Category: environment

Energy saving becomes a higher priority in China

Jennifer Duggan writes in the China Blog for the Guardian about the plans to make energy efficiency a higher priority.  The main driver appears to be tackling the worsening pollution problems that are plaguing the country China to invest in energy saving industries to tackle pollution China's State Council announces plans to make green industries … Continue reading Energy saving becomes a higher priority in China →

New report from the European Environment Agency: An overview of EU environment policy targets and objectives

European Union legislation has established more than 130 separate environmental targets and objectives to be met between 2010 and 2050. Together, these can provide useful milestones supporting Europe’s transition towards a ‘green economy’, according to a report published by the European Environment Agency (EEA). The ‘green economy’ has emerged as a priority in policy debate … Continue reading New report from the European Environment Agency: An overview of EU environment policy targets and objectives →

New report: Greening Household Behaviour: The Role of Public Policy

The OECD has recently published a valuable report on the role that public policy can play in affecting our household behaviour. Household consumption patterns and behaviour have an impact on stocks of natural resources, environmental quality and climate change. This is expected to increase significantly in the future. In response, governments have introduced a variety … Continue reading New report: Greening Household Behaviour: The Role of Public Policy →

Impact of air pollution in the UK

John Vidal writes in the Guardian about air quality in UK cities, although primarily London, and what it is doing to health. One monitoring station in London shows the fourth highest levels of NO2 of over 2,000 monitoring stations in Europe. Cities are missing targets set under EU laws, but questions arise as to who … Continue reading Impact of air pollution in the UK →

Fracking cultural wars go on and on . . .

On January 18th, EiD provided the last instalment of the fracking cultural wars.  Now Adam Gabbatt writes in the Guardian of celebrities coming together for a new effort.   Yoko Ono and Susan Sarandon star in new anti-fracking music video Celebrities join forces for new rendering of Sean Lennon's Don't Frack My Mother in effort … Continue reading Fracking cultural wars go on and on . . . →

Chinese eco-cities

Clare Pennington and Sue Lin Wong write for the Green Environment blog in the New York Times on the difficulties in China for developing eco-cities. Steep Challenges for a Chinese Eco-City Fifty years ago, during a time of food shortages, China's young socialist government singled out a few farm villages as role models for the … Continue reading Chinese eco-cities →

European Environment Agency to give emphasis to climate change and energy in its new work programme

The European Environment Agency (EEA) has released its “Annual Management Plan 2013,” which outlines the EEA work programme that will address a broad range of issues including: air quality and noise; air pollutant emissions; climate change mitigation; climate change adaptation; energy; and transport. The Annual Management Plan includes sections on: EEA mission statement, vision and strategic objectives; … Continue reading European Environment Agency to give emphasis to climate change and energy in its new work programme →

Impact of diesel fumes on health

John Vidal, environment editor of the Guardian, wrote recently in the Observer about a recent government report in the UK that details the harm that diesel fumes are causing.  This is a major concern since governments have been promoting the benefits of switching to diesel. Diesel fumes more damaging to health than petrol engines Ministry … Continue reading Impact of diesel fumes on health →