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A new viewer for Natura 2000

The European Commission, with the support of the European Environment Agency (EEA), has launched a new IT tool to bring the public closer to Natura 2000, its flagship network of protected areas.

Natura 2000 is the key instrument to protect biodiversity in the European Union. It is the largest ecological network of protected areas in the world, consisting of more than 25, 000 sites and covering 17% of the EU's land territory. Natura 2000 aims to ensure the survival of Europe's most valuable species and habitats, and safeguards numerous ecosystem services.
Using GIS (Geographical Information System) technology, the interactive viewer allows users to locate sites and related information on species and habitats of interest, using street maps, photographs, satellite imagery and background documents about the regions in question. The tool should raise awareness among the general public, and provides a useful instrument for developers, land use planners, landowners, government authorities, NGOs and researchers. Info: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/index_en.htm

 


 
Biodiversity: win-win business practices that do more for the planet

A new report funded by the European Commission makes a strong case for integrating biodiversity into private sector business plans and core activities around the globe. The report reveals considerable recent growth in eco-certified products and services, growing consumer concerns for sustainable production, and shows how biodiversity can provide a substantial business opportunity in a market that could be worth US$ 2-6 trillion by 2050. It makes seven key recommendations for businesses, and calls on accounting professions and financial reporting bodies to develop common standards to assess biodiversity impacts, and develop new tools for this purpose. “TEEB for Business” will form part of the TEEB synthesis report to be launched at a meeting of the Convention on Biological Diversity in Nagoya, Japan in October 2010

European Commissioner for the Environment Janez Potočnik said: “Despite some local successes, and in spite of a growing awareness of the problem, the global rate of biodiversity loss does not appear to be slowing. But this report shows that businesses can help, and I am heartened to see these tangible examples of companies that are flourishing without damaging the only planet we have.”
TEEB for business recommends a series of actions to help companies minimise their biodiversity risks and seize the business opportunities ecosystems services create: “Identify the impacts and dependencies of your business on biodiversity and ecosystem services (BES); assess the business risks and opportunities associated with these impacts and dependencies; develop BES information systems, set SMART targets, measure and value performance, and report your results ; take action to avoid, minimize and mitigate BES risks, including in-kind compensation (‘offsets’) where appropriate ; grasp emerging BES business opportunities, such as cost-efficiencies, new products and new markets ; integrate business strategy and actions on BES with wider corporate social responsibility initiatives; engage with business peers and stakeholders in government, NGOs and civil society to improve BES guidance and policy.
Biodiversity is good for business. The report finds that while a majority of companies still treat biodiversity superficially in their reports, growing numbers are aware of the potential benefits. Biodiversity and ecosystem services offer opportunities for all business sectors, and their integration can bring significant added value by ensuring the sustainability of supply chains, generating new products, creating and penetrating new markets and attracting new customers.
Policies to manage biodiversity and ecosystem risks can also help to identify new business opportunities, such as reducing input costs through improved resource efficiency, developing and marketing low impact technologies, managing and designing projects to reduce ecological footprints, and providing professional services in risk assessment and management/adaptation.
Estimates developed by PricewaterhouseCoopers for “sustainability-related global business opportunities in natural resources (including energy, forestry, food and agriculture, water and metals)” suggest a potential market in the range of US$ 2-6 trillion by 2050 (at constant 2008 prices).
(EC/2010-07-13)

 


 
CH: 300,000 euros for municipal 'climate' projects

Alliance, the local government network in the Alps, has launched a new action programme.

Projects which make a measurable contribution to climate protection or which help to adapt to climate change have until 15 November 2010 to apply for financial support. A budget of 300,000 euros has been allocated to co-finance projects in the local authorities and regions which are members, in the context of the dynAlp climate initiative. The grants are available both to projects supported by authorities and regions which are already members of the Alpine Alliance, and to those who wish to become members.
 
