International Environment Reporter: Current Reports Index-Summary

SAICM

See STRATEGIC APPROACH TO INTERNATIONAL CHEMICALS MANAGEMENT (SAICM)

SCOTLAND

See also UNITED KINGDOM (UK)
– Climate change, government publishes bill, 13; Parliament approves bill with tougher emission targets that U.K. legislation, 595
– Low carbon vehicles, government seeks public comment, 595

SECURITY

See HOMELAND SECURITY

SERBIA

– Stockholm Convention ratification, In Brief, 779

SEWERS AND SEWAGE SYSTEMS

See generally WASTEWATER AND WASTEWATER TREATMENT

SHIPBREAKING

– Enforcement, European Comm'n seeks public input on creation of effective rules, 354
– Export for dismantling, U.K. issues stop notices to keep Margaret Hill from leaving port for unauthorized dismantling, 729
– Ferry suspected of heading for Indian scrappage, Finland ends impoundment of vessel containing asbestos, PCBs, 693
– IMO adopts convention, 462
– Permits, Bangladesh stays order until mid-April, 281

SHIPS AND SHIPPING

– Arctic region, increased ice-free waters will result in increased risks, report warns, 623
– Ballast water management

See BALLAST WATER MANAGEMENT

– Biofuels, partnership on dual aviation-shipping industry fuels, In Brief, 385
– Climate change

– – Denmark, agencies say emissions calculations misleading due to inclusion of shipping emissions, 730
– – Efficiency, operational improvements could reduce GHG emissions, IMO reports, 521
– – GHG emissions reduction, IMO adopts interim voluntary guidelines, 667; EU expresses disappointment with slow progress, 687
– – Scotland considers regulation, 13
– – U.K. Parliamentary panel urges harder push for global plan outside IMO, 489
– – UN official says emissions control vital to fight global warming, 65; largest-emitting nations agree to mitigate emissions, 65

– Cruise lines, Norway oil spill in Geiranger Fjord prompts calls for tighter regulations, 647
– Discharges

– – China issues regulations to reduce pollution, improve response, 881
– – European Parliament endorses criminalization of pollution incidents, 400

– Emissions reductions

– – Canada, U.S. propose designated emissions control areas, 270
– – Denmark

– – – Plan, In Brief, 267
– – – Sulfur emissions lower than previously thought, report says, 959

– – U.S. proposes limits on emissions, sulfur in fuel, 603; plan elicits praise from industry, environmental groups, 737; proposed rule on nitrogen oxides published, 781; advisory committee endorses rules without exemptions, 922

– Emissions trading

– – Post-Kyoto agreement proposal creates virtual countries to account for emissions, allocations, 335
– – UK trade association proposes scheme, 14

– Gibraltar-Spain cooperation on environmental issues, sovereignty dispute sidestepped to negotiate terms of future dialogue, 691
– International accords, Canada incorporation, In Brief, 562
– Liability, Canada amends law, 603
– Oil spills

See OIL SPILLS

– Ports

See PORTS

SINGAPORE

– Outlook 2009, SplRpt (1/7/09) S–54
– Sustainable development, environmental plan aims to reduce pollution, increase energy efficiency, expand parkland, 377

SLOVENIA

– Air quality, European Comm'n issues 1st warning over noncompliance, 77
– Environmental liability, EU court directs transposition of law, payment of court costs, 220
– Industrial plant permits, European Comm'n issues 2nd warning over failure to issue, 77
– Taxation, OECD report advises reforms to improve effectiveness of environmental taxes, 596

SMELTERS

– Arsenic, Chile copper smelter invests in new treatment technology, In Brief, 562
– Financial restructuring, Peru mining firm seeks to postpone cleanup, 743; Peru grants extra time for to complete cleanup, 873
– Hazardous waste

– – Mexico-U.S. remediation at Metales y Derivados site complete, copper mine next, 138
– – Peru, operator faces pressure to complete remediation, 449

– Heavy metal emissions, Norway seeks explanation of increase from Russian smelter, 53
– Iron and steel industry

See IRON AND STEEL INDUSTRY

SOAPS AND DETERGENTS

– Phosphates

– – Canada

– – – Alternatives, data sought, In Brief, 411
– – – Household cleaners, final rules tighten limits, 600

– – Sweden likely to extend ban to protect Baltic Sea, 224
– – Wal-Mart plans to reduce content in products sold in the Americas, 97; Brazil chain signs pact with suppliers to ensure greener products, 607

– Toxic substances, Danish court finds labeling method failed to meet EU rules, 402

