of Commons Transport Committee report on rail transport Freight transport report
A government study has concluded that its criteria for selecting new nuclear sites are not sufficient to rule out environmental damage from new nuclear stations. Full article BERR press release Consultation Environmental study
Leading lawyers have advised the Local Government Association that the government's approach to delivering eco-towns is open to judicial review. Their promotion through an expected planning policy statement is contrary to legislation, the body claims. LGA press release
DEFRA has issued its response to the consultation on measures to implement the nitrates Directive, revealing that 70% of England will be designated as nitrate vulnerable zones. Financial assistance for farmers to construct slurry stores will be provided. DEFRA press release Ministerial statement Response to consultation comments
UK greenhouse gas emissions continue to fall. DEFRA press release Report
Rates of environmental taxation have been set for the next financial year. Landfill tax is to rise to £40 per tonne and climate change levy rates are also to increase. A lower rate of vehicle excise duty for lower-emission vans is introduced. Finance Act 2008
The Cabinet Office has put forward plans to significantly reduce emissions from the governments' computers. Cabinet Office press release Report
The European Commission is seeking to establish a common EU framework for purchasing more environmentally sound products and services by the public sector. European Commission Communication Staff working document Impact assessment summary Impact assessment
A fifth of EU timber imports in 2006 were illegal, says the WWF, with the UK the second largest importer after Finland WWF press release Report
In the face of economic slow-down, energy efficiency is now highest cost-reduction priority for British businesses, according to Carbon Trust research Carbon Trust press release
An alliance of prominent environmentalists and economists has called for a coordinated response to the 'triple crunch' of climate change, high oil prices and a looming recession. Their report addresses the financial and economic reform needed to create an investment framework for transition to renewables-based economy, including proposals to forcibly break up large banks. New Economics Foundation press release Report
A DEFRA report notes that good progress has been made in home water conservation since 2004 and that total leakage has been reduced by 5% since then. DEFRA report
Scottish and Southern Energy has won planning consent for a 456MW wind turbine facility in South Lanarkshire. With 152 turbines, it will be the largest onshore array in Europe. Scottish and Southern Energy press release Scottish Government press release
Five siting options for a Severn Barrage are being studied, together with five other options for generating power from the estuary, including a "tidal fence". BERR press release
At a meeting with energy and motoring industry representatives, Gordon Brown has revealed proposals to drive a shift to low-carbon and electric vehicles. 10 Downing Street press release
Directive 2008/74EC amending Directives 2005/55/EC and 2005/78/EC (Euro 5 and Euro 6)
The DfT has issued its annual sustainability action plan, accompanied by a progress report on last year's plan DfT action plan DfT report
Biofuels should not be demonised, says the Committee, urging the government to study the links between rising biofuel production and food prices House of Commons International Development Committee report
Environment Agency response to eco-town consultation Environment Agency response to eco-town sustainability appraisal scoping consultation
Applications for planning consent made by BAA and Stansted Airport Ltd for a second runway have been called in for determination by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Planning Inspectorate statement Application documents Inquiry documents Letter to local authority
A consultation has been issued on the regional spatial strategy for south east England, proposing raised house construction targets DCLG press release Government Office for the South East consultation CPRE press release
Environment Secretary Hilary Benn has announced that DEFRA is to undertake a two-year assessment of England's biodiversity and natural environment DEFRA press release
As part of recent announcements on new nuclear energy, the government is seeking a commercial partner to run an "international centre of excellence" for the nuclear industry BERR press release
A report commissioned by DEFRA, which has been extended from a version published last year, states that small-scale combined heat and power (micro-CHP) has potential but is not yet cost effective in most situations. DEFRA report
House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee call for evidence
The Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution is seeking written submissions on a new investigation of how the UK should adapt to climate change RCEP invitation
In 2007, paying the for cost of the EU emissions trading scheme, mandatory energy efficiency measures and the renewables obligation accounted for between 8-13% of average household electricity bills, says the SDC. Requirements to install energy efficiency measures in gas customers' homes accounted for less than 2% of annual bills. SDC report
Fixed penalty notices for statutory nuisances are to be introduced to Scotland through the Public Health etc. (Scotland) Act 2008. The Act introduces new statutory nuisances from insects, artificial light and water covering land and permits Scottish Ministers to insert further ones through Regulations. Public Health etc. (Scotland) Act 2008
The Gas and Electricity Markets Authority of Northern Ireland has been authorised by legislation to act on behalf of the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation for the administration of guarantees of origin of renewable electricity. SI 2008 No. 1888 The Origin of Renewables Electricity (Power of Gas and Electricity Markets Authority to act for Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation) Regulations 2008 Explanatory memorandum
Companies may now submit pre-registration files for substances that they intend to use under the EU REACH Regulation ECHA press release
A new centre for the study of hazards to human health from nanoparticles is to be established by the Health Protection Agency HPA press release
A European Food Safety Authority panel has set safe exposure levels for the perfluorinated pollutants PFOS and PFOA. EFSA press release Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain opinion
Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks report
Welsh regulations published earlier this year concerning plastics intended for contact with foodstuffs have been replaced, following a change of European law WSI 2008 No. 1682 (W.162) The Plastic Materials and Articles in Contact with Food (Wales) (No.2) Regulations 2008
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