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Annually, the EU produces more than 100 million tonnes of urban biowaste, which is largely under-valorized and in some cases even still landfilled without any energy or material recovery. If Europe wants to be ready for the future, it will need to make better use of this large biomass potential within a circular economy approach. The research project funded by the European Commission under the Horizon 2020 programme entitled 'VOLATILE—Biowaste derived volatile fatty acid platform for biopolymers, bioactive compounds and chemical building blocks' aimed to produce volatile fatty acids (VFAs) from biowaste for reprocessing into products, materials or substances to close the material loop. During the project, the partners were able to obtain average volatile fatty acid yields of 627 g COD/kg organic matter (OM) for food waste, 448 g COD/kg OM for separately collected vegetable, garden and fruit waste (VGF) and 384 g COD/kg OM for the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OF-MSW) at concentrations ranging from 12 to 48 g/L, 6 to 40 g/L and 13 to 26 g/L, respectively. A membrane filtration cascade consisting of micro-, ultra- and nano-filtration followed by reverse osmosis was identified as a feasible way to purify and concentrate the VFA effluent, making them a suitable carbon source for further fermentation processes. Besides technical optimization, socio-economic and legal aspects associated with this platform technology were also studied and show that although this technology is still in development, it is providing an answer to changing societal and market expectations both regarding organic waste treatment and bio-based production strategies. Based on the current technological, economic and market evolutions, it is expected that the VFAP will play an important role in organic waste treatment in the coming years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper briefly discusses the assessment of hydropower resources (mainly, Small Hydropower, SHP) in the light of general methodologies of renewable energy potential, highlighting the particularities of hydropower. A short review of the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) from the hydropower development perspective is provided, especially focusing on the impact of power plant pre-planning mechanisms whereby rivers or their reaches are listed as exempt from damming (so-called ‘no go areas’). The hydropower regulation (for prospective hydropower schemes) in the country is critically reviewed, and the current state of the drafting of river basin management plans is presented. Practically speaking, the national water law does not guarantee a declared statement of sustainable use of water resources because of the introduced list of protected rivers exempt from dam construction. In a number of multipurpose water resource development projects that override public interests, e.g., inland navigation and historic water mills, power generation is a secondary service unable to be implemented, due to on the list of protected rivers. In this paper, based on the geospatial datasets of water streams and their environmental attributes, three pre-planning levels for hydropower development are proposed, and the environmentally compliant potential of the SHP is identified. The remaining SHP potential (117 GWh/year or close to 6% of the gross theoretical potential) is among the lowest ones in the EU. The disproportionate environmental constraints in Lithuania are a key factor preventing the development of hydropower and the multipurpose use of water resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using an analytical framework based on current implementation theory, this research examines the transposition of the EU Waste Framework Directive into UK law and local government development control procedures. The study which forms the basis of this paper was commissioned by the UK Government to evaluate the effectiveness of the construction Waste Management Plans introduced as a legal requirement in 2008. It was found that its implementation had largely failed and that these new laws had been ineffective. Subsequently, in March 2012 the UK Government announced its intention to withdraw these Regulations. In the context of current deregulatory pressures, but with the continuing need to minimise construction waste, this research concludes that more attention should be paid by central government to their current ‘top-down’ implementation procedures in order to better roll-out new environmental legislation in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the aspects of the United Kingdom state of environmental legislation embarked by the United Kingdom Environmental Law Association (UKELA). It discusses the opportunities of reform in the environmental legislation to simplify and facilitate access to environmental data, guidance and legislation.

