In hot water

the world's second-largest passenger cruise line the Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd has been fined us $6.5 million for dumping oily bilge water and other pollutants into Alaskan waters. "What happened is inexcusable. The company should have been able to avoid such an accident," ruled John Sedwick, a us district court judge.

South Korea

The ministry of environment has come out with a six-year project to improve the quality of the Naktong River's water, according to a newspaper report. The river is a source of drinking water for nearly 13 million residents of the southeastern province of Kyongsang. The project involves the construction of six dams and 266 more sewage treatment plants, along with the replacement of water pipes.

A lot of smoke

Raising eco-taxes

the Finland government has appointed a committee to compare the country's energy tax rates with those in other parts of the world. In the long-run, this exercise will indicate the potential of raising eco-taxes. The committee, appointed by the Economic Council which comprises government officials, representatives of trade unions, employers and central bank officials, is to present a report by the end of February next year, the government said in a statement.

Lacking teeth

IN GERMONY Sweedan and the Netherlands, protecting and caring for the environment has become part of the culture. This high level of public awareness pushes the politicians and the industry towards looking for genuine changes in policies and laws. By contrast, it is just a greenwash here in France. The French politicians and government are very quick to make very grand announcements, but there is no action until we follow it up seriously and make a public issue out of it.

UK tackles pesticides

the uk government has published a long-awaited Ecotec report on a possible pesticide tax. Existing policies have attempted to control pesticide damage by encouraging the use of relatively less risky pesticides and improving and controlling their application. However experts feel that tackling pesticide pollution requires a dual approach of less risky pesticides and application techniques alongside less pesticide use.

Tax-reforms okayed

the European Commission has approved the German government's ecological tax reforms, saying it does not break European Union ( eu ) rules on state aid. eu had questioned Germany's plans to hike taxes for certain energy-intensive industries, including agriculture and railways, but has now decided that the measures are in line with the eu 's environmental goals.

Taxing reforms

one of the most prominent measures proposed by the European Union ( eu ) countries to meet climate commitments has been introducing carbon/energy taxes. However, the 15-member eu is yet to agree on a carbon policy unanimously. Denmark, the Netherlands, Finland and Sweden have taken the lead in implementing some energy taxes individually, but these taxes are far from being ambitious.

Fly for the right price

airlines have enormous fiscal benefits, because they don't have to pay excise on kerosene, let alone a levy on carbon dioxide ( co 2 ) or nitrogen oxide ( no x ) pollution by aircraft. Therefore, the real costs of flying must be paid, says Nannie van Vliet, a campaigner with Strohalm, an environmental organisation in Groningen, the Netherlands.

Deep sea blues