To benefit from a grant, projects must contribute to attenuating man-made climatic change or help adapt to the consequences. They must equally take into account social, ecological and environmental aspects.
 
One of the objectives of the projects is to put into action the results of the International Commission for the Protection of the Alps (CIPRA) “cc.alps” project.
A wide range of projects is involved. They may address technical considerations (e.g. flood protection), strategic issues (e.g. sustainable tourism), legal and financial issues (e.g. a grant). But equally education and public awareness (e.g. thermal mapping), and participatory processes and other climate-related activities can be taken into account. Palliative measures and projects directly related to nature protection will be a priority. Sustainable adaptation projects may also benefit from funding as long as they do not have a negative impact on the natural environment and also have a strong potential for diminishing the impact of change. Innovative projects which may be copied by neighbouring authorities and regions – creating a snowball effect – will also be privileged.
 
The projects will be chosen by an international jury. dynAlp-climate will grant-aid about 20 projects, in the 10,000 to 40,000 euro range, financing up to 50% of the total budget. The remaining 50% must be financed by the local authorities or by third parties, in the form of financial input, services, or materials.
Info: www.alpenallianz.org
(Umwelt Perspektiven, Switzerland, www.umweltperspektiven.ch)

 


 
Commission rewards Europe's best green business

Companies from the UK, Belgium, Germany and Spain have won the 2010 European Business Awards for the Environment. The winners were announced by European Environment CommissionerJanez Potočnik at an awards ceremony during the annual Green Week conference in Brussels. The awards recognise “the best of the best” businesses that have already succeeded in competitions at national level.

EU Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik said: “The more we are aware of the real and inherent value of our environment, the more effectively we will combine economic, social and environmental goals. The companies involved in the European Business Awards for the Environment are a key element in this – demonstrating clearly their innovative abilities and the economic sense of applying eco-technologies and processes.”
The awards are given in four categories and recognise European businesses that make a particular contribution to sustainable development by combining innovation, economic viability, environmental concern and social responsibility. The winners were chosen from 141 entries from 24 EU and candidate countries. This is the highest number of entries since the European Business Awards for the Environment were launched in 1987 and reflects the growing interest of businesses in sustainability and their understanding of today's environmental challenges.
Winner Management Award : The Findus Group, UK
This award is for companies with outstanding strategic vision and management systems which enable them to continuously improve their contribution to sustainable development.
 
Winner Product Award : EnergyICT, Belgium.
This award is for companies that have developed a new product or service that makes an outstanding contribution to sustainable development.
 
 
Winner Process Award : Zenergy Power GmbH and Bültmann GmbH, Germany
This award is for companies that have developed and applied a new production technology that makes an outstanding contribution to sustainable development.
 
Winner International Co-operation Award: Ferrovial, Spain
This award is for companies that have developed an international partnership for the sharing of knowledge and technology leading to sustainable growth in developing countries.
(EC/2010-06-02)

 


 
D: Scientists publish a biodiversity atlas

Political decisions are part of the main motive forces influencing species survival. They are right at the heart of our relationship with nature and the countryside, for example through agricultural, transport and infrastructure policies.
 
These decisions also influence numerous socio-economic processes, which regulate human behaviour, concludes a team of scientists in the Atlas of Threats to Biodiversity, which has just been published.
 
The Atlas brings together the results of “Alarm”, a large-scale European research project in which 68 organisations spread over 35 countries participated, together with key data from numerous other research networks. In all, 366 authors from 180 organisations in 43 countries have contributed to this 280-page atlas. For the first time the main factors which cause loss of species diversity on a European and global scale are highlighted. They are caused by climate change, ground use and environmental pollution. The consequences of biodiversity loss are described in this work with special attention given to socio-economic factors and their effects on society.
Info: Helmholtz Zentrum für Umweltforschung: www.ufz.de
(Umwelt Magazin, Germany, www.UmweltMagazin.de)

 


