TABLE OF CONTENTS
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S/N |
Title |
Synopsis |
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I. Subject Area: Policy |
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1 |
New European detergent rules review proposed |
The industry directorate of the European Commission has proposed to re-examine the European Union detergent legislation, with the view to set stricter standards for surfactant biodegradability and mandatory labelling of products causing skin sensitization or irritation. |
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2 |
MEP calls for stricter EU chemicals control |
The Members of the Environment Parliament have called for tougher substance authorisation procedures and strong controls on chemicals in products. |
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II. Subject Area: Environmental Technology |
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3 |
US Department of Agriculture to expand use of biodiesel and ethanol fuels |
To show support for the National Energy Plan, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that all USDA agencies will use biodiesel and ethanol fuels in their fleet vehicles where practicable and reasonable in costs. |
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III. Subject Area: General Environmental News |
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4 |
Solar storms destroy earth's ozone layer |
New research confirms that the earth's ozone layer is destroyed not only by the use of ozone depleting substances, but also by large solar storms. |
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5 |
GM unveils hydrogen fuel cell |
General Motors Corp (GM) has unveiled a hydrogen fuel cell that could hold the answer to the increasing demand for electricity |
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6 |
Daimler, MMC to make eco-friendly engines |
Auto giant, Daimler Chrysler AG and its Japanese partner, Mitsubishi Motors Corp will jointly develop environmentally friendly diesel engines for medium to large trucks |
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7 |
UK green power scheme set for early 2002 |
In early 2002, Britain plans to launch a scheme to give green energy a billion-pound boost to help curb the country's emission of greenhouse gases. |
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8 |
NZ sets Sep 2002 target to ratify Kyoto pact |
Following the Bonn agreement in July, New Zealand has announced that it is working towards ratifying the Kyoto Protocol in Sep 2002. |
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SUMMARY REPORT
Period Covered: 6 Aug to 12 Aug 2001
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Item 1 |
New European detergent rules review proposed |
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Summary |
An overhaul of European Union (EU) detergents legislation has been proposed by the industry directorate of the European Commission. This will include stricter standards for surfactant biodegradability and mandatory labelling of products causing skin sensitization or irritation. The proposal has two main goals:
The standards will enable only surfactants that are "ultimately biodegradable" to reach the market. This means they should breakdown under microbial action to produce water, carbon dioxide and mineral salts. Under current law, only "primary biodegradation" (partial breakdown) is required. If approved, the regulation would require testing for ultimate biodegradability of surfactants. Products passing the test will be allowed free access to all EU markets while those failing the test will be banned. The working paper proposes that anaerobic biodegradation and phosphate content of detergents should be dealt with separately. Products will also be required to carry labels if the EU scientific committee finds that they cause skin irritation or sensitization. |
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Reference |
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Item 2 |
MEP calls for stricter EU chemical controls |
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Summary |
The Members of European Parliament (MEP) have called for stricter substance authorisation procedures and strong controls on chemicals in products. Under the new proposed EU chemicals policy, it would introduce a general ban on chemicals of "very high concern" with authorisation granted on a case-by-case basis if the industry can justify them from 2020 onwards. The chemicals would cover not only carcinogenic and persistent organic substances but would also extend to endocrine disrupters and sensitisers. The new policy also calls for a ban on the use of these chemicals of "very high concern" in products from 2012. In addition, regulatory decision would be based on "qualitative evaluations" given the major uncertainties involved in assessing toxicological effects from simultaneous exposure to several chemicals. |
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Reference |
http://www.environmentdaily.com/articles/index.cfm?action=article&ref=10411 |
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Item 3 |
US Department of Agriculture to expand use of biodiesel and ethanol fuels |
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Summary |
To show support for the National Energy Plan, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that all USDA agencies will use biodiesel and ethanol fuels in their fleet vehicles where practicable and reasonable in costs. The policy will include:
The feasibility of soy-oil based biodiesel as transportation and heating fuel has been demonstrated at the USDA Henry A. Wallace Agricultural Research Center, and has been used in 150 of its diesel vehicles. The centre will also be heating all of its buildings with biodiesel next winter. Biodiesel has also been used over the past two years in 15 assorted bulldozers, road graders and trucks at the Black Hills National Forest, North Dakota. |