SOFTWARE

– REACH submission accuracy and completeness, EU agency plans fall release, 308

SOIL CONTAMINATION

– Heavy metals

– – Brazil metropolis parks contamination likely from motor vehicles, study finds, 448
– – Chile plans relocation of residents living near mining company dump site, 874

– Releases of pollutants

– – Germany launches database to allow public access to information, 542
– – International treaty requires reporting for registers, takes effect in Oct., 675

– Remediation

– – Finland publishes draft 2010 budget, 731
– – Japan amends law to close loopholes, 456

– Toxic substances in firefighting foam, Norway pollution, In Brief, 132
– Trichloroethylene, Canada provincial court approves class action settlement, 602

SOLAR ENERGY

– Batteries, Japan initiative to increase industry share in global market, 286
– Construction, Vatican announces plans for largest plant in Europe, 401
– Demonstration projects

– – Australia budget includes $1.1B funding, 454
– – China

– – – Experimental solar thermal power station could pave way for larger plants, 240
– – – U.S. panel maker plans to build world's largest power plant, 842

– Desalinization plant, UAE, Abu Dhabi announces launch of first plant in country, 108
– Desertec Industrial Initiative, EU participation, In Brief, 649
– Development, Italy project approvals, In Brief, 871
– Energy policy

– – Spain outlines priorities for upcoming EU presidency, 915
– – Taiwan promotes use to build low-carbon economy, official says, 456

– Farm construction, China project draws 18 bids from major firms, 331
– Photovoltaic cells, 2008 global production, In Brief, 896
– Pricing

– – China firms lobby to reduce price, 192
– – Japan considers doubling price utilities pay to buy excess electricity from households, businesses, 192

– Subsidies, China seeks to boost industry, 331; ministry launches demonstration project, 707
– Targets, India hopes to generate 20 gigawatts by 2020, 755
– Taxation

– – Canada increases breaks for equipment used to reduce GHG emissions, 444
– – Italy reduces tax on imported equipment, 12; suspension of tax reduction, In Brief, 919

– Technology

– – China initiative accelerates development, 103
– – India-EU initiative launched, 762

– Thin film panels, France, U.S. firms sign deal to build manufacturing plant, 689

SOLID WASTE

– Environmental trends, Finland reports decreases in waste production, 170
– Incinerators, Norway inspects to collect emissions data, determine illegal waste processing, 964
– Landfills

See LANDFILLS

– Management

– – Australia seeks input on policy, In Brief, 334; government issues draft framework for comprehensive waste strategy, seeks comments, 665
– – CAN-EU funding of Colombia-Ecuador project, In Brief, 144
– – EU, Parliament panel chair backs agency to coordinate legislation implementation, 819
– – India, government initiatives to foster public-private partnerships, minister says, 663
– – New Zealand, operators may pass disposal levy on to customers, 713
– – Paraguay, Piribebuy Municipality pilot project, In Brief, 369
– – South Africa, success of law depends on identifying strategy, funding, observers say, 762
– – Spain outlines plan to treat waste closer to point of generation, 174
– – Venezuela prepares bill on regulation of nonhazardous waste, 368

– Municipal waste

See MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE

– Open dumps, Morocco receives loan to close and rehabilitate more than 300 sites, 460
– Plastic shopping bags

See PACKAGING

– Recycling

See RECYCLING

– Transboundary shipments

See FLOW CONTROL

– Treatment operations, Russia law amendments, In Brief, 56

SOUTH AFRICA

– Air quality, government delays start date for more stringent standards, 985
– Climate change

– – Emissions reduction, report urges government to enforce legislation, 291
– – Tax incentives, government proposes for CDM participation, energy efficiency measures, 579

– Enforcement, minister announces plan to revive courts, special crime units, 625
– Lead paint, minister announces hazardous designation, 855
– Mining, harsher punishments considered for water pollution, 987
– Solid waste management, success of law depends on identifying strategy, funding, observers say, 762
– Wind power could increase energy capacity 300 megawatts by 2012, study finds, 580

SOUTH AMERICA

See specific countries

SOUTH KOREA

– Air quality, special law relief to ease economic burden of regulation, 515
– Biodiversity strategy and action plan, cabinet finalizes, 515
– Carbon footprint labeling program, expansion to include home appliances, 195
– Climate change, initiatives provide variety of ways to reduce GHG emissions, 660; presidential committee presents three scenarios to choose from for 2020 goal, 756
– Economic stimulus plan to create green jobs, protect environment, ministry says, 63; prime minister to introduce framework law, 106; ministry plan to boost investment, jobs includes tax incentives for new technology, 660
– Environmental cooperation pact with China, Japan, In Brief, 572
– Indoor air, proposal sets emissions standards for furniture and interior building materials, 457
– Outlook 2009, SplRpt (1/7/09) S–51
– Persistent organic pollutants (pops), government to merge rules into single piece of chemical control legislation, 569
– REACH

