Environment news

• One year in, Richard Di Natale faces first verdict on Greens' new pragmatism

  05-05-2016 23:52
  
  The party leader goes into the election with ambitious plans, having shown his willingness to negotiate with the CoalitionHere’s a quote from Margaret Thatcher warning about climate change. In the 1980s.“For generations, we have assumed that the efforts of mankind would leave the fundamental equilibrium of the world’s systems and atmosphere stable. Continue reading...
  
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• For butterflies, timing is everything

  05-05-2016 22:30
  
  Patrick Barkham on how the late flowering of food species can spell disaster for butterflies emerging after winterFor me, spring truly begins when the first male orange tip passes on its ceaseless jinking search for females. It was late this year, and this small white butterfly with unmistakable orange tips to its wings only materialised in my garden last week.What worried me was not its tardiness but its food plant’s. The garlic mustard on which superbly-camouflaged (and occasionally cann
  
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• Hits to Americas oil output show global glut not invincible

  05-05-2016 22:11
  Drops in oil output are happening so fast that it looks as if the Americas alone could resolve global oversupply. "Unplanned oil supply disruptions have been a key element so far this year that have contributed to a tighter oil market than was otherwise expected," analyst Guy Baber of Simmons & Co. told clients on Thursday. Consider this: The wildfire in Fort McMurray, at the heart of Canada's oil sands region, has forced more than 640,000 bpd out of production, according to Reuters estimate
  
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• Oil up as fire curbs Canada output; higher dollar, stockpiles cap gains

  05-05-2016 21:36
  By Barani Krishnan NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices surged on Thursday after a raging wildfire near Canada's oil sands region curbed output that mainly flows to the United States, before settling off their highs as a rebounding dollar and a huge U.S. stockpile build cut into gains. While the oil sands facilities are mostly to the north of the wildfire in city of Fort McMurray in Alberta that is spreading south, as much as a third of Canada's daily crude capacity has been cut and some major pipeli
  
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• Exclusive - Shift in Saudi oil thinking deepens OPEC split

  05-05-2016 21:20
  By Dmitry Zhdannikov and Rania El Gamal LONDON/DUBAI (Reuters) - As OPEC officials gathered this week to formulate a long-term strategy, few in the room expected the discussions would end without a clash. "OPEC is dead," declared one frustrated official, according to two sources who were present or briefed about the Vienna meeting. This was far from the first time that OPEC's demise has been proclaimed in its 56-year history, and the oil exporters' group itself may yet enjoy a long life in the e
  
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• Militants attack Chevron platform in Nigeria's oil-rich Niger Delta

  05-05-2016 21:04
  By Tife Owolabi YENAGOA, Nigeria (Reuters) - Militants attacked a Chevron platform in Nigeria's oil-rich Niger Delta region late on Wednesday, the U.S. energy company said on Thursday, amid growing fears of a revived militant campaign in the region. It is the latest in a series of attacks on oil facilities in Africa's top oil exporter. President Muhammadu Buhari has vowed to crack down on "vandals and saboteurs" in the Delta region, which produces most of the country's oil.
  
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• More than 80% of Trump supporters see refugees as threat to US, survey shows

  05-05-2016 20:56
  
  Donald Trump supporters ranked Isis as biggest danger in Pew poll
  Climate change ranked highest for Democrats, but lowest for RepublicansMore than eight in 10 Republicans who support Donald Trump regard refugees from Iraq and Syria as a major threat to the US, according to a survey that lays bare the deep political polarisation in America.
  Trump’s creed of “America first” set out in a recent foreign policy speech in Washington appears to be resonating with Republicans who belie
  
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• Plans for coal-fired power in Asia are 'disaster for planet' warns World Bank

  05-05-2016 20:02
  
  Experts have offered stark warnings that proposed power plants in India, China, Vietnam and Indonesia would blow Paris climate deal if they move aheadPlans to build more coal-fired power plants in Asia would be a “disaster for the planet” and overwhelm the deal forged at Paris to fight climate change, the president of the World Bank said on Thursday. In an unusually stark warning, the World Bank president, Jim Yong Kim, noted that countries in south and south-east Asia were on track
  
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• Oil jumps as Canada fire, Libya violence unleash supply fears

  05-05-2016 19:18
  By Barani Krishnan NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices jumped about 2 percent on Thursday, resuming their rally from last week, as a raging wildfire cut production from Canada's oil sands region and escalating Libyan violence raised more worries about immediate oil supplies than a longer-term glut. While the oil sands facilities are not in the fire's path, the wildfire that raged unchecked in the city of Fort McMurray in Alberta knocked out as much as a third of the nation's daily crude capacity and
  
