International Environment Reporter: Current Reports Index-Summary

PACKAGING

– Food packaging, European Comm'n adopts regulation on active and intelligent materials authorization, 487
– Retail industry, Wal-Mart plans to reduce content in products sold in the Americas, 97
– Shopping bags

– – Argentina, capital to phase out use of nonbiodegradable shopping bags, 785
– – Colombia, Bogota policies to reduce use, In Brief, 706
– – Hong Kong restrictions, In Brief, 620
– – Italy bans non-biodegradable plastic bags, In Brief, 440
– – Mexico

– – – Ban on non-biodegradable plastic bags proposed, In Brief, 190
– – – Mexico City ban gives stores one year to phase out use, 784

– – UK supermarkets to halve usage of paper, plastic bags, 16

PAINTS AND COATINGS

– Dichloromethane, European Parliament approves ban on use in paint strippers, 48

PANAMA

– Deforestation trends over last decade, In Brief, 412
– Land use program, loan, In Brief, 236
– Outlook 2009, SplRpt (1/7/09) S–39
– Renewable energy, government outlines 3 scenarios to reduce hydrocarbon reliance, 508
– Watershed restoration, foreign aid, In Brief, 144

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

– Kyoto Protocol, envoy says rich nations should boost emission reductions or financial aid, 623

PARAGUAY

– Solid waste management, pilot project, In Brief, 369

PARTICULATE MATTER

– Air quality

– – Canada

– – – British Columbia establishes new objectives, In Brief, 326
– – – New Brunswick unveils implementation plan, 21

– – Chile proposes standard, 743
– – China adds to index measurements, 238
– – Japan proposes tolerance standards to limit fine particulate pollution, 513; ministry sets standards, 884
– – Switzerland outlines emissions reduction plan, 824

– Coal-burning stoves, China phaseout, In Brief, 665
– Motor vehicles

– – Brazil emission limits, In Brief, 838
– – Euro VI emissions standard for trucks and buses, EU Parliament approves significantly reduced limits, 6; EU adopts tougher limits, 639

– Ships and shipping, Canada-U.S. proposal designates emissions control areas, 270
– Toxic substances, Argentina court orders coke plant to pay damages, 29

PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMS

– Methane to Markets Partnership, Bulgaria joins, 496

PCBs

– Ferry suspected of heading for Indian scrappage, Finland ends impoundment of vessel, 693

PENALTIES

– Environmental violations and crimes

– – Brazil

– – – Analysis of fines, In Brief, 837
– – – President relaxes earlier decree, 26

– – Canada bill strengthens fines, 229; Parliament approves bill, 608
– – Russia

– – – Fine amounts, draft bill increases, 644
– – – Waiver of fines, court limits government's power, 495

PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS (POPs)

– Chemical controls, South Korea to merge rules into single piece of legislation, 569
– Stockholm Convention

See STOCKHOLM CONVENTION

PERU

– Amazon indigenous peoples protest forestry law, civic strike turns violent, 507; Congress suspends law, 560
– Economic stimulus package includes water, sanitation infrastructure improvements, 57; World Bank loan to help improve environmental policies, 189
– Electronic waste, Swiss agency to help develop management system, 789
– Environment compliance, Congress approves agency, 143
– Extractive industries, project promotes financial transparency, 323
– Logging, U.S. trade agreement parties discuss commitments made in forestry annex, 367
– Metal smelter faces pressure to complete remediation, 449
– Mining company seeks to postpone smelter cleanup as part of economic restructuring, 743; Peru grants extra time for to complete cleanup, 873
– Oil and gas

– – Drilling, decree curbs gas venting, companies fear cost, 560
– – Exploration, court suspends operations in protected jungle until master plan written, 188

– Outlook 2009, SplRpt (1/7/09) S–39
– Wastewater treatment, government awards contract to construct and operate plant to reduce untreated discharge into Lima Bay, 189; government declares emergency delaying construction, cites erroneous contract process, 657; government signs contract, 744
– Water resources, congress approves bill creating new water use structure, 277

PESTICIDES

– Abamectin, EU consultation, In Brief, 826
– Active ingredients

– – Canada deems 6 common components not toxic, 734
– – European Union

– – – European Comm'n authorizes use of 5 substances, 166
– – – Review published online, 219

