[unable to retrieve full-text content]LONDON & MAASTRICHT, The Netherlands–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Green Chemistry and the latest advances in sustainable manufacturing processes for key polyurethane raw materials, will open the technical programme of UTECH Europe 2012 conference on April 17th
Business Wire Environment News
Posts Tagged ‘Future’
Green Future for Polyurethanes Industry Unveiled at UTECH Europe 2012
Posted by admin on February 1st, 2012
Defra: Over £1 billion investment secures future of new waterways charity
Posted by admin on January 31st, 2012
A new charity to look after England and Wales’ network of 200-year old canals and rivers will be given over £1 billion of Government help to give it the best possible start, Environment Minister Richard Benyon, announced today.
This unprecedented funding for a new charity paves the way for the launch of the new Canal & River Trust later this year – a new “national trust for the waterways” that will harness the support of thousands of supporters and volunteers to help look after the canals and rivers in England and Wales for the benefit of future generations.
This is a good deal for the taxpayer, the waterways and for the millions of people that enjoy them. Releasing the nation’s waterways from Government control gives more certainty than ever to their financial future. The Canal & River Trust’s charitable status will mean new opportunities for revenue through donations, charitable grants and legacies, increased borrowing powers, efficiencies and volunteering activity.
Environment Minister Richard Benyon said:
“The Canal & River Trust will be a national trust for the waterways, maintaining and restoring 2,000 miles of heritage sites, wildlife habitats and open spaces so that we can all enjoy them for generations to come.
“Bringing our waterways into the Big Society puts decision-making into the hands of the thousands of people who cherish the waterways near their homes. Our £1 billion investment will get this new charity off to the strongest start possible, and let local communities and volunteers shape the future of our world-famous waterways.”
Tony Hales, the chairman of the Trustees of the Canal & River Trust said:
”We congratulate the minister on this settlement which creates a bedrock on which to build the future prosperity of our precious waterways. In the 20th century the network was saved from destruction by committed waterway campaigners, volunteers and staff. In the last decade alone British Waterways has made an enormous contribution to securing the network’s future. In the 21st century they will be held in trust for the nation as a national treasure and a haven for people and wildlife.
“With greater certainty of funding than ever before, we now have the opportunity to attract new investment and new supporters and give a greater role to the millions of people who live alongside and on the waterways.”
In order to help the Canal & River Trust get off to the best possible start, Defra has committed a property endowment worth £460 million and funding of £800 million over the next 15 years to help put the nation’s historic network on a firm footing for the future. In addition the new Trust will give local communities and stakeholders a greater role in caring for their waterways.
Notes
The funding deal has the following components:
- Core grant of £39m per year (index linked to inflation from 2015/16 onwards)
- From 2015/16, an additional grant of 10m per year (reduced gradually over the last five years of the grant agreement, tied to three performance measures):
- satisfactory condition of principal assets
- satisfactory condition of towpaths
- satisfactory flood risk management measures - A £25m one-off grant to be spread across the next few months, and a capped ‘last resort’ Government guarantee in relation to the historic public sector pension liability;
- The government has already announced that the £460m commercial property endowment used by British Waterways to fund the infrastructure network will be transferred to the CRT for the same purposes.
Subject to satisfactory conclusion of outstanding issues, the Government plans to lay the Transfer Order in Parliament in February. Subject to Parliament’s approval, we hope to see the new charity launched in June. Following scrutiny by Parliament, the new charity will be launched in June.
The inland waterways managed by the Environment Agency will transfer to the new waterways charity from 2015/16, subject to the next spending review and the agreement of the charity’s trustees.
The Scottish Government have decided not to change the status of British Waterways in Scotland and the Scottish canals will therefore remain in public ownership.
A record 13 million people now visit British Waterways’ canals and rivers – and that is only half of the waterways network.
Over half of the population lives within about 10 minutes of a waterway.
Full content generated by Get Full RSS.
info4local Subject Documents
Over £1 billion investment secures future of new waterways charity
Posted by admin on January 31st, 2012
A new charity to look after England and Wales’ network of 200-year old canals and rivers will be given over £1 billion of Government help to give it the best possible start, Environment Minister Richard Benyon, announced today.