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• Unrelenting fire forces more evacuations in Canadian oil sands region

  05-05-2016 19:05
  By Rod Nickel ANZAC, Alberta (Reuters) - A massive wildfire near Fort McMurray in Alberta, Canada, that has grown to five times its initial size has spread south, forcing more evacuations on Thursday after 88,000 people fled the city in the nation's energy heartland. The uncontrolled blaze, which has consumed swaths of the city, has shut some oil production in the area, driving up global oil prices and affecting projects and pipelines across the heavily forested region. Officials issued mandator
  
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• Militants attack Chevron platform in Niger Delta - navy spokesman

  05-05-2016 18:39
  By Tife Owolabi YENAGOA, Nigeria (Reuters) - Militants attacked a Chevron platform in Nigeria's oil-rich Niger Delta region late on Wednesday, a navy spokesman said on Thursday, amid growing fears of a revived militant campaign in the region. It is the latest in a series of attacks on oil facilities in Africa's top oil exporter. President Muhammadu Buhari has vowed to crack down on groups attacking oil facilities in the Delta region, which produces most of the country's oil.
  
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• Space radar to assess Europe's historic sites

  05-05-2016 18:36 via bbc.co.uk
  
  A satellite radar project is under way to assess the geological hazards facing the 400-plus European monuments and sites on the Unesco World Heritage List.
  
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• MPs to review 'Boaty' naming process

  05-05-2016 18:09 via bbc.co.uk
  
  MPs want to examine the process that has been used to find a name for the UK's new polar research ship - a vessel the public wants to call Boaty McBoatface.
  
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• Oil rivals cooperate to slash equipment costs - Shell

  05-05-2016 17:58
  By Ron Bousso LONDON (Reuters) - Ten oil companies including Royal Dutch Shell , Chevron and BP are working together to develop standard production equipment, a rare cooperation among rivals to save money as low oil prices put pressure on budgets. Bespoke valves, paints and underwater equipment are among the items that could be mass-produced at a cheaper cost, Harry Brekelmans, Shell's Projects and Technology Director told Reuters. The other companies involved in the project are France's Total ,
  
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• Shower gel plastic beads may face ban

  05-05-2016 17:57 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The UK's Environment Minister promises action to cut pollution from facial scrubs and body washes.
  
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• Elon Musk: 'We need a revolt against the fossil fuel industry'

  05-05-2016 17:44
  
  Tesla chief says educating the public on climate issues is essential in countering oil and gas lobby’s influence over big political decisions, reports Edie.netTesla’s chief executive Elon Musk has accused politicians of bowing to the “unrelenting and enormous” lobbying power of the fossil fuel industry, warning that a global “revolt” may be needed to accelerate the transition to more sustainable energy and transport systems.
  Speaking at the World Energy Innova
  
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• U.S., Europe shares rise with oil prices; dollar gains

  05-05-2016 17:24
  By Sam Forgione NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. and European stock markets recovered on Thursday after a rebound in oil prices boosted energy shares, with some strong European earnings reports also supporting stocks in the region, while the dollar rose ahead of Friday's U.S. employment data. Oil prices jumped 2 percent as a huge wildfire near Canada's oil sands region and escalating tensions in Libya stoked concerns among investors of a near-term shortage in supply. Firmer oil prices also lifted share
  
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• David Attenborough at 90: how has he influenced your life?

  05-05-2016 17:15
  
  As David Attenborough turns 90, we’d like you to share how the wildlife television presenter has influenced your life. To celebrate Sir David Attenborough’s 90th birthday on 8 May, we’d like you to share your tributes to the wildlife broadcaster and naturalist whose career in broadcasting has spanned more than half a century. A twist of fate led Sir David to his first presenting role on the BBC series Zoo Quest in 1954. Since then he has fronted a vast number of wildlife docume
  
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• Q&A: Everything you need to know about air pollution

  05-05-2016 17:07
  
  As the UK is hit with another wave of air pollution we look at the causes and effects, what you should do and what action is being takenStagnant air from continental Europe, which has picked up pollution from industry and agriculture, is being blown over the UK from the south-east. This air combines with pollutants already present in the air from UK sources, such as nitrogen oxides and particulates from diesel vehicle engines, to produce air pollution.Continue reading...
  
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• 'Perfect storm' boosted Alberta fires

  05-05-2016 17:04 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The El Niño weather phenomenon and ongoing climate change have both contributed to the devastating Alberta wildfires, according to experts.
  