– Application, Denmark unveils spraying targeting method, In Brief, 17
– Biocides, European Comm'n seeks overhaul of authorizing rules, 539
– Biotechnology

See generally BIOTECHNOLOGY

– Cosmetic use, Ontario proposes ban, U.S. groups urge reconsideration, 19; ban takes effect April 22, will protect public health, minister says, 229
– Crop spraying in rural areas, UK agency complied with EU directive, court rules, 640
– Cruiser, France temporarily renews authorization, 50
– DDT, UN agencies cite success in developing alternatives for malaria control, 426
– Dimethylfumarate use in leather items, EU states seek ban, In Brief, 131; European Comm'n bans imports of products containing biocide, 396
– Endosulfan, New Zealand ban, In Brief, 35
– Epoxiconazole, EU agency opens consultation on classification, labeling, 167
– Farmworker exposure, U.S.

– – South American workers may split cases to avoid class jurisdiction, 271
– – West African workers may split cases to avoid class jurisdiction, 325

– Food residues

– – Hormones may reduce in crops, researchers say, 843
– – U.S. bird conservancy seeks revocation of import tolerances, 831

– Hazard criteria, EU Council and Parliament agree on legislation tightening restrictions on authorizations and use, 8; Parliament approves legislation, 48; UK opposes legislation, 125; ministers formalize adoption, 867
– Metam, EU farm ministers agree to restrict use, 639
– Neonicotinoids, Italy urged to ban beehive depleting pesticides, 89
– Sales and use data, European Parliament committee amends compilation proposals, 307
– Testing, U.S. updates guidelines for consistency with OECD standards, 364
– Tetraconazole, EU farm ministers agree to allow use, 639
– Toxicology, Brazil reconsiders use of 13 pesticides based on new data, 232
– Use and exposure data, France presents 3-year plan, 262

PIPELINES

– Mine-slurry port complex, Brazil prosecutors request injunction to suspend construction, 788
– Munition detonation concerns fuel opposition to Baltic Sea project, 494; Poland calls for consideration of land-based routes, 546
– Remediation of abandoned pipelines, Canada to require contributions to fund, 500
– Ruptures, Canada releases report on 2007 accidents, 780
– Tar sands oil transport from Canada to U.S., environmental groups oppose, 780; groups file lawsuit, 829

PLASTICS

– Marine litter growing problem, UNEP reports, 528
– Recycling, Japan launches reprocessing project, 416
– Shopping bags

See PACKAGING

POLAND

– Air quality, European Comm'n issues 1st warning over noncompliance, 77
– Asbestos, home removal program, In Brief, 650
– Batteries, lower house approves recycling bill, 226; President signs bill, 403
– Carbon sequestration

– – Australia joint initiative to establish global institute to develop technologies, 203
– – Development, IEA chief approves plan, In Brief, 441
– – EU financial assistance in building zero-emission power station sought, 176; EU grants preliminary approval of funding, 266

– Clean coal technology, government plans to focus on development to reduce pollution, 54
– Climate change

– – Nuclear power, plant construction timetable approved, 731
– – Survey of beliefs on human impact, In Brief, 405

– Coal will play major role in electricity generation as oil, gas are depleted, industry official says, 494
– Development aid, government opposes plan to finance environmental projects in Africa, Asia, 177
– Electronic waste, fines introduced to encourage retrieval, recycling, 54
– Emissions trading

– – Carbon allowances, court annuls order to reduce number, 865
– – Sale of surplus Kyoto units, Lower House passes bill, 596; Parliament passes bill, In Brief, 695; President signs bill, In Brief, 732

– Energy sector, draft plan envisions diversification of sources, less reliance on coal, 226
– Environmental policy, government declares intent to meet EU standards by 2015, 55
– Forests, Bialowieza nature reserve expansion, In Brief, 779
– Hydroelectric dam strained, In Brief, 361
– Kyoto Protocol, new office to manage sale of surplus credits, 314
– Landfills

– – Pollution reduction, Parliament to consider amendments, 226
– – Waste reduction, EU deadline will not be met, spokesperson says, 778

