Only 38% UN members have laws for minimum lead concentration in paints

This is worrying as lead contamination can have adverse health impacts on humans

‘The world doesn’t need a treaty on plastic waste reduction’

UNEP chief Erik Solheim, during his visit to India, the global host for World Environment Day, says unlike climate change, plastic waste can be …

Energy in news on June 6

Here’s a round-up of today’s news reports and debates on energy

Climate change intensifies migration

Over 12,700 people worldwide died or went missing as a result of natural and man-mad disasters in 2014, says a new study

Green innovation steals the show at SEED Awards

An Indian enterprise and 27 African ventures win prize for sustainable business models empowering communities

Adaptation finance for agriculture is the need of the hour

Efforts for adaptation finance will have to be multiplied greatly as the needs of today are not being met, leave alone the needs of a more …

Polluted rivers pose risk to human health in three continents

Water pollution level has increased in Asia, Africa and Latin America, putting aquatic flora and fauna under extinction threat

Report at migratory species CoP flags rapid decline in India’s raptor population

State of India’s birds evaluated status of 867 species, using data from birdwatchers  

Resolution on nitrogen can lead to a carbon-like framework

The resolution for sustainable nitrogen management in the United Nations Environment Assembly was led by India for the first time

California to cut down emissions of methane, HFCs and black carbon

Reduction in the emissions of short lived climate pollutants can facilitate the post-2015 development agenda

Over 140 nations adopt Minamata Convention to phase out mercury

Agreement has weak controls on mercury emissions from major sources like coal-fired power plants

Updates From Rio

The Rio+20 challenge

Green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication are the two themes of the summit, but consensus eludes on both …

Forests protected by indigenous communities may get recognition under CBD

Around 370 million ha of forests across the world are conserved by communities with little support from governments   

Bonn conference: current emission trends will lead to warmer world

IEA report foresees temperature increase under existing policies; developed countries not doing enough to close gap

Half of the world’s richest biodiversity zones unprotected: UN study

Fast progress needed on targets for protected areas especially marine areas, it adds

The bumpy road to Rio+20

The meeting will review achievements and failures since the Earth Summit of 1992

Decision on capacity building to handle GMOs tops biosafety meet agenda

Countries have reported they lack appropriate legal, institutional and technical capacity for decision making on genetically modified organisms

Recycling metals better for environment than mining or production: UNEP panel

Its two reports advocate improvements in recycling systems, adoption of product-centric approach

Microcredit scheme for solar lighting system

Rural families pay less than what they spent on kerosene lamps for off-grid lighting

Investments in Indian renewable energy sector declining

Is it a temporary phase?