 
D: Successful World Hydrogen Energy Conference in Essen

The 18th World Hydrogen Energy Conference (WHEC 2010) which took place from 16-21 May, transformed the town of Essen into a world capital for fuel cells and the hydrogen industry. The conference, which aimed to lay the foundations for the development of hydrogen as an energy source, was supported by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. At the same time, the conference was a shop window for German industry in the fuel cell and hydrogen-related sectors, under the aegis of the federal program for fuel cell innovation. WHEC 2010 was organised by the Energy Agency of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. During the final press conference on 20 May, Christa Thoben, minister for the economy, noted that huge progress had been achieved, although there were still challenges ahead. In many areas, the technology has almost reached the point where it can be put on the market. The car industry predicts the arrival of fuel-cell powered cars at a reasonable price in 2015. Now, the priority is the construction of the huge infrastructure needed to exploit hydrogen as a fuel, said the minister. At WHEC 2010 the Netherlands and North Rhine-Westphalia launched a joint project. The aim of the project is to road test four German-built articulated buses, using the Triple-Hybrid-System. Two will be put into public service in North Rhine-Westphalia and the other two in the Netherlands, on popular routes.

 


 
E: Mercedes-Benz and Acciona start a pilot project with 42 electric cars

The German car manufacturer will supply Smart electric cars and the Spanish company will install the recharging points for businesses located in the greater Madrid area.

 
The multinational Daimler AG, represented in Spain by its subsidiary Mercedes-Benz Spain, and Acciona have signed an agreement to promote “emission-free” mobility in the Madrid region.
 
The agreement includes a pilot phase in which the car manufacturer will provide 42 Smart electric vehicles and the energy company will install the required infrastructure for the 121 recharging points supplied from 100% renewable sources.
 
The initiative, which will last for four years, is aimed at businesses going about their normal activities. The recharging points will be sited at company headquarters, at the homes of those who use the vehicles, and at certain strategic points.
 
The agreement was signed by José Luis Lopez-Schümmer, president and advisor of Mercedes-Benz Spain, and Carmen Becerrill, president of Acciona Energies, at the International Eco-Friendly Vehicle & Sustainable Mobility Show in Madrid.
The recharging infrastructure will be equipped with value-added facilities, such as timetabling and reservation of recharging points, management of the process from a mobile phone, and vehicle diagnostics during the recharging. In addition, Acciona will supply emission-free electricity, guaranteed 100% from renewable resources, and certified by the National Energy Commission (CNE).
 
The project management team will now begin the process of selecting the clients who will benefit from the use of the vehicles and also suitable sites for the recharging points.
The two companies will also do a functionality study, in which they will analyse the behaviour of the clients and their approval rating, with the aim of evaluating the development of a commercial product.
 
Depending on the results of the pilot, the two parties will consider increasing the number of electric cars in the project, as well as the number of recharging points. If they decide to increase the number of vehicles, Mercedes-Benz will provide up to 35 electric versions of its Class A model.
 

 


 
E: Spain could achieve a turnover of 17.4 billion euros if the EU reduces its emissions by 30% for 2020

The environmental organisation Greenpeace has asked prime minister Zapatero to use his term as EU president to obtain an agreement with this objective.