This unprecedented funding for a new charity paves the way for the launch of the new Canal & River Trust later this year – a new “national trust for the waterways” that will harness the support of thousands of supporters and volunteers to help look after the canals and rivers in England and Wales for the benefit of future generations.
This is a good deal for the taxpayer, the waterways and for the millions of people that enjoy them. Releasing the nation’s waterways from Government control gives more certainty than ever to their financial future. The Canal & River Trust’s charitable status will mean new opportunities for revenue through donations, charitable grants and legacies, increased borrowing powers, efficiencies and volunteering activity.
Environment Minister Richard Benyon said:
“The Canal & River Trust will be a national trust for the waterways, maintaining and restoring 2,000 miles of heritage sites, wildlife habitats and open spaces so that we can all enjoy them for generations to come.
“Bringing our waterways into the Big Society puts decision-making into the hands of the thousands of people who cherish the waterways near their homes. Our £1 billion investment will get this new charity off to the strongest start possible, and let local communities and volunteers shape the future of our world-famous waterways.”
Tony Hales, the chairman of the Trustees of the Canal & River Trust said:
”We congratulate the minister on this settlement which creates a bedrock on which to build the future prosperity of our precious waterways. In the 20th century the network was saved from destruction by committed waterway campaigners, volunteers and staff. In the last decade alone British Waterways has made an enormous contribution to securing the network’s future. In the 21st century they will be held in trust for the nation as a national treasure and a haven for people and wildlife.
“With greater certainty of funding than ever before, we now have the opportunity to attract new investment and new supporters and give a greater role to the millions of people who live alongside and on the waterways.”
In order to help the Canal & River Trust get off to the best possible start, Defra has committed a property endowment worth £460 million and funding of £800 million over the next 15 years to help put the nation’s historic network on a firm footing for the future. In addition the new Trust will give local communities and stakeholders a greater role in caring for their waterways.
Notes
The funding deal has the following components:
- Core grant of £39m per year (index linked to inflation from 2015/16 onwards)
- From 2015/16, an additional grant of 10m per year (reduced gradually over the last five years of the grant agreement, tied to three performance measures):
- satisfactory condition of principal assets
- satisfactory condition of towpaths
- satisfactory flood risk management measures - A £25m one-off grant to be spread across the next few months, and a capped ‘last resort’ Government guarantee in relation to the historic public sector pension liability;
- The government has already announced that the £460m commercial property endowment used by British Waterways to fund the infrastructure network will be transferred to the CRT for the same purposes.
Subject to satisfactory conclusion of outstanding issues, the Government plans to lay the Transfer Order in Parliament in February. Subject to Parliament’s approval, we hope to see the new charity launched in June. Following scrutiny by Parliament, the new charity will be launched in June.
The inland waterways managed by the Environment Agency will transfer to the new waterways charity from 2015/16, subject to the next spending review and the agreement of the charity’s trustees.
The Scottish Government have decided not to change the status of British Waterways in Scotland and the Scottish canals will therefore remain in public ownership.
A record 13 million people now visit British Waterways’ canals and rivers – and that is only half of the waterways network.
Over half of the population lives within about 10 minutes of a waterway.
Full content generated by Get Full RSS.
Defra News
The Future of EU Environmental Policy
Posted by admin on January 24th, 2012
Earlier today the All Party Parliamentary Environment Group (APPEG) launched a report, produced by the Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP), entitled “The future for EU Environmental Policy: Challenges and Opportunities”.
The independent report considers environmental challenges facing the EU and the priorities for future development of EU environmental policy.
Tags: APPEG, Environmental Policy, IEEP, Institute for European Environmental Policy
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Full content generated by Get Full RSS.
BES Ecology & Policy Blog
The future we want – preparing for Rio+20
Posted by admin on January 16th, 2012
Preparations are gearing up for the Rio+20 UN Conference on Sustainable Development that takes place in June, with the release of the so-called ‘zero draft’ of the conference’s outcome document.