– – Compliance, revisions planned to meet international mandates, officials say, 457
– – Implementation, attorneys discuss during webinar, 990

– Recycling

– – Beverage industry agrees to make plastic containers easier to recycle, 333
– – Consumer products made from waste, ministry plans safety certifications, 333

– Taxation, government plans consumption tax increase for energy-intensive products, 570

SPAIN

– Advertising, companies agree to curb misrepresentation of environmental friendliness, 647
– Air quality, European Comm'n issues 1st warning over noncompliance, 77
– Carbon sequestration, ministry researches potential benefits, possible sites, 593
– Climate change

– – Carbon funds, ministers approve contributions, 648
– – Emissions reduction due to economic crisis, still lags behind Kyoto goals, union report finds, 437
– – International promotion of climate-friendly companies, In Brief, 316
– – Observatory, In Brief, 360

– Coal mining in conservation area, European Comm'n moves forward with case, 590
– Coastal zones, proposed bill allows sale of grandfathered properties, environmental group opposes, 130
– Conservation

– – Airport extension, European Comm'n sets compliance date to offset damage caused by airport extension, 169
– – Canal project, warning letter, In Brief, 695
– – Canary Islands, Comm'n issues 2nd warning for nondesignation of sites, 590

– Desertification, ministry announces measures to counter threat due to climate change, erosion, 593
– Energy, IEA report advises reducing carbon emissions, eliminating subsidies, boosting efficiency, 916
– Environmental impact assessments

– – Public accessibility, In Brief, 133
– – Reform, ministers look to revise law, 174; minister council approves measure, 648

– Environmental protection

– – Cooperation with Gibraltar, sovereignty dispute sidestepped to address issues, 691
– – Regional efforts, cabinet allocates $60M in funding, 870

– Fuels, cabinet approves tax increase, 544
– Groundwater, ministers approve regulations, 915
– Industrial plant permits, European Comm'n issues 2nd warning over failure to issue, 77
– Industrial waste storage, European Comm'n issues final warning, 260
– Mining waste management, cabinet approves rules, 544
– Motor vehicles, government plan aims to encourage cleaner cars, 174; government launches electric car program, 823
– Oil spills, fitness of ship certification, suit against nongovernmental regulatory body remanded, 557
– Outlook 2009, SplRpt (1/7/09) S–26
– Radioactive waste management cost assumption, In Brief, 405
– REACH, cabinet approves sanctions regime, 544
– Renewable energy

– – Foundation report urges 100 percent reliance, 437
– – Fuels certification system, circular describe procedures, 265
– – Joint U.S. working group to exchange ideas, 295

– Ship waste, ministers approve transposition of EU directive, 648
– Solid waste, government outlines plan to treat, manage waste closer to point of generation, 174
– Sustainable development

– – Municipalities, ministers approve stimulus funding, 962
– – Tourism, rural development plans approved, transportation proposals introduced, 91; cabinet approves transportation plan, In Brief, 404

– Tourism, financing for sustainability, In Brief, 178
– Wastewater discharges into Mediterranean Sea, European Comm'n issues final warning, 911
– Wind energy, coastal mapping, In Brief, 360

SPECIAL REPORTS

– Outlook 2009, SplRpt (1/7/09) S–5 et seq.

STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

– Environmental rules, German efforts to combine, simplify rules fail due to political disagreements, minister says, 128

STEEL INDUSTRY

See IRON AND STEEL INDUSTRY

STOCKHOLM CONVENTION

– Additions to list, parties agree to add 9 pollutants, 420
– Committee participation guide, comments sought, In Brief, 631
– Endosulfan, U.N. review panel supports possible ban, 989
– Ratification, Serbia, In Brief, 779

STRATEGIC APPROACH TO INTERNATIONAL CHEMICALS MANAGEMENT (SAICM)

– Scientific organizations urged to participate by conference delegates, 473

SULFUR

– Diesel fuel content, Brazil

– – Oil firm to invest $6B to produce low-sulfur diesel, 98
– – State sues oil company over high sulfur content, 447

– Marine fuel oil content, U.S. proposes limits, 603; plan elicits praise from industry, environmental groups, 737

SULFUR DIOXIDE

– Air quality, France reports lower levels in 2008 than previous years, 689
– Coal-fired power plants, China province signs agreement with companies to meet 2010 emissions targets, 979

SUPERMARKETS

See GROCERY STORES

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

– Agriculture, UN organization calls for governments to encourage practices, 153
– Biofuels