Greenpeace believes that a goal of reducing emissions by 30% would represent income of 70 billion euros for Europe.
Greenpeace has published a paper ahead of the summit of European heads of state where, amongst other things, climate change and European strategy for 2020 will be discussed – not just environmental, but also economic and social aspects. According to Greenpeace, a stronger European commitment to reducing emissions by 2020 would not only benefit the environment, but would also generate significant revenue from emission rights trading.
Greenpeace believes that this will help to consolidate the European economy. In real terms an objective of 30% reduction in emissions would represent income of 17.4 billion euros for Spain, and a total of 70 billion euros for the whole of the EU over the period 2012-2020.
Greenpeace emphasises the need to integrate environmental issues into the economic measures which are being taken to tackle the crisis, thus taking the opportunity of addressing both challenges at the same time.
The environmental organisation pointed out the conclusions of the advice note published by the European Commission a few weeks ago. This showed that a strengthening of the European commitment on emission reductions to 30% would save up to 40 billion euros in fossil fuel imports; it would create hundreds of thousands of ‘green’ jobs; and there would be increased energy security along with significant savings in the health sector, and in pollution control. The total saved would be between 1.5 and 6.5 billion euros.
It is in this context that Greenpeace has asked Mr Zapatero to use one of the last opportunities Spain will have, with its temporary presidency of the EU, to promote agreement on the European pledge. “The opportunities associated with greater commitment to European emission reduction plans are clear. If EU governments decide to ignore this data, they will have a lot of explaining to do to their citizens, not only from the point of view of the environment, but also from the point of view of the economy,” declared Aida Vila, Greenpeace’s climate change and energy campaign officer. “It is unacceptable that in the context of budgetary austerity like Spain’s, the only economic interests which are still respected are those of the fossil fuel industry and its partners,” concluded Aida Vila.
(Residuos, Spain, www.revistaresiduos.com)

 


 
F: Lyons Confluence, the first urban area with WWF approval

In mid-June the Greater Lyons local authority and the publicly funded local development organisation “Lyons Confluence” will sign an agreement with the WWF. The new urban area, at the end of the Lyons isthmus, and its environment will become the first “sustainable” urban zone in France to be endorsed by the WWF.

The WWF’s “One planet living” initiative – which aims to create exemplary urban areas combining excellent quality of life with reduced environmental impact – will be put into practice here. Trials of this initiative, starting in 2004 with Bedzed in London and Mata de Sesimbra in Lisbon, have facilitated the definition of ten principles for action: zero carbon, minimal waste, sustainable transport, building materials and food which are sourced locally and in a sustainable way (vegetable gardens, local veggie box schemes), sustainable water management, biodiversity, local culture and historic monuments, socio-economic diversity, quality of life. These principles are incorporated into the definition of the project from the start, increasing residents’ awareness of these ideas. The Confluence zone is already under development, and high-energy-efficiency buildings (housing, offices and the new headquarters of the Rhone-Alps region) are envisaged, in the context of the European Concento-Renaissance project. The WWF hopes that the agreement will include  neighbouring Saint-Blandine, an ageing working-class area which is due for renovation.
Info: www.lyon-confluence.fr
(Environnement Magazine, France, www.environnement-online.com)

 


 
NL: European rubbish in Ghana

The principle of recycling is creating sparks in the international circuitry of electronic appliances. The recycling industry in the Netherlands and other European countries is trying to extract as much electronic waste from spare parts and primary materials as possible.

 
At the same time, there is a need to keep working devices on the market.
 
Since there is no local demand for second-hand goods, companies prefer to export redundant devices to Africa and Asia. In this case, reuse forms part of support for weak economies. But we prefer not to see the flip side of the coin, unlike Gérard Wolters. After a long career in environmental inspection in the Netherlands, he has moved to the other end of the journey travelled by Western rubbish. There, in Accra, the Ghanaian capital, he sees children recycling electronic rubbish in badly polluted scrapyards.
 
Europe has very strict rules (EVOA) governing the exportation of redundant electric devices. This legislation is based on the 1989 Basle Convention, which was signed by 170 countries world-wide. Exporters of second-hand electric devices that still work must follow a certification process in the country of origin before giving them a new life in another country. The receiving country must confirm that the waste is in good hands and will be recycled correctly. The exportation of used electric devices which no longer work is forbidden by the law. But, as is often the case, policing and protection are weak points.
(Milieu Magazine, Netherlands, www.milieumagazine.nl)

 


 
NL: Less nitrogen monoxide thanks to a new road surface

The preliminary results of tests of a new concrete road surface which cleans the air suggest that a new road surface can considerably improve air purity on the roads. “This concrete decreases the concentration of nitrogen monoxide (NOx) by 25 to 45%,” Jos Brouwers of the Technical University of Eindhoven (TU/e) recently explained in his inaugural lecture.