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Reference |
http://www.lexis-nexis.com/api_universe/v1_snews?topicid=243081 |
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Item 4 |
Solar storms destroy earth's ozone layer |
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Summary |
New research at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) confirms that the Earth's ozone layer is destroyed not only by the use of ozone depleting substances, but also by large solar storms. Between 14 and 16 July 2000, a solar flare with an associated coronal mass ejection sent positively charged protons streaming to the Earth. The flare was the third largest in the last 30 years. According to the journal, Geophysical Research Letters, these events deplete the stratospheric ozone layer for weeks to months. Solar storms comprise coronal mass ejections and solar flares. The former are huge bubbles of gas ejected from the sun, while solar flares are explosions on the sun. These events send protons to the Earth that subsequently break up the gases in the upper atmosphere. The 'freed' atoms react with ozone and reduce the ozone layer. The final product, hydrogen oxides, is able to destroy up to 70% of the ozone in the middle atmospheric layer known as the mesosphere. |
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Reference |
http://www.enn.com/nes/enn-stories/2001/08/08062001/storms_44529.asp |
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Item 5 |
GM unveils hydrogen fuel cell |
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Summary |
General Motors Corp (GM) has developed a fuel cell that runs on natural gas by producing electric power from hydrogen and oxygen without combustion. The cell is a clean, quiet and ultra-efficient power generator that could serve as a reliable backup for housing developments, businesses and hospitals that are at risk of losing power because of blackouts. Fuel cells are already seen as the most viable successor to the conventional internal gas combustion engines and have wide applications for many U.S homes or small businesses that virtually depend on the electric-power grid. Although GM has been approached by several companies to commercialise the technology, it has yet to make any business decisions. |
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Reference |
http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/11933/newsDate/8-Aug-2001/story.htm |
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Item 6 |
Daimler, MMC to make eco-friendly engines |
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Summary |
Daimler Chrysler AG and Japanese partner Mitsubishi Motors Corp are jointly developing environmentally friendly diesel engines for medium to large size trucks. The automakers have been battling a 2005 deadline and high research and development costs to produce more eco-friendly diesel engines before Japan and Europe start to adopt stringent regulations on carbon dioxide emissions. The venture could also include South Korea's Hyundai Motor which is 10% owned by Daimler. |
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Reference |
http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/11935/newsDate/8-Aug-2001/story.htm |
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Item 7 |
UK green power scheme set for early 2002 |
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Summary |
In early 2002, Britain plans to launch a scheme to give green energy a billion-pound boost and help curb the country's emission of greenhouse gases. Under the Renewables Obligation, electricity companies will have to produce 10.4% of the output from green sources by 2011. The government expects this requirement will unleash a bustle of investments in renewable energy projects such as wind farms, solar power plants and biomass sites, and improve the economics of existing green energy projects. This green power scheme would also cover hydroelectric power stations. The government is hopeful that the scheme will encourage the generation from truly renewable energy sources and minimise all harmful greenhouse gas emissions. The scheme which is subjected to parliamentary approval and clearance from the European Commission, would form a framework for the development of Britain's green energy up until at least 2027. |
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Reference |
http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/11904/newsDate/6-Aug-2001/story.htm |
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Item 8 |
NZ sets Sep 2002 target to ratify Kyoto pact |
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Summary |
Following the Bonn agreement in July, Pete Hodgson the convenor of New Zealand's ministerial group on climate change has announced that New Zealand would aim to ratify the Kyoto Protocol by Sep 2002. The Bonn agreement in July has called for a cut in greenhouse gases by an average of 5.2% below 1990 levels by 2012. Although the Kyoto treaty is still subject to adoption at the climate meeting in Morocco in late October, New Zealand will work towards having legislation passed by its parliament in 2002 to enable the country to ratify the Kyoto Protocol in Sep 2002. Meanwhile, New Zealand is looking into solutions for its livestock emissions which represent 44% of its greenhouse gases so as to have more room to tackle the harder task of reducing carbon dioxide emitted from cars, power stations and factories. |
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Reference |
http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/11983/newsDate/10-Aug-2001/story.htm |