Riassunto: Visita alla Masdar del primo ministro sudcoreano prima dell’intervento al World Future Energy Summit
Posted by admin on January 16th, 2012
ABU DHABI, Emirati Arabi Uniti–()–Oggi il primo ministro sudcoreano Kim Hwang-sik, in visita ad Abu Dhabi
per un un intervento previsto per il 16 gennaio nel corso della
cerimonia di apertura del WFES, il summit mondiale sul futuro
dell’energia, si è recato in visita alla Masdar,
la sfaccettata società di Abu Dhabi che opera nel campo delle energie
rinnovabili. Il primo ministro ha potuto verificare in prima persona
l’impegno strategico a lungo termine di Abu Dhabi per accelerare lo
sviluppo, l’adozione e l’implementazione delle tecnologie pulite e delle
energie verdi.
Nel corso della visita, il primo ministro Kim Hwang-sik ha visitato
Masdar City e il campus del Masdar Institute of Science and Technology,
il primo istituto di ricerca mediorientale di livello universitario
dedicato alle energie rinnovabili e alle tecnologie green.
Galleria Fotografica/Multimediale Disponibile: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50133685&lang=it
Il testo originale del presente annuncio, redatto nella lingua di
partenza, è la versione ufficiale che fa fede. Le traduzioni sono
offerte unicamente per comodità del lettore e devono rinviare al testo
in lingua originale, che è l’unico giuridicamente valido.
Full content generated by Get Full RSS.
Business Wire Environment News
South Korea Prime Minister Visits Masdar ahead of Keynote Address at World Future Energy Summit
Posted by admin on January 15th, 2012
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates–()–Today, South Korean Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik, in Abu Dhabi to
deliver a keynote address during the opening ceremony of the World
Future Energy Summit (WFES) on January 16, toured Masdar,
Abu Dhabi’s multifaceted renewable energy company. The Prime Minister
experienced firsthand the strategic long-term commitment Abu Dhabi is
making to accelerate the development, adoption and deployment of clean
technology and renewable energy.
“Renewable Energy has been a topmost priority on the South Korea agenda
– as a country that has prided itself throughout the years for great
innovations – it only made perfect sense for Korea to be strongly
represented in a Summit that focuses on powering innovation.”
During the visit, Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik toured Masdar City and
the campus of the Masdar Institute of Science and technology – the
Middle East’s first home grown, graduate level research driven institute
dedicated to renewable energy and clean technologies.
The visit to Masdar precedes the Prime Minister’s keynote address at the
World Future Energy Summit, where he will join recently announced
keynote speakers Chinese Premier HE Wen Jiabao and Secretary General of
the United Nations, HE Ban Ki-moon.
Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik, a lawyer and politician, is a strong
supporter of renewable energy and is working to create a green economy
focused on economic development and job growth. He assumed the post of
South Korean prime minister in October 2010.
The visit by the Prime Minister underscores the growing relationship
between the UAE and South Korea especially in the areas of renewable
energy, training, education, construction, shipbuilding, semiconductors,
information technology and telecommunications. The UAE established
bilateral relations with the Republic of Korea early in 1980 and these
relations have witnessed continued development at all levels and have
facilitated an exchange of experience in various fields.
Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik said, “For over 3 decades now, the UAE has
been a trusted and reliable partner to South Korea. The UAE has always
been a meeting and dialogue hub between east and west –The World Future
Energy Summit is just another demonstration of the country’s convening
power.
“Renewable Energy has been a topmost priority on the South Korea agenda
– as a country that has prided itself throughout the years for great
innovations – it only made perfect sense for Korea to be strongly
represented in a Summit that focuses on powering innovation.”
South Korea aims to generate 11% of energy from renewables by 2030. This
is compared with a current figure of 2.46% – achievement of these
targets would be four times more than current levels.
The country has earmarked $ 891.2 million in support of renewable energy
projects and financing including building solar and wind power energy
facilities.
Asia’s fourth-largest economy has also announced that it would
strengthen its new and renewable energy sectors, expecting the sectors
to achieve exports of $ 40 billion in 2015 compared with $ 4.6 billion in
2009.
Dr.
Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, CEO of Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy
company said, “The deep rooted partnership that the UAE shares with
South Korea is further strengthened by this visit of Prime Minister Kim
Hwang-sik. Collaborations with like-minded countries are at the core of
the strategy of our wise and visionary leadership of Abu Dhabi and
Masdar is proud to be able to build upon such partnerships.”
