Corporate carbon-cutting let down by supply chains

Carbon emissions improvements at multinational firms are not being matched by their suppliers, a new survey shows

Northern Ireland bag tax to start at 5p

There will be a charge for single-use plastic carrier bags in Northern Ireland from April 2013

Heavy industry resource efficiency could save £1.3trn

Carbon, steel and iron sectors have been urged to show leadership on sustainability by improving their own resource efficiency

Corruption raises illegal wood risk

There is a rising risk of illegal wood being harvested in Lithuania and Costa Rica.

EU phosphate ban to cover detergents

Home laundry and dishwasher detergents will be phosphate-free from 2017.

Many common drugs coated with phthalates

A survey of drugs and dietary supplements has found phthalate coatings on hundreds of pills despite health concerns

Rainforest Alliance to certify Ghana cocoa

Support for 2,000 cocoa framers in west Ghana will allow 10,000 tonnes of sustainable cocoa beans to be grown over the next three years

Bisphenol A cleared again

The latest round of publicity surrounding plastics ingredient bisphenol A has ended with the European Food Safety Authority confirming the chemical is safe.

REACH lists its first endocrine disruptor

The European Chemicals Agency has agreed to list 18 new substances of very high concern

Showers no more efficient than baths, say Unilever

A study into bathroom water use has challenged the idea that showers use less water than baths. But some environmental groups disagree

DEFRA plans a jump in recycling targets for packaging waste

After a pause, DEFRA wants to ramp up recycling of aluminium, steel and plastic packaging. Some question how tough the proposed targets are.

ECHA proposes 13 chemicals for authorisation

Arguments over the latest group of chemicals slated for authorisation under REACH highlight wider aspects of the European Chemicals Agency’s approach.

Little evidence Whitehall has switched to green catering

Five government departments claim their menus meet new food buying standards. But two are failing to comply

India and China dash HFC plans

Parties to the Montreal Protocol on ozone-depleting substances rejected amendments that could cheaply cut billions of tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent for the third year running.

WWF scorecard shows improvements… but gaps remain

WWF has found substantial progress on the uptake of sustainable palm oil since its first scorecard in 2009

Quick links to key documents and reports

• 31 January 2012

  WTO Report: China — Measures related to the exportation of various raw materials

• 31 January 2012

  Government Chemist: updated questions and answers on measurement implications of REACH and CLP

• 30 January 2012

  Welsh Government consultation on a new approach to natural resource management in Wales

• 25 January 2012

  EFSA conclusion on the peer review of the pesticide risk assessment of diphenylamine