Homebuyers ignore efficiency labels
Guardian Unlimited | 02 Mar 2011
A Consumer Focus report found 79% of prospective buyers did not act on recommendations of energy performance certificates. Homebuyers overwhelmingly ignore energy labels designed to encourage greener homes, a new survey revealed on Wednesday. Consumer Focus carried out a survey to find out how useful prospective buyers and tenants found energy performance certificates (EPC), which vendors and landlords are legally required to provide when selling or letting a home.
 England | Certification | Economics and the Environment | Economy | Energy Conservation | Energy Consumption

Plan to end discards protects fishermen for the long haul
Guardian Unlimited | 01 Mar 2011
Throwing away thousands of tonnes of fish is unacceptable. At last the problem is getting a serious airing in Brussels. Half of the fish caught in the North Sea today are thrown away, dead, because of an EU fisheries policy that is no longer fit for purpose. We can all agree that the system is broken - throwing away thousands of tonnes of edible fish is unacceptable. But on Tuesday we heard a bold proposal from the European commission that would aim to eliminate discards.
 United Kingdom | Biodiversity and Trade | Business and Industry | Environmental Impacts | Fisheries | Marine Life

Letters: A way to avoid companies' limited liability for corporation tax
Guardian Unlimited | 23 Feb 2011
There is a simple way of addressing tax avoidance by companies (Editorial, 19 February). Profits in the hands of an accountant are an elastic concept. Revenue and Customs battles to stop companies deflating profits in this country and inflating them offshore - Barclays' use of tax havens is but a...
 United Kingdom | Access to Information | Business and Industry | Economy | Environmental Awareness

Target 'black carbon', recommends UN
Guardian Unlimited | 23 Feb 2011
Cutting the amount of soot we pour into the atmosphere, and emissions of methane from agriculture, would be one of the most powerful ways to tackle climate change, a new report from the United Nations environment programme (Unep) has concluded. Preventing "black carbon" - particles of soot from industry and cooking fires – from polluting the air would help to cut global warming by as much as 0.5C, and reduce warming in the Arctic by about two thirds by 2030.
 Air Pollution | Global Warming | Greenhouse Gas Emissions | Industry | Science and Environment

Green economy needs 2% of every nation's income, says UN
Guardian Unlimited | 21 Feb 2011
Global green investment drive 'would pay off in terms of jobs, cleaner air and energy use' Obama, Hu Jintao and big business back call for every country to contribute. The United Nations will call on Monday for 2% of worldwide income to be invested in the green economy, a move it says would boost...
 Economics and the Environment | Economy | Greenhouse Gas Emissions | Industry | Policy

Co-operative Group commits to ambitious ethical operating plan
Guardian Unlimited | 18 Feb 2011
Co-op aims to cut carbon emissions by 35%, increase Fairtrade product lines and invest £1bn in green energy. The Co-operative Group is launching an ethical operating plan that it hopes will set a benchmark for corporate responsibility on carbon reduction, fair trade and community involvement. The group, which employs 120,000 staff, also plans to increase its membership from 6 million to 20 million and double its support for green energy to £1bn.
 England | Certification | Economics and the Environment | Economy | Governance | Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Randgold says its UK carbon ranking "incorrect"
Yahoo! News | 17 Feb 2011
Gold miner Randgold Resources has refuted findings regarding its greenhouse gas emissions in a UK study saying it was based on "incorrect information."
 United Kingdom | Economy | Governance | Greenhouse Gas Emissions | Industry

Environment lobbyists hopeful of WTO fish deal
Reuters | 17 Feb 2011
Environmental activists are hopeful that negotiations at the World Trade Organization to curb fisheries subsidies, especially those on fuel, can produce a deal that will help end overfishing.
 Climate Change | Agriculture and Fisheries | Biodiversity | Economy

Business needs a clear message on renewables
Guardian Unlimited | 17 Feb 2011
Business is key to a low-carbon future, but the government must show more clarity and consistency. Earlier this week, I was invited along to the Business and a Sustainable Environment conference in London to give my views on the government's green business policy. The question was "how is government engaging with business to deliver the transition to a low-carbon economy?" My answer was: "not very well".
 England | Economy | Governance | Greenhouse Gas Emissions | Industry | Initiatives | Policy

Forests sell-off abandoned as Cameron orders U-turn
Guardian Unlimited | 16 Feb 2011
Plans scrapped after furious backlash and Ed Miliband jibing about PM changing the Conservative emblem to a tree. David Cameron has ordered ministers to carry out the government's biggest U-turn since the general election by abandoning plans to change the ownership of 258,000 hectares of...
 England | Economy | Encroachment on Ecosystems | Forest Quality | Forests and Woodlands | Governance