– Nuclear power, plant construction timetable approved, 731
– Outlook 2009, SplRpt (1/7/09) S–23
– Pipeline construction, munition detonation concerns fuel opposition to Baltic Sea project, 494; consideration of land-based routes sought, 546
– Protected areas, Rospuda Valley bypass, In Brief, 268
– Renewable energy, government strives to double production of electricity from green sources by 2020, 90
– Wastewater and wastewater treatment, economic slowdown stalls projects required by EU, 403
– Water infrastructure improvements using EU funds, In Brief, 268
– Wind energy, European bank finances wind farm project, 438

POLAR REGIONS

– Antarctic Treaty parties resolve to protect environment, restrict tourism, 383
– Arctic region

– – Australia warns melting could lead to conflict over energy deposits, 64
– – Climate change will result in increased shipping, nations should prepare for increased risks, report warns, 623
– – Norway plans research, monitoring center, 266
– – Polar bears' greatest risks climate change, contaminants, countries conclude, 293
– – Sovereignty over Arctic waters, Canada bill, In Brief, 100; Parliament approves bill, 609
– – Task force to address black carbon, non-carbon dioxide GHGs, 422

– Climate change, sea level increase may be greater than previously predicted, survey indicates, 206
– Preservation, U.S. Secretary of State calls for international cooperation, 340; senate panel chair vows to pursue ratification of Law of the Sea treaty, 406

POLLUTION PREVENTION

– Equipment installation, Alberta court fines energy company for failure to install, 319

POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS

See PCBs

POPs

See PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS (POPs)

POPULATION GROWTH

– Global mega-trends, EU study, In Brief, 650

PORTS

– Conservation areas, Chile high court upholds ruling blocking construction of power plant in Ventanas, 608
– Endangered species, Brazil halts work to protect whales, In Brief, 789
– Idling emission reduction

– – Canada, Vancouver offers shore power to cruise ships, 60; Port Metro, In Brief, 837
– – Japan, Tokyo to provide electricity hookups, 62

– Mine-slurry pipeline complex, Brazil prosecutors request injunction to suspend construction, 788
– Oil spills, China municipality considers insurance mandate for shippers, 794
– Ship wastes

– – European Comm'n warns Italy, In Brief, 440
– – Spain ministers agree to transpose EU directive, 648

PORTUGAL

– Air quality, European Comm'n issues 1st warning over noncompliance, 77
– Biofuels

– – Diesel fuel content, government sets quotas, 175
– – Tax exemption, In Brief, 93

– Cooking oil regulation, In Brief, 732
– Electric cars

– – Incentives, prime minister proposal to encourage sales, support infrastructure, 692
– – Promotion, In Brief, 179

– Enforcement, environmental complaints increase, In Brief, 696
– Hazardous waste handling site regulation, In Brief, 179
– Industrial plant permits, European Comm'n issues 2nd warning over failure to issue, 77
– Motor vehicles, government fleet emissions reductions, In Brief, 228
– Transportation, low-tech mobility plan, In Brief, 132
– Urban waste vermicomposting venture, In Brief, 228

PROCUREMENT

– Energy efficiency, China local governments, In Brief, 379
– Green products

– – China, list adjustments, In Brief, 887
– – Finland sets targets, In Brief, 360

– Waste management contracts, European Comm'n issues 2nd warning to Germany over procurement violations, 77

PUBLIC HEALTH

– Air quality, Hong Kong releases objectives, stresses health benefits, 709
– Malaria control, UN agencies cite success in developing alternatives to DDT use, 426
– Radioactive contamination, coalition to plan hearings, In Brief, 469

PUBLIC LANDS

– Forests, Turkey Parliament approves law allowing sale of illegally inhabited state lands, 92
– Mineral exploration, New Zealand minister urges greater access to conservation land, 799
– National parks

See NATIONAL PARKS AND MONUMENTS

– Parks, Brazil metropolis soil contaminated with heavy metals, study finds, 448

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

– Environmental impact assessments, India court finds all citizens have right to participate in hearings, appeals, 416
– Environmental policy, China

– – Increased role for public in issues, analysts say, 331
– – Shanxi province gives public access to environmental information on businesses, 880

PULP, PAPER, AND PAPERBOARD MILLS

– Black liquor, Canada to pay producers for biomass, 551
– Enforcement, Canada-Quebec agreement, In Brief, 562
– Environmental impact assessments, Chile rejects pulp plant expansion, In Brief, 658
– Transboundary pollution, Argentina charges unfounded, Uruguay study says, 743