Full coverage: Environment

29.05.2008 The European Commission has announced it will promote the use of ICTs to reduce energy use and cut emissions. The Commission will support research and development of innovative solutions focusing on three areas first - the power grid, lighting and buildings, crucial to making the whole economy energy smart.

28.05.2008 Research done by US based Stanford University reveals that energy firms in the developing nations are squandering UN’s carbon offsetting funds. In the name of adopting clean development mechanism, companies have wasted huge sums of money on unqualified projects that have not achieved genuine pollutions cuts.

28.05.2008 Experts feel that India’s failure to grab the opportunity to take a lead in pushing for reorganisation of UN Environment Programme is hurting not just its own interests but also that of the entire developing world. Currently the UN is debating the issue of restructuring the UNEP to make it stronger.

27.05.2008 Women have a significant role in environmental management and disaster risk reduction. Taking forward this line of thought, the third Global Congress of Women in politics and governance will define an action agenda for parliamentarians to adopt gender responsive legislation and programs for climate change.

26.05.2008 A well-planned transition from a traditional physical office to a virtual one brings benefits for both the company and its employees, says research house Gartner. By cutting down on travel time and office costs, there is more productivity in work and more savings, coupled with less carbon footprints.

23.05.2008 International Telecommunications Organisation (ITU) is organising a Symposium on ICT and Climate Change from June 17-18, 2008, in London, UK. The event will look at the potential role that ICTs can play in monitoring climate change and its impact in some of the most vulnerable parts of the globe.

23.05.2008 Indian Youth Climate Network (IYCN) invites applications for the Delhi Youth Summit on Climate to be held on May 28-29, 2008. The event aims to bring together the youth of Delhi, to begin dialogue on the city’s fate in the wake of climate change.

22.05.2008 Google Earth has developed a new tool to help track future impact of climate change in India. Based on the findings of a joint UK-India research initiative, the map shows projected rise in temperature in different regions of the country leading to increased floods, droughts and loss of biodiversity.

16.05.2008 Floods in Bihar, a state in eastern India, have devastating impact on women, children, the landless and dalits. Waters Of Despair, a documentary film dives deep to reveal how administrative negligence is an even bigger culprit. It finds holes in disaster preparedness, relief distribution and beneficiary identification.

16.05.2008 To help companies adopt better energy management practices, an online Virtual Energy Forum will be held from June 10-11, 2008. Using live video presentations by alternative energy experts, the event will provide a discussion platform on how to use clean technology.

15.05.2008 The clearing of mangroves along Myanmar’s coast exposed communities to greater risks during cyclone Nargis, says the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. Intact and dense coastal vegetation can reduce impacts of stormy waves and act as windbreaks in reducing devastation.

15.05.2008 IISD’s latest commentary Is Green Great?: Balancing the Demands of Environmental Protection and Human Needs, is the adaptation of Oli Brown's views made at a symposium, held in Portland, Oregon. The author feels that environmentalism is fundamentally about improving living conditions and a more efficient utilisation of resources.

14.05.2008 The Nand & Jeet Khemka Foundation invites applications for India’s Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2008. The Award seeks to recognise social entrepreneurs whose efforts and innovations have contributed towards achieving sustainable development.

13.05.2008 Allaying the fears of adverse environmental impact, Tata Power says its proposed 1,000 MW thermal power unit in eastern India will use the latest technology to keep the air, water and noise pollution well below the statutory limits. The company also intends to offer fair price to landowners.

13.05.2008 Indian zoos will soon be globally connected thanks to an agreement with the US-based International Species Information System. The world's largest online database on zoo animals has historic data for several thousands of species, enables better collection and sharing of information and makes animal exchange easier.

12.05.2008 World Environment Foundation in association with World Council for Corporate Governance is organising an international convention on climate change from May 30-June 1, 2008 at Palampur, India. The event will be a unique platform for business leaders, policy makers, NGOs and environmental experts to share ideas on developing clean technology.

12.05.2008 Lax enforcement and profitability have emboldened rhino poachers in India and Nepal. The situation has left WWF-India extremely worried about the protection of this endangered species of large mammals. It has suggested a slew of measures to take on the criminal gangs engaged in the trade.

09.05.2008 Mark MacGann, Director General of European Information & Communications Technology Industry Association believes that despite being one of the major contributors to climate change, the ICT industry has the potential to tackle the problem by integrating environmental responsibility with corporate strategy.

09.05.2008 Once called India’s bread basket, Punjab’s success story has been marred by pesticide poisoning, soil contamination, farmer indebtedness and drug addiction. A recent report says the production-centric approach of industrial agriculture needs to make way for environmentally sound practices that promote equitable access to food.

06.05.2008 Reuters Foundation and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) invite entries from print and online news services for the 2008 Media Awards for excellence in environmental journalism. The worldwide competition aims to encourage informative reporting based on sound scientific data.