Search Results for: Environmental Health⊂mit=Search

BY MARK ROWE
THERE is no doubt that water quality in eastern Europe has improved immeasurably since the break up of the Soviet Union and its related satellite states, a process reinforced by the wholesale privatisation now taking place. But while standards have improved, concerns about pollution, old pipes and outdated treatment works are likely to continue.…

BY KEITH NUTHALL
AS a truly global criminal problem, it is only right that fighting money laundering is a key priority of the United Nations (UN). Its general assembly and key committees have made declarations and approved conventions on the subject, and its specialist agencies have also devoted time, money, specialist staff and energy to fighting the problem.…

KEITH NUTHALL
THE EUROPEAN Investment Bank (EIB) is planning to create a Euro 50 million fund run by BNP Parisbas Polska, which will feed money into small and medium-sized projects in Poland, promoting energy rationalisation and diversification. Funding would be available from the Polish bank for public and private projects.…

BY KEITH NUTHALL
THE EUROPEAN Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is planning to lend Dundee Precious Metals Inc US$10 million to modernise and expand its Chelopech Gold Copper mine and associated processing plant in Bulgaria. Its aim is to boost the complex’s processing of ore from 500,000 to 1.5 million tonnes per year, which it converts into copper/gold concentrates.…

BY KEITH NUTHALL
BOARDS of major corporations worldwide are failing to disclose to financial investors how environmental and social issues pose strategic risks and opportunities for their businesses, according to an international review of corporate reports. Out of 50 reports examined in detail by non-governmental organisation SustainAbility, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and ratings agency Standard & Poor’s, only three assessed the balance sheet implications of these potential problems.…

BY KEITH NUTHALL
THE EUROPEAN Union’s (EU) chemical control package REACH that has been causing metal companies serious concern is starting to move steadily towards the Brussels statute book, with the European Parliament preparing to start formal debates next month. Its responsible committee on the environment, public health and food safety stages its next meeting on November 23 and 24, following a session of the industry, research and energy committee, which has the right to propose its own amendments.…

BY KEITH NUTHALL
THE EUROPEAN Union’s (EU) chemical control package REACH that has been causing metal mineral mining companies some concern is moving steadily towards the Brussels statute book, with the European Parliament preparing to start formal debates this autumn. In the meantime, the European Commission is still fine tuning the proposals, which it has already formally tabled for agreement by ministers and MEPs.…

BY KEITH NUTHALL
A SIGNIFICANT shake-up in the European Union’s (EU) LIFE environmental spending programme has been proposed by the European Commission, which wants to scrap the current three strands: nature, environment and third countries. The European Commission wants a new improved LIFE+ programme from 2007-13, commanding more budget, rising from Euro 240 million annually at present to Euro 300 million a year.…

BY KEITH NUTHALL
A EUROPEAN Union conference on noise pollution has been staged. Coordinated by the EU’s CALM initiative, experts noted that unwanted sound can cause insomnia, high blood pressure, heart disease, mental stress and hearing impairment. In addition to general annoyance and health affects, environmental noise pollution also has a huge economic cost to societies which is estimated to be between 0.2% and 2% of gross domestic product – equivalent to at least €12 billion.…

BY KEITH NUTHALL
EUROPEAN Union (EU) citizens can expect to suffer from more insect-born diseases as global warming creates climatic conditions favouring the breeding of mosquitoes, fleas, ticks and other pests, a European Environment Agency (EEA) report has warned. It added that heat-related conditions such as heatstroke were also likely to increase, as well as diseases sparked by pollution after flooding generated by climate change inspired increased rainfall.…