The European Linneborn Prize for Outstanding Merits in Biomass is awarded every year on the occasion of the EUBCE Conference. The prize was established by the European Commission in 1994 for outstanding contributions to the development of energy from biomass. Dr. David Baxter receives the Linneborn Prize 2019 as a highly appreciated and recognised R&D…
Environment
Fighting Climate Change with the Bio-economy
The bioeconomy is a crucial factor in fighting climate change, responding to the growing food demand and boosting rural areas. In its opinion on the adopted at its plenary session, the EESC calls for better support for SMEs in the form of advice and access to finance. Public-private cooperation should be promoted and supported through…
MRR report finds demand for mineral wool market impacted by lung disease effect of inhalation
By Eli Hadzhieva,Guest Contributor A report released by Market Research Reports (MRR) has concluded that “the fact that slivers of mineral wool when inhaled can cause lung disease affects the demand for the overall mineral wool market”. The report also focused on the need for precautions to be taken when installing the material. The MRR…
50th Anniversary for IFAW
by Staci McLennanDirector of IFAW’s EU office. This month the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) is celebrating its 50th anniversary and half a century of work helping animals, people and the planet. It all started when a small group of people got together to stop Canada’s cruel commercial seal hunt. Fourteen years later, the effort…
Sibiu Summit Fails to Prioritise Climate Change Crisis
The leaders of Europe met in the Romanian town of Sibiu this week and agreed on ten points regarding the future of Europe. Climate change featured only tenth as a priority though. Reacting to the outcome the co-leading candidate of the European Green Party, Greens/EFA co-president Ska Keller was very critical of this. She said:“The seriousness of the…
NGOs Call for Stronger EU Healthcare Product Standards
An international group of chemical and health NGOs have come together to publicly express deep regret and disapproval of the EU delegation’s behaviour and actions at the COP9 of the Stockholm convention. Whilst governments agreed to a global ban on Perfluoro-octanoic acid (PFOA) – an extremely persistent, bio-accumulative, and toxic chemical – a large number of unjustified 5 years exemptions were included….
Building a Sustainable Environmental Future for Europe
The future of Europe is environmentally and socially sustainable, write Kélig Puyet and Ariel Brunner. It is within reach if political leaders take action now – as environment and social organisations, representing millions of Europeans, we stand together to deliver this message to national and EU leaders meeting in Sibiu on 9 May to discuss…
EU Aid for Mozambique and Comoros
Following the extensive damage caused by tropical cyclone Kenneth in northern Mozambique and Comoros, the EU is providing initial €1.5 million to help the people affected by the heavy rainfall and destruction that the new cyclone left in its trail. Announcing the donation Christos Stylianides, Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management said: “Mozambique is facing…
European Companies Fuel Destruction of Amazon Rainforest
A new report from Amazon Watch is said to show that European companies have “played a direct role in financing firms that fuel the destruction of the Brazilian Amazon” under the country’s new president Jair Bolsonaro. The report details a series of prominent European corporate buyers and investors that reportedly have business ties to what campaigners…
What is mineral wool and what are the health concerns?
Concerns have been growing about the health risks of mineral wool (also known as Man-made Vitreous Fibres (MMVF), or by the brand name Rockwool). A report was published last year that summarised these concerns in terms of health risks to homeowners and those working to install, remove or dispose of mineral wool as an insulation…