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• Oil up 3 percent as Canada fire, Libya violence unleash supply fears

  05-05-2016 17:04
  By Barani Krishnan NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices jumped 3 percent on Thursday, resuming their rally from last week, as a raging wildfire near Canada's oil sands region and escalating Libyan violence raised more worries about immediate oil supplies than a longer-term glut. The wildfire near Fort McMurray in Alberta, Canada, has grown five times its initial size and spread south on Thursday, forcing more evacuations after 88,000 people fled the city in the nation's energy heartland since Tuesday
  
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• Oil firms have 10 years to change strategy or face 'short, brutish end'

  05-05-2016 17:02
  
  Business models employed by multinationals such as Shell and BP are no longer fit for purpose, warns energy expertInternational oil companies such as Shell and BP must completely change their business model or face a “nasty, brutish and short” end within 10 years, one of Britain’s most influential energy experts has warned.Paul Stephens, a fellow at Chatham House thinktank, said in a research paper the oil “majors” were no longer fit for purpose – hit by low c
  
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• Libya oil output could fall if Hariga port dispute continues

  05-05-2016 16:57
  Libya may be forced to cut oil production within days if a stand-off between eastern and western factions that has prevented loadings at the Marsa al-Hariga port continues, an official from oil firm NOC in Tripoli told Reuters on Thursday. An official from the Marsa al-Hariga port said that tanks at Hariga were 7-10 days away from reaching their full capacity. With no tankers loading crude at the port, Libya will be forced to shut in around 120,000 barrels per day (bpd) of production, or the exp
  
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• SpaceX Will Launch Japanese Satellite, Try Rocket Landing Early Friday: Watch Live

  05-05-2016 16:51
  
  SpaceX will try to launch a Japanese satellite and land the first stage of its Falcon 9 rocket on a ship at sea during a satellite launch early Friday morning (May 6), and you can follow all the spaceflight action online. The landing attempt will come during the launch of the JCSAT-14 commercial communications satellite for SpaceX customer SKY Perfect JSAT Corp. of Japan, which is scheduled to take place from Florida's Cape Canaveral Air Force Station at 1:21 a.m. EDT (0521 GMT) Friday. You can&
  
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• Wyke Farms becomes first UK dairy to earn Carbon Trust triple certification

  05-05-2016 16:43
  
  The UK's largest independent cheese producer and milk processor has become the first British dairy farm to hold a Carbon Trust Standard triple certification for improving environmental performance across carbon emissions, water use and waste.
  
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• Monsanto, Dow, Syngenta: rush for mega-mergers puts food security at risk

  05-05-2016 16:30
  
  Recent deals in the global agrochemical and seed industry, driven by financial motivations, are a threat to farmers, prices and the environment
  The global agrochemical and seed industry is undergoing profound upheaval, with a spate of mergers and attempted mergers consolidating the sector and raising concerns about the future of the food system.It began last year when Monsanto started looking for a partner, trying three times (unsuccessfully) to link up with Syngenta. By the end of 2015, Dow and
  
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• How safe does protected status keep the world's national parks?

  05-05-2016 16:07
  
  Protected areas and habitats are being downgraded and delisted so often, to accommodate mining, logging or population growth, the problem even has its own acronym. Environment 360 reportsIt’s the saddest truism in wildlife conservation: When politicians announce that they are setting aside precious habitat “in perpetuity”, what they really mean is until somebody else wants the land. Protected areas now get reopened so often under the pressure of population and economic growth t
  
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• New evacuations around fire-struck Canadian city in energy heartland

  05-05-2016 15:12
  By Rod Nickel ANZAC, Alberta (Reuters) - A massive wildfire near Fort McMurray in Alberta, Canada, that has grown to five times its initial size has spread south, forcing more evacuations on Thursday after 88,000 people fled the city in the nation's energy heartland. The weather forecast has called for cooler temperatures and possible rain, offering hope that controlling the blaze could become easier. Late Wednesday, flames fanned south from Fort McMurray, the main city in Canada's oil sands reg
  
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• Could Donald Trump 'dramatically threaten' the Paris climate deal?

  05-05-2016 15:02
  
  The former president of COP21 has warned that having a "climate change denier" as US president could "dramatically" threaten global action on climate change agreed upon as part of the historic Paris accord.
  
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• In Benin, a new stove turns rice waste into clean fuel

  05-05-2016 14:39
  By Busani Bafana COTONOU, Benin (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Naman Abibate's business is hard to miss. A towering pile of neatly arranged logs, collected by her husband from a forest near their village home, sits at the side of the busy Cotonou-to-Niger highway, north of Benin. Rice is a staple food in Benin, and parboiling the grain requires a lot of heat, which means a lot of wood.
  
