This is an announcement for Swedenvironment No 3. Below you will find a very brief summary. Both the summary and the full text is available on Internet:
www.swedenvironment.environ.se
Swedenvironment is a newsletter from Ministry if the Environment, the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Chemicals Inspectorate in Sweden.
CONTENT No. 3:
New Minister For The Environment Plans Agri-Environmental Measures
Kjell Larsson, Sweden's new Minister for the Environment, will try to reach voluntary agreements with farmers, e.g. on reducing losses of nitrogen.
Green Indicators Test Sustainability
Eleven environmental indicators have been proposed as a starting point. If the government so decides, the indicators can be included already in the 1999 national budget statement.
Men Make More "Green" Choices
Nine out of ten shoppers state that they make a conscious effort to buy eco-labelled products - and it is men who are responsible for the upward trend.
Integrated Product Policy Needs Better Eco-Labeling And Public Procurement
In preparation for the Commission's workshop on Integrated Product Policy, working groups stress the need for greater environmental consideration in public procurement and eco-labelling with declarations of all chemicals.
Improved Supervision For Market Efficiency
So far, environmental regulations have not had any major negative consequences for market efficiency, according to a Swedish study. To reduce the risk of conflicts, taxes and charges are preferable to regulations.
Environmental Information Centre Will Assist Financial Markets
Interested parties in the financial markets could set up an environmental information centre, with government backing. The Swedish EPA suggests this, after interviews with market players.
Budget Boost For Forest Protection
In the budget bill, money available for state purchase of old-growth forests will more than double. Increased funding is also proposed for environmental monitoring and for research into environmentally sustainable transport systems.
Increase Organic Production To Get Sustainable Agriculture
The target level for organic production could be 5-10 % of the total production in Europe in the near future, according to a Nordic seminar on sustainable agriculture.
Better Requirements For Micro-Organisms Before They Are Registered As Pesticides
It is inadequate to have - as today - generally the same requirements for registration of micro-organisms as for chemical pesticides. New requirements are drawn up, and the conclusions from a seminar provide a first out-line.
Indirect Effects From Charge On Pesticides
The environmental charge on the use of pesticides has had an indirect positive effect as it has contributed to the financing of advisory services, research and development, which has led to a decreased use of pesticides.
Emission Register Of Point Sources
A European Polluting Emissions Register (EPER) can be introduced in stages in the various EU member states. In December, there will be a discussion on which substances to be included in such a register.
Twinned With Three Countries
Estonia, Latvia and the Czech Republic are to become Sweden's twinning partners, in the EU Phare -Twinning programme.
Greenpeace Tests Water From Landfill Sites
Greenpeace is testing the wastewater from rubbish tips in Sweden, as a pilot project in a campaign to highlight the spread of toxic substances.
Factor 10: Sell The Function - Not The Product
Improved eco-efficiency can be achieved if one sells the function (e.g. a warm house) rather than the product (e.g. oil or electricity). Several pilot studies on eco-efficiency by factor 10 are underway.
New Research On Acidification - Before Negotiations In 2003
A four-year research project has been agreed, to provide better data for future international negotiations regarding transboundary air pollution.
Does Acid Rain Affect Our Health?
The concentrations of metals in food and drinking water depend on the acidity in soil and water. But a relationship between biological exposure and negative effects on humans has not yet been shown.