In March 2011, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and South Korea’s
Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) signed a memorandum of
understanding to develop synergistic partnerships between UAE think
tanks, businesses and Korean counterparts. On July 7, 2011 GGGI
inaugurated its Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regional office in
Abu Dhabi’s Masdar City.
GGGI and the UAE are focusing on developing and implementing specialized
training programs to educate workers on issues surrounding green growth.
As well as developing tailor-made low carbon green growth models for oil
rich and non-Annex I countries with the aim of meeting achievable
greenhouse gas emission reduction targets in the future.
The GGGI Abu Dhabi office serves as a regional hub in tackling issues
such as climate change and economic development throughout the Middle
East and North Africa.
For 2012, the South Korean government has set a standard to generate
2.61 percent of its electricity from renewable energy with a goal to
increase to 6 percent by 2020. This is significant because South Korea
as a developing country has committed to and is investing in
diversifying their energy mix.
Now in its fifth year, WFES, taking place from January 16-19, is the
world’s foremost annual meeting committed to promoting advancement of
renewable energy, energy efficiency, and the water and waste sectors by
engaging political, business, finance, academic and industry leaders to
drive innovation, business and investment opportunities in response to
the growing need for sustainable energy.
More than 26,000 attendees, including 3,000 delegates, 650 exhibiting
companies and 20 national pavilions, are expected to participate in the
summit.
*source: ME
NewsWire
View this release online: http://www.me-newswire.net/news/4778/en
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50133685&lang=en
Full content generated by Get Full RSS.
Business Wire Environment News
Public want farmers to be custodians of the landscape for future generations
Posted by admin on January 9th, 2012
Four out of five adults believe that farmers have a responsibility to look after the landscape and wildlife for future generations, according to a new survey commissioned by the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE). Fewer than a fifth of British adults would accept a more industrialised farming sector and an overwhelming 78 per cent of people want farmers to get more support to carry out environmentally sustainable farming practices.
The CPRE published an accompanying report describing their farming vision where farmers who adopt new environmental sustainability standards benefit from a price premium that recognises the additional environmental measures they are taking. For example, replanting of the countryside’s diminishing numbers of hedgerows.
Increasing global population and a changing climate have increased the pressures on food production. Agricultural intensification across Europe, particularly in the West, has simplified landscapes leading to a loss in biodiversity. However, Ian Woodhurst, senior farming campaigner for CPRE, believes that the public are aware of and understand the challenges of producing affordable food for a growing population and says “It’s great to see that people clearly want the environmental sustainable future for farming set out in our vision. There are huge challenges, including growing populations, increasing demand for land and natural resources, and pressures due to climate change. But we must find ways to cope with these challenges if we are to secure a living, thriving rural landscape”.
Source: Flohre, A., Fischer, C., Aavik, T. et al. (2011) Agricultural intensification and biodiversity partitioning in European landscapes comparing plants, carabids, and birds. Ecological Applications. 21: 1772-1781.
Tags: Agriculture, CPRE, Farming, NFU
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Full content generated by Get Full RSS.
BES Ecology & Policy Blog
BIS: Future of wave hub is secured
Posted by admin on December 20th, 2011
The Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) will take over ownership of the Wave Hub asset from the South West Regional Development Agency (RDA) on the 1 January 2012.
To manage the day-to-day operation of the testing facility on its behalf, BIS has set up a stand-alone operating company, Wave Hub Limited, which will be based in Hayle, Cornwall. This arrangement will allow the project to build on the operational plans already put in place by the RDA.
BIS and the RDA have been discussing the Wave Hub’s future since closure of the RDA was confirmed by the Government last summer. BIS has always recognised Wave Hub’s unique position as a nationally-important asset to develop the UK’s capacity to generate energy through the power of ocean waves.
Business Minister Mark Prisk said “As part of the transition to a green economy the Government is committed to developing clean energy sources including marine. Development of the Wave Hub in Cornwall will bring both environmental and economic benefits to the UK and I am pleased that we are able to take this positive step today.”
Claire Gibson has been confirmed as Wave Hub’s permanent General Manager having acted in an interim capacity since May. She said: “This is good news for Wave Hub, for Cornwall and the South West and for the future of wave energy development across the UK.
“It secures Wave Hub’s status as a publicly-owned asset, ensures it will continue to be locally run, and reinforces the pivotal role of Wave Hub and Cornwall to the development of a commercial marine energy industry in the UK.