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• Elon Musk: Politicians taking 'easy path' with fossil fuel subsidies

  05-05-2016 14:38
  
  Tesla's chief executive Elon Musk has accused politicians of bowing to the "unrelenting and enormous" lobbying power of the fossil fuel industry, warning that a global "revolt" may be needed to accelerate the transition to more sustainable energy and transport systems.
  
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• Greenland's ice sheet not losing ice in its interior

  05-05-2016 14:08 via feedproxy.google.com
  Scientists studying data from the top of the Greenland ice sheet have discovered that during winter in the center of the world's largest island, temperature inversions and other low-level atmospheric phenomena effectively isolate the ice surface from the atmosphere -- recycling water vapor and halting the loss or gain of ice.A team of climate scientists made the surprising discovery from three years of data collected at Summit Camp, an arid, glaciated landscape 10,500 feet above sea level in the
  
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• Gas delivery startups want to change the world – but will they blow it up first?

  05-05-2016 14:00
  
  Whether or not the practices are safe, some wonder why companies are pouring resources into an area that so many are trying to innovate out of existenceIt is hard to imagine a less hospitable niche for a startup to enter than gasoline – a combustible commodity that is (one hopes) being innovated into obsolescence. And yet, over the past 18 months, at least six startups have launched some variation on the theme of “Uber for gas” – your car’s tank gets refilled while
  
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• Why did the death of Cecil the lion cause such an uproar?

  05-05-2016 13:51
  
  Analysis of the huge news and online response to his death could offer conservationists an opportunity to turn the ‘Cecil moment’ into a ‘Cecil movement’, reports Conservation MagazineWhen the story of Cecil the lion’s death at the hands of an American hunter hit the media, the global response was “the largest reaction in the history of wildlife conservation,” according to a new paper. Researchers from Oxford’s Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (
  
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• Libya output could fall within days if Hariga dispute continues - NOC Tripoli

  05-05-2016 13:50
  Libya may be forced to slash oil production within days if a stand-off between eastern and western factions that has prevented loadings at the Marsa al-Hariga port continues, an official from state oil firm NOC in Tripoli told Reuters on Thursday. With no tankers loading crude at the port, Libya will be forced to shut in around 120,000 barrels per day (bpd) of production, or the export capacity of the port. OPEC member Libya is already producing less than a quarter of the 1.6 million bpd it prod
  
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• Carillion nets £33m profit from sustainability action

  05-05-2016 13:34
  
  Carillion has added an additional £33.8m to its overall profits thanks to an increased focus on sustainable business practices, the British construction company has announced in its latest CSR report.
  
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• Oil rallies as Canada fire and Libya violence threaten supply

  05-05-2016 13:21
  By Amanda Cooper LONDON (Reuters) - A huge wildfire near Canada's oil sands region and escalating tensions in Libya stoked concern among investors over a near-term supply shortage, driving crude prices up for the first time in a week on Thursday. Brent crude futures rose $1.11 on the day to $45.73 a barrel by 1105 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures gained $1.36 to $45.14. "The difference today compared with a year ago is the market is starting to price in supply disruptions, w
  
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• How Encirc is smashing the glass ceiling of supply chain sustainability

  05-05-2016 13:18
  
  As businesses begin to look beyond the 'low-hanging fruit' of on-site sustainability solutions, a growing number of firms are turning their attentions to supply chain management as a way of reducing emissions and environmental footprints even further.
  
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• When in drought: the California farmers who don’t water their crops

  05-05-2016 13:00
  
  Dry farming forgoes modern irrigation and, farmers say, produces much tastier crops. In a drought-stricken state, should others follow suit?There’s something different about Will Bucklin’s grape vines. At first it’s hard to notice, but a drive through northern California’s Sonoma Valley, past waves of green, manicured vineyards, makes it clear. The black ribbon of PVC irrigation pipe that typically threads the vines is curiously absent here – because Will doesn&rsqu
  
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• We've been mayors of New York, Paris and Rio. We know climate action starts with cities

  05-05-2016 13:00
  
  If we want to reduce emissions, cities are key. But they need to be empowered if they are to have an impactThe Paris Climate Agreement, already signed by more than 175 countries, was successful in large part because national governments recognized cities’ progress in reducing carbon emissions. On Thursday, as world leaders gather in Washington DC to discuss how to reach the goals set in Paris, they should focus on helping cities do even more, and act faster, to reduce those emissions.Citie
  
