ENDS Report Bulletin articles

• Slow start for climate treaty at Poznan
  Negotiations on the framework for a new climate treaty post-2012 made only modest progress at Poznan, Poland, with "a clear commitment from governments to shift into full negotiating mode next year"
• EU climate package is approved
  A crucial package of measures aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020 compared to 1990 has been approved by EU leaders this week after a complex array of concessions
• Pitt Review: Councils to get little cash for flooding
  The Environment Department (DEFRA) responded to the Pitt Review of the 2007 summer floods on Wednesday, announcing a œ15 million fund to help local authorities address surface water flooding
• DEFRA study rejects packaging deposits
  A report for the Environment Department (DEFRA) released on Tuesday comes down heavily against introducing deposits on packaging to encourage recycling
• 'New dawn' for clean energy in the EU
  EU governments and the European Parliament reached a consensus on Tuesday on legislation intended to boost renewable energy
• Irish dioxin crisis caused by waste breaches
  Police and environment agencies across Ireland are cooperating in an investigation into the contamination of meat with PCBs and dioxins
• Scotland aims for 80% emission cuts by 2050
  The Scottish Government published its draft climate change Bill last Friday, proposing greenhouse gas emission reductions of 80% by 2050 compared to 1990 levels
• EUETS must be ambitious but stringent say Lords
  A Lord's report into plans for the reform of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme published on Wednesday has recommended a tighter cap on greenhouse emissions
• Tough but achievable carbon budgets for new Climate Change Act
  The government's Committee on Climate Change set a series of tough carbon budgets on Monday which will, if adopted, require greenhouse emissions cuts of 42% by 2020
• EU delays introduction of car CO₂ limits
  EU governments and MEPs reached agreement on Monday to phase in controls on CO₂ emissions from new cars

The ENDS Report

• Air quality concerns over biomass
  Growth in the use of biomass for heating could pose a threat to meeting particulates targets for particulates.
• Climate package hurried through
  EU leaders have agreed to a 20% emissions cut after a string of concessions.
• Poznan climate talks
  Negotiations on a successor to the Kyoto Protocol made modest progress in Poland.
• Toymakers ignore NGOs' blacklist
  The EU's REACH regime is the best way to deal with chemical risks, they insist.
• Retailers head off plastic bags tax
  A tax on plastic bags looks unlikely after retailers pledged to cut bags by 70%.
• B&Q aims for 90% carbon cut
  B&Q is aspiring to become a zero-carbon business as part of a new 'one planet living' strategy.
• Oceans may be acidifying faster than expected
  Rising carbon dioxide levels may lead to acidic, carbonate-poor oceans more quickly than expected.
• Pre-Budget report
  Chancellor brings forward green public spending but waters down car and aviation measures.
• Modest greening of CAP 'a missed opportunity'
  EU farm ministers nudge CAP towards green support, but critics say move dosen't go far enough.
• Tom Burke
  The Planning Act will create fertile ground for the growth of protests.