News UK May 2008

< News UK April 2008, Current events

May 2008

 * New research gives landfill sites a green future, May 30


 * 50 MPs sign Peak oil Commons Motion and warn government that global oil production may be peaking, May 23


 * Sustainable Development Commission and ippr find widespread controversy over key data on air travel in the UK, including the benefits to the UK economy, its contribution to climate change, noise and air pollution, and the potential for technology to reduce aviation's environmental impacts. Report concludes that the high levels of conflict around the effects of aviation are bad for government, the industry, and citizens, creating rising distrust and undermining policy decisions. May 21 topic


 * Cable car recommended as alternative to Thames Gateway road bridge, May 20 topic


 * Disadvantaged communities keen to tackle street crime but often feel ignored by official bodies, May 15 topic


 * First “summer smog” of 2008 warning, May 9 topic


 * Personal carbon trading - government evaluation finds it "essentially ahead of its time and expected costs for implementation are high." May 8


 * Government looks likely to miss over half of the green targets it has set since 1997 despite promising to “put concern for the environment at the heart of policy-making”, a new report by thnktank Policy Exchange reveals, May 7 Out of 138 high level targets surveyed, 60% of targets have been missed, are unlikely to be achieved, or are worded so vaguely as to make meaningful analysis impossible. Two-thirds of the key climate change targets appear unlikely to be met while a massive 88% targets for biodiversity have been missed. Other areas where policy appears to be failing are rural affairs (only 31% met), transport (17% met) and water (17% met). The sole area where a majority of targets are on course to be achieved is waste.


 * Green Belt loss a daily reality despite government pledges, May 7 topic


 * Regeneration package for eight areas in London Thames Gateway announced, May 7


 * Advertising watchdog receives record complaints over corporate 'greenwash', May 1


 * Taxpayers are subsidising lorries on Britain’s roads, new research shows, May 1 topic