See BIOFUELS

– Climate change mitigation, African environment ministers formulate common position for post-Kyoto talks, 531
– Consumption index, India takes top spot, In Brief, 458
– Corporate responsibility

– – Brazil

– – – Green practices, In Brief, 412
– – – Wal-Mart signs pact with suppliers to ensure greener products, 607

– – Canada, firms should link function with information technology to improve environmental performance, consultant says, 21

– Economic policy

– – EU, Green Group lawmakers urge resource efficiency focus, 819
– – French minister creates advisory council, 128
– – Green investments can revive global economy, UNEP forum says, 151
– – Spain approves stimulus funding, 962
– – U.S. must act globally to build green economy, UNEP official tells conference, 152

– Energy efficiency

See ENERGY EFFICIENCY

– Energy policies

See ENERGY

– Environmental management, Brazil receives $1.3B loan from World Bank, 231; additional funding, In Brief, 975
– Fisheries, European Comm'n opens consultation on overhauling policies, 354
– Food security in Africa requires use of green technology, water harvesting, UNEP report says, 459
– Forest products, Brazil plans price guarantee program for Amazon products, 276
– Information technology, France program, In Brief, 55
– Loans, Brazil banking group agrees to conduct environmental risk analysis, 321
– Measurement of progress, EU Comm'n plans environmental index to complement economic indicators, 818
– Natural resources

See NATURAL RESOURCES

– Ocean management, EU strategy making progress, report says, 959
– Planning

– – Singapore environmental plan aims to reduce pollution, increase energy efficiency, expand parkland, 377
– – Spain approves tourism, rural development plans, 91

– Principles, Australia, Northern Territory discussion paper lists goals, 198
– Renewable energy

See RENEWABLE ENERGY

– Retail industry, Wal-Mart plans to reduce phosphates, packaging in products sold in the Americas, 97
– Special economic zones, India ministry plans green technology requirement, 795
– Tourism

See TOURISM

– Transportation

– – Portugal low-tech mobility plan, In Brief, 132
– – Spain proposes plan, 91; cabinet approves, In Brief, 404

– Urban areas

– – China, U.S. to collaborate, 671
– – OECD panel sees opportunity to boost economies, 341

SWEDEN

– ADB Future Carbon Fund, commitment helps fund exceed target, 35
– Air quality, European Comm'n issues 1st warning over noncompliance, 77
– Budget includes new water authority, funding for chemicals agency, 916
– Clean technology, U.S. embassy identifies firms, In Brief, 599
– Climate change

– – Financial assistance to nations facing risks, In Brief, 56
– – Food production impacts, statement, In Brief, 549
– – Parliament approves tax incentives, 265

– Emissions trading, bill abolishes carbon tax for businesses subject to EU scheme, 917
– Energy efficiency, Parliament approves bill including tax incentives, 265
– EU presidency, government outlines priorities, 544
– Food production impact on climate, environment, In Brief, 549
– Kyoto Protocol, minister says credible pathways should be focus of post 2012 agreement over midterm targets, 816
– Mercury, government bans use in products with limited number of exemptions, 91
– Motor vehicles, Parliament approves tax exemptions for green cars, 225
– Nuclear energy, government shifts policy on replacing reactors due to emission reduction commitments, 128; company announces plan to develop waste storage facility, 493
– Wind energy, simplification of construction process, In Brief, 179

SWITZERLAND

– Air pollution

– – Emissions reduction, government outlines plans for 4 pollutant types, 824
– – Highways, levels along major road axis fall slightly, report says, 776
– – Levels exceed national standards in some areas, report finds, 359

– Biofuels, government sets sustainability criteria, 315
– Biotechnology, government extends GMO ban in agriculture, 594
– Climate change

– – Alps, border with Italy alteration

– – – Joint study commission, In Brief, 267
– – – Switzerland approves measure to move border, 775

– – Carbon tax triples after failing to meet GHG emission goals, 543
– – GHG emissions reduction, government considers 2 options, 51; bill cuts emissions 20 percent by 2020, 776
– – 2007 reduction brings CO2 emissions below 1990 levels, 358

– Drinking water, study calls for filtration improvements to reduce micropollutants, 917
– Electronic waste, agency to help Peru develop management system, 789
– Environmental technology, cooperative agreement with China, In Brief, 207
– Motor vehicles, fleet fuel efficiency, In Brief, 316
– REACH implementation

– – Attorneys discuss during webinar, 990
– – Harmonization, government proposes changes to conform with EU requirements, 52

– Solid waste, proposed changes to cross-border movement of waste ordinance to harmonize with EU practices, 51
– Water resources management, China technical cooperation agreement, In Brief, 385