Search

This article reveals that Australia has committed to cutting greenhouse gas emissions five to 15% by 2020 compared with 2000 levels. The main feature of the program is an emissions trading scheme (ETS), due to start in mid-2010, covering 75% of Australia's emissions of carbion dioxide equivalent. About 1,000 companies will participate in the ETS with emission permits purchased at auction or allocated free of charge. Australia's is the biggest emission-reduction scheme to be announced by a government outside Europe.

This article looks at the active role of European Petrochemical Association President Thee Walthie in advocacy groups influencing energy and environment policy at the European Commission and the European Chemical Industry Council. The commission's High Level Group (HLG) on Competitiveness, Energy, and the Environment are advisory groups established specifically to support European Union industrial policy. Walthie proposed an initiative on energy efficiency at the June 2006 meeting, which was adopted by the HLG.

Discusses the public hearing held by the European Parliament regarding the Registration, Authorisation and Evaluation of Chemicals (Reach) program proposed by the European Commission in January 2005. Role of environment commissioner Stavros Dimas on the Reach program; Number of chemicals that will undergo testing to assess adverse impacts on human health and the environment; Opinion of environmental groups on the public health benefits of testing; Views of European employers' federation Unice on the requirements of the program.

Reports on the concerns of the chemical industry about the European Union's draft proposal for an emissions trading scheme. View of Cefic on the policy; Overview of the legislation; View of some environmental groups on the proposal.

Focuses on the actions taken by the European Parliament on several proposals to tighten environmental regulations contained in the European Commission's white paper on future chemical policies. Information on amendments to the proposals; Details on the approved clauses; Significance of the Parliament's actions.

Deals with the enforcement of the United Nations' Aarhus Convention environmental treaty in Europe. Purpose of the treaty; Issues of creating a Toxics Release Inventory in Europe.

Reports on the plan of the European Environment Agency and European Commission's European Chemicals Bureau to introduce headline indicators for chemicals. Measurements to which the procedure would be based; Comment from Jacques Busson, head of responsible care at Cefic; Obstacles faced by the introduction of a common system for headline indicators.

Reports that the European Commission has outlined a set of legislative proposals on hazardous chemicals regulation. Key proposals in the outline; Concern of the European Chemical Industry Council on the issue.

Reports on the call of the European chlor-alkali association EuroChlor for the European Commission to introduce a system of assessing chemicals. Estimated number of chemicals which needs to be assessed by the European Environment Agency (EEA); Agreement of EuroChlor to voluntarily undertake planned risk assessments on chlorine-based chemicals.

Reports that the European Commission's (EC) directive on packaging and packaging waste will become compulsory throughout the European Union (EU) on July 1, 1996. Approval of EC's directive by the European Parliament and Council of Ministers; List of the dangerous substances and preparations; Law and legislation concerning the incineration of wastes.

Reports on Belgium's opposition to the European Parliament's proposed amendments to the Environmental Council's packaging directive. Comments from Belgian environment minister Jacques Santkin; Common positions on the waste dumping program; Early elimination of ozone depleting substances; Other provisions introduced into the common position.