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• Pollution risk from over 1,000 old UK landfill sites due to coastal erosion

  05-05-2016 12:46
  
  Storms and rising sea levels could break up old rubbish dumps in England and Wales releasing potentially toxic waste, study showsOver 1,000 old landfill sites on the coasts of England and Wales are at increasing risk of being breached by erosion, according to a new study, posing a serious pollution danger to wildlife and bathing waters.Landfill sites before the mid-1990s had few or no restrictions about what rubbish could be dumped in them and little is known about what they contain. But many we
  
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• The world's top 10 reptiles – in pictures

  05-05-2016 12:37
  
  Komodo dragon tops poll, compiled by scientists using Wikipedia page view data, that reveals our favourite reptiles are also among the scariest Continue reading...
  
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• Centrica unveils surprise share sale to protect credit rating, dividend

  05-05-2016 12:27
  By Karolin Schaps LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's largest energy supplier Centrica announced a surprise share sale on Thursday to pay off debt, showing its determination to protect its credit rating after being hit hard by weak energy prices and tough retail market competition. The British Gas owner said it intended to raise around 750 million pounds by placing shares equivalent to roughly 7 percent of its issued share capital in order to reduce its debt pile and to pay for two acquisitions. The ut
  
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• Exercise 'outweighs air pollution harm'

  05-05-2016 11:33 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The health benefits of cycling and walking outweigh the negative effects of air pollution, a UK study suggests.
  
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• Europe shares, oil snap four-day losing streaks

  05-05-2016 11:00
  By Marc Jones LONDON (Reuters) - European stocks and oil prices snapped a four-day losing streak on Thursday and a rally in bond markets fizzled out as investors began to position themselves for U.S. jobs data. The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index, which had fallen 1.2 percent to its lowest level in nearly a month in the previous session, rebounded 0.3 percent as firmer oil prices helped lift the region's big producers. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Wednesday that Japan would act if neces
  
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• Insurer Lancashire's profit slumps, appoints CFO for Cathedral

  05-05-2016 09:09
  (Reuters) - Property and casualty insurer Lancashire Holdings Ltd on Thursday reported a 48.5 percent slump in first-quarter pretax profit, and appointed Heather McKinlay as chief financial officer for its Cathedral arm. Shares in the company, which last year announced the departure of Cathedral's CEO and CFO, fell as much as 5.2 percent in early trading on the London Stock Exchange. Lancashire, which writes policies for heavy-duty assets such as oil rigs, ships and aircraft, said pretax profit
  
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• Oil jumps on Canadian wildfire, Libyan fighting

  05-05-2016 09:00
  By Henning Gloystein SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Oil prices jumped on Thursday as a huge wildfire in Canada disrupted oil sands production, while escalating fighting in Libya threatened the North African nation's output. International benchmark Brent crude futures were trading at $45.36 (31 pounds) per barrel at 0654 GMT, up 74 cents or 1.7 percent from their last close, after three days of declining prices. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were up 95 cents, or 2.2 percent, at $44.73.
  
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• Tory MPs tell Cameron to accept steep cuts needed for UK's fifth carbon budget

  05-05-2016 08:01
  
  Climate change is a problem that cannot wait, 20 backbenchers say in their statement to PM, urging him to accept cuts in greenhouse gas emissions Twenty Conservative MPs have written to the prime minister urging him to accept the steep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions required by the UK’s ‘fifth carbon budget’.On the eve of local elections in several regions, and the poll for the next London mayor, the MPs have made a strong statement that climate change is a problem that canno
  
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• Europe to crack down on wildlife smugglers to protect rare lizard species

  05-05-2016 08:00
  
  EU proposal seeks to close a legal loophole allowing the sale of endangered lizards in Europe after a Guardian article revealed the scale of the problemEurope has moved to close a loophole that allows wildlife smugglers to trade in several endangered lizard species, after revelations by the Guardian about the scale of the problem.An EU proposal to strictly regulate the trade in arboreal alligator lizards (Abronia), backed by Mexico, will be debated at the Convention on international trade in end
  
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• Two-thirds of Australia's emissions fund spent for just 7% of 2030 target

  05-05-2016 07:48
  
  The Clean Energy Regulator has bought up 50.5m tonnes of carbon abatement but there doubts over how effective this will be in reaching targets set in ParisThe government has now spent two-thirds of its emissions reduction fund but has only achieved 7% of the emissions cuts it would need to reach its 2030 target, according to analysts.Today the Clean Energy Regulator announced the results of its third Emissions Reduction Fund auction, the centrepiece of government climate policy by which it pays
  
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