climate regulation News
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Updating the monetary value of biodiversity
New research has updated a major report on the monetary value of biodiversity. The second EU-funded Cost of Policy Inaction (COPI II) report has expanded the existing valuation database to include more regions, more ecosystems and more information on the services they provide and their economic values. The new data could be used to calculate a more accurate figure for the global value of ...
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RTI International supports EPA`s development of the first climate change regulation
With the support of researchers at RTI International and other contractors, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency this week proposed the first comprehensive national system for reporting emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases produced by major sources in the United States. Greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide, are produced by the burning of fossil fuels and through industrial ...
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Senate confirms Pruitt to lead EPA
Despite strong objections by environmentalists and clean energy groups, the U.S. Senate confirmed Scott Pruitt to lead the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), putting President Donald Trump in prime position to fulfill his campaign pledge to revitalize America’s coal and fossil fuel industries. Senators voted 52-46 to confirm Mr. Pruitt, the former attorney general of Oklahoma who has ...
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Understanding and addressing the causes of biodiversity loss
Many species around the world are likely to become extinct as ecosystems and the diversity of life found in them are threatened by pressures, such as pollution, overexploitation, climate change, invasive species, fragmentation, degradation and loss of habitat. A recent report has examined the causes of biodiversity loss and the policies surrounding efforts to tackle this loss. Biodiversity is ...
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A major new study on the economic consequences of ecosystem decline
The initial results of a major new study on the economic impacts of biodiversity loss were presented in Bonn last week, at 9th Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biodiversity. The study, known as The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) was presented by economist Pavan Sukhdev of Deutsche Bank. TEEB was commissioned by German Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel and Stavros ...
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A straightforward approach to assessing urban ecosystem services
Ecosystem-based adaptation to climate change relies on the services provided by nature; new research has now demonstrated the wide potential of urban ecosystem services to aid local adaptation efforts. This study developed and trialled a streamlined method for assessing ecosystem services, such as temperature reduction and carbon sequestration, in four European cities, providing a valuable tool ...
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New tool developed to highlight and help prevent declines in freshwater biodiversity
Biodiversity is declining in freshwater ecosystems across the globe, a new study has shown. The researchers created a mathematical model, called GLOBIOaquatic, which builds a picture of the threats to the biodiversity of rivers, lakes and wetlands that are posed by a variety of human activities. The most crucial of these are land-use changes, nutrient and chemical pollution, and disturbances to ...
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Biodiversity loss and climate change: the need for an ecosystem approach
Biodiversity loss and climate change are now a part of our lives. Both are rooted in overexploitation of natural resources. Both require a coherent policy response. The Syracuse Charter and the Athens Conference underline the strong political commitment to take action. To ensure our society and economy have a healthy future, we need a way to assess our impacts on the natural world. The European ...
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Leading companies worldwide responding to ecosystem degradation
Global warming may dominate headlines today. Ecosystem degradation will do so tomorrow. To prepare businesses for this new landscape, three organizations today launched a set of guidelines designed to help companies proactively develop strategies to manage risks and opportunities arising from ecosystem degradation. The guidelines, called the 'Corporate Ecosystem Services Review,' were ...
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Leading companies responding to ecosystem degradation
Global warming may dominate headlines today. Ecosystem degradation will do so tomorrow. To prepare businesses for this new landscape, three organizations today launched a set of guidelines designed to help companies proactively develop strategies to manage risks and opportunities arising from ecosystem degradation. The guidelines, called the Corporate Ecosystem Services Review ( 3.5 MB) were ...
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Climate change causing species disappearance in mountain areas
Higher temperatures are affecting mountain ecosystems and their populations, as melting glaciers increase short term water availability but also raise the likelihood of flooding, species migration and long term water shortage, FAO warned today during the commemoration of the International Day of Mountains. “As glaciers disappear and snowlines move upwards, river flows are likely to change and ...
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New EU initiative to protect biodiversity and fight wildlife crime
B4Life: United for Biodiversity Why do we need EU Biodiversity for Life? What is the value-added? EU Biodiversity for Life (B4Life) marks a change in the way the EU provides support to protect biodiversity in developing countries. In the face of the growing global threats to biodiversity, it provides for more resources, strengthened capacity and better coordination with partners. B4Life is ...
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You’re invited to China’s 2013 regulatory update – What EHS managers need to know
China’s 2013 Regulatory Update Sign up for either date: Thursday, 31 January at 9:00 AM EST Tuesday, 5 February at 10:00 AM EST Are you familiar with China’s EHS regulatory climate and the regulations that impact your business? Are you up to date on China’s emerging issues within EHS? Do you know the current enforcement trends in China and whether or not your ...
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Authoritative Book on Global Warming and U.S. Law Published
Chicago, Illinois - The American Bar Association has just published a new book that presents comprehensive coverage of U.S. law as it relates to global climate change. 'Global Climate Change and U.S. Law,' is edited by Michael Gerrard, a partner in the New York office of Arnold & Porter, where he heads the environmental practice group. After a summary of the factual and scientific ...
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What next for biodiversity protection in the EU?
The European Commission marked the opening of the International Year of Biodiversity with a paper setting out future options for biodiversity policy. Despite past efforts, species extinctions are continuing at alarming rates, and a new vision is required to halt these losses. The Communication sets out a vision and outlines four possible targets to reach it, with different levels of ambition. The ...
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EPA Proposes Approval of Arkansas GHG Program
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed to approve the State of Arkansas’ program for permitting new facilities that will emit significant amounts of greenhouse gases (GHGs). If approved, the state’s program will replace a federal plan that had been in place since January 2011. Final approval would provide the State of Arkansas with authority to issue GHG permits and ...
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Natural Assets: Conservation instruments or instruments for change?
Nobody is surprised when their water is cut off if they haven’t paid the bill. We admit that companies have to recoup their investments and maintain infrastructure (water withdrawal, treatment, distribution, etc.), on top of paying staff and suppliers. Why don’t we apply the same logic to the services offered by nature? The answer is simple: they are perceived to be free. Year after year, plant ...
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Europe`s water information at your fingertips
Forests cover over 30 % of the earth's surface. They are one of the most important 'storehouses' of biological diversity on land and play a key role in regulating our planet's climate. Their importance and the wide array of threats on world's forests are in the spotlight during the World Forest Day 21 March and the UN International Year of Forests 2011. Forests around the world provide us ...
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Enhanced collaboration for the conservation of Arctic peatlands and waterbirds concluded at Ramsar Convention
At the recently concluded 11th Ramsar Conference of the Parties in Bucharest, Romania, the Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF) signed Resolutions of Cooperation with both the Ramsar Secretariat and African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement (AEWA) to work together in order to better promote Arctic wetlands and bring greater attention to their importance. As a close partner of Ramsar, CAFF and ...
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Sustainability key competitive driver in natural resources sector
A new study by Sustainalytics highlights links between sustainability performance and shareholder value. The report, Sustainability and Materiality in the Natural Resources Sector looked at environmental and social practices in the forestry, mining and oil and gas sectors and found positive correlation to competitiveness in each sector. "After 20 years of assessing corporate responsibility ...
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