Environment
Sulphur content of certain liquid fuels
Sulphur is naturally present in small quantities in petroleum and coal. Sulphur dioxide (SO2) has been recognised for decades as a major cause of the "acid rain" and air pollution which affect urban and industrial areas. More recently, it has been recognised that SO2 emissions contribute to the formation of secondary inorganic aerosol gases, fine particles which are harmful to human health.
New international agreement for tackling air pollution
More ambitious targets are ste for reducing trans-boundary air pollution. The revised objectives of the Protocol will see a reduction in EU emissions of around 60% for sulphur, 40% for nitrogen oxides (NOx), 30%
Environment – Promoting Sustainable Consumption and Production
Successful initiatives to promote sustainable consumption and production are flourishing around the globe, but further efforts are needed to embed such practices in existing policy frameworks, according to a new Global Outlook Report published by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in collaboration with the European Commission.
Joint statement by the Danish EU Presidency and Commissioner Potočnik following the Informal Environment Council in Horsens
Amongst other things, ministers discussed the upcoming United Nations Conference in Rio 20-22 June 2012 where more than 100 heads of state and government are expected to attend the decisive, final negotiations on a global push towards green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication.
Bristol, Copenhagen and Frankfurt shortlisted for 2014 European Green Capital award (EC-Press Release)
Bristol, Copenhagen and Frankfurt have been chosen as the three finalists in the competition to find Europe's Green Capital for 2014. They have been selected from the 18 cities that applied for the 2014 award. The finalists were proposed by an independent panel of experts, who assessed the entries in 12 different areas:
Commission wants your views on priority objectives for the environment
The Commission has launched a public consultation to gather views on the 7th EU Environmental Action Programme (7th EAP), which will set out priority objectives to be pursued up until 2020. The consultation remains open until 1 June.
Resource efficiency is not a choice, it is inevitable - Janez Potočnik
Our choice is whether to become resource efficient now, or wait until we are forced because critical resources are exhausted and expensive. During the 20th century the world population grew four times, its economic output 40 times. We increased our fossil fuel use 16 fold, our fishing catches by a factor of 35 and our water use 9-fold.
EU looks at technology to make farms greener
One way of meeting the European Union's goal of ensuring sustainability and competitiveness of the farming sector is through green technologies, says Janez Potočnik, the EU’s environment commissioner.
Communication on Improving the delivery of benefits from EU environment measures: building confidence through better knowledge and responsiveness
On 7 March 2012 the Commission adopted the Communication on Improving the delivery of benefits from EU environment measures: building confidence through better knowledge and responsiveness (see atteched file below). A high level of environmental protection is one of the fundamental objectives of the European Union. However, the latest state of the environment reports show serious implementation concerns in key areas, such as, biodiversity, water, waste and air.
Commission takes Cyprus to Court for failing to transpose EU rules
The European Commission is referring Cyprus to the Court of Justice of the European Union for failing to take measures to ensure that serious breaches of EU environmental law are considered criminal offences and punished
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