The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has hit the tourism sector hard, putting more than 100 million jobs at risk; as countries begin to recover, new UN recommendations advise that the tourism sector builds back better, continuing its push to fight plastic pollution. The Recommendations for the Tourism Sector to Continue Taking Action on Plastic Pollution During COVID-19… [Read more]
LIFE SMART Waste project update and waste regulators Covid-19 response
Regulating Covid-19 waste is affecting much of Europe. The LIFE SMART-WASTE project has issued updates around their capacity building and the response to Covid-19 from the waste sector regulators in Wales (UK). Through their digital brochure they have published a summary LIFE SMART Waste’s conclusions and recommendations arising from the project’s capacity-building initiatives to help… [Read more]
Wildlife trade and zoonotic diseases: implications for trade policy
Wildlife trade monitoring network TRAFFIC published a paper indicating what is known of links between wildlife trade and zoonotic diseases and, on this basis, to consider implications for future wildlife trade policy and longer-term remedial measures. A wide range of organisations and public voices are calling for strong permanent prohibitions on wild animal trade to… [Read more]
Alliance: Appeal for Green Recovery from Covic-19 pandemic
The ‘Green Recovery’ alliance was launched in April at the initiative of Pascal Canfin, chair of the Environment Committee of the European Parliament. The informal alliance brings together an impressive number of members of European Parliament, civil society groups, CEOs, business associations, the European trade union confederation, NGOs and think tanks. The alliance was initiated… [Read more]
EEB: Europe risks going “back to a dirty future” — Covid-19 deaths linked to pollution
According to the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), air pollution is returning to China after a Covid-19 lockdown low, new satellite images show. Air pollution is the biggest environmental health risk in Europe, with the problem greatest in cities, according to the EEA. Air pollution is a strong driver of lung and heart conditions, which are being linked to higher Covid-19 death… [Read more]
IMPEL members responding to COVID-19 and Waste Shipment Regulations procedures
The COVID-19 virus also impacts the European competent authorities when it comes to process Waste Shipment Regulations documents. In these unprecedented times, it is encouraging to see how IMPEL members cooperate together to adapt their activities, find solutions, work out compromises and continue their engagement under these difficult conditions. A good example of this is… [Read more]