This spring, researchers from TU/e measured air quality on a main road for three days, taking readings between 0.5 and 1.5m above the surface. Where the purifying surface had been laid, the amount of NOx was 25 to 45% less than on the stretch which had a traditional surface. Nitrogen dioxide causes smog and acid rain.
The concrete air purifier contains titanium dioxide, a photocatalyst, which attracts nitrous oxides. Sunlight transforms them into less-polluting nitrates, which are subsequently washed away by rain. This surface even has an additional advantage: it eliminates algae and other road dirt so that it always stays clean.
The tests were done with the cooperation of Struyk Verwo Infra, who produced the surface, and the municipality of Hengelo. The province of Overijssel gave a grant from its Sustainable Development programme to the project. On 7 September, Sustainable Development Day, the participants in the trials will organise a conference in Hengelo, with speakers from the worlds of science, politics and business.
(Milieu Magazine, Netherlands, www.milieumagazine.nl)

 


 
NL: The difficult conversion of European Directives into national law

Members of the EU are obliged to implement European environmental directives in national law. If they do not do so they may be condemned by the European Court of Justice. However, the transposition and application of these directives by individual member states runs up against all kinds of problems, as shown by Barbara Beijen in her thesis. She studied ten environmental directives in the Netherlands, Denmark and Germany, countries where much attention is paid to the environment compared to other member states.

 
Barbara Beijen claims that sometimes European directives are of mediocre quality. In addition they also include obligations which are difficult to achieve because the standards are very strict, or because they conflict with other environmental directives. The definitions and the area of application of the directives are also often unclear.
One example is the Birds and Habitat directive. It seeks to protect endangered animal and plant species in regions which are themselves endangered. In part these directives are adapted from one another. But at the same time there are important differences, for example concerning exceptions. One example of the difficulty is that according to the Bird directive, accidental acts are outlawed. If this is interpreted to the letter, a farmer who works on his land as he always has done risks infringing the directive, insofar as he disturbs the nests of birds which weren’t there before, as in the case of migratory birds.
 
Another obligation which is equally difficult to comply with, according to Beijen, lies in the air quality directives. In the Netherlands these standards are contravened in numerous places. Notably, this has caused a delay in the construction of the A4 motorway and the development of residential districts. Very strict environmental requirements have been integrated into these directives and it is practically impossible for the Netherlands to comply. But they have been transposed into the national law of member states which, according to Barbara Beijen, would have done better to refuse them. More possible exceptions should have been added.

 


 
EEP Award winners 2009

EEP AWARD 2009

The following awards have been announced at the Pollutec 2009 in Paris by representatives of the EEP, Pollutec and EFAEP:

Gold winner

Company: Nheolis, France
Innovation: Nheowind 3D 100 and Nheowind 3D 50
For more information: www.nheolis.com

Silver winner

Company: A4F-AlgaFuel, Portugal
Innovation: Bioenergy and CO2 fixation with microalgae
For more information: www.AlgaFuel.pt

Bronze winner

Company: Grundfos A/S, Denmark
Innovation: Grundfos NoNOx Urea Dosing Air-assisted 7.5 Sensor Based
For more information: www.grundfos.com

 


 
Second safety talks on oil platforms with industry

Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger and Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik will meet representatives of oil and gas companies and national surveillance authorities on 14 July 2010. The aim of the meetings is to discuss whether EU legislation should be reviewed in the light of the accident in the Gulf of Mexico.