Recent European legislation designed to limit carbon emissions and to reward the efficient use of energy will undoubtedly encourage dryer operators to reduce their fuel consumption. This article first describes such legislation, which includes the climate change levy, enhanced capital allowances for energy-efficient plant, emissions trading, and the integrated pollution prevention and control regulations. Techniques for measuring dryer performance, benchmarking the results, and analyzing different energy-saving options are then discussed. It is concluded that more stringent legislation coupled with technical improvements, and social, political and economic pressures will result in a cycle of continuous improvement in operating performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The average production of salmonids in European land-based farms, comprising coastal farming of smolt and inland farming of portion size rainbow trout, has increased significantly due to intensification attempts and better management. Typical conditions in intensive Norwegian and German flow through systems are flow rates of 100–300 l min−1 per ton of fish stock and effluent loads prior treatment of 150–200 kg suspended solids (SS), 7 kg phosphorus and 40 kg nitrogen per ton of fish produced. An increasing number of land-based farms are installing effluent treatment systems in order to meet discharge consent requirements. Effluent solids are commonly removed by screens, such as intermittently back-washed disc or drum filters. Biofiltration as an integrated end-of-pipe device has proven high removal efficiency in a SW Germany based farm. Post-mechanical treatment, nutrient uptake by hydrophytes is sometimes applied in trout farms before discharging the effluent into the recipient. The diversity of regulations and standards controlling fish farming in Europe reflects the differences in environmental conditions, fish farming technology, species farmed, and quantity and nature of wastes discharged. In land-based farms, regulations typically include limitations on the amount of water to be abstracted and on the effluent volume and concentrations of nutrients and organic matter to be discharged. Most of the environmental legislation controlling fish farming has briefly remained unchanged over the last decade. The Water Framework Directive was adopted by the EU countries in 2000 and is intended to provide protection for groundwater, coastal, estuarine and surface waters. Fish farming is not specifically addressed in the Directive but it will undoubtedly affect regulation of the industry. Norway is no member of EU and thus the Framework Directive is not binding for this country. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Despite their ecological importance and diversity, spiders (Arachnida: Araneae) are underrepresented in conservation policies in comparison to other groups. We review all extant conservation tools focusing on spiders in Europe, highlighting general patterns, limitations, gaps, and future directions. We assembled a comprehensive online database reporting all available information concerning the legal protection and conservation status of 4,154 spider species. Existing international legislation has limited coverage, with only one species listed in the Bern Convention and EU Habitats Directive. At the national and subnational levels, 178 species are formally mentioned in the legislation of 19 European countries. Moreover, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) includes assessments for 301 species worldwide, 164 of these threatened and eight native to Europe. In addition, spiders are mentioned in Regional Red Lists and Red Books in 28 out of 42 European countries considered in this review. Northern and Central European countries have the highest percentage of species assessed at the regional level in Red Lists and Red Books. The Mediterranean basin has the highest spider diversities in Europe but conservation efforts are lacking, both in terms of assessments and national or subnational legislation. Among European species, Dolomedes plantarius , Argyroneta aquatica and Eresus kollari are the most frequently mentioned in European conservation measures, possibly due to their ecological traits and their strict association with declining habitats. Considering the current threats to spiders in Europe, the protection of large areas of suitable habitat should be considered as the most effective approach to spider conservation. • Spiders are largely underrepresented in conservation policies in Europe. • Only one spider species is listed in the Bern Convention and EU Habitats Directive. • 178 species of spiders are mentioned in the legislation of 19 European countries. • 28 European countries have spider Red Lists or Red Books. • Conservation efforts are lacking in Mediterranean countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybridisation between wolves and dogs is increasingly reported in Europe. Nonetheless, no systematic survey has ever been attempted at the continental scale. We made the first assessment of wolf-dog hybridisation (WDH) occurrence in Europe and analysed how the phenomenon is addressed by international legislation and managed at the country level. We found that WDH is reported in all nine extant European wolf populations, and in 21 out of 26 countries for which we received information. The two main international legal instruments (i.e., the Habitats Directive and the Bern Convention) do not explicitly mention the threat posed by hybridisation but do provide guidance promoting control of free-ranging wolf-dog hybrids. However, we recorded poor compliance with such recommendations in most European countries, and a lack of coordination in addressing WDH among countries sharing the same wolf population. Alarmingly, we revealed a lack of well-designed and implemented country-wide genetic surveys to detect and monitor hybridisation, both relevant pre-requisites to effectively implement WDH management. By recommending criteria for an operative definition of "hybrid", we also suggest improvements to enhance WDH-related policy at the European scale. • First Europe-wide assessment of wolf-dog hybridisation (WDH). • Wolf-dog hybrids reported in 21 out of 28 countries surveyed. • Few countries have policies compliant with Bern Convention Rec. 173/2014, which encourages removal of hybrids from the wild. • Most management interventions are undertaken without reference to a clear national policy. • Few countries prescribe national genetic monitoring for early detection of WDH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early studies published in Ambio showed large-scale acidification of lakes in southern Sweden and Norway from acid rain. These studies were important for delimiting various scientific issues and thus for eventually contributing to legislation, which reduced emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides and helped to mitigate this major environmental problem. Long-term studies and monitoring in Sweden and Norway and at Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in New Hampshire helped guide this legislation in Europe and in the USA.