“I am delighted to be leading this important project and am absolutely committed to ensuring Wave Hub is a success – supporting companies to prove their technology and delivering economic benefit for Cornwall. I look forward to welcoming our first customer at Wave Hub in the near future.”
Notes to editors:
1. Wave Hub is a grid-connected offshore ‘socket’ in South West England for the large scale testing of technologies that generate electricity from the power of the waves.
2. The Wave Hub infrastructure was installed in 2010 about 16 km off the North Cornwall coast with the undersea connecting cable coming ashore at Hayle.
3. The Wave Hub operating company will assume responsibility from the RDA for the safe and efficient operation of the testing facility from 1 January 2012.
4. Further information about the Wave Hub project can be found at http://www.wavehub.co.uk.
5. BIS’s online newsroom contains the latest press notices, speeches, as well as video and images for download. It also features an up to date list of BIS press office contacts. See http://www.bis.gov.uk/newsroom for more information.
Full content generated by Get Full RSS.
info4local Subject Documents
Spelman: Water reform needed to tackle threat of future droughts
Posted by admin on December 8th, 2011
Britain faces a future of water shortages, and lasting environmental damage, with some rivers running dry, unless attitudes to water use change, Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman cautioned today.
Launching a new approach to water management, Mrs Spelman said that severe weather events, population growth and the need to grow more food will all put more pressure on our water supplies.
Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman said:
“Currently we enjoy clean water at the turn of a tap, and watch it drain away without a thought. But parts of England actually have less rainfall per person than many Mediterranean countries.
“Making sure we’ve got enough water for everyone is going to be one of the major challenges this country will have to deal with in the years ahead. We can already see the type of problems we may face, with parts of Britain still in drought even though we’re in December. With water expected to be less predictable as time goes on we all have to play our part in ensuring our water supply remains secure.”
Mrs Spelman’s warning came as she published long-term plans to ensure the future water sector is resilient, water companies are more efficient and customer-focussed and water is valued as the precious resource it is.
Today’s publication of Water for Life recognises that water is essential for economic growth and that we must protect the environment for future generations. It:
Outlines plans to modernise the rules which govern how we take water from our rivers;
- Explains how we will improve the condition of our rivers by encouraging local organisations to improve water quality and make sure we are extracting water from our environment in the least harmful way;
- Announces plans to reform the water industry and deregulate water markets to drive economic growth;
- Enables business and public sector customers to negotiate better services from suppliers and cut their costs;
- Removes barriers that have discouraged new entrants from competing in the water market;
- Asks water companies to consider where water trading and inter connecting pipelines could help ensure secure water supplies at a price customers can afford;
- Enables water companies to introduce new social tariffs for people struggling to pay their bills and seeks to tackle bad debt which ordinary householders have to bear the cost of to the tune of £15 per year; and
- Tackles the historic unfairness of water infrastructure in the South West.
These changes are all designed to lead to a more robust and prepared water industry, which promotes innovation and growth in the economy at the same time as we protect the environment.
The Government has also highlighted steps such as installing water butts in gardens to collect rainwater, converting toilets to dual flush, and addressing domestic leaks as a means to allow consumers to keep their water bills under control. The Government is also encouraging water efficiency measures which can save energy under the Green Deal.
Further to this, a new campaign to encourage water efficiency and urge communities to get involved in and help improve the health of their local rivers will launch in the New Year.
Notes
A copy of the Water White Paper including an executive summary can be found at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/quality/water/legislation/whitepaper/
The Government will publish a draft Water Bill for pre-legislative scrutiny in early 2012 and introduce a Water Bill as soon as Parliamentary time allows.
The Environment Agency has today published two reports to provide evidence for proposals set out in the Water White Paper. The case for change: current and future water availability includes data on how much water is available now and in the future, taking into account the possible effects of climate change and population growth. The case for change: reforming water abstraction management in England, produced jointly with Ofwat, includes an assessment of the current regulatory regime and whether it is fit for purpose to face these future pressures.
The Environment Agency have been asked to produce an updated drought prospects report in early 2012 to further inform the Governments ongoing work.
Full content generated by Get Full RSS.
Defra News