Efforts to address global plastic pollution took a significant step forward today as world governments agreed to establish a specialist group tasked with examining options to combat marine plastic pollution
Action by HSBC, which triggered an investigation into a palm oil sector subsidiary of Noble Group, one of its own clients, has resulted in thousands of hectares of primary rainforest in the heart of Papua getting a second chance after evidence showed Noble Plantations was preparing to clear 18,000 hectares of forest
Timber logged illegally in and around a rogue oil palm plantation is still being certified as legal under Indonesia’s flagship timber certification system despite repeated NGO reports to police, forestry enforcement officials and certification professionals, the new EIA report Still Permitting Crime reveals
On the day the Government’s microbeads consultation closes, businesses have joined environmental campaigners in calling for a comprehensive ban on microbeads. Campaigners have warned that the current proposals would see the ban limited to microplastic ingredients of 5mm or less in ‘rinse off’ personal care and cosmetic products, while other products containing microplastics could continue to be sold
Conservation and animal protection organisations confirmed more than 1500 tonnes of products from endangered Icelandic fin whales were shipped to Japan in July 2016 The discovery comes as Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) considers removing key protection for whales
Today saw the release of the European Parliament’s draft opinion on the Circular Economy. Authored by Italian Socialist MEP Simona Bonafè, it contains proposals that will be vital to tackling the EU’s contribution to the global marine litter crisis