IEA Proposes Ways to Decarbonize Power & Cut Energy Intensity in Industry
Thursday, October 1st, 2009From the International Energy Agency (IEA): IEA proposes approaches to curb greenhouse gas emissions in the key sectors, industry and power “In the global fight against climate change, the industry and power sectors both play a key role,” said Nobuo Tanaka, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA) today in Paris. “Industry is one […]
Is Chile Ready?
Sunday, August 30th, 2009According to the blog of the University of Chile’s Environmental Law Center (DCA), Environment Minister Ana Lya Uriarte assured them the other day that Chile is ready to assume all the environmental standard commitments that will come with its membership, currently under negotiation, in the Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). She pointed […]
More Progress on P2R2 in Brazil
Monday, August 3rd, 2009Earlier this year I posted about how slowly Brazil’s states were taking up their role under the National Plan for the Prevention of, Preparation for and Response to Environmental Emergencies Involving Hazardous Chemicals Products (“P2R2”), and more recently about Environment Ministry (MMA) efforts to move things along. Now comes some new signs of movement among […]
Brazil and Uruguay Take the Lead in Implementing GHS
Saturday, July 4th, 2009Yesterday Uruguay became the first country in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) to implement the Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) (known in Spanish as the Sistema Globalmente Armonizado – SGA) through binding legislation. President Tabaré Vázquez and his Council of Ministers signed Decree 307/009 on safety measures for chemical industry […]
Peru Opens Public Consultations on Draft National Environment Policy / Peru pone en consulta pública borrador de política nacional del ambiente
Wednesday, February 18th, 2009Peru’s Environment Ministry (Minam) is circulating for public comment its proposal for a National Environment Policy. Interested parties can submit comments and suggestions through a web-based form. Minam will also be holding consultative workshops on the draft Policy in Lima and four regions. The draft Policy is clear and concise, with a set of overarching […]
Comisión argentina comienza trabaajo sobre los agroquímicos
Thursday, February 5th, 2009Desde la Secretaria de Ambiente y Desarrollo Sustentable (SAyDS): Comenzó a funcionar comisión para prevenir intoxicación por agroquímicos Presidida por la Ministra de Salud de la Nación, Graciela Ocaña, y con la presencia del Secretario de Ambiente y Desarrollo Sustentable, Homero Bibiloni, sesionó hoy por primera vez la Comisión Nacional de Investigación para la prevención, […]
Espirito Santo Prepares for Chemical Emergencies
Thursday, January 8th, 2009Five years ago when President Lula issued the decree launching the National Plan for the Prevention of, Preparation for and Response to Environmental Emergencies Involving Hazardous Chemicals Products (“P2R2”), a cornerstone of the Plan’s implementation was the establishment by all the states and the Federal District (DF) of their own committees (“CE-P2R2”) to coordinate planning, […]
Unique Customs Cooperation Pact on Multilateral Environmental Agreements
Monday, December 29th, 2008Earlier this month Ministers from Central America and the Dominican Republic responsible for the environment, agriculture, health, defense and customs signed an Inter-Institutional Cooperation Convention for the Control of Imports, Exports and Transit Related to Multilateral Environment Agreements. The accord is supposedly the first of its kind in the world (I would be interested to […]
An E-Waste Bill for Santa Catarina / Projeto de Lei Sobre E-Lixo para Santa Catarina
Thursday, September 18th, 2008Earlier this month a bill was introduced in the southern Brazilian state of Santa Catarina (SC) to impose extended producer responsibility (EPR) for end-of-life electrical and electronic equipment — WEEE, e-waste or “technological trash” (lixo tecnológico) as Brazilians like to call it. SC is not the first state to attempt legislation on this subject. Mato […]
The Disease Burden Associated with Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008Last month the World Health Organization (WHO) released, without much fanfare, Safer Water, Better Health, its estimate of how many deaths or how much “disease burden” can be attributed to deficiencies in water, sanitation and hygiene (WSH). Access to safe drinking water and proper sanitation is key to improving health conditions in developing countries. Water-related […]
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