Günther Oettinger, Commissioner responsible for Energy said: “No regulatory regime alone can give us 100% guarantees of safety. Much depends also on the attitude and practices of operators and on having an operational system available. I wish to make sure that the necessary legislation is in place and effectively implemented and that, at the same time, all possible efforts are made by the industry to avoid a similar accident and consequent oil spill. Politics and business need to work together to ensure that the European environment and the public are as safe as they possibly can be.”
This is already the second meeting Commissioner Oettinger convenes with major oil and gas companies operating in Europe. In a very first meeting on 11 May 2010, the Commissioner had asked the representatives to fill out a questionnaire of 12 questions, indicating the preventative measures they have in place. The answers will be delivered before the second meeting, allowing a very concrete discussion to take place.
The Commission is currently analysing the existing EU and national legislation and will complete its assessment on this basis. Depending on the results, Commissioner Oettinger will come out with new legislative and policy proposals this autumn.
EU legislation provides the framework for safety of operations as well as environmental protection both in general and in case of an accident. Oil platforms are regulated under the Directive  on “equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres”. It sets minimum industrial safety standards. The control of the platforms falls within the competence of national authorities. Workers on oil platforms are protected under the Framework Directive for health and safety of workers which applies to all sectors. As on and offshore drilling of oil is a high-risk sector, the EU also adopted specific legislation (Directive 92/91/EC). It contains detailed minimum health and safety provisions, in particular from fire and explosions, escape facilities and alarms systems.
In case of accidents offshore drilling operations are subject to the relevant EU environmental legislation, including directives on environmental impact assessment, habitats & wild birds' directives, environmental liability, and the Water Framework directive for coastal waters. While the responsibility lies with the affected coastal state, the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) supports the pollution response actions. EMSA has a fleet of oil recovery vessels under contract in the different EU seas, which can be mobilised on request under the Civil Protection Mechanism of the EU.
(EC/2010-06-22)

 


 
Six finalists vie for title of European Green Capital 2012 and 2013

Barcelona, Malmö, Nantes, Nuremberg, Reykjavík and Vitoria-Gasteiz have been shortlisted by the European Green Capital Award evaluation panel as finalists in the contest for this prestigious environmental honour.

The competition for the 2012 and 2013 European Green Capital Awards has entered its final stages, with the 17 candidate cities now been whittled down to a shortlist of six. The finalists are Barcelona and Vitoria-Gasteiz from Spain, Malmö from Sweden, the French city of Nantes, Nuremberg in Germany and Reykjavík, the capital of EU candidate country Iceland. The evaluation panel began examining applications on 1 February 2010, and a decision has now been reached. Cities are evaluated against a comprehensive checklist of environmental criteria which includes the local contribution to the fight against climate change, transport facilities, green urban areas, sustainable land use, nature and biodiversity, local air quality, noise pollution, waste production and management, water consumption, waste water treatment, and the environmental management of the municipality. Applicant cities have been asked to provide information on a variety of indicator areas with regards to their present environmental status and results, what they are doing to improve the urban living conditions, their future initiatives and dissemination plans. Over the coming months, the six finalists will supply further details to support their applications. When the evaluation panel has assessed the six shortlisted cities over the course of the second evaluation round, it will present its recommendations to the jury, which will then make the final decision. The announcement of the European Green Capitals for 2012 and 2013 will be made at a ceremony in Stockholm in late October 2010. Stockholm is the current European Green Capital, with the title passing to Hamburg in 2011.
What is the background of The European Green Capital Award? The annual award is a new initiative presented to a city in the vanguard of environmentally friendly urban living. The award panel use 11 environmental indicators, with cities being judged on their record in achieving high environmental standards, their commitment to ongoing and ambitious goals for further environmental improvement and sustainable development, and the extent to which they can act as a role model to inspire other cities and promote best practice in other European cities. The jury choosing the winners is made up of representatives from the European Commission, the European Environment Agency, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, the Covenant of Mayors' Office, the European Environmental Bureau and the Committee of the Regions.
Info: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/europeangreencapital/index_en.htm