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

World freed from toxic leaded petrol: A global win

While global eradication of toxic lead in petrol needs to be celebrated, this also reminds us how tough it is to undo wrong if the evidence of …

Nature to tackle environment challenges: Triple investments by 2030, says UN report

Current investments of $133 billion comprise about 0.10% of global gross domestic product, most of which come from public sources  

Green innovation steals the show at SEED Awards

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

‘Others can learn from India’s approach to contain AMR at state level’

Roderico H Ofrin, WHO India’s representative, discusses the role played by his organisation in tackling antimicrobial resistance in India

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 …

Plastic pollution in aquatic systems may triple by 2040: UNEP

Around 23-37 million tonnes of waste could end up in the ocean a year by 2040, up from 9-14 million tonnes a year in 2016 

Climate change: What the Emissions Gap Report 2020 tells us

The annual UNEP report on emission says the “the world is still heading for a temperature rise in excess of 3°C this century”

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  

Microplastics, microbeads: What you did not know about self-care products

Bureau of Indian Standards in 2017 proposed a ban on raw materials not recognised safe for use in cosmetics from 2020. The status of the ban is&…

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

75% emerging infectious diseases zoonotic: UN Report

Document emphasises on importance of a ‘One-Health’ approach to manage and prevent zoonotic disease outbreaks and pandemics

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 …

World Dugong Day 2020: Marine mammal fighting for survival in Indian waters

Conservation only way to save species from extinction, says experts

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

Insect attacks affected 142 mn ha forest between 2003 and 2012: Report

The State of the World’s Forests report warned climate change will exacerbate wildfires and pest attacks in the future