reports

Norway resumed commercial whaling in 1993 despite the fact that the International Whaling Commission (IWC) moratorium on all commercial whaling had been in effect since 1986. The political party in government in Norway at the time took the decision in order to stem the decline in its popularity with voters in northern Norway. It was able to do so because Norway lodged an objection to the IWC's moratorium decision in 1982 and so is not technically bound by it.

Parliamentary briefing

The recent European Landfill Directive will force the UK to reduce the amount of organic waste it disposes of in landfill sites. This is causing panic among waste disposal authorities, which have failed for years to address the question of what to do sustainably with our household waste. Local authorities in the UK are now stampeding towards huge incineration plants, capable of burning 200,000 tonnes or more of rubbish per annum, to meet the EU targets.

Parliamentary briefing

Whichever political party wins the general election, the next British Government will have to decide whether to allow the US to use early warning facilities at RAF Fylingdales and RAF Menwith Hill as part of a Star Wars system. Without the use of these bases the US cannot proceed with the dangerous and destabilising Star Wars programme.

A decision to allow the use of US bases in the UK will have a profoundly negative impact on the future of international security, and will make the UK a target for attack...

Parliamentary briefing

Parliamentary briefing

European Environment Agency

The incineration of waste is a subject of considerable public concern. In the absence of effective controls, harmful pollutants may be emitted to air, land and water where they may contribute to human health and environmental impacts, acidification and damage to the environment on a local and regional level. It is widely recognised that whilst incineration of waste - preferably with heat recovery - can form an important part of an integrated waste management system, strict controls are required to prevent adverse environmental impacts.

A feasibility study of biomarkers

Pollution and health impacts of incinerating resources